267. Pray mind what is said about making your youngster point the dead
bird staunchly, the moment you perceive that he first scents it. Should
he be allowed to approach so near as to be able to touch it (instead
of being made to point the instant he finds), the chances are, that,
if hard-mouthed he will give it a crunch, if tender-mouthed a fumbling
of the feathers; and either proceeding satisfying him, that he will
quit it, and not further aid you in a search. As "pointing" is only
a natural pause (prolonged by art) to determine exactly where the
game is lying, preparatory to rushing forward to seize, it would be
unreasonable to expect him willingly to make a second point at game he
has not only found but mouthed:--the evil, however, does not rest here.
There is such a disagreeable thing as blinking a dead bird, no less
than blinking a sound one. For mouthing the bird you may possibly beat
the dog, or for nosing it and not pointing you may rate him harshly,
either of which, if he be not of a bold disposition, may lead, on the
next occasion, to his slinking off after merely obtaining a sniff.
You ought, in fact, to watch as carefully for your pupil's first
"feathering" upon the dead bird, as you did (259) upon his first coming
upon the covey. You see, then, that your teaching him to "point dead"
is absolutely indispensable; unless, indeed, you constantly shoot
with a retriever. Pointing at a live bird or at a dead one, should
only differ in this, that in the latter case the dog makes a nearer
point. _Begin_ correctly, and you will not have any difficulty; but
you may expect the greatest, if you let your dog go up to one or two
birds and mouth them, before you commence making him point them. The
following season, should you then permit him to lift his game (538),
it will be time enough to dispense with his "pointing dead." I dwell
upon this subject because many excellent dogs, from not having been
properly taught to "point dead," often fail in securing the produce of
a successful shot, while, on the contrary, with judiciously educated
dogs it rarely happens that any of the slain or wounded are left on the
field. Moreover, the protracted search and failure (as an instance see
314) occasions a lamentable loss of time. Were a sportsman who shoots
over dogs not well broken to "point dead" (or retrieve) to calculate
accurately, watch in hand, he would, I think, be surprised to find how
many of his best shooting hours are wasted in unprofitable searching
for birds, of the certainty of whose untimely fate his dogs had
probably long before fully convinced themselves.
[Page Header: WOODCOCK LOST.]
268. I was shooting some seasons back where woodcocks, being scarce,
are considered great prizes. If one is sprang, the pheasants are
immediately neglected, and every exertion is made to secure the rara
avis. We flushed one; at length it was killed; it fell in thick
cover,--was found by a setter (a feather or two in his mouth betraying
him); but as the dog had not been properly taught to "point dead," we
were obliged to leave the bird behind, after spending nearly half an
hour in a fruitless search.
[Page Header: BIRD KILLED,--DOG TO "HEEL."]
269. As to the word "Dead," whether you choose to continue using it
immediately after loading, or, as I have recommended (XI. of 141),
_after a time_ omit it, and merely let the signal to "heel" intimate
that you have killed, always make your dog go to you before you allow
him to seek for the fallen bird.
270. Some may say, "As a dog generally sees a bird fall, what is the
use of calling him to you before you let him seek?--and even if he does
not see the bird, why should any time be lost? Why should not you and
he go as direct to it as you can?"
[Page Header: DEAD BIRDS LEFT ON GROUND.]
271. Provided you have no wish that the "finder" (see 541), rather than
any of his companions, should be allowed the privilege of "seeking
dead," I must admit that in the cultivated lands of England, when a
dog "sees a bird fall," he might in nine cases out of ten go direct
to it without inconvenience. Even here, however, there are occasions
when intervening obstacles may prevent your observing what the dog is
about; and in cover, so far from being able to give him any assistance
by signaling, you may be ignorant whether or not he has seen the bird
knocked over, or is even aware of the general direction in which he
ought to seek. But in the oft-occurring cases in which "he does not
see the bird fall," it is obvious (particularly when he happens to be
at the extremity of his beat), that you will far more quickly place
him where you wish, if you make him, at first, run up to you, and then
advance from you, straight to the bird, by your forward signal (277).
These good results at least will follow, if you remain stationary, and
make him join you. You do not lose sight of the spot where you marked
that the bird or birds fell. The foil is not interfered with by your
walking over the ground (a matter of much importance, especially on
bad scenting days). The dog, if habituated to "seek" without your
companionship, will readily hunt morasses and ravines, where you might
find it difficult to accompany him. He will feel the less free to
follow his own vagaries; and this consciousness of subjection will
dispose him to pay more watchful attention to your signals. He will the
more patiently wait at the "down charge;" and when you are reloaded
will not be so tempted to dash recklessly after the bird, regardless
whether or not he raises others on the way. If he is dragging a cord,
you can the more easily take hold of its end, in order to check him,
and make him point when he first winds the dead bird,--and should you
be shooting over several dogs, by none of them being permitted to run
direct to the fallen bird, they will the less unwillingly allow you to
select the one who is to approach close to you before "seeking dead."
272. The opponents of this method argue, that the practice may give the
dog the bad habit of running immediately after the "down charge" to the
gun, instead of recommencing to hunt; particularly if he is shot over
by a first-rate performer. Granted; but is not the temptation to bolt
off in search of a dead bird still stronger? To check the former evil,
endeavour to make the coming to "heel" an act of obedience rather than
a voluntary act, by never failing, as soon as you are reloaded, to give
the customary signal (VIII. of 141) when you have killed, or the signal
to "hie on" should you have missed.
273. Moreover, you will sometimes meet with a dog who, when a bird has
been fired at, though it be the first and only one sprung of a large
covey, commences "seeking dead" immediately after the "down charge,"
apparently considering that his first duty. This sad, sad fault--for
it frequently leads to his raising the other birds out of shot--is
generally attributable to the dog's having been allowed to rush at the
fallen bird, instead of being, accustomed to the restraint of having
first to run up to the gun.
274. To prevent your pupil from ever behaving so badly, often adopt the
plan of not "seeking dead" immediately after loading, especially if
the birds are lying well. Mark accurately the spot where your victim
lies, and closely hunt for others, endeavouring to instil great caution
into the dog, much in the manner (being guided by his disposition and
character) described in 196, 197, and 329. As long as any of the covey
remain unsprung, you ought not to pick up one dead bird, though you
should have a dozen on the ground. Your dog ought not even to "down
charge" after you have fired, if he is fully aware that more birds are
before him. To impart to him the knowledge that, _however important is
the "down charge," his continuing at his point is still more so_, you
may, when the birds are lying well and he is at a fixed point, make
your attendant discharge a gun at a little distance while you remain
near the dog, encouraging him to maintain his "toho." If you have no
attendant, and the birds lie like stones, fire off a barrel yourself
while the dog is steadily pointing.[48] He will fancy you see birds
which he has not noticed, and, unless properly tutored and praised by
you, will be desirous to quit those he has found, to search for the
bird he conceives you have shot.
275. It is a fine display of intelligence in the dog, and of judicious
training in the breaker (may it be your desert and reward ere long to
witness it in your pupil), when a pointer (or setter) in goodly turnips
or strong potatoes draws upon birds which obligingly rise one after
the other, while by continuing his eloquent attitude he assures you
that some still remain unsprung, to which he is prepared to lead you,
if you will but attend to them and him, and, instead of pot-hunting
after those you have killed, wait until his discriminating nose informs
him that having no more strangers to introduce, he is at liberty to
assist you in your search.
[Page Header: POINT CONTINUED.]
276. To revert, however, to the point particularly under discussion,
viz., whether you prefer that your dog go direct to the fallen bird, or
(as I strongly recommend) that he first join you, pray be consistent;
exact which you will, but always exact the same, if you are anxious to
obtain cheerful unhesitating obedience.
[Page Header: GOOD TRAINING EXEMPLIFIED.]
277. I have seen the advantage of the latter method very strikingly
exemplified in America, in parts of which there is capital
snipe-shooting. In the high grass and rushes on the banks of the
Richelieu, many a bird have I seen flushed and shot at, of which the
liver and white pointer, ranging at a little distance, has known
nothing. As he was well broken in, he, of course, dropped instantly,
on hearing the report of the gun. If the bird had fallen, his master,
after reloading, used invariably to say "Dead,"[49] in a low tone of
voice, on which the dog would _go up to him_; and then his master,
without stirring from the spot where he had fired, directed him by
signals to the place where the bird fell, to reach which the dog often
had to swim the stream. His master then said "Find." At that word,
and not before it, his intelligent four-footed companion commenced
searching for the bird, nor did he ever fail to find and bring; and
so delicate was his mouth that I have often seen him deliver up a
bird perfectly alive, without having deranged a feather, though,
very probably, he had swam with it across one of the many creeks
which intersect that part of the country. If the shot was a miss, his
master's silence after reloading, and a wave of his arm to continue
hunting (or the command to "Hie on," if the dog was hidden by the
rushes--perhaps a low whistle would have been better), fully informed
his companion of the disappointment. He was quite as good on the large
quail, and small woodcock found in Canada, which latter makes a ringing
noise on rising, not unlike the sound of a distant soft bell; but
reminiscences of that capital old dog are leading me away from your
young one.
278. For some days you cannot shoot to your pupil too steadily and
quietly--I had well-nigh said too slowly. By being cool, calm, and
collected yourself, you will make him so. I am most unwilling to think
that you will be too severe, but I confess I have my misgivings lest
you should occasionally overlook some slight faults in the elation of a
successful right and left. Filling the game-bag must be quite secondary
to education. Never hesitate to give up any bird if its acquisition
interfere with a lesson. Let all that you secure be done according to
rule, and in a sportsmanlike manner.
CHAPTER X.
FIRST LESSON IN SEPTEMBER CONTINUED. ASSISTANT.--VERMIN.
279. Some Dogs will not point readily--Breeding in and in, error
of.--280. Instance of two young, _untaught_, highly-bred Pointers,
behaving well first day shown Game--Dogs more inclined to point at
first than afterwards.--281. Checkcord employed--spike attached to
it.--282. With wild dog assistant useful--Signals to.--283. How
particularly useful with a badly broken Dog--Range of Stoat--Traps
better than Guns. In Note, Hen-harrier feeding her young--Decoy Owl for
Winged-Vermin--Keeper to possess Dog that hunts Vermin--Account of a
capital Bull-Terrier--Destructiveness of Stoats. (See Appendix).--284.
Shy birds, how intercepted between Guns and dog. Cheeta driven near
Antelopes by cart circling and never stopping. In Note, Cheeta always
selects the Buck. Cheeta how trained.--285. "Heading" Dog at his
point--not practised too often--Dog to acquire a knowledge of his
distance from Game.--286. Beautiful instance of Pointer correcting
his Distance.--287. Constantly "Heading" Dog may make him too
immoveable.--288. A fault often caused by over-punishment.--289. Mr.
C----t's Bitch, which persisted three times in taking up the same
point.--290 to 292. Instance of fine "roading" in a young Dog.--293.
False points caused by over-punishment--Self-confidence and experience
only cures for over-caution.--294. Dog's manner shows position of
birds.--295. Curiously instanced in a Dog of Lord M----d's.--296. Also
shows species of Game--Pointer on Rabbits.--297. Young Dog drawing upon
his first Blackcock.--298. Terrier pointing four kinds of game, and
each in a different attitude.
279. It is proper you should be warned that you must not always expect
a dog will "toho" the first day as readily as I have described, though
most will, and some (especially pointers) even more quickly, if they
have been previously well drilled, and have been bred for several
generations from parents of pure blood.
I do not say bred in and in. Breeding in and in, to a certainty, would
enfeeble their intellects as surely as their constitutions. In this
way has many a kennel been deprived of the energy and endurance so
essential in a sportsman's dog.
[Page Header: EDUCATION BEFORE GAME-BAG.]
280. The late Lord Harris gave Mr. M----t (mentioned in 195), then
residing in Essex, two young, very highly-bred pointer pups, a brother
and sister. Mr. M----t, after some months, carried them into Kent, and,
without their having had the least preliminary instruction, or ever
having seen a bird, took them out partridge-shooting. He had no older
dog to set them a good example, and as they were wholly unbroken, he
feared they would bolt for home the moment he squibbed off his gun;
but, though they seemed much astonished and extremely nervous at the
report, great caressing and encouragement induced them to remain.
After awhile the dog went forward, and sniffed about,--then he began
to hunt,--at length he did so very assiduously; but his sister not so
keenly, for she did little more than follow in his wake. Generally
it is otherwise, bitches being usually the earliest in the field. At
length the dog came to a stiff point at the edge of some turnips. The
bitch perceived him and timidly backed. Mr. M----t hastened up--birds
arose--one fell, fortunately killed outright--the dog dashed at it,
and, tremulous with a world of new and pleasurable emotions, nosed and
fumbled it about in a very excited manner, but did not attempt to gripe
it. Mr. M----t, lest he should damp the youngster's ardour, refrained
from rating, or even speaking to him, but left him entirely to himself.
After a time, singular to say,--for he had not been taught as a puppy
to "fetch,"--he lifted the partridge, and carried it to his master,--a
practice he was afterwards allowed to pursue. Is it not clear that,
if he had been well instructed in the initiatory lessons, Mr. M----t
would have found him perfectly made with the exception of having no
systematic range? He turned out extremely well, and constantly showed
himself superior to his sister, who always wanted mettle.
As in the present instance, it often occurs that a dog is less inclined
to dash in at first than when he is more acquainted with birds. He is
suddenly arrested by the novelty of the scent, and it is not until he
is fully assured from what it proceeds that he longs to rush forward
and give chase. In autumnal breaking the dog gets his bird--it is
killed for him--he is satisfied--and therefore he has not the same
temptation to rush in as when he is shown birds in the spring.
281. If you find your dog, from excess of delight and exuberance of
spirits, less under general command than from his initiatory education
you had expected, and that he will not "toho" steadily at the exact
spot at which you order him, at once attach a checkcord to his collar.
