188 THE AMERICAN HUNTING DOG 



N. B. — The picture does her more than justice, 

 as she was even ''skinnier" than she looks on the 

 photo. I would be pleased to know your opinion 

 as to whether she was in condition to be sent on 

 trial. Are kennel dogs always sent in such an 

 emaciated condition? 



Ans. — In my experience of buying puppies I 

 find that they often arrive from the kennels as a 

 mere bag of bones. Of course, every ounce fed 

 the dog while in the kennels lessens the profit 

 made on the dog. 



It usually takes from three weeks to a month 

 to feed a dog to put him in good condition. Of 

 course, you could hardly expect her to show any 

 ambition to hunt until somewhat fed up. It is 

 possible also that she may have worm trouble. 



I hope you kept her long enough to give her a 

 fair trial. You are under no obligations to pay 

 for a dog until satisfied as to whether it would 

 work well or not. Some of them develop gun- 

 shyness later, and you can never decide from a 

 snap trial. 



BUYING A HUNTING SETTER PUP 



I am writing you for advice in regard to the 

 purchase of a dog. I am in the market for a setter 

 puppy. It does not seem to me that I shall ever 



