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THE DOG|

HOW TO BEEAK HIM:

HIS DISEASES

METHODS OF CURE.

BY

JOHN B. JOHNSON.

LONDON :
W. PIPER, BROTHERS, & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW

1851.

PREFACE.

"«%s

This little book is offered to the Public as a
companion to " The Gun ; and how to use
IT." It was originally intended that the two
should have formed one work: but my re-
spected Publisher having suggested the sepa-
ration of the subjects, and that each should
form a separate book, I have acceded to what
was, indeed, tantamount almost to a com-
mand.

As being useful for reference, an Abstract
of the Game Laws is appended to this, as well

IV PREFACE.

as to the former little book ; and I may safely
say of both, that there is nothing set down
but what results from a practical acquaintance
with the subject for a quarter of a century.

THE DOG; AND HOW TO
BREAK HIM.

It is not irrelevant to a work like the one now
offered to the notice of the public to take a retro-
spective glance at the subject on which it pro-
fesses to treat ; but any very lengthened observa-
tions on the origin or natural history of the dog,
whilst they could only be repetitions of a thrice-
told tale, familiar even in the nursery, would be
superfluous in a small book, the end and aim of
which is, to give practical instructions (the result
of long practice) on the best methods of breeding
and training dogs for the gun, and making them
perfect in the field.

It is a certain and well-ascertained fact, that all
dogs found wild, and in a state independent of
man, have similar characteristics ; and these cha-
racteristics are, more or less, those of the shep-
herd^s dog. It is stated by Buffon that the shep-
herd^s dog by mere change of climate will become
either " a matin, a mastiff, or a hound.^^ Buffon

B

2 THE DOG; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

was a closet naturalist, though a most entertain-
ing writer ; but what he advances relative to the
dog is, to say the best of it, rather difficult to
believe. Dogs taken from this country — either
])ointers, terriers, or hounds — to the southern
states of America, degenerate in their offspring, if
they breed at all; a circumstance which will
account for the numbers of English dogs that are
shipped from Liverpool every year to New Orleans
or other southern transatlantic ports. It is as
difficult to keep a dog of any value from the dog-
stealers in Liverpool as it is in London ; but in
the former place pointers, setters, spaniels, and
terriers are the kinds most in demand for the
American market ; whilst in the latter the little
things distinguished as Blenheims, or King
Charleses, are what the dog- stealers of the metro-
polis appear most anxious to possess.

The dogs of Labrador, of Lapland, of Kams-
chatka, as well as those of Madagascar, and the
Cape of Good Hope, and Guinea, are all similar
in form ; a form approaching that of a shepherd's
dog, the only difference being that the dogs of
the tropics are nearly destitute of hair, whilst
those of the higher latitudes of the temperate and
the frigid zones are clothed with the warm cover-
ing necessaiy to protect them from the incle-
mency of the climate. But none of these dogs
exhibit much disposition to hunt. The wild dogs.

THE DOG; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM. 3

indeed, hunt, being compelled to do so by hunger ;
but those domesticated, or in a state of semi-
domestication, like the dogs of the towns in
Turkey, seem to act the part of scavengers, and to
seek their food only in the offal of the streets.

The fox, wolf, jackal, and hyena resemble the
dog in their internal conformation, even to the
most minute particulars ; their period of gestation
is the same, their food similar, but their habits
widely different, and differing from each other.
The fox is a stealthy Im-ching animal, who obtains
his prey by surprise, and, though possessed of
wonderful speed and excellence of nose, never
attempts, in the proper acceptation of the term,
to Jinnt ; whilst the jackal, hyena, and wolf, for
the most part, act in concert and hunt in com-
pany. And in some parts of the world wild dogs
— most likely sprung from a stock once domes-
ticated— adopt the same method to secure a sub-
sistence.

Instances are not wanting to show that dogs
have run wild of late years, even in this highly
cultivated country. Some years ago, a greyhound
bitch, the property of Mr. Heaton, of Scarisbrick,
in Lancashire, strayed from home, and for many
months eluded all the attempts made for her cap-
ture or destruction ; and during that period, no
doubt, made dreadful havoc amongst game, as it
was but too well known she did amongst the few

B 2

^ THE bog; and how to break him.

sheep and lambs kept in that district. She was
eventually caught, and even domesticated so far as
to be taken out coursing. On these occasions she
ran cunning, and seldom missed her hare. So
late as the winters of 1849 and 1850 a dog, ap-
parently wild, was seen in the fells of Eskdale, in
Cumberland, which, it was supposed, committed
great ravages amongst the sheep in that wild dis-
trict. No doubt the sheep would suffer from this
animal ; but it was ascertained that a foxhound
— a celebrated dog for trail- hunting, called
" Tuner,'^ the property of Mr. R. Copeland, of
Hawthwaite Bank — was in the habit of doing a
little business on his own account amongst the
sheep about this time, when, naturally enough,
all the mischief done in the locality would be attri-
buted to the unknown wild dog. As an instance of
the sagacity, of the almost reasoning powers of the
dog, I may relate that this Tuner, when out on
an errand of depredation, would acknowledge no
one — not even his master. At ordinary times he
was familiar with me, and was fond, as most dogs
of his breed are, of being caressed, even by
strangers. When on business of his own his man-
ner was peculiar ; his path was generally out of the
little town of Broughton-in-Furness down to the
side of the river Duddon. He would traverse
the bank for some short distance, then swim the
river, disappear among the coppice woods of

THE dog; and how to break him. 5

Duddon bank, and thence emerge on to tlie feU.
During his journey he would answer no call nor
whistle ; he would go out of the way a score or two
of yards to avoid coming in contact with a human
being, and by his whole manner he appeared
anxious to avoid observation, and he invariably
commenced his journey towards the close of
day. In an hour or two he would return and
join his master at one or other of the places to
which he was in the habit of resorting. The
natural disposition of this dog one day got the
better of his cunning : he was engaged in a trail-
hunt j the trail had been drawn near some sheep
on a wild spot called Dunnerdale Fell; and Tuner,
on passing, supposing himself unobserved, flew
upon and worried several individuals of the flock.
He was destroyed in consequence.

On a shooting excursion, once, in the Isle of
Man, I observed a dog, which had followed me
some distance from a public-house, go up the side
of a mountain called Greeba, and wony one of the
small sheep peculiar to that island. He had
passed within a yard or two of the animal, in my
company, without attempting to molest it, and
commenced his attack when he supposed himself
unobserved. The sheep was his master^s property,
and one which he was in the habit of tending.
But this is digressing from our subject.

The Newfoundland dog might be supposed.

6 THE dog; and how to break him.

■\vitli every probability, to be the origin of the
setter; but, then, it is a question whether the
setter was not known in Britain previous to the
discovery of NeAvfoundland. Where was the first
existence of the splendid old English talbot?
Utterly unknown. Whence was originally ob-
tained the noble Irish wolf-dog? No one can tell.
Who will venture to say that these are varieties
of the sheep-dog ? or who, hearing it so stated,
will give credence to what appears so very impro-
bable ? That the pointer was first brought from
Spain, the pug-dog from Holland, the Italian grey-
hound from the country from which it takes its
name, and that the setter and spaniel are perhaps
indigenous to England, and the Skye terrier to
the western islands of Scotland, may be all very
true. We will take for granted that it is so ; re-
main satisfied with the animals as they are
already fashioned to our hands ; and inquire no
fiu'ther respecting their remote ancestors, though
we shall be somewhat particular relative to the
immediate descent of dogs to be trained for the
gun.

TRAINING DOGS FOR THE GUN.

Well-bred dogs will generally require very little
instruction or correction of any kind ; they will
set and back of their own accord at a Acrv early

TRAINING DOGS FOR THE GUN. 7

age. It is not uncommon to see puppies of two
or three months old point at pigeons^ chickens, or
other occupants of the farm-yard; and though
their pointing at so early an age is from sight, and
not from scent, the one naturally and invariably
leads to the other.

It has often been stated that dogs which are
difficult to break, and give the trainer more than
ordinary trouble, are — their education being com-
pleted— better than those of a more tractable dis-
position ; and hence it has been inferred, that
cross-bred dogs, which generally possess aU the
bad qualities of sire and dam without any of their
good ones, when thoroughly subdued, are superior
to all others.

In the course of my life, I have made some ex-
periments with these cross-bred dogs, and have
succeeded, on several occasions, in making them
obedient and tractable ; but such a result has
been at the expense of great trouble and vexation,
the excessive connection these dogs required ren-
dering the task of breaking them unpleasant in
the highest degree. Moreover, after their interval
of rest, from February until August, if they did
not absolutely require brealdng afresh, such was
their turbulent disposition, that, unless they were
exercised a good deal previous to the commence-
ment of the season, their behaviour in the field
could not, for some days, be depended on.

8 THE DOGj AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

Even during the season, when permitted to rest
for any length of time, they were apt to become
wild and nnrnly. It need hardly be said, that
having to flog a dog when out shooting is not only
a most vexatious circumstance, but, in nine in-
stances out of ten, completely fatal to diversion,
by rendering the shooter unable to perform his
part if the birds happen to lie — which is not often
the case — or leaving him no part to perform if the
birds take alarm at the noise and become wild. A
dog knows as well as his master when he has done
wrong ; and dogs which have required much flog-
ging during their education, when they have com-
mitted themselves, are not easily caught, having a
very natural repugnance to undergo the merited
correction.

The great mistake in dog-breaking, and which
often renders it an unpleasant and difficult task,
is permitting the animals to acquii'e too much
strength before the first lessons are inculcated.
What would be thought of those professing to
educate our youth did then* lessons not commence
until the pupils were almost full-grown ? Fidl-
grown puppies are like full-grown men — obstinate
and headstrong, and less apt, too, at profiting by
instruction than those of more tender age. The
teaching of dogs cannot commence too early, even
if the puppies have to be lifted over the fences.
If taken amongst game occasionally at three

TRAINING DOGS TOR THE GUN. V

months, they will, by proper management, know
their business by the time they are six months
old, and at that age will find more game, so long
as their strength lasts, than dogs fifteen months
old, whose education commenced at twelve ; and
they Avill require little or no flogging.

The first lesson in dog-breaking should be to
accustom the whelps, from the time they are able
to feed themselves, to the sound of the gun, par-
ticularly when their food is given to them ; and
this will prevent the mortification of seeing a fine
young dog totally useless in the field, owing to his
being frightened at the firing of a gun. At a
few weeks old puppies will learn to acknowledge
the report of a gun as a call to their meals,
and never afterwards cause any trouble by being
frightened at it in the field. When they mani-
fest no symptoms of fear at the discharge the
practice should be discontinued, as subsequently
the firing of a gun or pistol has to serve a very
difi'erent purpose.

As soon as whelps are able to run about they
may be taken out into lanes or fields in company
with an experienced old dog, and taught to come
to heel when called ; if they refuse, a little geiiih
correction, or the crack of a whip without bodily
application of it, will soon reduce them to obedi-
ence. In the first instance the words '^ Come

b3

10 THE DOG; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

back " may be used^ as well as tlie wliistle ; and
in a short time the latter alone ^vill be fomid suffi-
cient. This lesson should be a daily one^ when
practicable^ until the whistle is obeyed with
alacrity. Some whelps are so timid that the sight
even of the whip inspires them with too great
terror, in which case they should be taken out
when hungry_, and rewarded with food when called
to heelj instead of being threatened with the
whip. Eewarding a dog is not a method to be re-
commended when it can be avoided_, as it has a
tendency to make the dog less eager to range
than when fear_, and not reward, induces him to
come to his master^s heel, and it will make him
careless of his business in pursuit of game.

