620 DOG-BREAKING. 



\ 



257. Professional dog-breakers, I have remarked, 

 almost invariably hunt too many dogs together. This 

 arises, I suppose, from the number which they have 

 to train ; but the consequence is, that the younger dogs 

 are spectators rather than actors, and, instead of ranging 

 independently in search of game, are watching the 

 manoeuvres of their older associates. 



258. A glimmering of knowledge may be picked 

 up in this way ; but no one will argue that it is likely to 

 create great excellence. Doubtless the young ones wilt 

 be good backers ; and to the inexperienced a troop of 

 perhaps a dozen dogs, all in chiselled form, stanchly 

 backing an old leader, is a most imposing sight but 

 if the observer were to accompany the whole party for a 

 few hours, he would remark, I will bet any money, that 

 the same veterans would over and over again find the 

 birds, and that the '''perfectly " broken young ones in the 

 rear would do nothing but " back " and " down charge." 

 What can they know of judicious quartering? Of 

 obeying the signals of the hand ? Of gradually drawing 

 upon the faintest token of a scent only perceptible to a 

 nose carried high in the air until they arrive at a 

 confident point ? Of perseveringly working out the foil 

 of a slightly-winged bird, on a hot still day, to a sure 

 "find? " Nothing, or next to nothing, nearly all is to 

 be taught ; and yet the breaker will show off those raw 

 recruits as perfectly drilled soldiers. Would they not 

 have had a much better chance of really being so, if he 

 had given a small portion of his time each day to each ? 



