DOMESTIC DOGS. 



5^1 



Setters. 



The various breeds known as setters are large spaniels which have 

 acquired the habit of pointing at tlieir game. They derive their name 

 from havino- been oriirinallv tauyht to crouch down when markino; ofame, in order 

 to admit of the net with which the quarry was taken being readily drawn o\"er 

 them. With the use of guns this habit became, however, of no advantage, and 

 setters were taught to assume the attitude of pointers. At the present day there 

 are five chief breeds of setters, three of which are commonly seen in England. 



The Enirlish setter, which is regarded as the result of a cross between tlie field- 

 spaniel and the pointer, should have a silky coat, with a slight wave, but no curl 



IRISH SETTER (J iiat. size). 



in the hair. The fore and hind-legs should be thinly fringed witli liair, wliile in 

 the tail the fringe of long hair .should fall regularly like the teetli of a comb, 

 without any signs of bushiness. In the middle of the tail the length of the fringe 

 should be from 6 to 7 inches in length, while at the point it should not exceed 

 half an inch. An abundance of hair between the toes is another "point" of 

 the setter. There is great variation in colour, which is valued according to the 

 following scale, viz. black-and-white ticked with large splashes, known as the 

 " blue Belton " : orange-and-white freckled, known as " orange Belton " : orange or 

 lemon-and-white without ticks: liver-and-white ticked: black-and-white with 

 slight tan markings: black-and-white: liver-and-white without ticks; pure white; 

 black : liver: red or yellow. The Irish setter is generally of a red colour without 



