SPORTING DOGS
Photo by T. Fall, Baker St.]
[Frontispiece.
Head of Bloodhound Champion Sultan.
THEIR POINTS: AND MANAGEMENT;
IN HEALTH, AND DISEASE
BY
FRANK TOWNEND BARTON
M.R.C.V.S.
Veterinary Surgeon to the Gamekeepers' Kennel Association
Veterinary Adviser to the "Gamekeepers' Gazette"
AUTHOR OF
"NON-SPORTING DOGS," "TOY DOGS,"
"EVERYDAY AILMENTS AND ACCIDENTS TO THE DOG,"
"SOUND AND UNSOUND HORSES," "OUR FRIEND THE HORSE,"
"BREAKING AND TRAINING HORSES,"
"HOW TO CHOOSE A HORSE," "THE HORSE OWNER'S COMPANION,"
"THE VETERINARY MANUAL," "THE AGE OF THE HORSE,"
"DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS OF CATTLE,"
ETC., ETC.
COPIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS
London
R. A. EVERETT & CO., LTD.
1905
[All Rights Reserved]
Surely the lines—
"Trust, oh! trust me, I will be
Still true for ever, true to thee."
have never been more practically demonstrated, than in the following extract, from an account of a poaching affray, published in the Gamekeepers' Gazette.
"The dead gamekeeper's dog was to be seen by the roadside restlessly waiting for its master, while he lay in a cottage fatally riddled with shot."
TO
BREEDERS
Exhibitors, and Fanciers
OF
SPORTING DOGS
throughout the King's Dominions
This work—Sporting Dogs: Their Points and Management in Health and Disease—has been prepared as a companion volume to those already published, viz., Non-Sporting Dogs: Their Points, etc., and Toy Dogs, in response to numerous inquiries from readers of those volumes, asking for a work upon Sporting Dogs, to complete the series, at a proportionate price.
The Points of the various breeds used by Sportsmen have been freely discussed, supplemented by illustrations from photographs of the most celebrated animals known.
Kennel Management, The Management of Hounds, Diseases, Accidents and Simple Operations forms an important section of the work—features that should render the book of far greater practical utility than one dealing solely with the different varieties of dogs.
Both Author and Publisher, will be satisfied, if it meets with the hearty reception accorded to the companion publications.
In conclusion, the Author wishes to express most hearty thanks to all Breeders and Exhibitors who have so generously supplied him with Photographs: to Our Dogs Gazette; The Kennel Gazette; The Gamekeeper, etc.
| SECTION A | |
| PAGE | |
| Chapter I | 3 |
| The Pointer | |
| Head—Colour—Eyes—Back—Hind-quarters—Faults—Value of Points. |
|
| Chapter II | 18 |
| The English Setter | |
| Laverack Setters—Coat—Colour—Skull—Ears—Eyes—Neck—Back-quarters—Tail—Fore-limbs—Weight—Faults. | |
| The Irish Setter | |
| Coat—Ears—Eyes—Neck—Forelegs—Loins. | |
| The Black=and=Tan Setter (Gordon Setter) | |
| Eyes—Ears—Head—Neck—Shoulders and Chest—Fore-limbs—Feet—Back—Loins—Stern—Value of Points. | |
| Chapter III | 32 |
| International Gundog League | |
| Pointer and Setter Society | |
| Rules—Rules for the Trial Meetings. | |
| Chapter IV | 42 |
| Retrievers | |
| Flat-coated: Coat—Head—Ears—Eyes—Chest—
Neck—Back—Loins—Limbs—Faults. Curly-coated. |
|
| Labradors | |
