Chapter III: The Varieties of the Dog (4)

In the border country between England and Scotland, and until the union of the two kingdoms, these dogs were absolutely necessary for the preservation of property, and the detection of robbery and murder. A tax was levied on the inhabitants for the maintenance of a certain number of blood-hounds. When, however, the civic government had sufficient power to detect and punish crime, this dangerous breed of hounds fell into disuse and was systematically discouraged. It, nevertheless, at the present day, is often bred by the rangers in large forests or parks to track the deer-stealer, but oftener to find the wounded deer.

The blood-hound is taller and better formed than the deer-hound. It has large and deep ears, the forehead broad and the muzzle narrow. The expression of the countenance is mild and pleasing, when the dog is not excited; but, when he is following the robber, his ferocity becomes truly alarming.

The Thrapstone Association lately trained a blood-hound for the detection of sheepstealers. In order to prove the utility of this dog, a person whom he had not seen was ordered to run as far and as fast as his strength would permit. An hour afterwards the hound was brought out. He was placed on the spot whence the man had started. He almost immediately detected the scent and broke away, and, after a chase of an hour and a half, found him concealed in a tree, fifteen miles distant.

Mr. John Lawrence says, that a servant, discharged by a sporting country gentleman, broke into his stables by night, and cut off the ears and tail of a favourite hunter. As soon as it was discovered, a blood-hound was brought into the stable, who at once detected the scent of the miscreant, and traced it more than twenty miles. He then stopped at a door, whence no power could move him. Being at length admitted, he ran to the top of the house, and, bursting open the door of a garret, found the object that he sought in bed, and would have torn him to pieces, had not the huntsman, who had followed him on a fleet horse, rushed up after him.

Somerville thus describes the use to which he was generally put, in pursuit of the robber:

"Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail
Flourished in air, low bending, plies around
His busy nose, the steaming vapour snuffs
Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried,
Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart
Beats quick. His snuffing nose, his active tail,
Attest his joy. Then, with deep opening mouth,
That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims
Th' audacious felon. Foot by foot he marks
His winding way. Over the watery ford,
Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills,
Unerring he pursues, till at the cot
Arrived, and seizing by his guilty throat
The caitiff vile, redeems the captive prey."

THE SETTER

is evidently the large spaniel improved to his peculiar size and beauty, and taught another way of marking his game, viz., by 'setting' or crouching. If the form of the dog were not sufficiently satisfactory on this point, we might have recourse to history for information on it. Mr. Daniel, in his 'Rural Sports', has preserved a document, dated in the year 1685, in which a yeoman binds himself for the sum of ten shillings, fully and effectually to teach a spaniel to 'sit' partridges and pheasants.

[As this old document may prove interesting to the curious, we take the liberty of inserting it, knowing full well, that Mr. Daniel's work is quite rare in this country, and copies of it are not easily obtained even in England.

Ribbesford, Oct. 7, 1685,

"I, John Harris, of Willdon, in the parish of Hastlebury, in the
county of Worcester, yeoman, for and in consideration of ten shillings
of lawful English money this day received of Henry Herbert of
Ribbesford, in the said county, Esqr., and of thirty shillings more of
like money by him promised to be hereafter pay'd me, do hereby
covenant and promise to and with the said Henry Herbert, his exôrs and
admôrs, that I will, from the day of the date hereof, untill the first
day of March next, well and sufficiently mayntayne and keepe a Spanile
Bitch named Quand, this day delivered into my custody by the said
Henry Herbert, and will, before the first day of March next, fully and
effectually traine up and teach the said Bitch to sitt Partridges,
Pheasants, and other game, as well and exactly as the best sitting
Doggers usually sett the same. And the said bitch, so trayned and
taught, shall and will delivere to the said Henry Herbert, or whom he
shall appoint to receive her, att his house in Ribbesford aforesaid,
on the first day of March next. And if at anytime after the said Bitch
shall, for want of use or practice, or orwise, forgett to sett Game as
aforesaid, I will, at my costes and charges, maynetayne her for a
month, or longer, as often as need shall require, to trayne up and
teach her to sett Game as aforesaid, and shall and will, fully and
effectually, teach her to sett Game as well and exactly as is above
mentyon'd.

Witness my hand and seal the day and year first above written,

John Harris, his X mark.

Sealed and delivered in presence of

H. Payne, his X mark."

L.]

The first person, however, who systematically broke-in setting dogs is supposed to have been Dudley Duke of Northumberland in 1335.

A singular dog-cause was tried in Westminster, in July, 1822. At a previous trial it was determined that the mere possession of a dog, generally used for destroying game, was sufficient proof of its being actually so used. Mr. Justice Best, however, determined that a man might be a breeder of such dogs without using them as game-dogs; and Mr. Justice Bailey thought that if a game-dog was kept in a yard, chained up by day, and let loose at night, and, being so trained as to guard the preimises, he was to be considered as a yard-dog, and not as a game-dog.

