BREAKIKQ J 



VOK :\IOUXTATX, FIELD, AXD FAinr. 



[UUEAKINO, 



nevertheless, very vexatious and annoying* to 



the sportsman. ]\rany iloi^n of this iloscription 

 have been taken to the fu'ltl ; aiul, in a pre- 

 ceding pajje, we have adduced an instance in 

 the field ; but they never can be depended on, 

 except, poriinps, Nowroundhmdors, or water 

 spaniels, as these two races of dogs are easily 

 broken to bring tlieir game either on hind or 

 from the water, their instinct inducing them 

 strongly in that direction, althougii it may bo 

 doubted whether they are ever so perfectly 

 taught by gentle, as by compulsory means. 

 Dogs taught to fetch their game by gentle 

 means have been pronounced uncertain in their 

 obedience ; on some days taking the water 

 unhesitatingly, and bringing perfectly ; and, on 

 others, no earthly power being able to induce 

 them either to take water or to fetch their 

 game. This generally occurs whenever any- 

 thing has arisen to ruffle their tempers. In- 

 deed, we have heard of a Xewfoundland, a 

 first-rate retriever, who had been taught by 

 gentle means, and who, when sulky from being 

 scolded or thrashed, would not stir one inch ; 

 whereas we have never known a dog refuse to 

 go and fetch his game either on land or from 

 the water, whatever his breed might be, who 

 had been thoroughly taught with the spiked 

 cellar by a competent instructor. 



Although this " uncertainty" and " sulki- 

 nesa" may have, in some instances, exhibited 

 themselves, we are far from believing such 

 exhibition to be either general or conclusive 

 that severe measures are the best for breaking 

 or training a dog. "We have seen the effects 

 of gentleness upon the horse ; and we have no 

 doubt that gentleness used towards the dog is 

 by far the most potent and effective educator. 

 In proof of this, the following account of a 

 canine performance, which took place in 

 London some years ago, will be found exceed- 

 ingly interesting. It was published in the 

 Lancet. 



" Two fine dogs, of the Spanish breed, were 

 introduced by M. Leonard, with the customary 

 French lyoJitesse — the largest, by the name of 

 M. Philax ; the other, as M. Brae (or Spot). 

 The former had been in training three, the 

 latter, two years. They were in vigorous 

 health; and, having bowed very gracefully, 

 seated themselves on the hearth-rug, side by 

 side. M. Leonard then gave a lively descrip- 



tion of tho means ho had employed to develop 

 the ceri'bral system in these animalrt; how, from 

 having been fond of tho chase, and ninbitious 

 of possessing tho best-trained dogH, ho had 

 employed tho usual course of training— how 

 tho conviction had been impressed on his 

 mind, that by gentle usage, and struJi/ per- 

 severance in inducing tho animal to repeat, 

 again and again, what was required, not only 

 would tho dog be capal)lo of perrorniing that 

 specific act, but that part of tho brain, which 

 was brought into activity by tlio mental effort, 

 would become more largely developed ; and 

 hence a permanent increase of mental power 

 bo obtained. Tliis reasoning is in accordance 

 with the known laws of the physiology of the 

 nervous system, and is fraught with the most 

 important results. Wo may refer the reader, 

 interested in the subject, to the masterly little 

 work of Doctor Verity, Change Produced in tlie 

 JVervous System hy Civilisation. After this 

 introduction, M. Leonard spoke to his dogs in 

 Frencli, in his usual tone, and ordered one of 

 them to walk, the other to lie down, to run, to 

 gallop, halt, crouch, &c., which they performed 

 as promptly and correctly as the most docile 

 children. Then he directed them to go 

 through the usual exercise of the manege, 

 which they accomplished as well as the best 

 trained ponies at Astley's. He next placed 

 six cards of different colours on the floor, and, 

 sitting with his back to the dogs, directed one 

 to pick up the blue card, and the other the 

 white, &c., varying his orders rapidly, and 

 speaking in such a manner, that it was im- 

 possible tho dogs could have executed his com- 

 mands if they had not a perfect knowledge of 

 the words. For instance, M. Leonard said, 

 ' Philax, take the red card and give it to Brae ; 

 and Brae, take the white card, and give it to 

 Philax.' The dogs instantly did this, and 

 exchanged cards with each other. He then 

 said, ' Philax, put your card on the green, and 

 Brae, put yours on the blue ;' and this was 

 instantly performed Pieces of bread and 

 meat were placed on the floor, with figured 

 cards, and a variety of directions were given to 

 the dogs, 80 as to put their intelligence and 

 obedience to a severe test. They brought tho 

 meat, bread, or cards, as commanded ; but did 

 not attempt to eat or touch unless ordered. 

 Philax was then ordered to bring a piece of 



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