It will diminish his pace, and make him more cautious and obedient. The
moment you next see him begin to feather, get up quickly, _but without
running_, to the end of the cord, and check him with a sudden jerk
if you are satisfied that game is before him and that he ought to be
pointing. If from his attitude and manner you are _positive_ that there
is game, drive a spike (or peg) into the ground, and tie the cord to
it. I only hope the birds will remain stationary. If they do, you can
give him a capital lesson by remaining patiently alongside of him, and
then heading him and the birds in the manner before described (264,
265).
[Page Header: SIGNALS TO ATTENDANT.]
282. As a general rule, an attendant or any companion cannot be
recommended, because he would be likely to distract a young dog's
attention (10); but an intelligent fellow who would readily obey your
signals, and not presume to speak, would, doubtless, with a very wild
dog, be an advantageous substitute for the spike. You could then employ
a longer and slighter cord than usual, and, on the man's getting hold
of the end of it, be at once free to head and awe the dog. Whenever you
had occasion to stand still, the man would, of course, be as immoveable
as yourself.
Your signals to him might be:--
The gun held up,--"Get near the dog."
Your fist clenched,--"Seize the rope."
Your fist shaken,--"Jerk the cord."
Your hand spread open,--"Let go the cord."
Or any signs you pleased, so that you understood each other without the
necessity of speaking.
[Page Header: RANGE OF STOAT.]
283. Should it ever be your misfortune to have to correct in a dog
evil habits caused by past mismanagement, such an attendant, if an
active, observant fellow, could give you valuable assistance, for he
sometimes would be able to seize the cord immediately the dog began
"feathering," and generally would have hold of it before you could have
occasion to fire. But the fault most difficult to cure in an old dog
is a bad habit of ranging. If, as a youngster, he has been permitted
to beat as his fancy dictated, and _has not been instructed in looking
to the gun for orders_, you will have great, very great difficulty in
reclaiming him. Probably he will have adopted a habit of running for a
considerable distance up wind, his experience having shown him that it
is one way of finding birds, but not having taught him that to seek for
them by crossing the wind would be a better method.
Curiously enough, nature has given this systematic range to the
stoat,[50] though, happily for the poor rabbits, it cannot carry a high
nose, and therefore the parallels on which it hunts are necessarily not
far apart. This interesting proceeding is occasionally witnessed by
those keepers who injudiciously prefer their game-disturbing guns to
their vermin-destroying traps.[51]
[Page Header: CHEETA AND ANTELOPES.]
284. The great advantage of teaching a dog to point the instant he is
sensible of the presence of birds (260), and of not creeping a foot
further until he is directed by you, is particularly apparent when
birds are wild. While he remains steady, the direction of his nose will
lead you to give a tolerable guess as to their "whereabouts," and you
and your companion can keep quite wide of the dog (one on each side),
and so approach the birds from both flanks. They, meanwhile, finding
themselves thus intercepted in three directions, will probably lie so
close as to afford a fair shot to, at least, one gun, for they will
not fail to see the dog and be awed by his presence. Raise your feet
well off the ground, to avoid making a noise. Walk quickly, but with
no unnecessary flourish of arms or gun. They may fancy that you intend
to pass by them:--a slow cautious step often raises their suspicions.
(Most sportsmen in the Highlands prefer a low cap, or a wide-awake, to
a hat; one of the motives for this choice being that the wearer is less
conspicuous,--not appearing so tall. It is because he will not appear
so tall that he thinks he can get nearer to a pack by approaching the
birds up hill, rather than by coming down upon them from a height. Many
an old sportsman crouches when approaching wild birds.) As soon as
you and your friend are in good positions, you can motion to the dog
to advance and flush the birds. You should on no account halt on the
way, for the moment you stop they will fancy they are perceived, and
take wing. It is by driving round and round, constantly contracting
the circle, and _never stopping_, that the bullock-cart, carrying
the trained cheeta, is often brought within 100 yards of the herd of
antelopes, amidst which is unsuspiciously browsing the doomed dark
buck.[52] Driven directly towards the herd, the cart could not approach
within thrice that distance. In Yorkshire, very late in the season,
when the grouse are so scared that they will not allow a dog or man
to get near them, it often happens that a good bag is made by the gun
keeping just ahead of a cart and horse. Here, however, no circuit is
made. The birds are found by chance. The only dog employed is the
retriever, kept in the cart until he is required to fetch.
285. You must not, however, too often try to work round and head your
pupil when he is pointing. Judgment is required to know when to do it
with advantage. If the birds were running, you would completely throw
him out, and greatly puzzle and discourage him, for they probably
would then rise out of shot, behind you, if they were feeding up
wind,--behind him, if they were feeding down wind.[53] Far more
frequently make him work out the scent by his own sagacity and nose,
and lead you up to the birds, every moment bristling more and more, at
a pace[54] entirely controlled and regulated by your signals. These
being given with your right hand will be more apparent to him if you
place yourself on his left side. It is in this manner that you give him
a lesson which will _hereafter_ greatly aid him in recovering slightly
winged birds,--in pressing to a rise the slow-winged but nimble-heeled
rail,--or in minutely following the devious mazes through which an
old cock-pheasant, or yet more, an old cock-grouse, may endeavour to
mislead him. And yet this lesson should not be given before he is
tolerably confirmed at his point, lest he should push too fast on
the scent; and make a rush more like the dash of a cocker than the
sober, convenient "road" of a setter. As his experience increases
he will thus acquire the valuable knowledge of the position of his
game:--he will lead you to the centre of a covey, or what is of greater
consequence--as grouse spread--to the centre of a pack, (instead
of allowing himself to be attracted to a flank by some truant from
the main body), and thus get you a good double shot, and enable you
effectually to separate the birds:--he will, moreover, become watchful,
and sensible of his distance from game--a knowledge all-important, and
which, be it remarked, he never could gain in turnips or potatoes, or
any thick cover.
286. Mr. C----s R----n, well known in Edinburgh, told me that a black
and tan pointer of his (Admiral M----y's breed) gave, on one occasion,
a very clever proof of his knowledge of the distance at which he
ought to stand from his game. He was ranging in thick stubble. Some
partridge, being slightly alarmed, rose a little above the ground, and
then dropped very near the dog,--upon which the sagacious creature
instantly crouched close to the ground, his head between his fore-legs,
and in that constrained position _ventre-à-terre_, pushed himself
backwards until he had retreated to what he conceived to be a judicious
distance from the covey, when he stood up and pointed boldly.
[Page Header: VEXATIOUS STANCHNESS.]
287. There is another and yet stronger reason why you should not
consider it a rule always to head your young dog at his point. You
may--although at first it seems an odd caution to give--make him
too stanch. This, to be sure, signifies less with partridges than
with most birds; but if you have ever seen your dog come to a fixed
point, and there, in spite of all your efforts, remain provokingly
immoveable--plainly telling you of the vicinity of birds, but that you
must find them out for yourself--your admiration of his steadiness has,
I think, by no means reconciled you to the embarrassing position in
which it has placed you. I have often witnessed this vexatious display
of stanchness, although the owner cheered on the dog in a tone loud
enough to alarm birds two fields off.
288. A keeper will sometimes praise his dog for such stanchness; but
it is a great fault, induced probably by over-severity for former
rashness,--and the more difficult to be cured, if the animal is a
setter, from the crouching position which he often naturally assumes
when pointing.
[Page Header: INSTANCES OF FINE ROADING.]
289. A friend of mine was told by Mr. C----t (to whom those interested
in the prosperity of the Edinburgh Zoological Gardens ought to feel
much indebted), that a little pointer bitch of his came, on a hot, dry,
bad scenting day, to a fixed point. He could not persuade her to move,
nor could he or his friend spring any game; and two not bad-nosed dogs
that were hunting with her would not acknowledge the scent, even when
they were brought close to the bitch. As she would neither advance nor
retire, he actually had her carried off in a boy's arms. When she was
put down, away she ran and resumed her point. After another ineffectual
attempt to raise birds, again she was borne off, but only to take up
for a _third_ time her point. At length, after a yet closer search--in
which, however, she still refused to join,--a young blackcock was
perceived closely buried under a thick piece of heather. The very
excellence of the bitch's nose, and her admirable perseverance, made
it the more vexatious that she had not been taught the meaning of
the signals to advance. One grieves that anything should have been
neglected in the education of so superior a creature.
290. I advised (285) your practising your young dog in "footing" out
a scent. Though it occurred many years ago, I remember as if it were
but yesterday (from my annoyance at shooting so execrably, when it was
peculiarly incumbent on me not to miss), my nearly making a sad mistake
with a very young dog, who was following up a retreating bird most
magnificently.
[Illustration: CARRYING A POINT, AND CARRYING A POINTER.--Par. 289.]
291. I was looking for grouse where I thought that there might be some,
but was sure there could not be many. After beating for a considerable
time unsuccessfully, the youngest of the dogs that were hunting made
a stanch point. I got up to him;--nothing rose. I encouraged him to
press on. He did so, and at a convenient pace which allowed me to keep
parallel with him. He so seldom stopped, and bristled so little, that
I thought he was making a fool of me. Still, as he now and then looked
round sagaciously, as if to say "There really is game ahead," I did not
like to tell him of my suspicions. Though my patience was sorely tried,
for he led me a distance which I dare not name, I resolved to let him
have his own way, and to see what would be the result, satisfied that
undue precipitance on my part might effect more evil than could arise
from an erroneous participation in his proceedings. At length, when
my good resolutions were all but exhausted, and I was thinking of
chiding the dog for his folly, we approached a bare spot, free from
heather:--up sprung a noble cock-grouse, challenging splendidly.
292. I had been so perplexed, and was, I am ashamed to say, so
unnerved, that, though the bird went off in a line directly from
me, I missed him with both barrels; I don't know when I was more
vexed:--nothing but my bungling lost the young dog the reward he so
richly deserved.
[Page Header: OVER-CAUTION.]
293. I recount this story, though it is little in my favour, to warn
you against the too common error of fancying that a young dog is making
false points if birds do not get up directly. They may have taken
leg-bail, and thus have puzzled him in his inexperience. Dogs not
cowed by punishment will, after a little hunting, seldom make false
points, while they are unfatigued. To a certainty they will not draw
upon a false point for any distance: therefore, never punish what is
solely occasioned by over-caution. Your doing so would but increase the
evil. Self-confidence and experience are the only cures for a fault
that would be a virtue if not carried to excess. Even a good dog will
occasionally make a point at larks from over-caution when birds are
wild; but see the first note to 194.
294. After you have shot over a dog a short time, his manner and
attitude will enable you to guess pretty accurately whether birds are
really before him; whether they are far off or near; and whether or
not they are on the move. Generally speaking, the higher he carries
his head, and the less he stiffens his stern, the further off are the
birds. If he begin to look nervous, and become fidgety, you will seldom
be wrong in fancying they are on the run. But various, and at times
most curious, are the methods that dogs will adopt, _apparently_ with
the wish to show you where the birds are, and _certainly_ with the
desire to get you a shot.
295. A pointer, belonging at the present moment to a nobleman in
Perthshire, Lord M----d, (from whose lips my informant heard the
strange story), has quite a novel mode of telling that birds are on the
move. While they continue quiet, he points them in the usual manner,
with his head towards them, but so soon as they begin to walk off,
he directly faces about, very disrespectfully presenting his stern
to them,--whether to express contempt for their want of courtesy, or
to warn his lordship to look out for a long shot, I will leave you
to decide.[55] I particularly inquired if he did this indifferently,
whether the birds were running up or down wind. This my informant
could not positively tell. All he knew was that his lordship had said,
in a general way, that the singularly mannered animal invariably
repeated this eccentric proceeding whenever the birds moved.
296. Not only will a dog's manner often show you whether or not birds
are on the move, but his carriage, when you are accustomed to him, will
frequently tell you what species of game is before him. I know an old
pointer that is capital in light cover. His owner shoots rabbits over
him, and whenever the dog finds one, though he points steadily, his
tail vibrates as regularly as a pendulum.
[Page Header: FIRST BLACKCOCK.]
297. Years ago, when I was shooting in the North, I was crossing some
land which the encroachments of husbandry had converted from wild
heather to profitable sheep-walks; suddenly a young dog that was with
me came to a more rigid point than I had ever seen him make--every
muscle appeared distended--I was puzzled--I felt satisfied that he had
winded something very unusual, but what to expect I could not imagine,
for there seemed not cover for a tomtit. When I got up to him he was
so nervously anxious that I had some difficulty in making him advance,
but at length he slowly brought me towards a small bush, to which he
nailed his nose. Further he would not proceed. I kicked the bush; when,
to my great gratification, up gradually rose a young blackcock, which
went off to killing distance with a flight not more rapid than that of
the florikin. It was the first black game that the dog had ever seen.
It was also the first that I had ever seen on the wing, and this may
account for all the attendant circumstances being so strongly impressed
upon my memory.
298. Colonel C----n, on the staff of the Duke of C----e, told me that
about ten years ago he heard a gentleman, then living on the Mall at
Birr, make a bet of a pony (he offered to wager a much larger sum)
that his terrier bitch would point all the kinds of game found in the
neighbouring bog--and further, that before it was sprung he would name
what description of game the dog was pointing. The gentleman won his
bet handsomely, though they found snipe, woodcock, grouse, hare, and
something else,--as well as Colonel C----n now remembers,--a duck. It
was soon evident to the spectators, that the attitude of the clever
animal--short-eared, with a considerable cross of the bull-dog--varied
according to the nature of the game she came across. To an English
ear shooting on a bog does not sound very attractive,--but though the
walking is generally difficult, the sport is often interesting, from
the variety of game the sportsman frequently meets with.
CHAPTER XI.