When the whistle to heel is readily obeyed, as
the dog is returning he should be taught to
crouch, or drop, on holding up the hand and call-
ing " Down,'' and compelled to remain in tliJit
position until told to ^^ Hold upT This lesson
must be strictly enforced, it being one of the
greatest importance ; but it will not be difficult to
teach to the whelps, provided the old dog be per-
fect in it, example having a wonderful effect in a
dog's education. On no account suffer the whelps
to move from the crouching position until desired;
and by degrees compel them to drop, on holding
up the hand, without being spoken to : rating a

TRAINING DOGS FOR THE GUN. 11

dog in the field, or even calling to him, is, as I
have just observed, fatal to diversion: even
whistling to be avoided as much as possible.

In a little while a gun or pistol should be fired,
at the report of which the whelps should also be
made to drop : in the first instance by the word
^' Down/' and the whistle, and subsequently by
the report alone ; they must be practised until
perfect in this lesson, and there will be less
trouble in making them " down charge'' — a matter
of almost more consequence than anything else in
shooting.

If it be intended that pointers or setters shall
retrieve (a thing by no means to be recommended
if they are to hunt otherwise than single-handed),
a rabbit-skin stuffed with hard straw intermixed
with thorns, may be thrown for them to fetch.
They will soon learn to do this ; and the thorns
inside the skin pricking the mouth upon pressure
will prevent them breaking the plumage of their
game when they come in contact with it.

All this should be done by the time the puppies
are three or four months old ; when, if the season
will permit, they should be shown the game they
are intended to pursue. But should the period
of the year be adverse, they must be practised in
these first lessons until such time as they can be
taken out with the gun.

The most sagacious dogs are those which have

12 THE dog; and how to break him.

been most in contact and company with their
master. A whelp tanght to ''seek'' a bit of bread
thrown to him from the breakfast or dinner- table
will sooner learn to ''seek dead/' and be more
handy in recovering a wounded bird, than one
which has not had any initiatory practice in the
house.

When whelps are first taken into the fields they
will most likely chase larks or other small birds
eagerly ; and this they may be suff'ered to do, as
they will soon give it up on coming in contact
with game : they will more readily give up chasing
larks as they perceive the old dog takes no notice
of them. It is almost indispensable (or at any
rate it saves a deal of trouble) that an old steady
dog should be taken in company with the puppies
until they begin to point and hunt eagerly, when
his presence is no longer beneficial.

When one dog finds game, and points it, his
companions will be very apt to rush in ; and now,
and not until now, is the word " Toho" to be
used . It is to be introduced as a word of caution,
and should never be uttered but when one at
least of the dogs is upon game ; nor should it be
used until he is perfectly still and steady on his
point. When you perceive any dog rushing in
upon him who has the point, call out his name in
an angiy manner, hold up your hand, and make
use of the word " Toho." If he has been pre-

TRAINING DOGS FOR THE GUN. IS

viously well instructed, he will be like enough to
di'op on your holding up the hand ; and it is best
if it be so, though it is sufficient if he backs the
dog on the game without dropping. However,
should he persist in rushing up to the setting dog,
the whip must be pretty freely administered. I
am no advocate for excessive flogging; but when
recourse is had to the whip (and it is sometimes
necessary) it should be so applied that the dog-
will not fail to bear it in his memory.

If the birds run, the dog which first pointed
them will begin to foot them ; and the other dogs
should now be permitted gradually to approach
him and enjoy the scent, but by no means to
go before or take it from him. Nothing has
a greater tendency to make a dog unruly than to
suffer his companions to go up to the game before
him after he has found it, and thus deprive him
of his reward. When the birds run some dis-
tance, as they frequently do, by the time the first
dog has gone forward a few yards the others will
have got upon the scent ; and should any one
manifest too great eagerness he should be checked
bj' the words " Take heed.'' And it is advisable
at this particular time to carry the whip in the
hand. I am no advocate for excessive flogging,
as I have just observed, or for dogs which require
it ; but there is no harm in having the instrument
of correction frequently in sight.

14 THE dog; and how to break him.

When the game rises a pistol ought to be
fired : the wheljjs ought to drop immediate^ at
the sound of it, having been previously taught to
do so ; but it is possible that they may manifest a
disposition to chase, in which case " Down charye^^
in angry words first, and subsequently the whip
must be used, until they are perfectly obedient to
the words "Down charged' From this position
they must on no account be suffered to move
without being told.

Having got thus far. nothing more remains for
the dog-breaker but to practise until the animals
under his care are perfect ; and to show them as
much game as possible, that they may know what
it is they are intended to pursue, and not take to
hunting small birds. But hares will come in
their way at times ; and though nothing is more
easy than to prevent very young dogs chasing, it
becomes a difficult matter when they have ac-
quired strength and a will of their own.

If a dog cannot be prevented from chasing
hares b}^ the application of the whip, a trash-cord
to drag some fifteen to twenty yards on the
ground, with a knot at the end, so that it may
check the dog when the foot is placed on it, must
be resorted to. If the breaker can succeed two
or three times in suddenly checking the dog v, hen
he starts to run a hare by means of this cord, and
give him a jerk upon each occasion so as to throw

TRAINING DOGS FOR THE GUN. 15

him lieels over liead^ and afterwards use tlie "svhip
freeh-, it will most likely put a stop to the dog's
chasing*.

It will sometimes happen, though rarely, that a
dog will persist in chasing birds on the wing after
he has pointed them. In this case, when he
refuses to obey the voice or the whistle, the trash-
cord will be found most effective ; as, during the
time he is pointing, the breaker can secure the
cord so as to check the dog in the most effectual
manner.

The trash-cord is also useful to make a dog
come to heel when called, as he is easily caught
by means of it wlien he does not evince the proper
degree of obedience to the whistle or voice.

I have seen the spiked collar used to prevent
dogs chasing; but am of opinion that if a dog
cannot be reduced to obedience without the use
of this instrument of torture, he will never be
\yorth the trouble bestowed upon his education,
and had better be parted with at once.

Breaking fence, which most young dogs are
apt to do, must be carefully guarded against.
The shooter should always be first over the fence,
as birds are frequently on the alert, and fly wdieii
the dogs are allowed to precede him ; and thus
the chances of a shot are lost. " Ware-fence^'' is
the word to be used when rating the dog for
breaking fence ; and he will scon learn the mean-

16 THE dog; and how to break him.

ing of tlie term^ tlie more particularly if his pre-
vious lessons have been properly inculcated. Sub-
sequently the whistle will be found sufficient.

Dogs should always be hunted up the wind, or
across it. This will make them carry their heads
well up, and quarter their ground better than if
suffered to hunt down the wind. A good deal has
been said about dogs beating a field regularly,
and a great portion of what has been said is sheer
nonsense. It may be a pretty sight to see dogs
quarter a field with all the regularity and precision
of soldiers at a review or on parade ; but this
allows no room for a dog^s sagacity to display
itself. Sagacious dogs, particularly old ones, soon
acquire a better knowledge than the shooter where
their game is to be found ; and it is the best plan,
so long as their steadiness is to be depended on^
to let them have their own way, in a great mea-
sure, in this respect.

When a dog has had much practice in the field,
he will, in nineteen instances out of twenty, take
the wind of his own accord ; but he will also, if
not guarded against, be very likely to acquire a
habit of hunting round the hedge-sides on first
entering a field — experience ha^-ing taught him
that game is most frequently found in such situa-
tions. Provided the enclosures are not large this
may be permitted ; but if they be of considerable
extent (and small enclosures as well as fences are

TRAINING DOGS TOR THE GUN. 17

now fast disappearing) the dog will get into the
way of ranging too far off. The distance^ either
on moor or enclosui'e, should never exceed a
hundred to a hundred and twenty yards from the
shooter. When beyond this^ the whistle must be
used to keep him Avithin the proper distance.

Most shooters are aware that a dog will fre-
quently stop in the field and look to his master
for instructions. These instructions ought invari-
ably to be conveyed by signs of the hand ; even
the whistle should be used as seldom as possible ;
and the voice never, unless indispensably neces-
sary.

Some dogs there are tliat appear to care nothing
for their game when killed^ and yet may be good
dogs too. But it is best to let young dogs mouth
the first game they see killed^ and not be too
eager to take it from them. If you attempt to
take it away quickly it may teach the dog to
break feather or tear the bird, which he ^nll
seldom do if suffered to have his own way with it
for a minute or two.

When a bird is winged, or falls in a place where
it cannot readily be found, the dog must be told
to ^^ seek dead J" As I have previously observed,
one of his earliest lessons should be to " seek'' a
bit of bread or anything thrown from the table ;
and when he comes in contact with a wounded
bird he will have a pretty good idea how to ga

18 THE dog; and how to break him.

about his work. If a bird be winged, and seen
running before the dog, it is the best plan to fire
at and kill it at once ; for hunting wounded birds
has a natural tendency to make a dog wild. But,
when this is not practicable, the dog can hardly
be blamed if, when he sees a bird jumping up in
a vain attempt to fly within a few yards of his
nose, he rushes at it. And, if the truth be told,
there are few shooters who, under such circum-
stances, are not as eager as the dog.

In the selection of names for pointers, or any
dogs used with the gun, choose words of only one
syllable ; and let that one be such as will allow
the vowel to have its most perfect intonation.
Bob, Don, Rock, Moll, Fan, Di, Nell, &c., are
good names ; and, where it is practicable, the
names of dogs hunted together should be as dis-
similar as possible in sound, in order that there
may be no mistake when it becomes necessary to
use the voice instead of the whistle.

the pointer.

AVell-bred pointers are to be met with in most
parts of the kingdom ; ^arjdng in colour, size, &c.,
as the whim or caprice of the breeder may have dic-
tated. Sometimes small dogs are fashionable ; at
other times large ones. I must confess I am not

THE POINTER. 19

nn admirer of large dogs^ ha^dng found tliem less
capable of enduring fatigue and hard work tlian
tliose of a smaller size ; and often, too, suffering
in comparison with small dogs on the score of
sagacity. The best dogs I have ever seen, and by
far the best I ever possessed, have been small;
and 1 can safely say that I never yet met with a
very large dog that could fairly lay claim even to
mediocrity in the field.

Pointers, for vrant of judicious crossing, are apt
to become too fine and tender, and deficient in
sagacity. They also frequently acquire " too much
set ;" that is, acquire a habit of pointing at small
birds or places from T\-hich the game has flown for
«ome time, and frequently pointing at no ascer-
tainable object whatever. A dog of this descrip-
tion is absolutely worthless, and may be destroyed
at once; but it often happens that dogs of the
most unexceptionable form acquire this habit, and
it may be Avished to perpetuate a breed of hand-
some dogs. By crossing a bitch Avith a large-
headed middle-sized foxhound this may be accom-
plished. The first remove may not be all that
is desired ; but the second cross from the foxhound
has produced some of the best dogs ever known
in the world.

It is when pointers are bred too fine, too much
in-and-in, that this habit of false pointing makes
its appearance ; to remove Avhich a cross witli a

20 THE DOG; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

distant breed of pointers may be effective^ but is
not so mucli to be depended on as having recourse
to the foxhound or large harrier. It is well
known that the foxhound is possessed of power*
of endurance equal to those of any known dog ;
and these very valuable properties are frequently
transmitted to his progeny in breeding with the
pointer. It is fortunate when such is the case :
the ne plus ultra of pointers is thus obtained.

Colonel Thornton's celebrated pointer (sold for
tAvo hundred guineas) was a direct cross from the
foxhound; Captain ^Vliite's dogs possess many
characteristics of the same breed; and the best
pointer I ever had was the second remove from a
foxhound^ and third from a pointer imported
direct from Spain.

But^ as previously stated^ well-bred pointers are
easily to be procured without the delay or trouble
of having recourse to any cross ; and if care be
taken to avoid too near relationship in breeding,
little apprehension need be entertained but that
the produce will be in every way satisfactory.