The setter is used for the same purpose as the pointer, and there is great difference of opinion with regard to their relative value as sporting-dogs. Setters are not so numerous; and they are dearer, and with great difficulty obtained pure. It was long the fashion to cross and mix them with the pointer, by which no benefit was obtained, but the beauty of the dog materially impaired; many Irish sportsmen, however, were exceedingly careful to preserve the breed pure. Nothing of the pointer can be traced in them, and they are useful and beautiful dogs, altogether different in appearance from either the English or Scotch setter. The Irish sportsmen are, perhaps, a little too much prejudiced with regard to particular colours. Their dogs ate either very red, or red and white, or lemon-coloured, or white, patched with deep chestnut; and it was necessary for them to have a black nose, and a black roof to the mouth. This peculiar dye is supposed to be as necessary to a good and genuine Irish setter as is the palate of a Blenheim spaniel to the purity of his breed. A true Irish setter will obtain a higher price than either an English or Scotch one. Fifty guineas constituted no unusual price for a brace of them, and even two hundred guineas have been given. It is nevertheless, doubtful whether they do in reality so much exceed the other breeds, and whether, although stout and hard-working dogs, and with excellent scent, they are not somewhat too headstrong and unruly.

The setter is more active than the pointer. He has greater spirit and strength. He will better stand continued hard work. He will generally take the water when necessary, and, retaining the character of the breed, is more companionable and attached. He loves his master for himself, and not, like the pointer, merely for the pleasure he shares with him. His somewhat inferior scent, however, makes him a little too apt to run into his game, and he occasionally has a will of his own. He requires good breaking, and plenty of work; but that breaking must be of a peculiar character: it must not partake of the severity which too often accompanies, and unnecessarily so, the tuition of the pointer. He has more animal spirit than the pointer, but he has not so much patient courage; and the chastisement, sometimes unnecessary and cruel, but leaving the pointer perfect in his work, and eager for it too, would make the setter disgusted with it, and leave him a mere 'blinker'. It is difficult, however, always to decide the claim of superiority between these dogs. He that has a good one of either breed may be content, but the lineage of that dog must be pure. The setter, with much of the pointer in him, loses something in activity and endurance; and the pointer, crossed with the setter, may have a degree of wildness and obstinacy, not a little annoying to his owner. The setter may be preferable when the ground is hard and rough; for he does not soon become foot-sore. He may even answer the purpose of a springer for pheasants and woodcocks, and may be valuable in recovering a wounded bird. His scent may frequently be superior to that of the pointer, and sufficiently accurate to distinguish, better than the pointer, when the game is sprung; but the steadiness and obedience of the pointer will generally give him the preference, especially in a fair and tolerably smooth country. At the beginning of a season, and until the weather is hot, the pointer will have a decided advantage.

[We beg leave to finish this history of the setter by referring to our essay on this dog, published in vol. xv, No. 47, of the "New York Spirit of the Times", or as lately transferred to the pages of an interesting and valuable sporting work, about being published by our esteemed friend, Wm. A. Porter, and from which we now abstract our remarks upon

THE MERITS OF THE SETTER COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE POINTER.

It cannot for a moment be doubted that the setter has superior advantages to the pointer, for hunting over our uncleared country, although the pointer has many qualities that recommend him to the sportsman, that the setter does not possess. In the first place, the extreme hardiness and swiftness of foot, natural to the setter, enables him to get over much more ground than the pointer, in the same space of time. Their feet also, being more hard and firm, are not so liable to become sore from contact with our frozen ground. The ball pads being well protected by the spaniel toe-tufts, are less likely to be wounded by the thorns and burs with which our woods are crowded during the winter season. His natural enthusiasm for hunting, coupled with his superior physical powers, enables him to stand much more work than the pointer, and oftentimes he appears quite fresh upon a long continued hunt, when the other will be found drooping and inattentive.

The long, thick fur of the setter, enables him to wend his way through briary thickets without injury to himself, when a similar attempt on the part of a pointer, would result in his ears, tail, and body being lacerated and streaming with blood.

On the other hand, the pointer is superior to the setter in retaining his acquired powers for hunting, and not being naturally enthusiastic in pursuit of game, he is more easily broken and kept in proper subjection.

The setter frequently requires a partial rebreaking at the commencement of each season, in his younger days, owing to the natural eagerness with which he resumes the sport. The necessity of this, however, diminishes with age, as the character and habits of the dog become more settled, and then we may take them into the field, with a perfect assurance of their behaving quite as well on the first hunt of the season, as the stanchest pointer would.

