120 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



views regarding the Pointer which are as absurd as they are 

 fanciful and unreal. The fact is, that a great deal that 

 is written nowadays concerning both the Setter and the 

 Pointer is but the echo of ancient fallacies, espoused by 

 early writers, who" knew nothing of the modern dog, and 

 whose opinions are unsubstantiated by practical experience. 



For instance, Dr. E. J. Lewis, who edited an American 

 edition of "Youatt on the Dog," in 1863, says: "The 

 Pointer displays but little fondness for those by whom he 

 is surrounded, and hunts equally as well for a stranger as 

 for his master." When the fact is, that the exact contrary 

 is true, in both instances, as to average specimens of the 

 breed. The writer has never owned more affectionate and 

 faithful canine friends than his Pointers, and none that 

 were more loyal to him, more averse to making new 

 acquaintances, or to working for strangers. 



He is further constrained to say, that some of the best 

 dogs he ever owned, or saw in the field, were Pointers; and 

 he has never been called upon to admit the inferiority of 

 the Pointer in any kind of shooting in which it gives a 

 gentleman pleasure to indulge, whether in winter or sum- 

 mer. 



The dog has been bred for many generations in the 

 South, and in ante-bellum days was recognized as the gen- 

 uine canine aristocrat of that section. "Frank Forester" 

 admits that more of the blood of the old Spanish Pointer 

 is to be found in the dog commonly used in this country 

 than in the English breed; and it is largely to that fact that 

 the special excellencies of many of our native strains are to 

 be ascribed. 



The fine field qualities of the Pointer can not be better 

 or more fittingly described than in the following eloquent 

 language of "Idstone : " 



He is a model of beauty, worthy of the capital material from which he 

 has descended. He is to be found now in every kennel of mark, with all the 

 attributes and properties of the highest class, and with intelligence and obser- 

 vation deserving the name of reason. His airy gallop, his lashing stern, his 

 fine range, his magnificent dead-stop on game, his rapid turn to catch the wind 

 of the body-scent, his perseverance, under a trying sun, to reach a faint and 



