418 With Rod and Gun in New England 



<b 



gun there came a necessity for a more lightly-framed dog, which, while 

 possessing the power of scenting the game and pointing it, should be a 

 good and quick ranger and gifted with greater power of endurance than 

 the pointer then possessed. 



To secure these desirable traits, crosses were made with the foxhound 

 and greyhound, and from those crosses the pointer of the present day has 

 descended. 



It has been thought that in a certain measure the marvelous scenting 

 powers of the Spanish pointer have been marred by the infusion of those 

 bloods, but if so it is not very apparent, for the modern dog is keen-scented 

 and remarkably sure of its find. 



In action the pointer is slower than the setter, and is generally less 

 headstrong. 



He quarters the ground methodically and carefully, and when a scent 

 is found he moves with the utmost caution. 



On finding his game he is as immovable as a rock, and his point will 

 continue for an almost indefinite period, unless it is broken by the sports- 

 man. To show the staunchness of the pointer, there is an instance on 

 record of a dog that stood to his game for four hours, and another pointer 

 belonging to an English nobleman pointed a partridge without moving for 

 twelve hours ! 



The pointer, as a rule, is more easily trained than is the setter, and 

 keeps in training better. For snipe-shooting and other open work he is 

 preferred by many, but he is not generally as hardy as the other, nor as well 

 able to work in our rough, difficult coverts, and for that reason is not as 

 general a favorite as the setter in this country or in England. 



In color, the pointer varies greatly. From whole brown, red, black or 

 white it presents all kinds of gradations and markings. The most popular 

 color, however, is white with spots and patches of red or brown. 



Fashion changes with dogs as peremptorily as it does with everything 

 else. Years ago the faithful Newfoundland was a general favorite, and 

 his virtues and amiable qualities were the theme for writers of high and 

 low degree. Now, "none so poor as do him reverence," there being but 

 few left in the country. 



The black-and-tan terrier was once the favorite, but it was gradually 

 superseded as a house dog, in popular estimation, by skyes and various 

 spaniels. 



As before stated, the change in pointers has been as greatly marked, 

 largely, however, in their case to careful and intelligent breeding. A 

 generation or so ago, the split-nose Spanish pointer was often seen, but it 

 is doubtful if any " pure-breds " are left among us. While being a dog 

 of extraordinary scenting powers, it was a slow but sure worker ; but its 

 pottering movements and rather delicate constitution proved such un- 



