134> TRAINING DOGS FOR THE GUN. 



howling all the way, (just as if a tin kettle were tied to him,) 

 and terrified beyond measure. He should, however, be followed, 

 dragged from the farther end of his kennel, in which he will, no 

 doubt, endeavour to hide himself, and be again well flogged ; 

 and the fowl, being taken from his tail, should be buffetted about 

 his head. 



I have met with sportsmen who teach their pointers to fetch 

 the dead bird : I must confess I am not fond of this method ; as 

 the dog, thus accustomed to fetch the bird, is very apt to break 

 away, on the shot, whether a bird be killed or not. 



The Russian Pointer. In concluding these observations on 

 dog breaking, I must once more revert to the animal distin~ 

 guished by the name of the Russian Pointer, though it has al- 

 ready been slightly noticed under a distinct head : The Rus- 

 sian Pointer, which has of late years attracted the attention of 

 the shooting sportsman, is one of those animals which, from ex- 

 ternal appearance, is by no means calculated to excite a prepos- 

 session in its favour. The dog in question may or may not 

 have come originally from Russia ; his thick covering of hair 

 would seem to indicate, however, that he is well calculated to 

 endure the rigours of a northern climate ; therefore, as far as 

 relates to the word Russian, the idea and the appearance seem 

 perfectly in unison. But while I admit the word Russian to 

 be appropriate to the nature of the dog, I feel much inclined 

 to dispute the specific and particular application of pointer. 

 That this rough thickly clad dog may be taught to point, there 

 is little doubt, and the same remark may, with propriety, be 

 extended to almost every ramification of the dog : any dog that 

 will run and hunt may be taught to stop or point. Take a 

 young terrier, for instance, into the field, and hunt him several 

 days ; he will be found, at first, to chase every bird that he 

 meets with ; but, after having been on the scent of partridges 

 repeatedly, he will be seen to pause, and, after a few seconds, 



