THE CARE, TRAINING AND MANAGE- 

 MENT OF DOGS. 



AS the taste for field sports increases, we hear from every 

 quarter the inquiry : " How shall I obtain a good dog ? " 

 This is a question that must be answered largely by the common 

 sense of the propounder. While believing that every one in need 

 of an animal should take the same pains to inform himself as to 

 the characteristics and points of the race, in the same manner as 

 he would if a horse were desired, we are aware that many have 

 not the time, or lack the inclination for such study. Such we 

 would advise to put themselves in communication with some dealer 

 of known character and reliability, with the determination to abide 

 by the result. Some men never are, and never can be satisfied ; 

 for the reason that few have the honesty to acknowledge that they 

 do not know how to break or handle a dog, and such usually ruin 

 the animals that they purchase. Hence from overweening self- 

 sufficiency and superficial information on the one hand, opposed to 

 practical knowledge on the other, arise most of the difficulties 

 between the purchaser and the dealer. We are convinced that if 

 the most skilful of breakers should sell twenty of the best dogs 

 ever whelped to the same number of purchasers, allowing them 

 the privilege of trying them and then returning if they failed to 

 suit, at least one-half the animals would be thrown back upon the 

 breaker's hands, and he himself slandered. And this difficulty 

 will continue, for the reason that almost every man who shoots 

 well believes that he must necessarily be fully competent to under- 

 take the management of dogs. To be able to shoot well is to be 

 desired ; though there is no great difficulty in acquiring the art ; 

 there are plenty of men with but a mere modicum of intellect who 

 are proficients ; but to be able to handle a dog skilfully is a very 

 raie and much to be desired accomplishment — one well worthy the 

 close attention of every sportsman, particularly- if compelled to 



