Victorian London - Publications - Etiquette and Household Advice Manuals - Cassells Household Guide, New and Revised Edition (4 Vol.) c.1880s [no date] - The Rearing and Management of Children

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Victorian London - Publications - Etiquette and Household Advice Manuals - Cassells Household Guide, New and Revised Edition (4 Vol.) c.1880s [no date] - The Dog (1) - Original and Principal Varieties - (2) - (3)

IT is impossible now to determine with certainty the origin of the dog. It seems generally agreed (there are a few exceptions) that all the varieties now known have had some common ancestor; but about the character of that ancestry very different opinions prevail. Perhaps the most popular view amongst naturalists is that which considers the wolf as the original type; and there certainly are strong reasons to be urged for the belief, absurd as at first sight it may seem. That the wolf and the dog will breed together, and that the progeny is fertile, has often been proved; and Arctic travellers have again and again remarked that the Esquimaux dog and the wolf can hardly be distinguished. In his account of the well-known expedition led by him in search of Sir John Franklin, Dr. Kane relates that on one occasion a wolf was reported at the meat-house, that he went out to shoot it, and shot -"one of our dogs. I could have sworn he was a wolf." Many of them have all a wolf's ferocity; and Hayes, in his "Arctic Boat Journey," gives a thrilling narrative of his narrow escape from being devoured alive by them. Having on one occasion, when they were hungry, incautiously come near them with nothing in his hand, they lost their instinctive feeling of dread, and he only saved his life by providentially perceiving one of the dreaded Esquimaux whips a few feet distant, before which the gaunt animals retreated. He also relates how, at Proven, where many of these dogs were kept, the grandson of the governor was actually devoured by them before his mother's eyes, while walking from one house to another only twenty yards distant.
Most of these Arctic dogs have lost the wag of the tail when pleased, which is so distinct a peculiarity of the dog family; but some of the finest individuals retain it, and, in fact, in some part of the world or other it is indisputable that almost every conceivable gradation between the dog and the wolf may be found, both in zoological character and mental disposition. We cannot therefore deny, as some have done, that the wolf may have been developed into the dog; and yet we think there are still stronger reasons for holding the contrary opinion - reasons which cold science little considers, but which really ought to have as much weight as those which she herself relies upon.
The wolf has been bred in captivity for four generations, with scarcely any abatement in its ferocity and wildness of character. Now men do not take a great amount of trouble for no return; and is it likely that the earlier races of men would or could have had such faith in the ultimate reward as to persevere age after age in the attempt to reclaim the untamable beast? Such questions may be unscientific, but they are reasonable; and there is another case which bears so strong an analogy, that we cannot forbear quoting it in point. There is not, and, [-12-] back to the farthest period which we can trace, there has not been, a wild camel on the face of the earth it is only known in its subjection to man's use. Further it is wonderfully adapted to his use, and it has on its knees callosities which fit it for the constant kneeling down which is required to receive the burden or the rider but which, in a state of nature, it would never require. Well the reader may think, there seems nothing strange in this; we all know how constant use will harden our own bodies, as is proved by the horny hand of the mechanic Yes, this is true; but while the hand of the mechanic s infant is soft and delicate as that of the imperial prince's, it is not so with the callosities on the knees of the camel: the young camel is born with them and to those who are not too proud to receive it, the conclusion seems irresistible, that the animal was created by a gracious Providence expressly for the use of man And when we consider the matchless sagacity of the dog his bodily strength and power of attack, which make him so formidable, but combined with that marvellous affection and disposition to obedience, which put all at the service of the human race, we find it far easier to believe that he also was received at the hand of a

Creator, than that man, in the course of a century or two, made him out of a wolf! and that if the two be identical, it is more likely that the wolf is a feral dog, than that our faithful guardians are wolves reclaimed. The plan which we propose to pursue in these papers is, first to describe the different varieties of dogs, noticing their special peculiarities and the use for which each is best fitted, and pointing out clearly what are the "points" to be specially attended to in the choice of an animal of each individual species. We shall then proceed to give instructions as to their rearing and feeding, both as regards the sort of food to be given, and the system of giving it, as there can be no doubt that information on these subjects is very much needed; and we shall also describe fully what have been found to be the best methods of "breaking" dogs and training them for the special purposes for which they may be intended.
    And first must be named the terriers as being a class of universally popular dogs, while the hereditary enmity of the whole race to vermin makes them very useful. They all share this feeling, but while the smooth English terrier will always pursue a flying rat, he often declines a real fight. This is not, however, the case with well-bred dogs, which, as an old rat-catcher said, "never die in debt."
