THE SPANIEL. 375 



should be struck across, not along, the ribs ; or, in 

 other words, the switch or lash 'should not be made 

 to lap round his body, but the blow should fall on 

 the whole length of his side. A dog should never 

 be kicked, or shaken by the ears. When the 

 shooter is unprovided with a switch or dog-whip, 

 he should make the dog lie at his foot several mi- 

 nutes, which the dog, eager for sport, will consider 

 a severe punishment, and it is a sort of punishment 

 not soon forgotten. 



The routine of dog-breaking is well explained in 

 the note at the foot of this page. We very much 

 approve of the system there laid down.* 



* " The first lesson, and the one on which the breaker's success 

 chiefly depends, is that of teaching the dog to drop at the word 

 f down ;' this must be done before he is taken into the field. Tie a 

 strong cord to his neck, about eighteen yards long, and peg one end 

 into the ground. Then make the dog crouch down, with his nose 

 between his front feet, calling out in a loud voice ' down.' As often 

 as he attempts to rise, pull him to the ground, and repeat the word 

 ' down' each time. When he lies perfectly quiet while you are 

 standing by him, walk away, and if he attempt to follow you, walk 

 back, and make him ' down' again, giving him a cut or two with 

 the whip. This lesson must be repeated very often, and will take 

 some trouble before it is properly inculcated. When once learned it 

 is never forgotten, and if properly taught in the beginning, will save 

 an infinity of trouble in the end. He ought never to be suffered to 

 rise, until touched by the hand. This lesson should be practised be- 

 fore his meals, and he will perform it much better as he expects his 

 food, and never feed him till you are perfectly satisfied with his per- 

 formance. After you have been flogging him, always part friends, 

 and never let him escape while you are chastising him, at least, if he 

 does, do not pursue him, as if he sees (which he soon will) that he is 

 the quicker runner of the two, all discipline will be at an end. 



" AVhen he has become tolerably steady, and learned to come in to 

 the call, and to drop to the hand, he must be taught to range and 

 quarter his ground ; a thing which is seldom seen in perfection. On 



