THE SETTER. 



conjectured from its proportions, and probably on account of its slow pace 

 has fallen into comparative disrepute at the present day. Until the death of 

 George III. the stag-chase was greatly in vogue ; but since that time it has 

 failed to attract the attention of the sporting world, and has gradually yielded 

 to the greater charms of the foxhunt. 



The real old English Staghound is now extremely rare, and is in dano-er of 

 becoming entirely extinct. The Dog which is now used for the purpose of 

 chasing the stag is simply a very large breed of the foxhound, which, on 

 account of its superior length of limb, is more capable of matching itself 

 against the swift-footed deer than the ordinary hound. These dogs are very 

 powerful when in a good state of health, and have been known to achieve 

 very wonderful feats of speed and endurance. They have been known to run 

 for a distance of ,fifty miles in pm*suit of a stag ; and one memorable run is 

 recorded, where the stag, and the only two hounds which kept to his trail, 

 were found dead close to each other. The stag had made one powerful effort, 

 had leaped over a park wall, which the dogs in their wearied state were 

 unable to surmount, and had fallen dead just as it had gained a place of 

 safety. 



THE SETTER. 



As the pointers derive their name from their habits of standing still and 

 pointing at any game which they may discover, so the Setters have earned 

 their title from then* custom of "setting" or crouching when they perceive 

 their game. In the olden days of sporting, the setter used always to di'op 

 as soon as it found the game, but at the present day the animal is in so 

 far the imitator of the pointer, that it remains erect while marking down its 

 game. 



There are several breeds of these animals, among which the Enohsh 

 Irish, and the Russian Setters are the most notable. 



The Russian Setter is a curious animal in appearance, the fur being so lono- 

 and woolly in texture, and so thoroughly matted together, that the form of the 

 Dog is rendered quite indistinct. It is by no means a common animal, and is but 

 seldom seen. It is an admirable worker, quartering its ground vety closelv, 

 seldom starting game without first marking them ; and possessed of a singularly 

 delicate nose. In spite of its heavy coat, it bears heat as Avell as the lio-hter. 

 clad pointer, and better than the ordinary English Setters with their curly locks. 

 When crossed with the English Setter it produces a mixed breed, which 

 seems to be as near perfection as can be expected in a Dog, and which 

 unites the good properties of both parents. A well-known sportsman 

 when trying these Dogs against his own animal, Avhich he fondly thought 



10-, 