The extreme caution, and mechanical powers of the pointer in the field, is a barrier to his flushing the birds, as is often witnessed in the precipitate running of the setter, who winds the game and frequently overruns it in his great anxiety to come up with it. But this occasional fault on the part of the setter, may be counterbalanced by the larger quantity of game that he usually finds in a day's hunt, owing to his enthusiasm and swiftness of foot. Setters require much more water while hunting than the pointer, owing to their thick covering of fur, encouraging a greater amount of insensible perspiration to fly off than the thin and short dress of the pointer. Consequently they are better calculated to hunt in the coldest seasons than early in our falls, which are frequently quite dry and warm.

A striking instance of this fact came under our own immediate observation this fall, when shooting in a range of country thinly settled and uncommonly dry. The day being warm and the birds scarce, the dogs suffered greatly from thirst, in so much that a very fine setter of uncommon bottom, was forced to give up entirely, completely prostrated, foaming at the mouth in the most alarming manner, breathing heavily, and vomiting from time to time a thick frothy mucus.

His prostration of both muscular and nervous powers was so great, that he could neither smell nor take the slightest notice of a bird, although placed at his nose. He could barely manage to drag one leg after the other, stopping to rest every few moments, and we were fearful that we should be obliged to shoulder and carry him to a farm-house, a considerable distance off. However, he succeeded, with much difficulty, in reaching the well, where he greedily drank several pints of water administered to him with caution.

He recovered almost immediately, gave me a look of thanks, and was off to the fields in a few moments, where he soon found a fine covey of birds.

The pointer, his associate in the day's work, and a much less hardy dog, stood the hunt remarkably well, and seemed to suffer little or no inconvenience from the want of water. The setter has natural claims upon the sportsman and man generally, in his affectionate disposition and attachment to his master, and the many winning manners he exhibits towards those by whom he is caressed.

The pointer displays but little fondness for those by whom he is surrounded, and hunts equally as well for a stranger as his master.--L.]

Of the difference between the old English setter and the setters of the present day, we confess that we are ignorant, except that the first was the pure spaniel improved, and the latter the spaniel crossed too frequently with the pointer.

It must be acknowledged, that of companionableness, and disinterested attachment and gratitude, the pointer knows comparatively little. If he is a docile and obedient servant in the field, it is all we want. The setter is unquestionably his superior in every amiable quality. Mr. Blaine says, that a large setter, ill with the distemper, had been nursed by a lady more than three weeks. At length he became so ill as to be placed in a bed, where he remained a couple of days in a dying state. After a short absence, the lady, re-entering the room, observed him to fix his eyes attentively on her, and make an effort to crawl across the bed towards her. This he accomplished, evidently for the sole purpose of licking her hand, after which he immediately expired.

[Daniel Lambert celebrated for his enormous magnitude, weighing seven hundred and thirty-nine pounds, had a very superior breed of sellers, which were publicly sold, at the following prices; after his death, which forcibly illustrates the immense value placed on this dog in England; whereas, many American sportsmen considers it a great hardship to be obliged to give thirty or forty dollars for a well-bred setter in this country.

Guineas

Peg, a black Setter Bitch..........................41 Punch, a Setter Dog..................................26 Brush, do ..........................................17 Bob, do............................................30 Bell, do........................................... 32 Bounce, do............................................22 Sam, do............................................26 Charlotte, a Pointer Bitch...............................22 Lucy, do............................................12 ------ 218 --L.]

The pointer is evidently descended from the hound.

[We beg leave to make the following extracts from our essay on this subject, published in No. 1, vol. xvi, of the "Spirit of the Times":

The origin of the pointer, like that of the setter, is involved in much obscurity; he is of mixed blood, and no doubt largely indebted to both hound and spaniel for his distinct existence.

Many sportsmen are under the erroneous idea that the pointer is contemporary with, if not older than, the Setter. Such, however, is not the case; and we are led to believe that the Pointer is of quite modern origin; at all events, the production of a much later date than the spaniel.

Strut, in his "Sports and Pastimes", chap. 1, sects. xv. and xvi., mentions a MS. in the Cotton Library, originally written by William Twici, or Twety, Grand Huntsman to Edward II, who ascended the throne in 1307.

This manuscript contains the earliest treatise on hunting that the English possess, and enumerates the various kinds of game and different species of dogs then in existence, as also the modes of taking the former and using the latter.

After describing, in the usual minute manner, the specific employment of each dog, he finishes by stating:

"The spaniel was for use in hawking, hys crafte is for the perdrich or
partridge, and the quail; and when taught to couch, he is very
serviceable to the fowler, who takes these birds with nets."

