DOGS 



103 



him to acquire the bad habit of worrying his game if 

 not at all times strictly watched. Prior to this, 

 multiplication of duties, this dog had never given 

 evidence of the possession of a hard mouth. 



The Poodle is endowed with a high order of sagacity 

 and, when properly trained, is most obedient, being 

 readily taught to perform many difficult and clever tricks. 

 I have always held the opinion that, if found with 

 sufficient stamina to withstand cold, wet, and hard work, 

 the Poodle, either the large or the small breed, might 



DISS." 



prove an invaluable ally for the gunner who pursues his 

 solitary way along shore or through bog or brake. 



One Poodle that I possessed would, I am convinced, 

 have made a most useful adjunct in the shooting-field 

 had but his gunning education commenced sufficiently 

 early in life. This Poodle had several excellent pro- 

 perties, and he also had others that by the sportsman 

 could only be termed bad or indifferent. Had he how- 

 ever been taken in hand soon enough, and his education 

 thoroughly persevered with, I am certain that his faults 

 would not have proved ineradicable. Furred or feathered, 



