Animal Quote by Havilah Babcock
“The unvarnished truth is that a trained dog is a perishable commodity. Few things are so subject to deterioration. It is almost as hard-and it takes almost as good a hunter-to keep a dog good as to make one as good. Eternal vigilance is the price of a good bird dog, regardless of who you are, or where and how virtuously you live.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Unknown, possibly a treatise on hunting or animal husbandry
A well‑trained hunting dog degrades over time and requires constant care to remain effective.
In simple terms: Trained dogs need ongoing upkeep.
Key Takeaway
Maintain vigilance and regular training.
Themes
responsibility
maintenance
animal care
skill preservation
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- hunting
- dog breeding
- pet ownership
- professional training
- animal welfare
Key Concepts
animal behavior
skill decay
care ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure continual skill upkeep?
- What signs indicate a dog’s decline?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting upkeep quickly reduces a dog’s performance and value.
![“The difference between "trained OK" and "trained perfectly" doesn't really matter all that much to me. I once did a film with Lassie. When that dog got excited he jumped all over Rudd Weatherwax [Lassie's trainer]. Now that's the smartest dog in the world. If the world's best-trained dog can jump…” quote by James Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/739/james-stewart-15426_differences_the-difference-between-trained-ok-and-tr_1544215.jpg)
