The Pointer. 127 



First, it is of great importance that pointers should have a good nose to 

 enable them to scent game at a distance, the further off the better, 

 provided they have sufficient discrimination in using it to prevent them 

 false-pointing. The necessity for this quality is so evident that I will not 

 dilate further upon it, simply adding that this subject, nose versus brains, 

 in setting dogs, is full of interest, and one that I should like to discuss 

 with other breeders. 



Next to this is a natural love of hunting, without which no dog ever 

 attains to any great perfection, and with it many dogs, weak in other 

 points, become, by practice, tolerably useful dogs. Those that frequently 

 require the words of encouragement, " hold up," are very troublesome to 

 break, and when broken often turn out lazy or display a lack of energy 

 that is painful to witness. From their nervousness and want of heart 

 they are unable to use to advantage the other good qualities they may 



It is a nice, lively, high-spirited, kindly-dispositioned dog that is so 

 much prized those with plenty of pluck, and yet not headstrong or 

 reckless. Many dogs from their self-will, although possessing other 

 admirable qualities, become very difficult to manage, and nothing but 

 repeated and hard work will keep them under control. Such dogs are 

 never wholly reliable, and this is especially felt when using them in braces . 

 A good dog that is trying to do his best is tempted into doing wrong by 

 the provocation he receives from his reckless companion. 



Many otherwise good dogs turn out useless because of their defective 

 temper, and, therefore, I think it is an all-important matter to get a good- 

 tempered dog, especially if he is to be trained for sporting purposes, for 

 in his work he has so continually to hold in check his natural instincts 

 that, unless he has a good temper, he is continually forgetting his previous 

 training. As for myself, I have quite decided never again to undertake to 

 train a dog that is thoroughly self-willed. It is, at best, a tiresome under- 

 taking, and, as yet, I have never found it worth the trouble it entails. 

 When a dog of this temperament gets beyond your immediate control, 

 he is often getting into trouble by doing something that is sufficient to 

 annoy you, or else the close attention necessary in working him destroys 

 half the pleasure the sport should afford ; at least, such is my experience. 



Dogs with a jealous disposition are, I consider, very defective. They 

 are difficult to deal with when using in braces, because they are not to be 



