FOREST AND STREAM. 



511 



With these few facta I shall entirely drop the discussion, 

 unless publicly assailed, when 1 ever stand ready to defend 

 .rough the pruss in a gentlemanly manner. If 

 yon consider these remarks worthy of a place in your paper 

 please insert. J. H. Whitman. 



. — .♦. — . 



BREAKING DOGS ON GROUSE. 



Ewroa FoBBi 



la your Issue 



the polul, been 



Gosnstf, Muss., Jan, 6, I8T9. 



16 tll&t your correspondent, Everett 



efereuce to dogs worked ou t tie prairie la notlo 

 (aw his "remarks were intended to apply to 

 mde upon the assumption that those clogs which 

 ipou game, even if hut tor one season , 



young dogs, an 



■ -rlenoe 

 ready broken." 



And yet in the final summing up iu bis first, and also hia last article, 

 tie says, "Bui alter a flog has necn well broken on other game, then 

 break him on rutted grouse." Now, I will leave it to the brethren of 

 the sporting rratertilty to say whether they would not inter that a dog 

 id Hie bi'iit lit oi <me season's training, at least, to entitle him to 

 tile appellation of "well brolii 



Nevertheless, me stubborn fact remains that open country work 

 with all the liberties usually allowed) sadly unHts a young dog lor the 

 line worlc required ia successful ruffed grouse shooting. While, 

 on the other hand, a dog thai la first broken on this bird never ceaaeB 

 to exhibit the beneficial effect of the rigid discipline required at the 

 start when afterward worked on other game. Mr. Smith admits that 

 his friend, Willi flogs of " superior noses and unexcelled staunchness," 

 will not allow them lo hunt this bird, but calls them in. Are we to 

 infer from Mils Chat iu a country where three-fourths of the game is 

 ruffed grouse we are to dodge them In this way, because a little 

 labor and skill is required at the outset to have the dogs capable of 

 burning any and every game bird In good style ? 1 will venlnre to assert 

 that those dog) were not llrat thoroughly trained on ruffed grouse, for 

 if they had beea he need not fear for them on either thia or aoy other 

 game bird in the country. As regards the claim that; dogs ate apt to 

 contract bad habits when first broken on this bird, I do not consider 

 that there is the least danger of it if they are properly handled at the 

 a in n . Huffed Grouse, 



BREAKING DOGS. 



Winoom, Minn,, Jan, G, 1ST9. 

 Editob Fobest and Stream: 

 I have taken much pleasure In perusing Everett Smith's letter, in 



your issue of Dee. 20, upon the subject of grouse hunting. My atten- 

 tion was called to his letter by the heading, " Breaking Doge on Buffed 

 Grouse," and, although interesting, it falls Iu supplying the Informa- 

 tion many sportsmen on the prairies of Minnesota desire. We love to 

 read of the fine feats performed by the intelligent dog. We admire 

 his action in the field, and love his companionship at home, but we 

 lack the knowledge of educating him. Sportsmen hero have what 

 are termed good dogs, and we can bag plenty of game with them, bnt 

 none are skillfully trained. They are taught what the sportsmen 

 learn by experience must be done to secure game, but we have ob- 

 served that a more thorough training would enable ns to bag greater 

 numbers of chickens. 



No doubt Mr. Smith's letter would be better appreciated by those 

 familiar with wall-trained dogs than by me. Evidently the gentleman 

 is an adept In the training of dogs, and he certainly is a happy writer, 

 and he conid not more profitably entertain many of the Western read- 

 era of the Fokbbt and Stbeam than by imparting through its columns 

 men ideas as would enable sportsmen to teach their dogs " In the way 

 they should go." What should a dog know 7 How shall we teach 

 him ? I believe Mr. Smith would put many sportsmen under obliga- 

 tions to him If he would write a letter or two upon the education of 

 dogs. Certainly there are many people in Minnesota who would 

 thank him gratefully for linjartlng this kuowledge. 



We have had a line hunting season. Prairie chickens in great num- 

 bers have been knled. Our hundreds of lakes abound in aquatic fowl, 

 and as late as the 1st of- December geese and brant were numerons. 