FIRST LESSON IN SEPTEMBER CONCLUDED. BAR.--LEG STRAP.--SPIKE-COLLAR.
299. Bar cure for too high spirits. A leg strapped up. Why these
remedies are better than starvation and excessive work.--300. The
regular Spike-Collar described. French Spike-Collar.--301. One less
objectionable.--302 to 305. How, in extreme cases, the Spike-collar
might be employed.--306. Dog springing Birds without noticing them; how
to be treated.--307. The first Birds fired at to be killed outright;
the Search for winged Birds, Dog being to leeward.--308. Had the Dog
seized. Firing at running Bird.--309. The Search for winged Bird,
Dog being to windward.--310. "Lifting" a Dog, when recommended.
"Footing" a scent. In Note, speed of Red-legged Partridge.--311.
Evil of a Young Sportsman always thinking his birds killed outright;
often calls away Dog improperly.--312. Loss of dead bird discouraging
to Dog.--313. Perseverance in Seeking, how fostered.--314. "Nosing"
Bird allowed.--315. Its advantage instanced in Sir W----m F----n's
dogs.--316. Error of picking up winged bird before Loading. In Notes,
ingenious Argument in its favour; Bird picked up in the Evening;
rejoins Covey.--317. If winged bird be a fast runner, and out of
shot.--318. Dog that was devoted to "seeking dead," would retrieve
Snipe she would not point; probable cause of her fondness for
retrieving.--319. Dog which kept his paw on winged bird; how taught.
"Beppo" in Africa.--320. Blenheim, which hated Water, yet would always
retrieve Wildfowl.--321. If dog rashes forward yet yields to menaces
and stops.--322. If he seizes the dead bird; if he has torn it.--323.
How to administer Punishment.--324. Part good friends. Your own temper
not to be ruffled.--325. He is no Breaker who cannot always get hold
of Dog.--326. Be certain of Dog's guilt before punishing.--327. Dog's
Ears not to be pulled violently.--328. To "drop" whenever Bird or Hare
rises.--329. Lesson in Turnips.--330. Real Lesson in "Gone" or "Flown"
given _after_ dog has had some experience; reason why.
299. After a few trials you will, I hope, be able to dispense with the
peg recommended in 281, and soon after with the checkcord also. But if
your dog possesses unusually high spirits, or if he travels over the
ground at a pace which obviously precludes his making a proper use of
his nose, it may be advisable to fasten to his collar a bar, something
like a diminutive splinter-bar, that it may, by occasional knocking
against his shins, feelingly admonish him to lessen his stride. If he
gets it between his legs and thus finds it no annoyance, attach it to
both sides of his collar from points near the extremities. One of his
fore-legs might occasionally be passed through the collar; but this
plan is not so good as the other; nor as the strap on the hind-leg
(60). These means (to be discarded, however, as soon as obedience is
established) are far better than the _temporary_ ascendancy which some
breakers establish by low diet and excessive work, which would only
weaken his spirits and his bodily powers, without eradicating his
self-will, or improving his intellects. You want to force him, when
he is in the highest health and vigour, to learn by experience the
advantage of letting his nose dwell longer on a feeble scent.
[Page Header: BAR. FRENCH SPIKE-COLLAR.]
300. I have made no mention of the spiked-collar, because it is a
brutal instrument, which none but the most ignorant or unthinking would
employ. It is a leather collar into which nails, much longer than the
thickness of the collar have been driven, with their points projecting
inwards. The French spike-collar is nearly as severe. It is formed of
a series of wooden balls,--larger than marbles,--linked (about two and
a half inches apart) into a chain by stiff wires bent into the form of
hooks. The sharp pointed hooks punish cruelly when the checkcord is
jerked.
[Page Header: ENGLISH SPIKED-COLLAR.]
301. We have, however, a more modern description of collar, which is
far less inhuman than either of those I have mentioned, but still I
cannot recommend its adoption, unless in extreme cases; for though
not so severely, it, likewise, punishes the unfortunate dog, more or
less, by the strain of the checkcord he drags along the ground: and it
ought to be the great object of a good breaker as little as is possible
to fret or worry his pupil, that all his ideas may be engaged in an
anxious wish to wind birds. On a leather strap, which has a ring at
one end, four wooden balls (of about two inches diameter) are threaded
like beads, at intervals from each other and the ring, say, of two
inches (the exact distance being dependent on the size of the dog's
throat). Into each of the balls sundry short thickish pieces of wire
are driven, leaving about one-sixth of an inch beyond the surface. The
other end of the strap (to which the checkcord is attached) is passed
through the ring. This ring being of somewhat less diameter than the
balls, it is clear, however severely the breaker may pull, he cannot
compress the dog's throat beyond a certain point. The effect of the
short spikes is rather to crumple than penetrate the skin.
302. I have long been sensible of the aid a spiked-collar would afford
in reclaiming headstrong, badly educated dogs, if it could be used
at the moment--and only at the precise moment--when punishment was
required; but not until lately did it strike me how the collar could be
carried so that the attached cord should not constantly bear upon it,
and thereby worry, if not pain the dog. And had I again to deal with an
old offender, who incorrigibly crept in after pointing, or obstinately
"rushed into dead," I should feel much disposed to employ a slightly
spiked collar in the following manner.
303. That the mere carrying the collar might not annoy the dog, I would
extract or flatten the nails fixed on the _top_ of the collar, on the
part, I mean, that would lie on the animal's neck. This collar I would
place on his neck, in front of his common light collar. I would then
firmly fasten the checkcord, in the usual way, to the spiked-collar;
but, to prevent any annoyance from dragging the checkcord, at about
five or six inches from the fastening just made I would attach it to
the common collar, with very slight twine--twine so slight that,
although it would not give way to the usual drag of the checkcord,
however long, yet it would readily break on my having to pull strongly
against the wilful rush of an obstinate dog, when, of course, the
spikes would punish him, as the strain would then be borne by the
spiked-collar alone.
304. Guided by circumstances, I would afterwards either remove the
spiked-collar, or, if I conceived another bout necessary, refasten the
checkcord to the common collar with some of the thin twine, leaving,
as before, five or six inches of the checkcord loose between the two
collars.
305. If you should ever consider yourself forced to employ a
spiked-collar, do not thoughtlessly imagine that the same collar will
suit all dogs. The spikes for a thin-coated pointer ought to be shorter
than for a coarse-haired setter! You can easily construct one to punish
with any degree of severity you please. Take a common leather collar;
lay its inner surface flat on a soft deal board: through the leather
drive with a hammer any number of tacks or flat-headed nails: then get
a cobbler to sew on another strap of leather at the back of the nails,
so as to retain them firmly in position.
[Page Header: DOG NOT NOTICING BIRDS.]
306. I have supposed that your dog has _scented_ the birds before they
rose, but if he spring them without having previously noticed them (as
in some rare cases happens even to well-bred dogs) you _must_ bring him
back to the spot at which you feel assured that he ought to have been
sensible of their presence, and _there_ make him "Toho." Afterwards
endeavour to make him aware of the haunt by encouraging him to sniff
at the ground that the birds have just left. The next time watch very
carefully for the _slightest_ indication of his feathering and then
instantly call out "Toho." After a few times he will, to a certainty,
understand you.
[Page Header: BIRD RUN TO WINDWARD.]
307. You should kill outright the few first birds at which you fire.
I would infinitely prefer that you should miss altogether, than that
one of the two or three first birds should be a runner. Afterwards you
have full leave to merely wing a bird; but still I should wish it not
to be too nimble. This is a good trial of _your_ judgment as well as
the dog's. I hope he is to leeward of the bird, and that it will not
catch his eye. See he touches on the haunt. Do not let him work with
his nose to the ground. "Up, up," must be your encouraging words (or
"On, on," according to circumstances), whilst with your right hand
(IV. of 141) you are alternately urging and restraining him, so as to
make him advance at a suitable pace. From his previous education, not
being flurried by any undue dread of the whip, he will be enabled to
give his undisturbed attention, and devote all his faculties to follow
unerringly the retreating bird. But from inexperience he may wander
from the haunt. On perceiving this, bring him, by signals, back to the
spot where he was apparently last aware of the scent. He will again hit
it off. If you view the bird ever so far ahead, on no account run. I
hope you will at length observe it lie down. Head it, if possible, and
strike it with your whip, if you think you will be unable to seize it
with your hand. Endeavour to prevent its fluttering away;--it is too
soon to subject the youngster to such a severe trial of his nerves and
steadiness. Then, (having put the poor creature out of its misery, by
piercing its skull, or rapping its head against your gun,) as before
(266), show your dog the gratifying prize which your combined exertions
have gained.
308. Should he unluckily have caught sight of the running bird,
and, in spite of all your calls, have rushed forward and seized it,
you ought to have proceeded as described in 322. Clearly, however,
you would not have dragged the dog back to the place where he "down
charged," but merely to the spot from which he had made his unlawful
rush. If the bird had been very active, it would have been far better
to have fired at it a second time (while it was running), than to
have incurred the risk of making your dog unsteady by a wild pursuit.
Suppose that it was not winged, but rose again on your approaching it,
and fluttered off,--a hard trial for the young dog,--you must, however,
have made him bear it, and obey your loud command to "drop,"--you would
(or should) have taken another shot, and have proceeded in exactly the
same manner as if this had been your first find (265, 266).
[Page Header: BIRD RUN TO LEEWARD.]
309. As the wounded bird was to windward of the dog, the course to
follow was obvious,--it was plain sailing; but the case would have
varied greatly if the dog had been to windward. Had you pursued the
usual plan, he must have roaded the bird by the "foot;" and the danger
is, that in allowing him to do so you may create in him the evil habit
of hunting with his nose close to the ground, which is above all things
to be deprecated. You have another mode--you can "lift" the dog (I
suppose you know the meaning of that hunting term), and make him take
a large circuit, and so head the bird, and then proceed as if it had
fallen to windward.
[Page Header: PERSEVERE IN SEEKING.]
310. The latter plan would avoid all risk of your making him a
potterer, and it is, I think, to be recommended if you find him
naturally inclined to hunt low. But the former method, as a lesson in
"footing," must be often resorted to, that he may learn unhesitatingly
to distinguish the "heel" from the "toe," and how to push an old
cock-grouse, or to flush a pheasant running through cover, or the
red-legged, I was nearly saying, the everlasting-legged partridge;[56]
and, indeed, generally, how to draw upon his birds, and with confidence
lead you to a shot when they are upon the move and running down wind.
(See end of 115; and for further directions, and for "seeking dead"
with two dogs, look at 544). The heavy Spanish pointer, from his
plodding perseverance and great olfactory powers, was an excellent hand
at retrieving a slightly injured bird on a broiling, bad scenting day.
311. When I advised you (266) to let the dog "have plenty of time to
make out the bird," I spoke from personal experience, and from a vivid
recollection of errors committed in my novitiate. A young hand is
too apt to imagine that every bird which falls to his gun is killed
outright, and lying dead on the spot where it fell. He will, therefore,
often impatiently, and most injudiciously, call away the dog who, at a
little distance, may have hit off the trail of the winged bird, and be
"footing" it beautifully.
312. If in these lessons you should fail in obtaining one or two
wounded birds, though it might not be a matter of any moment to
yourself personally, it would be extremely vexatious on the dog's
account, because, in this early stage of his education, it would tend
to discourage him. The feeling which you must anxiously foster in him
is this, that after the word "Find"[57] the search must never be
relinquished, even though he be constrained to hunt from morning till
night. And it is clear that to make an abiding, valuable impression,
this lesson must be inculcated on the several first occasions with
unremitting, untiring diligence.
[Page Header: ALLOW HIM TO "NOSE."]
313. Persevere, therefore, for an hour, rather than give up a wounded
bird. Join in the search yourself. Even if you see where it lies, do
not pick it up hastily. On the contrary, leave it, but mark well the
spot. Keep on the move. Hold your gun as if in expectation of a rise.
Pretend to seek for the bird in every direction, even for a good half
hour, if you can encourage your dog to hunt so long. If, indeed, you
see him flag, and get wearied and dispirited, gradually bring him
close, but to leeward of the spot where the bird lies, in order to make
him "point dead," and be rewarded for all his diligence by finding
it himself. Let him, also, have a good sniff at it and nose it (but
let there be no biting or mouthing), before you put it into the bag.
Otherwise, what return has he for the pains he has taken?
[Page Header: SEARCH FOR HOURS.]
314. It is no conclusive argument against the practice of allowing
him to "nose," that many first-rate dogs have never been so indulged.
It is certain that they would not have been worse if they had; and
many a dog, that would otherwise have been extremely slack, has been
incited to hunt with eagerness from having been so rewarded. There
are dogs who, from having been constantly denied all "touseling,"
will not even give themselves the trouble of searching for any bird
which they have _seen_ knocked over, much less think of pointing it.
They seem satisfied with this ocular evidence of its death; for,
odd to say, these very dogs will often zealously obey the order to
hunt for any bird whose fall they have not noticed; but in winding
it they will indulge in no more than a passing sniff,--which sniff,
unless you are watchful, you may not observe, and so lose your bird.
Never fail, therefore, to let your pupil ruffle the feathers[58] a
little, while you bestow on him a caress or a kind word of approbation.
You then incite to perseverance, by, even with dogs, a very abiding
motive,--"self-interest;" but mind the important rule, that this
"nosing" be only _when_ the bird is in your possession, not _before_ it
is in your possession. If you wish to establish for ever a confirmed
perseverance in "seeking dead," you must sacrifice _hours_ (I say it
seriously) rather than give up any of the first wounded birds. Be
persuaded that every half hour spent in an unremitting search for
_one_ bird, if ultimately successful, will more benefit the young dog
than your killing a _dozen_ to him, should you bag them the moment
you are reloaded. Of course you would not, when you are giving such a
lesson in perseverance, fire at another bird, even if it sprang at your
feet,--for your doing so, whether you missed or killed, would unsettle
the young dog, and make him relinquish his search. Be stimulated
to present exertion by the conviction that if he be not _now_ well
instructed, you must expect him to lose, season after season, nearly
every bird only slightly disabled by a merely tipped wing.
