POINTERS AND SETTERS. 335 



previously steady becomes wild and ungovernable, and spoils the 

 day's shooting by all sorts of bad behaviour. Hence it is that 

 breakers so often are blamed without cause ; but when it is found 

 by experience that such conduct is the rule, and not the exception, 

 young dogs are left by their owners to be shot over by a keeper 

 for a few days, or even longer, before they are taken into the 

 field. Another reason for this wildness may be assigned ; namely, 

 the dogs are often hunted in the commencement of the season 

 by almost perfect strangers, two or three guns together ; whereas, 

 if their breaker had the management, they would be under much 

 more control, and especially if he went out quietly by himself. 

 Here again is another reason for gentlemen breaking their own 

 clogs, or, at all events, finishing their education by giving their 

 dogs and themselves a few lessons together. 



Down charge, as already described, ought to be taught from 

 a very early period, the dog being made to drop at the word 

 or elevation of the hand of his master, without the slightest 

 hesitation. It is not, therefore, necessary to dwell upon this 

 part of his education, further than to remark that after each 

 point, or, indeed, directly after birds rise under any circumstances, 

 the dog should be made to drop by the voice, using the order 

 " Down charge ! " or by raising the hand if the eye of the dog 

 can be caught. When this practice is made habitual, there is 

 little trouble in carrying out the order until the gun is added ; 

 but then it will be found that great patience and forbearance 

 are required to prevent the dog from running to his birds, as 

 they drop ; for, if this is allowed, it is sure to make him un- 

 steady in every case as soon as his eye catches sight of game 

 whether after the point or not. It is now that the advantage 

 of having made the dog drop to the gun is manifested, for the 

 first thing he thinks of when the gun is fired is the necessity 



