400 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



The general appearance of the Irish setter is of a slen- 

 der, rather leggy dog, somewhat gaunt, his ribs showing, 

 even when in good condition. His style is most taking, 

 being very bold, free, and dashing. I have found an old 

 dog of this breed to be the best of all for use on ruffed 

 grouse. This bird flushes very wild before a white or 

 black dog, but apparently mistakes the red dog for a fox, 

 and lies much better, since it expects to escape easily 

 from any closer approach, and, seeing the dog motionless, 

 does not take wing until alarmed by the approach of the 

 hunter, thus affording a shot; or, if flushed by the dog, 

 the bird will usually alight in some tree near by. 



In concluding this brief review of our field dogs, I 

 would be glad to dispel the doubts and distrust so many 

 entertain regarding our dog shows and trials. Accus- 

 tomed to take part in public competitions of various 

 kinds, I have ever found these to be the best-conducted 

 and most correctly judged of all, and I am able to act in 

 reliance on their results as a guide to merit. The often 

 assumed discrepancy between field trials and shows is 

 merely imaginary. The dog who wins in the one will 

 make a good record in the other so constantly as to be a 

 matter of surprise. Theory and practice are not always to 

 be found in such good accord as here. Yet there are 

 influences, coming mostly from across the ocean, that are 

 seeking to create and uphold a purely show type for 

 these dogs, in complete antagonism to that which has 

 been established and confirmed by centuries of field work. 

 It is for our practical sportsmen to unite in resistance to 

 such innovations, and jealously to preserve the ancestral 

 form of each breed. 



To all who love dogs, there is the constant temptation 

 to have too many, resulting in the necessity of confining 

 them to the kennel-yard, where they will not thrive. No 

 dog can be happy and well unless free to enjoy the 