    The smooth English terrier is most prized when pure white, or black and tan. The muzzle is fine and sharp, with a " foxy" look about it, the eye bright and sparkling with intelligence, the ears nicely rounded, and well falling over - we hate to see them cropped or the tail cut The tail is fine, the limbs graceful but muscular, and the whole animal "tight" and well made
    The black and tan smooth terrier is often bred very small under the name of the "toy terrier, and some animals have fetched extraordinary prices. We cannot say we admire these little beasts. They are excessively delicate, and difficult to rear, often having not even strength to "grow their own hair" till nearly at maturity, and consequently growing up in a state of miserable nudity it is painful to witness.
    The Scotch or rough terrier is a hardier animal, and the hair makes the body and muzzle appear of very different shape, but if this be put back, the muzzle, as in all the varieties, will be found fine, though the dog is rather more robustly made altogether. This breed is not quite so lively as the preceding, but it is of great and dauntless courage.
    The broken-haired terrier is mid-way between the two, the coat being moderately long, and of hard, wiry texture, yet close to the body. This is a splendid vermin dog.
    The Skye is well known as the longest in proportion and hairiest of all dogs. He is always kept as a pet, though possessing a good share, when well bred, of the courage of his race. The delicate, white, woolly-coated dogs, often called Skyes, are nothing but mongrels, the coat of the true Skye being always of a hairy character. This species is more or less good at vermin, though his long hair hindering his sight, gives him less chance than other dogs. Our illustration shows a specimen of this variety of dog.
    There is a Scotch breed known as the "Dandie Dinmont," celebrated by Sir Walter Scott, which somewhat resembles the Skye in length of body, but has a shorter coat, and the legs are without "feather," while the Skye is covered to the toes. It has the squarest muzzle of all the terriers, and is also characterised by a downward curve in the middle of the back. This terrier, as described by Sir Walter, is perhaps the "gamest" of the lot, and certain death to anything "that ever cam wi' a hairy skin on't."
    All the terriers are good-tempered, faithful, companionable dogs, and from their "wide-awake" qualities, very serviceable to awake a larger, but more sleepy animal.
    The bull-terrier is a larger and more powerful dog, obtained by crossing the bull-dog with the old English [-13-] terrier. When there s too much bull blood, or the animal is carelessly bred, the temper is apt to be ferocious and quarrelsome. Such a dog is absolutely worthless and highly dangerous from his great power. But well bred animals are generally good-tempered, civil, and obedient, and as vermin dogs, have no equal. The jaws should show great power from the bull-dog blood, but the loins and back are also strong, and the general shape very nearly approaching that of the smooth terrier, but rather more massive.
    Where a large dog cannot be kept or is not desirable, the bull-terrier is a splendid watch dog, or protector for a lady, provided his disposition be trustworthy, a point which is easily ascertained. His fidelity and courage cannot be surpassed. The illustration given of the bull- terrier is taken from a very finely-formed and well-bred specimen of this variety.
    The poodle is par excellence the "clever dog." Nearly all the learned dogs which know the alphabet, or play dominoes, &c., are French poodles. Everywhere this breed shows an extraordinary aptitude for learning tricks, and hence is a great favourite with children. Their affection and fidelity are also exemplary.

NEXT in point of general interest to those varieties of dogs which we described in the previous paper, come those larger animals which, on account of their strength and courage, man allies to himself as the protectors of his property or his person. Of these the most important is undoubtedly the English mastiff one of the finest and most powerful of all the many varieties of dogs. This breed is probably that which was so eagerly sought by the ancient Romans for combat in the circus, and was then known as the most powerful fighting dog in the world. William Edwardes relates that in 1615 an English mastiff killed a tiger in India in single combat; but it is not certain whether the modern mastiff is of quite such colossal strength as these ancient animals. Still, he is a grand dog. The height to the shoulder should be from twenty-six to thirty inches (some reach thirty-four inches) ; all the limbs sturdy and strong. The head is massive, with a noble forehead; eyes rather small and mild; ears small and pendant; muzzle broad and square; chest broad and capacious; and body very large, with powerful loins; tail fine, and reaching rather below the hocks. The handsomest colour is fawn, or dark buff, with a rich black muzzle; but very handsome dogs all black are sometimes met with; brindled and red dogs also occur; but white does not as a rule look well, and is little valued.
The character of the mastiff generally is truly noble. Indeed, he is said to be the only dog from which even his master dare take away a bone. Calm and quiet to all, he takes pleasure in the rough gambols of children, and an infant of a few months old may be fearlessly cradled in his colossal limbs. But let him be set at any living thing, or let danger assail those he loves, or even let him see violence attempted to be done, and all his fearful strength is exerted with a courage that even the bull-dog cannot exceed. What the lion is among wild beasts, the mastiff is among dogs-the strongest, noblest, most dignified: and what the lion is not, the gentlest of them all.

