THE POINTER. 103 



instead of crouching, as the setting dog did. For a long 

 time, therefore, the pointing dog was the fashion among 

 sportsmen, and the setting dog fell into disuse. After 

 awhile, however, sportsmen began to use the setting Spaniel 

 to shoot over, notwithstanding his sudden drop and point 

 made it difficult to see him in cover, turnips, wheat, 

 standing clover, furze, or ling. 



A little later still, we find the Setter dog standing up to 

 his work like the Pointer. By what process this result 

 was accomplished, whether by the gradual education and 

 development of the Setting Spaniel, or by a Pointer cross, 

 is a question that has never yet been finally settled. 



Doubtless there may have been early strains of Setters 

 that were kept comparatively free from alien blood, in the 

 gradual process of development from the Setting Spaniel. 

 On the other hand, there is most excellent authority for 

 believing that many strains were greatly aided 'and im- 

 proved by the introduction of Pointer blood. On this point, 

 it will be well, probably, to quote a few authorities, as many 

 lovers of the Setter strenuously adhere to the belief that 

 that dog is purely an original one, with no Pointer or other 

 alien blood in his veins. 



The author of the Sportsman's Cabinet, published in 

 1803, makes the following broad assertion: 



The dog passing under this denomination [Setter] is a species of Pointer, 

 originally produced by a commixture between the Spanish Pointer and the 

 larger breed of English Spaniel. 



Mr. William Lort, one of the prominent breeders of the 

 Setter in England, and a man of recognized authority on 

 the question under investigation, has written as follows: 



As to the origin of the Setter, I am not so sure of the correctness of my old 

 and valued friend, Mr. H. Hubert, when he says: " There is no doubt what- 

 ever that a true Setter is a pure strain of unmixed Spaniel blood, the only 

 improvement produced in the breed arisiug from its judicious cultivation," etc. 

 I am quite sure that years ago, say from forty to fifty, it was no uncommon 

 thing to get a dip of Pointer blood into the best kennels of Setters. Some- 

 times it answered well, and though for a generation or two it diminished the 

 coat not always, though, at the cost of appearance it fined and strengthened 

 the stern, giving life and motion to it; and what, whether rightly or wrongly, 

 in early times was thought a good deal of it rounded the foot. 



