SHEARING. 87 



All dogs are imitative, and more or less so in proportion to their 

 intelligence, so that a display of caution by the breaker acts as a 

 constant warning to them. 



STANCHNESS. 



Upon the steadiness with which the dog is made to hold his 

 first points his later stanchness depends. He should therefore 

 be invariably compelled to stand as long as possible without fatigu- 

 ing him, provided the birds are not evidently running. The 

 breaker must exercise good judgment in deciding this, and must 

 be guided by the circumstances of the ground, the probability 

 whether the birds have been alarmed so as to move them or cause 

 them to lie up, and also by the dog's actions. So long as his atten- 

 tion is evidently fixed, and the dilation of his nostrils shows that 

 the scent is strong, the birds may be supposed to lie before him, 

 but when his attention flags, and he becomes uneasy, this is prima 

 facie evidence that the scent is growing weaker, because the birds 

 have run. An advance is therefore necessary, but must be made 

 with great care, so as to establish another point if possible. In all 

 cases the birds must be flushed within a reasonable time, that the 

 dog may be rewarded for his point, while his interest is keen. 

 Some allowance must also be made for the dog's character. Those 

 which are easily cowed may be discouraged by being kept too long 

 on point. In fact, in this as in other matters the breaker must 

 study his dog, and use common sense in working him. 



CHASING AND BKEAKING POINT. 



These are both destructive to good work, and must be repressed. 

 Sometimes, if the dog does not show proper interest in birds, he 

 may be allowed to chase a few times, but should not be encouraged 

 to do so, or he will come to think this is proper work. If inclined 

 to chase, and uncontrollable by the " ho," the cord must be used 

 emphatically till he gives up. If the birds rise either through the 

 dog's fault or their wildness, the dog must be instantly stopped by 

 the raised hand if he is where he can see it, or by word if he can- 



