GUNDOG TRAINING BY AMATEURS. By Richard Sharpe.

(1924) 1986 new edition. Small 8vo (128 x 192mm). Pp115. B/w photographs, blue end-papers. Blue boards, spine titled in gilt.

First published in 1924 as "Dog training by amateurs", this is still widely recognised as one of the best and most valuable gundog training books ever written. "Although first published over thirty years ago [1924], there has always been a steady and continuous demand for [this book]. This new edition comes in response to many requests from all over the world. The book has stood the test of time because the principles of instruction perfected by this pioneer of modern dog training have remained basically the same. Mr. Sharpe's system of training is extremely simple and attains the most satisfactory results without in any way lessening the dog's capacity for using its own intelligence." Chapters include: The first lesson - obedience; Teaching to drop at a distance; First lesson in retrieving; Exceptions among dogs, and sundry hints; Finding promiscuously hidden dummies; First lesson with the spring thrower; The report of the gun, and further lessons in steadiness; Introduction to fur and teaching to point; Teaching to get through a fence; Teaching to jump fences and gates, together with seasonable hints; Teaching to find game and follow a runner; Teaching to follow a laid line; Teaching to retrieve from or across water; Teaching spaniels to hunt their game; The first shooting expedition; Mainly about spaniels.