93. A really good water retriever is a scarce and valuable animal. He should be neither white nor black, because the colours are too conspicuous, especially the former, (a hint by-the-bye for your own costume);[17] he should be perfectly mute; of a patient disposition, though active in the pursuit of birds; of so hardy a constitution as not to mind the severest cold,—therefore no coddling while he is young near a fire,—and possess what many are deficient in, viz., a good nose: consequently, a cross that will improve his nose, yet not decrease his steadiness, is the great desideratum in breeding. He should swim rapidly, for wild-fowl that are only winged, will frequently escape from the quickest dog, if they have plenty of sea-room and deep water. (See also [113], [553], [567].)
DUCK SHOOTING.
94. Wildfowl emit a stronger scent than is, I believe, generally supposed. At Mr. G——r’s, in Surrey, Mr. L——g was shooting one day last season, when his pointer “Flint” drew for some time towards the river, and brought the sportsmen to the stump of an old tree. They could see nothing, and thought the dog must be standing at a moorhen; but on one of the beaters trying with a stick, out flew a mallard like a shot from a gun. As Mr. L——g levelled his tubes, it is unnecessary to observe that it fell; but probably it would have been lost had not “Flint,” when encouraged, jumped into the water and brought the bird to land. A Mr. C——e, living near Edinburgh, whom I have the pleasure of knowing, has a white setter that is a capital hand at finding ducks, and sets them steadily.
WILD-RICE LAKES.
95. In the wild-rice lakes, as they are commonly called, of America, a brace of highly-trained spaniels will sometimes, on a windy day, afford you magnificent sport. The cover is so good that, if it is not often beaten, the birds will frequently get up singly, or only a couple at a time. The dogs should keep swimming about within gun-shot, while you are slowly and silently paddling, or probably poling your canoe through the most likely spots. Relays of spaniels are requisite, for it is fatiguing work. If, by any rare chance, you are situated where you can get much of this delightful shooting, and you are an enthusiast in training, it may be worth your while to consider whether there would not be an advantage in making the dogs perfect in the “down charge,” as they would then cease swimming the instant you fired. But this long digression about spaniels has led us away from your pup, which we assumed ([3]) to be a pointer or setter, very unlike our good Irish friend, well represented in the last engraving.
CHAPTER IV.
LESSONS IN “FETCHING.”—RETRIEVERS.
[96]. Lessons in “fetching” recommended.—[97]. Dog not taught to retrieve bringing dead Bird he had found.—[98]. Taught to deliver into your hand; never pick up a Bird yourself; Dog which often lost winged Birds she had lifted.—[99]. Colonel T——y.—[100]. Retriever killing one Bird in order to carry two.—[101]. “Fan’s” sagaciously bringing to firm ground Bird that had fallen in a swamp.—[102]. “Dove’s” spontaneously fetching one from River, though not accustomed to retrieve.—[103]. Retrievers taught to carry something soft; injudiciousness of employing a stone.—[104]. How encouraged to plunge into Water; evil of deceiving a Dog instanced.—[105]. Diving, how taught.—[106]. “Fetching” taught with a Pincushion: with a Bunch of Keys.—[107]. Made to deliver instantly.—[108]. Practised to carry things of the size and weight of a Hare.—[109]. “Fetching,” how taught at commencement.—[110]. Brace of Setters taught with an old bone.—[111]. “Fetching” often taught unskilfully.—[112]. Regular Retrievers taught to fetch Birds: to “foot” Rabbits and Winged Game.—[113]. Retriever observes when a Bird is struck: a quality particularly useful in a Water Retriever.—[114]. Pigeons and small Birds shot to Retrievers.—[115]. Injudiciousness of aiding a young Dog when Retrieving; makes him rely on Gun rather than his own Nose.—[116]. Fatigue of carrying Hare tempts young Retriever to drop it; taught to deliver quickly by rewards of hard boiled liver.—[117]. If he taste blood, put on Wire Snaffle; how made.—[118]. Retriever how taught to pursue faster; should commence to “road” slowly, but “follow up” rapidly.—[119]. Why Land Retrievers should “down charge.”—[120]. Some Retrievers may “run on shot,” but those for sale should “down charge.”—[121]. Fine retrieving instanced in “Ben.”—[122]. Anecdote showing his great sagacity.—[123]. Benefit derived from a Seton; another instance of “Ben’s” superior retrieving qualities.—[124]. With “Ben’s” good nose, certain advantage of “down charge.”—[125]. Retrievers not to be of a heavy build, yet strong and thick-coated.—[126]. Cross between a Newfoundland and Setter makes best Retriever; the real Newfoundland described.—[127]. Cross from heavy Setter best Retriever.—[128]. Most Dogs can be taught more or less to Retrieve.—[129]. Young Retriever to lift Woodcock and Landrail.—[130]. Retrievers never to kill Rats; lift vermin, or wounded Herons, &c.