SPANIELS 203 



is not denied. But if this is the way to advertise show dogs, 

 then the sooner field trials are dropped the better in the true 

 interests of sport. In this direction lies the danger to sporting 

 interests ; and little differences about means and methods of 

 judging are of comparatively no importance. A variety of judges 

 have acted under a large variety of rules, and to the credit of 

 the former, and in spite of the latter, the best dogs have 

 nearly, or quite always, got the stakes. But there is also 

 a tendency amongst judges to give the smaller prizes and 

 certificates of merit because a dog has done no harm, although 

 he may not have done any good. 



If it is correct to absolutely disqualify a dog for ranging 

 beyond gun-shot and for chasing game (and it must be so in 

 the interests of sport), then, on the ground that every dog can 

 be broken but not a tenth of them are worth breaking, it is 

 also essential to disqualify a dog that cannot find game. 



It is because the latter has not always been done that these 

 remarks are necessary. The quantity of game left behind 

 unfound by the dogs that have won minor prizes has surprised 

 not only the author, but others also who have come to visit 

 these trials once, and no more. On the other hand, the best 

 winners have always been the best finders that passed the not 

 very severe breaking standard, as indicated above, and that is 

 obviously right. 



