58 THE DOGS OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 



By inserting the points given at the end of each article in the following chapter, 

 instead of those of the pointer, a series of scales may easily be compiled for the 

 use of judges. 



DISQUALIFICATIONS. 



In consequence of the uncertainty prevailing as to what shall be considered a 

 proper ground of disqualification, the Kennel Club have recently (1881) appointed 

 a committee to report to them on the subject. Their report has been accepted, but 

 up to the time of this sheet going to press, it has not been embodied in any definite 

 code of rules. I may, however, state that the old practice of disqualifying for dyeing 

 or faking is to be continued, and that the removing of the tips of retrievers' tails, 

 and the use of blacking or flour are in future not to be allowed. 



CHAPTER II. 

 ON JUDGING AT FIELD TRIALS. 



HE judging at Field Trials has for some years been conducted on the 

 above principles at Stafford and Shrewsbury, without any negative 

 points, which were, however, introduced at Vaynol, in September, 1871, 

 and gave great satisfaction. 



The following is the scale adopted at the Stafford and Shrewsbury 

 trials, which prevailed up to that time. Under it, a dog, which we will call Pilot, 

 refusing to back, but reasonably good in other points, would score 52, but 

 under the negative scale 10 would be deducted from his totals, and very 

 properly so, that being the amount of the allowance for backing, which is not only 

 not to be calculated in his favour, but is absolutely to be deducted from his total 

 score. Now, as the dog refusing to back does mischief to the sport so far as often 

 to spoil it altogether, it is quite right that he should be severely punished for his 

 offence, and on that account I think the principle is quite sound. It was at first 

 considered that backing is merely the result of breaking, and therefore is no test 

 of the utility or otherwise of a stud dog. Hence, nose, point, pace, and range were 

 made the chief tests, omitting all notice of- backing, dropping to shot, &c. This 



