THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
Mr Llewellin was then a moderately young man, a country gentleman 
of a family of sportsmen, who had, all his life, been an enthusiast on shoot- 
ing and setters, and at the same time possessed of that quality which 
renders its possessor discontented with accomplished achievements 
and ever striving towards an ideal. 
To follow Mr Llewellin’s history and experiments would fill pages. 
To put it shortly, therefore, he began first with the black-and-tans, so- 
called Gordons, which at that time, in the sixties, held the fort under the 
championship of “ Idstone,” of Mr Walsh, the then editor of the “Field,” 
and of most of the leading authorities, and were extremely fashionable. 
It was natural, therefore, that they should attract the notice of Mr 
Llewellin, who for them discarded his country -bred dogs. Those of this 
strain that were before the public were nearly all related to a dog called 
Kent, bought by “ Idstone,” about 1862. After thoroughly trying this 
strain Mr Llewellin felt disinclined to rest there, chiefly on account of 
want of endurance, and, still searching, came upon Gordons bred by 
“Sixty-one” (Rev. Hely Hutchinson). These were much lighter in build 
than the Kent dogs, and had far more endurance, but they were some- 
what coarse and collie -looking, and the nose was not of the best. About 
that time the Rev. Gumming Macdona brought out at the National Field 
Trials an Irish setter named Plunket. This was a small dog, but wiry 
and active, and the way in which he worked took Mr Llewellin’s fancy. 
He offered Mr Macdona what was a large sum in those days for a setter, 
i.e., £150, and became his owner. Mr Llewellin then went in considerably 
for Irish setters, breeding Plunket to many excellent bitches, and produced 
several first-rate dogs, notably one called Kite, with which he won prizes 
at field trials. About that time the Laveracks began to show themselves, 
and Mr Llewellin was struck with their quality. Here, at last, he thought 
he had reached the El Dorado of his quest for so many years. He at once 
recognized their possibilities, and, as opportunity occurred, became 
possessed of the best individuals of that strain that could be obtained, 
regardless of expense. His famous pure Laverack, Countess, and equally 
famous Nellie, his Daisy (once the property of Sir Richard Garth), his 
Prince, Lill, Rock, Phantom, Peeress, Puzzle, and several others of that 
breed have never been equalled. 
The eminence of the Laverack was not recognized in all quarters when 
Mr Laverack first appeared, or if it was, jealousy hindered justice being 
done to its merits. 
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