Gun Dogs Afield
Horace Lytle
Top 10 Best Quotes
“To shorten the telling, I shall simply state that in the Sport of that season I saw one of the greatest bird dogs I ever expect to meet. He seemed to be drawn to birds as by some invisible cord. He wasted no time in getting to them. It made no difference where they were, he’d go to them quickly by the shortest possible route. His judgement was uncanny, and his nose a masterpiece. He had enough speed, and splendid endurance. Added to this, he put real punch into his work — and magnificent style into his points. Can more ever be asked! Other dogs might fail to find birds on occasion. Sport never failed to find plenty, even on the very worst days.”
“There’s something about the creeping, overly cautious canine’s approach to game that makes birds jittery¬—and they won’t hold. Whereas, the dashing, bold approach—then the sudden, stanch stop at just the right instant and distance ¬— tends to overawe game and make it lie. Birds get no chance to “think it over.” The dog is on them almost before they know it. Then, if a stanch dog doesn’t budge—neither does the game. And that’s the secret of the bold dog’s success. A secret that holds true regardless of the game — from woodcock to pheasants, from grouse to prairie chicken, and from quail to Hungarian partridge.”
“The mere details of a hunting story can be boresome. So I’ll cut the details short. King finally found a covey, and I doubled. He found another, and I doubled again. He found three more before quitting time, and I doubled behind each find! Five coveys. Five doubles. Then birds. I shall never forget the thrill of those five doubles in succession, to finish out that season of zero weather, as good old King produced those much-needed birds at the eleventh hour.”
“The end came rather unexpectedly. Although old for a dog, he had been lying quietly for some time. There was no warning. All at once he went into a frightful convulsion, which lasted several minutes. I held his head and tried to still the frantic pawing. With equal suddenness he quieted at last, and his great brown eyes opened to look into mine. And with those eyes he “said” so plainly that no one could mistake it: “Well, it’s all right now—with you here.”
“Red-letter days are those that contain these “heap o’ things” in abundance – or at least in such nice balance as to have produced a perfect picture on the whole — a picture that is destined to endure, being painted on memory’s canvas in colors that cannot fade. It is of such a long-ago day that I am writing now. The artist’s hand was firm and true — there being not even the slightest slip of the brush to mar the picture that is still painted in my mind. Perhaps, therefore, it may bear telling — although I warn you now to be prepared for nothing but a very simple story, in which a succession of big little things stand out in bold relief.”
“It was the first bevy find of the day — and it came within ten minutes — and it was a peach. It was one of those finds that are earned — not merely “lucked into.” You just knew she had ‘em, even if you didn’t know her. In the latter case, you’d bank your last dollar against a note for a cent for a year without interest. Heads up —tail up—paw up —style—class! That’s the kind of point it was.”
“In the field trails, there are certain fundamental requisites for the winner who is sufficiently outstanding to engrave his name upon the highest annals of fame. He must have the hunting instinct and the desire to go. He must have a faultless nose, as well as good judgement about likely places for game, so as not to waste a lot of valuable time in hunting out his ground. He must go as fast as his nose will let him and as wide as the country permits or occasion requires. He must have purpose in his running, as well as style and animation in all his movements, especially in his attitudes on game. Whether he be working in close, or far out on the line of the horizon, he must always respond to signals from his handler; and yet—delicate distinction—he must have a mind of his won and not depend too much upon his handler. In short, he must be independent and at the same time lend himself to control.”
“I set a great deal of store by a dog wanting to do the right thing. But he can’t — unless or until he knows what right is. Therefore, your job is somehow to make understanding of his job clear to him. And, when that’s done, if he willfully still doesn’t respond, you don’t want advice —you want another dog.”
“However, pointers, as a rule, will train up quicker, are less likely to show temperament, and may work better in warm weather if water is scares; while setters are more likely to work better if the going is wet, take cover more courageously, and prove more nearly “one man” dogs. But burrs never the pointers … you pick your own dog!”
“But, of all Albert’s fine service to me, I believe that most appreciated was the morning coffee. Around daylight, or thereabouts, the fifty or more pointers and setters kenneled not too far beyond my open window would start setting up their chorus. In a very short while, they’d be really opening up full swing. And I liked that, too. At first, it merely served as a reminder¬—after a comfortable night—that day was dawning in great quail country, and there were some of America’s finest bird dogs to run—and excellent horses to ride.”
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Book Keywords:
dogs, hunting-dogs, pointers, dog-death, hunting, setter, coffee