The Bull-dog was probably bred from the mastiff originally, and the old and powerful breed is extinct. The modern bull-dog is a highly artificial animal, the very shape of the skull being obviously the result of art; the jaw is under-hung (the lower jaw projecting), the forehead [-61-] flat and high, and deeply sunk between the eyes, and the muzzle turning upwards, yet broad and deep, so as to cover the teeth. The chest is deep and full, and forelegs powerful, this part of the dog showing the mastiff character ; but the loins are often weak, the dog's strength being chiefly in the neck, fore-legs, and jaws. The colour varies greatly, white being most fashionable, and so does the weight, which maybe anything from fourteen to sixty pounds. The character of the bulldog is uncertain ; some are very intelligent and peaceable, others are uniformly surly. Many are apt to be friendly with all unless something sudden occurs, when they will attack without the slightest warning. Hence, although they are generally inoffensive, unless the temper be known as trustworthy, they are dangerous dogs. But whatever the disposition be, the purebred bull-dog always shows the following characters: he always flies straight at the head of man or beast, and at no other part; he attacks without a sound or warning, and will remain mute if beaten to death; and he never lets go till killed or made insensible. It is singular that the slightest cross of alien blood makes the point of attack uncertain Though the bull-terrier, for instance, may be of equal courage, he will fly at the legs as well as the head - the true bull-dog never.

    The Bloodhound is now somewhat rare. A good dog stands about twenty-eight inches at the shoulder, and is a muscular animal, but not nearly so massive as the mastiff. The ears are large and pendulous. It is unnecessary to remark on the exquisite power of scent possessed by this breed. The aspect of the animal is generally quiet and very sagacious, and the disposition gentle if not roused.
    The St. Bernard dog is apparently derived from the bloodhound. The breed has several times been on the point of extinction, being kept up in very few hands, and it is much to be regretted it is not more extensively propagated. The St. Bernard is a really magnificent animal. The colour is generally orange or tawny, getting lighter or even white on the belly, and what are considered by the monks the best specimens have a white collar round the neck, and a white streak down the poll; but many of the finest dogs have little or no white about them.
    The head of the St. Bernard is not unlike in expression to the Newfoundland, but there is rather a deep furrow between the eyes. The limbs are of immense size, and the whole animal colossal in his proportions, being especially powerful about the loins. This gives to the breed what is, perhaps, its strongest characteristic - a slinging gait, or walk, like that of the lion. Indeed, this peculiarity, combined with the size and colour, make the resemblance between a lioness and this dog very strong. Some uncertainty exists amongst naturalists as to the ideal type of this particular species. The original St. Bernard breed is stated to have died out some forty years ago. That which we have described is the kind now kept by the monks of St. Bernard.
    The Newfoundland is, perhaps, the most popular breed of any. He is simply unequalled in the water, and has been picked up in the middle of the Bay of Biscay, out of sight of land, or of any other ship from which he had probably jumped overboard. His character, as a rule, is of the noblest kind ; generous, brave, gentle, and of great intelligence, he becomes almost part of the family to whom he belongs. Equally good-natured with the mastiff, he is far less dignified, and enters into all their pastimes with a zest of which the larger breeds elsewhere mentioned would be ashamed; he is, in short, not only a good, but eminently a companionable dog. The large breed has been known to reach thirty-four inches at the shoulder, and though rather smaller now than formerly, thirty inches is often met with. The head is splendid, with an expression at once intellectual and benevolent; but the eyes are to our fancy rather too small in proportion. The chest is well developed, and all the fore part of the body muscular and powerful; but there is generally a weakness about the loins which gives rather a slovenly gait to the animal compared with other large breeds. We are convinced that this defect could be bred out with a little care. The feet are large, and flatter than usual, which greatly aids the animal in swimming, an exercise it is really fond of. The best colour is pure black; next to this, we prefer a dun colour inclining to red; [-62-] but black and white are often met with. Besides the well-known long-haired breed, there is a variety of the large Newfoundland, with a short coat resembling that of a mastiff but thicker and more dense ; this, however, is not common. There is also a curly-haired variety; but this kind of coat is rather troublesome to keep in good order, unless the animal can have constant access to the water. We give an Illustration of this very favourite variety of dog.
    Besides the large Newfoundland, there is a smaller variety, known as the Labrador dog, which -is only about twenty inches high at the shoulder. Peeler, the celebrated "dog of the police," one of the most remarkable examples on record of canine sagacity, was a Labrador Newfoundland. It should be observed, that although the Newfoundland dog is generally of an excellent temper, there are many individuals of a very surly character; and the variety, though bearing the antics of children with great complacency, cannot bear to be long deliberately teased so well as some others. The animal's great intelligence seems to resent such unworthy treatment.
