64 THE DOG IN HEALTH. 



If the pointer were covered witli a similar coat, he 

 would, in general appearance, greatly resemble the setter. 

 IN^evertheless, there are differences the trained eye can read- 

 ily discern among the various breeds of setters, and much 

 more between them and the pointer. These points have 

 never been very clearly defined in words, and it is doubtful 

 if they can be, imless very full descriptions and accurate 

 proportional measurements be given. However, they can 

 be engraved on the memory by illustrations of the best 

 dogs, though, of course, better still by far from seeing 

 typical specimens of the breeds. We shall now mention 

 some of the salient diiferenccs. 



The Gordon is the largest, heaviest, and slowest of the 

 setters ; the Irish the tallest, most lightly built, but most 

 wiry and active, perhaps ; while the English is the mean 

 between the other two (see pp. 1Y6, 184, 192, 208). 



Head. — Skull in the pointer wider from ear to ear ; 

 consists of two rounded flats separated by a furrow ; de- 

 cided stop, brows, and occipital protuberance. 



The whole head of the Gordon is heavier than in the 

 other setters, but in shape much resembles that of the 

 English. The skull of the English setter is between that 

 of the pointer and cocker spaniel, though the tendency 

 now is to a longer head and neck. In all these breeds the 

 stop and brows are well marked, and there should be en- 

 tire absence of " cheekiness," and both skull and muzzle 

 should be well chiseled or clean-cut. 



The Irish setter's head is long and lean, in harmony 

 with the general build of the dog. The skull is peculiar, 

 being oval, Avith a very pronounced occipital protuber- 

 ance — a domed skull. The ears in all should hani^: close 



