CHAPTER V. 



A water-retriever is described by many of our 

 best sporting authors as a cross-bred dog. All 

 agree that strong powers of endurance, an un- 

 wearied, persevering disposition, speed in swim- 

 ming, nose, and an acute readiness of apprehen- 

 sion are the essential qualities to be sought for. 

 But as regards the particular breed or cross com- 

 bining most perfectly these manifold require- 

 ments, their ideas differ widely. For my own 

 part, 1 have had no experience in the breeding 

 of dogs, and consequently do not consider myself 

 capable of expressing a decided opinion. 1 have 

 seen superior retrievers of various breeds, and to 

 me it seemed their exceptional excellence de 

 pended more upon their individual love of the 

 sport, and their great experience, than upon any 

 peculiar characteristic of their breed ; and their 

 willingness to undergo hardship and fatigue was 