 We have bnt little game in winter. There are, however, a great many 

 wolves and foxna, and those who love to fodow a hound over the 

 prairie sometimes enjoy a hunt early in the morning. 



The memiry reached forty degrees below zero on Thuraday the 2d. 



HuansoN. 



FIELD TRIALS AND THEIR INFLUENCE 



Nasuvim.k, Jan. 8, 1S79. 

 Editor Fokkbt and Stkbax: 



If the result of held trials haa been the means of inciting the sport- 

 ing fraternity to paying more alt eni Ion to Hie breeding and breaking 

 of dogs In other parts of the country! as has been tho ease in this State 

 since such ttlals were llrst held here, there can be no doobt of the ex- 

 ceeding naefulness of them. The Southern man has been used to the 

 gun from childhood ; tho savage nature of the country, and the great 

 abundance of all kinds of game, being no doubt the canse of it. This 

 very abundance of game has made him, however, careless about his 

 dogs, they being, as It were, unnecessary to his sport ; but aa the coun- 

 try has become more thickly populated, game is scarcer, consequently 

 the more seience is required to secure it. Setters end pointers are now as 

 common as ihey were uncommon when I waB a boy, and a trained dog 

 la almost as necessary to the sportsman as his gun. Where the field 

 trials must prove ao beneficial la that they bring together large num- 

 bers oi the uest known breed of dogs, and give an opportunity of see- 

 iug the respective merits of each, and In facilitating the crossing and 

 propagating of those breeds best suited to the different sections. One 

 great point in such trials is to have judges selected from among mch 

 men as are above suspicion, and who are practical hunters themselves. 

 In tho last Held trials held here, that lucky choice must have been made. 

 I say so beoiiise there were dogs of grand reputation here from all 

 parts of the country, and some very close matches were run— instance 

 Luther Adams' Drake dividing llrst and second honors with Mr. Dew's 

 Joe, Jr., though one dog was from Massachusetts Hib other from Ten- 

 nssiee. Mr. Hloholson, oi this city (a thorough sportsman), had two 

 dogs entered in the same ataSe, one of which he was conhdeut would 

 secure one or the three prizes, yet when he found the judges to have 

 decided cillTereutly not ote murmur was heard, nor did I hear from 

 any one of the many present a solitary word of dissent; this is as 1 

 Hbouid be. The judges were ail practical sportsmen. They enjoyed 

 the recreation, and followed the dogs with as close Interest as though 

 they were the owners. From the general expression of satisfaction at 

 ihe close of the trials, I have no doubt that the meeting to take place 

 here In December, 1519, will bo attended by the most oi those here last 

 year, and a great many more besides. 



John Gilbert has been having some Una sport down in Gil es County. 

 Wr. Gilbert is a trainer of some considerable reputation about here 

 Ho has now iu training some tine puppies- Mayor Geddes' red Irish 

 setter Clint, Mr. Brooks' Lark, Mr.Bufurd'a black native setter George 

 Mr. Oi Waiiu's trap, pointer Tige, and J. F. Nicholson's white and 

 i [r. G, says birds are very plentiful and rabbits 



without number. J. D, H, 



Snow ASd Halt.— The Boston Board of Health have wisely 

 prohibited the uso of salt to clear tho sidewalks am i 

 from snow and ica, believing that its use was a prolific cause 

 of the coughs and colds so prevalent just now. The accom- 

 panying slips show thai the practice is perhaps as injurious to 

 our canine friends as to ourselves : 

 To ihe Edtpjr of Ihe London Daily News: 



Sir — As a good deal is being said about the uso of salt for 

 thawing snow, etc, I thought it might be interesting to re- 

 late what effect I myself observed the combined snow 

 and salt to have on two dogs a day or two back. Happening 

 to stand still for a few moments on a portion of pavement 

 where the snow had been thawed by salt, 1 noticed that the 

 larger of the dogs with me was holding up and licking one 

 paw as if in pain. I raised the dog's paw, but it was unin- 

 jured; but directly it was set down the animal began lifting 

 one hind and one fore foot alternately, and seemed with diffi- 

 culty to replace them on the ground. The smaller dog like- 

 wise raised one paw and began yelping pit.eouslv. The does 

 soon recovered tho use of their limbs after leaving that part 

 of the pavement, though at first they limped along in curious 

 fashion. They are hardy dogs, and used to ordinary cold, 

 but the excessive cold of the snow and suit seemed to have 

 benumbed their feet. 



