35 THE BOOK OF THE Doc 







the breaker. As for instance, many a shy dog that will scarcely stand a look of the whip 

 at the kennel, will in the field, for an act of disobedience, take a fair share of it, and 

 rather improve him of his shyness than otherwise, always bearing in mind never to leave 

 him until peace is made up between you. It is also essential that you keep at them 

 every day, as they are quick to learn, and as soon forget when only half way with their 

 work, and in the end much easier for yourself; for they quickly discern right from wrong, 

 and who is their master. Nothing to my mind is more beautiful than a brace of dogs 

 who quarter their ground thoroughly ; this is only done by perseverance, and using the 

 signals of waving the arm across you. But, to hark back when you throw off your brace 

 of young ones. When they get their point, get up to them as quick as you can, and if 

 not well up to backing by this time or some will do so naturally have an attendant, and 

 let him go up to the dog who has the point, and go yourself to the one who backs, as 

 he will require most attention from you at this time. Go behind him, and steady him. Should 

 he not get into stiff, good form, advance a step with him until he gets a whiff of the game. 

 Then keep him there if possible in his position. Let the attendant spring the game with the 

 other dog. Then drop them, after a few minutes' sign to the attendant to go on with the 

 dog to see if any are left, you still keeping your dog down until he is satisfied there are none 

 left. Repeat this until you are perfect. Another thing : do not depend too much for some 

 time on either of them, but keep a strict watch on both, as until the second season very few 

 young ones are to be depended on. Should you not have had the luck to let them see 

 many hares, be careful now when one gets up, or you may have a deal of trouble. If you 

 cannot depend on them, take the first chance when you see her to shout at the top of 

 your voice, ' Ware hare ! ware chase ! ' and I hope you are not far from them ; but stop 

 them by any means, or else you may have to go back again in your work, and only let the 

 one dog down. This would be awkward, for if once they get a beginning with fur they are 

 difficult to stop ; only you must apply the whip properly now, as this is the worst vice they 

 could have, and nip it in the bud. I have departed a little here, as it is very necessary to 

 instil this most essential point on the breaker for what chance would one have with a dog 

 that would chase even a few yards at a field trial, although some of the judges are not 

 altogether consistent there, as I have been put out with a dog that only went a few yards, 

 and the next brace chased out of the field and were not put out, although neither showed 

 great merit to keep them in the hunt. Now I think the rules ought to be strict ; and 

 let every one have the same fair play for his money ; and let it be binding that a chase 

 of any sort be thrown out ; as I think, now that so many are entering for field trials, we must 

 look for a higher standard of work, and therefore stricter rules. I shall now give a list of 

 words used for working the dogs : ' Go on ' hold up your arm, extending it to the 

 right or left. 'Lie down! 1 'Down charge!' or 'Down!' holding up the hand on springing 

 birds. 'Have a care!' "Ware springing birds!' leading him back to where he should 

 have stood them, using the words ' Soho ! steady ! ' On fur, ' Ware hare ! ' at the same time 

 drop him and take him off the line of her. By attending to these simple rules, the young breaker 

 will no doubt have little trouble, with perseverance, in turning out a good puppy." 



The information contained in the above article is so practical and valuable, and likely to 

 be of service to beginners, that we do not propose to add any further remarks to the present 

 chapter. Any special features in the education and breaking of various breeds will be alluded 

 to in the articles referring to those varieties. 



