THE AMERICAN GORDON SETTER. 79 



racy, with gradual rise from shoulders to head, and slightly 

 inclined to arch; should be almost free of leather, but is not 

 expected to be as clean on underside as a Pointer's. 



Shoulders and chest. The shoulders should be deep, 

 with moderately sloping blades; should be strong, and posi- 

 tively free of lumber, and showing great liberty. The 

 chest must be flat between the fore legs, moderately deep 

 and narrow, giving the animal a racy appearance in front. 

 The ribs must be well sprung behind the shoulders, but not 

 sufficient to give the animal the appearance of being too 

 round in barrel, and should extend well back toward the 

 hips. 



Back, loins, thighs, and stifles. The back should be 

 short and straight, with loins strong, and slightly arched; 

 any tendency to sway-back being decidedly objectionable. 

 Thighs must be strong, with the muscle extending well 

 down toward the hocks. The stifles should be moderately 

 well bent, and set somewhat wide apart; they should be 

 long from point of hip to hock- joint. 



Legs, feet, elbows, and hocks. The fore legs must be 

 straight, and sufficiently strong in bone, with elbows stand- 

 ing close to the chest, but not under it. Hind legs to con- 

 form in bone with the fore legs; they should be moderately 

 bent. Hocks must be straight. The feet must be round, 

 hard, arched, and well padded, with hair between the toes. 

 The " cat-foot" should have the preference. 



Stern and flag. The stern should be set on slightly 

 below the line of back, and carried in very nearly a straight 

 line from the body the straighter the better; a " tea-pot" 

 tail is a decided blemish. When carried down with the 

 hand, it should not reach below the hock- joint; should taper 

 gradually from the body to a "sting-like" end. The flag 

 must be fine and straight, any inclination to curl or ropiness 

 being objectionable; it should taper to nothing at the end. 



Color and markings. The color should be a rich, glossy, 

 plum black, with deep senna or dark mahogany, tan 

 markings, clearly defined, and without admixture of black, 

 though a little penciling of black on the toes is admissible. 



