596 DOG-BREAKING. 



you killed, he r ished headlong after the bird instead 

 of dropping patiently to the " down charge " and so 

 sprung a dozen birds while you were unloaded ? 



219. Perhaps you will say, " You tell me to fire at a 

 running bird, b'lt when a winged cock-pheasant or red- 

 legged partridge is racing off out of shot, how am I to 

 get it if I proceed in the slow, methodical manner you 

 advise ? May it not lead me an unsuccessful dance for 

 an hour, if I do not allow the dog to shoot ahead and 

 seize ? " It may but I hope months will pass before 

 you witness such agility and this shows that those who 

 do not employ a retriever, and yet are sticklers for a 

 setter's or pointer's never being permitted to touch a 

 feather, must on such occasions get into a dilemma; 

 and, unless they are willing to lose the bird, must plead 

 guilty to the inconsistency of being pleased however 

 loudly they may roar out " Toho," " ware dead," when 

 they see their dog, in defiance of all such calls, disable 

 it by a sudden grip. This plan, though frequently fol- 

 lowed, cannot be correct. They blame the dog for 

 doing what they really wish ! and if he be too tender- 

 mouthed to injure the bird, he keeps them at top speed, 

 while he is alternately picking up the unfortunate crea- 

 ture acting on his natural impulses and letting it fall, 

 on being rated. I therefore repeat, that even if you do 

 not wish your dog constantly to retrieve 292 you 

 would still act judiciously in teaching him as a puppy 

 to fetch 86 for then he will give chase to the winged 

 bird, and bring it to you on getting the order, instead of 