1 am, sir, your obedient servant, N. T. 



To the Editor of the Boston Daily Advertiser : 



We need not go to London for testimony in regard to the 

 effect of salted pavements ; I can add mine to "N. T.," ns 

 reprinted by you yesterday from a London newspaper. On 

 two occasions, each time on a salted pavement, 1 noticed my 

 dog go lame in our streets, about fifteen days ago. He would 

 stop, lift his legs from the ground, lick hia feet, and show 

 sueh evident signs of pain that a by-slander called my atten- 

 tion to it, and I examined the dog's feet carefully without dis- 

 covering the cause, which I now understand. It is needless 

 to say that this only happened ou the salted snow, and has 

 not been observed since. L. C. 



How to Advketise for a Lost Dog.— There is more than 

 one way lo advertise for a stolen dog. Tho novice writes a 

 notice something like this one which appeared in a morning 

 paper last week under the column of 



LOST AND 1-OUND : 



A SPITZ DOG, OF THE YELl.OWISU OAST, ANSWERING TO 

 the name of " Jack," is missing iiuin riiuunhiv before last. Any- 

 body presenting it at 101 West 3sth will be properly rewarded. No 

 questions. 



Such an advertisement may bring the dog. But the ex- 

 perienced owner of a much-stolen dog knows a trick worth 

 two of that. When all other methods fail, something like 

 this is sure to recover the property, insert under the column 

 of 



BEWARES : 

 <fe»AA KKWAHli WILL BE PAID F03J INFORMATION l.KAD- 

 qpOl/v lag ,o the conviction of the thieves who stole, Saturday 

 before last, a spitz dog, of the yellowish cast, answering to the name of 

 " Jack," from 101 West 38 tli at. 



That frightens the guilty parties into the belief that they are 

 harboring dangerous property, and, quaking in their shoes, 

 they soon make overtures. But the professional dog-thieves 

 are not to be caught with such chaff as this. They are up to 

 snuff. 



Brkakino Doos.— All that is really necessary in the break- 

 ing of dogs, is a thorough knowledge of what constitutes a 

 good dog and the manner in which it should work in the field, 

 added to such judgment as will enable a man to determine 

 between the different dispositions and characters ho has to 

 encounter. Few can be handled precisely alike ; some are 

 timid and need encouragment, others are headstrong and de- 

 mand strict, and at times, even severe treatment. An abso- 

 lute command of temper must be observed by the instructor 

 during his teachings so that not an unnecessary blow may be 

 given; for work done cheerfully and with a desire to serve 

 and benefit the master, is one hundredfold better than service 

 performed grudgingly or only through compulsion. 



A puppy should have but one teacher, no matter how close 

 the methods of two trainers may agree j he must learn your 

 voice, your manner, your very look; therefore, if you deter- 

 mine to break your dog, do it entirely yourself; do not break 

 down iu the midst of your labor and leave it to he finished by 

 another ; the result will never he favorable. 



From the beginning attend to the feeding of your youngs- 

 ters yourself, and if possible, let all food be taken from your 

 hands. This is advised that the puppj' may the sooner at- 

 tach himself to you alone and look upon you as his master, 

 for no dog, either setter or pointer, should ever be loaned or 

 hunted by others than his trainer ; therefore the breaking of 

 all field dogs is better done by the sportsman himself, pro- 

 vided he possesses the requisite patience, and can devote to 

 it the necessary time. 



