350 BRITISH DOGS 



turpentine has worn off, a chilly reaction sets in, which is nearly 

 always fatal. 



6. When there is a copious discharge from the nostrils and 

 eyes, bathe with a weak solution of Condy's Fluid, and carefully 

 dry with a soft towel. 



To sum up : give constant liquid nourishment ; keep carefully 

 from any suggestion of dampness, and in an even temperature. 

 Above all, never despair, for the very worst cases often take a 

 sudden turn for the better; on the other hand, relapses are of 

 frequent occurrence. So that vigilance must never be relaxed 

 until the patient is restored to perfect health. 



The early training of a young Retriever is a matter of the greatest 

 importance : a false or tactless move may mar the prospects of 

 the most promising puppy, whilst the clever seizing of an oppor- 

 tunity may make him. In nine cases out of ten, those that are 

 bred from orthodox strains are natural retrievers, have tender 

 mouths, and good noses, and it really only remains for the breaker 

 to " steady " them ; but this is where the chief difficulty lies, for 

 these carefully bred creatures are excessively keen and high- 

 couraged, and will take many a " hiding " before they refrain from 

 running in directly they see game floored. It is a grave mistake 

 to throw things for young puppies to retrieve ; it is this practice 

 that is mainly responsible for the unsteadiness which is so hard 

 to correct. When a youngster has been thus taught to fetch and 

 carry, his natural impulse is to rush in, and lift a bird directly he 

 sees it touch the ground, and he will do this in the case of game 

 that alights after having been flushed, even when not hit, or not 

 even fired at, for the eyesight of a Retriever is very keen, and he 

 seldom fails to note or mark down his bird. The puppy should be 

 induced to carry in his mouth soft articles, such as tobacco pouches, 

 bundles of feathers, etc., and any attempt to bite or mouth his 

 burden should be at once kindly but firmly checked. He should 

 be induced to relinquish his hold directly the word " Dead " is 

 spoken. Then the dummy should be placed on the ground, and 

 the pupil taken a few yards away and sent to pick it up. The 

 distance may be gradually increased, until the dog will take any 

 reasonable journey to retrieve the object. Next the article may 

 be thrown, and the puppy carefully checked from starting, until he 

 receives the command " Seek dead," or " Hie lost." As soon 

 as proficiency and tractability are fully established in this direction, 

 our youngster may be entered to living flesh. Take a pinioned 

 pigeon and put it in the dog's mouth, keeping a vigilant look-out that 

 he carries it tenderly and without mouthing it. Next take a pigeon 

 whose wings have been clipped, but not sufficiently to prevent it 

 from fluttering to the ground from a height without violent impact. 

 Take your pupil up one side of a hedge, and send your man with 



