RETRIEVERS 385 



cultivated to a very extraordinary extent, but no 

 trainer can supply lack of nose -power. The 

 mongrel very frequently possesses these two 

 essentials in a higher degree than his more 

 patrician relative. Where a retriever possesses 

 the necessary qualifications naturally, the trouble 

 of training is, of course, very greatly lessened ; 

 but in any case, in order that a retriever may 

 serve his master to the full extent of his powers, 

 it is essential for him to be his close and constant 

 companion, as he will thus be the better able to 

 understand his desires and intentions. 



Nor is it necessary for a retriever to be a large 

 dog ; a spaniel, if properly educated, is capable 

 of performing all the duties of a retriever, save 

 that these dogs cannot stand wet and cold for any 

 lengthened period. There are those who advocate 

 the use of large and powerful retrievers because 

 of their ability to carry a hare. As I have previously 

 remarked, a hare should, under all ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, be killed clean. If, however, the 

 animal should get away when hard hit, and can 

 possibly be retrieved, a servant should be sent 

 with a dog for the purpose, for to allow a retriever 

 to give chase to a wounded hare is a most grievous 

 mistake, and the evil effects of such a practice are 

 very generally recognized. I have bred spaniels 

 for several years, and am of opinion that, pro- 

 vided they possess the requisite qualifications of 

 intelligence and scenting power (the latter far 

 more general amongst spaniels than retrievers), 



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