The Fox and the Hound

"The Fox and the Hound" is a 1967 novel by Daniel Pratt Mannix IV. It follows the lives of two protagonists pitted against each other; a half-bloodhound named Copper and a red fox named Tod. The novel is Mannix's best-known work, and the Walt Disney Productions film "The Fox and the Hound" is based on the novel.

The book alternates between Copper and Tod's point of view; of the ten chapters in the book, four are from Copper's perspective and six are from Tod's. Both of the animal protagonists are presented as reasonably intelligent if not on a level with humans, and the book constantly emphasizes the point that both are creatures who rely on their sense of smell as much as humans rely on sight, particularly Copper.

Plot summary

The fable follows Tod from his first contact with humans as a kit and Copper from his first encounter with Tod. They are living in a changing world; the wilderness present at the beginning of the book gradually gives way to a more urbanized setting, causing problems for Copper, his Master, and Tod.

Copper's chapters focus on his relationship with his Master as he assists him in hunting, primarily for Tod; Tod's actions kill the Master's favorite dog early in the novel. Tod's chapters focus on his life as a wild fox, avoiding death both natural and man-made while attempting to father pups. The novel ends with the death of both main characters. Tod's lifeless pelt is hung and Copper is shot by his owner.