WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD DOG. 209 



is a consummation devoutly to be wished for; but decidedly 

 there are limits which cannot be passed without entailing 

 a greater loss than gain. As, for example, a prominent 

 English breeder says he "does not want a dog that will 

 find the greatest number of birds in a given piece of 

 gi-ound, but one that will find the greatest number in a 

 day.'" Virtually this means that he considers it of no conse- 

 quence if the dog runs over or by a part of a scattered 

 pack, provided he has speed enough to find a fresh pack 

 quickly. This may do for field trials, or even on well- 

 stocked ground, but it will not do for work in this coun- 

 try, as game is none too plentiful, and our sportsmen espe- 

 cially need a dog that will find single birds after a bevy has 

 been broken up; and a dog which goes so fast that he over- 

 runs close-ljang birds is worthless, and will be beaten out 

 of sight by a dog of more moderate pace. 



ENDUEANCE. 



So long as a dog does not go fast enough to over-run 

 scent, or be3'ond his powers to endure continued work, the 

 proper limits are not exceeded. 



Upon a dog's powers of endurance practically depends 

 his usefulness in the field. I have already spoken of the 

 amount of work frequently demanded of our dogs, and it 

 must be evident that to meet this fairly they must be en- 

 dowed naturally with good constitutions, combined with 

 strong, vigorous frames. These are the foundations upon 

 which, by proper care and training, an enduring dog can 

 be built up. A dog without thorough endurance is not 

 worth his keep. No dog can by any possibility carry this 

 to an undue extent, or become too strong and tireless. 

 Ever}' additional day that he is able to work adds to rather 

 than detracts from his value; and he is indeed a fortunate 

 man who owns a dog for whom no day is so long or hard 

 that he will not give the gun a joj^ous welcome on the 

 succeeding morning. 



27 