| Rules of the Retriever Society | |
| Chapter V | 66 |
| Spaniels | |
| General Characteristics of the different Varieties—Temperament—Coat—Colour—Head—Ears—Fore-limbs—Body. | |
| The Clumber | |
| Weight—Head—Ears—Eyes—Coat—Neck—Club. | |
| The Sussex Spaniel | |
| Colour—Coat—Weight—Head—Eyes—Ears—Nose—Neck—Shoulders and Chest—Fore-limbs—Faults. | |
| Field Spaniels | |
| The Cocker Spaniel | |
| Head—Ears—Coat—Colour—Club Prices—Faults. | |
| The Irish Water Spaniel | |
| Colour—Nose—Skull—Ears—Neck—Coat—Height—General Appearances—Faults—Weight—Club. | |
| The English Water Spaniel | |
| Chapter VI | 94 |
| International Gundog League | |
| Rules—Regulations (subject to alteration). | |
| Chapter VII | 102 |
| Training Spaniels | |
| SECTION B | |
| HOUNDS | |
| Chapter VIII | 113 |
| The Foxhound | |
| Packs of Foxhounds. | |
| Harriers | |
| Loins—Back—Ribs—Chest—Fore-limbs—Coat. | |
| The Otterhound | |
| Colour—Height—Eyes—Ears—Skull—Neck. | |
| The Deerhound | |
| Head—Ears—Neck—Shoulders—Stern—Eyes—Body—Legs—Feet—Coat—Colour—Height—Weight—Points required. | |
| SECTION C | |
| HOUNDS | |
| Chapter IX | 141 |
| The Bloodhound | |
| Head—Eyes—Legs—Feet—Chest—Shoulder—Neck—Ribs—Back—Loins—Hind-quarters—Limbs—Tail—Coat—Colour—Height—Club—Association of Bloodhound Breeders. | |
| Irish Wolfhounds | |
| Weight—Height—Head—Ears—Neck—Fore-limbs—Hind-quarters | |
| The Greyhound | |
| Head—Eyes—Ears—Neck—Fore-quarters. | |
| The Whippet | |
| Coat—Constitution—Fore-limbs—Hind-quarters— Feet—Tail—General Appearance of the Whippet. | |
| SECTION D | |
| MIXED HOUNDS | |
| Chapter X | 179 |
| The Borzois or Russian Wolfhound | |
| Ears—Eyes—Chest—Neck—Fore-limbs—Colour—Coat—Height—Faults—Club. | |
| The Beagle | |
| English Beagle Club—Points—American Beagle Club—Points. | |
| Chapter XI | 194 |
| The Dachshund | |
| Coat—Head—Nose—Eyes—Ears—Neck—Chest—Shoulders—Legs—Feet—Toes—Hind-quarters. | |
| The Basset-hound | |
| Colour—Coat—Head—Fore-quarters—Chest—Club Rules of Basset Club—Points of Basset Hound (smooth)—General Appearance—Points of the Basset-hound (rough). | |
| SECTION E | |
| FOX TERRIERS | |
| Chapter XII | 239 |
| The Fox Terrier | |
| Standard of Points recommended by the Fox Terrier Club. | |
| Rough Fox Terrier | |
| Scale of Points—Disqualifying Points. | |
| SECTION F | |
| TERRIERS | |
| Chapter XIII | 269 |
| The Skye Terrier | |
| Colour—Head—Body—Legs—Height—Faults—Club—Prices. | |
| The Bedlington Terrier | |
| History—Height—Weight—Colour—Nose—Coat—Skull—Body—Tail—Limbs and Quarters—Club. | |
| The Scottish Terrier | |
| Coat—Height—Colour—Body—Neck—Chest—Limbs and Feet—Ears—Eyes—Head—Hair—Muzzle—Height—Clubs. | |
| The Irish Terrier | |
| Coat—Colour—Neck—Body—Limbs and Feet—Weight—Club—Prices. | |
| The Airedale Terrier | |
| Standard of the Airedale Terrier Club—Points—Rules and Regulations. | |
| The White West Highland Terrier | |
| Description of. | |
| The Welsh Terrier | |
| Head—Neck—Arms—Forearms—Back and Loins—Tail—First and Second Thighs—Feet—Club. | |
| The Dandie=Dinmont | |