The colour of a dog is not of much moment ;
but I have frequently heard and seen it stated
that dark-coloured dogs have better feet than
light ones — the same remark has been applied to
race-horses — and I think correctly in both in-
stances. Certainly, as far as pointers are con-
cerned, my own experience goes to prove that

THE RUSSIAN POINTER. 21

white^ or yellow and white dogs have more tender
feet, and are more tender in every way, than black
or brown ones. White dogs are best seen on the
moors, and black ones the best in a stubble. I
once had three dogs I sometimes hunted in com-
pany— a number I do not by any means recom-
mend— they were a jet black, a perfect white, and
(my old favourite) a brown and white ticked dog.
The picture formed by these dogs when pointing,
the white being in the middle of the three, was
the most beautiful I ever beheld.

THE RUSSIAN POINTER

Is not dissimilar in appearance to a water- spaniel.
By some it is called the " Russian Setter ;^^ an
appellation, in my opinion, more appropriate.
These dogs never came much in my way — in fact
I never saw but two in the field : one appeared a
very indifferent dog ; the other a very docile,
good, hard-Avorking bitch, with excellent temper
— the very opposite of the dog. I shot over this
bitch repeatedly in the Isle of Man, and better I
would not wish to have for cold or wet weather ;
but as I did not find her superior to a smooth
pointer, I felt no inclination to possess a breed of
dogs remarkable for their uncommon ugliness.
However, a friend of mine, resident in Hereford-

22 THE DOG; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

sliire^ wlio had a number of the Russian dogs,
gives them an excellent cliaracter; and on the
strength of that recommendation I will venture to
say that they will not disappoint the expectations
of any sportsman who is anxious to possess some-
thing out of the common way. The dog I have
noticed above I saw under unfavom^able circum^
stances : it was in company with one of the l^est
pointers ever bred by Mr. R. Gill, of Richmond,
Yoi'kshire, out of the many good ones bred by
that early and respected fiiend.

Russian pointers are scarce ; nor can I exactly
say at present where the breed is to be procm-ed,
or whether the dog so called be in reality a
Russian at all. However, as it is my intention as
soon as my other avocations will permit, to pro-
cure the best breeds possible of every kind of
sporting dog, for the purpose of sale as well as for
my own pleasure, I shall not omit the Russian
pointer from my catalogue.

THE SETTER.

The setter is seldom reduced to perfect obedience*
Even when his education is said to be complete,
and he is supposed to be perfectly trained, his
naturally headstrong disposition will, after every
short interval of rest, show itself in the field or on

THE SETTER. 23

the mountain. To hunt in company in a satis-
factorv manner, he must be continually at Avork
in all weathers, and in all seasons, or he is not to
be depended on ; and pointers being quite as
easily procured as setters, and, moreover, possess-
ing superior nose, with every other quality to re-
commend them to the sportsman (save, perhaps,
the povrer of endurance) they are to be preferred ;
and I unhesitatingly recommend all shooters not
to plague themselves with setters.

If, indeed, only one dog be kept, a setter may
be tolerated ; and he w^ill, if a well-bred one, work
all day and almost every day; but he will do
notliing that a pointer will not do in a superior
manner, save that he will go over more ground :
I am speaking of the setters of the present day.

The breed of old English setters has been for
many years extinct, or nearly so. How the
modern setter originated it would be somewhat
difficult to say. One characteristic of the breed,
be the colour what it may, is great beauty of form
and action, far surpassing any of the canine race.
In these the setter is pre-eminent over his smooth-
coated rival, but inferior in everything else.

THE RETRIEVER.

The Newfoimdland dog, crossed with almost anv

24 THE DOG j AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

clog of size, will produce excellent retrievers.
One of the best I ever saw was the offspring of
Newfoundland and mastiff. There is nothing
easierthan to make a perfect retriever if you com-
mence his lessons in time ; but the business be-
comes more difficult if delayed until the dog is
twelve months old.

A retriever should never leave the heel, unless
ordered to do so ; but should be kept entirely to
his own business, which is to fetch a dead bird or
catch a wounded one. His hunting should never
extend further than this. You may have a
pointer, or a setter, or a spaniel retriever — hunt-
ing being their legitimate business ; but in this
case you may dispense with any other retriever
altogether.

The first lesson for a young retriever may be
given in company with pointer or setter pups ; it
is merely to be taught to keep to the heel, and drop
on the firing of a gun or pistol. It must be first
ascertained whether he will carry ; but little doubt
need be entertained on this head, as I never yet
saw any dog haAdng a cross from the Newfoundland
that did not take to carrying naturally, and as if
by instinct. Sometimes it will happen, though not
often, that a young dog will bite his game too
hard; and this is an unfortunate circumstance.
If a rabbit skin be stuffed with hard straw, with
thorns intermixed, and used for him to fetch and

THE RETRIEYER. 25

cai'ry in the first instance, it will not often happen
that he ^vill bite his game ; but, should he acquire
that habit, a dead bird — a pigeon, for instance —
may be stuck through with sharp wires, which will
prick his mouth when he attempts to squeeze too
much, and may eventually cure him of a practice
which will be likely to increase with age.

Of all things, avoid letting your retriever at-
tempt to pick up a wounded crow or magpie ; one
of the best spaniels I ever had was completely
spoiled in that waj'. She took to retrieving
naturally, and would bring a snipe or woodcock,
or any bird whatever, any distance, withovit break-
ing a feather ; but, in an CAdl hour, I sent her in
pui'suit of a wounded magpie, which bit her
severely ; she got angry and killed the bii-d, and
ever after flew at her game, lining or dead, and
bit it severely.

All dogs when urged to the pm'suit of lining
game, such as winged birds, get angry in the
chase, and are apt on these occasions to tear or
mutilate that which when dead they would carry
without breaking a feather. On this account,
therefore, the retriever should be made to down-
charge. Besides, if a dog be suffered to break
away on the shot when the game is killed, he will
be very apt to acquire a habit of doing the
same when the game escapes ; and, ftirther, birds
are frequently lost on a bad scenting day by

c

26 THE DOG ; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

over-cageriiess to secure tliem. A -winged bircV
on fallings will,, if not immediately pursued, be
pretty certain to run into tlie first bit of thick
cover it can find, or even to remain perfectly
still on the spot on which it falls. Under any
circumstances it is best to give the game a little
time, and it will be the more easily brought to
bag either by a retriever or any other kind of
dog.

A retriever should be sufficiently large and
powerful to carry a hare, without difficidty, at a
gallop ; and to jump a fence with her. There is
an objection to large dogs in shooting where the
covers are thick and close ; and that is, that they
cannot so well make their way through the under-
wood as dogs of smaller size. Both pheasants and
hares are often found in coppice woods of three or
four years^ growth ; and frequently in these places
a luxuriant growth of brambles interposes ait
almost insurmountable barrier to the passage of a
large dog by forming a tangled network about the
heiglit of his breast, and leaving a tolerably clear
l)ottom, where a small dog has not much difficult^
in making his way.

It is necessary that your dog should !)<.>
taught to bring his game as quickly as possiljle
and deliver it into your hand. A rather ludicrous,
but at the same time vexatious circumstance oc-
curred one day when I was shooting. I had with

THE KETRIEVEli. 27

me a very good spaniel — one that wonld readily
fetch birds out of the ^^ater^ but would not carry
them on land : I killed a bird, which fell into an
old marl-pit, in the centre of which there was a
small island. The dog swam to the bird, and car-
ried it on to this island ; from off v.hich nothing
could induce him to fetch it. Birds are occasion-
ally lost in turnips or potatoes by pointer or setter
retrievers dropping them out of their mouths
within a few yards of the shooter ; and let it be
remembered that dogs Avill seldom notice in any
way a bird thus dropped. They are aware it is
not to be eaten by themselves, and their interest
in it appears to cease with its capture and death.

You should teach your dog to retrieve quickly,
which may be done by rewarding him with food
and caressing him. But you. must take care not to
give him food or teach him to expect it, so as to
acquire the habit of dropping his game as soon as
he reaches you ; on the contrary, it will be well
to let him occasionally carry a bird or hare some
distance, and encourage him to do so ; and to
bear in mind that it should be taken from his^
mouth by the hand, when it is required from him,
in as gentle a manner as possible.

Some dogs acquire a wonderful sagacity in
marking birds. An old favoiu'ite pointer, bred by
myself, was remarkable in this way. It is a most
useful quality, and cannot be too much encou-

c 2

§8 THE DOG ; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

raged. If a retriever keeps to heel, he will, on
seeing his master fire at a bird, if it does not
immediately fall, soon learn to follow the bird
with his eye ; and in case it is supposed to be
killed, he will have less difficulty in retrieving
with the knowledge of the flight of the bird than
if he had to depend upon the sense of smelliug
alone.

It is scarcely necessary to say anything about
retrieving from water, as dogs bred in the way I
have described are invariably fond of water ; nor
ean any dog be entitled to the name of a retriever
nnless he will take to swimming readily. I think
it scarcely necessary that he should dive ; though
he may be taught to do this : I never knew an
instance occur where diving was necessary. I
have, indeed, seen dogs put their heads under
•water when hunting the moor-hen, or ivater-hen
as it is called in some districts ; but it should be
distinctly understood that the proper and legiti-
mate business of a retriever is to hunt wounded or
dead, and not living game.

There are three things necessary in a retriever's
education : — never to leave the heel unless ordered
to do SO; to remain stationary or drop on the
firing of the gun ; and to fetch to his master the
dead or wounded game. The only difficulty is to
make him doioa-charge.

THE DOG ; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM. 29

THE WATER SPANIEL.

The dog passing under the name of water spaniel
is covered all over the body T\'ith soft curly hair ;
the curls not extending to the face^ the hair upon
which is short and smooth. A white stripe down
the forehead and face is one of the characteristics
of a breed not so often seen now as formerly; and
the prevailing colour is brown^ or liver colour.
The water spaniel is possessed of an excellent nose,
but is headstrong and unruly when encouraged to
hunt — I should have said suffered to hunt ; for
he requires no encouragement. He takes to the
water naturally^ and in bygone times was a good
deal used as a retriever, but has gone out of
fashion since the more tractable and more saga-
cious Newfoundland has been introduced.

In some districts of England hunting the moor-
hen is a favourite diversion with the rural popula-
tion j and for this pursuit the water spaniel is ad-
mirably calculated, inasmuch as he is able to bear
exposure to cold and wet for a considerable time
without any ill effect. I am not aware that I
ever saw the mode of hunting the moor-lien de-
scribed, nor will I waste many words on the
subject. I have often assisted at the diversion,
when a boy.

The moor-hen is found in ponds which are

30 THE dog; and how to 1511EAK HIM.

fringed with sedges, or cover of some descrip-
tion ; and will, upon being disturbed, be as likely
to dive as to fly. Even should it take wdng
its flight is ne^er a long one, and is generally
directed to some known pond, if there be any
near. When the bird has dived, it will not
.attempt to fly ; indeed it is questionable whether
it is a])le to do so for some time after it has been
under water, but Avill remain amongst the sedges
at the side, or sometimes the middle of the water,
with only its beak as far as the nostrils above the
surface. The breath of the bird will of course be
scented by the dogs as they are hunting amongst
the sedges ; but on their approach the moor -hen
will dive again, and continue to do so until it is
captured. Continued exertion soon tires the object
of pursuit, and each succeeding time its stay
beneath the surface of the water is less prolonged;
and being at length too much fatigued to dive
with sutncient celerity to avoid its enemies, it is
<iaught. The moor-hen, wdien cooked in a similar
manner to a duck, is not a bad dish.

Hunting the moor-hen is but a tedious, slow
diversion ; Init if the gun be called into requisi-
tion the bird is easily shot as it skims across the
surface of the pond, and a few hours may be spent
in a day, at the latter end of July, in this way,
when no other shooting is to be had.