No mention is made in this treatise of the pointer, and we naturally infer that he did not exist, or he would have been noticed in connexion with the spaniel, who, it appears, even at this early period, was taught to 'couch' on and point out game to those employed in netting it.

In the early portion of the sixteenth century, we have another enumeration of dogs, 'then' in use, in a book entitled--"A Jewel for Gentrie;" which, besides the dogs already descanted upon by Twici, we find added to the list,

"bastards and mongrels, lemors, kenets, terrours, butchers' hounds,
dung-hill dogs, trindel-tailed dogs, prychercard curs, and ladies'
puppies."
(Chap. 1st., Sec. XVI.--Strut.)

The pointer being the offspring of the fox-hound and spaniel, is consequently sprung from the two ancient races known as 'Sagaces' and 'Pugnaces' or 'Bellicosi'. He certainly evinces a larger share of the 'Bellicosi' blood than the setter, being ever ready for fight when assailed, while the latter generally exhibits a conciliatory disposition under the most trying circumstances.--L.]

It is the fox-hound searching for game by the scent, but more perfectly under the control of the sportsman, repressing his cry of joy when he finds his game, and his momentary pause, and gathering himself up in order to spring upon it artificially, converted into a steady and deliberate point. There still remains a strong resemblance, in countenance and in form, between the pointer and the fox-hound, except that the muzzle is shorter, and the ears smaller, and partly pendulous.

Seventy or eighty years ago, the breed of pointers was nearly white, or varied with liver-coloured spots; some, however, belonging to the Duke of Kingston, were perfectly black. This peculiarity of colour was supposed to be connected with exquisite perfection of scent. That is not the case with the present black pointers, who are not superior to any others.

Mr. Daniel relates an anecdote of one of his pointers. He had a dog that would always go round close to the hedges of a field before he would quarter his ground. He seemed to have observed that he most frequently found his game in the course of this circuit. [25]

Mr. Johnson gives the following characteristic sketches of the different breeds of pointer:

THE SPANISH POINTER,

originally a native of Spain, was once considered to be a valuable dog. He stood higher on his legs, but was too large and heavy in his limbs, and had widely spread, ugly feet, exposing him to frequent lameness. His muzzle and head were large, corresponding with the acuteness of his smell. His ears were large and pendent, and his body ill-formed. He was naturally an ill-tempered dog, growling at the hand that would caress him, even although it were his master's. He stood steadily to his birds; but it was difficult to break him of chasing the hare. He was deficient in speed. His redeeming quality was his excellent scent, unequalled in any other kind of dog.

[To convince our readers of the value of this particular breed, we may mention the very singular sale of Colonel Thornton's dog Dash, who was purchased by Sir Richard Symons for one hundred and sixty pounds worth of champagne and burgundy, a hogshead of of claret, and an elegant gun and another pointer, with a stipulation that if any accident befell the dog, he was to be returned to his former owner for fifty guineas. Dash unfortunately broke his leg, and in accordance with the agreement of sale was returned to the Colonel, who considered him a fortunate acquisition as a stallion to breed from. (See Blain or Daniel).--L.]

THE PORTUGESE POINTER,

although with a slighter form than the Spanish one, is defective in the feet, often crooked in the legs, and of a quarrelsome disposition. He soon tires, and is much inclined to chase the hare. The tail is larger than that of the spaniel, and fully fringed.

THE FRENCH POINTER

is distinguished by a furrow between his nostrils, which materially interferes with the acuteness of smell. He is better formed and more active than either the Spanish or Portugese dog, and capable of longer continued exertion; but he is apt to be quarrelsome, and is too fond of chasing the hare.

[We will close this account of the Pointer by transferring from the pages of the "Spirit of the Times" our remarks upon this particular breed.

The French variety, as described by English authors, is much smaller than either of the above breeds; and although possessed of great beauty, acute scent, and other qualifications that would render him valuable in their eyes, still is considered much inferior, not being able to cope with their dogs in hunting, owing to a want of physical power of endurance.

Youatt states, that he is distinguished by a furrow in his nose, which materially interferes with his acuteness of smell.

These accounts do not agree with the French writers, to whom, it is very true, the English should not look for any particular information respecting hunting or shooting. Nevertheless, all must admit that they are quite as capable of describing their particular breeds of animals as other nations; and, in fact, we might go farther, and say that they are much more competent to the task than English writers, judging from their extensive knowledge in comparative anatomy, and their long array of celebrated writers on natural history--the Cuviers, Buffon, &c.

'Baudrillart', in his 'Dictionnaire des Chases', describes the French Pointer as having endurance and great industry, and of their being used oftentimes solely for 'la grande chasse'. In the atlas of plates accompanying this interesting work, will be found two distinct and extremely correct drawings of the English Pointer, and also an engraving of the French variety, which latter, certainly, is represented as being equally, if not more muscular and and hardy, than the English.

