Early Spaniels and Setters 91 



as whether it be the Land-Spaniell, Water-Spaniell or else the Mungrell 

 between either or both those kindes, or the mungrells of either of those 

 kindes, either the shallow flewed hound, the tumbler, lurcher or indeed the 

 small bastard mastiffe may bee brought to this perfection of Setting (as I 

 have scene by daily experience, both in this and in other nations), yet is there 

 none so excellent indeede as the true-bred Land-Spaniell, being of a nimble 

 and good size, rather small than grosse, and of a courageous and fierie 

 metal, evermore loving and desiring toyle, when toyle seems most yrksome 

 and weary, which, although you cannot know in a whelp so young, as it is 

 intended he must be when you first begin to traine him for this purpose, yet 

 may you have strong speculation therein, if you choose him from a right 

 litter or breede, wherein by succession you have knowne that the whole 

 generation has been endowed with all these qualities, as, namely, that he 

 is strong, lusty and nimble ranger, both of active foote, wanton tayle and 

 busie nostrils, and that his toyle is without wearinesse, his search without 

 changeablenesse, and yet that no delight nor desire transport him beyond 

 feare or obedience, for it is the perfectest character of the perfectest Spaniell 

 ever to be fearfull and loving to him who is his master and keeper. I 

 confesse I have seen excellent, rare Setting doggs made in the Lowe-countries 

 which have beene of a bastard tumbler kind, for indeede a true Land- 

 Spaniell is the Gayffon [probably a misspelling of Griffon in its old form of 

 Gryffon], and, indeed, I have found in them, if I may so term it, a greater 

 wisdome, which indeede is but a greater fear, than in our Land-Spaniels. 

 But comparing the whole work together that is, the labour in ranging, 

 the scent in finding and the arte of Setting they have beene much inferior 

 to our dogges. To speake then in a word touching the best choice of this 

 Setting Dogge, let him be as neere as you can the best bredd Land-Spanieli, 

 that you can procure, and though some have beene curious in observing of 

 their colours, as giving preheminence to the Motley, the Liver-hude, or the 

 White and Blacke spotted; yet questionlesse, it is but a vaine curiosity, for no 

 colour is amisse for this purpose, provided the naturall qualities be perfect 

 and answerable for the worke to which ende you intende them." 



The third reference to dogs in this book is where the taking of pheasants 

 by bird-limed bushes is described. Pheasants were strong enough to break 

 away with the limed bushes, and in order to recover these birds "you shall 

 be sure never to be without an excellent staunch Spaniell, which shall 

 lie close to your foot without stirring, and this Spaniell must be an excellent 



