shelf, or on the back of a sofa. He will, comparatively speaking, be some time in acquiring a knowledge of the meaning of the word, and many would probably term it an over-refinement in canine education; but I must own I think you will act judiciously if you teach it perfectly as the initiatory lessons; for the word 'Up,' if well understood, will frequently save your putting on the puzzle-peg. For this you might be tempted to employ, should your dog be acquiring the execrable habit of raking,' as it is termed, instead of searching for the delicious effluvia with his nose carried high in the air."

Now, undoubtedly, if the dog can be taught to understand the word "Up," it is a gain; but let any one try to do this, and he will find the difficulty is not trifling, nor, if overcome, will it suffice at any great distance from the shooter. Yet it is chiefly under such circumstances that the dog "potters;" for few sportsmen care about it being done near them, inasmuch as they can encourage the dog by the voice, and with this aid he will seldom dwell for any time on a foot scent. But it is at a distance that the mischief chiefly occurs, and when the steady point is wanted, to which birds will lie. Here the voice is altogether objectionable, for it either cannot be heard by the dog, or if it can, it will at the same time disturb the game. I therefore hold that Colonel Hutchinson's plan is utterly useless, and that the puzzle-peg must still continue to be the only remedy for this fault. By strapping it on for days together, the dog at length learns the habit of hunting with his head high, though it will generally be necessary to return to it occasionally for some time. For the second and third faults the check-cord is applied in a variety of ways; but it is always intended to apply to those dogs which range too wide, or refuse to "back," or to "point," even, when very troublesome to break. It is merely a line of various degrees of size and length, according to the strength and courage of the dog; it may be generally of the length of twenty yards, and of good stout cord, well twisted, yet not too heavy. The object is not always to tire the dog, but to gain absolute command over his motions, in bringing him back to you, or in stopping him from chasing. Of course, the longer and heavier the cord, the more it tires the

dog: but some animals are so delicate, that they refuse to range with it, and yet are difficult to stop; altogether, however, it is an exceedingly useful mode of bringing dogs under command, but it is not so necessary for the pointer as for the spaniel, or even the setter, which is a bolder, hardier, and more headstrong dog than the pointer. In very unruly animals it is applied to a leathern collar containing short spikes in its internal surface, and the cord being suddenly pulled, the "spiked collar" enters the skin and gives considerable pain. With a hearty pull, however, the plain collar punishes sufficiently for most cases, and I should rarely think of using anything more for the purpose of breaking the dog from either of the vices for which this remedy is provided.

CHAPTER II.

FIELD SPANIELS AND THEIR BREAKING.

GENERAL REMARKS ON SPRINGERS AND COCKERS-THE CLUMBER AND SUSSEX SPANIELS-THE NORFOLK AND OTHER BREEDS-THE WELSH AND DEVONSHIRE COCKER-THE KING CHARLES AND BLENHEIMSHUNTING SPANIELS BY FOOT-SCENT-ALL TAUGHT TO RETRIEVEPRELIMINARY EDUCATION-ENTERING AND BREAKING.

GENERAL REMARKS ON SPRINGERS AND COCKERS.

FIELD spaniels, as distinguished from water spaniels and toy dogs, are divided into springers and cockers-the former being used for hunting pheasants and hares, while the latter are chiefly employed as is designated by their name, for the woodcock. The springer is considerably larger than the cocker, and heavier in frame, as well as in the head. From this large size he is unable to follow out any but large runs in covert, and will often pass the woodcock as a consequence of this. Indeed it sometimes happens that the pheasant or the hare will pass where he cannot squeeze his body, but generally he will contrive to thrust it through with great fatigue to himself. Of the springers there are three chief varieties—the

Clumber, the Sussex, and the Norfolk-as shown in the annexed illustration; while among the cockers there are no specific and well-marked kinds now in use, but the Welsh and the Devonshire, though in many parts we meet with small spaniels used for the purpose which cannot be referred to either of these subdivisions of the dog.

The Clumber Spaniel is a large, very long, and low spaniel, of a white and lemon colour, with a wide and flat head, and long ears. This breed has been confined to the Duke of Newcastle's kennels until within the last few years, and hence its name "Clumber;" but it is now very generally dispersed over the south of England-indeed, wherever preserves of pheasants are met with, this spaniel is almost sure to be treasured. His legs are remarkably short and strong, and his pace in hunting is slow; while his muteness is admired by those who only require him in aid of the beaters in a battue. For wild pheasant shooting he is not so useful, as his master cannot tell where he is, or when he is on game. His coat is thick, but silky rather than woolly, and he is well feathered all round. A good team of these spaniels is worth 30l. a piece.

The Sussex Spaniel resembles the Clumber in being a long, low, and strong dog, but he is not so weasel-like in his proportions, and is of a deep liver colour instead of being lemon and white. He is also rather stronger and heavier, especially in the forehead, but the chief difference is in his "questing," or giving tongue instead of being mute. This dog is admirably represented in the engraving which faces this article.

The Norfolk Spaniel is shorter in the back than either of the two above described, and he is generally of a black and white colour, sometimes liver and white, but almost always having more or less ticks about the body. All the large varieties of field spaniels, without any crisp curl of the hair, and not coming under the designation of Clumber or Sussex, are usually called Norfolk spaniels.

The Devonshire and Welsh Cockers are two breeds, each used in the part of Great Britain which is implied by the name, and so closely resembling each other that I know no means of distinguishing the one from the other. Both may be described as light-working and active dogs, considerably