1 68 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



more of labor than of pleasure to go so far to him for 

 a shot. 



The matter of pace is essential to consider in con- 

 nection with ranging, and with it also the matter of 

 endurance. As hinted herein, a very fast dog, ex- 

 tended to his utmost in speed, is rarely a thorough 

 hunter. Being over-extended, he has not the time to 

 consider or search out the nooks and corners with 

 the care and thoroughness necessary to the best find- 

 ing results, nor time to concentrate his mind on any- 

 thing other than mere running. On the other hand, 

 a dog may show good speed for a while, then slow 

 down to a trot, working a while and loafing a while. 



The best pace is a steady, swinging gallop, which 

 is easily within the dog's physical compass, and such 

 as he can maintain all day long. If to this he adds 

 bird sense and concentrates his powers on his work, 

 remaining out at it constantly, he as a success is in 

 pleasing contrast to the flashy, over-speeded dog 

 whose mind is concentrated solely on picking out a 

 clear course to run in. Too much speed often de- 

 notes an ignorance of hunting rather than a knowl- 

 edge of it, as it relates to the service of the gun. 



Aside from the matter of pace, the most common 



