12 THE AMATEUR TRAINER. 
From lack of proper training the great majority 
of the dogs taken afield are practically unfit to be 
shot over. A dog of the most approved breeding, 
possessed of all necessary natural qualifications 
without the requisite training, must necessarily be 
a source of annoyance to such an extent as to rob 
the shooter of the enjoyment anticipated. 
Not every shooter has the gift to properly fit his 
dog for field work, especially without having made 
the subject a study—some not even having a correct 
conception of how a dog should perform afield, much 
less the ability and patience to inculcate the desirable 
accomplishments. 
The supposition that to become the possessor of 
a fine field dog, the only requisite necessary is to 
procure a puppy of some noted strain of bird dogs, 
and after he has reached the proper age, can be 
taken afield, hunted and shot over with pleasure, is 
an illusion. 
The dog inherits natural qualities, such as nose, 
speed, hunting and finding of game, etc. ; but not a 
particle of the accomplishments of his progenitors, 
acquired by judicious training, is inherited, and 
therefore, all .such accomplishments as are desired 
must be taught in one way or another to each and 
every individual dog. 
The person undertaking to train a dog should 
inform himself fully upon the subject, have good 
judgment, controllable temper, love for the dog, and 