In addition to beins; headstrong and unrn.ly, as

THE SPANIEL^ SPRIXGEI?, OR COCKEK. ' '51

previously noticed, the water spaniel is often surly
tind ill-tempered, with children even ; and, except
for the business just described, is scarcely worth
the notice of the sportsman.

THE SPANIEL, SPRINGER, OR COCKER.

Spaniels are invaluable for cover shooting; more
•especially so for the pursuit of the woodcock.
There are several varieties, which have been more
crossed and intermixed than any other species of
the canine race. From the fine, heavy, sagacious
breed belonging to the Duke of Newcastle, and
known as the Clumber breed, down to the little,
pug-nosed abominations called Blenheims and
King Charleses, they are all bustling, active, fawn-
ing creatures. To '^ fawn like a spanieP^ has be-
<'ome a proverb.

Some spaniels are entirely mute when hunting
— the Clumber breed being so ; others will only
open upon hare or rabbit ; Avhilst there are of the
breed those that will give tongue on the quest of
cither woodcock or snipe, or any winged game.
They A^ ill all take the Avatev readily, and for the
most fetch and carry with little tuition or trouble;
the great difficulty in training spaniels being to
restrain their natural ardour, and prevent them
ranging too far from the gun.

32 THE dog; and how to break him.

I have occasionally seen small curly spaniels in
every way resembling water spaniels^ except in
size — witli tlie white stripe down the forehead ; in
fact^ water spaniels in miniature. These,, I believe^
give tongue very freely ; but the dogs to be re-
commended for all purposes should be short in the
leg, long in the body, with wavy (not curly) hair ;
the ears shorter than what is generallj^ considered
handsome, or they will catch in the briars and be
an obstruction when hunting ; and they may be
selected to hunt mute or otherwise, at the fancy
of the sportsman. For my own part I like a
spaniel to give tongue when he is certain of his
game, and to open pretty freely when it rises.

In the selection of a breed of spaniels little fear
need be entertained but that they will hunt : I
never saw one of the breed that was not almost
too eager in that way. Care should be taken to
have hardy animals ; and great attention should
be paid to nose. The Clumber breed, and what
are called Blenheims, are lemon and white ; the
King Charles's breed is generally supjDOsed to be
black, with tanned eyes, ears, and belly ; and from
these have sprung dogs of almost all colours and
every variety of size. Amongst spaniels a cross
from the terrier is not uncommon ; nor have I
much doubt but that such animals, when properly
trained, will be most ser\iceable in cover. The
terrier is known to possess the most exquisite

THE SPANIEL^ SPKINGEI?, OR COCKER. 33

sense of smel], is of imdoubted courage and perse-
verance ; but natiu'ally takes to hunting vermin,
liares^ foxes^ rabbits, &c., in preference to game.

Spaniels should be entered at their own game,
or they will cause a deal of trouble by giving
tongue when they come in contact with thrushes,
blackbirds, or indeed any small birds they may
find in cover. The best plan is, perhaps, to take
them into a bog where there are snipes, and kill
one or two as soon as possible : by doing this they
immediately acknowledge the quest of a woodcock
when they come upon it. There is no better plan
of training a spaniel for woodcock shooting — that
bird being here only a part of the year — than to
take them with a gim in piu'suit of the moor-heu
(as described under the preceding head of water
spaniel). If they hunt the latter well, they will
not do very Avrong ^a ith the former. I am inclined
to think that the scent of both birds is similar ;
and though the woodcock seeks a thicker cover
than the moor-hen, and depends altogether on his
Avings for escape, and does not so obstinately keep
the ground, I know from experience that train-
ing spaniels in the way I have just pointed out is
the best that can be adopted. Of course it would
never do to let the spaniel hunt the moor-hen with-
out the gun. By so doing he would be taught to
dodge about, and would acquire a habit of puzzling
upon an old scent. When once a dog does this

c3

34 THE dog; and how to bklak him.

— let it be pointer, setter, or spaniel — he is com-
paratively of no value.

The education of the spaniel should, if possible,
commence in the house, yard, or garden, at a very
early age, by draAving- a bit of meat along the
ground in a zigzag manner, and encouraging him
to find it ; rewarding him with food and caressing
him when he has done so, but carefully preventing
his eating the meat he sought for. As I have
previously observed, all of the breed I ever saw
have been eager to hunt ; and to place an effectual
check upon this ardent disposition is the great
secret of training the spaniel. The puppy shoidd
be early taught to crouch at the firing of a gun or
pistoL and compelled to remain in this position
until ordered to move. It is not uncommon for
young setters or young pointers to be afraid of
the gun; but I never saw a spaniel that did not
manifest symptoms of pleasure on seeing it, as well
as on hearing it fired. When the puppy is obe-
dient to the call or whistle, he may be suffered to
run about in the lanes, Vvdien taken out for exercise,
pretty much at his own pleasure, using the wliistle
when he rambles too far off. When he begins to
have a notion of hunting it will be well to show
liim his game at once.

In shooting with spaniels the dogs are neces-
sarily a good deal out of sight. Even in the open
ground, in turnips, their smallness of size prevents

THE SPANIEL, SPRINGER, OR COCKER. 35

them being seen, and therefore they cannot well
be directed in their motions by a wave of the
hand : but it is ^ye\\ to teach them to obey the
hand, as they will often be so placed that they can
see their master whilst they are invisible to him.
Most dogs, if not very unrnly indeed, will stop on
hearing the whistle ; and if they do not forthwith
come back, will look to their master to ascertain
the reason they are called. At this time a wave
of the hand will set them going — if not in a direc-
tion according to the shooter's wish, the whistle
must be used again, and the wave of the hand,
until the dogs hunt in the direction required.

It is most difficult to teach a spaniel to doic/i
charge. It may be accomplished in tlte open
*! round; but if a bird be flushed in cover and
killed, it is ten to one but the dog sees it fall, and
lie will not fail to rush in to have his share of the
diversion. After all, there is no gTeat harm in
this, provided the dog vrill retrieve ; and it is un-
doubtedly a most certain method of bringing the
game to bag.

I have just used the term, " flushed a bird in
cover.'' Now, in sporting phraseology, the term
^^ flushed'' is only applicable to the woodcock ;
but this technical jargon is fast growing into
<iisuse. The term " covey" is more frequently
applied both to grouse and pheasants than the
:morc sportsmanlike (?) term " brood." A " ys\<^^^

36 THE dog; and hotv to break him.

of snipe is rarely heard of; and the term ^' bevy'^
is oftener used in speaking of a bevy of girls than
a bevy of qnails.

Two spaniels at a time are sufficient_, if the
shooter be without an attendant. If a keeper be
employed to hunt them^ the number may be in-
creased to four ; but it cannot be too strongly
impressed on the memory that many dogs will
find most game, but are seldom conducive to the
killing of it.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON DOGS.

It will often be found that a dog Avill display a
peculiar sagacity for a particular kind of work ;
pointers and setters will sometimes take to open-
ing in cover, and I have had a spaniel that would
point. In the latter case I was in the habit of
shooting a good many landrails in the Isle of Man,
and I used this spaniel in the pursuit of them. I
have seen her point the landrail frequently. It
is true, the point was only of sufficient duration
for her to ascertain the exact position in which the
bird lay, that she might make a rush upon it with
certainty ; but there is little doubt that it was
this instinctive pause on the part of the dog, pre-
vious to springing upon his game, that originated
the idea of the setting dog.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 37

\^nien pointers or setters give tongue in cover —
wliicli, as I have just observed, tliey Avill some-
times acquire a habit of doing — they may serve the
place of spaniels, and will find a great deal of
game ; but they cannot make their way through
the tangled cover as spaniels will do, nor can
this habit be taught. It must come instinctively,
and may perhaps be traced to some remote cross
of the foxhound or hanier. An old pointer I
shot partridges over in the year 1847 would open
if he saw all the birds go away, but was mute
if an individual fell. A setter I had in 1849
would not fail to give tongue upon flushing a
woodcock or any ivinged game in cover, but was
mute when a hare moved away from before him.

It is well known amongst old sportsmen that a
bird pointed in a hedgerow will, whenever it is
possible, go out on the side opposite to the
dog ; consequently, if the hedge be a high one,
the chance of a shot is lost, unless the shooter
can also get to the side opposite to the dog.
Sometimes this is not practicable ; but, with a
little practice, a sagacious dog may soon be taught
to leave his point, to cross the hedgerow, and
put out the bird, so that the shooter may have
an unobstructed shot. The dog must be taught
to do this by gently leading him away from the
point to some distance, and then putting him
over, or encouraging him to get over, the lied2:e,

38 THE DOG ; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM.

wlien he Avill immediately proceed to the spot
Avliere he knows the bird to be. A stone may
lio^^ be thrown into the hedge, and the bird put
up. A dog will soon get accustomed to this
work, and will in a little time be very apt,
of his own accord, to rush into the hedge from
the opposite side, upon a stone being thrown in.
This sort of thing is only practicable with a
single dog; and it would be destructive to a
young one : it is a manoeuvre for a sagacious old
dog only.

One of the best dogs I ever saw, to kill game to
single-handed, Avas a cross between a rather large
wiry-haired Scotch terrier bitch and one of my
own pointers; this dog, however, was good for
nothing in company. In fact, his owner was a
poacher, and I knew nothing of the existence of
the dog until he came to me by chance one day,
in the field, when I was shooting near his mastei-^s
residence. He followed me on several subsequent
occasions. He would range well; had sagacity
always to hunt with the wind hi his favour;
would retrieve, downcharge — in fact, do everything
but hack (this he would not do) ; was never tired,
and all vreathers came alike to him. But this is
a solitary instance of a dog bred in such a vray
being of any value — at least, I never lieard of
another.

A dog cannot be too much his master's com-

GENERAL OBSERYATIOXS. 39

paiiion — in doors and ont : by being thus con-
tinually together^ tlie dog will acquire a knowledge
of what is said to him^ that would almost lead one
to suppose that oidy the faculty of speech was
v> anting to enable him to reply. By being made
a companion of, and kindly treated^ he will the
more readily perform every task assigned to him
than if he were continually in the kennel^ or taken
thence to his duties in the field.

It is not well for a dog to have many masters.
I would never lend dog, horse^ or gun to any one,
unless I knew the party well indeed. I\Iake this
a rule_, and it ^vill save you a great deal of morti-
fication.

A good dog will not long hunt in a satisfactory
manner for a bad shot ; nor will an animal,,
originally well trained, long remember his lessons
if he pass into the hands of an indifferent shot.
It is not absolutely necessary that a cl()(i-hreaker
should be a good shot; but as soon as the dog-
gets to know what^s what, unless bu'ds are killed
to him, he will try to kill them himself. In the
year 1833, or 1834, I was in the habit of shooting
in company with a friend (a very indifferent shot)
in northern Cheshire. One day we had aj)pointed
to go out, but business prevented m}^ so doing,

and my friend, Mr. C 1, sallied forth with my

old favourite pointer alone. On seeing him the
next day, "Well, C ,'' said I, "what diver-

40 THE DOG; and how to break him.

sion?^^ "Oh^ capital. That old dog is a famous
one J' "What did you kill?'^ ^y as my question.
" Oh ! I killed nothing- with shooting ; but I
found a covey ^!' ^ * and after I had missed
three or four times,, Bob caught one^ and he after-
wards caught a leveret^ and a water-hen/^ The
fact is^ master Bob would have played the same
game with any indifferent shot ; nor was he a soli-
tary instance of a good dog^s taking his own way
with a bad marksman.

