CH. XXXIII. HEREDITARY INSTINCT OF DOGS. 201 



pupil, and I saw her more than once looking at him 

 with a longing eye. 



Dogs, indeed, will learn almost anything ; but 

 in teaching sporting dogs, much attention should 

 be paid to the qualities and education of their 

 forefathers. I am no advocate at all for cross- 

 ing pointers with foxhounds, &c., to increase the 

 strength and endurance of the animal ; all dogs so 

 bred will invariably give great trouble in their 

 education from an hereditary inclination to act the 

 hound instead of the pointer. There is quite 

 variety enough in the present breed of pointers to 

 improve your kennel, if you want any addition of 

 bone, speed, or courage. 



I have seen a young pointer, who was only just 

 able to run out alone, point, and indeed back, as 

 steadily, and with as much certainty, as an old dog ; 

 but this undoubtedly would not be the case had 

 there been any cross whatsoever in his breeding. 

 The late Mr. Andrew Knight, than whom a more 

 practical and acute naturalist did not exist, paid 

 much attention to what he termed " the hereditary 

 instinct'''' of dogs. His woodcock spaniels were 

 chosen fi'om puppies whose ancestors had been most 

 famous for woodcock hunting ; and his rabbit dogs 

 from those whose parents had shown most skill in 

 rabbit hunting. Some years ago I spent many a 



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