Varieties of the Dog. \ t 



the original colour was black, white, and tan, these being 

 derived from the collie, bloodhound, and the English or 

 Irish setter, each of which contributed to the genesis of 

 the breed. On the other hand, it is averred that the 

 breed was determined in the Gordon kennels, by crossing 

 the collie with an English setter or spaniel, while the 

 evidence of the bloodhound is not forthcoming. Again, 

 it is urged that the breed was not the outcome of special 

 design or selection in the first instance, but the result of 

 numerous as well as various crosses conducted on the 

 principles above named. Careful in-breeding has since 

 secured the distinctive characteristics of this, as in all 

 other breeds. A true Gordon setter is said to possess in 

 almost equal proportions, the main qualifications of the 

 collie, bloodhound, and the setter. This breed is 

 eminently distinguished by a remarkably acute intelligence 

 and scenting power, combined with great endurance, 

 as a glance at the construction of the head will clearly 

 indicate. A beautiful feature in this dog is his straight 

 and slightly wavy coat of jet black, and the well defined 

 mahogany tan of the muzzle and inside of the thighs, and 

 downwards from the front of the stifle and knees to the 

 ground. 



As observed in the field, the essential characteristics of 

 the English and Irish setters are great speed, activity, 

 and endurance, especially in the cold and wet during 

 rough work on the moors. In this respect the Irish 

 setter is more suitable than the English; but both are 

 extremely sensible of the heat of the sun without water. 

 Some dogs of both breeds are quite incapable of work 

 under a hot sun unless they can plunge into a pool ; on 

 this account, in the south the pointer, well up to partridge 

 shooting, is generally preferred to the setter, while in the 

 northern moors the setter will range wider and faster, do 

 more work, and endure the vicissitudes of weather, as 

 well as the strong heather, which proves so irritating to 

 the feet and legs of the high-bred pointer. It is supposed 

 that the pointer is also superior with respect to nose, but 

 it is probable that when both are in condition, neither 

 being distressed by heat, but little if any difference will 



