CHOOSING A DOG. 215 



ing with intelligence, active life, while the disposition should 

 be affectionate and free from obstinacy or willfulness. 



In selecting a Pointer, color is no proof of blood, as this 

 dog has no distinct family marking like the Setter. It is, 

 however, generally conceded that a large proportion of 

 white is desirable, as this renders the dog more conspicu- 

 ous when on point. "Stonehenge" says: "White, with 

 black, liver, yellow or lemon-colored heads, are the most 

 prized. Self-colored dogs, as the liver or black, are very 

 handsome, and the latter are certainly popular in this 

 country; but both are hard to distinguish when working 

 in cover, or on dark frost-browned ground. Due regard 

 must be paid to pedigree and form. In the latter the Poin- 

 ter differs considerably from the Setter, being of different 

 origin. The best Pointer has a medium sized head, with 

 more width and less height than the Setter; a high fore- 

 head ; broad square muzzle ; strongly marked though not 

 pendant lips ; long, arched neck, with clean throat free 

 from loose folds of skin ; long body, with strong loins, wide 

 hips, and more arched ribs than the Setter. The chest 

 should be deep, but not too thin or flat-sided. The tail 

 should be large and strong at the root, but drawn rapidly 

 to a fine string-like tip. The shoulders should be long, 

 slanting and muscular, and the legs long in the fore-arm and 

 short from the knee to foot. The elbow should be placed 

 well below the chest to allow of free action and speed. 

 The feet should be round and cat-like, with toes well 

 arched and strong, that the arches may not break down 

 with work. The soles should be tough and thick, or the 

 dog will come lame on rough ground. The coat in im- 

 ported animals should be short, fine and soft, but a coarser 

 and more wiry coat is better adapted for work in this 

 country. The disposition should be mild, kindly and in- 

 telligent." 



The next thing, if you are buying a broken dog, is to see 

 him in the field and under the gun. This is absolutely 

 essential, because there are large numbers of dogs finely 

 yard-broken, and under perfect control when free from the 



