134 The Dog Book 



Return to the Correct Type 



The end of the mixed-up condition of affairs seemed to be about 1898, 

 or rather that was about the beginning of the much-to-be-desired change 

 to something more stable. Albert's Woodcock came over that year and 

 won through to winners' class at New York, followed by a dog of much 

 similar type. These were English setters, dogs of substance, typical and 

 showing character. Neither was a wonder, but they were nearer to the 

 right sort than we had seen since Sheldon's day. Quite a nice American- 

 bred dog was also shown in Highland Fleet, though as he was from imported 

 stock he would under the old-time rule have still been considered as imported, 

 as opposed to native. Fleet suffered from being somewhat under the 

 desired size, but showing much quality and was well put together. He did 

 not do very well at his first show, but attracted the eye of Doctor Hair, so 

 soon found another owner. His name was not changed to the "Albert" 

 prefix and he is known on the records as Highland Fleet, with the addition 

 of "champion." Like the unfortunate Sheldon, he did not live long at the 

 Bridgeport kennels, being poisoned the following year, but not before he 

 left some nice descendants, some of which were winners, and two champion- 

 ship winners of 1904 are but two removes from him. 



Knight Errant was also a very prominent dog in 1900, though not one 

 we altogether fancied, and when it came to placing him over Barton Tory at 

 New York the following year we do think the judge made a mistake. 

 Barton Tory was not a perfect dog, especially in hind legs, but his quality 

 put him in a higher class than anything we then had. 



With the new century came flush times for the right sort of setters. 

 Mr. Vandergrift took hold of the breed with the thoroughness that had 

 characterised his connection with bulldogs and soon had a splended collec- 

 tion of bitches and several good dogs, besides Barton Tory. The latter, 

 while a very good dog, as already stated, was frequently rated too high in 

 competition for specials against the best of other breeds. At Providence 

 he erroneously won a cup for the best in the show. His poor hind- 

 quarters were then all too conspicuous and there were several far more 

 perfect dogs in the ring. We were one of a party of six judges on that 

 occasion and our vote was for the mastiff Prince of Wales, the others 

 voting for the setter or a toy spaniel. The mastiff eventually got the reserve. 

 The setter was then mated with a far better bitch, and the toy spaniel in the 



