POINTERS AND SETTERS. 323 



a dangerous expedient to resort to ; as, instead of making the dog, 

 it may mar him for ever. 



Next comes the teaching to " range," which is about the most 

 difficult part of breaking. Many sportsmen who have shot all 

 their lives are not aware of the extent to which this may be, 

 and indeed ought to be, carried : and are quite content if their 

 dogs "potter" about where they like, and find game anyhow. 

 But the real lover of the dog, who understands his capabilities, 

 knows that for perfect ranging the whole field ought to be beaten 

 systematically, and in such a way as to reach all parts in suc- 

 cession, the dog being always as near to the gun as is consistent 

 with the nature of the ground, the walking powers of the man, 

 and the degree of wildness of the game. All these varying points 

 of detail in the management of the dog while beating his ground 

 will, however, be better considered at a future stage of the in- 

 quiry ; so that at present, taking it for granted that what I have 

 assumed is the real desideratum, we will proceed to inquire how 

 this mode of ranging is best taught. It must be understood 

 that what we want is, — first, that the puppy should hunt freely, 

 which soon comes if he is well bred ; secondly, that he should 

 range only where he is ordered, and that he should always be on 

 the look-out for his master's hand or whistle to direct him. This 

 also is greatly dependent on breed, some dogs being naturally 

 ''wilful, while others from their birth are dependent upon their 

 master, and readily do what they are desired. Thirdly, great 

 pains must be taken to keep the puppy from depending upon 

 any other dog and following him in his line, and also from "pot- 

 tering," or dwelling on " the" foot-scent," which, again, is a great 

 deal owing to defective blood. Now, then, how are these points 

 to be attained ? By a reference to the annexed diagram, the 

 principle upon which two dogs should beat their ground is laid 



