n
hunting with a young pointer, who had only been taken into the field
two or three times, in order to show him some birds before the
shooting season, the following occurrence took place. The old dog
found some birds in the middle of the field, and pointed them
steadily. The puppy had been jumping and gambolling about, with no
great hunt in him, and upon seeing the old dog stand, ran playfully up
to him. He was, however, seized by the neck, and received a good
shaking, which sent him away howling, and his companion then turned
round and steadied himself on his point, without moving scarcely a
yard. This anecdote is extracted from Hone's "Year Book," and the
writer of it goes on to say,--"What dog is there possessing the
singular self-denial of the pointer or setter? The hound gives full
play to his feelings; chases, and babbles, and kicks up as much riot
as he likes, provided he is true to his game; the spaniel has no
restraint, except being kept within gun-shot; the greyhound has it all
his own way as soon as he is loosed; and the terrier watches at a
rat's hole, because he cannot get into it: but the pointer, at the
moment that other dogs satisfy themselves, and rush upon their game,
suddenly stops, and points with almost breathless anxiety to that
which we might naturally suppose he would eagerly seize. The birds
seen, the dog creeps after them cautiously, stopping at intervals,
lest by a sudden movement he should spring them too soon. And then let
us observe and admire his delight when his anxiety--for it is
anxiety--is crowned with success--when the bird falls, and he lays it
joyfully at his master's feet. A pointer should never be ill-used. He
is too much like one of us. He has more headpiece than all the rest of
the dogs put together. Narrowly watch a steady pointer on his game,
and see how he holds his breath. It is evident he must stand in a
certain degree of pain, for we all know how quickly a dog respires.
And when he comes up to you in the field he puffs and blows, and his
tongue is invariably hanging out of his mouth. We never see this on a
point, and to check it suddenly must give the dog pain. And yet, how
silent he is! how eager he looks! and if a sudden hysteric gasp is
heard, it ceases in a moment. Surely he is the most perfect artist of
the canine race."

Some of my readers may like to know that the best breaker of pointers
I have yet met with is Mr. Lucas, one of the keepers of Richmond Park.
He pe