402 Instructions for Triiffie-SearcMng. 



carefully scraped away with the hoe till the truffle is visible : the 

 mstrument is then turned, and the shovel is thrust a few inches 

 deep into the earth near the truffle, which must be raised out a& 

 with a spade. 



Of all other instruments which different truffle-hunters get 

 made after their own ideas, this seems to me the best adapted 

 for the purpose ; besides which it requires no great outlay. The 

 truffle-hunter, when he uses in his search more than one dog, 

 must be furnished with a pair of dog-couples, to couple his dogs 

 with when he goes out, to prevent their wearying themseWes 

 with running about before they arrive at the place where they 

 are to search. 



§ 1 S. Choice and training of Truffle Dogs. — Truffles are per- 

 ceptible to animals with a delicate sense of smelling, chiefly by 

 the smell which they diffuse when ripe. The dog, as is weli 

 known, is at the head of domestic animals with an acute smell; 

 and there is no doubt that dogs of all races, provided they are 

 somewhat docile, may be used in truffle-hunting ; though water- 

 dogs (pudelhunde) are preferred for this purpose, and next to 

 them are spaniels and setting dogs. The last, incontestably, 

 would do quite as well for this search as poodles or water-dogs, 

 if their instinct did not lead them away from the search of 

 truffles, to follow the track and scent of game. Pudel, or as we 

 spell it in English, poodle, is a German word, and is used to 

 designate that race of dogs which formerly used to be called 

 water-dogs. Poodles seldomer pursue such track of game; and 

 even if they start it, they appear frightened, and keep closer to 

 their work, from which property they are peculiarly fit for truffle 

 dogs. Dogs are taken indifferently of the pure poodle breed ; 

 no matter whether those from which they are bred have been 

 truffle-finders or not. The colour, upon which some lay a stress, 

 is of no consequence. The name which is given to the young 

 truffle dog is of still less importance; and it is extremely ridicu- 

 lous that some insist upon the truffle dog being named Putta, in 

 the Italian language, 



A good truffle dog must be, I. Very tractable, or be at a call; 

 2. He must search diligently and indefatigably ; 3. When he 

 scents a ripe truffle, he must hunt for it ; 4. When he has com- 

 pletely discovered it, he must show the place where it is, by 

 scratching with his fore feet ; and, 5. When he has got it com- 

 pletely out, he must take it to his master without breaking into 

 or devouring it. A dog that has these qualities may be called 

 quite steady, and is trained in the following manner : — 



The first training is begun very early. When the dog is nine 

 weeks or a quarter of a year old, he is taught to come at a call. 

 You must whistle to him, or call to him, saying, "Here ;" and 

 praise him when he comes immediately, or punish him, though 



