POINTER3 AND SETTERS. 223 



These objects arc g -iierally attained by the end of October, when 

 tlie regular season begins. 



Harriers and beagles are entered to hare on the same principle, 

 the scent of the fox and deer, as well as that of the rabbit, being 

 "riot "to them, aud strictly prohibited. Otterhounds also have 

 exactly the same kind of entry, although the element they work 

 in is of a different character. 



THE BREAKING OF THE POINTER AND SETTER. 



The following observations on the breaking of these dogs are 

 believed to embody the general practice of good breakers : As the 

 method is the same for each kind, whenever the word pointer is 

 used, it is to be understood as applying equally to the setter. 



It is scarcely necessary for me to remark that no single life 

 would suffice to bring the art of breaking dogs to all the perfection 

 of which it is capable, when the various improvements of succeed- 

 ing generations are handed down from one to the other ; and there- 

 fore I neither pretend to be the inventor of any method here de- 

 tailed, nor do I claim any peculiarity as my own. All the plans of 

 teaching the young dog that will be found described by me are 

 practised by most good breakers ; so that there will be nothing to 

 be met with in my remarks but what is well known to them. 

 Nevertheless, they are not generally known ; and there are many 

 good shots who are now entirely dependent upon dog dealers for 

 the supply of their kennels, and who yet would infinitely prefer to 

 break their own dogs, if they only knew how to set about it. 

 Others, again, cannot afforrl the large sum which a highly accom- 

 plished brace of pointers or setters are worth in the market ; and 

 these gentlemen would far rather obtain two or three good pup- 

 pies and break them with their own hands, with expenditure of 

 little more than time, than put up with the wretchedly broken ani- 

 mals which are offered for sale by the dozen at the commencement 

 of eTcry shooting season. To make the utmost of any dog requires 



