WATER-DOG;J|. 6S1 



the qualities which he possesses, and which will be more 

 particularly described when treating of the specific cha- 

 racter of sporting dogs. Genuine dogs of this last kind are 

 now very rare in Great Britain. The mode of training is 

 similar to that employed in teaching a water-dog to search 

 for, and fetch and carry his game. They ought to know 

 well the distinction betwixt fur and feather, otherwise they 

 can never be adepts in retrieving. They should be care- 

 fully instructed and encouraged to carry hindly, that is, 

 without mouthing their game in a rough manner, and they 

 should invariably be instructed to lie charge. 



WATER-DOGS. 



In the shooting of wild-fowl, various dogs are used to 

 fetch the birds out of the water as soon as shot. The above- 

 mentioned dogs, or retrievers, are all fitted for this sport ; 

 and sometimes the poodle, or small water-dog, will be found 

 extremely useful, particularly if he is tolerably large, as he 

 is a rapid and expert swimmer and diver, and very ardent 

 in his temperament. There will be no diflficulty in teaching 

 any of the above varieties to take the water, as they are 

 impelled by a natural instinct to do so. 



When puppies are five or six months old, they should be 

 taught to fetch and carry, as a preliminary to breaking 

 them. This is easily done by throwing a glove or other 

 article to them in the house, or during a walk, and desiring 

 them to fetch it. With young dogs, the most gentle means 

 are certainly the best ; and when any animal proves obsti- 

 nate, his correction should be of a moderate kind ; and if 

 he seems much disheartened by beating, it will be best to 

 suspend teaching for a time, and in the interim he may be 

 propitiated with gentle caresses. 



A method which has been successfully employed in train- 



4s 