315. I casually asked Mr. H----h what kind of sport he had had in
Aberdeenshire with Sir W----m F----n. He replied, "The pleasantest
imaginable. One day we killed forty-six brace, and bagged every
feather. Indeed, F----n never loses a bird. I have actually known him,
when his dogs were young, spend a full half hour in hunting for a dead
bird; nothing would induce him to give up. The consequence is, that
_now_ he never loses one by any chance. He broke in the dogs entirely
himself:--he would seldom allow his keeper to say a word to them. He
was always very patient; and he is well rewarded for his trouble." Why
not take the same trouble and obtain a like reward? This was _true_
sport! What battue-shooting could compare with it?
[Page Header: LOAD BEFORE YOU BAG.]
316. I hope you will not say, as would most of our neighbours[59] on
the other side of the Channel: "But if, instead of waiting to load, I
had gone after the winged bird just as it fell, when first I saw it
start off running, the evil you have now spoken of (312) could not
have occurred, for there would have but been little risk of losing
it." Probably not, but you would have almost ruined your dog; and to
secure this one bird, in all likelihood you would subsequently lose
a hundred.[60] How could you with justice blame him if, when next
you killed, he rushed headlong after the bird (instead of dropping
patiently to the "down charge"), and so sprung a dozen birds while you
were unloaded?
317. Perhaps you will say, "You tell me to fire at a running bird, but
when a winged cock-pheasant or red-legged partridge is racing off _out
of shot_, how am I to get it, if I proceed in the slow, methodical
manner you advise? May it not lead me an unsuccessful dance for an
hour, if I do not allow the dog to start ahead and seize?" It may, (but
I hope months will pass before you witness such agility); and this
shows that those who do not employ a retriever, and yet are sticklers
for a setter's (or pointer's) never being permitted to touch a feather,
must on such occasions get into a dilemma; and, unless they are willing
to lose the bird, must plead guilty to the inconsistency of being
pleased--however loudly they may roar out "Toho," "ware dead,"--when
they see their dog, in defiance of all such calls, disable it by a
sudden grip. This plan, though frequently followed, cannot be correct.
They blame the dog for doing what they really wish, and if he be too
tender-mouthed to injure the bird, he keeps them at top speed, while
he is alternately picking up the unfortunate creature, acting on his
natural impulses,--and letting it fall on being rated. I therefore
repeat, that even if you do not wish your dog constantly to retrieve
(536), you would still act judiciously in teaching him as a puppy to
fetch (96), for then he will give chase to the winged bird, and bring
it to you _on getting the order_, instead of permitting it to escape
for a fresh _burst_, or carrying it off, as I have seen done. You thus
maintain discipline. The dog will do what you wish, in obedience to
orders,--not in opposition to orders. The sticklers for dogs never
being allowed to nose a feather, ought, unless they are willing to give
up slightly winged birds, not to shrink from the difficult task of
teaching their pupils to stop and retain with their paws (319).
[Page Header: PERSEVERANCE INSTANCED.]
318. The pertinacity with which some dogs will "seek dead" is really
surprising. A relative of mine had an English pointer which was so
devoted to hunting for "knocked-down" birds, that she was almost
unequalled in "finding," though in other respects possessed of very
ordinary qualifications. If she failed in soon winding the lost bird,
she would of her own accord make a large circuit; and if still
unsuccessful, she would indefatigably traverse the field from leeward
until some slight taint in the atmosphere intimated to her in what
direction to continue the search. When he afterwards hunted her in
Ireland, though he could not get her to point snipe, yet if he killed
one, she would exert herself to the utmost to retrieve it. Her keenness
probably in part arose from her having, as a young one, always been
indulged with a good "touseling" of the game before it was picked up.
She never wished to grip.
[Page Header: BIRD HELD BY PAW.]
319. A gentleman who was my neighbour a few seasons ago, has a very old
setter, which was also capital at "finding." "Don" used to lay his paw
upon the wounded bird, which, I fancy, afforded him such gratification
that he would zealously devote every faculty he possessed to secure
the prize. You could not teach every dog this method of detaining a
bird. If yours is one of a very docile disposition you may effect it by
always placing the dead or wounded bird for a minute or two under his
paw before you deposit it in the bag.
320. An officer of the Navy, Mr. W----b, of Southsea, once possessed
a true Blenheim--naturally a tender breed--that, from having been
injudiciously thrown into the water when young (see 104), had taken
such a dislike to the element, that although she was extremely attached
to her master, and always anxious to be with him, especially when he
shouldered his gun, yet the moment she saw him appear with a towel in
hand (feeling assured he purposed bathing), she would bolt off, and
allow nothing to persuade her to accompany him. Now, great as was her
abhorrence of a cold bath, yet her gratification in retrieving so far
outweighed every other feeling, that for the moment it overcame her
aversion to a plunge, and whenever Mr. W----b shot a duck she would
dash in to bring it on shore. She would carefully deposit it at the
edge of the bank, but not carry it a step further. "Rose" had secured
it, and that was the extent of her wishes.
321. We have only spoken of instances 266, 307, 309, in which all
has gone on smoothly, the dog most obediently dropping to shot
and permitting _you_ to take up the bird notwithstanding the poor
creature's death-struggles. Suppose, however, and this may probably
happen, that he does not restrain himself at the "down charge," but,
in spite of all your calls and signals, rushes forward, yet yields to
your menaces and halts in mid-career. It is well--your course is clear;
you have to lug him back, and threaten, and lecture him. But should he
not check himself until he sniffs the game, his stop then becomes a
"point;" and if he is of a timid disposition, or has ever evinced any
disposition to blink, you dare not force him to retrace his steps, lest
he should mistake your motives, and fancy himself encouraged to abandon
his point. If you merely make him "down charge," you violate the axiom
named in 359. In short, you are in a difficulty. It is a nice case, in
which your own judgment of the dog's character can alone decide you.
[Page Header: BIRD SEIZED.]
322. But, if from inadequate initiatory instruction--for I will
maintain that such marked rebellion can arise from no other cause--in
the excitement of the moment he actually rushes in and seizes the bird,
he must be punished, I am sorry to say it; but however much we may
deplore it, _he must_; for he has been guilty of great disobedience,
and he well knows that he has been disobedient. But the temptation
was strong, perhaps too strong for canine nature,--that is to say,
for canine nature not early taught obedience. The wounded bird was
fluttering within sight and hearing:--it was, too, the first he had
ever seen,--and this is almost his first glaring act of disobedience:
be merciful, though firm. Make him "drop." Get up to him at once.
Probably he will relinquish his grip of the bird; if not, make him give
it up to you, but do not pull it from him: that would only increase the
temptation to tear it. Lay it on the ground. Then drag him back to the
spot from which he rushed; there make him lie down. Rate him. Call out
"Toho."[61] Crack the whip over him--and, I am pained to add, make use
of it--but moderately, not severely. Three or four cuts will be enough,
provided he has not torn the bird; if he has, his chastisement must
be greater. Let him now have one nibble without punishment, and soon a
whole carcass will not suffice for his morning's meal. Do not strike
him across the body, but lengthwise.
[Page Header: PUNISHMENT HOW ADMINISTERED.]
323. An ill-tempered dog might attempt to bite you. Prevent the
possibility of his succeeding, by grasping and twisting his collar
with your left hand, still keeping him at the "down." Consider coolly
whether you are flagellating a thick-coated dog, or one with a skin not
much coarser than your own. Pause between each cut; and that he may
comprehend why he is punished, call out several times, but not loudly,
"Toho--bad--toho," and crack your whip. Let your last strokes be milder
and milder, until they fall in the gentlest manner--a manner more
calculated to awaken reflection than give pain. When the chastisement
is over, stand close in front of him, the better to awe him, and
prevent his thinking of bolting. Put the whip quietly into your pocket,
but still remain where you are, occasionally rating him and scolding
him while you are loading; gradually, however, becoming milder in
manner, that he may be sensible that, though your dissatisfaction at
his conduct continues, his punishment is over (342 to 347). Indeed, if
you have any fear of his becoming too timid, you may at length fondle
him a little, provided that while you so re-encourage him, you continue
to say "Toho--toho," most impressively--then, giving him the wind, go
up together to the bird, and make him "point dead" close to it. Take it
up, and let him fumble the feathers before you loop it on the bag.
[Page Header: PART GOOD FRIENDS.]
324. Never let a dog whom you have been forced to chastise bolt or
creep away until you order him. If he is ever allowed to move off at
_his_ wish, he will improve upon the idea, and on the next occasion
will far too soon anticipate _yours_. And do not send him off, until he
has given some evidence of having forgiven you, and of his desire to be
reconciled, by crawling towards you, for instance, or wagging his tail.
On no occasion--under circumstances of ever such great provocation--be
so weak or irritable (but I hope you do not need the warning) as to
give him a kick or a blow when he is going off. He ought to have stood
with reassured confidence alongside of you, for perhaps a minute or so,
before you sanctioned his departure; and the severer his punishment the
longer should have been the detention. You are always to part tolerable
friends, while he feels perfectly convinced that his chastisement is
over. If you do not, you may find it rather difficult to catch him when
he commits another fault. It will be owing to your own injudiciousness
if he ever become afraid of approaching you after making a blunder.
Should he be so, sit down. He will gradually draw near you; then
quietly put your hand on his collar.
325. If a man cannot readily get hold of any dog under his tuition whom
he desires to rate or punish, you may be certain that he fails either
in temper or judgment; perhaps in both. He may be an excellent man, but
he cannot be a good dog-breaker. There are men who get quite enraged
at a dog's not coming instantly to "heel" on being called. When at
length the poor brute does come within reach, he gets a blow, perhaps
a licking--a blow or licking, he has the sense to see he should have
longer avoided had he stayed longer away. Thus the punishment increases
instead of remedying the evil.
[Page Header: PROOF BEFORE PUNISHMENT.]
326. Never correct or even rate a dog, in the mere _belief_ that he is
in error; be first _convinced_ of his guilt. If you have good reason
to suspect that, unseen by you, he has wilfully sprung birds, still
rather give him an earnest caution than any severer rebuke. It is not
easy to repair the mischief occasioned by unjust punishment. When from
his sheepish look, or any other cause, you imagine that he has raised
game, either through heedlessness, or from their being unusually wild,
be sure to give him a short lecture, and accompany him to the haunt. A
lingering bird may occasionally reward you. If his manner has led you
to form an incorrect opinion, your warning can have no other effect
than to increase his caution (rarely an undesirable result); and if you
are right, the admonition is obviously most judicious.
327. Let me caution you against the too common error of punishing a
dog by pulling his ears. It has often occasioned bad canker. Some men
are of opinion that it is frequently the cause of premature deafness.
When you rate him you may lay hold of an ear and shake it, but not with
violence.
328. I would strongly recommend you always to make your young dog
"drop" for half a minute or so, when he sees a hare; or when he hears
a bird rise.[62] To effect this, stand still yourself. After a few
seconds you can either hie him on, or, which is yet better, get close
to him if you expect other birds to spring. You will thus, especially
in potatoes or turnips, often obtain shots at birds which would
have made off, had he continued to hunt, and early in the season be
frequently enabled to bag the tail-bird of a covey. This plan will
also tend to make him cautious, and prevent his getting a habit of
blundering-up birds, and cunningly pretending not to have noticed
their escape. It will also make him less inclined to chase hares and
rabbits, or rush at a falling bird.
[Page Header: LESSON IN TURNIPS.]
329. On approaching a piece of turnips, you may have heard, "Let us
couple up all the dogs excepting Old Don;" the veteran's experience
having shown him, that the only effect of his thundering through them
would be to scare every bird and make it rise out of shot. _You_, on
the contrary, when your pupil is well confirmed in his range, and has
some knowledge of his distance from game, ought to wish the other dogs
kept to "Heel" (especially when the seed has been broadcast), that
by the word "Care" and the hand slightly raised, you may instil into
him the necessary caution, and so, by judicious tuition, give him the
benefit of your own experience. Most probably you would be obliged
to employ the checkcord[63] which I presume to be always at hand
ready for occasional use. Or you might strap your shot-belt round his
throat, for it is essential that he traverse such ground slowly, and
greatly contract his range, (see 197). The several cross scents he will
encounter should afford him a valuable lesson in detecting the most
recent, and in discriminating between the "heel and toe" of a run. Be
patient,--give him time to work and consider what he is about. It is
probable that he will frequently overrun the birds on their doubling
back, and imagine that they are gone. Should he do so, bring him again
on the spot where he appeared to lose the scent. He now rushes up the
adjacent drill. "Slower, slower," signals your right arm; "go no faster
than I can walk comfortably." On the other hand, the birds may lie like
stones. Not until you have remained nearly a minute alongside of him
let him urge them to rise; and make him effect this, not by a sudden
dash, but by steadily pressing on the scent. Bear in mind, as before
warned (193), that the confidence with which he can here creep on to a
near find may lead, if he is now mismanaged, to his springing on future
occasions, from want of care, many a bird at which he ought to get you
a shot.
[Page Header: LESSON IN "GONE."]
330. If you can contrive it, let your pupil have some little experience
in the field before you give him a _real_ lesson in "Gone" (or
"Flown"). Instead of being perplexed, he will then comprehend you.
Should you, therefore, during the first few days of hunting him, see
birds make off, in lieu of taking him to the haunt (as many breakers
erroneously do), carefully keep him from the spot. You cannot let him
run riot over the reeking scent without expecting him to do the same
when next he finds; and if, in compliance with your orders, he points,
you are making a fool of him--there is nothing before him; and if he
does not fancy you as bewildered as himself, he will imagine that the
exhilarating effluvia he rejoices in is the sum total you both seek.
