What is a Game Dog?
Are sportsmen too conservative over the question of the breed of dogs that they use for game ? Something like consternation was aroused in one group lately by the appear- ance of a sportsman followed by a white poodle in place of the usual retriever or spaniel. It was claimed for the animal that it had a highly superior nose, was a marvellous retriever and would learn to be as obedient as any sporting dog. The cleverest dog that it has ever been my fortune to know was a cross between a retriever and a great dane. It belonged to a farmer and would find its master wherever he was. It retrieved admirably and had an unprecedented skill in catching rabbits in their "forms." If they were on the move it paid no attention to them whatever. I have known a fox terrier, a tame fox and a cat that all had the retrieving instinct strong in them, though perhaps it is too much to expect of a sportsmen that he should attend a shoot with a perfectly good cat at his heels ! Airedales can be trained into excellent sporting dogs ; and if it is a question of turning out ground game, there is a good deal to be said for the dachshund. Incidentally the other day, a true retriever gave a remarkable display of the bloodhound's special gift. A lady lost a much valued comb in a hay-field. A retriever, which she did not know, was summoned to the search. He was made to smell the lady's hand first and then told to seek. After half an hour's diligent search he came to hand with the missing article !
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