| History—Head—Neck—Tail—Fore and Hind limbs—Colour—Society—Standard of Points of Dandie-Dinmont Terrier Club—Rules for Breeders' Challenge Cup—Rules for the Tiddeman Trophies—Rules for the Ringwood Club—Breeders' Cups, etc. | |
| SECTION G | |
| AFGHAN GREYHOUND-LURCHER | |
| Chapter XIV | 333 |
| The Afghan Greyhound | |
| Skull—Eyes—Ears—Neck—Colour—Weight—Height at Shoulder—Limbs. | |
| The Lurcher | |
| The Training, Use, and Abuse, of Night=Dogs | |
| Chapter XV | 351 |
| The Gamekeepers' Kennel Association | |
| Chapter XVI | 363 |
| Feeding Sporting Dogs | |
| Conditioning Dogs | |
| Chapter XVII | 369 |
| Specific Ailments | |
| Distemper—Rabies—Blood Poisoning—Rheumatism—Chest Founder or Kennel Lameness. | |
| Chapter XVIII | 384 |
| Constitutional Skin Diseases | |
| Eczema—Boils—Herpes—Nettle Rash. | |
| Chapter XIX | 389 |
| External Parasites and Parasitic Skin Diseases | |
| Fleas—Pediculi or Lice—Ringworm—Sarcoptic Mange—Follicular Mange. | |
| Chapter XX | 394 |
| Diseases of the Gullet, Stomach, Bowels, and Digestive Glands | |
| Disease of the Gullet—Inflammation of the Stomach—Twist and Intussusception of the Bowels—Inflammation of the Bowels—Vomiting—Worms—Diarrhœa—Dysentery—Hæmorrhage—Hæmorrhoids—Dyspepsia—Jaundice—Ruptures. | |
| Chapter XXI | 413 |
| Poisons and their Remedies | |
| Poisoning by Arsenic—Antimony—Strychnine—Phosphorus—Rat and other Vermin Destroyers—By Lead—Mercury—Ptomaine Poisoning. | |
| Chapter XXII | 419 |
| Diseases of the Urinary Organs | |
| Disease of the Kidneys—Stone in the Bladder—Inflammation of the Bladder—Stricture of the Urethra. | |
| Chapter XXIII | 422 |
| Diseases of the Ear | |
| Dropsy of the Ear-flap—Otitis—Otorrhœa or Canker (internal)—Split Margin of Ear—(External Canker)—Eczema of Ears—Deafness—Morbid Growths in Passage—Concretions—Syringing ears. | |
| Chapter XXIV | 428 |
| Diseases of the Eye | |
| Ophthalmia—Blindness—Inverted Eyelids—Everted Eyelids—Torn Eyelids—Foreign Bodies in Eyes—Bareness around Margins. | |
| Chapter XXV | 433 |
| Injuries and Minor Operations | |
| Wounds—Overgrown Claws—Fractures. | |
| Chapter XXVI | 438 |
| Minor Operations | |
| Docking—Setoning—Enemas—Fomentations—Blistering—Tumours and Warts. | |
| Appendix | 443 |
| White West Highland Terrier | |
| Club Standard of Points. | |
| Index | 447 |
| PAGE | |
| Head of Bloodhound Champion Sultan | Frontispiece |
| Pointers on Partridges | 5 |
| Pointer Champion Faskally Brag | 7 |
| Pointer Champion Coronation | 11 |
| Pointer Bitch Barton Beauty | 13 |
| Pointer Bitch Barton Blanche | 15 |
| A Brace of English Setters at Repose (Pride and Sally) | 19 |
| English Setter Romney Rock | 21 |
| Irish Setter Dog | 25 |
| Irish Setter Champion Florizel | 27 |
| Mr Cartwright's Flat-coated Retriever Champion Colwyn Clytie | 43 |
| Typical Flat-coated Retriever | 45 |
| Flat-coated Retriever Danehurst Rocket | 49 |
| Flat-coated Retriever Busy Marquis | 51 |
| Typical Flat-coated Retriever Dog | 53 |
| Curly-Coated Retriever Dog | 57 |
| Clumber Spaniel Dog Bobs of Salop | 73 |
| Mr Newington's Sussex Spaniel Dog Rosehill Rock | 77 |
