There is a third variety of this dog, which we will merely allude to, namely, the Scottish Setter. There exists little or no difference between this and the English species, either in their appearance or disposition; in fact, they may be considered as the same identical variety, further deteriorated by crossing with the Pointer and sometimes the Fox Hound. The Welsh also claim a variety of the Setter, and even insist upon their breed as being the original aborigines of the country. However, little doubt exists in the mind of English sportsmen on this subject, as they generally are willing to acknowledge the Irish breed as the original English Setter. At all events "actions speak louder than words," and we may consider it a tacit if not positive acknowledgment of this fact, the circumstance of the Irish breed always commanding higher prices than the English whenever exposed for sale. HOW TO SELECT A GOOD SETTER. The external marks of a good breed are very difficult to define, but there are some points that should be insisted upon as general guides in choosing a good dog. Although we may occasionally meet with well-broken and good dispositioned dogs, who do not scarcely possess any one of these points; but then we are entirely ignorant of the immense amount of time wasted in bringing such an animal under proper control. It is quite possible to train the veriest mongrel that ever existed, to find and stand game, but it is impossible to infuse into such an animal the natural instincts and hereditary fondness for the chase that is always exhibited in the whole Spaniel tribe; therefore we cannot be over anxious in endeavouring to familiarize ourselves with a few of the most striking peculiarities of the race, so that we may not be led too far astray from the original stock. In the first place, the size of the animal should command our particular attention:-although this circumstance affects but little his hunting qualifications, still, for convenience sake, a small breed is greatly to be preferred to a large one, as sportsmen are so frequently placed in positions where a small compact dog would create no inconvenience; but a large, bull-headed, longbodied brute would be insufferable to himself or companion. When travelling in stage coaches or one's own private conveyance, it is easy enough to stow away a medium sized dog, but next to impossible, one of many hundreds that we have seen. in the possession of our sporting friends. The colour is altogether a matter of taste, although there has always existed a preference for one shade and a corresponding prejudice against another-some preferring white, tan or liver colour to all others; while many condemn, in the most sweeping terms, all the unfortunate breed of blacks as perfectly worthless. All such prejudices, however, are erroneous, as every sportsman has met with superior dogs of every possible colour, and it is evident to the least inquiring mind, that the colouring principle of the hair can exert no influence whatever over the disposition or hunting properties of the dog. Therefore we must abandon at once all points dependent upon the relative size or peculiar shade of the breed, as being worth but little in leading us to a just discrimination of a young dog's future abilities; as such prejudices are too often false, and calculated to draw the most experienced into improper conclusions upon a subject of the first importance to the sportsman. His head should not be too long or tapering, but, rather a combination of the Spaniel and Hound in appearance. The eyes dark, round, and prominent, expressive, and well protected by eyebrows and lashes. The ears long, silky, and pendant. The teeth good, sharp, and not worn away, as is too frequently the case, owing to bad usage and indifferent fare in early life— being driven daily, by the sharp cravings of hunger, to gnawing and cracking of bones, to the great detriment of these important organs. This circumstance, so often overlooked by the sportsman, renders a dog prematurely old, as his teeth are oftentimes so bad that he is prevented from properly masticating his food, and therefore, is more or less liable to the same derangements of the stomach as any young person would be under the same circumstances, viz., a difficulty of digestion or proper assimilation of the food, and consequently, an interruption to the nutritive process, the well-being of which is so necessary to the good health of either man or beast. The nose and roof of the mouth black or speckled, will ensure a more genuine breed, as these last mentioned points are striking peculiarities of the whole Spaniel tribe, and usually become extinct when too frequently crossed with the Pointer. His body should be round and compact, with short ribs, short loins, full chest, and a long, tapering, well-feathered tail. The wool fine and long about the ears, under the neck and thighs. The legs large, bony, and muscular; the feet broad, hard, and firm; the nails long, and the toe tufts large and bushy. Should appear lively and good dispositioned, willing to obey, but not over timid. If moderate attention be paid to the above remarks in selecting a dog, and proper tutilage given him in the field, he will seldom disappoint our expectations, but prove himself the most humble of companions and useful of friends. It is not requisite that a dog, to be good, should combine all these qualifications; but the sportsman must lay up in his mind, some few and positive guides, to direct his eye in selecting a dog. If he possesses some few of the most striking points, it is more than probable that he will also exhibit the other peculiarities of his race. But there is one requisite still remaining, and to which we have not yet referred, although of the utmost importance in the eyes of an active sportsman; that is, "the industry of the dog." Of all the trying circumstances, and perplexing difficulties, with which a keen sportsman has to contend, in shooting, a lazy dog is the most provoking, the most insufferable. If a dog does not possess industry, but on the other hand, is slow and withal lazy, no matter how beautifully broken he may be, no matter how good dispositioned he may prove, he must, in the estimation of an enthusiastic lover of the sport, be almost worthless. We once, accidentally, overheard the private conversation of an old and experienced sportsman, to his dog; who, though well broken, and well inclined, was exceedingly lazy, and generally might be seen, after a short hunt, tagging at the heels of his master, while the other dogs were industriously |