This advice, at first sight, may appear to contradict that given in
132 and 306; but look again, and you will find that those paragraphs
referred to peculiar cases. Should your young dog be loitering and
sniffing at a haunt which he has _seen_ birds quit, he cannot well
mistake the meaning of your calling out, "Gone, gone."
CHAPTER XII.
SHOOTING HARES. COURAGE IMPARTED.--"BACKING" TAUGHT.
331. Shooting Hares not recommended; shooting Rabbits strongly
condemned. In Note, why superior Grouse-Dog better than superior
Partridge-Dog. Dog brought from strange country always hunts to
disadvantage.--332. Put off killing Hares long as possible.--333.
Dogs not to quit faint Scent of Birds for strong Scent of
Hare.--334. Dog off after Hare; no racing after Dog; Puss gone
down wind.--335. Checkcord employed. Drive in spike on "So-ho-ing"
Hare.--336. Impropriety of Firing at Dog.--337. Hares scarce, visit
Rabbit-warren.--338. Morning, hunt where no Hares; evening, where
plentiful. Mountain-hares. In Note, how to choose, and tell age of,
Hares and Rabbits.--339. Killing Hare in its form.--340. Shooting
Bird on ground.--341. Dog taught to pursue _wounded_ Hare.--342. Whip
carried, saves punishment. Detention of Dog at crouching posture, saves
whip.--343. Pointer's revenge for detention from hunting.--344. Few
cuts, but severe ones.--345. Instance of timidity cured. Range imparted
by giving Dog feet of Partridge. In Note, sinews of thigh dragged
out.--346. Punishment, not defective Nose, causes Blinking.--347.
Courage imparted to timid Dogs.--348. Dogs expect punishment for
faults; vexed when Birds are not fired at.--349. Instance of Pointer's
not hunting keenly until punished.--350. What Dog to select to teach
yours to "Back."--351. Example has great influence.--352. Instanced
in conduct of young bitch when hunted with steady dog. In Note, Mare
teaching Colts to swim.--353. "Backing" old Dog.--354. "Finder" to
"road" to a "rise;" his intrusive companion described.--355. To
"Back" by Eye, not Nose.--356. Encourage old Dog before rating the
other.--357. "Finder" not to advance, even if _passed_ by other
Dog.--358. The "Backer" should "down charge."--359. Dog when pointing
never to "down charge;" how taught.--360. Much required in "Dove."
[Page Header: KILLING RABBITS REPROBATED.]
331. Probably you may be in a part of the country where you may wish to
kill hares to your dog's point. I will, therefore, speak about them,
though I confess I cannot do it with much enthusiasm. Ah! my English
friend, what far happier autumns we should spend could we but pass them
in the Highlands! Then we should think little about those villanous
hares (338). We should direct the whole _undivided_ faculties of our
dogs, to work out the haunt of the noble grouse.[64] As for rabbits,
I beg we may have no further acquaintance, if you ever, even in
imagination, shoot them to your young dog. Should you be betrayed into
so vile a practice, you must resign all hope of establishing in him a
confirmed systematic range. He will degenerate into a low potterer,--a
regular hedge-hunter. In turnips he will always be thinking more of
rabbits than birds. It will be soon enough to shoot the little wretches
to him when he is a venerable grandfather. The youngster's noticing
them (which he would be sure to do if you had ever killed one to him)
might frequently lead to your mis-instructing him, by earnestly
enforcing "Care" at a moment when you ought to rate him loudly with the
command "Ware" (or "No"). But to our immediate subject.
[Page Header: SHOOTING HARES.]
332. Defer as long as possible the evil day of shooting a hare over
him, that he may not get too fond (69) of such vermin--I beg pardon, I
mean game--and when you do kill one, so manage that he may not see it
put into the bag. On no account let him mouth it. You want him to love
the pursuit of feather more than of fur, that he may never be taken
off the faintest scent of birds by coming across the taint of a hare.
I therefore entreat you, during his first season, if you will shoot
hares, to fire only at those which you are likely to kill outright;
for the taint of a wounded hare is so strong that it would probably
diminish his zeal, and the sensitiveness of his nose, in searching for
a winged bird.
333. The temptation is always great to quit for a strong scent of
hare (which any coarse-nosed dog can follow), a feeble one of birds;
therefore it is a very satisfactory test of good breaking to see a dog,
when he is drawing upon birds, in no way interrupted by a hare having
just crossed before him. If you aim at such excellence, and it is
frequently attained in the Highlands, it is certain you must not shoot
hares over your youngster.
[Illustration: THE FIRST COURSE.]
[Page Header: OFF AFTER HARE.]
334. I hope that he will not see a hare before you have shot a few
birds over him. The first that springs up near him will test the
perfection to which he has attained in his initiatory lessons. Lose
not a moment. It is most essential to restrain instantaneously the
naturally strong impulse of the dog to run after four-footed game.
Halloo out "Drop" to the extent of your voice,--raise your hand,--crack
your whip,--do all you can to prevent his pursuing. Of course you
will not move an inch. Should he commence running, thunder out "No,"
"no." If, in spite of everything, he bolts after the hare, you have
nothing for it but patience. It is of no use to give yourself a fit
of asthma by following him. You have only half as many legs as he
has,--a deficiency you would do well to keep secret from him as long
as possible. Wait quietly where you are--for an hour if necessary.
You have one consolation,--puss, according to her usual custom, has
run down wind,--your dog has lost sight of her, and is, I see, with
his nose to the ground, giving himself an admirable lesson in roading
out a haunt. After a time he will come back looking rather ashamed of
himself, conscious that he did wrong in disobeying, and vexed with
himself from having more than a suspicion forced upon him, that he
cannot run so fast as the hare. When he has nearly reached you, make
him "drop." Scold him severely, saying, "Ware chase" (a command that
applies to the chase of birds as well as of hares). Pull him to the
place where he was when first he got a view of the hare,--make him
lie down,--rate him well,--call out "No," or "Hare," or "Ware chase,"
or any word you choose, provided you uniformly employ the same. Smack
the whip and punish him with it, but not so severely as you did when
we assumed that he tore the bird (end of 322). You then flogged him
for two offences: first, because he rushed in and seized the bird;
secondly, because he tore it and _tasted_ blood. If you had not
then punished him severely, you could never have expected him to be
tender-mouthed. On the next occasion he might have swallowed the bird,
feathers and all.
[Page Header: CHECKCORD.]
335. Should he persist in running after hares, you must employ the
checkcord. If you see the hare, at which he is pointing, in its form,
drive a peg firmly into the ground, and attach the cord to it, giving
him a few slack yards, so that after starting off he may be arrested
with a tremendous jerk. Fasten the line to the part of the spike close
to the ground, or he may pull it out.
336. I have known a dog to be arrested in a headlong chase by a shot
fired at him:--an act which you will think yet more reprehensible than
the previous mismanagement for which his owner apparently knew no other
remedy than this hazardous severity.
337. When you are teaching your dog to refrain from chasing hares, take
him, if you can, where they are plentiful. If they are scarce, and you
are in the neighbourhood of a rabbit-warren, visit it occasionally of
an evening. He will there get so accustomed to see the little animals
running about unpursued by either of you, that his natural anxiety
to chase fur, whether it grow on the back of hare or rabbit, will be
gradually diminished.
[Page Header: MOUNTAIN-HARES.]
338. In Scotland there are tracts of heather where one may hunt for
weeks together and not find a hare; indeed, it is commonly observed,
that hares are always scarce on those hills where grouse most abound.
In other parts they are extremely numerous. Some sportsmen in the
Highlands avail themselves of this contrasted ground, in order to break
a young dog from "chasing." They hunt him, as long as he continues
fresh, where there are no hares; and when he becomes tired, they take
him to the Lowlands, where they are plentiful. By then killing a
good many over him, and severely punishing him whenever he attempts
to follow, a cure is often effected in two or three days. In the yet
higher ranges, the mountain-hares,[65] from possessing a peculiarly
strong scent, and not running to a distance, are a severe trial to the
steadiest dog.
In the autumn they are nearly blue; in the winter white; and in some
counties are now found in marvellous quantities. The greater pains
taken of late years to destroy all kinds of vermin, has much tended
to their increase. A few seasons ago a party at Lord M----d's, in
Perthshire, killed seven hundred in one day. The plan adopted was for a
large body of men and boys to surround a hill at its base, and beating
slantingly upwards, to drive all the hares before them. The sportsmen,
who formed part of the ascending cordon, obtained many shots; but the
principal slaughter was reserved for the guns previously posted on
the top. There is, however, little sport or fun in such stationary,
wholesale butchery, beyond the excitement of competition, and not being
able to load fast enough. The doomed animals, being solely attentive to
the movements of their assailants below, come trooping upwards, and are
mostly knocked over whilst sitting on their haunches, listening to the
unusual sounds made by the approaching beaters.
339. Killing a sitting hare to your dog's point will wonderfully steady
him from chasing; but do not fire until he has remained stanch for a
considerable time. This will show him that puss is far more likely to
be bagged by _your_ firing, than by _his_ pursuing.
340. For the same object,--I mean, to make your young dog stanch,--I
would recommend your killing a few birds on the ground to his point,
were it not that you rarely have the opportunity.
[Page Header: RETRIEVING WOUNDED HARE.]
341. When you have made your dog perfectly steady from chasing, you may
(supposing you have no retriever at hand), naturally enough, inquire
how you are to teach him to follow any hare you may be so unlucky as
merely to wound. I acknowledge that the task is difficult. I would
say, at once resolve to give up every wounded hare during his first
season.[66] The following year, provided you find that he remains quite
steady, on your wounding an unfortunate wretch, encourage your dog to
pursue it by running yourself after it. When he gets hold of it, check
him if he mauls it, and take it from him as quickly as possible. As I
cannot suppose that you are anxious to slaughter every hare you see,
let the next two or three go off without a shot. This forbearance will
re-steady him, and after a while his own sagacity and nose (545) will
show him that the established usage was departed from solely, because
puss was severely struck.
[Page Header: CUTS FEW BUT SEVERE.]
342. As you wish to flog your dog as little as possible, never go
out without your whip, paradoxical as this may appear. The dog's
salutary awe of the implement which he sees in your possession, like
a horse's consciousness of your heel being armed with a spur, will
tend to keep him in order. If the dog is a keen ranger, you may much
spare the whip by making him crouch at your feet for several minutes
after he has committed a fault. The detention will be felt by him,
when he is all anxiety to be off hunting, as a severe punishment. If
he is a mettlesome, high-couraged animal, he will regard, as a yet
severer punishment, his being compelled to follow at your heels for
half-an-hour, while the other dogs are allowed the enjoyment of hunting.
343. Captain W----l, (son of the celebrated shot), was in the stubbles
in '50 with some friends, who were anxious to see how their own dogs
hunted. He, therefore, had his favourite pointer taken up and led by
an attendant. This first-rate animal, who is passionately devoted
to the sport, struggled so violently to get free, that he actually
foamed at the mouth. After a time he was uncoupled; when, instead of
hunting as usual, he raced over the field, quartering his ground most
systematically, and designedly springing all the birds. Quite useless
was every halloo and threat, whether of voice or whip;--stop he would
not, as long as there was a feather in the field. Satisfied then with
the mischief he had done, he sat down by the hedge, quietly awaiting
any punishment that might be awarded him. His master, however, feeling
persuaded that the dog had only acted from the impulse of momentary
passion, and with the intention of avenging the unusual indignity to
which he had been subjected, merely reproached him for his misconduct,
and allowed him to hunt the next field, which he did as steadily as
ever. This was somewhat similar to "Captain's" behaviour (492).
344. Excess of punishment has made many a dog of good promise a
confirmed blinker; and of far more has it quenched that keen ardour for
the sport, without which no dog can be first-rate. For this reason, if
not from more humane motives, make it a rule to give but few cuts; let
them, however, be tolerably severe. Your pupil's recollection of them,
when he hears the crack of the whip, will prevent the necessity of
their frequent repetition.
[Page Header: BIRDS' FEET GIVEN.]
345. I knew of a young fellow's purchasing a pointer of an excellent
breed from a gamekeeper for a _few shillings_ merely, as the animal had
become so timid from over-chastisement, that she not only blinked her
game, but seldom quitted the man's heels.
The lad had the good sense to treat the bitch, at all times, with the
greatest kindness; and in order to induce her to hunt, he used to break
off the feet[67] of every bird he killed, and give them to her to eat
along with the sinews. The plan succeeded so well that she eventually
became an unusually keen and fast ranger. This would be a hazardous
step to take with a dog wanted to retrieve. There are few, if any dogs
who may not be tempted by hunger to eat game. A gentleman told me,
that, to his great astonishment, he one day saw an old tender-mouthed
retriever, that he had possessed for years, deliberately swallow a
partridge. Before he could get up to the dog even the tail-feathers had
disappeared. On inquiry it turned out that, through some neglect, the
animal had not been fed.
[Page Header: CHASTISEMENT OF DOGS.]
346. Some argue that blinking arises from a defective nose, not from
punishment; but surely it is the injudicious chastisement following the
blunders caused by a bad nose that makes a dog, through fear, go to
"heel" when he winds birds. A bad nose may lead to a dog's running up
birds from not noticing them, but it cannot _naturally_ induce him to
run away from them. Possibly he may be worthless from a deficiency in
his olfactory powers; but it is hard to conceive how these powers can
be improved by a dread of doing mischief when he finds himself near
game. Some dogs that have been unduly chastised do not even betray
themselves by running to "heel," but cunningly slink away from their
birds without giving you the slightest intimation of their vicinity. I
have seen such instances. When a young dog, who has betrayed symptoms
of blinking, draws upon birds, _head_ him, if you can, before you give
him the order to "toho:" he will then have such a large circuit to
make, that he will feel the less tempted to run to your heels.
