The Dog

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THE RUSSIAN POINTER

is a rough, ill-tempered animal, with too much tendency to stupidity,
and often annoyed by vermin. He runs awkwardly, with his nose near the
ground, and frequently springs his game. He also has the cloven or
divided nose.

THE EARLY TRAINING OF THE DOG.

The education of these dogs should commence at an early period, whether
conducted by the breeder or the sportsman; and the first lesson--that on
which the value of the animal, and the pleasure of its owner, will much
depend--is a habit of subjection on the part of the dog, and kindness on
the part of the master. This is a 'sine qua non'. The dog must recognise
in his owner a friend and a benefactor. This will soon establish in the
mind of the quadruped a feeling of gratitude, and a desire to please.
All this is natural to the dog, if he is encouraged by the master, and
then the process of breaking-in may commence in good earnest.

No long time probably passes ere the dog commits some little fault. He
is careless, or obstinate, or cross. The owner puts on a serious
countenance, he holds up his finger, or shakes his head, or produces the
whip, and threatens to use it. Perhaps the infliction of a blow, that
breaks no bones, occasionally follows. In the majority of cases nothing
more is required. The dog succumbs; he asks to be forgiven; or, if he
has been self-willed, he may be speedily corrected without any serious
punishment.

A writer, under the signature of "Soho," in The New Sporting Magazine
for 1833, gives an interesting account of the schooling of the pointer
or setter, thus commenced. A short abstract from it may not be
unacceptable:

"The first lesson inculcated is that of passive obedience, and this
enforced by the infliction of severity as little as the case will
admit. We will suppose the dog to be a setter. He is taken into the
garden or into a field, and a strong cord, about eighteen or twenty
yards long, is tied to his collar. The sportsman calls the dog to him,
looks earnestly at him, gently presses him to the ground, and several
times, with a loud, but not an angry voice, says, 'Down!' or 'Down
charge!' The dog knows not the meaning of this, and struggles to get
up; but, as often as he struggles, the cry of 'Down charge!' is
repeated, and the pressure is continued or increased.

"This is repeated a longer or shorter time, until the dog, finding
that no harm is meant, quietly submits. He is then permitted to rise;
he is patted and caressed, and some food is given to him. The command
to rise is also introduced by the terms 'Hie up!' A little afterwards
the same process is repeated, and he struggles less, or perhaps ceases
altogether to struggle.

"The person whose circumstances permit him occasionally to shoot over
his little demesne, may very readily educate his dog without having
recourse to keepers or professional breakers, among whom he would
often be subject to imposition. Generally speaking, no dog is half so
well broken as the one whose owner has taken the trouble of training
him. The first and grand thing is to obtain the attachment of the dog,
by frequently feeding and caressing him, and giving him little hours
of liberty under his own inspection; but, every now and then,
inculcating a lesson of obedience, teaching him that every gambol must
be under the control of his master; frequently checking him in the
midst of his riot with the order of 'Down charge!' patting him when he
is instantly obedient; and rating, or castigating him, but not too
severely, when there is any reluctance to obey. 'Passive obedience
is the first principle, and from which no deviation should be
allowed.' [26]

"Much kindness and gentleness are certainly requisite when breaking-in
the puppy, whether it be a pointer or a setter. There is heedlessness
in the young dog which is not readily got rid of until age has given
him experience. He must not, however, be too severely corrected, or he
may be spoiled for life. If considerable correction is sometimes
necessary, it should be followed, at a little distance of time, by
some kind usage. The memory of the suffering will remain; but the
feeling of attachment to the master will also remain, or rather be
increased. The temper of a young dog must be almost as carefully
studied as that of a human being. Timidity may be encouraged, and
eagerness may be restrained, but affection must be the tie that binds
him to his master, and renders him subservient to his will.

"The next portion of the lesson is more difficult to learn. He is no
longer held by his master, but suffered to run over the field,
seemingly at his pleasure, when, suddenly, comes the warning 'Down!'
He perhaps pays no attention to it, but gambols along until seized by
his master, forced on the ground, and the order of 'Down!' somewhat
sternly uttered.