    Next to the Newfoundland naturally come the spaniels and retrievers, which show a strong resemblance to it in conformation-indeed, the Labrador is often called a spaniel. Of these we propose to treat in our next article on this subject, as well as of the other principal varieties of dogs most commonly used in sport. This branch of our subject being exhausted, we shall pass on to the feeding and rearing of the animal, together with an account of the principal diseases to which he is liable, and the most approved methods of treating them.

    THE Water Spaniel is a moderate sized animal, rather stoutly built, with a close curly coat, which is generally of a brown colour. As might be supposed, he is very fond of water, and appears to be specially adapted to that element, by an unusual secretion of oil in the coat. This, however, often causes rather a strong odour when indoors, and makes him less suitable for a domestic dog.
    The Setter is too well known to need description, and is so named from the habit, either natural or acquired, of crouching when he comes on the scent of game. Both this habit, and that of the pointer, have been thought to be originally the natural start of surprise at coming on a fresh scent,cultivated and improved by successive training. The best setters are more or less liver-coloured, or mixed with white. The setter makes a capital pet dog, being very handsome in shape, docile, and intelligent. Like the little cocker, and in fact all the spaniels, it is also remarkably affectionate and mild in its disposition. For sportsmen who are noted pedestrians, or for shooting over wild moorland, setters are often better companions than pointers ; their superior speed and dash, and harder feet, enabling them to keep on with vigour after the pointer would be exhausted. They should, however, be allowed to wet the body thoroughly every now and then, and to take a good drink at intervals, or they cannot stand the work.
    The little King Charles and Blenheim Spaniels are known to every one. They certainly are little beauties as far as looks go - and often are affectionate, good tempered, and amazingly clever at learning tricks but too often also are such spiteful little wretches, as to be a nuisance to all save their fond owners. A great deal of this, however, we suspect to be owing to bad feeding and consequent indigestion.
    The Retriever is scarcely a distinct variety, being bred from any dogs likely to produce a suitable animal. It is often bred from the water-spaniel and terrier crossed, or a spaniel and poodle ; but the dog so well known under that name, is generally bred from the spaniel crossed with the Newfoundland. Hence it much resembles rather a small Newfoundland, but with a sharper muzzle, and a sharper look, having also longer legs and a more lively carriage. The handsomest colour is black. By care some few strains have been perpetuated without a recent cross, and reared to nearly the size of a Newfoundland; but there is always more silkiness in the hair than is usual in that breed. A good retriever is a wonderfully handsome and intelligent dog, very playful, and with a good temper nothing can exceed.

The Pointer is a very characteristic dog, trained to such perfection through successive generations, that a well-broken dog will, on the scent of game, stand with every member rigid, in the exact position in which it happened to be at the moment. This habit has now become almost instinctive, so that a well-bred dog takes to it with little training ; and it is recorded that a brace of pointers have stood at "point" for nearly an hour and a half, without moving a muscle, whilst a sketch was made from which their portraits were painted. The pointer should have a rather large head in proportion, with a broad muzzle, the lips or flews slightly projecting. The neck is very long, and set on at the shoulders in a very peculiar manner not found in any other breed, the shoulders being prominent, and higher than the head when the animal is in motion. The chest is well developed, something in the style of the hound ; but the tail, like the shoulder, is altogether peculiar. At the base it is rather thick, but lessens somewhat suddenly, and then continues with a scarcely perceptible taper to within two or three inches of the end, when it lessens to a very fine point. Some of the best judges affirm that this formation of the tail is the proper criterion of good blood, and that its absence shows a cross ; but we are not sure this can be maintained. The pointer is intelligent, and of an extremely mild and affectionate disposition. When properly trained, and in good condition, it is always willing to work ; and no words of scorn are too deep and bitter for the conduct of those who can deliberately shoot the poor beast with small shot, not to kill, but to punish him for disregard to their very likely contradictory commands. No variety is so foully abused as the poor pointer, and no dog merits or needs it less, and the owner himself is mostly in fault.
The Greyhound is in shape the very ideal of light and winged speed, and when well bred, is of singularly graceful outline. All the bulk of the animal's body seems collected in the capacious chest, whilst the slender limbs are models of symmetry and grace. Our engraving will save the necessity for detailed description, but it is necessary to remark that inferior breeds of this dog are very apt to show an awkward and ugly droop at the loins, which not only spoils their speed, but also their beauty of form.