347. Obedience and intelligence are, as I have already remarked,
best secured by judicious ratings and encouragements,--scoldings
for bad conduct,--praise, caresses, and rewards for good. Never
forget, therefore, to have some delicacy in your pocket to give the
youngster whenever he may deserve it. All dogs, however, even the
most fearful, ought to be made able to bear a little punishment. If,
_unfortunately_, your dog is constitutionally timid (I cannot help
saying _unfortunately_, though so many of the sort have fine noses),
the whip must be employed with the greatest gentleness, the lash being
rather laid on the back than used, until such forbearance, and many
caresses before his dismissal, have gradually banished the animal's
alarm, and ultimately enabled you to give him a very slight beating,
on his misconducting himself, without any danger of making him blink.
By such means, odd as it may sound, you _create_ courage, and with it
give him self-confidence and range.
[Page Header: DOG JUDICIOUSLY PUNISHED.]
348. A judiciously educated dog will know as well as you do whether
or not he has earned a chastisement, and many a one is of so noble a
nature that he will not wish to avoid it if he is conscious that he
deserves it. He will become as anxious for good sport as you are, and
feel that he ought to be punished, if from his own misconduct he mars
it. Indeed, he will not have much opinion of your sagacity if you
do not then give him a sound rating, or let him have a taste of the
lash, though it matters not how slight. Clearly this feeling, which
it will be right to foster, must have arisen from his belief that you
are always conscious of his actions (383); therefore never check him
for coming towards you on his committing any unseen error. Moreover,
when he has been but a little shot to, you will find that if you
abstain from firing at a bird which through his fault he has improperly
flushed, although in its flight it affords you an excellent shot, you
will greatly vex him; and this will tend to make him more careful for
the future.
349. Mr. C----s R----n (286) had a pointer who would at once give up
hunting if he was not properly chastised on committing a fault;--but
what is far more extraordinary, and strongly shows the varied, and
occasionally _odd_ dispositions of dogs, he would never hunt keenly
until from birds rising wildly (or from some other cause) an _excuse_
arose for giving him a flogging. After receiving the punishment he
would start off in the greatest spirits, and range with uncommon ardour
and perseverance. An excuse was, however, quite indispensable; for, if
from a good-humoured desire to gratify his apparent longings he was
favoured beforehand with a thrashing, he would consider himself imposed
on, and forthwith run home.
[Page Header: BACKING TAUGHT.]
350. When, after a few weeks, you perceive that the youngster has
confidence in himself, and is likely to hunt independently, not
deferentially following the footsteps of an older companion, take out
a well broken dog with him, that you may have the opportunity of
teaching him to "back." Be careful to choose one not given to make
false points; for if he commit such mistakes, your pupil will soon
utterly disregard his pointing. Select also one who draws upon his
birds in a fine, determined attitude; not one to whose manner even
_you_ must be habituated to feel certain he is on game. Be watchful
to prevent your dog ever hunting in the wake of the other, which, in
the humility of canine youth, he probably will, unless you are on the
alert to wave him in a different direction, the moment you observe
him inclined to seek the company of his more experienced associate.
By selecting a slow old dog, you will probably diminish the wish of
the young one to follow him; for it is likely that the youngster's
eagerness will make him push on faster, and so take the lead.
351. The example for a _few_ days (but only for a few days) of a good
stanch dog who is not a hedge-hunter,--has no bad habits, and does not
require being called to,--will be advantageous to your inexperienced
animal;--as an instance:
[Page Header: GOOD EXAMPLE ADVANTAGEOUS.]
352. On one occasion, when I was abroad, I lent a favourite dog to
a young friend who had requested the services of the animal for his
kennel, not the field. I much objected to any person's shooting over
the dog except myself, particularly as it was only his second season.
Therefore, very knowingly as I thought, I sent him on a Saturday
evening, having obtained a promise that he should be returned to me
early on Monday morning--and so he was; the lad, however, had done me;
for he confessed, many months afterwards, that he could not resist the
temptation of taking out my pointer snipe-shooting on the intermediate
Sunday along with his little liver-coloured bitch;--and with a glowing
countenance he observed that he never had been so enchanted, for
his young lady seeing her fond companion drop instantly the gun was
fired, and remain immoveable until "hied on," sedulously imitated him
throughout the day. It was the making of her,--but as it was the first
time in her young life she had ever behaved steadily, there was a great
risk of my pointer's being much injured; for, alas! like poor mortals,
dogs are more prone to follow a bad example[68] than a good one. We
are, however, wandering.
[Page Header: BACKING.]
353. On the old dog's pointing, catch the eye of the young one. If
you cannot readily do so, and are not afraid of too much alarming the
birds, call to the old fellow by name, and desire him to "toho." The
order will make the young one look round, and awaken him to a suspicion
of what is going forward. Hold up your right arm,--stand still for
a minute,--and then, carrying your gun as if you were prepared
momentarily to fire, retreat, or move sideways in crab-like fashion
towards the old dog, continuing your signal to the other to remain
steady, and turning your face to him, so that he may be restrained by
the feeling that your eye is constantly fixed upon him. He will soon
remark the attitude of the old dog, and almost intuitively guess its
meaning. Should the old one draw upon his game, still the other dog
must remain stationary. If he advance but an inch, rate him. Should
he rush up (which is hardly to be expected), at him at once;--having
made him drop, catch hold of him, and drag him to the place at which
he should have backed,--there (if you judge such strong measures
necessary) peg him down until after you have had your shot and are
reloaded. If by heading the birds you can drive them towards the young
dog, do so; and aim at the one most likely to fall near him. Endeavour
to make him comprehend that any sign or word to urge on or retard the
leading dog, in no way applies to him. This he will soon understand if
he has been properly instructed with an associate in the initiatory
lesson described in (49). After you have picked up the bird let him
sniff at it.
354. It is most important that the dog which first winds birds should
be allowed to "road" them to a spring without being flurried, or in any
way interfered with by another dog. Few things are more trying to your
temper as a sportsman, than to see a self-sufficient cub, especially
when birds are wild, creep up to the old dog whom he observes
pointing at a distance, or cautiously drawing upon a covey. The young
whipper-snapper pays no attention to your most energetic signals: you
are afraid to speak lest you should alarm the birds, and before you can
catch hold of the presumptuous jackanapes, he not only steals close
to the good old dog, but actually ventures to head him; nay, possibly
dares to crawl on yet nearer to the birds in the hope of enjoying a
more intoxicating sniff.
[Page Header: POINT BY NOSE, NOT EYE.]
355. All dogs but the "finder" should stand wholly by sight,--just
the reverse of pointing. Your dog's nose ought to have nothing to do
with backing. If you permit it, he will get the abominable habit of
creeping up to his companions in the manner just described (354), when
he observes them to be winding birds; and though he may not presume to
take the lead, nay, even keep at so respectful a distance as in no way
to annoy the "finder," yet a longing to inhale the "grateful steam" (as
that good poet and capital sportsman, Somerville, terms it) will make
him constantly watch the other dogs, instead of bestowing his undivided
attention and faculties upon finding game for himself. It is quite
enough if he backs whenever you order him, or he accidentally catches
sight of another dog either "pointing" or "roading;" and the less he is
looking after his companions, the more zealously will he attend to his
own duties.
356. If you have any fears that the old dog when he is on birds will
not act steadily, should you have occasion to chide the young one, be
careful to give the old dog a word expressive of your approval, before
you commence to rate the other.
357. When your youngster is hereafter hunted in company, should he
make a point, and any intrusive companion, instead of properly backing
him, be impertinently pressing on, the youngster should not be induced
(however great may be the trial upon his patience and forbearance) to
draw one foot nearer to the game than his own knowledge of distance
tells him is correct; not even if his friend, or rather, jealous rival,
boldly assumes the front rank. Your pupil will have a right to look
to you for protection, and to expect that the rash intruder, however
young, be _at the least_ well rated.
358. It is a matter of little moment whether the "backer" attends
to the "down charge," or continues to back as long as the other dog
remains at his point. It appears, however, best, that he should "drop,"
unless he is so near that he winds the game, when he would be rather
pointing than backing (and should, consequently, behave as explained
in 274); for the fewer exceptions there are to general rules the more
readily are the rules observed.
[Page Header: IMPORTANT AXIOM.]
359. Should both dogs make separate points at the same moment,
it is clear that neither can back the other. They must act
independently--each for himself. Moreover, your firing over one
should not induce the other to "down charge," or in any way divert
his attention from his own birds. He ought to remain immoveable
as a statue. Some dogs, whose high courage has not been damped by
over-correction, will do this from their own sagacity; but to enable
you to _teach_ them to behave thus steadily, game should be plentiful.
When you are lucky enough to observe both dogs pointing at the same
time, let your fellow-sportsman (or your attendant) flush and fire at
the birds found by the older dog, while you remain stationary near
the young one, quietly but earnestly cautioning him to continue firm.
When your companion has reloaded and picked up his game (and made the
other dog "back"), let him join you and knock over the bird at which
your pupil is pointing. It will not be long before he (your young dog)
understands what is required of him, if he has been practised (as
recommended in 274) not to "down charge" when pointing unsprung birds.
In short, it may be received as an axiom, that _nothing ought to make
a dog voluntarily relinquish a point so long as he winds birds; and
nothing but the wish to continue his point should make him neglect the
"down charge" the instant he hears the near report of a gun_.
360. "Dove," (the setter spoken of in 102, who invariably stands at her
point,) on one occasion in the season of '50 dropped as usual on her
master's firing at some distance from her; but, instead of "seeking
dead" as ordered when he had reloaded, she remained immoveable at the
"down charge," although repeatedly coaxed and called to. The sportsman
thought that birds must be near, and after much perseverance, he
succeeded in _walking_ up a brace that were lying close to her. We must
allow that this was a prettily _conceived_ piece of caution on the part
of Mrs. "Dove;" but how far more usefully would she have acted had she
been taught the inferiority of the "down charge" to the _continued_
point, followed by the "road" to successive birds.
CHAPTER XIII.
HINTS TO PURCHASERS. PRICE OF DOGS.--SHEEP KILLING.
361. The "back" being taught--young Dog again hunted alone.--362.
Breakers hunt too many together. Why injudicious.--363. One hour's
Instruction alone, better than a day's in company.--364. Horse's
value little dependent on Education, Dog's greatly. Many good points
in Dog, similar to those in Horse; in Note, Frame of Pony studied.
Arab proverbs. Admirable receipt for putting hard flesh on Horse.
Hoof Ointment.--365. Hints to Dog-purchasers. Tenderness of Nose,
how judged of.--366 to 368. Instance of great superiority of Nose in
Pointer on bad scenting Day.--369. Ditto in Setter.--370. In Breeding,
Nose sought for in both parents.--371. Good Dog, like good Horse, not
suited to all countries.--372. Purchasing a Brace of Dogs, before
buying shoot over.--373. Case in Point.--374. Rushing in to "dead,"
how cured.--375. Dogs shot over "single-handed." Jealousy decreases
with intimacy. Independence and self-reliance, how imparted.--376.
Good Breeding and Breaking command good Prices.--377 to 379. Great
Sums realized at Tattersall's for thirteen highly-bred Pointers.--380.
Small sums unknown Dogs fetch.--381. Mr. C----t's Dogs half a sovereign
each.--382. Immense price given for stanch Setter.--383. Best Dogs;
summary of rules for making, concisely given. The best will make
mistakes.--384. Companionship with man makes Dog useful servant.--385.
Tweed-side Spaniel and blind man.--386. Dog that always ran riot when
out of sight.--387. Killing Sheep; cure attempted.--388. Another
plan.--389. Third attempt at Remedy.--390. Sir H----n S----d's
recipe.--391. Muzzle Dog likely to worry Sheep.--392. Killing Fowls;
the cure.
361. When your dog has been properly taught the "back," fail not to
recommence hunting him alone, if it is your object to establish a
perfect range.
362. Professional dog-breakers, I have remarked, almost invariably hunt
too many dogs together. This arises, I suppose, from the number which
they have to train; but the consequence is, that the younger dogs are
spectators rather than actors, and, instead of ranging independently in
search of game, are watching the manoeuvres of their older associates.
[Page Header: TOO MANY DOGS.]
363. A glimmering of knowledge may be picked up in this way; but no
one will argue that it is likely to create great excellence. Doubtless
the young ones will be good backers; and to the inexperienced a troop
of perhaps a dozen dogs, all in chiselled form, stanchly backing an
old leader, is a most imposing sight, but if the observer were to
accompany the whole party for a few hours, he would remark, I will
bet any money, that the same veterans would over and over again find
the birds, and that the "_perfectly_" broken young ones in the rear
would do nothing but "back" and "down charge." What can they know of
judicious quartering? Of obeying the signals of the hand? Of gradually
drawing upon the faintest token of a scent (only perceptible to a nose
carried high in the air) until they arrive at a confident point? Of
perseveringly working out the foil of a slightly winged bird, on a hot
still day, to a sure "find?" Nothing, or next to nothing,--nearly all
is to be taught; and yet the breaker will show off those raw recruits
as perfectly drilled soldiers. Would they not have had a much better
chance of really being so, if he had given a small portion of his time
each day to each? He well knows they would; but the theatrical display
would not be half so magnificent. If he had truly wished to give his
pupils a good systematic range, without a doubt he would have devoted
one hour in the field exclusively to each dog, rather than many hours
to several at once--and not have associated any together in the field
until he had gained full command over each separately. And this he
would have done (_because it would have tended to his interest_), had
he supposed that his dog's qualifications would be investigated by
judges,--by those who would insist on seeing a dog hunted singly (in
order to observe his method of ranging), or with but one companion,
before they thought of definitively purchasing.
