BREAKING AND HANDLING. 



95 



different dogs, and different purposes. For work in cover 

 it is better to have it tarred. It is evident that a heavy, 

 strong, obstinate dog requires a stronger line to hold him 

 than a small or timid one; the larger line is easier to hold in 

 the hands, and less painful also. A quarter inch line is 

 large enough for all ordinary purposes with the average dog. 

 In breaking confirmed cases of breaking shot or chasing, a 

 three-eighth inch line is necessary. In teaching the first 

 lessons in retrieving, a half inch rope is the right size, on 

 account of less pain or injury to the hands. Long check- 

 cords are seldom required. The shorter a checkcord is 

 consistently with the purpose in view, the better. There is 

 no occasion when one which is over twenty feet will be re- 

 quired, except the instances where it is desired to give a 

 bolter plenty of room to run with a long checkcord, to give 

 him a snubbing; then it can be used to advantage. In gen- 

 eral field work, a long checkcord becomes tangled, awkward 

 to handle, and inefficient. Expert trainers use them only in 

 special instances in field work, the greater part of the edu- 

 cation being given without them; however, it is always 

 advisable to carry one so that it is available for use if 

 needed. It should be neatly coiled and tied so that it can 

 be used instantly. One which is tangled and snarled is but 

 a short remove from none. 



