IDEAS ON DOG-BREAKrNG. 257 



ribbed up, feet and limbs large, eyes liigh and intelli- 

 gent. This last is perhaps not so absolutely neces- 

 sary, for I have seen dogs with the most washy-look- 

 ing daylights possessed of wonderful sagacity, partic- 

 ularly among spaniels and French poodles, but I can 

 not consider it other than a great defect in their per- 

 sonal appearance. Above all things, avoid a young- 

 ster Avith a curly tail. I know nothing more unsight- 

 ly. The last, although the most requisite, desidera- 

 tum is to know that the pupil possesses a good nose. 

 When very young this is not so easy to find out, 

 still with attention to the rapidity with which he 

 notices tidbits of bread or meat, a probably correct 

 opinion may be come at ; but Avhen of maturcA age, 

 say old enough to be shown game, if when 1 imtiiig 

 he carries his head well up there can be no longer 

 room for doubt that his olfactory nerves are ail right. 

 Your field language should always be th.) same, 

 and each command be expressed by a word of one 

 syllable, the words being as dissimilar in intonation 

 as possible ; but it is better far to do without the voice 

 by substituting the Avhistle. At all events never 

 speak to your do<|i while hunting unless absolii^'iy 

 necessary. In early education I always accoin^ any 

 each order with a movement of the hand; for in- 



