160 MANUAL FOE YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



able how sensitive dogs are to reprimand, and how in- 

 tensely they dislike to be held gently, but forcibly, down, 

 and rated and reproached for several minutes together by 

 their master. 



I have a Newfoundland dog in my possession, certainly 

 a most singularly intelligent and attached animal, which, 

 after having committed any escapade and returned to fol- 

 low at heel, if one turn round the head to look at him and 

 merely say " Ain't you ashamed, sir ? " will dodge from 

 side to side, still keeping close to heel, in order to avoid 

 the reproachful look, so as to render it impossible to catch 

 his eye, and will follow, with his stern lowered between his 

 legs, looking ludicrously disconsolate and unhappy, till 

 he is forgiven and again admitted to favor. 



In conclusion, I would say, that to kick a dog under 

 any circumstances is an act of utter and unpardonable 

 brutality a bone may be broken in an instant, and a valu- 

 able animal destroyed, when no such result is thought of, 

 much less intended by the human brute, who practises the 

 savagism. 



I once took all my dogs out of the hands of an other- 

 wise undeniable dog-breaker, to whom I had determined 

 to intrust three or four puppies, for no other reason, than 

 that I saw him once punish a young pointer on the snipe 

 meadows, where no rod or switch was at hand, by kicking 

 him. 



Once a kicker ! I said to myself, a kicker always ! 

 and as I had no desire to have one of my fine young dog's 

 ribs broken, and then be told that he had unluckily died 

 of fits or of the distemper, I removed him from the strong 



