POINTERS AND SETTERS. 251 



Supposing, therefore, that a gentleman lias determined to break a 

 brace of pointers for bis own use, without assistance from a keeper, 

 let us now consider how he should set about it. 



In the first place, let him procure his puppies of a breed in 

 which he can have confidence. He will do well to secure a 

 brace and a half, to guard against accidents or defects in growth. 

 Let these be well reared up to the end of January, or, in fact, 

 until the birds are paired and will lie well, whatever that time 

 may be. They should be fed as directed in the last chajater. 

 A few bones should be given daily, but little flesh, as the nose 

 is certainly injuriously affected by this kind of food ; and without 

 attention to his health, so as to give the dog every chance of 

 finding his game, it is useless to attempt to break him. The 

 puppies should either be reared at full liberty at a good walk, 

 or they should have an airy yard, and should then be walked out 

 daily, taking care to make them know their names at a very 

 early age, and teaching them instant obedience to every order, 

 without breaking their spirit. Here great patience and tact are 

 required ; but, by the owner walking them out himself two or 

 three times a week and making them fond of him, a little severity 

 has no injurious efi'ect. In crossing fields the puppies should 

 never be allowed to "break fence," even if the gates are open, 

 but should be called back the moment they attempt to do so. 

 These points are of great importance, and by attending to them 

 half the difficulty of breaking is got over ; for, if the puppy is 

 early taught obedience, you have only to let him know what he is 

 required to do, and he does it as a matter of course. So also the 



