BREAKING TO RETRIEVE. 341 



be entrusted with the task of retrieving a wounded partridge 

 or pheasant in actual shooting. But it is always, a long time 

 before the retriever becomes perfect, practice being all important 

 to him. 



Most shooters now use a slip for the retriever, at battues and 

 other shooting parties, the keeper leading him in it till he is wanted, 

 which is a good plan when a keeper is always in attendance. In 

 any case, however, these dogs should be made to drop "down charge," 

 as the gun may be used while they are at work, and if they are 

 not broken to drop they become excited, and often flush other 

 game before it is reloaded. 



The breaking of the Water-Spaniel or Retriever is also a 

 complicated task, and, as he has to hunt in the water and on 

 the banks, his duties are twofold. These dogs are used in the 

 punt as well as on the edge of the water, but, when the educa- 

 tion is finished in the river, the pupil will generally do what" 

 is wanted from the punt. As in the land retriever, so in this 

 variety, the first thing to be done is to get the puppy to " fetch 

 and carry "well ; after which he may be introduced to "flappers " 

 iu July and August, when the water is warm, and he does not 

 feel the ill effects and disagreeables attendant on a cold winter's 

 day with a wet coat. The young birds are also slow and awkward 

 in swimming and diving, so that every encouragement is afforded 

 to the dog, and he may readily be induced to continue the 

 sport, to which he is naturally inclined, for hours together. The 

 chief difficulty at first is in breaking the water-spaniel from 

 rats which infest the banks of most streams, and which are 

 apt to engage the attention of most dogs. The dog should be 

 taught to beat to the hand, and, whenever a flapper is shot 

 and falls in the water, then he must be encouraged to bring it 

 to land without delay. No art must be neglected to induce him 