    The old English greyhound must have been a larger animal than the present breed, as it was used to hunt the stag, and even the wolf. Indeed, we are inclined to think that the original breed was the hairy or rough variety still known as the Scotch greyhound, but which is nearly extinct. This animal is both larger and more powerfully built than the English greyhound, and with very long hair. We saw recently a noble animal of this breed, which was considered the finest specimen in England, and had taken many first prizes. It was as tall at the shoulder as the largest mastiff was "feathered" down to the toes, [-77-] and of an iron-grey colour. Like the modern greyhound, the dog was good-tempered enough, but had an unmistakably ferocious look about the head. The few who possess these dogs now are anxiously endeavouring to perpetuate them, and we trust their efforts may be successful.
    The greyhound is moderately affectionate and intelligent, but sometimes snappish to strangers. As is well known, it is now only employed in coursing.
    The other hounds, such as the foxhound, the harrier, and the beagle, do not belong in any sense to the household, being, as a rule, only adapted for the pack. They vary in size, but resemble each other remarkably in shape and qualities. We believe them all to have been originally derived from the bloodhound, crossed with the greyhound, but we question very much if there be not a dash of the bulldog in some celebrated strains, though this has been denied by good authorities.
    Hounds are kept under the severest discipline, but when not under the control of the huntsman, whipper-in, or other attendants, are highly dangerous to strangers. There are, however, individual dogs which have shown remarkable attachment and docility.
    Of Sheep Dogs there are two kinds, the English rough sheep dog, which very much resembles a very large rough terrier without a tail, and the Scotch collie. The English dog is a very useful animal, having a splendid constitution and great intelligence; but the Scotch collie is a far superior breed, and is every year becoming more highly prized in England. This beautiful breed has a very fox-like muzzle, expressive but shy-looking eyes, sharp and graceful ears turning well over forwards, and generally a white line down the forehead between the eyes. There are both smooth and rough varieties - the latter is most admired - but his coat is different from that of the Newfoundland, the hair being closer and straighter, and not so long. The tail is very large and bushy, and when running is always carried high, though in repose it droops. The loins are beautifully arched, and the whole outline remarkably sprightly and graceful. Down the legs the coat is short. The colour varies greatly.
    The true-bred collie is one of the most intelligent dogs in the world, and perhaps surpasses all others in quick resource and readiness of invention in cases of emergency. It is in minding sheep, however, that its capacities are best tested ; for having been trained to this work for generations, a well-bred collie takes to it "naturally," and needs comparatively little training. A Scotch shepherd said his dog "could do anything except carry the hurdles," and the praise was not exaggerated.
    The Dalmatian or Carriage Dog is doubtless a hound, the well-known spotted skin having probably appeared accidentally from some cross. As a rule, they seem to care most for the stable, and hence are not adapted for domestic pets, though inoffensive and good-tempered; but we have known individuals which have displayed considerable intelligence and affection.
    Many less marked varieties have been omitted from our list, and we will only add in conclusion that in choosing a dog, care should always be taken to ascertain his disposition. Individuals of every race may be troublesome or even actually ferocious, and every person owes it to society not to keep a dangerous dog. In our next paper we shall enter upon the subject of training dogs.

IF a dog be kept for actual service, such as minding sheep, or assisting the sportsman, he will generally be more efficient and valuable if trained up from birth by his owner, than if purchased when professedly "broken" by another. The animal will not only be much more under control, but will understand his master's peculiar signs and gestures in a degree he will not do if broken by a stranger. In fact, even when you have trained your own dog, if you lend him a few days to another person, the chances are that, on his return, it will be some little time before he is quite as useful as before - so rapidly and strongly do even individual idiosyncrasies become reflected in the intelligent animal.
    Training dogs is much facilitated by the fact that habits handed down through successive generations are transmitted almost as strongly to the offspring as natural instincts. Thus, a Newfoundland maybe as intelligent in general as a Scotch collie ; but the most careful training would fail in making him so good a sheep-dog as the other becomes with very little trouble, for the simple reason that his ancestors for generations have been trained to that duty, and he takes to it almost as a second nature. It is the same with sporting dogs; and hence the great importance of obtaining, if possible, puppies from a well-bred strain - they do not give one quarter the trouble in training. They are, in fact, naturally disposed to do what is required of them, and their inclinations often need little beyond controlling and directing. It has been said, indeed, that a cross-bred, or otherwise slow and dull dog, when trained, will be more reliable and useful than a better-bred and more docile animal; but we do not think such an opinion was ever held by any one who had really tried both.
