THE ENGLISH SETTER. 



291 



There are several breeds of these animals, three of which are represented in the 

 engraving. The Dog which occupies the foreground is an ordinary English Setter, 

 the seated Dog towards the back is a Russian Setter, and the reclining Dog is an Irish 

 Setter. 



Each of these breeds possesses its particular excellences, which are combined in 

 experienced and skilful hands by careful admixtures of one breed with another. 



The Russian Setter is a curious animal in appearance, the fur being so long and 

 woolly in texture, and so thoroughly matted together, that the form of the Dog is ren- 

 dered quite indistinct. It is by no means a common animal, and is but seldom seen. 

 It is an admirable worker, quartering its ground very closely, seldom starting game 

 without first marking them ; and possessed of a singularly delicate nose. In spite of 

 its heavy coat, it bears heat as well as the lighter-clad pointer, and better than the 

 ordinary English Setters, with their curly locks. When crossed with the English 



ENGLISH SETTER. Caais familiaris. 



Setter it produces a mixed breed, which seems to be as near perfection as can be ex- 

 pected in a Dog, and which unites the good properties of both parents. A well-known 

 sportsman, when trying these Dogs against his own animal, which he fondly thought 

 to be unrivalled, found that the Russian animals obtained three points where his own 

 Dog only made one, and that from their quiet way of getting over the ground they did 

 not put up the birds out of gun-range, as was too often the case with his own swifter- 

 footed Dogs. 



The muzzle of this animal is bearded almost as much as that of the deerhound and 

 the Scotch terrier, and the overhanging hair about the eyes gives it a look of self- 

 relying intelligence that is very suggestive of the expression of a Skye terrier's coun- 

 tenance. The soles of the feet are well covered with hair, so that the Dog is able to 

 bear plenty of hard work among heather or other rough substances. 



