42 MODERN TRAINING. 



breeding is purely fictitious, either for work or breeding. 

 An energetic disposition is also an important factor. Many 

 dogs have fine symmetry, strength of form and perfect con- 

 stitution, but have not the will power to work, or are consti- 

 tutionally lazy. On the other hand, badly constructed dogs, 

 from courage and determination, will work well when lame, 

 footsore and fatigued, stopping work only when the hunt 

 ends, or when physically incapable. Sometimes the light, 

 lathy dog, apparently too fragile to run an hour without dis- 

 tress, will run day after day with undiminished powers and 

 unabated ardor. Even dogs carrying an excess of lumber, 

 as unnecessary bony and muscular development is called, 

 will show great endurance when they have the necessary 

 will and pluck, thus apparently upsetting all theories of the 

 superiority of symmetrical physical structure ; however, the 

 theory is correct as, given the other qualities of intelligence, 

 constitution, pluck and speed, the symmetrical, strongly 

 built dog will excel all others in endurance, but, as in the 

 race horse, his powers must be as much in his head as in his 

 heels. 



Besides certain other analogies, the pointer and setter are, 

 as a class, alike in weights, running from thirty to thirty-five 

 pounds up to seventy or eighty pounds, and sometimes, 

 though rarely, more. These weights may be considered as 

 being the extremes. The average weights are from forty 

 to fifty-five pounds, and these are by far the best for dogs 

 in all kinds of work. They are capable of more prolonged 

 exertion with less distress than the larger or smaller dogs. 

 Large dogs are coarsely made as a general rule ; if well 

 made, a rare exception, they have not the activity, vigor and 

 will power of the small or middle weights. It is commonly 

 said that a good large dog is better than a good small or 

 medium sized one. The writer in the field trials or in field 

 work has not observed that such assumption is the fact. 



