British Dogs at Work 



single-handed sportsman after water-fowl or 

 snipe could not wish a more useful com- 

 panion than a well-broken retriever. 



While upon this breed a word or two as 

 to their popularity on the show bench may 

 not be out of place. Here again we find the 

 enthusiasts divided into two camps, the ne 

 declaring that show dogs are no good for 

 work, the other averring as stoutly that 

 a good-looking pedigree dog is quite as 

 capable of doing a satisfactory day's work as 

 any other. There is no doubt that there is 

 a considerable demand for well-bred dogs, 

 and it is said with absolute truth, I believe, 

 that one champion, who was also a field 

 trialler, earned his master some 1400 or 

 more in stud fees, while his son, still in his 

 prime, had produced very nearly as much. 

 Big prices have also been realised by really 

 good dogs, and we may take it for granted 

 that puppies of first-class strains are always 

 worth more than those which have no par- 

 ticular breeding at the back of them. If, 



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