DOGS FOR THE MOORS. 131 



has a scanty kennel, I should rather recommend the 

 latter, as they are often capable of undergoing more 

 fatigue, and not so apt to be foot-sore. For my own 

 part, however, I find the pointer so much more docile 

 and pleasant to shoot with, that I never use setters ; 

 concerning the choice of which, as there are so many 

 varieties, totally differing in appearance from each other, 

 it would be useless to lay down any rules. 



Many gentlemen, when the shooting -season -begins, 

 are shamefully taken in by dog -breakers and others. 

 Few are aware how difficult it is to know a good dog 

 before he is shot over. The breaker shows his kennel, 

 puffing it off most unmercifully. The sportsman chooses 

 one or two dogs that suit his fancy ; they drop at the 

 sound of the pistol, and perhaps get a point or two, when 

 birds are so tame that no dog but a cur could possibly 

 put them up. The bargain is struck, the dog paid for ; 

 but, when fairly tried, he shows his deficiency in finding 

 game. I have seen the breaker look round with an air 

 of the greatest triumph if a hare should start, and his 

 dog not chase : this is what any man who understands 

 the elements of breaking, by a little trouble, and taking 

 the dog into a preserve of hares, can soon effect. 



Other obvious defects, such as not quartering the ground, 

 hunting down wind, not obeying the call or signal, the 

 veriest novice in field-sports will immediately detect. It 

 is not, however, with faults so apparent that dogs for 

 sale are generally to be charged. They are, for the most 

 part, drubbed into such show subjection, that the tyro 



