94 EQUIPMENT. 



to be attributed not so much to their actual 

 powers of endurance as to their ardent love for 

 retrieving, the charms of which outweighed all 

 their antipathies. 



I am satisfied, trom my own experience, that a 

 hardy, well-bred setter is as useful as any other 

 need be for retrieving in Western waters. By well- 

 bred I do not mean the silky, thin-haired, nar- 

 row-chested, and slab-sided animal so fashionable 

 nowadays ; but a long, thick coated, deep-chested, 

 round-ribbed, and broad loined dog, capable as 

 well as willing to do hard work. Such a one, if 

 rightly taught and properly managed, will never 

 refuse to go where any dog should be sent ; and 

 very few cripples will ever escape his untiring 

 activity and perseverance. The fact of his excel- 

 ling in the pursuit of other game cannot detract 

 from his usefulness as a retriever, but, on the 

 contrary, is a positive advantage, as his increased 

 experience with his master's habits of hunting 

 cannot fliil to make him understand more fully 

 the duties required of him; and certainly thus 

 securing in one dog the usefulness of two must 

 prove a decided gain. Liver or liver-and-white 

 is the best color for concealment ; black or white 

 is too conspicuous, and rnay alarm the ducks. 



