POINTERS AND SETTERS. 395 



silky hair, and of good length, tapering to the point, and 

 giving an outline like a scythe-blade. 



Symmetry and quality form a less valuable index to 

 a setter' s merit than to a pointer' s, and are rated at only 

 five points. In general terms, they should give a style 

 suggesting more of softness and grace and less of rugged 

 strength than the pointers. While smooth prettiness of 

 form is of bad augury as to working ability in the 

 pointer, it is, on the contrary, a very good sign of field 

 quality in an English setter. The coat is rated at five 

 points, and is very important. It should be soft and 

 silky, without curl. The color should be bright and 

 clean. It offers the same variety as the pointer's, witk 

 the addition that tan-markings are often found with 

 black and white, and are very much admired. When the 

 white is interspersed with a profusion of small, delicately 

 shaded ticks it is called "belton," and is very handsome. 



THE BLACK-AND-TAN, OR GORDON, SETTER. 



The black-and-tan, or Gordon, setter has appeared ta 

 less advantage in America than other breeds. In public 

 trials he has done little, and in private I have not been so 

 fortunate as to see a brilliant performer, though of 

 good, steady, practical dogs not a few, especially show- 

 ing to advantage on snipe-marshes or in dense coverts. 

 It has been claimed by some breeders that a smaller and 

 more lightly built Gordon could be bred, which would 

 equal the English setter in speed and endurance. 



On theoretical grounds, I have been inclined to favor 

 this idea, and were I breeding Gordons, would certainly 

 try it. Unfortunately, such light weights as I have seen 

 in the field were inferior to those of heavier build. 

 Speaking, then, from what knowledge I have been able 

 to gain, I must prefer the heavy type until the advan- 

 tages of the light dogs shall have been demonstrated. 



