THE DOO, 63 



measure a new task to learn, owing entirely to his 

 being unacquainted with the motions, &c. of his new 

 master. If a person go to a dog-breaker to purchase 

 one of these animals, he naturally expects to see him 

 hunt: to this the dog-breaker can have no objection; 

 if the dog have any faults, they are already known to 

 him, and he takes care that the creature is shown to 

 the best advantage. Hence it has frequently hap- 

 pened, that persons, after purchasing dogs in this way, 

 have found themselves much deceived ; and dogs, 

 which then appeared very good, have in reality been 

 good for nothing : some, for instance, will hunt very, 

 well for an hour, and then do no more ; and to this 

 and other causes may the disappointments above- 

 mentioned be attributed. It should be recollected 

 too, that honour is not an article in the creed of a 

 dog-breaker; to make the best of a bargain is all he 

 aims at. Now, if a dog must be purchased from a 

 professed breaker, I would recommend, by all means, 

 for the person desirous of buying, to have him in his 

 own possession for a short time; he will then have 

 sufficient opportunities to make a proper trial, and it 

 will be his own fault if he is deceived. 



With regard to breeding : The first symptom of a 

 bitch becoming proud is the swelling of her shape, 

 which also becomes red ; and as the heat advances, 

 you may observe her mounting other dogs, and ma- 

 nifesting every desire for copulation. If it so hap- 

 pen that you cannot secure her as you wish, and at 

 the same time have an objection to her taking the 



