THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON) SETTER 283 



the novice, this is evident even at birth, and one finds one or two 

 far above their fellows in the richness of their tan. Many of the 

 puppies are almost black, while others have a considerable amount 

 of white on the breast and feet. Occasionally you may find that 

 the majority of the puppies have good black-and-tan markings, but 

 this is very rare. For this reason the selection is much less difficult 

 than in other varieties. 



Of further assistance at this early age is the curious and 

 interesting fact that the best and largest puppies are almost in- 

 variably the best black-and-tan, and if the novice, in making his 

 selection at perhaps six weeks or so, when the puppies are fit 

 to be weaned, is able to secure the biggest puppy with the biggest 

 head, the richest tan, and no white markings, then he has made 

 an auspicious start. Many puppies exhibit a small quantity of 

 white on the chest, but if small in amount, this is nearly always 

 invisible when the coat grows. If two puppies were of equal merit 

 as to size and colour, then the final choice should be given to 

 that with the highest skull and occiput ; and if further discrimination 

 is necessary, the size and position of the ears may assist, giving 

 preference to the puppy with small ears springing low from the 

 head. 



At three months and later the same remarks will assist the 

 novice in his choice. Colour will again first catch his eye, but he 

 will be able to examine other points. The puppies are now able 

 to run about, and whether for sport or exhibition he must pay 

 particular attention to the legs and feet. This and the following 

 six weeks is the critical time for most puppies, as at this period 

 most go wrong in their legs. At no price should he accept one that 

 has crooked fore legs, is out at elbows, or knuckles over at the 

 pasterns. Of course a small proportion of these may improve at this 

 early age, and the defect would be fatal if present at six months old. 

 This also applies to the feet. You want a firm, compact foot with 

 well-arched toes and good pads. Even at this stage the novice will 

 notice the difference in the feet of the various puppies. The head 

 too now changes much, and some indication is obtained whether 

 the skull proper is going to be high and round or low and flat, 

 and the muzzle will also be getting longer in proportion. The 

 permanent colour of the eye will now be seen, and this is an important 

 point in all sporting dogs. As in the horse, it is an indication of 

 the character and temperament. 



What the novice should look for is a full, dark, hazel eye, avoiding 

 a small eye, particularly if light yellow. Though many good working 

 dogs have this defect, as a general rule they are wild, harem- 

 scarem creatures, much more difficult to train and more difficult 

 to control after. A puppy with a short tail is more likely to carry 

 it well than if longer, and less liable to twist or curl it when fully 



