THE RETRIEVER. 377 



for the most part, on their keeping near the shooter; 

 for if they riot, they are the worst dogs he can 

 hunt.* 



THE RETRIEVER. 



The business of the retriever is to find lost game. 

 Newfoundland dogs are the best for the purpose. 

 They should have a remarkably fine sense of smel- 

 ling, or they will be of little use in tracing a 

 wounded pheasant, or other game, through a thick 

 cover, where many birds have been running about. 

 A good retriever will follow the bird on whose track 

 he is first put, as a blood-hound will that of a human 

 being or deer. He should be taught to bring 



* u There is much less trouble in making a spaniel steady than at 

 first thought may be imagined. A puppy eight months old, intro- 

 duced amongst three or four well-broken dogs, is easily taught his 

 business. The breaker should use him to a cord of twenty yards 

 length or so, before he goes into the field, and then take him out with 

 the pack. Many a young dog is quiet and obedient from the first ; 

 another is shy, and stares and runs about as much at the rising of the 

 birds as the report of the gun. Shortly he gets over this, and takes 

 a part in the sport he then begins to chase, but finding he is not 

 followed after little birds or game, he returns ; and should he not, 

 and commence hunting out of shot, which is very likely, he must be 

 called in, and flogged or rated, as his temper calls for. With care 

 and patience, he will soon * pack up' with the others, especially if 

 that term is used when the dogs are dividing ; and if not, he may be 

 checked by treading on the cord, and rated or beaten as his fault re- 

 quires. Spaniels will, in general, stand more whipping than other 

 dogs, but care must be taken not to be too lavish nor severe with it 

 at first, or the dog becomes cowed, and instead of hunting will sneak 

 along at heel. 



" Having learned him to hunt in his place, or rather at a proper 

 distance for with spaniels distance is to be inculcated first and princi- 

 pally the next things to be attempted in turn, are to learn him 

 * down charge' to prevent his chasing hares to come in when 

 needed to hunt the contrary side of a Jiedge; and then his education 

 for shooting in the open is about complete tune will do the rest." 

 New Sporting Magazine, vol. v. No. 29, p. 337. 



