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THe Dog which you elect for Setting must have a perfect and good scent, and be naturally addict∣ed to the hunting of Feathers. And this Dog may be ei∣ther Land-spaniel, Water-spaniel, or Mungrel of them both; either the Shallow-flewed Hound, Tumbler,
Lurcher, or small bastard Mastiff. But there is none better than the Land-spaniel, being of a good and nim∣ble size, rather small than gross, and of a courageous mettle; which though you cannot discern being young, yet you may very well know from a right breed, which have been known to be strong, lusty and nimble Ran∣gers, of active Feet, wanton Tails, and busie Nostrils; whose Tail was without weariness, their Search with∣out changeableness, and whom no delight did transport beyond fear or obedience.
When you have made choice of your Dog, begin to instruct him about four months old, or six months at the uttermost.
The first thing that you shall teach your Dog, is to make him loving and familiar with you, know∣ing, you from any other person, and following you where-ever you go. To effect this the better, let him receive his food as near as you can from no other hand but your own; and when you correct him to keep him in awe, do it rather with words than blows.
When you have have so instructed your Dog that he will follow none but your self, and can distinguish your frown from your smile, and smooth words from rough, you must then teach him to couch and lie down close to the ground; first, by laying him often on the ground, and crying, Lie close. When he hath done any thing to your mind and pleasure, you must then reward him with a piece of Bread: if otherwise, chastise him with words, but few blows.
After this, you must teach him to come creeping un∣to you with his Belly and Head close upon the ground, as far or as little a way as you shall think fit: and this you may do by saying, Come nearer, come nearer, or the like; and at first, till he understand your mea∣ning, by shewing him a piece of Bread or some other
food to entice him to you. And this observe in his creeping to you, if he offer to raise his Body or Head, you must not onely thrust the rising-part down, but threaten him with your angry voice; which if he seem to slight, then add a sharp jerk or two with a Whip∣cord-lash.
You must often renew his Lessons till he be very per∣fect, still encouraging him when he does well.
If you walk abroad with him, and he take a fancy to range, even when he is most busie speak to him, and in the height of his pastime make him fall upon his Belly and lie close, and after that make him come cree∣ping to you.
After this teach him to lead in a String or Line, and to follow you close at your heels without trouble or straining of his Collar.
By that time he hath learned these things aforesaid, I conceive the Dog may be a twelvemonth old; at which time the season of the year being fit, take him into the field and permit him to range, but still in o∣bedience to your command. But if through wanton∣ness he chance to babble or open without cause, you must then correct him sharply, either with a Whip∣cord-lash, or biting him hard at the Roots of his Ears.
Having brought him to a good temper and just o∣bedience, then, as soon as you see him come upon the Haunt of any Partridge, (which you shall know by his greater eagerness in hunting, as also by a kind of whimpering and whining in his voice, being very desi∣rous to open, but not daring) you shall speak to him, bid∣ding him take heed, or the like: but if notwithstan∣ding he either rush in and spring the Partridge, or o∣pens, and so the Partridge escapeth, you must then correct him severely, and cast him off again, and let him hunt in some haunt where you know a Covy lies,
and see whether he hath mended his fault: And if you catch any with your Nets, give him the Heads, Necks, and Pinions for his future encouragement.
Many more observations there are, which are too numerous here to recite; wherefore I shall desist, and give you an account of a Water-dog, and so finish this present Discourse.