As for the furrow in the nose, as mentioned by Youatt, no reference is made to it in connection with this species, and in the engraving the nose is square. But in describing another variety, known in France as coming from Spain, 'Baudrillart' states, that they are vulgarly called "à deux nez, parceque ce chien a les narines separées par une gouttiere."

As for Mr. Youatt's declaration in reference to the furrow in the nose "materially interfering with the acuteness of smell," I cannot understand how, or on what principle of reasoning, this slight deviation from nature should affect the properties of the olfactory apparatus. That these furrow-nosed dogs are inferior to the English in scenting powers, as stated by Mr. Youatt, we do not question; but that their deficiency depends upon this furrow, remains to be proved.

This furrow in the nose is merely a deformity, and like many others in various breeds of animals, was solely the result of accident in the first place; and as we often see, even in the human species, the deformities and infirmities of our ancestors entailed upon their progeny, so has this 'cut in the nose' been so extensively inherited by succeeding generations, that it has now become a distinctive mark of a whole class of dogs.

The French Pointer, as known in this country, is a beautiful, well-shaped, compact, square-nosed dog; not so long or high as the English, but extremely well built, full-chested, large head, pendent ears, projecting eyes, large feet, and thickish tail. His colour, seldom white, but generally intermingled with small spots of brown or chocolate over the body, and more particularly over the head and ears. Such a dog is in the possession of the writer, who knows nothing of his ancestry; but is convinced from those he saw in France, that they must have been imported from that country.

The English Pointer will now claim more particularly our attention. It is quite useless to go into a general description of an animal of whom we have already said much, and with whom we are all familiar; but we will endeavour to mention the most striking points of the species, which marks can be referred to as guides in the purchase of a dog.

It is a difficult matter to put on paper, in a manner satisfactory either to the reader or writer, the peculiarities of any animal, whereby he may be judged pure or mixed. However, there are, generally, some few points in each species, that can be selected as proofs of their genuineness and ability to perform certain actions peculiar to the race.

But, after all, more reliance must be placed upon the good faith of the seller, or the previous knowledge of the strain from which the purchaser selects--and what is better than either, from actual observation in the field; all of which precautions may, nevertheless, prove abortive, and our dog be worthless.

As regards the size of the English Pointer, we may say, that he averages in length about 3 feet from the tip of the muzzle to the base of the tail, and from 22 to 26 inches high. His head not bulky nor too narrow, the frontal sinuses largely developed.

The muzzle long and rather tapering, the nostrils large and well open, the ear slightly erect, not over long, and the tip triangular; if too pendent, large and rounded at the tip, there is too much of the hound present. The eyes lively, but not too prominent; the neck rather long and not over thick, the chest broad, the limbs large and muscular; the paws strong, hard and wide. The body and loins thin, rather than bulky, the hind quarters broad, and the limbs in the same proportion with the fore members; the tail long and tapering.--L.]

THE RUSSIAN POINTER

is a rough, ill-tempered animal, with too much tendency to stupidity, and often annoyed by vermin. He runs awkwardly, with his nose near the ground, and frequently springs his game. He also has the cloven or divided nose.

THE EARLY TRAINING OF THE DOG.

The education of these dogs should commence at an early period, whether conducted by the breeder or the sportsman; and the first lesson--that on which the value of the animal, and the pleasure of its owner, will much depend--is a habit of subjection on the part of the dog, and kindness on the part of the master. This is a 'sine quâ non'. The dog must recognise in his owner a friend and a benefactor. This will soon establish in the mind of the quadruped a feeling of gratitude, and a desire to please. All this is natural to the dog, if he is encouraged by the master, and then the process of breaking-in may commence in good earnest.

No long time probably passes ere the dog commits some little fault. He is careless, or obstinate, or cross. The owner puts on a serious countenance, he holds up his finger, or shakes his head, or produces the whip, and threatens to use it. Perhaps the infliction of a blow, that breaks no bones, occasionally follows. In the majority of cases nothing more is required. The dog succumbs; he asks to be forgiven; or, if he has been self-willed, he may be speedily corrected without any serious punishment.

A writer, under the signature of "Soho," in The New Sporting Magazine for 1833, gives an interesting account of the schooling of the pointer or setter, thus commenced. A short abstract from it may not be unacceptable:

"The first lesson inculcated is that of passive obedience, and this
enforced by the infliction of severity as little as the case will
admit. We will suppose the dog to be a setter. He is taken into the
garden or into a field, and a strong cord, about eighteen or twenty
yards long, is tied to his collar. The sportsman calls the dog to him,
looks earnestly at him, gently presses him to the ground, and several
times, with a loud, but not an angry voice, says, 'Down!' or 'Down
charge!' The dog knows not the meaning of this, and struggles to get
up; but, as often as he struggles, the cry of 'Down charge!' is
repeated, and the pressure is continued or increased.

