

VARIETIES OP THE DOG, 



ing and caressing him, and giving him little hours of liberty under his 

 own inspection ; but, every now and then, inculcating a lesson of obedience, 

 teaching him that every gambol must be under the control of his master ; 

 frequently checking him in the midst of his riot with the order of ' Down 

 charge !' patting him when he is instantly obedient ; and rating, or castiga- 

 *ing him, but not too severely, when there is any reluctance to obey. Passive 

 obedience is the first principle, and from which no deviation should be 

 allowed? 



" Much kindness and gentleness are certainly requisite when breaking-in 

 the puppy, whether it be a pointer or a setter. There is heedlessness in 

 the young dog which is not readily got rid of until age has given him ex- 

 perience. He must not, however, be too severely corrected, or he may be 

 spoiled for life. If considerable correction is sometimes necessary, it should 

 be followed, at a little distance of time, by some kind usage. The memory 

 of the suffering will remain ; but the feeling of attachment to the master 

 will also remain, or rather be increased. The temper of a young dog must 

 be almost as carefully studied as that of a human being. Timidity may be 

 encouraged, and eagerness may be restrained, but affection must be the 

 tie that binds him to his master, and renders him subservient to his will. 



" The next portion of the lesson is more difficult to learn. He is no longer 

 held by his master, but suffered to run over the field, seemingly at his 

 pleasure, when, suddenly, comes the warning ' Down !' He perhaps pays 

 no attention to it, but gambols along until seized by his master, forced on 

 the ground, and the order of ' Down !' somewhat sternly uttered. 



" After a while he is suffered again to get up. He soon forgets what has 

 occurred, and gallops away with as much glee as ever. Again the ' Down !' 

 is heard, and again little or no attention is paid to it. His master once more 

 lays hold of him and forces him on the ground, and perhaps inflicts a slight 

 blow or two, and this process continues until the dog finds that he must obey 

 the command of ' Down charge !' 



" The owner will now probably walk from him a little way backward with 

 his hand lifted up. If the dog makes the slightest motion, he must be 

 sharply spoken to, and the order peremptorily enforced. 



" He must then be taught to * back,' that is, to come behind his master 

 when called. When he seems to understand all this, he is called by his 

 master in a kindly tone and patted and caressed. It is almost incredible 

 how soon he will afterwards understand what he is ordered to do, and per- 

 form it. 



" It will be seen by this that no one should attempt to break-in a dog 

 who is not possessed of patience and perseverance. The sportsman .must 

 not expect to see a great deal of improvement from the early lessons. The 

 dog will often forget that which was inculcated upon him a few hours be- 

 fore ; but perseverance and kindness will effect much : the first lessons over, 

 the dog, beginning to perceive a little what is meant, will cheerfully 

 and joyfully do his duty. 



" When there is much difficulty in teaching the dog his lesson, the fault 

 lies as often with the master as with him ; or they are, generally speaking, 

 both in fault. Some dogs cannot be mastered but by means of frequent 

 correction. The less the sportsman has to do with them the better. Others 



a Another writer in the 

 management of the setter. 



same volume gives also an interesting account of the 