Those sportsmen who reside in the country,
and have plenty of leisure time, deserve not good
dogs if they do not train them themselves ; such
as will do this cannot hope to possess dogs
of the excellence that they are capable of attain-
ing. And to the latter class, in concluding these
general observations, I unhesitatingly recommend
the use of pointers, convinced that they will be
much more likely than setters to gi^e compara-
tive satisfaction. In the purchase of dogs mind
to have a trial, if practicable ; if not in the shoot-
ing season, take a pistol with you, and fire it when
the game is found, this will show you if the dog-
will stand the gun. There is scarcely any remedy
for a dog that has attained some age, when he is
afraid of the firing of the gun. One of the finest
young dogs I ever saw, and one that would find
game in the most splendid style, was useless on
this account ; and I tried in vain the better part
of a season to cure him of it, without success.

41

DISEASES OF DOGS.

Generally speaking, the first thing to be attended
to, in the cure of all the diseases to which the dog
is subject, is the state of the stomach j and in a
naturally healthy animal, provided that important
organ be kept in proper order, nature will prove
the best physician.

Clean beds, well ventilated, and, at the same
time, warm sleeping places, good water, and good
food, of the plainest description, are preventives of
disease ; whilst a deficiency of any of the essen-
tials just enumerated is sure to bring with it a
number of e^ils. Dogs will become costive if they
are kept in confinement ; and as it is sometimes
inconvenient to let them have a proper allowance
of exercise, under such circumstances a tea-
spoonful of flowers of sulphur, or any other mild
pm-gative, given occasionally, will be beneficial;
it will make them fine in their coats, and coun-
teract any tendency to mange.

4.2 DISEASES OF DOGS.

• Should a dog's nose at any time feel dry and
warm, it may be taken for granted tliat the animal
is, to use a phrase of the stable, amiss. In such
case it will be found that his sense of smelling is
very much impaired ; in fact, there is no better
-criterion of a dog's health than the state of his
nose. If it feel cold and moist to the palm of
the hand, it is more than likely that all is right ;
but if dry and vrarm, recourse sliould be had at
once to medicine.

Dogs Avliich run loose, A\hich is by far the best
plan when practicable, occasionally gorge them-
selves with carrion ; they will scent it a very long-
distance, and often make a journey at night to
feed upon it. There is nothing v.ill sooner injure
the olfactory organs than feeding on carrion ; and
it has also a tendency to produce mange, as well as
otlier disease, by over-heating the blood. Besides,
Avlien dogs stray at night they arc sometimes away
from home -^hen their services are required, and
often get into mischief, especially in a country
where there are many sheep ; if a dog once cats
part of a dead lamb or sheep, it is a hundred to
one but he takes to worrying when temptation
comes in his way.

Some dogs, even pointers, are fond of going
into water ; and some will swim about in it for
hours together. There is no harm whatever in
this so long as the -weather is warm ; but it is a

THE DISTEMPER. 43

liabit ^vhich slioulcl be checked, as it is often pro-
ductive of e^il consequences in cold weather. It
is useless to expect a dog to do his work properly
when he is aflPected by cold. His nose is often
tilled with mucus, and consequently not to be de-
pended on ; and, instead of being moist and cool,
Avill be found dry and liarsh. On some days tlic
scent is said to be better than others, which is no
doubt perfectly true ; but it should be rememlx'rcd
that tlic dog's nose may vary — a circumstance
which is, for the most part, altogether overlooked.
With these preliminary observations, I proceed
to the catalogTie of canine diseases, Avith the
methods of cure, so far as I am able to furnisli
them.

THE DISTEMPER.

Ox this subject I quote the following from my
father. I have seen fifty instances of the efficacy
of the method of treatment recommended, and
never knew it fail in a single one. In addition to
liis observations on the subject, I may remark,
that young dogs are seldom attacked with any dis-
ease except the distemper and fits. The latter are
-frequently caused by over-feeding, and will become
less frequent, and cease altogether when the
animal is put upon proper diet and has plenty of
fxevcise; t!ie former frequently terminates fatally

44 DISEASES OF DOGS.

if allowed to proceed beyond a certain stage, and
it is therefore of the utmost importance that any
altered appearance in the dog should be attended
to in time_, the more particularly as I have just
stated that young dogs are seldom attacked by
any other disease.

*' The peculiar affliction of the dog, known by
the name of the distemper, like the small-pox in
the human species, generally makes its appearance
in early life, and I scarcely ever knew an instance
of a dog escaping it. The animal is very rarely
afflicted with it a second time, one instance only
falling under my observation during many years
of extensive observation. I never knew the dis~
temper to present itself while whelps were
sucking ; but from the time they quit the teat it
may be expected, and will generally appear before
the animal has attained his first year, often during^
the period between his fifth and ninth month.
On the approach of this canine scourge, the dog
will be dull, his eyes will appear less bright than
usual, a languidness will pervade his whole system,
and his appetite w ill fail, or he may, perhaps, re-
fiise his food altogether ; he will be also troubled
with a great degree of constipation ; this is the
first stage of the disease in question. The dis-
temper makes its way by inflammation, accom-
panied by costiveness; and, therefore, reason clearly
points out the necessity of checking the one and

THE DISTEMPER. 45

removing tlie other. Bleed the animal imme-
diately, and give him a table- spoonful of syrup of
buckthorn, Avhich "vvdll most likely answer the
pm'pose effectually; if, after the lapse of a few
days the dog does not appear perfectl}'- recovered,
repeat the bleeding and the physic ; a third time if
found necessary, which mil not often happen — not
once in five hundred cases. By the process
above described the disease is checked and sub-
dued in the first instance ; it cannot when thus
opposed acquu'e strength, and is therefore easily
vanquished or dissipated. Such a mode of treat-
ment is incontestibly supported by reason, since
nothing can tend so effectually to check inflamma-
tion as lowering the system. The animal should
be bled very freely — in fact it is almost impossi-
ble to take too much blood from a dog under such
circumstances. Supposing the subject to be a
stout pointer whelp, seven or eight months old,
about five ounces of blood should be taken from
him. A table-spoonful of syrup of buckthorn will
be found a proper dose for such an animal, and
the quantity may be varied according to the age
and strength of the patient.

'^ The operation of bleeding a dog should be
thus performed : — place a cord roiuid the animaVs
neck,^and draw it sufiiciently tight so as to throw
up or elevate the jugular vein ; puncture it longi-
tudinally (not cross-wise) with a common lancet^

46 DISEASES Oi- D[)GS.

aiid^ for the purpose of causing- the hlood to flow^
the finger shouUl be pressed on the vein a little
below the orifice. When sufficient blood has been
drawn, the punctiu'e need not be pinned^ nor any
Avay closed^ as the dog by holding down his head
draws the lips of the Avound together^ and the blood
forms a crust upon it immediately ; hence the rea-
son of puncturing the vein longitudinally, since, if
cut cross-wise, the dog will pull the wound open
every time he holds down his head, particularly in
feeding.

'"^ If the distemper be sufteredto proceed beyon.l
the first stage, the dog will be afflicted with a
husky cough ; a running at the nose, and also at
the eyes, will come on, attended with an ofi'ensive
smell — symptoms which will continue to increase
(if the animal be left to his fate) till he begins to<
reel aiul fall; at length he becomes unable to
stand, emits a most offensive effluvium, his suffer-
ings are very severe, and he ultimately expires
from exhaustion. A dog will sometimes survive
the distemper if he have not been- fed too highly,
and is allowed his liberty in the homestead or-
fields ; imder such circumstances the animal ^\ ill
act the part of his own physician to certain extent,
by eating broad blades of grass, &c., which operate
as an emetic, and, perhaps, as a cathartic also — so
kind and bountiful is nature.

" If, during the progress of the disease, the dog

THE DISTE^MPEK. 47

be coufiued, the distemper will kill liim — in niiiety-
iiiiie cases out of a liiindred_, as I well know from
experiment. If a dog be allowed to contract the
distemper to a considerable extent, if he happen to
survive it, either by the aid of human assistance
or otherwise, its effects Avill frequently be per-
ceived afterwards in muscular t ditchings or posi-
tive lameness during, perhaps, the remainder of
the ajiimaFs life.

" I am well aware that there are persons who
profess or pretend to a knowledge of curing the
distemper, about Avhicli they in general affect an
air of mystery ; there are several reputed specifics^
for it also advertised : they altogether amount to
nothing. The nature of the disease, and particu-
larly its mode of approach, should constitute the
first object of consideration, since it is generally
and very justly admitted, that ^ when a disorder
is imderstood it may be considered as half cm-ed ;'
so, after what has been stated in the preceding
pages on this subject, let the reader judge for
himself.

" AA'here there are several young dogs, and one
happens to contract the distemper, the rest should
be inocidated immediately, having a dose of physic
administered at the same time. The disease is
thus rendered much milder. A little mucus taken
from the nose of the affected animal and inserted
in the nostrils of the others will effectuallv answer

48 DISEASES OF DOGS.

the purpose. Vaccine inoculation has been re-
commended for the prevention of distemper in
dogs ; I tried the experiment repeatedly, but did
not find it satisfactory. The distemper is highly
contagious.

^' When a dog has been severely affected with
distemper, fits will sometimes follow\ These fits
will generally give way to copious venesection and
physic, as already described; but should they
continue, the unfortunate animal should be de-
stroyed, or the affliction may produce that dread-
ful malady, canine madness, erroneously denomi-
nated hydrophobia.''

FITS.

For the cure of fits the reader is referred to the
first paragraph in the preceding article. It is
necessary to keep the animaPs bowels open.

THE HYDROPHOBIA.

This is a dreadful disease in the human subject ;
but it is miscalled in the dog. In the latter there
is no dread of water. I never saw but two cases
in the dog, the symptoms of one of A^ hich I will
endeavour to describe, though the recollection of

THE HYDROPHOBIA. 49

the danger incurred by myself, as well as by the
members of my family, makes me shudder.

In the year 1847 I had a very handsome black
pointer bitch, six years old, which never had pups ;
she was a great favourite, and was kept a good
deal in the house ; was very lively, frolicsome,
good-tempered, and fawning as a spaniel. When
young she had the distemper in rather a violent
degree, but it left no twitching upon her ; in fact,
up to the period above named, the bitch was as
healthy as any dog could be.

In the month of July her usual manner sud-
denly changed, and one of my children remarked
that Di (such was her name) was unweU. This
passed unnoticed by me until the next day, when
my attention was again called to the circum-
stance. At this moment she was engaged in tear-
ing a mat or rug placed for her to sleep upon, and
I became convinced from her general appearance,
and the horrid, savage glare of her eye, that she
was mad. I distinctly saw her attempt to swallow
pieces of her bed, though I am doubtful if she did
actually swallow them. When I called her by
name she answered by a vacant look and the
customary wagging of the tail, her under jaw
drooping considerably, and her tongue perfectly
black. My fii'st impulse was to destroy her on
the spot; and, most certainly, should a similar
case ever occui* to me, I should not hesitate a sin-

50 DISEASES or DOGS.

gle instant. I consider it a most providential eir-
cnm stance that none of my fanijly or myself were
bitten whilst she Aras labonring under all the
symptoms of madness ; and I attribute this to the
factj that the l)itch was of most gentle disposition :
had she been otherwise, it is more than likely that
some of us would have perished by hj^drophobia.
I seciu'ed her to a kennel with a chain, and she
immediately commenced gnawing the sides of it
so intently that she was insensible to all that was
passing aroimd her. Food was offered, and she
would take it into her mouth, but could not swal-
low it. The previous day she seemed to have lost
her sight in a great degree, and ran her head
against the chairs, &c., and she reeled and stag-
gered like a drunken man; she now staggered
about as far as her chain would permit, and,
though her sight was not entirely gone, it was
nearly so. She would snap at anything she hap-
pened to touch, and would occasionally attempt
to break away from her chain; she was still, at
times, very intent upon gnawing the side of her
kennel. She was recalled, in some measure, to
consciousness by my voice ; but in turning her
head to whence the sound proceeded she evidently
glared on vacancy. Occasionally she uttered a
sharp piercing yell, as if from pain, and was in in-
cessant involuntary — almost convulsive motion.
The next day she grew weaker, but all the symp-

THE HYDROPHOBIA. 51

toms just described continued, though abated in
intensity. Her eyes presented the aj)pearance of
masses of ulceration, and at night, with a prolonged
yell and slightly convulsive struggle, she died.
On examination I found that her eyes Avere
actually in a state of decomposition.

