THE IRISH SETTEE 



IN Youatt's day the Irish Setter was evidently held in high 

 esteem, as he tells us that a true one would obtain a higher 

 price than either an English or Scottish Setter. In those 

 days fifty guineas constituted no unusual price for a brace, 

 and even two hundred guineas had been known to be given. 

 The breed was maintained in its purity with great care, the 

 red or red-and-white colour being a conspicuous feature. 



HIS WORK 



Although he does the same kind of work as the English 

 Setter, his admirers hold that the Irishman is far better 

 adapted for the rough and hilly country over which he is 

 used. He is possessed of great endurance and exceptional 

 speed, and it is claimed that at home he can beat all comers. 

 Besides his excellence on moor or mountain, he is said to be 

 good on snipe. It seems to me that in many ways a red- 

 and-white dog would be preferable to a whole-coloured one, 

 as being more easily distinguishable, but it is to be presumed 

 that the Irish sportsmen know what is best suited for them. 



HIS POINTS 



Head long and lean; oval skull with well-defined 

 occiput ; a stop in front of the eye ; good length in front 

 of the eye; ears of moderate size, set low, and of fine 

 texture; neck moderately long and muscular, slightly 

 arched; body long, shoulders sloping; chest deep; hind- 

 quarters powerful ; coat flat and free from waviness. 

 Colour a rich golden chestnut, devoid of any traces of black. 



