293 GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 



reserved for the following season. By this early entrance to his 

 sport the young greyhound is encouraged to start well from the 

 slips next season, because, as he is patted and made much of 

 after his course, which he never yet has been when running 

 sheep, cats, &c., he finds that there is some game at which 

 his master permits him to exert his propensities, and they are, 

 consequently, concentrated upon it. On the other hand, if 

 a sapling is entered before his frame is set, and before he has 

 become bloodily inclined (which inclination comes to different 

 breeds at different ages), much harm is done, for the young 

 animal plays with his hare instead of trying to kill her, and this 

 tenderness is apt to be continued to an inconveniently late period ; 

 but I have seldom seen this when the puppy has been properly 

 reared. I have known some dogs which never could be taught to 

 kill their hares, even by the example of others, and yet were 

 good enough to win many courses in good company ; but I have 

 no doubt they would have been still better if with more devil in 

 their compositions. 



Nothing more is necessary to be done with the puppy before the 

 commencement of his puppy season, in which he will be placed in 

 the trainer's hands, and the description of which will come under 

 the head of Training. Towards the end of the summer, however, 

 the puppies ought to be exercised two or three days a week on the 

 road, their keeper being either on foot or horseback, but in either 

 case going from 10 to 15 or 20 miles at a moderate pace. This 

 is to harden the feet, and get them ready to stand their work 

 in training, and it should be given in the cool of the morning 



