554. In your part of the country none of these extra, or, as some will say, always superfluous accomplishments may be required; but if you consider that a pupil of yours attaining any one of them would be serviceable, be not deterred from teaching it by the idea that you would be undertaking a difficult task. Any one of them, I was nearly saying all of them, could be taught a dog with far greater ease, and in a shorter time, than a well-established, judicious range.
555. It would be quite unreasonable to expect a regular breaker (“mark,” I do not say your gamekeeper) to teach your dog any of these accomplishments. He may be fully aware of the judiciousness of the system, and be sensible of its great advantages, but the many imperious calls upon his time would preclude his pursuing it in all its details. At the usual present prices it would not pay him to break in dogs so highly.
CHAPTER XVIII.
BECKFORD. ST. JOHN. CONDITION. INOCULATION. VACCINATION. CONCLUSION.
[556]. Reflect on what is said.—[557]. Not to rest content with bad dogs.—[558]. Beckford’s opinion of the education that could be given to Dog.—[559]. Education of the Buck-hound.—[560], [561]. St. John’s opinion. The old Show-woman’s learned dog.—[562]. Hunting to be Dog’s principal enjoyment.—[563]. While young, not to have run of kitchen. To be in kennel; not tied up; chain better than rope.—[564]. When older, more liberty allowed, but never to “self-hunt;” old Dogs spontaneously take judicious liberties. Easier to teach accomplishments than cure faults. “Self-hunter’s” example most dangerous.—[565]. Fine range and perseverance attained. Irish red setters.—[566]. Good condition; exercise on road; attention to feet. In Note, Claws sometimes too long; Claws of Tigress that ran into feet.—[567]. Diet to be considered; muscle wanted; fat detrimental, except to Water Retrievers. In Note, recipe for waterproofing boots.—[568]. Indian-corn meal; Mr. Herbert’s opinion of; feed of an evening.—[569]. Beef-soup brings Mange in hot climates: Mutton better—meat necessary to prevent disgusting habits.—[570]. Good condition of Nose most material; Kennels.—[571]. Warmth necessary; Winter pups.—[572]. Pups inoculated for Distemper.—[573] to [575]. Vaccinated for Distemper.—[576]. Blaine and Colonel Cook thought it useless.—[577]. Old prejudice against Vaccination.—[578]. Colonel Hawker advocates it.—[579]. Salt for Distemper.—[580]. Easy to give medicine.—[581]. The method.—[582]. If force is necessary.—[583]. Castor oil lapped up with milk.—[584]. Dog not to be lent.—[586]. In Note, old sportsman’s advice about choosing a Keeper.—[588]. Education gradual; taught from the A, B, C. In Note, Query, do Keepers find time to break in dogs of strangers, while their masters’ remain unfinished? Advantage of young Dog’s accompanying Keeper when he goes his rounds by day. “Snap” daily visiting the traps for his master.—[585] to [589]. The Conclusion.
556. We have come to the concluding division (dignified by the name of Chapter) of this little Work; for I have at length nearly finished my prosing about dog-breaking. But reflect upon what I have said. The more you do, the more, I think, you will be of opinion that I have recommended only what is reasonable, and that but little attention beyond the trouble usually bestowed, if directed by good judgment, is required to give a dog the education which I have described.
BECKFORD—BUCKHOUND.
557. I wish I could animate you with but a quarter of the enthusiasm which I once felt on the subject. I am not desirous of making you dissatisfied with anything that you possess, excepting your dogs, such as, I fear, they most probably are, and that only because, if they are young, a little judicious extra-exertion on your part will add as much to their usefulness as to your own enjoyment. And I do not wish them, or anything you have, or have not, to make you discontented; I only pray you not to be supine. If you can get no more alluring drink than cold water, reflect on its wholesomeness, and enjoy it, if you can, with all the relish of a parched Arab; but I entreat you not to be contented with a disorderly noise-exciting cur, when a trifling addition to your pains will ensure you an obedient, well-trained animal,—one that will procure you twice as many shots as the other. It will, indeed. Believe me, I am not too extravagant in my conception of a perfect dog. You may not consider it worth your while to take the trouble of giving him such an education; but it seems hardly reasonable to say it could not be imparted. Naturally enough you may distrust my judgment, but you cannot doubt the experience of the reflecting, discriminating Beckford; and what does he say on the subject of canine education?