558 DOG-BREAKING. 



tion of his finding. As they become wearied you will 

 have a difficulty in keeping even old well-broken dogs 

 separate much more young ones, however indepen- 

 dently they may have ranged when fresh. You may 

 also, to a certainty, expect false points ; but what is of 

 far more consequence, by frequently overtasking your 

 dog, you will as effectually waste his constitution as 

 you would your horse's by premature work. 



156. If he is very young when first entered, two or 

 three hours' work at a time will be sufficient. When 

 he is tired, or rather before he is tired, send him home 

 with the man who brings you a relief. Do not fancy 

 your dog will be getting a rest if he is allowed to follow 

 at your heels for the remainder of the day, coupled to a 

 companion. His fretting at not being allowed to share in 

 the sport he sees, will take nearly as much out of him as 

 if you permitted him to hunt. If you can persuade John 

 always to rub him down, and brush and dry him 

 nay even to let him enjoy an hour's basking in front 

 of the fire before he shuts him up in the kennel, you 

 will add years to his existence ; and remember that one 

 old experienced dog, whose constitution is uninjured, is 

 worth two young ones. 



157. When you hunt a brace of dogs, to speak 

 theoretically, they should traverse a field in opposite 

 directions, but along parallel lines, and the distance 

 between the lines should be regulated by you accord- 

 ing as it is a good or a bad scenting day, and according 

 to the excellence of the dogs' noses. Mathematical 