"After a while he is suffered again to get up. He soon forgets what
has occurred, and gallops away with as much glee as ever. Again the
'Down!' is heard, and again little or no attention is paid to it. His
master once more lays hold of him and forces him on the ground, and
perhaps inflicts a slight blow or two, and this process continues
until the dog finds that he must obey the command of 'Down charge!'

"The owner will now probably walk from him a little way backward with
his hand lifted up. If the dog makes the slightest motion, he must be
sharply spoken to, and the order peremptorily enforced.

"He must then be taught to 'back,' that is, to come behind his master
when called. When he seems to understand all this, he is called by his
master in a kindly tone, and patted and caressed. It is almost
incredible how soon he will afterwards understand what he is ordered
to do, and perform it.

"It will be seen by this that no one should attempt to break-in a dog
who is not possessed of patience and perseverance. The sportsman must
not expect to see a great deal of improvement from the early lessons.
The dog will often forget that which was inculcated upon him a few
hours before; but perseverance and kindness will effect much: the
first lessons over, the dog, beginning to perceive a little what is
meant, will cheerfully and joyfully do his duty.

"When there is much difficulty in teaching the dog his lesson, the
fault lies as often with the master as with him; or they are,
generally speaking, both in fault. Some dogs cannot be mastered but by
means of frequent correction. The less the sportsman has to do with
them the better. Others will not endure the least correction, but
become either ferocious or sulky. They should be disposed of as soon
as possible. The majority of dogs are exceedingly sagacious. They
possess strong reasoning powers; they understand, by intuition, almost
every want and wish of their master, and they deserve the kindest and
best usage.

"The scholar being thus prepared, should be taken into the field,
either alone, or, what is considerably better, with a well-trained,
steady dog. When the old dog makes a point, the master calls out,
'Down!' or 'Soho!' and holds up his hand, and approaches steadily to
the birds; and, if the young one runs in or prepares to do so, as
probably he will at first, he again raises his hand and calls out,
'Soho!' If the youngster pays no attention to this, the whip must be
used, and in a short time he will be steady enough at the first
intimation of game.

"If he springs any birds without taking notice of them, he should be
dragged to the spot from which they rose, and, 'Soho!' being cried,
one or two sharp strokes with the whip should be inflicted. If he is
too eager, he should be warned to 'take heed.' If he 'rakes' or runs
with his nose near the ground, he should be admonished to 'hold up',
and, if he still persists, the 'muzzle-peg' may be resorted to. Some
persons fire over the dog for running at hares: but this is wrong;
for, besides the danger of wounding or even killing the animal, he
will for some time afterwards he frightened at the sound, or even at
the very sight of a gun. The best plan to accustom dogs to the gun, is
occasionally to fire one off when they are being fed.

"Some persons let their dog fetch the dead birds. This is very wrong.
Except the sportsman has a double-barrelled gun, the dog should not be
suffered to move until the piece is again charged. The young one,
until he is thoroughly broken of it, is too apt to run in whether the
bird is killed or not, and which may create much mischief by
disturbing the game.

"Although excessive punishment should not be administered, yet no
fault, however small, should pass without reproof: on the other hand,
he should be rewarded, but not too lavishly, for every instance of
good conduct.

"When the dog is grown tolerably steady, and taught to come at the
call, he should also learn to range and quarter his ground. Let some
clear morning, and some place where the sportsman is likely to meet
with game, be selected. Station him where the wind will blow in his
face; wave your hand and cry, 'Heigh on, good dog!' Then let him go
off to the right, about seventy or eighty yards. After this, call him
in by another wave of the hand, and let him go the same distance to
the left. Walk straight forward with your eye always upon him; then,
let him continue to cross from right to left, calling him in at the
limit of each range.

"This is at first a somewhat difficult lesson, and requires careful
teaching. The same ground is never to be twice passed over. The
sportsman watches every motion, and the dog is never trusted out of
sight, or allowed to break fence. When this lesson is tolerably
learned, and on some good scenting morning early in the season, he may
take the field, and perhaps find. Probably he will be too eager, and
spring his game. Make him 'down' immediately, and take him to the
place where the birds rose. Chide him with 'Steady!' 'How dare you!'
Use no whip; but scold him well, and be assured that he will be more
cautious. If possible, kill on the next chance. The moment the bird is
down, he will probably rush in and seize it. He must be met with the
same rebuff, 'Down charge!' If he does not obey, he deserves to have,
and will have, a stroke with the whip. The gun being again charged,
the bird is sought for, and the dog is suffered to see it and play
with it for a minute before it is put into the bag.

