THE IRISH SETTER. ■ 417 



mahogany color, well set, and full of intelligence ; a pale or goose- 

 berry eye is to be avoided. Ears long enough to reach within 

 half an inch or an inch of the end of the nose, and, though more 

 tapering than in the English dog, never coming to a point ; they 

 should be set low and close, but well back, and not approaching 

 to the hound's in setting and leather. Whiskers red ; lips deep, 

 but not pendulous. 



5 and 6. In frame the Irish dog is higher on the leg than ei- 

 ther the EngHsh or black and tan, but his elbows are well let down 

 nevertheless ; his shoulders are long and sloping ; brisket deep, 

 but never wide ; and his back ribs are somewhat shorter than 

 those of his English brethren. Loin good, slightly arched, and 

 well coupled to his hips, but not very wide ; quarters slightly slop- 

 ing, and flag set on rather low, but straight, fine in bone, and 

 beautifully carried. Breeders are, however, going for straight 

 backs like that of Palmerston, with flags set on as high as in the 

 English setter. 



7. Legs very straight, with good hocks, well-bent stifles, and 

 muscular but not heavy haunches. 



8. The feet are hare-like, and moderately hairy between the 

 toes. 



9. The flag is clothed with a long, straight comb of hair, never 

 bushy or curly, and this is beautifully displayed on the point. 



11. The coat should be somewhat coarser than that of the 

 English setter, being midway between that and the black and 

 tan, wavy but not curly, and by no means long. Both hind and 

 fore-legs are well feathered, but not profusely, and the ears are 

 furnished with feather to the same extent, with a slight wave, but 

 no curl. 



12. The color should be a rich blood red, without any trace of 

 black on the ears or along the back ; in many of the best strains, 

 however, a pale color or occasional tinge of black is shown. A 

 little white on the neck, breast, or toes is by no means objectiona- 

 ble, and there is no doubt that the preponderance of white, so as 

 to constitute what is called " white and red," is met with in some 

 good strains. 



In his work, the Irish setter is fast and enduring ; his nose is 

 quite up to the average of fast dogs in delicacy, and to those who 

 18* 



