THE POINTER. 225 



or any other creature that may come in their way, and will hold so firmly to their "point" 

 that they cannot be induced to move, except by compulsory means. This extreme excitability 

 seems to be caused by too close adherence to the same stock in breeding, and is set right by a 

 judicious admixture with another family. 



According to " Stonehenge," the marks of a good Pointer are as follows. "A moderately 

 large head, wide rather than long, with a high forehead and an. intelligent eye, of medium size. 

 Muzzle broad, with its outline square in front, not receding as in the hound. Flews (i.e. the 

 overhanging lips) manifestly present, but not pendent. The head should be well set on the 

 neck, with a peculiar form at the junction only seen in the Pointer. The neck itself should 

 be long ? convex in its upper outline, without any tendency to a dewlap or a ruff, as the loose 

 skin covered with long hair round the neck is called. The body is of good length, with a 

 strong loin, wide hips, and rather arched ribs, the chest being well let down, but not in a 

 hatchet shape as in the greyhound, and the depth in the back ribs being proportionably 

 greater than in that Dog. The tail, or 'stern,' as it is technically called, is strong at the root, 

 but, suddenly diminishing, it becomes very fine, and then continues nearly of the same size to 

 within two inches of the tip, where it goes off to a point, looking as sharp as the sting of a 

 wasp, and giving the whole very much the appearance of that part of the insect, but magnified 

 as a matter of course. This peciiliar shape of the stern characterizes the breed, and its absence 

 shows a cross with the hound or some other Dog." 



The author then proceeds to recommend long, slanting, but muscular shoulder-blades, a 

 long upper arm, a very low elbow, and a short fore-arm. The feet must be round and strong, 

 and padded with a thick sole, the knee strong, and the ankle of full size. The color is of com- 

 paratively small importance, but ought, if possible, to be white, so that the animal may be 

 visible while beating among heather, clover, or turnips. Black or liver-colored dogs are very 

 handsome to the eye, but often cause much trouble to the sportsman, on account of the diffi- 

 culty of distinguishing them among the herbage. White Dogs, with lemon-colored heads, are 

 the favorites of this author. 



As the Pointer is seldom in contact with its master, except when in the field, its domestic 

 qualities are rarely prized as they deserve to be. No Dog can be properly appreciated until 

 it is a constant companion of man, and it is probable that many Dogs which are set down as 

 stupid and untractable, are only so called because they have been deprived of the society of 

 human beings, through whom alone their higher qualities can be developed, and have been con- 

 fined to the kennel, the yard, or the field. The Pointer is but little known as a companion 

 Dog, but when it is in the habit of living constantly with its owner speedily puts forth its 

 intellectual powers, and becomes an amusing and interesting companion. One of my friends 

 has kindly sent me the following account of a Pointer that belonged to him, and had been 

 constantly with his master for a lengthened period of time. The animal was not an example 

 of the thorough-bred Pointer, but was, nevertheless, a very respectable creature. 



' ' I ONCE possessed a Dog whose nose, sight, and instinct were well developed ; and as he 

 was my companion for many a day, and my only friend for many months, some of his pecu- 

 liarities may not be uninteresting. 



" The Dog could point a partridge, but he would eat it, too, if he had a chance ; and often 

 when I could not take a day's shooting I have observed my Dog doing a little amateur work 

 on his own account. Very successful, also, was he in this occupation ; and he frequently 

 dined on a partridge or quail which he had gained by means of his own skill. There was no 

 concealing the fact that he was, however, an arrant coward ; and he himself was perfectly 

 conscious of this defect. As is usual amongst men, he endeavored to conceal his weakness by 

 the aid of a formidable exterior ; and few who knew him not would ever venture even to 

 insinuate that he was not as brave as a lion. If he happened to encounter any other Dog with 

 which he was unacquainted he would immediately stand perfectly still, raise his tail, and keep 

 it very firmly in one position ; he would then elevate the hair on his back, and dragging up 

 his jowls, would exhibit a formidable array of grinders. Thus exhibiting by no means a pre- 

 possessing appearance, he would merely growl whilst the other Dog walked round him, and 



