SPECIAL FIELD DOGS 83 



to 15). The big shoots in England during the 

 partridge season take place mainly over roots, 

 turnips, etc., and as there are so many birds a 

 very fast dog is necessary. And for nose and 

 pace no bird dog equals a good pointer. 



"If you are going to a mixed shoot where you 

 walk up your birds and may have fur as well as 

 feather (hare shooting opens on August the first) 

 a setter is as good as any. As to what sort of 

 setter depends mainly on the kind of farm you are 

 shooting over. Irish setters are inclined to be 

 wild and 'break their fences'; while the Gordons 

 do not fall into this sin, but work slowly and 

 surely. The English setter is perhaps the best 

 but there is very little in it. 



"If you are going on a ' rough shoot 7 where 

 you must walk up your birds, rabbits and hares, a 

 spaniel is pretty well the best utility dog. They 

 are very easy to get in England and are in a vast 

 majority in ordinary shooting parties. 



"The spaniel is not a fast, wide-ranging dog, 

 and for the reason that we cover bigger territories 

 here than in England they are not much seen. 

 Sussex, cockers or field spaniels all have their 

 warm admirers and do good work in England ow 

 ing to restricted areas. Retrievers flat-coated 



