254 Forty Years Beagling 



bench; and you must never so far forget yourself 

 as to swear by any particular dog. The dog is not 

 living who may not or might not be beaten. 



"Almost any judge will tell you the flaws and 

 defects of your dog. But do not heed what any 

 single judge may tell you, until it has been substan- 

 tiated by the opinions of others. You can thus be 

 certain about what you are doing, and by breeding 

 judiciously you will be able in a few generations 

 to get rid of the objectionable points. Do not be 

 disheartened and do not forget that there is room 

 for dozens of champion dogs in all breeds, and that 

 there is money to be made on all of them. But your 

 reward is not merely a pecuniary one, for you have 

 the satisfaction of knowing you are improving the 

 breed of this country's dogs. 



''Take the hypothesis then, that you are in the 

 possession of a dog which you can, without the fear 

 of contradiction, dub champion — one whose name 

 is very nearly at the top of the poll. I shall take it 

 for granted too, that in placing that dog at stud 

 you are actuated, as much as by anything else, by 

 a sincere desire to improve the breed to which you^- 

 doQ^ belongs. Then it is only fair and reasonable 

 that you should be remunerated for your trouble 

 and pains. But beware of being too sanguine o^ 

 too eager. Your dog has gotten a good name, he 



