BREAKING AND HANDLING. 261 



are required to run only an hour more or less, such is no 

 grounds for inference that they cannot run longer; on the 

 other hand some are better adapted to short runs in field 

 trial than to actual field work. 



The dog should have regular work to keep him hard and 

 in good wind and practice. No definite amount of work 

 can be uniformly prescribed for all dogs; it can only be de- 

 termined by the capabilities of the individual. Some re- 

 quire work every day; others, alternate days; or work in 

 two days, then miss a day; or, if there is any tendency to 

 fall off in quickness, an exercise run merely may be given, 

 the trainer being guided solely by the capabilities of the 

 dog. 



A dog which makes little delays here and there in his 

 work is heavily handicapped. If he stops to potter occa- 

 sionally, even if slightly, he has no chance to win at a field 

 trial. If he holds his nose to the ground during five or six 

 seconds, his competitor, if fast, gains a moral advantage by 

 contrast, and a real one by keeping ahead, thus coming first 

 to the birds; if it is repeated at intervals, the relative qual- 

 ities are very apparent. Thus matters which appear trifling 

 when the dog is working alone assume a serious importance 

 in contesting with a competitor which may be a shade 

 better. 



In his preparation, at such times as favorable opportu- 

 nities offer, it is well to work the dog with strange dogs so 

 that he will become accustomed to such work the excite- 

 ment, jealousy, or hesitancy shown when first worked in 

 company may be thus overcome. Puppies in training for a 

 Derby may be greatly assisted by having an old dog to help 

 them find birds, the greater number of birds found giving 

 a consequent greater number of opportunities to the puppy 

 on scattered birds. 



All field trial associations limit the ages of eligible entries 



