CHAPTER IX. 
GUN-SHYNESS AND ITS CURE. 
WE shall be obliged to linger at this point, and 
briefly discuss the subject of gun-shyness, which 
has always been one of exceeding interest for 
sportsmen. The theory that this peculiarity of 
disposition is inheritable has found many advo- 
cates, while some have dissented from it. There 
is no reason whatever why it should not be ac- 
cepted as true; for there is a physiological law 
fixed and unalterable that both physical and 
mental peculiarities, be they imparted by inheri- 
tance, or acquired accidentally by faulty manage- 
ment in early life, are alike transmissible. 
While, then, gun-shyness in a pup may be an 
inherent defect, testimony is not wanting to prove 
that it is by far more often due to incompetency, 
or criminal neglect, on the part of the trainer. 
No two puppies are alike in disposition ; every 
gradation of courage is noted, not only in the 
different breeds but also in the same litter. One 
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