I am inclined to tliink that there is no cure for
canine madness. Any attempt to administer medi-
cine to a dog under such circumstances would
most likely be in vain, to say nothing of the rash-
ness and extreme danger of approaching an animal
when the least scratch from his teeth might be
looked upon as certain death, and when he has
not more than a momentary knowledge of his
master, and snaps at everything that comes in
his way. When labouring under this dreadful
disease the dog has not the poAver to keep his
mouth closed; but, by a convulsive effort can
close his jaws, and inflict a severe wound.

Were any dog of mine again to be attacked,
I would instantly have him destroyed, however
great a favourite he might be. Many animals
have been pronounced mad which were not so in
reality, which is an error on the safe side perhaps;
but no one who has once noticed a real case of
rabies can ever for a moment be mistaken should
a second fall under his observation.

iNIedical skill has hitherto been unavailing to
cure hydrophobia in the human subject— at least

D 2

53 DISEASES OF DOGS.

no well- authenticated case has ever been made
public ; but were I unfortunately bitten by a dog
supposed to be mad^ I should have recourse to
speedy excision of the part^ and make such ap-
pliances to the wound as would cause extensive
suppuration. Many diseases may be prevented,
the cure of which is more than doubtful; and
such may be the case with hydrophobia.

DUMB MADNESS.

This appears to be a ridiculous term for a disease
which proved fatal (in the only case which ever
fell under my observation) to one of the finest
young pointers ever bred, when he was eight
months old.

The dog kept his mouth open; the inside of
which appeared darker coloured than usual, and
somewhat swelled. I bled him copiously, which
produced no visible alteration. The next day all
the symptoms had increased, and I observed that
he was unable to swallow, though he made many
attempts both to eat and drink — particularly the
latter; but the water or the milk, which, by
putting liis nose into the vessel, he contrived to
get into his mouth, uniformly ran out again ; and
he appeared utterly unable to pass it down his
throat. He licked his fore-legs very much, and

THE YELLOWS. 53

appeared to have a trifling discliarge of saliva.
All this time, however, the dog was not only
sensible, but even in good spirits ; and evidently-
experienced little pain. He died from want of
food ; not being able to swallow. The lungs, the
liver, and indeed all those parts of the animal
organization were unaffected ; and they manifested
not the slightest symptoms of disease. A similar
remark will apply to all parts of the throat, and
also to the brain. The only affection that could
be discovered was in the salivary glands, which
were triflingly swelled. The disorder was evi-
dently a glandular affection, which rendered the
animal incapable of swallowing sustenance. Had
food been conveyed to the stomach by means of a
tube, the dog might perhaps have recovered.

THE YELLOWS.

This disease is often fatal to dogs — more so than
the distemper, in comparison to the number of
animals attacked by it. My father, in one of his
works, says it is a disease seldom met with out of
the kennel. From its appearance it is not un-
reasonable to suppose that it bears some affinity
to the jaundice in the human subject. I do not
think it infectious, like the mange ; and the fact

M4i DISEASES OF DOGS.

that a number of dogs in kennel are attacked Avith
it at the same time, may be attril^uted to the pre-
disposing causes being the same.

The only case which ever fell under my notice
was that of a promising young pointer which hurt
himself internally (as I thought at the time) by
jumping from the top of a stage coach. He was
attacked \\ itli the yelloics, and died. I adminis-
tered calomel in considerable doses, at the recom-
mendation of a clever veterinary surgeon, as the
disease was new to me, but without effect. On
the first approach of the disease the ej^elids become
yellow in the inside ; and the same coloiu' extends
to the belly and flanks, and even to the whole
body.

When this disease attacked the Cheshire hounds
some years ago, the following was said to be an
effectual mode of cure : — As soon as the dog is
perceiAcd to be unwell, four grains of calomel
should be given, and he should be kept warm
during their operation. Then take —

Rhubarb, one ounce;

Aloes, half an ounce ;

Castile soap, half an ounce :

CEthiop^s mineral, half an ounce.
These should be mixed together v.ith syrup of
buckthorn, and made into bolusses about the size
of a nutmeg ; one of w liicli should be given every

TO DESTROY FLEAS, ETC. 55

morning for three successive days, when one may-
be administered every other morning for a week,
or longer if necessary.

LAMENESS IN THE SHOULDER*

This disease is produced by damp kennels, or by
the dog being allowed to go too much into water.
Like the rheumatism in the human subject, it
may be alle\-iated by Avarmth ; but is seldom per-
fectly cured.

COLD AND COUGH

Frequently affect the doge's sense of smelhng to a
considerable extent. They may be removed by
administering a little mild purgative, and paying-
proper attention to keeping the animal warm and
clean in his bed.

TO DESTROY FLEAS, ETC.

In summer time dogs are often much troubled
with fleas and other vermin : a strong solution of
tobacco will easily remove them. Dogs which
-sleep in brick or stone kennels are more subject

56 DISEASES OF DOGS.

to ticks than those whose kennels are formed of
wood. In warm weather, in sheep countries, these
last disgusting insects will sometimes fasten upon
the shooter's legs.

FOR DOGS THAT HAVE TAKEN POISON.

Dogs are sometimes poisoned; and, too often,
when such is the case, the mischief is committed
wantonly and wilfully. Under such circumstances
the kind of drug used is most likely unknown ;
and, added to this, it is seldom known how long
the deadly morsel has been swallowed. If the
poison can be removed from the stomach by the
stomach-pump, or by causing vomiting, or by any
other means whatever, recovery is possible. The
following will cause immediate vomiting : —

Ipecacuanha, fifteen grains ;
Water, two table-spoonsful.

To be mixed, and the dose repeated if it do not
operate immediately. Then take of —

Prepared kali, three drachms ;
Water, one ounce.

Give a table-spoonful every fifteen minutes to pro-
duce purging and vomiting likewise. Should the
animal survive he must be fed on nourishing
diet.

SCAB IN THE EARS. 57

rOR THE BITE OF THE ADDER, ETC.

Adders are numerous in many of the mosses of
this country, as well as in woods (particularly
coppice woods), and are not uncommon on many
of the gi-ouse mountains. The adder is seldom
the attacking party, but will seek his hole on
being disturbed ; but it sometimes happens that
dogs come upon these reptiles suddenly, and a bite
may be the consequence. Any kind of vegetable
oil applied externally and administered internally,
will prevent e^-il consequences, if resorted to im-
mediately ; but if neglected the bite of the adder
or ^iper may result in death. The remedy is,
however, simple and unfailing; and is generally
obtainable at anv farm-house.

SCAB IN THE EARS

Often proceeds from the edges of the ears being
torn by brambles, &c., in the field ; and, so long
as the dog is in work, it is not easily got rid of.
It will soon disappear if the parts are well washed
with warm water, and gentle purging medicine is
administered internally when the animal is suffered
to rest. Mercurial ointment is recommended ;
but is no more effective than the mode pointed out.

d3

S8 DISEASES OF DOGS.

BURNS AND SCALDS.

Goulard^s extract of lead, two drachms ;

Water, half a pint.
After the third or fourth da^^ the blisters should
be opened, but the skin not removed, and dressed
with the following : —

Olive oil, half an ounce ;

Goulard^s extract of lead, one ounce.

SORE FEET.

Wash with warm water and soap during the heat
of the weather ; in the more advanced period of
the season salt and water.

TO BRING HAIR UPON A SCALDED PLACE.

KuB frequently with fresh hogs^ lard, or any kind
of animal oil.

CANKER IN THE LIPS.

Rub the affected parts with alum water two or
t'nee times a day; or, bole ammoniac and alum.

FOR WOUNDS, ETC. 59

FILMS IN THE EYE.

Bathe them twice a day with water in which a
little vitriol has been dissolved (the size of a large
horse-bean to a pint of spring water), and in a
minnte or two wash them with clean water.

SPRAIXS.

They should be well rnbbed twice a day with the
following : —

Camphor, one drachm ;

Brandy, one ounce.
When the camphor is dissolved add one ounce of
sweet oil, and shake them well together. As
sprains are attended with inflammation this should
be subdued in the first place by fomenting with
warm Avater.

rOR WOUNDS, AND TO STOP AN EFFUSION OF BLOOD.

Spirit of sal ammoniac, "^
Opodeldoc, > Equal parts;

Sweet nitre, ^

Spiint of turpentine, half quantity.

60 DISEASES OF DOGS.

THE RED MANGE.

This is a most troublesome and malignant disease,
and is never, I think, so completely cui'ed but that
it re-appears at intervals; more especially when
the animal has been fed on heating food. It will
disappear, in a great degree, periodically, without
medicine or external application of any kind. It
is not infectious, nor is it very common. It shows
itself in large red blotches along the back, on the
flanks and belly, and underneath the fore legs.
These blotches itch and burn to such a degree
that the afflicted animal is in continual torment
and agony ; and as I believe the disorder, though
not infectious, is communicated to the progeny of
the dogs afflicted with it, I do not hesitate to
recommend the destruction of the animal if the
red mange has got possession of his system.

In one instance I tried everything I could think
of, without success. The disease would, indeed,
occasionally disappear for a time ; but only to
return with almost increased virulence.

A friend of mine (Mr. James Kerr, of Broughton-
in-Eurness) has a favourite terrier, which has been
for some years subject to the red mange. In this
dog the disorder frequently disappears altogether,
and he appears sleek and well ; whilst sometimes

THE RED MANGE. 61

the i30or thing is rolling on his back or scratching
and tearing himself for hours together, in vain
attempts to allay the burning torment. It is said
to be curable in the following manner, but I very
much doubt it : —

Train oil, one ounce;
Black sulphui'j one ounce ;
Liquid blister, half an ounce.
To be rubbed on the dog every other day.

Other remedies are mentioned ; amongst them
the following : —

Let half an ounce of corrosive sublimate be re-
duced in a glass mortar to an impalpable powder ;
to this, by a yery small quantity at a time, add
two ounces of spirits of wine; and, lastly, one
pint of rain water ; and (with a sponge dipped in
the solution) let every part affected be well washed
every third day, till thrice performed : then leave
three clear days, and repeat the former course of
thrice, as before ; letting three mercurial purging
balls be given at the equal distances of three or
four days.

General Hanger^s celebrated receipt is a prepa-
ration of quicksilver.

I have not yet known a case where mercurial
applications alone have been successful; nor, in-
deed, in combination with drugs of any kind. T
believe the red manoe to be incurable.

62 DISEASES OF DOGS.

THE COMMON MANGE.

This disorder (extremely infectious) is originally
produced by damp sleeping situations, dirty beds,
bad food, and filth in general. It much resembles
the itch in human beings, and is too well known
to need particular description. Its cure is not
difficult. Mix

Oil of tar,
Sulphur ^ivum.
Train oil.
Of each an equal quantity ; with which well rub
the dog several times — a day elapsing between
each rubbing. A little sulphur* given internally
^vill be of ser^dce. If the dog attempt to lick him-
self let him be muzzled.

3Iercurial ointment repeatedlj^ applied in small
quantities mil effect a certain cure.

Change to diet of a cooling nature, and opening
medicine, will frequently effect a cure without any
external application whatever.

The mange sometimes affects animals in a wild
state — mangy foxes being frequently killed by
hoiiTids in hunting.

63

THE G A :M E LAWS.