"This is repeated a longer or shorter time, until the dog, finding
that no harm is meant, quietly submits. He is then permitted to rise;
he is patted and caressed, and some food is given to him. The command
to rise is also introduced by the terms 'Hie up!' A little afterwards
the same process is repeated, and he struggles less, or perhaps ceases
altogether to struggle.

"The person whose circumstances permit him occasionally to shoot over
his little demesne, may very readily educate his dog without having
recourse to keepers or professional breakers, among whom he would
often be subject to imposition. Generally speaking, no dog is half so
well broken as the one whose owner has taken the trouble of training
him. The first and grand thing is to obtain the attachment of the dog,
by frequently feeding and caressing him, and giving him little hours
of liberty under his own inspection; but, every now and then,
inculcating a lesson of obedience, teaching him that every gambol must
be under the control of his master; frequently checking him in the
midst of his riot with the order of 'Down charge!' patting him when he
is instantly obedient; and rating, or castigating him, but not too
severely, when there is any reluctance to obey. 'Passive obedience
is the first principle, and from which no deviation should be
allowed.' [26]

"Much kindness and gentleness are certainly requisite when breaking-in
the puppy, whether it be a pointer or a setter. There is heedlessness
in the young dog which is not readily got rid of until age has given
him experience. He must not, however, be too severely corrected, or he
may be spoiled for life. If considerable correction is sometimes
necessary, it should be followed, at a little distance of time, by
some kind usage. The memory of the suffering will remain; but the
feeling of attachment to the master will also remain, or rather be
increased. The temper of a young dog must be almost as carefully
studied as that of a human being. Timidity may be encouraged, and
eagerness may be restrained, but affection must be the tie that binds
him to his master, and renders him subservient to his will.

"The next portion of the lesson is more difficult to learn. He is no
longer held by his master, but suffered to run over the field,
seemingly at his pleasure, when, suddenly, comes the warning 'Down!'
He perhaps pays no attention to it, but gambols along until seized by
his master, forced on the ground, and the order of 'Down!' somewhat
sternly uttered.

"After a while he is suffered again to get up. He soon forgets what
has occurred, and gallops away with as much glee as ever. Again the
'Down!' is heard, and again little or no attention is paid to it. His
master once more lays hold of him and forces him on the ground, and
perhaps inflicts a slight blow or two, and this process continues
until the dog finds that he must obey the command of 'Down charge!'

"The owner will now probably walk from him a little way backward with
his hand lifted up. If the dog makes the slightest motion, he must be
sharply spoken to, and the order peremptorily enforced.

"He must then be taught to 'back,' that is, to come behind his master
when called. When he seems to understand all this, he is called by his
master in a kindly tone, and patted and caressed. It is almost
incredible how soon he will afterwards understand what he is ordered
to do, and perform it.

"It will be seen by this that no one should attempt to break-in a dog
who is not possessed of patience and perseverance. The sportsman must
not expect to see a great deal of improvement from the early lessons.
The dog will often forget that which was inculcated upon him a few
hours before; but perseverance and kindness will effect much: the
first lessons over, the dog, beginning to perceive a little what is
meant, will cheerfully and joyfully do his duty.

"When there is much difficulty in teaching the dog his lesson, the
fault lies as often with the master as with him; or they are,
generally speaking, both in fault. Some dogs cannot be mastered but by
means of frequent correction. The less the sportsman has to do with
them the better. Others will not endure the least correction, but
become either ferocious or sulky. They should be disposed of as soon
as possible. The majority of dogs are exceedingly sagacious. They
possess strong reasoning powers; they understand, by intuition, almost
every want and wish of their master, and they deserve the kindest and
best usage.

"The scholar being thus prepared, should be taken into the field,
either alone, or, what is considerably better, with a well-trained,
steady dog. When the old dog makes a point, the master calls out,
'Down!' or 'Soho!' and holds up his hand, and approaches steadily to
the birds; and, if the young one runs in or prepares to do so, as
probably he will at first, he again raises his hand and calls out,
'Soho!' If the youngster pays no attention to this, the whip must be
used, and in a short time he will be steady enough at the first
intimation of game.

"If he springs any birds without taking notice of them, he should be
dragged to the spot from which they rose, and, 'Soho!' being cried,
one or two sharp strokes with the whip should be inflicted. If he is
too eager, he should be warned to 'take heed.' If he 'rakes' or runs
with his nose near the ground, he should be admonished to 'hold up',
and, if he still persists, the 'muzzle-peg' may be resorted to. Some
persons fire over the dog for running at hares: but this is wrong;
for, besides the danger of wounding or even killing the animal, he
will for some time afterwards he frightened at the sound, or even at
the very sight of a gun. The best plan to accustom dogs to the gun, is
occasionally to fire one off when they are being fed.

