The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-04-20
4 CHAPTER ON DOGS.

1t does not follow that dog which
looks we'll on dress parade will act well
in the field. 1t is desirable, however, to
combine good looks with good nose and
disposition which will yield to the trainers
art. There are great many dogs of fine
pedigree in the country. which, 'orpractical
purposes, are not worth the powder and
shot necessary to kill them. We recall
the experience OF one gentleman, which
points moral, if it does not adorn tale.
Three years ago he had shipped to his
shooting box in the northwest a red and
white setter pup, a perfect beauty IN
form, boasting of pedigree which COM
prised some of the most desirable strains
in the world. The pup was reared with
the greatest of care, and he had the ben
eft of the best of training. But, in a
country full of game, he learned nothing.
The poorest cur in the land could not
have behaved worse in the field. He
always overran his birds and put them
to flight before the hunter got near him,
and as for obeying the word of command,
why, you might just as well have shouted
at post. He was untractable, and had
no nose. He was an excellent bench
show dog. His looks and his breeding
would have recommended him to any
one who pretends to be judge of canine
points. In November last the red-and
white setter was doomed. He exhausted
the patience of his owner and was or
dered to be shot Two years ago the
same gentleman carried to the northwest
with him a brace of Gordons. They
were the produce of famous kennel,
and their ancestry was praised as being
without a flaw. Their sire as we'll as
their dam had won prizes in bench shows.
The dogs were in bred, but that was pro-
nOunced the proper thing; they were all
the better for it. In the field'these Cor
dons gave rise to the keenest disappoint
ment. They lacked nose and had no con-
stitution Miles johnson tried his hand on
| them, and found he could nothing with
| them. At the end of six weeks they
were condemned as worthless. Last fall
the gentl, man in question made his third
experiment. He expressed to bis shoot
ing box brace of lemon-and-white set
tiers. They were of famous stock, and as
| handsome in appearance as a dream.
| Well do we remember the parlor parade
at his house on Fifth avenue, before the
trainer took charge of them. They were
in splendid feather, and their rich coats
had been washed, combed and brushed
until they looked like satin. A dainty
blue ribbon heightened the tone of each
silver collar, and cologne water had been
sprinkled in the hair. The ladies went
into raptures over them, and old sports
men swore that their equal had never
been seen. When tried in the field these
handsome. well-bred dogs acted so poorly
as to cover their owner with mortifca-
ton. They were Indifferent hunters, and
so timid that you could never depend
upon them Drive them ten miles out
| upon the prairie, and then release them
from the wagon and motion them forward,
end seven times out of eight they would
strike bte line for home. One of the
best trainers in the country tried to
break them of this shyness, but he did
not succeed The dogs are now held on
probation They will be given another
trial the approaching summer and
autumn. 1t would CRAFTY us to be as
sured that the experience of this gentle
man is exceptional. But we doubt it
tor the rea on that we could name gooc
many who have sought diligently anc
found ro4, who have purchased fashiona
be strains only to meet with the bitter
est sappointmont. The moral to IL
drawn is, when you have a good working
, dog. do n Vt trade him of for an untriet
one. who has good pedigree and goot
looks to commend. Those who bree'
; for the market viii have to put thei
dogs to mo e thorough tests. Mere bencl
show winters viii not answer. Meri
| | will have to be established by practices
. work, by trials in the feld.- TuJ, Fie'
4 and Fdlm.