18 



THE POINTER. 



The dog which is distinguished by the appellation of the 

 Pointer is of foreign origin, and is known not only in Spain, 

 but in Portugal, and also in France, with but slight difference 

 of form. Those pointers which I have seen direct from Spain 

 are heavy and clumsily formed ; those from Portugal are some- 

 what lighter ; while the French breed is remarkable for a wide 

 furrow which runs between the nostrils, and which gives to the 

 animal's countenance a very grotesque appearance. They all, 

 however, exhibit a very different form and character to the set- 

 ter; they are thick and heavy creatures, with large chubby 

 heads, long pendant ears, and covered with short smooth hair; 

 nor do they possess that generosity of disposition, which is so 

 distinguishing a trait in the character of the setter ; on the con- 

 trary, they are often ill-tempered and snappish ; and, in fact, are 

 good for little in this country till they have been crossed with 

 the more generous blood of these islands. Yet the conjunction 

 of the setter and the pointer is by no means advisable, since the 

 production generally unites the worst qualities of the two with- 

 out any of those requisites perhaps for which the two breeds are 

 most highly prized. Dogs thus produced, are for the most part 

 head-strong and turbulent, require excessive correction, and 

 are rarely brought to that steadiness which marks the distinct 

 breeds. It is true, sometimes a first-rate dog is produced be- 

 tween a setter and a pointer ; but it rarely happens : the cross 

 at best is never to be depended on, and for one good dog thus 

 obtained, there will be found twenty very indifferent or bad ones 