The check cord will he found of far greater assistance than 

 the whip, the most unruly and headstrong animals being 

 readily brought under subjection by it, while at the same 

 time it can be so applied as not to intimidate. Always hear 

 in mind that a dog should not be correated, except it is cer- 

 tain he understands the fault for which he is rated. Punish- 

 ment becomes absolutely necessary at times with some dispo- 

 sitions, and that too of the most severe character; but you 

 must be satisfied that the act which demands it was commit- 

 ted with f unconsciousness of its wrong. Where, you see a 

 dog responding to command in a cringing and supplicating 

 manner, you may know that his master possesses an ungov- 

 ernable temper, unfitting him fur training or managing "any 

 animal possessing consciousness. Such a dog has been un- 

 mercifully flogged, perhaps kicked, before he has been taught 

 and made to understand his line of duty, and fearful of a 

 repetition of the lash, for what he knows not, obeys the sum- 

 mons crouching and creeping, an object of sympathy to the 

 beholder, while his master is viewed with disgust. 



From the moment you come into possession of your puppy, 

 say at three or four months of age, lessons of obedience may 

 be given at feeding time, before you undertake the more diffi- 

 cult part of yard or in-door breaking ; iu fuel, whenever you 

 may choose to oiler him food, by placing it before him and 

 not allowing it to be touched until ordered, slightly tapping 

 him when greediness or a non -regard of your command is ob- 

 served, persisting until you feel he understands nothing can 

 gained by disobedience. 



The first important lesson to be given is that the puppy 

 shall charge or drop at command, retaining his position until 

 permitted to rise by the order "hold up," Very few dogs in 



this country are trained to absolutely go down at the report 

 of a gun, or ns it ia culled, drop to Bliiol ; mOBt sportsmen are 

 satisfied if tneir dogs do not break shot and rush for the 

 game the moment it is killed, and charge at the word, re- 

 maining until commanded to fetch, or keep the upright posi- 

 tion until the gun is reloaded aud they are ordered to move 

 on again. 



^Notwithstanding so few dogs are broken to drop to shot 

 with us, it should be done iu every instance, as it undoubtedly 

 tends to give steadiness in every active point, and acts as a 

 check on any desire the animal may have to break in and 

 mouth game when fallen; for, in the excitement of the 

 moment, the sportsman may neglect to give the order to drop 

 or cliarge when he has brought down his bird, and the dog 

 being left to act as he chooses, nalurally moves toward it 

 also, which, if too often repeated, will certainly unsteady Licit; 

 hence the necessity of teaching to drop to shot, which, with 

 very little trouble, may bo accomplished by the following 

 method : 



Fasten to your dog's collar a strong cord thirty or forty feet 

 long, and take him into a yard or lot where no one will be 

 present ; secure the loose end to a short stake firmly driven In 

 the ground; place him in a crouching position in front of 

 you and keep him there, meantime exclaiming " down !" or 

 " charge 1" The moment you remove your hand, he will, of 

 course, attempt to rise, but foil him immediately with a sharp 

 jerk of the cord and an imperative "charge!" until he obeys, 

 after which encourage and caress, allowing him to rise, using 

 the words ' ' hold up 1 " You may now make use of the cord in a 

 more forcible manner, as a reminder that your command must 

 be obeyed. Take the dog to the stake, and make him charge 

 there, not allowing him to move while you slowly walk from 

 hip. Go a few steps beyond the distance to which the rope 

 will allow him to come, and tell him lo hold up. He will 

 naturally run toward you, when, just as he reaches the end 

 of his tether and receives the jerk, cry "charge." This 

 teaches quick and prompt obedience to the order. 



It is time now, supposing that you have thoroughly incul- 

 cated Ihis lesson, to have the dog learn that the holding of 

 the hand aloft is equivalent to the verbal order to drop, and 

 from the start it would be decidedly better to always uplift 

 the hand when the command is given, practicing him until 

 the signal only is required to cause him to charge promptly. 



In the same manner can dropping to shot be taught by 

 firing off a pistol and instantly jerking the cord and saying 

 " charge ;" but it is best to commence with the cap only, ad- 

 vancing to very small loads, and gradually increasing to full 

 charges. The dog must fully understand— to be perfectly 

 broken in this particular— that the uplifted hand means he 

 should charge, no matter how far he may be from you in the 

 field ; and likewise that the report of the gun has a similar 

 ■] ; ■. n i ' i ■ ,'ii. in. 



in these lessons patience must he studied, and the dog for- 

 cibly impressed with the necessity of obedience, without be- 

 ing cruelly treated ; on the contrary, praise and caress him 

 when he does well, but then only.— AVora Halfock's Sports- 

 man's Gazetteer. 



