498. Many sportsmen are of opinion that droppers inherit more of the bad than the good qualities of their parents; but occasionally one of a litter, like Mr. B——e’s bitch, turns out an admirable dog, and proves a valuable exception to the supposed rule. Sometime since I heard an officer of the Engineers expatiating upon the excellent qualities of a dropper (by his pointer “Guy”) out of a Russian setter, which, as he said, belonged to me many years ago: but he was mistaken. I never possessed one. I wish I had; for I hear the breed is capital,—that they are very easily broken,—are very intelligent,—have excellent noses, and great endurance, but not much speed,—and never forget what has been once taught them: in this respect more resembling pointers than our setters, which are often wild at the beginning of a season. Could we, by judicious crossing, improve them half as much as we did the old heavy Spanish pointer.[93] what glorious dogs we should possess! It is, however, very difficult to procure them even in Russia of a pure breed; for so few sportsmen in that country think of shooting according to our system, that but little attention is paid to their fine setters.
RIVAL KEEPERS.
499. If your patience is not exhausted, you shall hear (as told me by an old commanding officer of mine, Major S——n) how, many years ago, a bet was decided in the Highlands, as to the perfection in dog-breaking attained by two rival keepers. It was in the month of August, and there was plenty of game. The dogs produced by the two competitors performed so brilliantly,—were hunted so noiselessly,—quartered their ground so systematically and independently,—and worked so zealously, yet cautiously, that the awarding of the palm seemed to be a difficult matter. At length one of the keepers obtained the decision of the umpires in his favour by the following feat. He made his three dogs, in obedience to a low whistle and a sign, at a moment when all three were separately setting, retreat from their several points without flushing any of the birds, and take up each other’s points, each dog remaining stationary until he was individually shot over. This great command, I suppose, but I cannot assert it positively, must have been gained by much such kennel discipline as is described in [30]. It would appear, too, as if a distinct whistle or note had been employed for each dog ([505]).
500. I only advocate instruction that is really useful; therefore, I merely mention this instance of excellent breaking as another evidence of the great perfection to which our well-bred dogs can be brought: and as it is certain they can reach such perfection, I think you will admit that every high-priced dog ought to be far better educated than is customary. Indeed, I trust, if you are an enthusiast on the subject, that you will not only agree with me in requiring that he be as fully made as I have described, and as I am of opinion is absolutely necessary ([393]), but that occasionally you will wish him to be yet further instructed in some of the still higher accomplishments or refinements which, if you are willing, we will now proceed to consider.
CHAPTER XVI.
DISTINGUISHING WHISTLES. “BACKING” THE GUN. RETREAT FROM AND RESUMPTION OF POINT. RANGE UNACCOMPANIED BY GUN. HEADING RUNNING BIRDS.
[501]. A DISTINGUISHING WHISTLE FOR EACH DOG; disadvantage of employing but one Whistle for several Dogs; supposed Case.—[502]. Another Case.—[503]. Third Case.—[504]. Reader will admit correctness of reasoning.—[505]. Dissimilar Whistles, or distinct notes on one whistle.—[506]. Boatswain’s Whistle almost a musical instrument.—[507]. Railway Whistles; Porteous’: general Rule for whistling.—[508]. Porteous’ newly-invented Dog Whistles.—[509]. DOG TO BACK THE GUN; how taught; it creates Caution; in Note, sagacity of Fawn Antelope in concealing itself; want of like sagacity in Pea-fowl. Portable rest for Rifle.—[510]. Advantage of Dog backing the Gun.—[511]. American Wood-duck.—[512]. DOG TO RETREAT FROM POINT AND RESUME IT.—[513]. How taught.—[514]. Shows dog object for which he is hunted.—[515]. Not taught too early.—[516]. Dog’s Consciousness of its Object.—[517]. Pointer doing it spontaneously.—[518]. Setter which was taught to do it.—[519]. Surprising author by volunteering the feat.—[520]. Irish Setter retreating from, and resuming point at Hare.—[521]. Bitch that barked when pointing and hid in cover.—[522]. DOG TO HUNT FROM LEEWARD TO WINDWARD, UNACCOMPANIED BY GUN; how taught.—[523]. A careful Dog running down wind would not spring birds.—[524]. The great Advantages of the Accomplishment.—[525]. DOG TO HEAD RUNNING BIRDS; could be taught.—[526]. Tolfrey’s “Sportsman in France.”—[527]. Instance of Dog’s spontaneously heading, and thus intercepting, red-legged Partridges.—[528], [529]. M——i’s “Albert” volunteering to head Guinea-birds.—[530]. Lord M——f’s “Suwarrow” spontaneously heading running Grouse; then keeping his stern towards them.—[531]. How accounted for.—[532]. Not so extraordinary had the Dog been taught to hunt “unaccompanied by Gun.”—[533]. The accomplishment taught by “lifting;” not commenced first season. In Note, “Niger’s” spontaneously running to further side of hedge to drive birds to this side.—[534]. Could be taught as easily as Shepherds’ Collies are instructed.—[535]. Particularly useful where the red-legged Partridge is found. Shooting in Africa.
A DISTINGUISHING WHISTLE FOR EACH DOG.