i 4 8 DOMESTICATED DQGS. 



the latter have generally come out better in public than the 

 former. I have not remarked this difference in any other breed, 

 but certainly I have seen no exception in his, nor have I ever 

 known any other strain of setters so thick and " cobby " in the 

 body, and so like the Clumber spaniel in outline ; of course, not 

 to the same extent as in that dog. Mr. Laverack was so prejudiced 

 in favour of his own breed, that in his book he even went so far 

 as to recommend a wide chest. I very much prefer, in common 

 with all other setter fanciers, a somewhat narrow chest, mode- 

 rately deep in front, but with the bach ribs well let down. This 

 formation gives the light, airy gallop of the Irish setter, and yet 

 allows sufficient room for lungs and heart. The shoulders should 

 be very sloping, and the blades wide at the top from before back- 

 wards, so as to give plenty of room for the muscles moving the 

 arm. 



Bach, quarters, and stifles. — A strong back is a great point in 

 this dog, who is apt to be narrow in this part, and especially at 

 the junction with the ribs. Eagged hips are often met with in 

 the best strains, and, with a proper allowance of muscle) should 

 be valued instead of the reverse. A slight arch falling to the 

 root of the tail is a beauty in my eyes, but not set as in 

 the " wheel-back." Wide stifles, well bent, should be looked 

 for; and, in fact, the propellers must be attended to in every 

 respect. 



Legs, elbows, and hocks. — Setters are almost always straight on 

 their legs, with elbows well let down, and strong hocks. The 

 absence of these points is, therefore, to be regarded as unpardon- 

 able. Strong lower thighs are very important. 



The feet are the strong points of the setter, and without hard 

 soles and plenty of hair between the toes he loses half of his 

 recommendations. The toes are often hare-like, instead of resem- 