| Typical Cocker Spaniel | 85 |
| Irish Water Spaniel Pat O'Brien | 89 |
| Mr Walter Winans' Pack of Hounds and Master | 115 |
| Enemies at Peace—Foxhound Nameless and Tame Dog Fox | 117 |
| Lecturer—A Member of the Crickhowell Harriers | 123 |
| Deerhound Champion St Ronan's Rhyme | 131 |
| Deerhound Dog Champion Selwood Morven | 133 |
| A Quartet of Typical Bloodhounds | 143 |
| Greyhound Bitch Lady Golightly | 159 |
| Fawn Greyhound Dean Baden Powell | 161 |
| A Trio of Greyhounds, Duke o' Ringmer, Lady Golightly, Glory o' Ringmer | 163 |
| Greyhound Sussex Belle | 165 |
| Typical Whippet Dog Dandy Coon | 169 |
| Borzois Padiham Nordia | 175 |
| Borzois Dog | 177 |
| A Group of Leyswood Beagles | 183 |
| Pocket Beagle Cheerful of Rodnance | 185 |
| Dachshund Champion Snakes Prince | 195 |
| A Brace of Typical Dachshunds | 197 |
| Dachshund Dog and Bitch | 199 |
| Red Dachshund Victoria Regina | 201 |
| Mr Proctor's Basset-hound Bitch Queen of the Geisha | 209 |
| A Brace of Typical Smooth-coated Basset-hounds | 211 |
| Smooth-coated Basset-hound Bitch and Her Puppies | 213 |
| Smooth Basset-hound Dog Champion Louis le Beau. A veritable pillar of the Stud Book | 215 |
| Typical Smooth-coated Basset Bitch | 217 |
| A Group of Champion Smooth-coated Bassets | 219 |
| Typical Rough Basset Bitch | 221 |
| Rough-coated Basset-Hound Dog Champion Puritan | 223 |
| Typical Rough-coated Basset Dog | 225 |
| Mr Scott's Smooth Fox Terrier Millgate Joe | 241 |
| Champion South Cave Leger | 243 |
| Smooth Fox Terrier Duke of Doncaster | 245 |
| Smooth Fox Terrier Champion Cymro Queen | 249 |
| Miss Lewis's Wire-haired Fox Terrier Champion Donington Venture | 251 |
| Mr Scott's Smooth Fox Terrier Millgate Bandit | 253 |
| Smooth Fox Terrier Dog Champion Dukedom | 257 |
| Smooth Fox Terrier Dog Darley Dale | 259 |
| Wire-haired Fox Terrier Dog Remus of Gaywood | 261 |
| Mr Scott's Wire-haired Fox Terrier Millgate Leader | 263 |
| Typical Prick-eared Skye Terrier Dog | 271 |
| Bedlington Terrier Dog | 275 |
| Scottish Terrier Dog Champion Hyndman Thistle | 279 |
| A Trio of Scottish Terriers | 281 |
| Group of Scottish Terriers | 285 |
| Irish Terrier Blackbrook Banker | 289 |
| Airedale Terrier Dog Barkerend Masterpiece | 291 |
| Airedale Terrier Dog Crompton Marvel | 295 |
| Airedale Terrier Dog Barkerend Victoria | 299 |
| Brace of White West Highland Terriers | 305 |
| Welsh Terrier | 309 |
| Dandie-Dinmont Terrier Dog Thistle Grove Ben | 311 |
| Afghan Greyhound | 335 |
| The Celebrated Keeper's Night-Dog Thorneywood Terror, said to be the most perfectly trained Night Dog ever bred | 339 |
SECTION A
CHAPTER I
Pointers
CHAPTER II
Setters
ENGLISH—IRISH—GORDON
CHAPTER III
International Gundog League
CHAPTER IV
Retrievers
FLAT-COATED—CURLY-COATED—LABRADOR
CHAPTER V
Spaniels
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES—CLUMBER—SUSSEX—FIELD—COCKER—IRISH WATER—ENGLISH SPRINGERS
The Pointer
Most authorities are in agreement that the English Pointer has been derived from a cross of the old Spanish Pointer and Southern Hound, or with the former and a Foxhound.
