160 



THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY 



TREATISE ON BREAKING DOGS. 



One of the most important things to the shooter is the 

 possession of a good setter or pointer Dog. On this de- 

 pends, in a great measure, his pleasure and success— and 

 this necessary auxiliary to his recreations is within the 

 reach of every man, who can either shoot well, or will give 

 as much time and perseverance as the subject requires. To 

 break a Dog properly, it is necessary to possess skill, pa- 

 tience, and perseverance; and without these two latter 

 qualities, it will be useless for any one to undertake it. It 

 IS to the want of these properties, we may attribute the fact 

 of being overrun with useless or half-broken Dogs. It will 

 be well for every young sportsman to consider this subject 

 properly, and to make himself acquainted with every rule 

 necessary to the attainment of this grand object; and, under 

 these considerations, I have, by consulting various authors, 

 and my own experience, submitted the following rules, 

 which, if strictly followed, cannot fail to complete the 

 education of a Dos;. 



In choosing a Dog, it is difficult to say which of the two 

 breeds is best, viz. the setter or pointer; they both possess 

 the same qualities, and the choice must be pretty much a 

 matter of fancy.* I have always given preference to the 



* A Dog should not be chosen solely for his cnpacily to stand at game, as Ihis 

 principle is not always confined to the pointer or seller Dog. I knew a Do<^ 

 ivhicb was half bull, set a pailridge with as much slanchness as any seller Dog; 

 and I have also seen a hound, and spaniel, do the same thing; and Daniels, in 

 his Rural Sports, makes mention of a celebrated sow, .so perfect in this habil,' as 

 lo rival the mosl sagaciou.s pointer or setter. 



setter, because the best Dog I ever owned, or saw, was a 

 setter Dog. Others give preference to pointer Dogs, be- 

 cause their experience warranted the same determination. 

 The main point, however, to decide, is, whether they have 

 descended from an indubitable stock; this ascertained, the 

 rest depends altogether on their education. Those who 

 favour the latter, argue that they possess more fleetness, 

 bottom, and tractability, and can withstand the fatigue and 

 heat of summer without water better than setters. To this 

 last reason I cheerfully subscribe, but the former I doubt. 

 The setter has advantages over the other in cold weather, 

 is more willing to enter thickets and difficult places, and 

 takes to water more freely, and possesses an equal degree of 

 sagacity — however, the choice being made, the master 

 should procure the Dog before he is six months old. This 

 is necessary, in order to give him all the advantages of an 

 early education, and is of more importance than many per- 

 sons are aware of: for the impressions given to a young 

 Dog, are like those on youth — the strongest; beside, the 

 Dog is growing up by his master's side, becomes habituated 

 to his actions, language, and government, and gives advan- 

 tages, when the period arrives for training in the field, 

 which can then only be properly appreciated. Every 

 aportsman should break his own Dog. This is of the 

 first importance, if he wishes to possess a good one and 

 enjoy comfort while hunting him. A Dog purchased of a 

 stranger, or given to another to break, has, in a great mea- 



