THE RETRIEVERS 147 



foundation was laid in two bitches by a dog of the Duke of 

 Hamilton's from a bitch of Lord Malmesbury's. At Drum- 

 lanrig, as well as on the Duke's other estates, they have been 

 most particular in preserving the purity and working qualities 

 of their strain. And the same may be said of the Hon. A. 

 Holland Hibbert, whose principal dogs are not only typical 

 in appearance, but broken to perfection. The Duchess of 

 Hamilton's kennels have been responsible for some of the best 

 field trial winners of the present day. As far as looks are 

 concerned, one cannot say that the Labrador compares 

 favourably with either the flat or the curly coated Retriever, 

 but that is immaterial so long as he continues to work as he 

 is doing at present. 



