SPORTING DOGS BREEDING AND BREAKING. 289 



for if they do there is an end to all reasonable 

 hopes of their usefulness. They are spoiled for 

 ever. "What they are taught about a house or a 

 yard is merely mechanical, in my opinion, and of 

 very little service afterwards in the field. The 

 field, where there are birds, is the place to break 

 dogs, and puppies are too playful and too soft for 

 the real breaking. At about a year old the dog 

 is of an age to understand what is wanted of him 

 in a short time, and also fit to endure the correc- 

 tion which will be required to make him avoid 

 faults. It is better to begin with the young one 

 in company with an old, staunch dog, as young 

 dogs are imitative. 



Some come to a point the first time they get 

 on birds, but some do not, although their power 

 of scenting may be very good. Some, when the 

 old one points, run in, flush the birds, and then 

 chase them. Many men think this grievous, but 

 I invariably look upon it as a sign that the dog 

 will make a good one, if properly handled and 

 treated. Eagerness in the young dog indicates 

 that the hunting instinct is strong, and then it only 

 remains necessary to develop and govern it in 

 the proper way. Some young dogs point larks 

 and other little birds, and some men abhor this, 



