THE ENGLISH SETTEE. 37 



taming to hunting. The dog is gradually brought into sub- 

 jection by regular hunting and skillful use of the check- 

 cord and whip, always avoiding such punishment as will 

 destroy the dog's ardor or excite violent fear of his master. 

 As to the manner of reading and pointing, it should be left 

 entirely to the dog; the effort of the trainer being directed 

 toward establishing steadiness on the point and ranging to 

 the gun. If the trainer be constantly endeavoring to estab- 

 lish some ideal manner of working, he will find himself 

 engaged in a most profitless, wearisome, and endless task; 

 for instance, if the dog roads his birds naturally, it is a loss 

 of time to endeavor to make him proficient in hunting for 

 the body-scent, with a high nose, etc. The aim should be 

 to develop the capabilities which the dog has, rather than the 

 capabilities which some other dog has and which he has not. 



Retrieving is taught either by what is called the natural 

 method, or by force. In the former, advantage is taken of 

 the dog' s fondness for play during puppyhood. An object, 

 commonly a ball or glove, is thrown out, and the puppy 

 runs after it, takes it in his mouth, and is ready for a frolic. 

 By degrees he is brought to fetch it to command. With age 

 the playfulness disappears, and with regular lessons the 

 obedience, from regular discipline, becomes habitual. 



The majority of trainers and handlers order their dogs 

 too much. The fewer orders that can be given, the better; 

 and the most artistically trained dog is the one which will 

 work steadily to the gun without orders. 



The following standards and points of judging for the 

 English Setter are taken from Stonehenge: 



Value. Value. 



Skull.. 10 Feet 8 



Nose 10 Flag 5 



Ears, lips, and eyes 4 Symmetry and quality 5 



Neck 6 Texture of coat and feather 5 



Shoulders and chest 15 Color 5 



Back, quarters, and stifles 15 



Legs, elbows, and hocks 12 Total 100 



The points of the English Setter may be described as 

 follows : 



The sJcull (value 10) has a character peculiar to itself, 

 somewhat between that of the Pointer and Cocker Spaniel 



