INTRODUCTION 
xix 
There is sometimes a wide difference be¬ 
tween sportsmen who use bird dogs in the 
field. One man may enjoy dogs; the other 
loves them. The former may derive sufficient 
pleasure from dogs that have been broken 
for him; the latter would never be quite so 
satisfied as with a dog that he has developed 
himself from a wee pup to a perfectly finished 
shooting dog. You may form your own 
conclusions as to which of the two reaps the 
richest reward. 
If you do not love dogs with all your heart 
and soul—if you do not believe in them and 
trust them fundamentally—if you do not 
understand them and have faith and sympathy 
in your soul for the splendid creatures—and 
if you do not have a world of patience —then 
do not attempt to break a bird dog. You have 
no right to—and you won’t succeed. 
But for the fellow who feels the fields call¬ 
ing and whose heart is right—there is no 
richer joy, no keener pleasure, no more inter¬ 
esting study, no greater fun, no healthier 
sport than breaking your own bird dog to 
become your companion and your helper in 
the field. 
The Author 