The old Spanish Pointer was a heavy, loose-made dog, had a large head, short and smooth coat, thin, loose ears and a thin tail.
In colour he was generally black, black and white, liver and white, red and white, dark brown, liver, etc. The breed, it is said, was first introduced into this country by a Portuguese merchant, living and shooting in Norfolk.
According to accounts, the Spanish Pointers had a remarkable degree of scenting power, never missing their game.
In Germany there are two varieties of Pointers—the Rough-and the Smooth-coated. Like the old Spanish Pointer, these dogs are slow, but sure workers: they are heavily built, and frequently liver, or liver and white.
The chief drawback to the Spanish Pointer was his slowness, and indifferent temper. The French Pointer was probably superior, and may have had considerable influence towards making the many good qualities possessed by the English Pointer of to-day. A medium-sized dog is the most useful, the heavy being too slow and the light weights too fast, especially for aged shooters.
The Pointer may be described as fairly hardy; generally of good constitution, and when bred from working parents, puppies usually respond readily to the breaker's tuition.
A second-, or third-season dog, is preferable to a first-season one, so that, when purchasing, this should be borne in mind. Another matter worthy of attention, and that is, never to purchase a Pointer without having him for a week or two's trial on your own shoot.
The colour of a Pointer is more a matter for individual taste, though there is no doubt that one should choose such as can be the most readily discerned in the distance. Lemon and white, black and white, and liver and white ticked, especially the last-named, are the most general colours. Liver, and red and white are frequently seen, though the former is not so readily recognisable on ploughed land, etc.
[Photo by Horner.
Pointers on Partridges (Property of Mr F. R. Horner).
Pointer Champion Faskally Brag (Property of Mr H. Sawtell)
In action, these dogs ought to move with beauty and freedom, unobserved in any other breed. The movements alone ought to be sufficient to create admiration in the mind of the sportsman.
Head.—Should be of good size, wide in the dome, and wider between the eyes, with a long, broad, square nose and broad, well-dilated nostrils, giving the head a somewhat square conformation.
In colour, nose ought to be black, but in lemon and white dogs, flesh-coloured. Cartilages of ears, long and thin, covered by soft hair, and carried close to cheeks.
Eyes.—Of medium size.
Twenty-four per cent. of points are allowed for skull, nose, eyes, ears, lips, and six for the neck, which ought to be long, arched, and free from loose skin or dewlap. Long oblique shoulders and long arms are essentials of beauty in the Pointer. Forearms long, having plenty of bone and muscle. Pasterns of medium length, feet round (like those of the cat), and the soles hard. A good deal of attention is paid to the legs and feet, by Pointer judges. Some prefer the hare-foot. The elbow must stand well off the brisket and be low placed. Dog must not be "out" at elbow. Viewed from the front, the chest of the Pointer, nevertheless, ought not to be broad, otherwise the beautiful elastic step is interfered with. The contour of the chest is round and deep. Back ribs must be deep, and flanks broad and thick, so as to give strength in these regions.
Back and Hind-quarters.—The back should be of good length but strongly built, and the loins broad and deep. First and second thighs well covered with muscle; hocks strong and good; stifles broad.
Too much importance cannot be attached to the stern of the Pointer, and judges are keen on quality in this region. First of all, it must be strong at its "set on," and gradually taper to a fine point.
If the tail is as thick at the end as it is at its "set on," or coarse in other respects, it indicates inferior breeding. Should be carried on a line with the back.
Faults.—Any approach to curl in tail, coarse coat, soft feet, short back ribs, wide chest, too heavy in head and facial expression, short on legs, under-or over-sized, presence of flews or big cheeks, undershot; too much of Hound character, bad temper, disobedience, bad constitution, etc.
Pointer Champion Coronation (Property of Mr H. Sawtell).