"He will now become thoroughly fond of the sport, and his fondness
will increase with each bird that is killed. At every time, however,
whether he kills or misses, the sportsman should make the dog 'Down
charge.' and never allow him to rise until he has loaded.

"If a hare should be wounded, there will, occasionally, be
considerable difficulty in preventing him from chasing her. The best
broken and steadiest dog cannot always be restrained from running
hares. He must be checked with 'Ware chase,' and, if he does not
attend, the sportsman must wait patiently. He will by-and-by come
slinking along with his tail between his legs, conscious of his fault.
It is one, however, that admits of no pardon. He must be secured, and,
while the field echoes with the cry of 'Ware chase,' he must be
punished to a certain but not too great extent. The castigation must
be repeated as often as he offends; or, if there is much difficulty in
breaking him of the habit, he must be got rid of."

The breaking-in or subjugation of pointers and setters is a very
important, and occasionally a difficult affair; the pleasure of the
sportsman, however, depends on it. The owner of any considerable
property will naturally look to his keeper to furnish him with dogs on
which he may depend, and he ought not to be disappointed; for those
which belong to other persons, or are brought at the beginning of the
season, whatever account the breaker or the keeper of them may give,
will too often be found deficient.

THE OTTER HOUND

used to be of a mingled breed, between the southern hound and the rough
terrier, and in size between the harrier and the fox-hound. The head
should be large and broad, the shoulders and quarters thick, and the
hair strong, wiry, and rough. They used to be kept in small packs, for
the express purpose of hunting the otter.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, otter-hunting was a favourite amusement
in several parts of Great Britain. Many of our streams then abounded
with this destructive animal; but, since the population are more
numerous, and many contrivances are adopted to ensnare and destroy
otters, few are now to be found.

THE TURNSPIT

This dog was once a valuable auxiliary in the kitchen, by turning the
spit before jacks were invented. It had a peculiar length of body, with
short crooked legs, the tail curled, its ears long and pendent, and the
head large in proportion to the body. It is still used in the kitchen on
various parts of the Continent. There are some curious stories of the
artfulness with which he often attempted to avoid the task imposed upon
him.

There is a variety of this dog; the crooked-legged turnspit.

[Footnote 1: 'Historical and Descriptive Sketches of British America',
by J. Macgregor]

[Footnote 2: 'Journal Historique du Voyage de M. de Lesseps', Paris,
1790. 2 vols.--tome 1.]

[Footnote 3: Clarke's 'Scandinavia', vol. i. p. 432.]

[Footnote 4: The migratory sheep, in some parts of the south of France
almost as numerous as in Spain, are attended by a GOAT, as a
guide; and the intelligence and apparent pride which he displays are
remarkable.]

[Footnote 5: 'Trimmer on the Merinos', p. 50. See also the Society's
work on Sheep.]

[Footnote 6: 'Annals of Sporting', vol. viii. p. 83.]

[Footnote 7:

"The Ettrick Shepherd has probably spoken somewhat too
enthusiastically of his dog; but accounts of the sagacity and almost
superhuman fidelity of this dog crowd so rapidly upon us that we are
compelled to admire and to love him."

'Hogg's Shepherd's Calendar', vol. ii. p. 308.]

[Footnote 8: 'Jesse's Gleanings', vol. i. p. 93].

[Footnote 9: 'Buffon's Natural History', vol. v. p. 314.]

[Footnote 10: 'Travels in Scotland', by the Rev. J. Hall, vol. ii. p.
395.]

[Footnote 11: 'Annals of Sporting', vol. v. p. 137.]

[Footnote 12: Mr Beckford at one time determined to try how he should
like the use of beagles, and, having heard of a small pack of them, he
sent his coachman, the person he could best spare, to fetch them. It was
a long journey, and, although he had some assistance, yet not being used
to hounds, he had some trouble in getting them along, especially as they
had not been out of the kennel for several weeks before. They were
consequently so riotous that they ran after everything they saw, sheep,
cur dogs, birds of all sorts, as well as hares and deer. However, he
lost but one hound; and, when Mr. Beckford asked him what he thought of
them, he said that they could not fail of being good hounds, for they
would hunt everything.]