The Sttitute 1 and 2 AVilliam IV. chap. 32,
passed October 5th, 1831, having recited " that
it is expedient to repeal the foUoAving Statutes, or
so much thereof as is expedient ; viz. : —

'^ Statute 13 of Richard II, sect. ], chap. 13, as
far as it relates to persons having or keeping any
greyhound, hound, or other dog, to hunt ; or using
ferrets, pegs, nets, harepipes, cords, or other
engines, to take or destroy hares, conies, or game

" Statute 22 of Edward IV. chap. 6, as far as it
relates to having any mark or game of swans.

" Stat. 11 Hen. VII. c. 17.

'' Stat. 19 Hen. VII. c. 11.

'' Stat. 14 and 15 Hen. VIII. c. 10.

^•' Stat. 25 Hen. VIII. c. 11.

^- Stat. 33 Hen. VIII. c. 6.

'' Stat. 23 Eliz. c. 10.

" Stat. 2 James I. c. 27.

'' Stat. 7 James I. c. 11.

'' Stat. 22 and 23 Charles II. c. 25.

'' Stat. 4 Wilham and Mary, c. 23.

" Stat. 5 Anne, c. 14.

64 THE GAME LAWS.

" Stat. 9 Anne, c, 25.

" Stat. 8 Geo. I. c. 19.

''Stat. lOGeo. II. c. 32.

" Stat. 26 Geo. II. c. 2.

" Stat. 28 Geo. II. c. 12.

" Stat. 2 Geo. III. c. 19.

" Stat. 13 Geo. III. c. 55.

" Stat. 13 Geo. III. c. 80.

" Stat. 39 Geo. III. c. 34.

" Stat. 43 Geo. III. c. 112.

" Stat. 48 Geo. Ill, c. 93.

" Stat. 50 Geo. III. c. 67.

" Stat. 58 Geo. III. c. 75.

'' Stat. 59 Geo. III. c. ]02.

'' And all statutes, continuing or perpetuating
any of the aforesaid statutes or parts thereof, so
far as relates to the continuing or perpetuating of
the same respectively.^'

The preamble of the Act then enacts the follow-
ing provisions, in lieu of those of the repealed
statutes.

The second section of the Act enacts that the
word " game^' shall include hares, pheasants, par-
tridges, grouse, heath or moor game, black game,
and bustards.

^y sect. 3, persons killing or taking game, or
using any dog, gun, net, or other engine or in-
strument for the purpose, on Sunday or Christmas -
day, shall forfeit any sum not exceeding £d ; and

THE GAME LAWS. 65

persons killing or taking any partridge between
February tbe 1st and September the 1st; or any
plieasant between February tbe 1st and October
tbe 1st ; or any black game (except in Somerset
or Devon, or in tbe New Forest, Southampton)
between December the 10th and August 20th ; or
in Somerset, Devon, or the New Forest, between
December the 10th and September the 1st; or
any grouse between December the 10th and
August the 12th ; or any bustard between March
the 1st and September the 1st, shall forfeit for
every head of game so killed or taken any sum
not exceeding £1, with costs of conviction. And
persons putting, or causing to be put, with intent
to destroy or injure any game, any poison or
poisonous ingredient, on any ground, whether
open or enclosed, where game usually resort, or in
any highway, shall forfeit any sum not exceeding
^10, with costs of conviction.

Section 4 enacts that if any person, licensed to
deal in game by this Act, shall buy or sell, or
knowingly have in his house, or possession, or
control, any bird of game after the expiration of
ten days (one inclusive and the other exclusive)
from the respective days in which it is unlawful
to kill or take such birds of game ; or if any
person, not being licensed to deal in game, shaU
buy or sell any bird of game after the expiration
of ten days (one inclusive and the other exclusive)

-66 THE GAME LAWS.

from the respective days on which it is unlawful
to kill or take the same, or shall knowingly have
in his house, possession, or control, any bird of
game (except birds of game kept in a mew or
breeding place) after the expiration of forty days
(one inclusive and the other exclusive) from the
respective days on which it is unlawful to kill or
take the same, shall forfeit for every head of game
so bought or sold, or found in his house, posses-
sion, or control, auy sum not exceeding £1, with
costs of conviction.

But the 5th section provides, that this Act shall
not aifect or alter the existing laws respecting
certificates for taking or killing any game what-
ever, or any woodcock, snipe, quail, or landrail, or
any conies, but that such annual game certificates
shall be taken out as before. And by the 23rd
section, if any person shall kill or take any game,
or use any dog, gun, net, or other engine or in-
strument, for the purpose of searching for or
killing or taking game, without a certificate, he
shall forfeit for every offence any sum not exceed-
ing £o, with costs of conviction : and such penalty
imposed by this Act shall be deemed a cumulative
penalty to any penalty to which the person so
convicted may be liable under any statute or
statutes relating to game certificates.

By section 6, persons obtaining annual game
certificates may kill and take game, liable to any

THE GAME LA\YS. 67

trespass committed by them in search or pursuit
of game. But no game certificate on which a less
duty than .€4 Os. lOd. has been paid shall autho-
rize any gamekeeper to kill or take any game, or
to use any dog, gun, or net, or other instrument,
for the purpose of killing or taking game, except
within the limits included in his appointment as
gamekeeper 3 but that if any such gamekeeper
shall kill or take game beyond such limits, he
may be proceeded against as if he had no cer-
tificate.

The rth section provides, that in all cases where
any person shall occupy any land under any lease
or agreement made before the passing of this Act,
except in the cases hereinafter excepted, the lessor
or landlord shall have the right of entering upon
such land, or of authorizing any other person or
persons who shall have obtained an annual game
certificate to enter upon such land for the purpose
of killing or taking game thereon; and no person
occupying an}" land under any lease or agreement,
eitlier for life or for yeai's, made previously to the
passing of this Act, shall have the right to kill or
take the game on such land, except where the
right of killing the game upon such land has been
expressly granted or allowed to such person by
such lease or agreement ; or except where, upon
the original granting or renewal of such lease or
ritrvccmeiit, a fine or fines have been taken ; or

68 THE GAME LAWS.

except "where, in a case of a term for years, such
lease or agreement has heen made for a term ex-
ceeding twenty-one years.

But the 8th section provides, that nothing in
this Act shall authorize any person seised or pos-
sessed of, or holding any land, to kill or take the
game, or to permit any other person to do so, in
any case where by deed, grant, lease, or any
written or parole demise or contract, a right of
entry upon such land for the purpose of kill-
ing or taking the game, has been or shall be
reserved or retained by, or given or allowed to
any grantor, lessor, landlord, or other person
whatever; and that nothing in this Act shall
defeat or diminish any reservation, exception,
covenant, or agreement already contained in any
private Act of Parliament, deed, or other writing,
relating to the game upon any land; or in any
manner prejudice the rights of any lord or owner
of any forest, chase, or warren, or of any lord of
any reputed manor, lordship, or royalty, or of any
steward of the crown of any manor, lordship, or
royalty appertaining to the king.

And the 9th section provides, that nothing in
this Act shall in any way alter or affect any of the
king's forest rights, or of any person entitled to
any right or privilege under them, or the rights or
privileges of any person holding under any grants
or purchases from the crown.

THE GAME LAWS. 69

The lOtli section also provides, that the Act
shall not give to any owner of cattle gates, or
rights of common, any interest or privilege which
he did not possess before the passing of this Act ;
but the rights and privileges in such wastes or
commons shall remain as they did before the
passing of this Act.

The 1.2th section enacts, that where the lessor
or landlord has reserved to himself the right of
killing game upon any land, he may authorize
other persons, having obtained annual game cer-
tificates, to pursue and kill game thereon.

But where the i-ight of killing the game upon
any land is by this Act given to any lessor or
landlord, in exclusion of the right of the occupier
of such land, or where such exclusive right has
been, or shall be, specially reserved by or granted
to, or belongs to the lessor, landlord, or any other
person than the occupier, then, if the occupier
shall pursue, kill, or take any game upon such
land, or give permission to any other person so to
do, without the authority of the lessor, landlord,
or other person having the right of killing game
on such land, such occupier shall forfeit, for every
head of game so killed or taken, any sum not ex-
ceeding £2; with costs of conviction. — Sect. 12.

By section 13, lords of manors, &c., may appoint
gamekeepers within the same, and authorize them
to seize and take all dogs, nets, and other engines

70 THE GAME LAWS.

and instruments for the killing- or taking of game
from uncertificated persons Avitliin the limits of
such manors.

By section 14, lords of manors, &c., may grant
such deputations to persons acting as game-
keepersj or employed in any other capacity by
other persons.

The 15th section empowers persons possessed of
lands in Wales of the clear annual value of .€500,
whereof he shall be seised in fee or as of freehold,
or to which he shall otherwise be beneficially enti-
tled in his own right, to appoint gamekeepers :
but the 16th section requires all appointments of
gamekeepers to be registered with the clerk of the
peace.

The 17th section enacts, that every person who
shall have obtained an annual game certificate
may sell game to persons licensed to deal in game
according to this Act; but that no gamekeeper
on whose certificate a less duty than £4 Os. lOd.
has been paid shall sell any game, except on the
account and with the written authority of his em-
ployer j and that if he does he may be proceeded
against as if he had not had a game certificate.

By the 18th section, justices of the peace shall
hold special sessions in the present year, between
the 15th and the 30th days of October; and in
every succeeding year in the month of July, for
granting licenses to deal in game to such persons

THE GAME LAWS. / 1

as arc liouseliolders or keepers of sliops or stalls,
and not being innkeepers or victuallers^ or licensed
to sell beer by retail, or being owners, guai'ds, or
drivers of mail coaches, or otlier vebicles employed
in the conveyance of the mails of letters, or of
stage coaches, stage waggons, vans, or other public
conveyances, or being carriers or higglers, or being
in the employment of any such persons ; which
Kcenses shall empower the persons to whom they
are granted to buy game at any place from any
person who may lawfully sell game by virtue of
this Act ; and also to sell the same at one house,
shop, or stall only, kept by the licensed person ;
provided that every person, while so licensed, shall
affix to some part of the outside of the front of his
house, shop, or stall, and shall there keep a board
having thereon his christian and surname, and the
Avords " licensed to deal in game.'' Licenses
granted during the present year to continue in
force to July 15, 1832; but such as are granted
in any succeeding year, to continue in force for
the period of one year next after the granting
thereof. But by section 26, innkeepers and
tavern-keepers may, without any license, sell game
for consumption in their own houses, such game
having been procui'ed from some person licensed
to deal in game by virtue of this Act. And, by
section 21, persons being in partnership, and
carrying on their business at one house, shop, or

72 THE GAME LAWS.

stall ouly require but one license. Licenses be-
come void on conviction of any offence against tbis
Act.— Sect. 22.

Persons licensed to deal in game under this
Act must annually, and during tbe continuance of
tbeir license, obtain a certificate on payment of a
duty of £2 to tbe collector or collectors of tbe
assessed taxes, from wbom tbey sball receive a
receipt on payment of one sbilling ; wbich receipt
tbey sball get exchanged for a certificate under
tbis Act, in like manner as receipts for tbe duty
in respect of killing game are exchanged for game
certificates ; and if any person obtaining a license
under this Act shall purchase or sell, or otherwise
deal in game as a licensed dealer, before be sball
obtain a certificate in exchange for such receipt,
be shall, for every ofi'ence, forfeit ^820.

The collectors are to make out lists of persons
who have obtained licenses to deal in game, and
are to produce tbe same to all persons making ap-
plication at seasonable hours to inspect them, on
payment of one sbilling. — Sect. 20.

By sect. 25, if any person not having obtained
a game certificate (except such person be licensed
to deal in game according to tbis Act) sball sell,
or off'er for sale, any game to any person what-
ever j or if any person authorized to sell game
under this Act sball sell, or offer for sale, any
game to any person whatever, except a person

THE GAME LAWS. 73

licensed to deal in game, he shall forfeit for every
head of game so sold, or offered for sale, any sum
not exceeding £2, with costs of conviction.

