36 SPANIELS BROKEN IN. [CH. in. 



readily taught to puppies, (with the aid of a whipper-in) 

 by the trainer's giving them some delicacy on their 

 rejoining him. It may be urged, too, that the method 

 much removes any necessity for noise in calling to a 

 dog, whereas, with a team trained to the "down- 

 charge," however highly broken, it will occasionally 

 happen that the keeper (or assistant) has to rate some 

 excited skirter for not instantly " dropping." Moreover, 

 in thick cover an infraction of the irksome rule to 

 " down charge " may sometimes escape detection, which 

 might lead to future acts of insubordination. The 

 lamented Prince Albert's team of Clumbers " down- 

 charge," but the greatest attention could be given, and 

 was given to them. They were admirably broken, and 

 I might add, were shot over by a first-rate hand. 



59. When exercising young spaniels it is a good plan 

 to habituate them, even as puppies, never to stray 

 further from you than about twenty yards. With them, 

 even more than with other kinds of dogs trained for the 

 gun, great pains should be taken to prevent their having 

 the opportunity of " self-hunting." If it is wished to 

 break from hare, the method to be followed is mentioned 

 in 334, &c., for with spaniels as with setters (or pointers) 

 it is always advisable to drag them back to the spot 

 from which they started in pursuit. 



60. Occasionally you may see a country blacksmith, 

 when preparing to shoe the hind-legs of a cart-horse 

 that appears disposed to make a disagreeable use of his 

 heels, twist the long hair at the end of his tail, raise 

 the foot that is to be shod, pass the twisted hair round 

 the leg immediately above the hock, and by these means 

 press the tendon close to the bone. The tail assists in 

 retaining the leg in position, and thus for the time the 

 limb is rendered powerless. Acting much upon this 



