DOMESTIC DOGS. 
537 
The pointer differs from the hounds in hunting by “ body-seent ” instead of 
by “ foot-scent.” The most ancient breed appears to have been the old Spanish 
pointer, which stood relatively high on the legs, and had a heavy clumsy head, 
with a long, wide, and squared nose, pendulous upper lips, with ears nearly as large 
as those of the bloodhound, and a massive throat and distinct dewlap. This 
pointer was of a surly disposition, slow in pace, and apt to give chase to hares. 
His redeeming point was, however, his marvellous perception of scent, and the 
perseverance with which he would work his game. The Portuguese pointer is of 
rather shorter build, with badly-formed legs and feet, and a long and fully-fringed 
tail, and displays the same faults of character as the Spanish breed. The French 
pointer is distinguished by the presence of a furrow between the nostrils, which 
renders its sense of smell less acute. It is, however, a better shaped and more 
active dog than either 
of the two preceding 
breeds, with more 
power for hard work, 
but quarrelsome and 
given to hare-chas¬ 
ing. The modern 
English pointer is 
the lightest and best¬ 
shaped dog of the 
whole group, and is 
believed to have been 
derived from the 
Spanish breed, with 
some intercrossing; 
© 
ENGLISH POINTER. 
either directly with 
the greyhound or in¬ 
directly through the 
foxhound. 
This breed is characterised by its compact and well-knit build, sloping 
shoulders, straight muscular limbs, and spirited action. The head is still 
relatively large, but the pendulous upper lips, dewlap, and the heaviness of 
the throat have been lost. The nose should be long, broad, and square in 
front. The eyes are moderately large, soft, and intelligent, the colour vaiying 
from buff to dark brown. A peculiarly rounded outline on the upper side of 
the neck marks the well-bred pointer, which can hardly be described in words. 
The tail is as straight as possible, with no trace of a fringe, sharply pointed at 
the end, and carried low. The coat is soft, although not silky. With regard to 
colour, there are two strains, distinguished as the “ lemon -and -white ” and the 
“ liver -and -white,” which are the most numerous and the most esteemed; in 
addition to which there are entirely black and entirely liver-coloured pointers, 
the latter being very rare. There are also black-and-white, and black, white, 
and tan varieties; a dog with much white being preferred, in order that he may 
readily be seen among turnips. There has been much rivalry as to the merits of 
