

DOGS. (ENGLISH SETTEE.) 



255 



mens, and by so doing improve the breeds. A 

 non-sporting dog-show, given at the Garden a 

 hw months later, was more successful finan- 

 cially. 



At the first bench-show in Newcastle, the 

 judges used only their judgment and memory 

 in picking out the best dogs, and as dog-shows 

 became frequent the doctors (as the judges 

 might be called) frequently disagreed, there 

 being many cases on record where a dog that 

 in one show had not even been highly com- 

 mended (a fourth or fifth prize), in another 

 bore off the first prize, and very likely against 

 many of the same competitors. From this un- 

 certainty, and in order to give a chance to 

 compare specimens properly and accurately, a 

 system of judging by points was invented. This 

 system is probably the one essential thing with- 

 out which, or something very like it, dog-shows 

 would never have reached their present im- 

 portant position. A number of essential points 

 of a dog are taken, and a numerical value is 

 given to each. If a dog could be found per- 

 fect in all his parts color, coat, and markings 

 he would score 100. First-class champions 

 of different classes have been scored repeated- 

 ly, and by different judges, as high as 98|. It 

 would be very hard for even an expert to find 

 the defects in a dog scoring as high as 97. 



The only way to give any account of dogs 

 is to write a short description of each variety 

 known and recognized by what might be called 

 the dog standard of excellence which the Eng- 

 lish authority on dogs, Stonehenge, has come 

 to be in this country. In a regular bench show 

 of the Westminster Kennel Club, prizes are of- 

 fered for numerous breeds of dogs, including 

 those here described, and the last premium-list 

 of the club has entries for different premiums 

 offered for 119 classes of dogs. There is not 

 such a number of breeds as that, as different 

 classes are made for dogs, bitches, puppies, and 

 broken and unbroken specimens, in some of the 

 breeds, and what is called a champion class be- 

 ing provided for extra dogs of many of the vari- 

 eties. When dog-shows were in their infancy, 

 a ribbon, or in some cases a medal, as a prize, 

 was considered all the recompense that an own- 

 er or exhibitor could desire. Now, however, a 

 money-prize, varying at an important show 

 from $10 to $25, is given to the best repre- 

 sentative of each class, while a silver or gold 

 medal rewards the winner of second place, 

 and the third and fourth best dogs are awarded 

 ribbons inscribed with the name of the dog and 

 owner, with "Very highly commended," or 

 "Highly ommended," as the case maybe. 



English Setter. The points of the English set- 

 ter may be described as follow : 



The skull has a character peculiar to itself, some- 

 what between those of the pointer and the cocker- 

 spaniel, not so heavy as the former's and larger than 

 the latter' s. It is without the prominence of the oc- 

 cipital bone so remarkable in the pointer, is also nar- 

 rower between the ears, and there is a decided brow 

 over the eyes. The nose should be long and wide, 



without any fullness under the eyes. There should 

 be in the average dog-setter at least four inches from 

 the inner comer of the eye to the end of the nose. 

 Between the point and the root of the nose there 

 should be a slight depression (at all events, there 

 should be no fullness), and the eyebrows should rise 

 sharply from it. The nostrils must be wide apart, 

 and large in the openings, and the end should be 

 moist and cool, though many a dog with exceptionally 

 good scenting powers has had a remarkably dry nose, 

 amounting in some cases to roughness like that of 

 shagreen. In all setters the end of the nose should 

 be black, or dark liver-colored, but in the very best- 

 bred whites or lemon and whites pink is often met 

 with. The jaws should be exactly equal in length ; a 

 "snipe-nose," or "pig-jaw," as the receding lower 

 one is called, being greatly against its possessor. The 

 ears should be shorter than the pointer's and rounded, 

 but not so much so as those of the spaniel. The 

 "leather" should be thin and soft, carried close to 

 the cheeks, so as not to show the inside ? without the 

 slightest tendency to prick the ear. which should be 

 clothed with silky hair little more than two inches in 

 length. The lips also are not so full and pendulous 

 as those of the pointer, but at their angles there should 

 be a slight fullness, not reaching quite to the extent 

 of hanging. The eyes must be full of animation, and 

 of medium size, the" best color being a rich brown, and 

 they should be set with their angles straight across. 

 The neck has not the full rounded muscularity of the 

 pointer, being considerably thinner, but still slightly 

 arched, and set into the head without that prominence 

 of the occipital bone which is so remarkable in that 

 dog. It must not be "throaty," though the skin is 

 loose. The shoulders and chest should display great 

 liberty in all directions, with sloping, deep shoulder- 

 blades, and elbows well let down. The chest should 

 be deep rather than wide. An arched loin is desira- 

 ble, but not to the extent of being " reached " or 

 " wheel- backed," a defect that generally tends to a 

 slow up-and-down gallop. Stifles well bent and set 

 wide apart, to allow the hind-legs to be brought for- 

 ward with liberty in the gallop. The elbows and 

 toes, which generally go together, should be straight, 

 and if not, the " pigeon-toe" or mturned leg is less 

 objectionable than the out-turn, in which the elbow is 

 confined by its close attachment to the ribs. The 

 arm should be muscular, and the bone fully de- 

 veloped, with strong and broad knees, short pasterns, 

 of which the size in point of bone should be as great 

 as possible, and their slope not exceeding a very slight 

 deviation from the straight line. The hind-legs 

 should be muscular, with plenty of bone, clear, strong 

 hocks, and hairy feet. A great difference of opinion 

 exists as to the comparative merits of the cat-foot and 

 the hare-foot for standing work ; for hound-masters 

 invariably select that of the cat. But, as setters are 

 especially required to stand wet and heather, it is 

 imperatively necessary that there should be a good 

 growth of hair between the toes. The flag is in ap- 

 pearance very characteristic of the breed, although it 

 sometimes happens that one or two puppies in a well- 

 bred litter exhibit a curl or other malformation, usu- 

 ally considered indicative of a stain. It is often com- 

 pared to a cimeter, but it resembles it only in respect 

 of its narrowness, the amount of curl in the blade of 

 this weapon being far too great to make it the model 

 of the setter's flag. The feather must be composed 

 of straight, silky hairs, and beyond the root the less 

 short hair on the flag, the better, especially toward 

 the point, of which the bone should be line, and the 

 feather tapering with it. In character the setter 

 should display a great amount of "quality," a term 

 difficult of explanation, though fully appreciated by 

 all experienced sportsmen. "The general outline is 

 very elegant, and more taking to the eye of the artist 

 than that of the pointer. The texture and feather of 

 coat are much regarded among the setter-breeders, a 

 soft, silky hair without curl being considered a sins 

 qua non. The feather should be considerable, and 