"Some persons let their dog fetch the dead birds. This is very wrong.
Except the sportsman has a double-barrelled gun, the dog should not be
suffered to move until the piece is again charged. The young one,
until he is thoroughly broken of it, is too apt to run in whether the
bird is killed or not, and which may create much mischief by
disturbing the game.

"Although excessive punishment should not be administered, yet no
fault, however small, should pass without reproof: on the other hand,
he should be rewarded, but not too lavishly, for every instance of
good conduct.

"When the dog is grown tolerably steady, and taught to come at the
call, he should also learn to range and quarter his ground. Let some
clear morning, and some place where the sportsman is likely to meet
with game, be selected. Station him where the wind will blow in his
face; wave your hand and cry, 'Heigh on, good dog!' Then let him go
off to the right, about seventy or eighty yards. After this, call him
in by another wave of the hand, and let him go the same distance to
the left. Walk straight forward with your eye always upon him; then,
let him continue to cross from right to left, calling him in at the
limit of each range.

"This is at first a somewhat difficult lesson, and requires careful
teaching. The same ground is never to be twice passed over. The
sportsman watches every motion, and the dog is never trusted out of
sight, or allowed to break fence. When this lesson is tolerably
learned, and on some good scenting morning early in the season, he may
take the field, and perhaps find. Probably he will be too eager, and
spring his game. Make him 'down' immediately, and take him to the
place where the birds rose. Chide him with 'Steady!' 'How dare you!'
Use no whip; but scold him well, and be assured that he will be more
cautious. If possible, kill on the next chance. The moment the bird is
down, he will probably rush in and seize it. He must be met with the
same rebuff, 'Down charge!' If he does not obey, he deserves to have,
and will have, a stroke with the whip. The gun being again charged,
the bird is sought for, and the dog is suffered to see it and play
with it for a minute before it is put into the bag.

"He will now become thoroughly fond of the sport, and his fondness
will increase with each bird that is killed. At every time, however,
whether he kills or misses, the sportsman should make the dog 'Down
charge.' and never allow him to rise until he has loaded.

"If a hare should be wounded, there will, occasionally, be
considerable difficulty in preventing him from chasing her. The best
broken and steadiest dog cannot always be restrained from running
hares. He must be checked with 'Ware chase,' and, if he does not
attend, the sportsman must wait patiently. He will by-and-by come
slinking along with his tail between his legs, conscious of his fault.
It is one, however, that admits of no pardon. He must be secured, and,
while the field echoes with the cry of 'Ware chase,' he must be
punished to a certain but not too great extent. The castigation must
be repeated as often as he offends; or, if there is much difficulty in
breaking him of the habit, he must be got rid of."

The breaking-in or subjugation of pointers and setters is a very important, and occasionally a difficult affair; the pleasure of the sportsman, however, depends on it. The owner of any considerable property will naturally look to his keeper to furnish him with dogs on which he may depend, and he ought not to be disappointed; for those which belong to other persons, or are brought at the beginning of the season, whatever account the breaker or the keeper of them may give, will too often be found deficient.

THE OTTER HOUND

used to be of a mingled breed, between the southern hound and the rough terrier, and in size between the harrier and the fox-hound. The head should be large and broad, the shoulders and quarters thick, and the hair strong, wiry, and rough. They used to be kept in small packs, for the express purpose of hunting the otter.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, otter-hunting was a favourite amusement in several parts of Great Britain. Many of our streams then abounded with this destructive animal; but, since the population are more numerous, and many contrivances are adopted to ensnare and destroy otters, few are now to be found.

THE TURNSPIT

This dog was once a valuable auxiliary in the kitchen, by turning the spit before jacks were invented. It had a peculiar length of body, with short crooked legs, the tail curled, its ears long and pendent, and the head large in proportion to the body. It is still used in the kitchen on various parts of the Continent. There are some curious stories of the artfulness with which he often attempted to avoid the task imposed upon him.

There is a variety of this dog; the crooked-legged turnspit.

[Footnote 1: 'Historical and Descriptive Sketches of British America', by J. Macgregor]

[Footnote 2: 'Journal Historique du Voyage de M. de Lesseps', Paris, 1790. 2 vols.--tome 1.]

[Footnote 3: Clarke's 'Scandinavia', vol. i. p. 432.]

[Footnote 4: The migratory sheep, in some parts of the south of France almost as numerous as in Spain, are attended by a GOAT, as a guide; and the intelligence and apparent pride which he displays are remarkable.]

