WATER-DOGS. 
681 
the qualities which he possesses, and which will be more 
particularly described when treating of the specific cha¬ 
racter of sporting dogs. Genuine dogs of this last kind are 
now very rare in Great Britain. The mode of training is 
similar to that employed in teaching a water-dog to search 
for, and fetch and carry his game. They ought to know 
well the distinction betwixt fur and feather , otherwise they 
can never be adepts in retrieving. They should be care¬ 
fully instructed and encouraged to carry kindly , that is, 
without mouthing their game in a rough manner, and they 
should invariably be instructed to lie charge. 
WATER-DOGS. 
In the shooting of wild-fowl, various dogs are used to 
fetch the birds out of the water as soon as shot. The above- 
mentioned dogs, or retrievers, are all fitted for this sport ; 
and sometimes the poodle, or small water-dog, will be found 
extremely useful, particularly if he is tolerably large, as he 
is a rapid and expert swimmer and diver, and very ardent 
in his temperament. There will be no difficulty in teaching 
any of the above varieties to take the water, as they are 
impelled by a natural instinct to do so. 
When puppies are five or six months old, they should be 
taught to fetch and carry, as a preliminary to breaking 
them. This is easily done by throwing a glove or other 
article to them in the house, or. during a walk, and desiring 
them to fetch it. With young dogs, the most gentle means 
are certainly the best; and when any animal proves obsti¬ 
nate, his correction should be of a moderate kind ; and if 
he seems much disheartened by beating, it will be best to 
suspend teaching for a time, and in the interim he may be 
propitiated with gentle caresses. 
A method which has been successfully employed in tram- 
