Twentieth Century Bird Dog Training and Kennel Management (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1921. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER SEVEN Cocker Spaniels ISTINCTLY a sporting breed, but little used at the present time, Cockers can be hunted in some localities to an advantage and many of them hunted together. The most pleasing sight is to see five or six of the little fellows hunting at one time. It is a source of constant delight to anyone who loves to hunt or loves dogs. They are especially attractive if they be particolored. They can be used to an advantage in localities where cockers have never been considered. However, I do not recommend the use of them except to a certain class. To a sportsman who owns good setters and pointers and knows how to handle them and is willing to take the pains necessary to keep them steady and in hand I do not recommend cocker spaniels, as their usefulness can hardly be compared to that of good setters and pointers, except in certain places or under extraordinary conditions. To a class that loves to hunt, but from lack of experience or inability, cannot handle setters and pointers without difficulty, no matter how well they have been trained, they are useful, or for the sportsman who prefers to hunt for a mixed bag rather than confine himself to game birds exclusively, or for the average lady shooter I would recommend a trial at cockers. A great advantage in their favor is that they require practically no training and anyone at all can handle them. The only training required is that at least a part of a team should retrieve. If two or three of a team of five or six dogs art good retrievers, others of the team are likely to pick it up. as they are very easily taught natural retrieving. They can be taught the force system of retrieving and will learn far quicker than the average setter or pointer, but even this much trouble may be avoided by s...