256 BREAKING AND ENTERING. 



puts up the birds, to tlie intense disgust of his elder companion, 

 but to bis own great delight, as shown by his appreciation of the 

 scent, and by chasing his game till out of sight. At the 

 present stage of breaking, the puppy should by no means be 

 checked for this, as he knows no better, and the great object is 

 to give him zest for the work, not to make him dislike it ; so 

 that, even if he runs in to half a dozen pairs of birds, it will 

 do him no harm, however jealous it may make the old dog. As 

 soon, however, as the young one seems decidedly inclined to 

 go to work by himself, take up the old dog, and hunt the young 

 one till he is thoroughly tired or till he begins to point, which 

 he will often do before that time arrives if he is well enough 

 bred. At first, when he comes upon a scent, he will stop in a 

 hesitating way, then draw rapidly up and flush his birds, chasing 

 them as before ; but gradually, as he tires, he gains steadiness, and, 

 after a time, he assumes the firm attitude of the true pointer 

 or setter, though this is seldom shovra in perfection for the first 

 two or three days. Let it be clearly understood, that the 

 present lesson is solely with a view to teach the range, steadiness 

 in the point being at first quite subordinate to this quality, though 

 in well-bred dogs it may often be taught at the same time. 

 Hundreds of puppies are irretrievably spoiled by attempting to 

 begin with teaching them to stand, when, by undue hardship and 

 severity, their relish for hunting or beating the ground is 

 destroyed ; and they are never made to do this part of the work 

 well, although their noses are good enough when tliej'' come upon 

 game, and they stand for a week if allowed to do so. Keep to 