And if any person, not being licensed to deal in
game according to this Act, shall buy any game
from any person whatever, except from a person
licensed to deal in game according to this Act, or
bond fide from a person affixing to the outside of
the front of his house, shop, or stall, a board pur-
porting to be the board of a person licensed to
deal in game, he shall for every head of game so
bought forfeit any sum not exceeding £5, with
costs of conviction. — Sect. 27.

And if any person, being licensed to deal in
game according to this Act, shall buy or obtain
any game from any person not authorized to sell
game for want of a game certificate, or for want
of a license to deal in game ; or if any person,
being licensed to deal in game according to this
Act, sell, or offer for sale, any game at his house,
shop, or stall, without such board as aforesaid
being affixed to some part of the outside of the
front of such house, shop, or stall, at the time of
such selling or offering for sale j or shall affix, or
cause to be affixed, such board to more than one
house, shop, or stall, or shall sell any game at any
place other than his house, shop, or stall, where
such board shall have been affixed ; or if any per-
son not being licensed to deal in game according

THE GAME LAWS.

to this Act shall assume or pretend, by affixing"
such board, or by exhibiting^ any certificate, or by
any other device or pretence, to be a person
licensed to deal in game, he shall, for every
offence, forfeit £10, with costs. (Sect. 28.) But
the buying and selling of game by persons em-
ployed on the behalf of any licensed dealer in
game, and acting in the usual course of his em-
ployment, and upon the premises where such deal-
ing is carried on, is a lawful buying and selling in
cases where the same would have been lawful if
transacted by the licensed dealer himself. And
licensed dealers may sell any game sent to them
to be sold on account of other licensed dealers-
(Sect. 29.)

The 30th sect, reciting, that, as after the com-
mencement of this Act game will become an arti-
cle which may be legally bought and sold, and
that it is therefore just and reasonable to provide
that summaiy means should be provided for pro-
tecting it from trespassers, enacts, that any per
son committing trespasses, by entering or being
in the daytime upon any land, in search or pursuit
of game, woodcocks, &c., shall forfeit any sum not
exceeding £2, with costs of conviction ; and that
if any persons, to the number of five or more to-
gether, commit any trespass^ by entering in the
daytime upon any land in search of game, &c.,
each of them forfeit not less than £c, with costs of

THE GAME LAWS. 75

conviction ; the leave and license of the occupier of
the land so trespassed upon shall not be a sufficient
defence in any case where the landlord, lessor, or
other person shall have the right of killing game
upon such land by virtue of any reservation or
otherwise ; but that such landlord, &c-, shall, for
the purpose of prosecuting for each of such two
otfences, be deemed to be the legal occupier of
the land; and that the lord or steward of the
crown of any manor, lordship, or royalty, shall be
deemed to be the legal occupier of the land of
the wast-es or commons within such manor, lord-
ship, &c.

The 31st sect, enacts, that if any person shall
be found on any land, or upon any of the crown
forests, parks, chases, or warrens in the daytime,
in search or pursuit of game, or woodcocks, snipes,
quails, landrails, or conies, any person having the
right of killing the game upon such land, by
virtue of any reservation or otherwise as is pro-
vided for by this Act, or the occupier of the land
(whether there shall or shall not be any such
right by reservation or otherwise), or any game-
keeper or servant of either of them, or any per-
son authorized by either of them, or for the war-
den, ranger, verderer, under-keeper, or other
officer of such forest, &c., may require the person
so found forthwith to quit the land whereon he
shall be so found, and also to tell his name and

76 THE GAME LAWS.

place of abode ; and if such person, after being so
required, refuse to tell his real name and place of
abode ; or if he give a description of his place of
abode of so general a nature as to be illusory, for
the purpose of discovery, the party so requiring
his address, or any person acting by his order and
in his aid, may apprehend him, and convey him,
as soon as conveniently may be, before a magis-
trate ; and the offender (whether so apprehended
or not) shall forfeit any sum not exceeding £5,
with costs of conviction. But no person so appre-
hended shall, on any pretence whatever, be de-
tained for a longer period than twelve hours from
the time of his apprehension until brought before
a magistrate ; and if he cannot, on account of
the absence or distance of the residence of the
magistrate, or on account of any other reason
able cause, be brought before a magistrate within
such twelve hours, then he shall be discharged ;
but may, nevertheless, be proceeded against for
the offence by summons or warrant, according to
the provisions hereinafter mentioned, as if no ap-
prehension had taken place.

By the 32nd sect., if any persons, to the num-
ber of five or more together, shall be found upon
any land, or in any of the crown forests, parks,
chases, or warrens, in the daytime, in search or
pursuit of game, or woodcocks, snipes, quails,
landrails, or conies, any of them being armed with

THE GAME LAWS. 77

A guii, and any of them by violence, intimidation,
or menace, preventing, or endeavouring to pre-
vent, any pei son authorized, as hereinbefore men-
tioned, from approaching them for the purpose of
requiring them, or any of them, to quit the land
whereon they shall be so found, or to tell their or
his name and place of abode; every person so
offending, and every person then and there aiding
or abetting such offender, shall forfeit for every
offence any sum not exceeding £5, with costs of
conviction ; which penalty shall be in addition to,
and independent of, any other penalty to which
any such person shall be liable for any offence
against this Act.

And by sect. 39, if any person commit any
trespass by entering or being, in the daytime,
upon any crown forests, parks, chases, or warrens,
in search or pursuit of game, without being first
duly authorized, he forfeits any sum not exceed-
ing £2, with costs of conviction.

But the 35th sect, enacts that the aforesaid pro-
visions against trespassers and persons found on
any land shall not extend to any person hunting
or coursing upon any lands with hounds or grey-
hounds, and being in fresh pursuit of any deer,
hare, or fox, already started upon any other land ;
nor to any person bond fide claiming, and exer-
cising any right or reputed right of free warren
or free chase, nor to any gamekeeper lawfully ap-

78 THE GAME LAWS.

pointed within the limits of any free warren or
free chase ; nor to any lord or any steward of the
crown of any manor^ lordship, or royalty ; nor to
any gamekeeper lawfully appointed by such lord
or steward within the limits of any manor, &c.

The 36th sect, enacts, that when any person shall
be found, by day or by night, upon any land, or in
any of the crown forests, parks, chases, or warrens,
in search or pursuit of game, and then and there
having in his possession any game which shall ap-
pear to have been recently killed, any person
having a right of killing the game upon such land,
by virtue of any reservation or otherwise, as before
provided for, or the occupier of the land (whether
there shall or shall not be such right by reserva-
tion or otherwise), or any gamekeeper or servant
of either of them, or any officer, as aforesaid, of
any forest, &c., or any person acting by the
order and in aid of any of the said several per-
sons, may demand from the persons so found the
game which may be in his possession ; and in case
he shall not immediately deliver up the same, may
seize and take it from him, for the use of the per-
son entitled to it.

The 34th sect, defines what shall be deemed
daytime for the purposes of the Act, namely, from
the beginning of the last hour before sunrise to
the expiration of the first hour after sunset.

The 24th sect, provides, that if any person not

THE GAME LAWS. 79

having the right of Killing game upon any land,
nor having permission from the person ha\ing the
right, wilfully take out of the nest or destroy in
the nest upon the land the eggs of any bird of
^ame, or of any swan, wild-duck, teal, or wid-
geon, or knowingly have in his house, shop,
possession, or control, any eggs so taken, he
shall forfeit for every egg so taken or destroyed,
or found in his possession, any sum not exceed-
ing 5s., with costs of conviction.

The remaining sections of the Act (viz., from
37 to 47 inclusive) provide for the application of
the penalties for offences against the Act, the
time of the payment thereof, and the periods of
imprisonment for non-payment ; the form of con-
viction ; the power of summoning witnesses ; the
time for proceedings, and the mode of enforcing
appearance ; the appeal, and the venue and pro-
ceedings. The 46th section provides, that the
Act shall not preclude actions for trespass ; but
that, where any proceedings have been instituted
under this Act in respect of any trespass, no
action at law shall be maintainable for the same
trespass. And the 48th section, that the Act
shall not extend to Scotland or Ireland.

From the great injury caused to tenant far-
mers on some estates by the over-preservation of
hares, the Legislature has deemed it advisable to
sanction their being destroyed by occupiers much

80 THE GAME LAWS.

on the same terms long previously permitted in
reference to rabbits. For this purpose a measui-e
was framed, and passed on the 22nd of July, 1848,
11 and 12 of Vic., c. 29, entitled " An Act to ena-
ble Persons having a Hight to kill Hares in Eng-
land and Wales, to do so by themselves, or persons
authorized by them, without being required to
take out a Game Certificate/^ Though not alto-
gether bearing on the gun, it still is sufficiently
so to warrant a summary of its provisions heie.

The statute commences by declaring that,
from the damage which has been, and is con-
tinually done, by hares to the produce of in-
closed lands, and the great losses that have
thereby accrued, and do accrue, to the occu-
piers of sucli lands, it is expedient that per-
sons in the actual occupation of these lands, or
the owners thereof who have the right of killing
game thereon, should be allowed to take, kill, and
destroy hares without the obtaining of an annual
game certificate, or the payment of any duties
of assessed taxes which might otherwise be in-
curred by the use of dog, gun, net, or other
engine for that purpose. The Act provides, ac-
cordingly, that any persons in actual occupation
of inclosed lands, or any owner thereof who has
the right of killing game thereon, or any person
directly authorized by him in writing according to
the form annexed, shall not, for killing hares, be

THE GAME LAWS. 81

liable to any of the penalties in force by divers
laws referring to the duties on game certificates,
or by other taxes bearing upon the agents used in
kiUing game. Special mention is made of

48 George III., c. 55,
52 George III., c. 93,
3 and 4 Victoria, c. 17 ;

in all of which penalties consequent on not taking
out a game certificate, or taxes incun-ed by the
use of dog, gun, and net, are repealed, as far as
the killing of hares only is concerned, according
to the conditions already stated, or more ampli-
fied in following sections.

The second section of the Act hmits the
authority from owner or occupier to one person
only, at the same time in one parish, and further
enacts that a copy of this authority shall be sent
to the Clerk of the Petty Sessions, who shall enter it
in a register provided for that purpose ; this notice
holding good from the time of its date to the 1st
of February foUo\ving, when fi-esh service will be
required. Should, however, the authority be re-
voked, it is necessary for the owner or occupier
so recalling it to send at once notice of such per-
mission being withdrawn to the Clerk of the Petty
Sessions.

The following is the form of authority re-
quired : —

82 THE GAME LAWS.

I., A. B., do authorize C. D. to kill bares oii ["my
lands/' or " the lands occupied by me/' as
the case may be] within the of [here

insert name of the parish or other place, as
the case may be] . Dated this day

of [here insert the day, month, and year] .
(Witness,) A. B.

Section the third enacts that persons so autho-
rized to kill hares shall not be liable to any duties
of assessed taxes as gauie-keepers, unless other-
wise chargeable.

By section four the privilege of killing hares
without a certificate is extended to coursing them
with greyhounds, or huntiDg them with beagles
or other hounds. This exemption reaching to all
persons joining in the pursuit of them by these
means.

Section the fifth protects hares from tbe lay-
ing of poison for their destruction, and from the
use of fire-arms or gun of any description by
night.

Section six — " the weak place '^ in the Act —
suffers this privilege to be got over by private
agreement between landlord and tenant, who may
so, " now and hereafter,^' bind, and be l)0und ;
any agreement not to take, kill, or destroy any game
upon any lands, debarring the tenant from either

THE GAME LAWS. 83

himself or by deputy killing hares as otherwise
provided by the Act.

The eight section confines the operation of the
measure to England and Wales only, while sec-
tions nine and ten are occupied with the usual
technical detail of terms_, &c.

THE END.

Piiiiita by Joseph Kogerson, 24fi, Strand, London.