THE DOG AND HIS MANAGEMENT. 35 



is bred from, there is a certainty that the result wUl not disappoint 

 our rational expectations. This is a subject, however, which would 

 require far too much of our space to do it anything lilce justice ; 

 we must therefore refer the reader to such regular treatises on the 

 breeding of dogs of all kinds as he will find in the sporting literature 

 of this and other countries. The discussions and regulations of 

 the matter are so comprehensive and voluminous, that a large- 

 volume itself will scarcely do it full honours. 



The methods of breaking dogs have not essentially varied from 

 those adopted two centuries ago in Eno-land. There has been less 

 of real innovation here than in most tilings connected with shoot- 

 ing. There have been a vast number of treatises, dissertations, 

 and essays, written on this subject, and no little difference of 

 opinion produced, chiefly, however, on points of minor importance. 

 It would be impossible to write anything that could fairly lay claim 

 to originahty on the breaking of dogs ; therefore we must content 

 oui-selves with merely giving the general outline of the systems 

 generally pursued, without taking upon us the duties of chalkmg out 

 new paths, and propounding novel theories. 



In breaking m the setter^ it is recommended that you lead 

 Mm out and keep him close to your heels. If he attempt to 

 pass beyond you, give him three or four snatches of his leading 

 string vidth all your force; and speak a kind and encouraging 

 word to him. Such treatment will soon repress his exuberant 

 ardour, and teach him to walk steadily by you, and keep step with 

 you. This is a lesson of very great utility. _ After he is master of 

 this elementary rule, let him loose with his collar on; and after 

 having emptied himself, and gambolled a ring or two, call liim in 

 gently and mUdly. Take him into some highway where there is 

 plenty of loose sand which does not retain scents of any kind. If 

 he shows a desire to inquire at gates, stiles, doors, &c., give him a 

 little reproof by immediately calling him to order ; and upon a 

 compliance with the word of command, give him a little reward 

 in the shape of a piece of pudding or hard boiled liver. Bread is 

 not so eligible, being generally too dry. As the setter runs by 

 himself, he should never be trained in company. In an enclosed 

 cpuntry where the boundaries do not include more than six or 

 eight acres, an active man may, by hard labour, keep a dog to 

 work; but in ih.Q fielditigs, his attempts to do this would prove 

 fruitless. In a wide country where the setter has ample_ scope for 

 roaming about, the breaker must necessarily contract his beat, or 

 he will not see the faults of his pupil, nor be able to reward his 

 good performances. Under such cii'cumstances a horse is a 

 valuable adjunct. This will enable a man to keep up with the 

 fleetness of the dog, and to take cognizance of all his movements 

 and doings. When the dog has been thoroughly taught the terms 

 of reclamation without fear, he may be^ taken into the field, 

 choosing an afternoon rather than a morning, that he may notbe 

 diverted from his proper game, by running after hares and rabbits. 



