190 THE DOGS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 



7. In coat (value 5) this dog resembles the pointer in all respects, being short, 

 without any approach to silkiness. 



8. The colour (value 10) is either black, liver, or dark blue. Sometimes 

 there is a stain of tan about the head and legs, which is not objected to. A 

 clear jet black is more highly valued than black and tan, the liver and blue being 

 of equal value. 



9. The marking (value 40) is the point on which the judging of this dog mainly 

 depends, some breeders valuing it at 50 out of the 100. I cannot, however, think 

 that a well-marked cripple should prevail over a moderately well-marked dog perfect 

 in all other respects, and I have consequently lowered the valuation of this point to 

 40. In no case should there be a black patch on any part of the body or head 

 exceeding the size of half a crown, and the nearer the spots approach to the size 

 intermediate between a shilling and half a crown, and to the circular shape, the 

 higher the estimate made. None should be smaller (if possible) than the shilling ; 

 but no dog has ever yet appeared without a few such " flecks " or " freckles." A 

 well-spotted tail is greatly admired, but it is very rarely met with. The white 

 ground should be quite distinct from the spots, without any approach to freckles on 

 it and the more regularly the spots are distributed the better. It is usual to 

 divide the valuation of the several qualities in the markings as follows : Size, 15 ; 

 shape and well-defined edges, 15 ; regular distribution so as to avoid patches of 

 white, 10. 



