214 The Dog Book 



I do not see any great future before the black and tan setter. He is not 

 easy to follow with the eyes on the moors, and, as a rule, is not so smart 

 as either the English or Irish varieties, and I cannot imagine why even his 

 most ardent admirers prefer him to others, excepting that a team of them 

 match well." 



A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BREED 



The supporters of the breed have really made it a "fancy" variety, 

 with colour the guide as it is in black and tan terriers, we therefore hold that 

 it is. not proper to tamper with the type which is recognised as Gordon and 

 introduce modern ideas as to alterations in conformation. Men who want 

 lighter dogs can get them in the Irish or English setters and should not try 

 to make them out of Gordons. Hence we discard entirely the standard 

 framed by the "American Gordon Club," which is supposed still to do duty, 

 but which has never received a moment's consideration by judges of setters, 

 conversant with type. It is somewhat strange that no dog book has given 

 a full standard, and the English club which supports the Gordon has con- 

 tented itself by publishing a "description" which is part historical and 

 part "points." Taking this as a guide and adding to it from Stonehenge 

 and Shaw such points as are not described, we present the following as a 

 proper description of the Gordon setter: 



"Head. Is much heavier than that of the English setter, broad 

 between the ears, skull slightly rounded, occiput well developed, and head 

 showing more depth than in the English setter; muzzle well carried out to a 

 well-developed nose, showing no snipyness or pinched appearance. Lips 

 and flews heavier than in the English setter. Eyes dark and with rather a 

 bold look. Ears placed so as to show the formation of skull, and not too 

 heavily feathered, but in this there is much variation, and the English club 

 considers it of minor importance. Altogether a head showing strength 

 without coarseness or sourness of expression. A slight showing of the haw 

 is permissible. 



"Neck. Of strength enough to be in keeping with the head and of 

 good length. A little throatiness not so objectionable as in other breeds. 



"Shoulders and Body. Upright shoulders are too frequently seen in this 

 breed, and they give a short-necked clumsy forehand appearance to the 

 dog. The shoulders should therefore have a good slope, be devoid of any 

 loaded appearance, and the dog should not have too wide a brisket. Chest 