[Footnote 13: 'Beckford on Hunting', p. 150.]

[Footnote 14: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p. 340.]

[Footnote 15: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p, 332.]

[Footnote 16: 'Daniel's Foxhound', p. 205.]

[Footnote 17: 'The Horse and the Hound', by Nimrod, p. 355.]

[Footnote 18: 'Beckford's Thoughts on Hunting', p. 95.]

[Footnote 19: Mr. Beckford gives the following excellent account of what
a huntsman should be:

"A huntsman should be attached to the sport, and indefatigable, young,
strong, active, bold, and enterprising in the pursuit of it. He should
be sensible, good-tempered, sober, exact, and cleanly--a good groom
and an excellent horseman. His voice should be strong and clear, with
an eye so quick as to perceive which of his hounds carries the scent
when all are running, and an ear so excellent as to distinguish the
leading hounds when he does not see them. He should be quiet, patient,
and without conceit. Such are the qualities which constitute
perfection in a huntsman. He should not, however, be too fond of
displaying them until called forth by necessity; it being a peculiar
and distinguishing trait in his character to let his hounds alone
while they thus hunt, and have genius to assist them when they
cannot."

'Beckford on Hunting', Letter ix.]

[Footnote 20: 'Blaine on the Diseases of the Dog', p. 140.]

[Footnote 21: See 'Hints to Young Masters of Fox-Hounds'--'New Sport.
Mag.', vol. viii. p. 174-290.]

[Footnote 22: 'Traite de la Folie dex Animaux', tom. ii. 39.]

[Footnote 23: Mr. D. Radcliffe.]

[Footnote 24: The late Lord Oxford reduced four stags to so perfect a
degree of submission that, in his short excursions, he used to drive
them in a phaeton made for the purpose. He was one day exercising his
singular and beautiful steeds in the neighbourhood of Newmarket, when
their ears were saluted with the unwelcome cry of a pack of hounds,
which, crossing the road in their rear, had caught the scent, and
leaving their original object of pursuit, were now in rapid chase of the
frightened stags. In vain his grooms exerted themselves to the utmost,
the terrified animals bounded away with the swiftness of lightning, and
entered Newmarket at full speed. They made immediately for the Ram Inn,
to which his lordship was in the habit of driving, and, having
fortunately entered the yard without any accident, the stable-keepers
huddled his lordship, the phaeton, and the deer into a large barn, just
in time to save them from the hounds, who came into the yard in full cry
a few seconds afterwards.

('Annals of Sporting', vol. iii. 1833.)]

[Footnote 25: The author of the 'Field Book' says that he saw an
extremely small pointer, whose length, from the tip of the nose to the
point of the tail, was only two feet and half an inch, the length of the
head being six inches, and round the chest one foot and three inches. He
was an exquisite miniature of the English pointer, being in all respects
similar to him, except in his size. His colour was white, with dark
liver-coloured patches on each side of the head, extending half down the
neck. The ears, with some patches on the back, were also of the same
colour, and numerous small dark-brown spots appeared over his whole body
and legs.

This beautiful little animal had an exquisite sense of smell. Some of
the same breed, and being the property of the Earl of Lauderdale, were
broken-in and made excellent pointers, although, from their minute size,
it could not be expected that they would be able to do much work. When
intent upon any object, the dog assumed the same attitude as other
pointers, holding up one of his feet.

('The Field Book', p. 399.)]

[Footnote 26: Another writer in the same volume gives also an
interesting account of the management of the setter.]

* * * * *

CHAPTER IV.

THE VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

THIRD DIVISION.

'The muzzle more or less shortened, the frontal sinus enlarged, and
the cranium elevated and diminished in capacity.'

At the head of this inferior or brutal division of dogs stands

THE BULL-DOG.

The round, thick head, turned-up nose, and thick and pendulous lips of
this dog are familiar to all, while his ferocity makes him in the
highest degree dangerous. In general he makes a silent although
ferocious attack, and the persisting powers of his teeth and jaws enable
him to keep his hold against any but the greatest efforts, so that the
utmost mischief is likely to ensue as well to the innocent visitor of
his domicile as the ferocious intruder. The bull-dog is scarcely capable
of any education, and is fitted for nothing but ferocity and combat.

