IDEAS ON DOG-BREAKING. 257 



ribbed up, feet and limbs large, eyes high and intelli- 

 gent. This last is perhaps not so absolutely neces- 

 sary, for I have seen dogs with the most washy-look- 

 ing daylights possessed of wonderful sagacity, partic- 

 ularly among spaniels and French poodles, but I can 

 not consider it other than a great defect in their per- 

 sonal appearance. Above all things, avoid a young- 

 ster with a curly tail. I know nothing more unsight- 

 ly. The last, although the most requisite, desidera- 

 tum is to know that the pupil possesses a good nose. 

 When very young this is not so easy to find out, 

 still with attention to the rapidity with which he 

 notices tidbits of bread or meat, a probably correct 

 opinion may be come at ; but when of matures age, 

 say old enough to be shown game, if when 1 anting 

 he carries his head well up there can be no longer 

 room for doubt that his olfactory nerves are all right. 

 Your field language should always be th*3 same, 

 and each command be expressed by a word of one 

 syllable, the words being as dissimilar in intonation 

 as possible ; but it is better far to do without the voice 

 by substituting the whistle. At all events never 

 speak to your dog while hunting unless absohiUiy 

 necessary. In early education I always accompany 

 each order with a movement of the hand ; for in- 



