80 FURTHER KNOWLEDGE READILY GAINED. [CH. v. 



after have a powerful influence over him, especially if 

 he be of a gentle, timid disposition. 



135. In educating such a dog, and there are many 

 of the kind, likely to turn out well, if they are judiciously 

 managed, often possessing noses so exquisite (perhaps 

 I ought to say cautious), as nearly to make up for their 

 general want of constitution and powers of endurance : 

 it is satisfactory to think that all these lessons can be 

 inculcated without in the slightest degree depressing his 

 spirit. On the contrary, increasing observation and in- 

 telligence will gradually banish his shyness and distrust 

 of his own powers ; for he will be sensible that he is 

 becoming more and more capable of comprehending 

 your wishes, and therefore less likely to err and be 

 punished (347). 



136. I fear you may imagine that I am attributing 

 too much reasoning power to him. You would not think 

 so if you had broken in two or three dogs. What makes 

 dog-teaching, if not very attractive, at least not labo- 

 rious, is the fact that the more you impart to a dog, the 

 more readily will he gain further knowledge. After 

 teaching a poodle or a terrier a few tricks, you will be 

 surprised to see with what increasing facility he will 

 acquire each successive accomplishment. It is this 

 circumstance which, I think, should induce you not to 

 regard as chimerical the perfection of which I purpose 

 to speak by-and-by, under the head of " refinements in 

 breaking." Indeed I only adopt this distinction in 

 deference to what I cannot but consider popular preju- 

 dice ; for I well know many will regard such accom- 

 plishments as altogether superfluous. It is sad to think 

 that an art which might easily be made much more 

 perfect, is allowed, almost by universal sufferance, to stop 

 short just at the point where excellence is within grasp. 