    For the training of the Sheep-dog very little definite instruction can be laid down, success depending almost entirely on the intelligence, patience, and, we may add, kindness of the shepherd. An impatient, ill-tempered man will never train a good dog ; while with a good master a well-bred collie may be taught to do almost anything. The education of the pup should commence as soon as he can run faster than the sheep, so as to "head" them: till then it is useless to begin, though he should be taken out with them in order to become friendly with them, and to understand the most common words of command, which he will soon do if in company with a steady old dog. Indeed, an old, well-trained animal is almost essential to the training of a first-rate sheep-dog with any ordinary trouble, though they may be trained without, if the shepherd have time and patience to persevere. If, however, there be a sagacious old dog to assist, the task is very easy. As soon as the pup can go fast enough, he should be sent in company with the old dog to fetch in stragglers. After two or three times he will do this by himself, when he should be most sedulously taught to leave them alone when he has performed the duty. The next lesson is to "go round them" and keep the flock together; and the old dog again will do half the teaching; without him, patience and good temper is the only method. The young dog must next be trained to obey not only the voice, but the waving of the hand in any direction. When, in addition to this, the pup can keep up the flock behind while his master walks before, he is as well trained as ordinary shepherds have any idea of; but is very far short of what he ought to be, to the incalculable saving of time and labour. He can be taught by dividing the flock and putting him in the middle, to drive different flocks without mixing one animal ; to jump over a hedge in order to head the flock in a lane, and in fact can be made, and in Scotland often is, so perfect in his business as to be trusted with the sole oversight of thousands of sheep during the whoIe day, keeping all in their proper [-107-] feeding-grounds, and showing a sagacity and fertility of invention in cases of emergency which is sometimes enough to stagger belief. In mountainous countries, such as Scotland and Wales, it is surprising to see the skill which the sheep-dogs will evince in collecting the flock together. They appear to the full as eager in their task as the shepherd, and rarely, if ever, fail to collect all the stragglers, in spite of the formidable difficulties which very frequently lie in their way.
    The English rough sheep-dog is rarely capable of such perfect education as the collie, but will perform all the ordinary work required of him wth steadiness and skill if carefully trained.
    In the training of Pointers the greatest patience and constant watchfulness are necessary, and the first lessons cannot begin too soon. We have already remarked on the strong instincts of this breed, and it is often so developed that puppies still suckling will point on seeing chickens or finding bits of meat, or coining on the track of a mouse. Where the dog is too highly bred, in fact, the propensity sometimes is so exaggerated as to make him useless, causing the animal to point at valueless birds, or stale scent which the game has left for hours before. In order to prevent this, an occasional cross of the fox-hound is often used, and some of the very best dogs, such as have been sold for 200 guineas, are thus bred. This cross also much improves the endurance of the animal without injury to his powers of scent, but it must always be employed with judgment, and only the best of the offspring should be preserved.
    At a few weeks old, as soon, in fact, as they feed apart a from the mother, the pups-not only of pointers, but all a sporting dogs intended for breaking-should be called to their meals by the firing of a gun, commencing for a few days whilst actually engaged in devouring their food. At first,they will be more or less terrified, but will soon associate the sound with pleasurable enjoyment. It is best to leave off when this object is attained. They must also be taught;. from the first to come to heel at a call or whistle, being invariably, as soon as they evidently understand the command, made to obey it by a sufficient but temperate chastisement for every neglect.
    When old enough to walk out into the fields, the pups must be well practised in coming to heel, and when tolerably perfect in it, taught to obey the word "down." At first the command should be uttered with the whelp at the feet, forcing it down at the same time by the pressure of the hand; repetition of this will soon teach the pup what is meant, and cause obedience, which may be occasionally rewarded by a bit of bread. When obedient at the feet, the pup should be ordered "down" when at some distance, and if a steady old pointer can assist, will soon obey; but, if it does not, the trainer must walk quickly up to it and repeat the command in a stern voice. On the second disobedience a good scolding is added, and if a third time the order be neglected, a smart cut with the whip accompanies the "down," and probably impresses it on the youngster's memory. This lesson is of very great consequence, and must be well attended to, teaching the dog by degrees to drop at the mere wave of the hand, as speaking much in the field would spoil the sport. The animal must never be allowed to rise till ordered to "hold up", or simply "up", or directed by some expression of the kind.
    The next step is to teach the pups to drop at the report of the piece by ordering them "down" immediately after discharging it, by degrees omitting the command, and meeting any consequent neglect, at first by a rebuke, and the second time by slight chastisement. On no account must they be allowed to rise until the piece is reloaded, checking any attempt to do so by an imperious "down." This lesson also is of the utmost importance, thoroughly teaching a dog to "down charge" being of more influence than almost anything else in securing good sport ; but if the various stages have been attended to as described, there will be little of either difficulty or punishment about the process, and the whelps may be trained to perfect obedience in regard to all the foregoing sports by the time they have reached the age of four or five months.
