12 DOGS FOR THE MOORS. 



DOGS FOR THE MOORS. 



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 commit- 

 ting many mistakes, and on that account thought excel- 

 lent 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 the former putting up game, but by the 

 latter getting more points. Should there be no tip-top 

 dog at hand to compete with, the only other criterion, 



