CHAPTER VII
ANIMAL CHARGES (continued)
After "ravenous fierce beastes," we come to dogs, foxes, cats, squirrels, etc. Sporting dogs are very favourite charges, and are frequently termed talbots in heraldry.[1]
[1:] Some writers consider that the term "talbot" was restricted to a mastiff, but sporting dogs—foxhounds, harriers, beagles, etc.—were certainly occasionally blazoned as talbots.
(A mastiff with short ears was termed an alant.)
The Carricks and Burgoynes bear one talbot on their shield, whilst the Talbot family have three talbots passant.
The Earl of Perth has a "sleuthhound, collared and leashed" for his crest; that of the Biscoe family is a greyhound seizing a hare. A dog chasing another animal must be blazoned either "in full course" or "in full chase." A foxhound nosing the ground is described as "a hound on scent."
The fox rarely figures in heraldry. One Kadrod-Hard of Wales bore two "reynards counter salient," and "the Wylies do bear that wylie beast, the fox"; whilst three foxes' heads erased are borne respectively by the Foxes of Middlesex and one Stephen Fox, of Wilts.
A fox's face is blazoned a "mask."