CH. XXXIII. BREAKING OF DOGS. 205 



disparage a kennel of well-broken pointers or set- 

 ters, and I delight to see them do their work cor- 

 rectly, and with all their beautiful display of 

 instinct, although under the command of the game- 

 keeper only, and scarcely knowing their own mas- 

 ter's voice or whistle. Three or four brace of 

 perfectly-broken dogs pointing and backing without 

 fault is a sight that must interest and amuse every 

 person, whether sportsman or not : yet I far prefer 

 hunting my own brace of dogs, and seeing them 

 look to myself wholly for direction and approbation 

 instead of to my servant. Every dog, with an 

 average share of good sense and good temper, is so 

 eager for his master's approbation, that he will 

 exert himself to the utmost to obtain it ; and if this 

 fact were constantly kept in mind, the breaker-in of 

 dogs need seldom have recourse to flogging. In- 

 deed, I have no hesitation in saying that five dogs 

 out of six may be completely broken in without a 

 blow, and that, generally speaking, quiet, patient 

 reasoning with a dog is all that is requisite to 

 secure his obedience and attention. I know that 

 this is quite contrary to the opinion of most dog- 

 breakers, who think that nothing can be done with- 

 out a heavy whip and loud rating. But one thing 

 at least is certain, that when you do flog a dog, you 

 should do it soundly, and only when you catch him 



