Hunting Dogs by Oliver Hartley, published in 1909, is a comprehensive guide specifically geared towards hunters and dog owners interested in using dogs for various hunting purposes.
Here's a breakdown of the book's content and potential focus:
Target Audience:
- Primarily hunters and dog owners who intend to use dogs for hunting various animals.
Content and Focus:
- Breeds and Specializations: The book likely delves into a variety of dog breeds traditionally used for hunting, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for specific types of game.
- Potential Breeds Covered: Pointers, setters, retrievers, hounds (various types like foxhounds, beagles), terriers (for specific prey like badgers)
- Training and Handling: A significant portion of the book might be dedicated to practical guidance on training hunting dogs to effectively assist hunters. This could include:
- Basic obedience training
- Specific skills relevant to hunting (pointing, retrieving, tracking)
- Techniques for handling dogs in the field, including commands and communication.
- Night Hunting: Interestingly, the book's introduction suggests a focus on night hunting methods, potentially offering guidance on:
- Breeds best suited for nighttime hunting
- Strategies and considerations for safe and successful nighttime hunting with dogs.
- Breeding and Care: The book might offer some insights into breeding practices for hunting dogs, emphasizing desirable traits and maintaining bloodlines. Additionally, it might touch upon basic care for hunting dogs, including nutrition and proper conditioning.
Overall Value:
- Practical Resource: In its time, the book served as a valuable resource for hunters by providing practical information on selecting, training, and handling dogs for hunting purposes.
- Historical Insight: Hunting Dogs offers a window into hunting practices, dog breeds favored for hunting, and training methods employed in the early 20th century.
Additional Points:
- The book is likely out of copyright and might be freely available online through Project Gutenberg or other resources.
- While core information on dog breeds and basic training principles might be relevant, training methods, animal welfare considerations, and hunting regulations have likely evolved significantly since the book's publication.
- The emphasis on night hunting might be a niche aspect of the book, reflecting practices that might not be as common today.
In conclusion, Hunting Dogs by Oliver Hartley offers a historical perspective on selecting, training, and utilizing dogs for hunting various types of game in the early 20th century.
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