The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the FieldTaplin, William
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The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field
Taplin, William
Hunting -- Dictionaries; Sports -- Dictionaries
The large _springing_ Spaniel, and small _Cocker_, although they vary in
size, differ but little in their qualifications, except that the former
is rather slower in action; neither catching the scent of the game so
suddenly as the latter, or seeming to enjoy it with the same extatic
enthusiasm when found. The small cocking Spaniel has also the advantage
of getting through the low bushy covert with much less difficulty than
the larger Spaniel, and does not tire so soon, whatever may have been
the _length_ and _labour_ of the day. Spaniels of each description are
frequently used as finders in COURSING with GREYHOUNDS, and are
indefatigable in their exertions: from the time they are thrown off in
pursuit of game, the tail is in a perpetual motion, (called feathering,)
by the increasing vibration of which, an experienced sportsman well
knows when he gets nearer the object of attraction. The nearer he
approaches it, the more violent he becomes in his endeavours to succeed;
tremulative whimpers escape him as a matter of _doubt_; but the moment
that doubt's dispelled, his clamorous raptures break forth in full
confirmation of the gratification he receives. And this proclamation may
be so firmly relied on, (though in the midst of the thickest covert,)
that the happy owner may exultingly boast he is in the possession of one
faithful domestic who never tells a lie.
As it is the impulsive principle of this animal to give the most
outrageous proof of joy upon finding, or coming upon the foot or haunt
of game, so it is his determined disposition never to relax in his
perseverance till he brings it _to view_. It is therefore necessary for
all young and inexperienced sportsmen, who take the field with Spaniels,
not to be too tardy in their own motions, but to let their agility keep
pace with the incessant activity of their canine companions, without
which they may expect to cover many a weary mile without a successful
shot. Spaniels, when broke for the field, should never be taken out more
than one young dog at a time, and that in company with one or more old
and seasoned dogs, to whom they will mostly attend in every action, and
the sooner acquire the necessary knowledge of the business they are
engaged in. If young dogs are taken out alone, and in too great number,
their great eagerness, and emulative opposition, frequently occasions
them (particularly in covert, where they are safe from correction) to
hunt or chase _one_ thing for want of finding _another_; and in the
event of not being corrected when necessary, to become uncertain
_babblers_, and never to be relied upon. The judicious and experienced
sportsman will never be seen to hunt SPANIELS with POINTERS either in or
out of covert; for, although it can do little or no injury to the
former, it may very materially warp the _integrity_, if not totally
destroy the principles of the latter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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