THE NATIVE OR ENGLISH SETTER. 4I3 



ally from the wolf- as some argue, why not point out first why the 

 male dogs are so dissimilar ? and again, why the wolves of differ- 

 ent countries are unlike, and which species of wolf is the true and 

 only one ? Without wishing to conflict with the opinions of those 

 so much more learned on the subject than ourselves, we would 

 ask, would it not be much more reasonable to suppose, without 

 positive proof, that the origin of the domestic dog can be referred 

 to numerous aboriginal species, crossing with the wild varieties, ' 

 as we know our dogs will frequently do, including the wolf, jackal, 

 and the fox if we like ; climate assisting, and man aiding by ju- 

 dicious intermixing and breeding, until the present high standard 

 jf this useful animal has been reached ? 



The Indian dogs maybe traced to the prairie wolf, and in Asia 

 the native domesticated dog to the jungle dog. Whatever may 

 have been the originals of the partly tamed canines of the aborigi- 

 nes of the different sections of the globe, it is probable that the 

 primitive dog, like other animals, was very different from any of 

 the present races. 



THE NATIVE OR ENGLISH SETTER. 



AVe do hardly more than attempt to g^ve our readers a general 

 idea of the various kinds of dogs used by sportsmen ; not entering 

 into minute descriptions of their specific characteristics. There is 

 a wide diversity of opinions respecting the points and sporting 

 qualities of the various species of dogs, which will probably never 

 be harmonized. 



A proper setter dog, as judged at the show bench, should be 

 neither overgrown nor diminutive. He should stand square upon 

 his legs, which should be neither too long nor too short, but in pro- 

 portion with the size of his body, and by all means standing a shade 

 higher before than behind. Tail should come out well up, and be 

 straight or scimitar-shaped, and should be carried on a level, or 

 rather above the level of the back, and by no means too long. A 

 tail reaching to the gambrel joint, or an inch below, is about right. 

 A cut tail is not excluded from our bench shows unless so cut 

 as to disfigure the dog. The chest should be deep and somewhat 

 rounded ; loins, muscular. Feet should be rounded and somewhat 

 feathered between the toes. A short, thick neck never looks well. 



