444 Modern Dogs. 



day. At many places they are worked in teams. 

 At Knowsley, one of the seats of the Earl of Derby, 

 from twenty-five to thirty Clumbers are used in this 

 manner, as occasion requires. 



The Clumber spaniel is mute, easily broken, and 

 should be trained to drop to hand, wing, and shot. 

 If a large number of dogs are worked together it is 

 better that they should not be taught to retrieve, but 

 if only a few are required for woodcock and for 

 general shooting (for which they are invaluable) then 

 retrieving should be a sine qua non. They take to 

 this naturally. To teach them, dry a rabbit skin, 

 stuff it with hay, and wrap it round with string, 

 and when the pups are about three months old 

 have similar skins thrown for them to retrieve. 

 After a very few lessons they learn to do this, and 

 enjoy the fun. Then kill a bird or two to them, 

 letting them fetch it, which in nine cases out of ten 

 they will do willingly, and with the greatest pleasure. 



The work of breaking is quite simple. It is 

 important that rabbits should not be killed to them 

 before birds, or the dogs are apt to get hard 

 mouthed. As a companion the Clumber is excellent ; 

 it is very rare indeed to find one with a bad temper, 

 and there are few things indeed which he cannot be 

 taught to do. 



The Rev. W. Pearce (" Idstone ") was as fond 



