The Pointer 291 



The natural aptitude of the imported dogs from Spain to point, as 

 mentioned by Simons and those who followed him, undoubtedly caused 

 them to be crossed very extensively on the native dogs, and being better 

 or older bred, perhaps, they impressed their heavy type to an extent that 

 rendered it advisable to try for a faster dog. The setter was used and so was 

 the foxhound, but there is no reason to suppose that the entire change to 

 the smarter-moving dog was due to either or both of these crosses. There 

 was the process of selection at work all the time, and the lighter, better built 

 and faster dogs, if that was the type wanted, were undoubtedly bred from 

 and with more certainty as to what the outcome would be than from cross- 

 bred dogs. The setter cross, producing the dropper, was continued up to 

 the time of dog shows by men who simply wanted a shooting dog, and short 

 chapters were devoted to them even in the late editions of Stonehenge and 

 in Dalziel's book, only twenty-five years ago. No dog book, however, 

 ever did more than mention the foxhound cross as a long-bygone experiment 

 with which the name of Colonel Thornton was prominently connected; 

 still, it did not stop with him. 



We doubt very much whether this was more than a passing experiment 

 on the part of Colonel Thornton. His books do not mention anything 

 about how he bred his dogs, but he does in one place say that no one paid 

 more attention to the improvement of dogs than he had done. In a brief 

 record of his career written during his lifetime, and probably published 

 originally in 1807, mention is made of the most important dogs of various 

 breeds which he had bred. The foxhounds Merlin, Lucifer and Old Con- 

 queror are mentioned; the greyhounds Major, Czarina and Skyagraphina; 

 the spaniel Dash, the beagle Merryman, and the fox terrier Pitch, while the 

 pointers are set forth as follows: "Dash — An acknowledged fine pointer, 

 which sold for two hundred and fifty guineas. Pluto — A celebrated pointer. 

 Juno — A remarkable fine bitch which was matched with a pointer of 

 Lord Grantley's for ten thousand guineas, who paid forfeit. Modish — A 

 bitch of acknowledged excellence. Lily — A most remarkable steady 

 bitch. Nan — It is only necessary to state that seventy-five guineas have 

 been offered and refused for this bitch." 



We give a copy of the painting of Dash, the pointer with the foxhound 

 cross, and said by some to be three parts foxhound, which was sold to Sir 

 Richard Hill, but not for the sum stated above, nor on the terms given by 

 Scott, "Idstone," Shaw or Lee. After the sale there was some discussion 



