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.]