The name of this dog is derived from his being too often employed, until
a few years ago, in baiting the bull. It was practised by the low and
dissolute in many parts of the country. Dogs were bred and trained for
the purpose; and, while many of them were injured or destroyed, the head
of the bull was lacerated in the most barbarous manner. Nothing can
exceed the fury with which the bull-dog rushed on his foe, and the
obstinacy with which he maintained his hold. He fastened upon the lip,
the muzzle, or the eye, and there he hung in spite of every effort of
the bull to free himself from his antagonist.

Bull-dogs are not so numerous as they were a few years ago; and every
kind-hearted person will rejoice to hear that bull-baiting is now put
down by legal authority in every part of the kingdom.

THE BULL TERRIER.

This dog is a cross between the bull-dog and the terrier, and is
generally superior, both in appearance and value, to either of its
progenitors. A second cross considerably lessens the underhanging of the
lower jaw, and a third entirely removes it, retaining the spirit and
determination of the animal. It forms a steadier friendship than either
of them, and the principal objection to it is its love of wanton
mischief, and the dangerous irascibility which it occasionally exhibits.

Sir Walter Scott, a warm friend of dogs, and whose veracity cannot be
impeached, gives an interesting account of a favourite one belonging to
him.

"The cleverest dog I ever had was what is called a bull-dog terrier. I
taught him to understand a great many words, insomuch that I am
positive the communication between the canine species and ourselves
might be greatly enlarged. Camp, the name of my dog, once bit the
baker when bringing bread to the family. I beat him, and explained the
enormity of the offence; after which, to the last moment of his life,
he never heard the least allusion to the story without creeping into
the darkest corner of the room. Towards the end of his life when he
was unable to attend me while I was on horseback, he generally watched
for my return, and, when the servant used to tell him, his master was
coming down the hill, or through the moor, although he did not use any
gesture to explain his meaning, Camp was never known to mistake him,
but either went out at the front to go up the hill, or at the back to
get down to the moor-side."

THE MASTIFF

The head considerably resembles that of the bull-dog, but with the ears
dependent. The upper lip falls over the lower jaw. The end of the tail
is turned up, and frequently the fifth toe of the hind feet is more or
less developed. The nostrils are separated one from another by a deep
furrow. He has a grave and somewhat sullen countenance, and his
deep-toned bark is often heard during the night. The mastiff is taller
than the bull-dog, but not so deep in the chest, and his head is large
compared with his general form.

It is probable that the mastiff is an original breed peculiar to the
British islands.

He seems to be fully aware of the impression which his large size makes
on every stranger; and, in the night especially, he watches the abode of
his master with the completest vigilance; in fact, nothing would tempt
him to betray the confidence which is reposed in him.

Captain Brown states that,

"notwithstanding his commanding appearance and the strictness with
which he guards the property of his master, he is possessed of the
greatest mildness of conduct, and is as grateful for any favours
bestowed upon him as is the most diminutive of the canine tribe. There
is a remarkable and peculiar warmth in his attachments. He is aware of
all the duties required of him, and he punctually discharges them. In
the course of the night he several times examines every thing with
which he is intrusted with the most scrupulous care, and, by repeated
barkings, warns the household or the depredator that he is at the post
of duty." [1]

The mastiff from Cuba requires some mention, and will call up some of
the most painful recollections in the history of the human race. He was
not a native of Cuba, but imported into the country.

The Spaniards had possessed themselves of several of the South American
islands. They found them peopled with Indians, and those of a sensual,
brutish, and barbarous class--continually making war with their
neighbours, indulging in an irreconcilable hatred of the Spaniards, and
determined to expel and destroy them. In self-defence, they were driven
to some means of averting the destruction with which they were
threatened. They procured some of these mastiffs, by whose assistance
they penetrated into every part of the country, and destroyed the
greater portion of the former inhabitants.

Las Casas, a Catholic priest, and whose life was employed in
endeavouring to mitigate the sufferings of the original inhabitants,
says that

"it was resolved to march against the Indians, who had fled to the
mountains, and they were chased like wild beasts, with the assistance
of bloodhounds, who had been trained to a thirst for human blood, so
that before I had left the island it had become almost entirely a
desert."