They be very Opinionate, hard to believe their Huntsman.

 

Chapter 4.

Of the Complexion and Nature of Dun Hounds.

Our Dun Hounds are such as anciently our kings of France and dukes of Alençon did most esteem. They be common, because they are fit for most chases, and therefore they are fittest for gentlemen, for their nature and complexion is such that they hunt all kind of chases you would have them to hunt. The best of the race are such as be dun on the back, having their four quarters red or tanned, and the legs of the same colour, as it were the colour of a Hare's legs. 

Sometimes, you shall see some that have on the top of their backs dun or almost black, and their legs streaked and flecked with red and black, and their legs streaked and flecked with red and black, the which do commonly proved excellent, and although there are not many bad Dun Hounds to be seen, yet nevertheless the light dun, having their legs fallow after a whitish colour, are seldom so strong nor so swift as the other are, and princes cannot so much delight in them for sundry causes. 

Once cause is they do much fear the throng of the huntsmen on horseback, and they are troubled with their noise, for as much as they are hot and of a great courage, and put themselves quickly out of breath hearing the cry and noise of the hunters. Another cause is they fear heat, and do not greatly esteem a chase which doubles or turns before them; but if the chase hold end long, you shall hardly find better or swifter hounds, although they be very opinionate, hard to believe their huntsman, and very easily inclined to change because of their heat and folly, and because of the great compasses which they cast when they are at default.

And above all things, they stick much upon knowledge of their matter, and especially his voice and his horn, and will do for him more than for any other huntsman. They have such emulation amongst themselves that they know the voice of thir fellows, and whether they be sure or not, for if they be babblers and liars, they will not lightly follow them. They are hounds of great travel, fearing neither cold nor water, and if they feel a chase to sink once before them, and that it begin to be spent once, then will they never forsake it until they have killed it. 

They who will take pleasure in them must use them in this sort.

At the first uncoupling of them, they must follow and encourage them as temperately as may be, and with very little noise, for that they are hot, and do quickly overshoot the track or path of the chase which they undertake, and therefore the huntsman on horseback ought not overhastily to follow them until they undertake it end long, nor likewise ought they not to come overhastily unto them at a default,
and they must likewise beware that they cross them not
for fear lest they make them turn back upon them.
And so in this manner they may take
pleasure in them.