Early Spaniels and Setters gI 
as whether it be the Land-Spaniell, Water-Spaniell or else the Mungrell 
between either or both those kindes, or the mungrells of either of those 
kindes, either the shallow flewed hound, the tumbler, lurcher or indeed the 
small bastard mastiffe may bee brought to this perfection of Setting (as I 
have seene by daily experience, both in this and in other nations), yet is there 
none so excellent indeede as the true-bred Land-Spaniell, being of a nimble 
and good size, rather small than grosse, and of a courageous and fierie 
metal, evermore loving and desiring toyle, when toyle seems most yrksome 
and weary, which, although you cannot know in a whelp so young, as it is 
intended he must be when you first begin to traine him for this purpose, yet 
may you have strong speculation therein, if you choose him from a right 
litter or breede, wherein by succession you have knowne that the whole 
generation has been endowed with all these qualities, as, namely, that he 
is strong, lusty and nimble ranger, both of active foote, wanton tayle and 
busie nostrils, and that his toyle is without wearinesse, his search without 
changeablenesse, and yet that no delight nor desire transport him beyond 
feare or obedience, for it is the perfectest character of the perfectest Spaniell 
ever to be fearfull and loving to him who is his master and keeper. I 
confesse I have seen excellent, rare Setting doggs made in the Lowe-countries 
which have beene of a bastard tumbler kind, for indeede a true Land- 
Spaniell is the Gayffon [probably a misspelling of Griffon in its old form of 
Gryffon], and, indeed, I have found in them, if I may so term it, a greater 
wisdome, which indeede is but a greater fear, than in our Land-Spaniels. 
But comparing the whole work together—that is, the labour in ranging, 
the scent in finding and the arte of Setting—they have beene much inferior 
to our dogges. To speake then in a word touching the best choice of this 
Setting Dogge, let him be as neere as you can the best bredd Land-Spanieli, 
that you can procure, and though some have beene curious in observing of 
their colours, as giving preheminence to the Motley, the Liver-hude, or the 
White and Blacke spotted; yet questionlesse, it is but a vaine curiosity, for no 
colour is amisse for this purpose, provided the naturall qualities be perfect 
and answerable for the worke to which ende you intende them.” 
The third reference to dogs in this book is where the taking of pheasants 
by bird-limed bushes is described. Pheasants were strong enough to break 
away with the limed bushes, and in order to recover these birds “you shall 
be sure never to be without an excellent staunch Spaniell, which shall 
lie close to your foot without stirring, and this Spaniell must be an excellent 
