246 BREAKING AND ENTERING. 



they are too riotous and hunt too freely, these methods of sobering 

 them are adopted: 1st, put on a collar, and slip one of the 

 fore legs into it, which compels the dog to run on three legs ; 

 2ndly, buckle a small strap, or tie a piece of tape, tightly round 

 the hind leg above the hock, by which that limb is rendered use- 

 less, and the clog has to go upon three also ; and, 3dly, put on a 

 collar loaded with shot. If either of the legs is fastened up, it 

 must be occasionally changed, especially if the strap is adopted, as 

 it cramps the muscles after a certain time, and, if persisted in too 

 long, renders the dog lame for days afterwards. In hunting fence- 

 rows, the young dog should at first be kept on the same side as 

 the shooter, so that his movements may be watched ; but, as soon 

 as he can be trusted, he should be sent through to the other side, 

 and made to drive his game towards the gun always taking care 

 that the dog docs not get out of shot. In first introducing a young 

 dog to a large covert, he must be put down with a couple of old 

 dogs which are very steady ; and, at the same time, he should 

 have a shot-collar, or one of his legs tied up. Without this precau- 

 tion, he will be sure to range too wide, and, if he gets on the scent 

 of a hare, he will probably follow her all over the covert, to the 

 entire destruction of the day's sport. With the above precautions, 

 he is prevented from doing this, and by imitating his fellows, he 

 soon learns to keep within the proper distance. In working span- 

 iels in covert, stillness is desirable, as game will never come within 

 distance of the shooter, if they hear a noise proceeding from him ; 

 hence the constant encouragement to the dogs, which some 

 sportsmen indulge in, is by no means necessary. If the spaniel is 

 properly broken, he can hear his master as he passes through the 

 underwood, and will take care to drive the game towards him, 

 while, if he is slack and idle, the voice does him little good, and pre- 

 vents the only chance of getting a shot, which might otherwise occur. 



THE ENTERING AND BREAKING OF VERMIN DOGS. 



Terriers are entered to vermin with great facility, and require 

 very little breaking, unless they are intended to be used with fer- 



