THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON) SETTER 277 



would be the result. The experiment was tried, and some notable 

 winners were produced. In the early days of exhibitions un- 

 doubtedly a number of Black, white, and tan Setters appeared in 

 the ring; but the force of public opinion, whether from the novelty 

 or otherwise, gradually asserted itself in favour of the Black-and-tan, 

 and the tricoloured dogs disappeared. 



At the first dog show, held at Newcastle in June, 1859, Mr. J. 

 Jobling's Dandy, a Black-and-tan, was successful in a class open 

 to the varieties of Setter, and in the following November, at 

 Birmingham, Mr. Burdett's Brougham gained the award. At those 

 early exhibitions and before the varieties were classified, the Black- 

 and-tan Setters were very prominent in the prize list, so much so 

 that the admirers of the other varieties induced the management to 

 provide separate classes. 



It was indeed a misfortune that breeding should have 

 banished the tricoloured dogs, because, apart from the question of 

 whether this was the original colour in the locality whence this 

 particular animal sprang, there can be no difference of opinion as 

 to their beauty and even advantages from a working point of view. 

 It would not be a difficult matter to resuscita'e this charming 

 combination of colour, since all breeders know that numbers of 

 puppies in every litter of Black-and-tan s exhibit white markings to 

 a more or less extent, possibly an additional proof of the prominence 

 given to this colour in the early days of the breed. The hope expressed 

 in the First Edition of this work that classes would be provided for 

 such at our exhibitions has unfortunately not been fulfilled. 



The effect of such exhibitions on this particular variety of Setter 

 has undoubtedly been most beneficial, as it has on all our sporting 

 dogs. Many will cavil at this statement, perhaps, and point to a 

 particular example of a decided loss in stamina, in olfactory power, 

 or general unsuitability for their work. While this is true of some 

 breeds, it cannot be admitted in the case of Pointers or Setters, and 

 more particularly in the case of Black-and-tan Setters. If one 

 were to place side by side the handsome, racy-looking dogs of this 

 breed which now adorn our show benches and those of even twenty 

 years ago, an unprejudiced observer would admit the improvement. 

 Even in the early eighties one frequently saw in the prize lists a 

 number of heavy-headed dogs, with light eyes showing excess of 

 haw, angular cranium, neck " throaty " and short, loaded shoulders, 

 long backs with want of depth at the back ribs, with a curly coat, 

 and a general appearance of Spaniel all over. What have we now 

 by contrast ? An upstanding, racy-looking dog, with full, intelligent 

 brown eyes, a longer head but " sweeter," smaller ears low set 

 on a finely rounded cranium, longer neck fitted on to " hunting " 

 shoulders, with the scapula close together and high in contrast 

 to the low, round, heavy shoulders of the older type, chest deeper, 



