82 GOOD DOGS ULTIMATELY CHEAPEST. [en. v. 



that you can name. Rest assured, that the worst Joined dogs with 

 good feet * are capable of more fatigue in stubble or heather, than 

 the most muscular and best loined, with fleshy " understandings." 

 The most enduring pointers I have ever seen hunted, had more or 

 less of the strain of the fox-hound ; but doubtless they were pro- 

 portionately hard to break, for their hereditary bias on one side of 

 the house must have given them an inclination to chase and carry 

 their heads low. I have shot over a cross with the bull-dog. The 

 animal showed great courage, perseverance, and nose, but he hunted 

 with his head so near the ground, that he hit off no game unless he 

 came upon its run. The strongest heather could not have cured 

 such a sad carriage. It would be quite unreasonable to expect that 

 dogs so bred (from either fox- hound or bull-dog), would have acted 

 like Mr. M t's, (see 280) the first day they were shown game. 

 Remember also that I do not expect to lose any shots from the birds 

 being scared by my being forced to call or whistle to the dogs, and 

 that I confidently hope to shoot more coolly and collectedly, from 

 not being worried and annoyed by their misconduct ; I allow, how- 

 ever, that in any open country more than two dogs are desirable ; 

 and I especially admit, that whenever I might have the good luck 

 to get away to the moors, I should be unwilling to start with no 

 more than a brace ; but even in this' case, as I should hope for 

 better society than my own, have I not a right to calculate upon the 

 probable contingent to be brought by my friend ? and if his turned 

 out superior to mine, we should always reserve his for our evening's 

 beat, which ought to be the best feeding ground, and towards which 

 it would be our endeavour throughout the day to drive the birds ; 

 for, unlike the partridge, the later it is, early in the season, the better 

 grouse lie. Many dogs are desirable, not that they may be hunted 

 together, but that they may be hunted in reliefs. But some possess 

 so much power and bottom, that their owners need seldom think 

 about reliefs in partridge-shooting. 



138. In enlarging a kennel, it ought always to be remembered, 

 that the companionship of one disorderly cur nominally cheap, but 

 in reality dear, soon leads astray the better disposed. Men who 

 spare no expense in preserving their grounds, in rearing and feeding 

 birds, &c. will often be found to begrudge a few extra pounds in the 

 purchase of a dog, however good. This appears odd, but it is too 

 true. If they would but sum up the rent they pay for the right of 

 shooting, (or what is the same thing, its value, if they choose to let 

 it), the wages of men, the cost of breeding game, taxes, and all 



* I often shoot over a setter soon brings her round for another 



bitch (belonging to one of my half day's brilliant work. Unless 



relations) that has capital feet, a dog is particularly light in body, 



but is very defective across the bad feet quickly scald upon heath 



loins. She is extremely fast, and or stubble, and they are longer 



a brilliant performer for half a getting round, than is a bad loined 



day; but she then shuts up com- dog in recovering from a day's 



pletely. A little rest, however, fatigue. 



