Former owner's name in red ink to front end-paper, small bump to top edge of front board otherwise a good-plus first edition hardback in faded dust-wrapper.
1982 1st edition. 8vo (140 x 222mm). Pp224. B/w illustrations by Mary Beattie Scott. Brown boards, spine titled in gilt.
Pictures show the actual copy being offered for sale.
One of the classic gundog training books, highly regarded and still very well-thought-of today. The book covers all breeds of gundog.
"Experts are often said to have forgotten more about their subjects than other people will ever know. Those who have written books on dog training in the last century were not exceptions to this. In gaining the experience which gave them the authority to advise others, many basic realities became second nature to them - too familiar to seem worth passing on. So readers were not told of the inner nature of gundogs, their behaviour patterns and reflexes, elements of management, and the man-dog communication system by which the recommended lessons can be taught. In short, they were told what to do, but not how to do it. Wilson Stephens now fills the gap by explaining what he has had to find out for himself the hard way, but would have been glad to have been told twenty years ago." (Publisher's blurb).
Contents include:- Introduction - of truths untold; Part I: In Human Terms - Instead of speech; Sensory and extra-sensory; By voice alone; Eye to eye; Hands and handling; By nose and tongue; Part II: Within the Dog - The canine mind; The birthrights; Tracing the inheritance; The paradox of speed; Workings of memory; Part III: In Practice - Forms of restraint; The whistler and his dog; Noises off; Game and gun; Guided missiles; Crime and punishment; Wind and limb; Rest and recreation; Full circle; Index.