io8 The Dog Book 



Naworth Castle or Featherstone Castle Setters 



The first he mentions is the Naworth Castle or Featherstone Castle 

 setters: "There is a very, fine old breed of setters, at present but little 

 known. It has been, and still is, in the possession of the Earl of Carlisle, 

 Naworth Castle, Brampton, Cumberland; Lord Wallace, Featherstone 

 Castle, Cumberland, and Major Cowan, of Blaydon Burn, Northumberland, 

 so well known as the bloodhound authority. 



"This breed of setters I remember fifty years ago, when I rented the 

 moors belonging to the Earl of Carlisle, in the vicinity of Gillesland. This 

 moor was commonly called Wastes, a description of which is so graphically 

 given by Sir Walter Scott in 'Guy Mannering.' 



"This rare old breed has probably been retained in the above families 

 as long as any other strain has. 



"The Featherstone Castle breed has been looked after by three genera- 

 tions of Prouds, Edward Proud (now pensioned off) and sons. 



"Those at Naworth Castle, by Grisdale, who has been there for forty 

 years or more, but now a pensioner. How long the breed may have been in 

 the family of Major Cowan, and others in Northumberland and Cumberland 

 I cannot say. 



"The distinguishing colour is liver and white, they are very powerful 

 in the chest, deep and broad, not narrow or slaty, which some people seem 

 to think is the true formation of the setter. 



"If there is any fault to find with them it is their size; they are a little 

 too big and heavy. 



"There is a great profusion of coat, of a light, soft silky hair on the crest 

 of the head, which is rather longer and heavier than the generality of setters. 

 They are particularly strong and powerful in their fore quarters, beautifully 

 feathered on their fore legs, tail and breeches, easily broken, very lofty in 

 their carriage, staunch, excellent dogs and good finders. Though liver, or 

 liver and white is not a recognised colour in shows, my belief is that there 

 are as good dogs of this colour as of any other. 



"The Featherstone Castle breed was brought into notoriety by the late 

 keeper, Edward Proud, and so much were they appreciated by shooting men 

 that they went all over the country, and even to Ireland. This was more 

 than half a century ago. 



