If, perchance, the writer is so ill-advised as to let off at a hare that is beyond certain killing distance, and the poor brute makes off with a shattered hind leg, or vitals penetrated by only a pellet or two, he does not hesitate to send his dusky henchman on the war trail, chancing whether the dog will, in consequence, run in at the next hare that springs, or not.

The fact that Retrievers are only presumed to exist for the purpose of fetching and carrying is responsible for another fact - viz. that our sporting American cousins ignore the breed altogether, and no efforts on our part have ever succeeded in popularising the breed over the Herring Pond. They logically ask, "Say, what do we want with Retrievers? All our Pointers and Setters are taught the job." But if it could be impressed upon them that a Retriever of the right sort will also do any kind of work that is asked of him, America might be the richer for one of the handsomest, cleverest, and most docile of the canine species.

At the beginning of the chapter allusion was made to one of the silliest cants of the day, which is in vogue with a certain class of sportsman who abhors anything to do with dog shows. He will tell you that show dogs are useless for work, and that you are to recommend him to a thick-headed, yellow-eyed, bow-legged keeper's slave, if you want work. This is all nonsense; and though "Handsome is as handsome does" may be a trite enough saying, there is no possible reason why a thing of beauty should not be a joy for ever. It is true that there are some dogs and bitches whose time is so called upon in maintaining their reputation on the show-bench that they may never have been broken at all, or, if so, have not had the opportunity of fully displaying their excellence in the field; but take our present-day champions of the show-bench seriatim, it will be found that five out of six are particularly clever and steady workers. The writer can vouch for the skill of such dogs as Blackthorn, Black Cloth, Black Drake, Black Charm, and Black Quilt (a direct line); whilst Wimpole Peter, Darenth, Horton Rector, and Boreas of Batsford have reputations as workers that cannot be challenged.

In buying a dog with such a reputation, one is apt to court momentary disappointment, for it very frequently happens that he will take all sorts of liberties, and for a time, at least, refuse to work to a new hand; but sometimes the boot is on the other leg - a change of masters will engender a change of manners, and a hitherto untractable animal will come to hand in an almost miraculous manner.

The writer was once called upon to arbitrate between two gentlemen of the highest position and integrity. One had sold a Retriever to the other, describing him as perfectly broken and excellent in his work. The purchaser took him home, and after a while tried him, when, he alleged, he was unsteady, disobedient, and terribly hard-mouthed - in fact, useless; consequently he demanded a return of the purchase-money. The vendor stoutly maintained the dog's excellence, and the matter was by mutual consent submitted to arbitration. The purchaser sent the dog to the writer. He tried him exhaustively, found him as near perfection as a Retriever could be, and gave his arbitrament accordingly, much to the surprise of the purchaser. Again, a draft of the writer's own dogs was disposed of at the Barbican; amongst them a bitch whom he had always found to possess a peculiarly tender mouth, and a young dog whom he was obliged to describe as "rather hard-mouthed." They were both purchased by personal friends. He who had become owner of the bitch wished to return her at the end of three months, as he alleged she was so hard-mouthed that she bit everything to pieces; whilst the purchaser of the erstwhile "stone-breaker" wrote me: "Why did you describe Black as hard-mouthed? He has an exceptionally tender mouth!"

This is one of those things which no "feller" can understand. But given everything in, those who are contemplating the taking up of one breed as a hobby should not hesitate to decide on the Flat-coated Retriever. He is handsome, clever, faithful, and affectionate; he breeds truer to the standard type than almost any other variety of dog; he can be taught almost anything; and combines the best qualities of a sportsman's helpmate and a man's most cherished companion.