Sporting Dogs: Their Points and Management in Health and DiseaseBarton, Frank Townend
Science
Sporting Dogs: Their Points and Management in Health and Disease
Barton, Frank Townend
Dogs
The Laverack Setters--a strain preserved by the late Mr Laverack--has
always played an important part in the more recent history of the
Setter. The Llewellin Setter--a strain bred by Mr Llewellin--(a
Laverack cross) stands out as being one of the best strains ever
produced, both on the show bench and in the field.
A high-class English Setter should have a rich, glossy coat, and every
movement should be one of elegance, dash, and beauty.
A high degree of intelligence and great power of physical endurance are
a _sine qua non_.
Field trials have done more towards perfecting the working qualities of
the Setter than could have been attained by any other means.
The breeding of stock from dogs coming out top at these trials affords
the surest means of attaining the highest degree of working capacity.
The points of the English Setter are as follows:--
_Coat._--To be soft, silky, and free from curl. There ought to be an
abundance of soft feather on fore and hind legs.
_Colour._--Not a great deal of importance is attached to this. The
chief colours are:--Liver and white, lemon and white, black, black
and white, red or yellow, orange Belton, black and white ticked, with
splashes of black, or bluish tint--blue Belton, black, white and tan
markings, &c. Black and white ticked are commonest.
_Skull._--Long and narrow, with a well-developed occipital bone. Muzzle
square, and lips full at their angles.
_Ears and Eyes._--Ears set on low, thin and soft, carried close to the
cheeks, and covered by silky hair about a couple of inches in length.
Eyes of medium size, either brown or hazel.
_Neck._--Slightly arched and covered by somewhat loose skin.
_Back and Quarters._--Arched, and loins wide and strong. Hocks, strong.
_Tail._--Should be carried in a straight line with the body, and
the feather upon it to consist of straight, silky hairs, shortening
towards the point. A beautiful flag is a great adornment to the Setter,
especially when at work.
_Fore-limbs._--Shoulders set well back. Forearms straight and strong,
of medium length, and with a good fringe at the back. Pasterns short
and nearly vertical. Feet well feathered below and cat-like.
_Weight._--Dogs from 50 to 60 lbs. Bitches, 45 to 55 lbs. _Club._--The
English Setter.
_Faults._--Curly coat, snipy head, bad carriage of stern, too light in
bone, too short or too long in leg, out at elbows, too heavy in head,
bad symmetry, disobedience, bad scenting power, indifferent at work,
etc., etc.
The Irish Setter
The origin of these dogs, as in many other breeds, is enshrouded in
mystery. The theory that they have been derived from Red Spaniels,
crossed with the Bloodhound, is accepted by some breeders, the traces
of Hound blood being observable in their method of working (scenting
their game), so much objected to, by many sportsmen.
[Illustration: IRISH SETTER DOG.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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