37O THE BOOK OF THE Doc. 



his strain. In consequence he has many grand specimens, though many breeders say that his 

 bitches are better than his dogs. Lord Waterpark's handsome, heavily-flecked Setters, which 

 appeared at a very early Glasgow dog-show, were, and have been, much admired. They are 

 believed by many to be closely allied in blood to the original Laveracks, and their appearance 

 certainly justifies the supposition. 



The kennel of Mr. William Lort, now of Fron Goch Hall, Llanllugan, Montgomeryshire, 

 is also one which must always be regarded with respect. To quote the words of Mr. 

 Laverack himself: 



" Mr. Lort has also a beautiful and excellent breed of Setters, descended principally 

 from the strain of the late Richard Withington, Ashfield House, Pendleton, Manchester, 

 an old friend of mine, and who shot with me for many years in the Highlands. They are 

 black-and-white and lemon-and-white; long, silky coats, hard enduring, and good rangers. 



" Mr. Lort, from judging so constantly at dog shows, has given this fine strain but little 

 chance, and they are not known as they ought to be ; but from what I am told, and believe 

 to be the case, there are no better . . . Setter breeders are under the greatest obligations 

 to this gentleman for his unflagging endeavours to improve the Setter, and he spares no 

 time, trouble, or expense." 



Such praise from one who, like Mr. Edward Laverack, is the recognised father of the 

 modern Setter, is a sufficient guarantee for the quality of Mr. Lort's strain, whilst his popularity 

 as facile princeps the leading Setter authority now alive, is quite beyond a doubt. Mr. T. B. 

 Bowers, of Woolton, near Liverpool, is also a noted Setter breeder, and glories in his admiration 

 of the Laverack blood. Mr. John Shorthose, of Newcastle, whose grand bitch Novel is illustrated 

 in this chapter, has several good specimens of the breed, and is a successful exhibitor at most 

 of the leading shows. The great Shropshire kennel of Mr. Daintry Collins contains some of 

 the best blood we have, being mostly pure-bred Laveracks. Sir Frederick Graham, too, has made 

 his mark as a successful breeder ; and both Lord Down and Mr. Barclay Field have been 

 fortunate to produce successful Field Trial winners. Nor can the name of Mr. George Lowe's 

 Tarn o' Shanter be omitted from any list of the leading Setters and sires of the day. 



Amongst the most prominent Setters of recent years the name of Rap will always be 

 conspicuous. We believe that this dog was beaten in his day by Mr. Laverack's Prince, but 

 he is generally credited with having been the best dog of the breed ever seen in public. A 

 gentleman who knew him well when in his prime has kindly given us the following description 

 of this great English Setter : " Rap was a black-white-and-tan dog, with a most refined head, 

 and very intelligent eyes. His ears were beautifully placed, and his long neck was well 

 set into his back. His ribs were deep, his feet were good, and his legs as straight as gun- 

 barrels ; his hind-quarters were powerful ; and last, but not least by any means, he had a well- 

 carried, well-proportioned stern. His single fault, if fault there could be found in Rap, was that 

 he was a trifle just a trifle high on his leg." 



Mr. William Lort's Shot (1865) was another famous pure Laverack, and own brother to 

 Sal, who was pronounced by Mr. Richard Withington to be the best bitch of the day. Mr. 

 Laverack, however, who never saw either Shot or Sal, said Walter was the best Setter he had 

 ever seen ; they were by Withington's Frank, out of Flash. Nor must the merits of Quince II., 

 Ranger's father, be overlooked, unlucky as this grand dog was in his owners, for he never 

 seemed to be properly appreciated by those who had him in their possession. Quince II. 



