210 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING. 



INTELLIGENCE. 



There are as wideh^ different degrees of intelligence be- 

 tween dogs as between membei-s of the human famil}-, but 

 I think I am safe in claiming that, as a rule, highly-bred 

 dogs possess greater intelligence than their plebeian broth- 

 ers. It is generally claimed that a dog does not possess 

 reasoning power, but that his actions are purely instinc- 

 tive; yet we often witness exhibitions of a faculty which 

 trenches so closely upon the boundaries of the nobler at- 

 tributes that it is hard to say where the dividing line is 

 drawn. It is this capacity for appreciating and combining 

 facts which enables the intelligent dog to acquire such a 

 knowledge of the habits and nature of his game that he is 

 often able to outwit the bird by a display of superior tac- 

 tics. Any ordinary dog soon learns to follow a trail till 

 the bird flushes or lies to point; but it requires a higher 

 order of intellect to prompt the dog voluntarily to head a 

 running bird so as to get it between himself and the gun. 

 A truly intelligent dog is constantly advancing; his in- 

 stinct or mind never rests, but goes on adding to its store 

 of experience, so that when any emergency arises he is 

 prepared to meet it with a corresponding action unerringly 

 directed towards the attainment of success. 



That most eloquent of sporting writers, Herbert, known 

 to the craft as "Frank Forrester," in speaking of breeding, 

 said : '"In all animals, from man down to the bullock and 

 Berkshire hog, I am an implicit believer in the efficacy of 

 blood and breeding to develope all qualities, especially cour- 

 age to do, and courage to bear, as well as to produce the 

 highest and most delicate nervous organization; and I 

 would as willingly have a cur in my shooting kennel as a 

 mule in my racing stable, if I had one." In this theory 

 Herbert is thoroughly supported by all experienced breed- 

 ers. "Blood will tell" is not more an old saying than a 

 positive fact, and though there is no rule without its ex- 

 ceptions, there are probably fewer exceptions to this than 

 to any other. 



