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 mueh 
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 spléended. 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 
