Varieties of the Dog. 



CHAPTER II. 

 VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 



Pointer— Setters— Field Spaniels— Sussex Spaniel— Clumber Spaniel— Norfolk 

 Spaniel— Cocker— Water Spaniels— Old English Water Spaniel— North of 

 Ireland Water Spaniel- South Irish Water Spaniel— English Greyhound. 



The Pointer of the present day is no doubt descended 

 from the old Spanish dog, crossed with the foxhound or 

 greyhound, by which he has obtained greater lightness 

 and activity, united with more lasting powers, but at the 

 expense of his nose, which is not so delicate as that of 

 the source from which he sprang. 



The well-bred pointer, in the eyes of the true sportsman, 

 is a grand and graceful dog. His ancestry probably 

 cannot be traced so far back as that of the setter, but as a 

 true sporting dog he is often preferred, to the exclusion of 

 the latter. The habit of pointing at their game is an 

 innate qualification of the breed, and may be observed in 

 young puppies standing to their game when they are first 

 taken to the field. 



At the various shows of the United Kingdom three 

 sizes of this dog may be seen, which are denominated as 

 large, medium, and small weight. Of the first, the dog is 

 estimated to be upwards of 70 lbs., and the bitch over 

 60 lbs. ; medium, dogs, 50 to 70 lbs., and bitches, 45 to 

 60 lbs. ; dogs of small weight are under 50 lbs., the 

 bitches not exceeding 45 lbs. The best colours for show 

 purposes are the lemon and white, quality being more 

 prominent in pointers of this colour. Some sportsmen 

 prefer the liver and white, under the conviction that they 

 are possessed of greater endurance ; others regard colour 

 as a secondary matter, resting on the conviction that a 

 good dog cannot possess a bad colour, always looking 

 forward in their selection to obtaining symmetrical 

 proportions, good build, and muscular development, all of 



