THE DOG AND HIS MANAGEMENT. 33 



taught " to fetch and carry ; " and that, in doing- this, he shall 

 not tear or spoil his game, or whatever he may have in his mouth. 

 The Water-spaniel {Canis Aquaticus, Linn.). — This is a sturdy 

 dog, v^ath crisped hair, and of variable statue, according to tlie 

 sporting duties he has to be engaged in. Those of this species that 

 have to be emploj^ed on the baiilcs of rivers, moors, or lakes, should 

 be small, but strong and spirited. Old Gervase Markham says, 

 " The water-dog is a creatui-e of such general use, and so frequently 

 in use here in England, that it is needless to make any large de- 

 scription of him ; the rather, since not any amongst us is so simple 

 that he camiot say where he sees liim. This is a water-dog, or a 

 dog bred for the water ; yet because in this (as in other creatures) 

 there are other characters and forms which pretend more excel- 

 lency, and figure a greater height of virtue than others do, I will 

 liere describe, as near as I can, the best proportions of a perfect 

 water-dog, Eirst, for the colour of the best water-dog, albeit some 

 (Avhich are curious in all things) will ascribe more excellence to 

 one colour than to another, as the black to be the best and hardest, 

 the liver-hued swiftest in swimming, _ and the pied or spotted 

 dog, quickest at scent ; yet, in truth, it is not so, for aU colours are 

 alike, and so a dog of any of the former colours may be excellent 

 good dogs, and may be excellent good curs, according to their first 

 hardening and training ; for instruction is the liquor wherewith 

 they are seasoned, and if they be well handled at first they will 

 never smell of that discretion ; and if they be ill handled they will 

 ever stink of that folly ; for nature is a true mistress, and bestows 

 her gifts freely, and it is only nature which abuseth them." This- 

 old and venerable author then proceeds to descant on the propor- 

 tions, shape, and covering of this water-dog, and of other matters 

 connected with liis use as an anirnal for sporting purposes. He 

 then enters upon the subject of training this dog, on which he re- 

 marks : " Now, for the manner of training or bringing up this 

 water-dog, it is to be understood that you cannot begin too early 

 with him ; that is to say, that even when you first wean him, and 

 teach him to lap, for even then you shall begin to teach him to 

 crouch and He close, not daring to stir or move from the posture 

 in which you put him without your especial license, cherishing it 

 ever wlien it doth your will^ and correcting it when it doth the 

 contrary ; and always observmg this maxim in the first teaching of 

 him, that you never let your dog eat or taste any meat but when 

 he doth somethingto deserve it, that custom may make him know 

 food is a thing which cometh not by chance or the bounty of your 

 hand, but for reward or merit when he doth your commandment ; 

 and this will not only make him willing to learn, but apt to remem- 

 ber and retain what he hath learnt, and dihgently to perform your 

 pleasure without stick or amazement, the characters of your de- 

 mands being so deeply imprinted in his knowledge ; and to tliis 

 end you must have nc more teachers, no more feeders, cherishers, 

 or correctors but one — ^for multiplicity breeds confusion, and to 



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