256 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



as possible near the scene of the trials, so that he 

 may have experience on grounds similar to those of 

 the field trials and become acclimated. Changes of 

 water, climate, food, etc., not infrequently affect the 

 dog's condition and the quality of his field work for 

 several days or weeks. He never should be run 

 longer than he maintains his best speed and effort. 



An hour at first, once or twice a day, night and 

 morning, when the dog is coolest, with a two-hour 

 run every second or third day when he is in better 

 condition, will serve to maintain the average good 

 dog at his best field work. It is a mistake, on the 

 other hand, to have a dog so highly keyed in speed 

 that from an excess of animal spirits he will run so 

 fast that he cannot do anything other than to pick 

 out a course to run in. When so extended, he can- 

 not use his nose to the best advantage, even if he 

 can use it at all. For the trials which have longer 

 heats than a half hour or hour, the matter of en- 

 durance must be more seriously considered, and the 

 preparation of the dog must aim to establish less 

 speed and longer effort. His preparatory runs then 

 are longer, to conform with the longer runs exacted 

 in the competition wherein endurance is a factor. 



