650 DOG-BREAKING. 



him too many at first, he will subsequently become easily 

 dispirited whenever he fails in getting a point. 



309. The good condition of a dog's nose is far from 

 being an immaterial part of his conditioning, for on 

 the preservation of its sensitiveness chiefly depends your 

 hope of sport. If it be dry from being feverish, or if it 

 be habituated to the villanous smells of an impure kennel, 

 how are you to expect it to acknowledge the faintest 

 taint of game yet one that, if followed up by olfactory 

 nerves in high order, would lead to a sure find ? Sweet- 

 ness of breath is a strong indication of health. Cleanli- 

 ness is as essential as a judicious diet ; and you may be 

 assured, that if you look for excellence, you must always 

 have your youngster's kennel clean, dry, airy, and yet 

 sufficiently warm. The more you attend to this, the 

 greater will be his bodily strength and the finer his 

 nose. 



In India the kennels are, of course, too hot ; but in 

 the best constructed which fell under my observation, 

 the heat was much mitigated by the roofs being thickly 

 thatched with grass. In England, however, nearly all 

 kennels I am not speaking of those for hounds are- 

 far too cold in winter. 



310. There must be sufficient warmth. Observe 

 how a petted dog, especially after severe exercise, lays 

 himself down close to the fire, and enjoys it. Do you 

 not see that instinct teaches him to do this? and must 

 it not be of great service to him? Why, therefore, 

 deny him in cold weather, after a hard day's work, a 