    The young dogs may now be taken to the game, if possible, in company with an old one. Their incessant chasing of the small birds should not be checked, as it will make them eager, and the calm disdain of the old dog for such small deer will, as soon as they meet with real game, soon make them ashamed. The example of the old dog will also speedily teach them to point and hunt with the greatest eagerness ; and as soon as this is accomplished, he should be kept at home and the pups taken out by themselves for the final stage of training, which consists in bringing their eager delight in hunting under perfect control. And here will be found the benefit of teaching them to "down charge," or to drop at a wave of the haul, before they have been allowed to scent game. If this lesson be deferred till after, when all the dogs' hunting instincts are in full exercise, the task of subduing them will be long and difficult; but, with the habits of obedience to signals and watching the loading of the gun thoroughly taught first, it will not take long after to turn out a thoroughly good pointer.
    The first lesson is to prevent the other dogs, when a comrade has found game, from rushing in upon the scent - to teach them, in fact, to back his point. The trainer must wait till the first dog has made a decided and tolerably steady point, and then, if another dog runs in, his name, and the word "soho!" or other word of caution, must be shouted in a. stern voice, at the same time waving the hand. Of course, if the preceding lessons have been attended to he will know that he ought to drop at the well-known signal; and if he does not, he must have both a good scolding and enough of the whip to impress the fault upon his memory pretty sharply. We repeat here, once for all, that the great majority of dogs may be trained with very little correction, which should never be administered wantonly or unmercifully; but still, when needed, to give less than shall be well remembered will be useless, and therefore is nothing but mere cruelty. Generally from two to half-a-dozen smart cuts with the whip will be found quite sufficient for the purpose.
    Again, if the game should run, and the dog follows, the others will naturally approach, and they may be allowed at first to follow on the scent in order to increase their ardour. But if any pup attempts to go before the one that found, he must be at once checked, and punished if he disobeys ; for the first dog would feel it keenly if his scent were taken from him, and probably prove quite unruly for the rest of the day.
    Young dogs should be allowed to play with the first game they see killed. They enjoy this greatly, and with every successive bird they mouth, their ardour in the sport seems to increase, while they rarely injure it much if left to drop it themselves. On no account should it be torn or snatched from them, as it might teach them to tear it, and such a habit makes a dog almost useless.
    Having thus got the pups to back each other's point, there remains only to perfect them in observing the "down charge" when in actual sight of the game. The best way is to fire when the birds rise, but at first not hitting them. Still the dogs will endeavour, in all probability, to give chase, but probably an angry "down charge" will induce them to obedience; if not, the whip must again be used. If any dog is peculiarly obstinate, it is best to fasten a light but strong line to his collar, and. just when he has gathered full speed, to fetch him up sharply, which will send him tumbling over in a way he will much dislike, and with a few sharp cuts of the whip [-108-] will soon bring him to order. The same experiment may be employed to teach an obstinate dog that he must not chase rabbits, hares, or birds. We may here remark that unless towards the latter part of their training the dogs are allowed to find plenty of their proper game, it will be very difficult to prevent them hunting and pointing small a birds, for a good dog must hunt something; but if taken among game they soon learn the difference.
    A pointer thoroughly obedient in all the foregoing may a be considered a well-trained dog, and any other special points of training for sport it will be found comparatively a easy to teach him. He must, however, be taught, as fast as possible, to receive his orders by motions of the hand, in order that he may avoid any noise which might scare the game; and he must be made to keep sufficiently near the sportsman for the birds he springs to rise within shot.
    If it is desired to use the pointer as a retriever also, the pup should be taught to "seek" while in the house by throwing bits of bread or meat. After a while a small carcase may be constructed out of a rabbit or hare-skin, stuffing it with cotton-wool and briars mixed. This will soon teach him to seize tenderly, without breaking the plumage. Then, when they are being trained in actual pursuit of game, the only thing to observe will be that the dogs do not run in and seize the game until ordered to "seek dead." Pointers which retrieve seldom do so well when in company, as they tend to spoil the other dogs which have not been so trained ; but when alone will often perform in both capacities to perfection.
    The Setter is trained in very much the same manner as the pointer, the principal difference being that he "sets," or crouches, instead of "pointing," on finding his game. In endurance the setter will surpass the pointer, having a harder feet and more power of limb. A setter has also more fire and dash, which often enables a quick shot to bag more birds within a given time, and to get over more ground; but these very qualities tend to make him a less perfectly obedient animal, his impulsive disposition seeking to break out, as it were, on every occasion. Some sportsmen, indeed, affirm that a setter can never be a thoroughly broken; but this is contradicted by many dogs of this breed, whose behaviour in the field is quite unexceptionable. It is, however, essential, even more than in the case of pointers, that their training should commence when yet little pups, and that they be kept from the first thoroughly under control, so far as they have been taught; but if this be attended to they will usually turn out most useful assistants, whilst to our fancy they are about the handsomest of all the dog family.