[Page Header: GOOD QUALITIES.]
364. The good qualities of a horse being principally derived from
nature, a judge can pretty accurately discover his general capabilities
simply by a glance at his make and action;--but the good qualities
of a sportsman's dog are chiefly derived from art; consequently,
though his movements may be light and springy,--his countenance
intelligent,--his nostrils wide,--his cerebral development large,--his
forehand deep,--his ribs round and full,--his elbows well detached from
them, not tied in,--his shoulders high, and slanting backwards,--his
loins muscular and arched,--his quarters lengthy, and sinewy,--his
legs bony, and straight,--his feet small and round, pointing direct to
the front,--his tail taper to the finest point from a strong root,[69]
yet if he has been improperly shot over as a youngster he may never
be worth his keep. Therefore, though a man may in five minutes decide
upon purchasing the horse, he would act very imprudently if he ventured
upon buying the dog before he had seen him hunted;[70] unless indeed he
feels well-justified confidence in the ability of the party who broke
him in, and is also satisfied with the character, as a sportsman, of
the person who has since shot over him.
[Page Header: NOSE--HOW JUDGED OF.]
365. No dog can be worth a large sum, or should be considered
_perfectly made_, that cannot be hunted in perfect silence,--that is
not good at finding dead or wounded birds, and that is not sure to
point them when found. If in his transverse range he keep his head to
windward it is a good sign, for it evinces his consciousness that it is
in the breeze he should seek for an intimation of the vicinity of game.
As to the excellence of his nose, this can only be fully ascertained by
experience, and by comparing him in the field with other dogs; but some
opinion may be formed by observing whether on first winding game he
confidently walks up to his point with a high head, or is shuffling in
an undecided manner to the right and left (perhaps even pottering with
his nose near the ground), before he can satisfy himself respecting the
exact locality of the birds. There are favourable days when any dog can
wind game, when finding many birds will far more depend upon "range"
than nose. The surest way to test the olfactory powers of different
dogs is to take them out directly after mid-day in sultry weather, or
when a north-easterly wind has been blowing for some days. If their
condition, &c. is then alike, you may be certain that the dog who winds
most birds has the finest (or most cautious?) nose. On such a day
chance will but little assist him.
[Page Header: SETTER'S GOOD NOSE.]
366. On an extremely bad scenting day in October, 1838, a cold dry
wind blowing from the east, the Hon. F---- C----, Baron A. and Sir
F. H----, then partridge-shooting at C----n, in Staffordshire, saw a
liver-coloured pointer take every point from three setters of some
celebrity belonging to a very sporting baronet. The setters did not
make a single "set" throughout the day, but ran into the birds as if
they had been larks. The pointer's nose was, however, so good that the
party, notwithstanding the badness of the scent, bagged thirty-five
brace.
367. The keeper who brought out the setters was obliged to own, that
he could not otherwise account for the apparent singularity of their
behaviour, than by admitting the superiority of the pointer's nose;
yet, judging from the engraving, he did not carry his head well.
368. A stiffish price had been given for the dog, but I need hardly
say that it was not considered unreasonable, after the exhibition of
scenting-powers so unusual, fairly tested in the field with competitors
of established character.
369. In this instance it was a pointer that evinced singular tenderness
of nose; but in the following, a setter bore off the palm in a contest
with good pointers. Mr. Q----r, of F----w (county of Suffolk), who is
an enthusiast about shooting, three years ago took out his favourite
dog, a heavy, large-limbed, liver-coloured setter, on a cold, raw,
bad scenting day, together with a brace of pointers of high character
belonging to another Suffolk sportsman, Mr. W----s. The latter had
expressed rather a contemptuous opinion of the setter, whose appearance
was undeniably not very prepossessing; but to the gentleman's
astonishment, and perhaps somewhat to his mortification, the lumbering
dog found plenty of birds, though there was so little scent that the
vaunted pointers were nearly useless. I was told, that at that moment
Mr. Q----r would not have taken two hundred guineas for the animal.
370. What a pity it is that more pains are not taken to link in
matrimonial chains dogs of the rare excellence of nose described in
the preceding paragraph, and in 182, 204, and 289, instead of being
satisfied with marked superiority in one parent only! In a setter or
pointer sensitiveness of nose is the most valuable _natural_ quality
sought for;--correctness of range the most valuable _artificial_
quality.
[Illustration: FASHIONABLE (ENGLISH) SETTER, AND OLD-FASHIONED POINTER.
"He did not carry his head well."--Par. 367.]
371. Few horses, however good, are fitted to hunt in all countries, nor
are many dogs; and as in selecting a hunter a man ought to consider the
kind of work for which he is wanted, so ought he when he is purchasing
a dog to be influenced by the kind of country in which the animal is
to perform. A slow dog, however good, would weary your heart out on
the moors with his perpetual see-saw, ladylike canter; and a fast one,
_unless wonderfully careful_, on enclosed lands alive with game, would
severely test your self-control over tongue and temper.
372. If a purchaser be in search of a brace of dogs, assuredly he ought
not to give a large figure for them, if they do not traverse their
ground separately. What is the use of two dogs if they hunt together?
Both are engaged in doing what would be better done by one, for there
would be no undue excitement, or jealousy, or withdrawal of attention.
Not only ought a purchaser to see how dogs quarter their ground, but,
if the time of the year will permit, he should even kill a bird to
them,--for though they may once have been good, if an ignorant or
careless sportsman has shot over them but for a few days, they may be
spoiled (end of 364).
[Page Header: DOG SPOILT.]
373. At the beginning of a partridge season, I unexpectedly wanted
to purchase a dog. An old gamekeeper,--one on whose judgment I could
rely, and who, I knew, would not willingly deceive me,--saw a setter
in the field that he thought would please, and accordingly sent it to
my kennel. I greatly liked the looks of the animal. He quartered his
ground well--was obedient to the hand--carried a high and apparently
tender nose--pointed, backed, and down charged steadily. Unquestionably
he had been well broken. I thought myself in great luck, and should
not have hesitated to complete the purchase, but that fortunately I
had an opportunity of shooting a bird over him, when to my horror,
he rushed at it with the speed of a greyhound. As in spite of all my
remonstrances, shouted in the most determined manner, he repeated this
manoeuvre whenever a bird fell, I returned him. I afterwards heard he
had just been shot over by a party on the moors, who, no doubt, had
spoiled him by their ignoble, pot-hunting propensities.
[Page Header: HOW REFORMED.]
374. Had I chosen to sacrifice my shooting in order to reclaim him
(which I must have done, had I too hastily concluded the purchase), I
ought to have sent home the other dogs, and proceeded, but with greater
severity, much in the manner described in 321 and 323. I ought not,
however, to have gone after him when first he bolted; I ought merely
to have endeavoured to check him with my voice, for it would have been
most important to set him a good example by remaining immoveable
myself; he might have misconstrued any hasty advance on my part into
rivalship for possession of the bird; in short, into a repetition of
one of the many scrambles to which he had recently been accustomed,
and in which I feel sure he must invariably have come off victorious.
I ought, when loaded, to have walked calmly up to him, and, without
taking the slightest notice of the disfigured bird, have dragged him
back, while loudly rating him, to the spot where he should have "down
charged." After a good flagellation, a protracted lecture, and a long
delay, (the longer the better,) I ought to have made him cautiously
approach the bird; and by a little scolding, and by showing him the
wounds he had inflicted, have striven to make him sensible and ashamed
of his enormities. Probably, too, had the birds lain well, the moment
he pointed I should have employed the checkcord[71] with a spike,
giving him a liberal allowance of slack line (335). Had I thus treated
him throughout the day, I have little doubt but that he would have
become a reformed character; though an occasional outbreak might not
unreasonably have been expected. (See 302 to 305.)
375. If you purchase a dog who has been much shot over single-handed by
a tolerably good sportsman, you have the satisfaction of knowing that
the animal must necessarily have great self-reliance and experience.
On the other hand, you will see reason to distrust his forbearance and
temper when he is hunted with a companion. Of the usual run of dogs,
it probably would be better to purchase two which have been shot over
singly, and then associate them in the field, than to buy a brace
which had been broken in together. You would, I think, find it more
difficult to give independence to the latter, than to cure the jealousy
of the former. Jealousy in the field would, however, decrease with
their increasing intimacy in the kennel.
To create a feeling of self-dependence, obviously there is no better
plan than for a considerable time to take out the dog by himself,
and thus force him to trust for sport to his own unaided powers; and
when he is at length hunted in company, never to omit paying him the
compliment of attending to every indication he evinces of being upon
birds, even occasionally to the unfair neglect of confirmed points made
by the other dogs.
376. Confidence, however, in good breeding and breaking often induces
sportsmen to give large sums for young dogs without seeing them in the
field.
[Page Header: LARGE SUMS FOR POINTERS.]
377. In July, 1848, thirteen pointers were sold at Tattersall's, which
brought the large sum of two hundred and fifty-six guineas, though only
two of them had ever been shot over.
378. The following description of each was advertised before the sale.
I have prefixed to it the prices they severally realized. Such sums
mark how highly the public appreciate the qualifications of the breaker
who lives with Mr. Moore, of Derbyshire, and ought to stimulate others
to increased exertions.
379. To be Sold by Auction,
AT MESSRS. TATTERSALL'S,
ON MONDAY, JULY 3D, 1848,
FOURTEEN SUPERIOR BRED POINTERS.
+--------+------+--------+-----------+--------------+----------------+
|_Prices_| | | | | |
|_real-_ | | | | | |
|_ized_ |_Lot._|_Name._ | _When_ | _Sire._ | _Dam._ |
|_at the_| | | _Pupped._ | | |
|_Sale._ | | | | | |
+--------+------+--------+-----------+--------------+----------------+
| _Gns._ | | | | |{_Bloss_, by the|
| 15 | 1 | NELSON}| |{_Bounce_, own|{ late Mr. |
| | | }| Nov. 1st, |{ brother |{ Edge's _Rake_,|
| 16 | 2 | NELL }| 1846. |{ to _Bloom_. |{ out of his |
| | | | | |{_Bess_, by |
| | | | | |{ Capt. White's |
| | | | | |{_Don_out of |
| | | | | |{_Deuce_. |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |{ Rev. J. |
| | | | | |{ Cooper's |
| | | | | |{_Dido_, out of |
| 13 | 3 | DRAB | June 18th,| _Bounce_ |{ Mr. Marriott's|
| | | | 1847. | |{ Bitch by Capt.|
| | | | | |{ White's _Don_.|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |{_Mab_, by a |
| 5 | 4 | BUZZ |April 13th,| _Bounce_ |{ Dog of Major |
| | | | 1847. | |{ Bilbie's, by |
| | | | | |{ the late |
| | | | | |{ Mr.Edge's. |
| | | | | |{_Nelson_ |
| | | | | | |
| 16 | 5 | RAKE | June 11th,|{ Mr. Hurt's |{_Die_, by |
| | | | 1847. |{_Rake_, out |{_Rock_ out of |
| | | | |{ of his |{_Belle_, own |
| | | | |{_Nance_. |{ sister to |
| | | | | |{_Bloom_. |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |{_Rue_, dam |
| Dead. | 6 | DOT | May 2d, | _Bang_ |{_Bess_ out of |
| | | | 1847. | (Lot 14) |{ the late Mr. |
| | | | | |{ Edge's _Mink_.|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |{Dam by the late|
| 21 | 7 | BEN } | |{ Sir Arthur |{ Mr. Edge's |
| | | } |April 20th,|{ Clifton's |{_Rake_ out of |
| 16 | 8 | BELLE} | 1847. |{_Don_ |{_Mab_, by a son|
| | | | | |{ of Mr. Edge's |
| | | | | |{_Nelson_. |
| | | | | | |
| 17 | 9 | CZAR } | |{_Don_, by |} |
| | | } | May 8th, |{_Rap_ out of |}Bitch of |
| 17 | 10 | CRACK} | 1847. |{_Bess_, |} Sir Robert |
| | | | |{ sister to |} Wilmot's. |
| | | | |{_Bloom_ |} |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |{_Bloom_ (sold |
| 25 | 11 | SWAP } | |{ J. Newton's,|{ at the late |
| | | } | Feb. 2d, |{ Esq. _Duke_,|{ Mr.Edge's sale|
| 25 | 12 | SNAKE} | 1847. |{ by Capt. |{ for 80 |
| | | | |{ White's |{ Guineas), by |
| | | | |{ _Don_ |{_Rake_out of |
| | | | | |{_Mink_. |
| | | | | | |
| | | | |{_Rap_ (sold |} |
| | | | |{ at the late |} |
| | | | |{ Mr. Edge's |} Bitch of H. K.|
| 24 | 13 | ROCK | Two |{ sale for 53 |} Fenton's Esq. |
| | | | years old.|{ Guineas), by|} by Lord |
| | | | |{ a Dog of |} Mexborough's |
| | | | |{ Dale |}_Romp_. |
| | | | |{ Trotter's, |} |
| | | | |{ Esq. of |} |
| | | | |{ Bishop |} |
| | | | |{ Middleham |} |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |{ The late Mr. |
| | | | | |{ Edge's _Bess_,|
| | | | |{_Bounce_ |{ by Captain |
| 46 | 14 | BANG | Three |{(Sireof Lots |{ White's _Don_ |
| | | | years old.|{ 1, 2,3, |{ out of |
| ---- | | | |{ and 4) |{_Deuce_, sister|
| 256 | | | | |{ to _Die_ the |
| | | | | |{ Dam of _Rake_.|
+--------+------+--------+-----------+--------------+----------------+
THE ABOVE POINTERS ARE THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN, AND HAVE BEEN BRED
WITH THE GREATEST CARE.
