260 MODERN TRAINING. 



picking out his course, and he cannot use his nose so well 

 as when running more at ease; besides, the pace is so ex- 

 hausting that the dog usually cannot repeat well. In estab- 

 lishing the pace, due regard should be paid to the quality of 

 the dog's nose; if it is good, he can work correctly at top 

 speed, if inferior, he cannot; hence he will be an inferior 

 competitor, whatever his training may be. This for short 

 competitions. In a private match, a two or three days' race, 

 it would be manifestly unwise to train the dog to other than 

 an all-day gait. In such matches, it is purely a question of 

 endurance; of which dog will quit first; the writer does not 

 believe that the dog lives that can run three days from sun 

 to sun this after seeing many of the best dogs in public 

 and private. By this it is not meant that a dog may not jog 

 and nose about for three days, but good, fair hunting is 

 meant. Most dogs will be run to a standstill on the second 

 day. 



The dog, regardless of his field trial performances or 

 great speed, when worked regularly every day and nearly 

 all day, at least with no reference to fitting him for compe- 

 tition, adopts a steady, swinging gallop which he can maintain 

 with ease. Some dogs trot, but such are good to present 

 to a friend. By graduating the work, almost any interme- 

 diate gait may be established. Exceptional dogs will be 

 found which, while having capability to work well one or 

 two days, have not sufficient stamina to endure the condi- 

 tioning, or a fast gait for a short time. Others have a reg- 

 ular gait which cannot be improved upon. Some will start 

 the work fast but gradually shorten their pace and range to 

 less and less limits. Fast work is very fatiguing. A dog 

 may work all day at a slow gait, and still be unable to run 

 an hour at a fast gallop. Many of the field trial dogs have 

 more endurance than is commonly supposed, the character 

 of the speed not being justly considered. Because the dogs 