NkwJehsexFox Hunting— Editor Forest and Stream: 

 During holidays there was lively fox hunting in Morris 

 County, just above Berkshire Valley. Mr. Maryland Smith 

 killed three one day in front of his dogs, and, by himself and 

 neighbors, several were shot during the week. Smith has 

 rattling dogs, that make a fox buzz from the score until the 

 gun cracks. His Old Bony, an old black and yellow tan 

 hound, is one of the most consummate generals for a fox I 

 ever saw. When the scent will lie at all, any time during ihe 

 forenoon, he can "bounce" the fox in a short time on the 

 right track. A gray fox, a Hi tie fleshy, cannot stand the 

 punishment of tho run these dogs will give him more than 

 one or two hours be:ore he will take to tree or hole ; but the 

 red ones, this month and next, during rut, the males can 

 accommodate the best dogs living with a two-days' trot,' and 

 laugh at them half the time, in rocky, mountain running 

 1Mb country ever raised better fox dogs than Jersey ; and I 

 have seen some of the noted ones run— Jes. Bush's old Dal 

 Abe Joraleman's old Philo, Bloom field Leard's old Zac, Jas! 

 Carapbel's Boston, Europe and Drive, and many others— 

 twenty-five years since, equally renowned for skill, speed and 

 endurance; and tho entire lot, started at one time at this lime 

 of year when the fox is thinned down, could catch a red dog- 

 fox by fair play. This fox-hunting on Long Island and Mont 

 Clair, N. J., amuses old fox hunters— dragging a smoked 

 herring, leading around a tame fox, or perhaps occasionally 

 letting a tame one loose. Year before last Joe Donahue and 

 "Gim" Campbell took the Bennett party up to the Hideo 

 west of Moonocky Swamp, with about twenty dogs. After 5 a 

 short time Campbell startod a little half-grown cub of a red 

 fox and got the dogs ou. I would not pretend to picture the 

 time they had as portrayed by "Gim," but suffice it to say 

 the fox shook off men aud dogs in almost no time. 

 Newark, N. J., Jan. 6. Shutout-Bobs. 



►— •»> — «- — 



Detroit Notes.— L. H. Smith, who won M. S. Smith & 

 Co.'s capital prize— an elegant silver cup— for the best kennel 

 of setters at our recent bench show, has donated the cup 

 hack to the managers to be used as a prize at our next bench 

 show. J. N. Bodge, of this city, has sold to John E. Long 

 the Leicester-Hose whelp, Cash, ne was shown at our re- 

 cent show, with his dam and sister, in class 4— best English 

 setter with progeny under eight months old— winnim' first 

 He is a very elegant white, black and tan, and will make 

 some of the older heads take a back seat iu the future. L F 

 Whitman has lost his entire Druid -Mell litter of puppies. ' 



t Druid. 



Nassau Kennei, Club.— This is the title of a club recently 

 organized iu St. Louts, and of which A. A. Mellier, Jr. is 

 President and W. G. Mellier is Secretary. The specially of 

 the club will be Gordons, of which breed they already have a 

 fine collection, and we arc indebted for a picture 'of ikei'i' 

 champion Nell. 



^_».^. 



—The name claimed by Mr. H. A. Wilson, SUvet Lake 

 Kansas, for hia hack, white and tau setter dog by Fcdi-ree 

 out of France should have been Grouse III. instead of siuiolv 

 Grouse. « 3 



—Mr. Fred M. Barnard, of Boston, claims name of Hin- 

 doo for his Siberian bloodhound by AI Watts' Chamnfoa 

 Nero out of Wm. Midler's bitch. v , 



—The name of Hector having been claimed by some one 

 else, Mr. Alex. Tope, Jr., of Boston, withJraws his claim to 

 it and takes instead the name of Hunter for Ids Elcho-Rose 

 puppy. 



