146 DOMESTICATED DOGS. 



myself possessed one or two setters superior even to " Countess," 

 and one bitch quite as fast, with a better nose ; while out of a 

 litter I bred from her, two dogs turned out A- 1 in all but pace,' 

 which certainly was not equal to that of their mother. But Mr. 

 Laverack was lucky in getting " Countess " and " Nellie " into the 

 hands of a gentleman who spared nothing in obtaining success in 

 public, for with their exception and that of Mr. Brewiss's "Dash II.," 

 nothing else has appeared from his kennel approaching perfec- 

 tion. His dogs were heavy and spaniel-like, as far' as I have seen ; 

 "Dash II.," however, though showing a spaniel-form, displaying 

 good pace, and standing in grand style. 

 Points of the English setter : — 



Skull, .... 



IO 



Legs, elbows, and hocks, 



12 



Nose, .... 



IO 



Feet, ... 



8 



Ears, lips, and eyes, 



4 



Flag, ... 



5 



Neek, .... 



6 



Texture and leather of coat, 



5 



Shoulders and chest, . 



15 



Colour, .... 



5 



Back, quarters, and stifles, 



i5 



Symmetry and quality, 



5 



Total, . ioo 



The skull of this dog differs from all others, being intermediate 

 between that of the field-spaniel and the pointer's, indicating 

 almost with certainty that the breed was established by a cross 

 between the two, but, when tried nowadays, producing what is 

 called "the dropper." Though this dog is useful enough in the first 

 generation, and often exactly like one or the other of his parents ; 

 yet, if the cross is persevered with, the result is always a failure. 

 The occipital protuberance of the pointer is absent, and the brows 

 are more distinct, the skull itself being narrower across the ears. 



The nose should, on the average, be at least 4 inches long 

 from the corner of the eye to the tip, and as wide as possible, 



