276 BREAKING AND ENTERING. 



is in ambush waiting for them. The slightest whine is fatal, 

 and the dog should, therefore, be taught to be as quiet as a mouse 

 until ordered to move. 



THE ENTERING AND BREAKING OF THE COVERT SPANIEL. 



The breaking of all spaniels should be commenced as early 

 as possible, as they are naturally impetuous, and require con- 

 siderable restraint to keep them near enough to the shooter 

 while they are at work. After teaching them the ordinary rules 

 of obedience, such as to " come to heel," to " hold up," to drop 

 " down charge," &c., which may all be done with the pistol 

 and check-cord, aided if necessary by the spiked-collar, the 

 next thing is to enter them to the game which they are intended 

 to hunt. Generally it is the practice to use sjjaniels for phea- 

 sants, cocks, and hares, disregarding rabbits, which take their 

 chance with the shooter. The spaniel, therefore, is not expected 

 to " speak " to them, and if he can be induced to give a different 

 note at each of the three varieties above mentioned, he is all 

 the more highly prized. These dogs are better taken out first 

 into small coverts or hedgerows (provided there are not too 

 many rabbits in the latter), as they are more under command 

 here than in large woodlands ; self-hunting should be strictly 

 discouraged, that is to say, the dog shoidd neither be allowed 

 to hunt hy himself nor for himself, but should be made to 



