76 THE DOGS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 



many points, all of which turned out to be at nothing," according to the report in 

 the Field, which is no doubt worthy of all credit from the well known ability 

 of the writer. Moreover, Dan at Shrewsbury had a very narrow escape of defeat 

 by Rake, as recorded by myself at the time, so that on mature reflection I have 

 no hesitation in placing him below the first class; but possibly he is entitled to 

 rank in the second along with Plunket and his son and daughter, Kite and Music 

 (Irish), together with Kate, Eex and Lang (Gordons). To them may probably be 

 added the Dan-Laveracks Nora and Norah, and also Die, the last two winners 

 respectively at Shrewsbury and Horseheath of the puppy stakes, all more or less 

 crossed with the late Mr. Laverack's strain. To sum up, therefore, it may be safely 

 alleged that his setters have been of great service to sportsmen in giying pace and 

 style when crossed with other breeds. 



The points of the English setter may be described as follows. : 



1. The skull (value 10) has a character peculiar to itself, somewhat between 

 that of the pointer and cocker spaniel, not so heavy as the former's, and larger than 

 the latter's. It is without the prominence of the occipital bone so remarkable in 

 the pointer, is also narrower between the ears, and there is a decided brow over the 

 eyes. 



2. The nose (value 5) should be long and wide, without any fullness under the 

 eyes. There should be in the average dog setter at least four inches from the 

 inner corner of the eye to the end of the nose. Between the point and the root 

 of the nose there should be a slight depression at all events, there should be no 

 fullness and the eyebrows should rise sharply from it. The nostrils must be wide 

 apart and large in the openings, and the end should be moist and cool, though 

 many a dog with exceptionally good scenting powers has had a remarkably 

 dry nose, amounting in some cases to roughness like that of shagreen. In all 

 setters the end of the nose should be black, or dark liver-coloured, but in the 

 very best bred whites or lemon and whites pink is often met with, and may in 

 them be pardoned. The jaws should be exactly equal in length, a " snipe 

 nose," or " pig jaw," as the receding lower one is called, being greatly against its 

 possessor. 



3. Ears, lips, and eyes (value 4). With regard to ears, they should be shorter 

 than the pointer's and rounded, but not so much so as those of the spaniel. The 

 " leather " should be thin and soft, carried closely to the cheeks, so as not to show 

 the inside, without the slightest tendency to prick the ear, which should be clothed 

 with silky hair little more than two inches in length. The lips also are not so 

 full and pendulous as those of the pointer, but at their angles there should be a 

 slight fullness, not reaching quite to the extent of hanging. The eyes must be full 

 of animation, and of medium size, the best colour being a rich brown, and they 

 should be set with their angles straight across. 



4. The neck (value 6) has not the full rounded muscularity of the pointer, 

 being considerably thinner, but still slightly arched, and set into the head without 

 that prominence of the occipital bone which is so remarkable in that dog. It must 

 not be " throaty," though the skin is loose. 



