448 DOGS USED FOR SPORT. 



purchase dogs broken by other hands. A skilful handler has no 

 difficulty in purchasing a good animal, because he knows what to 

 expect from a strange dog, and how to work to gain his confidence ; 

 on the other hand, there are many purchasers who never give an 

 animal a chance to show his education, and saddle their own 

 ignorance upon the dog and his breaker. 



While it is frequently argued that each one should break his 

 own dog, and while allowing that there is much to be said in favor 

 of so doing ; it can not be denied that the number of those who 

 are capable of the complete self-government necessary to the suc- 

 cessful education of the animal is extremely limited. As proof 

 of this, look at the numbers of children, and the training they re- 

 ceive ! If we cannot successfully control them, how much less can 

 we hope to succeed with an animal to whom speech is denied, and 

 in which the power of understanding is but limited. 



It is not within our province to point out the choice of breeds, 

 distinctions of color, etc. ; these being matters in which the pur- 

 chaser must please himself. But a few hints of a general char- 

 acter may not be amiss. 



CHOOSING A DOG. 



First satisfy yourself as to the antecedents of the animal in 

 question. Purchase no dog whose pedigree is entirely unknown, 

 at the same time avoiding all suspicious taint whether of form, 

 character, or disease. See him in the field (if broken,) and under 

 the gun ; note well his mode of ranging, and that he does not 

 rake. See that he possesses a good nose, is staunch on point and 

 charge, heels properly, is not gun shy, is a tender-mouthed re- 

 triever, and quick to respond to command. Study his trainer's 

 mode of delivering his commands, and if he be a foul-mouthed, 

 loud shouting individual, shun both him and his dogs ; for you 

 may be assured that he who uses expletives in abundance, and 

 bellows at his dogs at the top of his voice, is not possessed of the 

 temperament requisite for their proper training. Even if they 

 appear well broken, it is not seemly to purchase animals, in the 

 working of which it becomes necessary to transform yourself into 

 an animated fog-horn, alarming both the neighborhood and the 



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