192 MANUAL FOE TOOTO SPORTSMEN. 



not better than, anv^otEer variety of dog that is used in 

 the field. 



For docilSf, traetability, and tenacity of memory, 

 never forgetting what has been once thoroughly taught 

 him, he is undoubtedly superior to all dogs; and, on this 

 account, he is to be recommended for all beginners, for all 

 occasional shooters, who have small opportunity for keep- 

 ing their dogs in constant practice, and for all persons, in 

 general, who are averse to extra trouble, and who, for the 

 sake of having every thing to go on smoothly and in even 

 tenor, are willing to sacrifice something of dash, spirit, 

 style and show. 



The weak points of this dog, I have touched upon 

 before ; they are — want of endurance of cold and wet ; 

 which may be set off against their greater endurance of 

 heat and thirst ; inferior dash, impetus and ability — not 

 courage — to face severe, thorny covert ; which may be set 

 off against superior docility, tractability and steadiness ; 

 and, lastly, somewhat inferior speed and stoutness, and 

 decidedly inferior beauty, sociability, and affection to the 

 individual who hunts them. 



For the young shooter, however, this latter inferiority 

 is, perhaps, in some sort an advantage. 



The pointer is more apt to hunt willingly for anybody 

 who carries a gun, whether he know him, or not; and 

 hunts more after his own fashion, with less interference 

 from, or reference to, the shooter ; nor is he so apt to take 

 offence at the failure of his companion to kill the game 

 which he has found for him, a habit which setters, espe- 



