THE IRISH SETTER 289 



breeding, or at least selection, it would not be difficult, were it 

 desirable, to again establish a Red-and-white Setter as a distinct 

 breed. 



For some reason or other not now to be ascertained, Red and 

 Red-and-white Setters were cultivated at an early day in Ireland ; 

 but how, whether by some cross between the setting dog and 

 another breed or by selection, cannot be absolutely determined. 

 The latter is the more probable means by which the breed became 

 established. Red or liver is a common colour in the Spaniel, and 

 it varies very much in shade ; and as the Spaniel is the breed the 



FIG. 62. THE IRISH RED SETTER CHAMPION GARRYOWEN. 



Setter was made from, selection and possibly both climate and 

 breeding influences first affected, and afterwards fixed, the hue. 



The history of the race cannot be a very long one, but the life 

 of the dog is short, and his powers of reproduction are great ; so that 

 it is only necessary to suppose the existence of one or more dogs 

 of a deep red colour, distinguished by superior excellence, to see 

 a reasonable foundation of the breed. The best dogs would un- 

 doubtedly be selected by sportsmen for the stud ; and the accident 

 of the best at any one period in the early history of the breed being 

 red would cause that colour to rapidly stamp itself on a large 

 preponderance of the progeny, and soon the colour would become 