    The Retriever almost invariably contains a cross of the Newfoundland, whatever the other parentage may be, and his training is comparativelv a very simple matter, though it should be commenced, like that of all other dogs, when very young. As with other sporting dogs, he must first be taught to pay implicit obedience in the way of coming to heel, and dropping every time the piece is fired - in fact, never to leave his master when on business, unless ordered to do so. He should also be taught, from the very milk, to "seek" articles thrown about, and to carry tenderly, by carcases stuffed with briars, as already described. Such a dog is more than half trained. Very often, retrievers are not sufficiently taught to "down charge," and the consequence is, that they break away after the shot, whether it be a hit or miss, frighten the game, and spoil the chance of a great many other shots by their impetuosity. Having therefore, trained the retriever to "down charge," and in fact, to remain perfectly quiet in the field, except ordered to "seek," little remains, except the teaching him to bring the game to your very hand, and to deliver it in no other way. Nothing can be more annoying than to see your dog find the game and bring it, perhaps, within a dozen yards, and then drop it in some heavy crop, such as a thick field of turnips, which very effectually secures you from ever finding it also. The retriever must likewise be taught to do his work without loss of time, by occasionially giving him food as a reward, but never until he has carried the game by your side a little while, and you have taken it from his mouth with your own hand. This is highly necessary, or he will get the habit of dropping the game to eat the food of which we have already spoken. In training a retriever for water-fowl shooting, it is best to begin in summer, in order that the dog may not have to face the cold water all at once ; and it is necessary to check him if he ever attempts to catch rats or other vermin, as he will often waste his time in hunting on his own account.
    Spaniels are much used for shooting in cover, and are seldom so obedient as field dogs, being necessarily often out of sight. To be of much use, they must be early accustomed to the game they are intended for, otherwise they will gad about after anything alive, or open on a stale scent, either of which makes a dog of little value. They may be easily taught to hunt in any direction, according to a wave of the hand, and to drop on the report of the piece; but it is difficult to get them to thoroughly "down charge"; they will generally rush to seize the game, if it falls, If the dog can be taught to "down charge," like a setter, it is better; but, if he is too impetuous for this, the sportsman may be well content with making him retrieve properly, by bringing it tenderly to the hand. Few spaniels will do more. Most spaniels open on the scent, and pretty loudly too ; but some breeds are mute on certain scents, and the well-known Clumber spaniel is perfectly so.
    In training all sporting dogs, a command of temper is [-109-] indispensable, for an unnecessary lash, or even rebuke, ought never to be given. One object only should be sought at a time, or the dog will get confused ; neither should he be trained too long at one period, lest he become tired and disgusted. When he behaves properly, he should he patted and encouraged - in fact, made a friend of throughout, and only corrected when really necessary.
    Having trained your dog to your own satisfaction, and got him to understand and obey your signals, you will do well never to lend him on any consideration, except to a person both trustworthy and not very unlike yourself in conduct and habits when in the field. To lend a good dog to a bad sportsman, is infallibly to spoil him for at least several days. If you have shot in company, and your friend and the dog mutually understand and respect each other, no harm can ensue; the great point undoubtedly is that the dog must be thoroughly familiar with the sportsman who uses him, and in the hands of a bad sportsman a good dog is very soon spoilt.

In training Greyhounds for coursing, the great point is to exercise their power by slow degrees, so as to develop without overtasking them. The exercise should, therefore, commence with a little, gradually increasing as the young dog's strength grows. The forenoon is always best, if the weather is fine. Daily rubbing or scrubbing, with a tolerably hard brush, is very beneficial, giving firmness to the muscles, and keeping the skin in good order. Sometimes the limbs are fired to increase their power, but we question if any advantage is gained by this cruel operation. The feeding is very important; it usually consists of oatmeal and flesh; but the training of all hounds is now so reduced to method, and comprehends so many details, that it is utterly impossible to enter upon it here.
In training dogs for performance, no method can be laid down; but kindness, firmness, and indomitable patience will always succeed. No other rules can be needed, for no boy ever yet failed in training his dog to do anything he desired. We do not think severity is ever needed in this branch of training, but we never look at the poor wretch who performs in some penny show at a fair, without commiserating him for the brutality he has probably had to suffer.

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