342 BREAKING AND ENTERING. 



to do this, and, failing every other plan, the breaker must him- 

 self enter the water; for, if the dog is once allowed to leave a 

 duck behind him, he is much more difficult afterwards to break. 

 Indeed, perseverance in the breaker is necessary at all times, 

 to insure the same quality in the pupil. The object in teach- 

 ing the range to hand to the spaniel is, because without this 

 there will often be a difficulty in showing him where a bird lies 

 in the water, the eye of the dog being so little above its level, 

 and the bird very often so much immersed, that when there 

 is the slightest ruffle he can scarcely see it a yard from his nose. 

 As in all other cases, the water-retriever must be strictly " down 

 charge," and he must be thoroughly steady and quiet at heel, 

 or he will be sure to disturb the water-fowl when the shooter 

 is in ambush waiting for them. The slightest whine is fatal, 

 and the dog should, therefore, be taught to be as quiet as a mouse 

 until ordered to move. 



THE ENTERING AND BREAKING OF THE COVERT SPANIEL. 



The breaking of all spaniels should be commenced as early 

 as possible, as they are naturally impetuous, and require con- 

 siderable restraint to keep them near enough to the shooter 

 while they are at work. After teaching them the ordinary rules 

 of obedience, such as to " come to heel," to " hold up," to drop 

 " down charge," &c, which may all be done with the pistol 

 and check-cord, aided if necessary by the spiked-collar, the 

 next thing is to enter them to the game which they are intended 

 to hunt. Generally it is the practice to use spaniels for phea- 

 sants, cocks, and hares, disregarding rabbits, which take their 

 chance with the shooter. The spaniel, therefore, is not expected 



