In Ireland these Setters have been, and still are, greatly used for snipe shooting, being hardy, fast, and very keen-nosed--their ability to bear fatigue, and cold, being unequalled by any other variety of Setter. It has been said that the finest and oldest strain of Irish Setters have a slight tinge of black on the tips of the ears and muzzle; others, again, regard the presence of black hairs as a sign of impurity of blood, agreeing that these dogs ought to be a very deep, rich red--a dark or blood red being preferred. White hairs ought not to be present anywhere, excepting on the forehead and chest, though many object to white in the situation last named. The _Coat_ should be close, of strong growth, and neither coarse nor silky in texture. Feather of a golden tinge, and of moderate amount. _Ears._--To be long, set low on the head, and have a medium degree of feathering. _Eyes._--A deep hazel or brown, and the nose dark or mahogany flesh. A black nose should disqualify. _Neck._--Of fair length, slightly arched, and body proportionately long; the chest deep, and ribs well sprung. _Forelegs._--Straight, not too much feathered, and the feet small, firm, and close, with well-arched toes. _Strong Loins_, powerful thighs and hocks, and a horizontal carriage of the tail (not cocked) are excellences in this region. Taken as a whole, the Irish Setter is built more after the type of a racer. Moreover, has a little wider skull than the English variety. [Illustration: IRISH SETTER CHAMPION FLORIZEL (Property of Mrs HAMILTON).] The Black-and-tan Setter (Gordon Setter) This famous breed of Setters can be traced back for a hundred years to the castle of the Duke of Gordon, but whether this nobleman laid the foundation stone of the present breed of Black-and-tan Setter, becomes a matter of speculation. It is not the least improbable that these Setters have been derived by crossing the English Setter with a Black-and-tan Collie, as certain Gordons exhibit more than a trace of the Collie element. During the last few years the Black-and-tan Setter classes at the Kennel Club Shows in London have been very badly filled, and unless breeding this variety of dog becomes more popular, in England at least, it will soon deteriorate. A well-broken Gordon is a most useful dog in the field, though certainly his luck at field trials has not been anything like that of the Englishman. In colour he should be a glossy raven black, with rich mahogany tan markings, pencilling of the toes being allowable. On the inside of the fore-limbs, tan ought to show nearly up to the elbows, and up to the hocks, on the inner sides of the hind ones. There should be tan on the lips, cheeks, undersides of the ears; spots over eyes, on front of the chest, on the vent, and at the root of tail or flag. _Eyes._--To be of medium size and deep brown. _Ears._--The ears of the Gordon are longer than those of the Irish or English, are set on low and lie close to head.