DOGS FOE THE MOOES 



MY advice on the subject of dogs must begin with the 

 caution, never to lay too much stress on their general 

 appearance. For my own part, I must confess that I am 

 not very partial to the exceedingly fine-coated, silken- 

 eared, tobacco-pipe-tailed canine aristocracy; for, even 

 if their noses and style of hunting be good, they are 

 invariably much affected by cold and wet weather, and 

 can seldom undergo the fatigue requisite for the moors. 



The most necessary qualifications of a dog are travel, 

 lastiness, and nose. The two first are easily ascertained ; 

 but the other may not be found out for some time. I 

 have seen dogs shot over for a season without committing 

 many mistakes, and on that account thought excellent 

 by their masters : their steadiness of course has been 

 shown, but they have given no proof of first-rate nose. 

 Even a good judge may be unable to form an accurate 

 estimate of a dog's olfactory powers until he has for 

 several days hunted him against another of acknowledged 

 superiority. The difference may then be shown, not by 



