144 DOMESTICATED DOGS, 
even in them it is preferred of that colour; but a pink nose may 
be pardoned in a whole white dog. The teeth should be quite 
level, 
Ears, lips, and eyes.—The ears should be shorter than the 
pointer’s in leather, but the hair fringing them brings them in 
appearance nearly to the same length. The leather must be thin 
and soft, and must hang close to the cheeks, without the slightest 
tendency to “prick.” The hair is very silky on the ears of good 
breeds, and is usually about two inches in length. The lips are, 
perhaps, not quite so full as the pointer’s, but there is a decided 
pouch at the angle, which when on game is usually full of slaver. 
The eyes are of medium size, more animated than the pointer’s, and 
of all shades of brown, the darker the better. They should be set 
straight across, and not at any angle. 
The neck has a different contour from the pointer’s, not showing 
the decided convexity in either direction peculiar to that dog, and 
feeling thin and soft to the touch, with a slight hollow on, each 
side, The skin is loose, but no throatiness or dewlap is allowed. 
Shoulders and chest.—In Mr. Laverack’s breed, the chest of the 
dogs is usually very round and barrel-like, making their elbows 
stand wide apart, and tending to produce a slow pace. In the 
bitches no such conformation exists, and hence, perhaps, the latter 
have generally come out better in public than the former. I have 
not remarked this difference in any other breed, but certainly I 
have seen no exception in his, nor have I ever known any other 
strain of setters so thick and “cobby” in the body, and so like the 
Clumber spaniel in outline; of course, not to the same extent as 
in that dog. Mr. Laverack was so prejudiced in favour of his own 
breed, that in his book he even went so far as to recommend a 
wide chest. I very much prefer, in common with all other setter 
fanciers, a somewhat narrow chest, moderately deep in front, dut 
unth the back ribs well let down, This formation gives the light 
airy gallop of the Irish setter, and yet allows sufficient room for 
lungs and heart. The shoulders should be very sloping, and the 
blades wide at the top from before backwards, so as to give plenty 
of room for the muscles moving the arm. 
Back, quarters, and stifles—A strong back is a great point in 
this dog, who is apt to be narrow in this part, and especially at 
