234 CROSSED BREEDS. 



streets, animals which might puzzle the most learned in dog-lore 

 to say in what proportions they are allied to recognised varieties 

 of the 'species Oanis, but which are sometimes highly valuable in 

 point of utility, and are often broken by the poacher to perform 

 the most difficult feats. Indeed, it often happens that a poach- 

 ing labourer — who is the worst kind of poacher — selects some 

 mongrel in preference to a better bred dog, in order to escape 

 notice; but the gamekeeper should never despise the most 

 wretched-looking animal on his beat, if the cur has size and 

 strength to do what is required. 



I.— THE RETRIEVER. 



In speaking of the retriever, it is generally understood that 

 the dog for recovering game on land is meant, the distinct kind 

 known as the water-spaniel being already alluded to at page 168. 

 "With regard to the' propriety of using a separate dog for retrieving 

 in open or covert shooting, there is great difference of opinion, 

 but this subject will be better considered under the next division 

 of this book, and I shall now confine myself to a description 

 of the crosses used solely as retrievers, including the New- 

 foundland, alluded to at page 191, and the ordinary cross be- 

 tween that dog and the setter, and that between the terrier and 

 the water-spaniel, which is recommended by Mr. Colquhoun, 

 and which I have found especially serviceable. 



The qualities which are required in the regular retriever are : 

 great delicacy of nose and power of stooping (which latter is 

 often not possessed by the pointer) ; cleverness to follow out the 

 windings of the wounded bird, which are frequently most intri- 

 cate, and puzzle the intelligence as well as the nose to unravel 

 them ; love of approbation, to induce the dog to attend to the 



