160 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY 
One of the most important things to the shooter is the 
possession of a good setter or pointer Dog. On this de- 
pends, in a great measure, his pleasure and success — and 
this necessary auxiliary to his recreations is within the 
reach of every man, who can either shoot well, or will give 
as much time and perseverance as the subject requires. To 
break a Dog properly, it is necessary to possess skill, pa- 
tience, and perseverance; and without these two latter 
qualities, it will be useless for any one to undertake it. It 
is to the want of these properties,' jjWe may attribute the fact 
of being overrun with useless or half-broken Dogs. It will 
be well for every young sportsman to consider this subject 
properly, and to make himself acquainted with every rule 
necessary to the attainment of this grand object; and, under 
these considerations, I have, by consulting various authors, 
and my own experience, submitted the following rules, 
which, if strictly followed, cannot fail to complete the 
education of a Dog. 
In choosing a Dog, it is difficult to say which of the two 
breeds is best, viz. the setter or pointer; they both possess 
the same qualities, and the choice must be pretty much a 
matter of fancy.* I have always given preference to the 
* A Dog should not be chosen solely fpr his capacity to stand at game, as this 
principle is not always confined to the pointer or setter Dog. I knew a Dog 
which was half bull, set a partridge with as much stanchness as any setter Dog; 
and I have also seen a hound, and spaniel, do the same thing; and Daniels, in 
his Rural Sports, makes mention of a celebrated sow, so perfect in this habit, as 
to rival the most sagacious pointer or setter. 
setter, because the best Dog I ever owned, or saw, was a 
setter Dog. Others give preference to pointer Dogs, be- 
cause their experience warranted the same determination. 
The main point, however, to decide, is, whether they have 
descended from an indubitable stock; this ascertained, the 
rest depends altogether on their education. Those who 
favour the latter, argue that they possess more fleetness, 
bottom, and tractability, and can withstand the fatigue and 
heat of summer without water better than setters. To this 
last reason I cheerfully subscribe, but the former I doubt. 
The setter has advantages over the other in cold weather, 
is more willing to enter thickets and difficult places, and 
takes to water more freely, and possesses an equal degree of 
sagacity — however, the choice being made, the master 
should procure the Dog before he is six months old. This 
is necessary, in order to give him all the advantages of an j 
early education, and is of more importance than many per- 
sons are aware of; for the impressions given to a young 
Dog, are like those on youth — the strongest; beside, the 
Dog is growing up by his master’s side, becomes habituated 
to his actions, language, and government, and gives advan- 
tages, when the period arrives for training in the field, j 
which can then only be properly appreciated. Every 
sportsman should break his own Dog. This is of the 
first importance, if he wishes to possess a good one and 
enjoy comfort while hunting him. A Dog purchased of a 
stranger, or given to another to break, has, in a great mea- 