[Footnote 5: 'Trimmer on the Merinos', p. 50. See also the Society's work on Sheep.]

[Footnote 6: 'Annals of Sporting', vol. viii. p. 83.]

[Footnote 7:

"The Ettrick Shepherd has probably spoken somewhat too
enthusiastically of his dog; but accounts of the sagacity and almost
superhuman fidelity of this dog crowd so rapidly upon us that we are
compelled to admire and to love him."

'Hogg's Shepherd's Calendar', vol. ii. p. 308.]

[Footnote 8: 'Jesse's Gleanings', vol. i. p. 93].

[Footnote 9: 'Buffon's Natural History', vol. v. p. 314.]

[Footnote 10: 'Travels in Scotland', by the Rev. J. Hall, vol. ii. p. 395.]

[Footnote 11: 'Annals of Sporting', vol. v. p. 137.]

[Footnote 12: Mr Beckford at one time determined to try how he should like the use of beagles, and, having heard of a small pack of them, he sent his coachman, the person he could best spare, to fetch them. It was a long journey, and, although he had some assistance, yet not being used to hounds, he had some trouble in getting them along, especially as they had not been out of the kennel for several weeks before. They were consequently so riotous that they ran after everything they saw, sheep, cur dogs, birds of all sorts, as well as hares and deer. However, he lost but one hound; and, when Mr. Beckford asked him what he thought of them, he said that they could not fail of being good hounds, for they would hunt everything.]

[Footnote 13: 'Beckford on Hunting', p. 150.]

[Footnote 14: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p. 340.]

[Footnote 15: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p, 332.]

[Footnote 16: 'Daniel's Foxhound', p. 205.]

[Footnote 17: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p. 355.]

[Footnote 18: 'Beckford's Thoughts on Hunting', p. 95.]

[Footnote 19: Mr. Beckford gives the following excellent account of what a huntsman should be:

"A huntsman should be attached to the sport, and indefatigable, young,
strong, active, bold, and enterprising in the pursuit of it. He should
be sensible, good-tempered, sober, exact, and cleanly--a good groom
and an excellent horseman. His voice should be strong and clear, with
an eye so quick as to perceive which of his hounds carries the scent
when all are running, and an ear so excellent as to distinguish the
leading hounds when he does not see them. He should be quiet, patient,
and without conceit. Such are the qualities which constitute
perfection in a huntsman. He should not, however, be too fond of
displaying them until called forth by necessity; it being a peculiar
and distinguishing trait in his character to let his hounds alone
while they thus hunt, and have genius to assist them when they
cannot."

'Beckford on Hunting', Letter ix.]

[Footnote 20: 'Blaine on the Diseases of the Dog', p. 140.]

[Footnote 21: See 'Hints to Young Masters of Fox-Hounds'--'New Sport. Mag.', vol. viii. p. 174-290.]

[Footnote 22: 'Traité de la Folie dex Animaux', tom. ii. 39.]

[Footnote 23: Mr. D. Radcliffe.]

[Footnote 24: The late Lord Oxford reduced four stags to so perfect a degree of submission that, in his short excursions, he used to drive them in a phaeton made for the purpose. He was one day exercising his singular and beautiful steeds in the neighbourhood of Newmarket, when their ears were saluted with the unwelcome cry of a pack of hounds, which, crossing the road in their rear, had caught the scent, and leaving their original object of pursuit, were now in rapid chase of the frightened stags. In vain his grooms exerted themselves to the utmost, the terrified animals bounded away with the swiftness of lightning, and entered Newmarket at full speed. They made immediately for the Ram Inn, to which his lordship was in the habit of driving, and, having fortunately entered the yard without any accident, the stable-keepers huddled his lordship, the phaeton, and the deer into a large barn, just in time to save them from the hounds, who came into the yard in full cry a few seconds afterwards.

('Annals of Sporting', vol. iii. 1833.)]

[Footnote 25: The author of the 'Field Book' says that he saw an extremely small pointer, whose length, from the tip of the nose to the point of the tail, was only two feet and half an inch, the length of the head being six inches, and round the chest one foot and three inches. He was an exquisite miniature of the English pointer, being in all respects similar to him, except in his size. His colour was white, with dark liver-coloured patches on each side of the head, extending half down the neck. The ears, with some patches on the back, were also of the same colour, and numerous small dark-brown spots appeared over his whole body and legs.

This beautiful little animal had an exquisite sense of smell. Some of the same breed, and being the property of the Earl of Lauderdale, were broken-in and made excellent pointers, although, from their minute size, it could not be expected that they would be able to do much work. When intent upon any object, the dog assumed the same attitude as other pointers, holding up one of his feet.

('The Field Book', p. 399.)]

[Footnote 26: Another writer in the same volume gives also an interesting account of the management of the setter.]

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