SETTERS. 115 



descending abruptly to the eyes. These should be of middle 

 size, but soft and intelligent-looking; muzzle square, broad, 

 and deep, with flews, but not pendent; ears thin and soft, 

 tolerably long, and set on low and forward, so as to be 

 close to the cheeks; neck of good length, round, and free 

 from dewlap that is, not " throaty;" body of good length, 

 but well ribbed up, and the back ribs deep, while the whole 

 chest is round and barrel-like ; loin strong and deep ; 

 shoulders slanting, and the blades long, reaching well up 

 above the spine; elbows low, and neither in nor out; fore 

 legs straight and long, not set back at the knees, with good 

 round feet, not spreading, and having thick soles ; hind legs 

 well bent at the stifles, full of muscle, and with strong bony 

 hocks; tail thick at the root, but at once becoming fine and 

 tapering off to a sharp point. It should be quite free from 

 curve, and should be lashed against the sides in working. 

 Colour black, liver, lemon, or black and tan, variously 

 mixed with white. The self colours look very handsome, but 

 are not sufficiently visible in the field, and generally white 

 dogs with coloured heads, and a spot or two on the body, are 

 preferred, especially if clearly marked with the colour in the 

 mode called "ticked." 



SETTERS (ENGLISH, IRISH, AND RUSSIAN). 



Setters are classed of three sorts the English, the Irish, 

 and the Russian. The two first of these are very much alike, 

 but the true Irish being invariably of a rich red colour, are 

 easily known from all but English dogs of a similar shade. 

 In other respects they differ only in being somewhat longer 

 on the leg, and straighter as well as longer and finer in the 

 muzzle ; but I believe that many reputed English setters of 

 a red colour are descended from Irish ancestors, all being 

 most probably derived from the spaniel. 



The English Setter now generally stands when pointing, 

 in which act he closely resembles the pointer ; but before the 

 invention of the flint-gun, he was taught to set or crouch, to 

 allow of the net being drawn over him, that being the only 

 mode of taking winged game then known ; but as the method 

 of shooting flying became general, he was gradually bred to 

 stand as high as the pointer, and in the present day there i& 



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