120 lewis's AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



the moment we fired, and of course flush any birds that might re- 

 main. At times we were able to restrain them, more especially 

 when hunting alone ; but when in company with other dogs it was 

 entirely out of the question to control them, as go they would in 

 quest of the bird in spite of all our efforts to the contrary. This 

 vice, of course, had a most baneful influence over all the dogs in 

 company, as they, naturally desiring to follow the example of our 

 retrievers, could with difficulty be made to down charge as they 

 were before tutored, preferring rather to contest the right to the 

 fallen game with our dogs. We have been annoyed in the same 

 way more than once with retrievers highly lauded by our friends ; 

 and we must confess that such dogs, as a general thing, although 

 they save their owners some little trouble in picking the birds up, 

 do a great deal more harm than good; and upon the whole are 

 very bad companions for old and steady dogs, as well as most 

 ruinous preceptors for young ones. Of course, we would not object 

 to a perfectly-hrohen retriever, if such an animal can be found ; but 

 we greatly doubt ever seeing so much perfection in either a good 

 pointer or setter. The mere act of fetching dead game is one of 

 the simplest feats performed by most of the members of the canine 

 race, and is, perhaps, one of the leading natural propensities of all 

 hunting dogs, and therefore easily cultivated in them. But, as 

 .before observed, the great stumbling-block in the way of obtaining 

 a perfect retriever is the almost utter impossibility by any course 

 of discipline, no matter how severe, no matter how persevering, to 

 make a dog at all times restrain the powerful impulse that urges 

 him to rush forth to seize the fallen game, after he has once been 

 taught to do it. 



These remarks, of course, refer to pointers and setters that are 

 otherwise well broken. If, however, a retriever be so very desirable 

 or necessary, it would be an easy task to break one of either of 

 these dogs for this purpose alone, and by keeping him always at 

 one's heels, save when told to go out in quest of the dead or 

 wounded game, there would of course be but little trouble in re- 

 straining him ; whereas, in the other case, the dogs are generally 



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