2T8 BREAKING AND EXTERLXG. 



the shooter, so that his movements may be watched ; but, as 

 soon as he can be trusted, he shoukl be sent through to the 

 other side, and made to drive his game towards the gun, always 

 taking care that the dog does not get out of shot. In first 

 introducing a young dog to a large covert, he must be put down 

 with a couple of old ones which are very steady ; and, at the 

 same time, he should have a shot-collar on, or one of his legs 

 up. Without this precaution he will be svire to range too wide, 

 and, if he gets on the scent of a hare, he will probably follow 

 her all over the covert, to the entire destruction of the day's 

 sport; but, by the above precautions, he is prevented doing 

 this, and by imitating his fellows, he soon learns to keep within 

 the proper distance. Here, as in all dogs intended for the gun, 

 the great principle is to make them understand that it is the 

 instrument of destruction, not tJieituelves, and that it is only 

 by pa^'ing proper attention to the gun that they can be ex- 

 pected to succeed in obtaining game. In working spaniels in 

 covert great quiet is desirable, as game will never come within 

 distance of the shooter if they hear a noise proceeding from 

 him, and hence the constant encouragement to the dogs, which 

 some sportsmen indulge in, is by no means necessary. If the 

 spaniel is projDcrly broken, he can hear his master as he passes 

 through the underwood, and he will take care to drive the 

 game towards him, while, if he is slack and idle, the voice does 

 him little good, and j^revents the only chance of getting a shot 

 which might otherwise occur. In hattue shooting, spaniels, if 

 employed, are in aid of the beaters, not of the shooters, most 



