WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD DOG. 209 



is a consummation devoutly to be wished for; but decidedly 

 there are limits which cannot be passed without entailing 

 a greater loss than gain. As, for example, a prominent 

 English breeder says he "does not want a dog that will 

 find the greatest number of birds in a given piece of 

 ground, but one that will find the greatest number in a 

 day.'' Virtually this means that he considers it of no conse- 

 quence if the dog runs over or by a part of a scattered 

 pack, provided he has speed enough to find a fresh pack 

 quickly. This may do for field trials, or even on well- 

 stocked ground, but it will not do for work in this coun- 

 try, as game is none too plentiful, and our sportsmen espe- 

 cially need a dog that will find single birds after a bevy has 

 been broken up; and a dog which goes so fast that he over- 

 runs close-lying birds is worthless, and will be beaten oat 

 of sight by a dog of more moderate pace. 



ENDUKANCE. 



So long as a dog does not go fast enough to over-run 

 scent, or beyond his powers to endure continued work, the 

 proper limits are not exceeded. 



Upon a dog's powers of endurance practically depends 

 his usefulness in the field. I have already spoken of the 

 amount of work frequently demanded of our dogs, and it 

 must be evident that to meet this fairly they must be en- 

 dowed naturally with good constitutions, combined with 

 strong, vigorous frames. These are the foundations upon 

 which, by proper care and training, an enduring dog can 

 be built up. A dog without thorough endurance is not 

 worth his keep. No dog can by any possibility carry this 

 to an undue extent, or become too strong and tireless. 

 Every additional day that he is able to work adds to rather 

 than detracts from his value; and he i-i indeed a fortunate 

 man who owns a dog for whom no day is so long or hard 

 that he will not give the gun a joyous welcome on the 

 succeeding morning. 



27 



