MODERN FARRIER. 517 



46. The Spanish Pointer. 



This breed is now naturalized in England, and 

 the greatest attention is paid to preserve its purity. 

 This dog is short in the head, broad in the forehead, 

 wide in the nose, expansive in the nostrils, simply- 

 solicitous in aspect, heavy in the shoulders, short in 

 the legs, almost circular in the form of the body, 

 square upon the back, strong across the loins, and 

 remarkably so in the hinder-quarters. Like the 

 English pointer, this breed is of various colours, but 

 the brown liver-colour and white are the most pre- 

 dominant. Though exceedingly slow, the Spanish 

 pointer is generally sure, and so indefatigable and 

 minute in his researches, that he seldom misses his 

 game when game is to be found. To the recovery 

 of winged and wounded birds the patient perse- 

 verance of this dog is peculiarly adapted ; and, for 

 the sport of snipe-shooting alone, they are entitled 

 to the preference of every other. 



The pointer is gentle, docile, and timid, and re- 

 markable for the facility with which he receives in- 

 struction. There are good of all colours, but some 

 prefer the white and the liver-brov^n. A white 

 pointer is less subject to disease than others, which 

 arises from the predominacy of phlegm in his con- 

 stitution ; his temper is good ; he has an excellent 

 nose, is a curious hunter, full of stratagems and cun- 

 ning, and may be seen at a great distance. A brown 

 or liver-coloured pointer is not so easily seen at a 

 distance, particularly on a mountain ; notwithstand- 

 ing, he will bring his master nearer to the game, 

 and is particularly useful when it does not lie well ; 

 which arises from its colour approximating more 

 nearly that of stubbles, &c. among which he hunts, 

 and thereby rendering himself a less distinguish- 

 able object to the birds. A lemon or red-coloured 

 pointer is generally of a giddy and impatient na- 

 ture: cholar being his most predominant humour. 



