THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



217 



with liver, lemon, or black distributed in al- 

 most any fashion, according to taste. No finer 

 upland bird-dog exists, and his endurance and 

 energy are things to marvel at. 



As in all working dogs, the "tools of his 

 trade" must be right. Soft, spready feet, weak 

 legs or back, small or "snipy" nose are all 

 vital defects. The head is shaped very like 

 that of a setter, but should be wider across the 

 ears. A good, square profile is essential, with 

 a well-defined stop. The tail, strong and full at 

 the base, should taper rapidly and be as straight 

 as possible. 



The breed is so popular and so widely used 

 that there is little difficulty in getting well- 

 balanced pointers. 



The continental "pointing griffon" is a type 

 of growing popularity, with little to commend 

 it above the better-known field-dogs except its 

 novelty. It may be described as a wire-haired 

 pointer, whose coat is rough and quite long, 

 particularly over the eyes and on the muzzle. 

 It has a terrier-like expression that is rather 

 prejudicial to the impression it makes upon one 

 familiar with the frank, loyal look of a setter 

 or pointer. 



DALMATIAN, OR COACH DOG 



(For illustration, see page 215) 



The Dalmatian was originally a "pointer" 

 and in his native country was used for sport- 

 ing purposes. But in England he was found 

 to be very inferior to the native pointer, and, 

 as he showed a marked fondness for horses 

 and stables, he was specially trained as a 

 "coach" or "carriage" dog. 



For more than a hundred years before the 

 day of the automobile, it was a common thing 

 on English roads to see one of these muscular, 

 deep-lunged, spotted dogs trotting easily be- 

 tween the hind wheels of a fashionable "turn- 

 out'' — so close, in fact, that it had the appear- 

 ance of "weaving" in and out as the horses' 

 heels flew back. The automobile has virtually 

 done away with it as a vehicle guardian and 

 companion ; still its unusual appearance has 

 been sufficient to maintain it among the fancy 

 and a goodly number find their way to the big 

 shows. 



The coach dog strongly resembles a small, 

 straight-legged pointer in general conforma- 

 tion, and differs chiefly in the shorter ear, 

 straight front, and less arched stifle. 



In color it must be white, evenly spangled all 

 over with round, clearly defined spots of black 

 or dark brown. Black is preferable and more 

 usual. These spots must be sharp, and the 

 more even and uniformly distributed the better. 

 They may be confluent on the ears — it is a 

 virtue to have dark ears — but elsewhere on the 

 body it is a fault. In size they should be from 

 half an inch to an inch in diameter, roughly. 



The legs should be strong and straight, of 

 good bone, for speed and endurance. The feet 

 should not be large, but compact, and with toes 

 well arched and pads deep and elastic. 



The coach dog should be from 19 to 23 inches 

 high and weigh from 35 to 50 pounds. 



SETTERS 



(For illustration, see page 219) 



Setters have long but "flat" silky coats and 

 plumed tails, and as a rule very gentle faces, 

 full of expression. In olden times, when it was 

 customary to "net" game, these dogs were 

 taught to point the birds and then to crouch or 

 "set," that the net might be thrown over and 

 beyond them ; hence the name. 



The English, Irish, and Gordon setters are 

 almost too well known to need any physical 

 description. Fashions have changed somewhat, 

 and will probably continue to do' so, in these as 

 in other popular breeds. 



Still, the needs are so definite, and perform- 

 ance is such a necessary foundation for ap- 

 pearance, that the setters will probably never 

 deviate very widely from the present standard, 

 except in minor points attained by crossing the 

 known types. It is doubtful if an.v serious 

 breeder would trust other than setter blood in 

 these already very beautiful and useful dogs. 



In this country no dog is so well fitted for 

 hunting grouse, pheasants, quail, and feathered 

 upland and woodland game in general. 



In comparing the three principal types, the 

 English is the largest and strongest, and is 

 largely white, with liver, tan, orange, or black 

 blotches and "ticking." The Irish is the light- 

 est and most finely drawn, and is all rich ma- 

 hogany tan ; he has a more high-strung dispo- 

 sition than either of the others, and is rather 

 more nervous and subject to temperamental 

 weaknesses, though when well trained and in- 

 telligently handled is unsurpassed as a field 

 and hunting dog. 



The Gordon is a north British development, 

 to be used chiefly on the red grouse of the 

 heathery uplands, and is black, with deep tan 

 chops, ear-linings, chest, belly, feet, and feather, 

 and the characteristic tan spots over the eyes 

 and on the cheeks. For several years he was 

 bred to a very delicate, slender-headed type ; 

 he was then a very affectionate -and beautiful 

 creature, but lacked the staunchness such a 

 hunting dog must have. The present standard 

 dictates a dog of almost exactly the conforma- 

 tion of the English setter : wide across the fore- 

 head, strong, fairly broad, and very deep in the 

 chest, with plentiful bone in legs and good, 

 hard, compact feet. 



In this country, where the autumn woods 

 abound in russet browns and deep shadows, the 

 solid red and the black and tan dogs are harder 

 to follow with the eye than those with a fair 

 amount of white ; hence the English setter and 

 the mainly white pointer are favorites among 

 the hunters, though the Irish has many adher- 

 ents among those desiring a beautiful and com- 

 panionable dog. The Gordon is nearly obsolete 

 in this country. 



The English has been modified in several re- 

 spects, and excellent types have come to be 



