02 DOMESTICATED DOGS FOR THE GUX. 



single birds must be passed over, and on bad scenting daj's coveys 

 even -will he run in to from the dog being unable to stop himself in 

 time, after he catches the scent, which then does not reach beyond 

 a few yards. I have seen and owned pointers almost as fast as a 

 slow greyhound, but though some are able to do wonders, con- 

 sidering the pace they go, I am satisfied that a brace of good dogs 

 of the above shape are able to do all that can be required, in j^oint 

 of pace, and at the same time will not run in to a twentieth part 

 of the game which will be put up by a faster dog. The trace of 

 the foxhound in these heavier specimens of the modern pointer is 

 very slight if any ; and I am inclined to believe that they are 

 descended from the Spanish pointer in all his purity, but, by 

 constant care in the selection of the lightest specimens to breed 

 from, so altered in shape as to appear like different animals. All 

 this is, however, purely conjectural, as the pedigrees of our 

 pointers seldom extend beyond two or three generations, and even 

 Mr. Edge in his day could hardly have gone further, nor could the 

 breeders of the present time trace their pointers sufficiently far 

 back to settle the question. The pedigrees of those bred by Lord 

 Sefton are probably as well made out as any in the kingdom, but 

 even they are far from leading to what is desired. If a dog is 

 traced up to any one of Mr. Edge's kennel, all is done which 

 is now thought necessary, and indeed all that can be useful to the 

 sportsman, however interesting a further investigation might be to 

 the naturalist. 



The points desirable in the pointer are, a moderately large head, 

 wide rather than long, with a high forehead, and an intelligent eye 