*+* _The first twelve Lots are well broke, but have not been shot
over. Lots 13 and 14 have been shot over both in England and Scotland,
and are in every respect superior Pointers._
[Illustration: IRISH RED SETTER.--"Steadily pointing." Par. 382.]
[Page Header: SMALL SUMS FOR DOGS.]
380. In marked contrast to such high prices, are those often realized
at Laing's and at Wordsworth's stables, in Edinburgh, where sometimes
a batch of pointers and setters are sent for unreserved sale, of
whose previous history and education no one can tell anything, except
perhaps, the party sent by the vendor,--naturally considered a
prejudiced if not an interested witness.
381. The Mr. C----t named in 289 boasts, that he never gives more
than half a sovereign for any dog, and that he has some of the best
in Scotland. He attends at Laing's and Wordsworth's, when dogs
are advertised for sale by auction, and buys all those that are
decent-looking, and fetch no higher bid than ten shillings,--a frequent
occurrence where their characters are quite unknown. He takes his
bargains to the moors. Those that show any promise he keeps for further
trial; the rest he at once shoots, leaving their bodies unhonoured by
any other burial than the purple heather that blooms around them.
382. A red setter brought the largest price that I ever knew paid for a
dog. After mid-day he came upon a covey basking in the sun. His owner
very knowingly told the shooting party that they might go to luncheon;
that he would leave the dog, and accompany them, engaging that they
should find him still steadily pointing on their return. The promise
was faithfully redeemed by the stanch setter. One of the sportsmen
was so struck with the performance, that he could not resist buying
at a tremendous figure, and he soon regained, I believe, much of the
purchase-money from some incredulous acquaintance, by backing the
animal to perform a similar feat. It was, however, no great test of
excellence.
[Page Header: BEST DOGS.]
383. I conceive those dogs must be considered the _best_, which
procure a persevering sportsman most shots in a season, and lose
him fewest winged birds.[72] If you are anxious for your pupil to
attain this superlative excellence (I will repeat it, at the risk of
being accused of tautology), you must be at all times consistently
strict, but never severe. Make him, as much as you can, your constant
companion; you will thereby much develop his intelligence, and so
render him a more efficient assistant in the field, for he will
understand your manner better and better, and greatly increase in
affection as well as observation. Many men would like so faithful an
attendant. _Teach_ obedience at home--to _obtain_ it in the field.
Consider the instantaneous "drop," the moment he gets the signal, as
all-important,--as the very key-stone of the arch that conducts to
the glorious triumphs of due subordination. Notice every fault, and
check it by rating, but never punish with the whip unless you judge it
absolutely necessary. On the other hand, following Astley's plan (10),
reward, or at least praise, every instance of good behaviour, and you
will be surprised to find how quickly your young dog will comprehend
your wishes, and how anxious he will be to comply with them. Remember
that evil practices, unchecked until they become confirmed habits, or
any errors in training committed at the commencement of his education,
cannot be repaired afterwards without tenfold--nay, twentyfold trouble.
Never let him hunt from under your eye. Unceasingly endeavour to keep
alive in him as long as possible his belief that you are intuitively
aware, as fully when he is out of sight as within sight, of every fault
he commits, whether it arise from wilfulness or mere heedlessness.
This is a very important admonition. Remember, however, that the best
dogs will occasionally make mistakes when they are running down wind
(especially if it blows hard), and that there are days when there is
scarcely any scent. (Note to 174.)
384. I said, "Make him," (your pupil,) "as much as you can, your
constant companion." Many breakers seem not to consider, or, at least,
seem not to be sufficiently influenced by the consideration, that it is
companionship with us, _through successive generations_, which alone
has led to the dog's becoming the useful servant we find him. In his
wild state he may have as much sagacity as when domesticated; but this
he displays in a manner in no way advantageous to us;--it is shown in
the mode in which he procures his food, avoids his enemies, &c. We
hear much of the different degrees of "natural sagacity" evinced in
different breeds;--of the wonderful intelligence of collies, &c.: but
surely it is chiefly association with man that awakened that apparently
greater intelligence; or, to speak more correctly, that gave them the
greater habit of observation,--of watching their master's looks,--of
listening to his voice, &c.: whence comes their readier comprehension
of his wishes and orders--often termed sagacity.
[Page Header: BLIND MAN AND TWEED SPANIEL.]
385. When recently salmon-fishing on the upper part of the Tweed, I
occasionally met on its banks a totally blind man, and who, in spite
of this great disqualification, continued a keen and successful
trout-angler. He had been for some years entirely sightless, and was
led about by a large brown Tweed-side spaniel, of whose intelligence
wonderful stories are told. M----r travelled much round the country;
and it is certain, for he would frequently do so to show off the dog's
obedience, that on his saying (the cord being perfectly slack), "Hie
off to the Holmes," or, "Hie off to Melrose," &c., &c., the animal
would start off in the right direction without an instant's hesitation.
Now, this Tweed spaniel was not born with more brains than other
Tweed spaniels, but he was M----r's _constant_ companion, and had, in
consequence, acquired a singular facility of comprehending his orders,
and doubtless from great affection was very solicitous to please.
386. Attend most carefully to the injunction not to let your dog hunt
out of sight. It is essential that you do so.
I once possessed a pointer who behaved admirably while he was under my
eye, but who, if he could cunningly contrive to get on the other side
of rising ground, would invariably, instead of pointing, make a rush
at any game he came across,--determined, as my Irish companion used to
say, "to take his divarsion:" and it was most curious to remark how
immediately his pace would slacken, and how promptly he would resume
a cautious carriage, the moment he perceived I again had the power of
observing him. His proceedings displayed so much sagacity, that though
I was extremely vexed, I could hardly find it in my heart to punish him
as he deserved.
[Page Header: KILLING SHEEP.]
387. Notwithstanding Beckford's capital story of the hounds making a
dinner of the old ram which his lordship had left in their kennel to
intimidate them, if your dog be unhappily too fond of mutton or lamb of
his own killing, perhaps no better cure can be _attempted_, provided
you superintend the operation, than that of muzzling him, and letting
a strong ram give him a butting at the time that you are administering
the lash, and hallooing out "Ware" or "Sheep." But, unfortunately, this
too often fails.
388. If you do not succeed, you must hang or drown him, (the latter
is probably the less painful death, but a charge of shot well lodged
behind the ear in the direction of the brain would be yet better.)
Therefore you will not mind giving him another chance for his life,
though confessedly the measure proposed is most barbarous. Procure
an ash-pole about five feet long. Tie one extremity of the pole to a
strong ram, by the part of the horns near the forehead. To the opposite
extremity of the pole attach a strong spiked collar, and strap it round
the dog's throat, to the audible tune of "Ware" or "Sheep." (To prevent
the possibility of the cord slipping, through each end of the pole burn
a hole.) The continued efforts of the ram for some hours either to free
himself from his strange companion, or to attack him, will possibly
so worry and punish the dog as to give him a distaste ever afterwards
for anything of a woolly nature. The pole will so effectually separate
these unwilling (but still too intimate) associates, that you need not
muzzle the dog.
[Page Header: CURE ATTEMPTED.]
389. There is yet another remedy, which I will name as it sounds
reasonable, though I cannot speak of its merits from personal
observation, never having seen it tried.
Wrap a narrow strip of sheep-skin, that has much wool on it, round the
dog's lower jaw, the wool outwards, and fasten it so that he cannot
get rid of it. Put this on him for a few hours daily, and there is a
chance that he will become as thoroughly disgusted, as even you could
wish, with every animal of the race whose coat furnished such odious
mouthfuls; but prevention being better than cure, pay great attention
to your dog's morals during the lambing season. Dogs not led away by
evil companionship rarely commence their depredations upon sober,
full-grown sheep. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred,[73] they
have previously yielded to the great temptation of running down some
frisking lamb, whose animated gambols seemed to court pursuit.[74]
[Page Header: THE ADMIRAL'S PLAN.]
390. A full admiral (Sir H----n S----d), as well known in the field as
in the ballroom, and whose exhilarating society is coveted alike by
young and old, had many years ago a valuable retriever named "Lion,"
bred between a setter and a Newfoundland, fast and high-couraged, but
which had not been properly trained.
His condemnation had been pronounced by his owner, the late Sir J----s
D----n H----y, in the hearing of the admiral, who at once asked for and
obtained the dog. Sir J----s' keeper (P----n) had put a ring upon one
of the animal's fore-feet to prevent his travelling too fast. This the
admiral immediately removed, and by making "Lion" his companion, and
feeding him himself, he soon brought him into tolerable obedience, but
he had the vexation of finding that the retriever always showed a great
longing to chase sheep, and more than once had pulled one down in spite
of all threats and admonitions.
One fine summer's morning the cheery admiral, who is an excellent
piscator, had started at sunrise across the moors to fish a distant
loch. "Lion" quietly followed behind the dog-cart, but on getting sight
of some sheep he started off and overturned one.
The admiral hurried up in time to save its life. Although alone,
he managed to tie its legs securely together. Ditto "Lion's," and
then he laid the two helpless animals nearly side by side. With his
driving-whip he belaboured "Lion" most severely, endeavouring to
make him comprehend why he was punished, and in the intervals of the
flagellation caressing the poor sheep.
This occurred about 6 A.M. and the admiral did not return to his
captives until the same hour in the evening. After repeating his
powerful admonitions he released both the animals, determined to give
up the dog as incorrigible should he ever repeat the offence,--but
he never did. He turned out an admirable retriever, and a faithful,
attached friend. He seemed ever after ashamed to look a sheep in the
face. On catching sight of one, he would slink to heel.
Be assured that the _truly_ gallant admiral's is an excellent recipe
for giving a dog a higher relish for cooked than for uncooked mutton.
391. If ever you have fears that you may be unable to prevent a dog's
breaking away to worry sheep, hunt him in a muzzle[75] of a size that
will not interfere with his breathing, and yet effectually prevent the
wide extension of his jaws.
[Page Header: KILLING FOWLS.]
392. The killing of fowls is more easily prevented. The temptation,
though equally frequent, is not so great--he will only have tasted
blood, not revelled in it. Take a dead fowl--one of his recent victims
if you can procure it,--and endeavour, by pointing to it, while you
are scolding him, to make him aware of the cause of your displeasure.
Then secure him to a post, and thrash him about the head with the bird,
occasionally favouring his hide with sundry applications of a whip, and
his ears with frequent repetitions of the scaring admonition, "Ware
fowl," "Fowl--fowl--fowl." Whenever you afterwards catch him watching
poultry, be sure to rate him.
CHAPTER XIV.
A REST BEYOND "HALF-WAY HOUSE." ANECDOTES OF DOGS ON SERVICE AT HOME.
393. A Halt sounded; present Position considered; Refinements or extra
Accomplishments easily taught.--394. Excellent Snipe-shot who never
used Dog.--395. Dog employed by another.--398. Which Sportsman had the
best of it.--399. Squire O----n's and Mr. C----d's Match.--396. Snipe
killed off.--397. Woodcocks become attached to undisturbed Covers;
Mr. S----t's.--400. Partridges cut off from Place of Refuge.--401.
Turnip-Field ridden round.--402. After Wind and Rain, hunt driest
places; late in season, beat uncultivated lands.--403. In hot weather,
give marked birds time to run.--404. Advantage of killing Old Birds;
protects young Breeders.--405 to 407. Old Hen-Pheasants shot: case in
point; in Note, Pheasants reared under barn-door hen require meat; so
do Fowls. Cantelo's method. Pheasantries, Mr. Knox. (See Appendix).
Oak-bark a tonic. Cross with China Pheasant.--408. Sportsmen urged to
break in their own Dogs.--409. Shooting conducive to Health.--410, 411.
Mr. W----n and the old crippled Scotch Sportsman.--412. Instructing
Dogs improves temper; not an ungentlemanly recreation.--413.
"Beckford's" opinion.--414. "Munito" selecting cards.--415.
Shepherds' Dogs in France.--416. Collie Dogs.--417. "Fairy" ringing
bell.--418, 419. "Médor's" fetching house-keys. Installed as their
keeper.--420. "Sultan's" keeping the key in his larder.--421. Mr.
A----n's "Taffy" knowing by name every member of family.--422. "Taffy"
proves himself a first-rate Watch-Dog.--423. "Taffy" understands why
he is borrowed.--424. "Taffy" an able Poacher.--425. "Taffy" being
insulted bides his time to avenge the affront.--426. "Taffy" "turns
the tables" upon workman who tries to impose upon him.--427. "Taffy"
purloins for his master when ordered.--428. "Taffy" betrayed into
momentary weakness purloins for himself.--429. "Taffy's" birth and
education revealed; but his parentage a mystery.--430. "Taffy's" dam
shipwrecked on the Needles.--431. Jesse's opinion of Dogs; in Note,
Lord Brougham's--cunning of Fox--of Dog--of Monkey.--432. Exhibition
of jealousy.--433. Lost Child fed by Dog.--434. "Philax" and "Brac"
playing Dominos.--435 to 441. Showman's Dogs in Paris. Tricks with
Cards and Numbers. Fortune-telling. Playing Dominos.--442. How assisted
by Showman.--443. Our attention to be confined to Sporting Dogs.
393. We have now arrived at a good halting-station, far beyond the
half-way house; for any dog educated as I have described may fairly
be considered well broken. Shall we here part company, or will you
proceed with me to what I termed "refinements" in breaking? I did so,
as I mentioned at the time, in deference to general opinion, for many
would call it superfluous breaking. It may be--but the additional
excellence is easily attainable by perseverance in the system which
I have detailed, and but little extension of it. Why then should we
not strive to reach it? It must, however, be granted that so finished
an education is not absolutely necessary, for many killing dogs never
attain it: indeed, many good sportsmen have never witnessed it. And
this is probably the reason why such a number abjure the aid of a dog
in snipe-shooting.
[Page Header: REFINEMENTS.--SNIPE SHOT.]