Pointer Bitch Barton Beauty (Property of Sir Humphry de Trafford, Bart.).
Pointer Bitch Barton Blanche (Property of Sir Humphry de Trafford, Bart.).
Value of Points
| Skull | 10 | |
| Ears | 5 | |
| Nose | 10 | |
| Neck | 5 | |
| —— | 30 | |
| Shoulders, chest, back and thighs, | 30 | |
| Colour and coat, | 10 | |
| Stern and general quality, | 10 | |
| Legs | 6 | |
| Feet | 6 | |
| Elbow | 4 | |
| Hocks | 2 | |
| Stifles | 2 | |
| —— | 20 | |
| —— | ||
| Total | 100 | |
The English Setter
Most authorities, or those who have made diligent inquiries into the history—if such it can be called—or origin, of the English Setter, are agreed that it has been derived from the Spaniel—Setting Spaniel—and Laverack, in his work on the Setter, says,—
"I am of the opinion that all Setters have more or less originally sprung from our various strains of Spaniels, and I believe most breeders of any note agree that the Setter is nothing more than a Setting Spaniel. How the Setter attained his sufficiency of point is difficult to account for, and I leave the question to wiser heads than mine to determine. The Setter is said and acknowledged by authorities of long standing, to be of greater antiquity than the Pointer. If this be true—and I believe it is—the Setter cannot at first have been crossed with the Pointer to render him what he is."
If the foregoing views be accepted, it follows that our lovely Setter is but an improved Spaniel.
A Brace of English Setters at Repose (Pride and Sally, Mr Stanhope Lovell).
An English Setter (Romney Rock).
The Laverack Setters—a strain preserved by the late Mr Laverack—has always played an important part in the more recent history of the Setter. The Llewellin Setter—a strain bred by Mr Llewellin—(a Laverack cross) stands out as being one of the best strains ever produced, both on the show bench and in the field.
A high-class English Setter should have a rich, glossy coat, and every movement should be one of elegance, dash, and beauty.
A high degree of intelligence and great power of physical endurance are a sine qua non.
Field trials have done more towards perfecting the working qualities of the Setter than could have been attained by any other means.
The breeding of stock from dogs coming out top at these trials affords the surest means of attaining the highest degree of working capacity.
The points of the English Setter are as follows:—
Coat.—To be soft, silky, and free from curl. There ought to be an abundance of soft feather on fore and hind legs.
Colour.—Not a great deal of importance is attached to this. The chief colours are:—Liver and white, lemon and white, black, black and white, red or yellow, orange Belton, black and white ticked, with splashes of black, or bluish tint—blue Belton, black, white and tan markings, &c. Black and white ticked are commonest.
Skull.—Long and narrow, with a well-developed occipital bone. Muzzle square, and lips full at their angles.
Ears and Eyes.—Ears set on low, thin and soft, carried close to the cheeks, and covered by silky hair about a couple of inches in length. Eyes of medium size, either brown or hazel.
Neck.—Slightly arched and covered by somewhat loose skin.
Back and Quarters.—Arched, and loins wide and strong. Hocks, strong.
Tail.—Should be carried in a straight line with the body, and the feather upon it to consist of straight, silky hairs, shortening towards the point. A beautiful flag is a great adornment to the Setter, especially when at work.
Fore-limbs.—Shoulders set well back. Forearms straight and strong, of medium length, and with a good fringe at the back. Pasterns short and nearly vertical. Feet well feathered below and cat-like.
Weight.—Dogs from 50 to 60 lbs. Bitches, 45 to 55 lbs. Club.—The English Setter.
Faults.—Curly coat, snipy head, bad carriage of stern, too light in bone, too short or too long in leg, out at elbows, too heavy in head, bad symmetry, disobedience, bad scenting power, indifferent at work, etc., etc.
The Irish Setter
The origin of these dogs, as in many other breeds, is enshrouded in mystery. The theory that they have been derived from Red Spaniels, crossed with the Bloodhound, is accepted by some breeders, the traces of Hound blood being observable in their method of working (scenting their game), so much objected to, by many sportsmen.
