246 BRITISH DOGS 



not acquire so much affectionate amiability of character from his 

 association with mankind as does the Setter and other sporting dogs. 

 Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and I know some few 

 Pointers that are remarkable for their attachment and sagacity. 



By old sportsmen, and in books too, we have had some truly 

 astonishing accounts given of intelligence displayed by them when 

 at their legitimate work, and I feel bound to say that, after what 

 I have seen, I am inclined to believe quite possible much that 

 I at one time thought wholly incredible. Had it not been for 

 the high authority who stated the fact that a dog, when used by him 

 with a puppy, would worry the puppy because he flushed game, 

 I could not have credited it for one moment ; but, since this article 

 first appeared in print, a similar fact has been demonstrated before 

 my eyes ; and more, the dog that would do this would also, when 

 told, run after and bite the puppy that persisted in chasing game. 

 I have also seen a Pointer leave his ' point,' and go round the 

 birds that were running from him, apparently to prevent their 

 getting up 'out of shot,' and this without the least instruction. 



These facts serve to show what a high degree of sagacity it 

 is possible to obtain in the Pointer. I feel sure that it will be said 

 by many of my readers : * No matter what you say in favour 

 of the Pointer, he is of less service to the sportsman than he has 

 ever been.' As far as partridge-shooting is concerned, I am com- 

 pelled to admit that he is the victim of circumstances. The change 

 made in the system of cultivation in England has been such that, 

 from lack of cover to hide his game (which enabled him to get 

 up to it), and not from degeneracy in himself, he has become 

 of less service now than he was in the days of small enclosures 

 and reaped stubbles. 



The stubbles, once the chief cover, are now cut by the machine 

 so close that it is next to impossible for game to lie to a dog on 

 them. This, with other changes in agriculture, militates strongly 

 against the dog. He has now to work against very great difficulties, 

 and difficulties which are not, I am sorry to say, likely to disappear. 

 In spite of these disadvantages, I still maintain that a good Pointer 

 can be used during the first month of the season with pleasure and 

 advantage. I have always thus used my dogs, whether I have 

 been shooting alone or in company, and during the first three 

 weeks of the season 1879, m a verv rough country, over 100 brace 

 were killed to them, and they did excellent service in finding 

 wounded game. A friend to whom I one season lent my bitch 

 Stella, killed over her 100 brace to his own gun, and in the latter 

 part of September he wrote me : ' I find I can still have good 

 sport with your dog. Stella is all that I can wish for as a Pointer, 

 and I never lose any wounded game with her ; she has rendered 

 me excellent services. She does in her work all but talk to me.' " 