Irish Setter Dog.
In Ireland these Setters have been, and still are, greatly used for snipe shooting, being hardy, fast, and very keen-nosed—their ability to bear fatigue, and cold, being unequalled by any other variety of Setter.
It has been said that the finest and oldest strain of Irish Setters have a slight tinge of black on the tips of the ears and muzzle; others, again, regard the presence of black hairs as a sign of impurity of blood, agreeing that these dogs ought to be a very deep, rich red—a dark or blood red being preferred. White hairs ought not to be present anywhere, excepting on the forehead and chest, though many object to white in the situation last named.
The Coat should be close, of strong growth, and neither coarse nor silky in texture. Feather of a golden tinge, and of moderate amount.
Ears.—To be long, set low on the head, and have a medium degree of feathering.
Eyes.—A deep hazel or brown, and the nose dark or mahogany flesh. A black nose should disqualify.
Neck.—Of fair length, slightly arched, and body proportionately long; the chest deep, and ribs well sprung.
Forelegs.—Straight, not too much feathered, and the feet small, firm, and close, with well-arched toes.
Strong Loins, powerful thighs and hocks, and a horizontal carriage of the tail (not cocked) are excellences in this region.
Taken as a whole, the Irish Setter is built more after the type of a racer. Moreover, has a little wider skull than the English variety.
Irish Setter Champion Florizel (Property of Mrs Hamilton).
The Black-and-tan Setter (Gordon Setter)
This famous breed of Setters can be traced back for a hundred years to the castle of the Duke of Gordon, but whether this nobleman laid the foundation stone of the present breed of Black-and-tan Setter, becomes a matter of speculation.
It is not the least improbable that these Setters have been derived by crossing the English Setter with a Black-and-tan Collie, as certain Gordons exhibit more than a trace of the Collie element.
During the last few years the Black-and-tan Setter classes at the Kennel Club Shows in London have been very badly filled, and unless breeding this variety of dog becomes more popular, in England at least, it will soon deteriorate.
A well-broken Gordon is a most useful dog in the field, though certainly his luck at field trials has not been anything like that of the Englishman.
In colour he should be a glossy raven black, with rich mahogany tan markings, pencilling of the toes being allowable.
On the inside of the fore-limbs, tan ought to show nearly up to the elbows, and up to the hocks, on the inner sides of the hind ones.
There should be tan on the lips, cheeks, undersides of the ears; spots over eyes, on front of the chest, on the vent, and at the root of tail or flag.
Eyes.—To be of medium size and deep brown.
Ears.—The ears of the Gordon are longer than those of the Irish or English, are set on low and lie close to head.
Head.—There ought to be good evidence of "stop," rendering the occiput well-defined.
From eye to occiput, head should measure nearly 6 inches.
The old type of Gordon was much too clumsy in the head.
Neck.—Long, clean, and racey.
Shoulders and Chest.—Shoulders of good slope and chest deep. Ribs to be well sprung.
Fore-limbs and Feet.—To be of moderate length; strong in the forearms, and elbows well in. Feet arched and cat-like.
A strong back, loin, and well-bent stifles are qualifications of the Gordon.
Stern.—The tail carried as nearly in the same line as the body. Many Gordons have defective carriage of the caudal appendage.
The so-called "tea-pot" tail is the worst fault, and destroys a dog's chance of winning in the show ring.
Gordon Setter puppies are not difficult to rear, though good specimens are difficult to produce; still more so to purchase, when grown up, and thoroughly broken.
In America this variety of Setter is much thought of, and in that country a great deal has been done towards the improvement of the breed, where the value of points is as follows:—
| Head, muzzle and nose | 15 |
| Shoulders and chest | 15 |
| Back, loins, thighs and stifles | 15 |
| Stern and flag | 8 |
| Fore-limbs | 15 |
| Colour and markings | 8 |
| Symmetry and quality | 8 |
| Neck | 5 |
| Eyes, ears and lips | 5 |
| Texture of coat and feather | 6 |
| —— | |
| 100 |