Till recent years breeders in Scotland preferred a deeper tan in their dogs, and this was quite marked in the important exhibitions at Kennel Club shows and Birmingham, where the Northern and Southern kennels opposed each other. At the present time the difference is not so marked, but Northern experts claim that the Southern dogs are still "wanting in quality."

The following are the description and points of the Gordon Setter as adopted by its club, and as these have been issued by a body of prominent breeders, they ought to carry considerable weight. While agreeing with the opinion that the original colour was black, white, and tan, they appear to err in publishing in such the opinion of Dr. Walsh ("Stonehenge';) as to the origin of the breed - viz. "that he is a compound of Collie, Bloodhound, and English or Irish Setter." In the absence of all proof for such a statement, surely this was unnecessary. "In the best Gordons we almost invariably find the leading features of the Collie, the Bloodhound, and the Setter, and perhaps in about equal proportions, giving what we call the type." While this may have been true even twenty years ago, it certainly cannot apply to the breed at the present time. Though the head is perhaps heavier by a trifle than in the English or Irish varieties and deeper in both cranium and muzzle, still, it is not that of a Bloodhound. "Many Gordons show slight 'haw' and 'dewlap'; a proper development of these is probably the true type." The writer cannot agree to this statement, as both of these defects have disappeared from our best kennels, and indeed this also applies to the length of flag, heavy body, especially in the shoulders, and other defects in dogs of last century. Undoubtedly the type more closely resembles the English Setter than formerly, with some minor differences, especially in head, as already mentioned. Breeders have tried to eradicate acknowledged defects in this breed with marked success.

There seems to be little authentic information as to the Gordon Setter. Authorities, however, agree that originally the colour was black, white, and tan. . . Of late years no doubt the breed has been tampered with for show purposes, and crosses, more particularly with the Irish Setter, with the idea of improving the colour, have been resorted to, to the detriment of the dog for both show-bench and field purposes. Probably the pale buff in the place of the tan, frequently verging on stone colour, and the diffusion over the body, instead of being developed on the recognised points, is mainly due to this cause; if so, it will require careful breeding through many generations to eradicate. . . .

The head of the Gordon Setter is much heavier than that of the English Setter; broad at the top between the ears, the skull being slightly rounded, the occiput well developed, and the depth from the occiput to the bottom of the lower jaw much greater than in the English Setter. The width between the eyes should perhaps not be too great, speaking with caution. The nose should le moderately long and broad across the top, giving room for the nerves of scent (in fact, the opposite to snipiness), the nostrils well distended, making this the widest part of the nose. The shape of the under jaw is perhaps a matter of fancy : Old Kent had a very heavy muzzle and under jaw, with remarkably bright and penetrating eyes; in these his likeness has been transmitted to many of his descendants in a remarkable degree. Many Gordon Setters show slight "haw" and "dewlap"; a proper development of these is probably the true type. The ears vary considerably, some being long, silky, and hanging close to the face; others are much shorter. These are also matters of fancy, and therefore of minor importance. The body of the Gordon Setter is also heavier than that of the English Setter, but may be judged on the same lines. The tail is often long, giving a bad carriage; this does not interfere with good work. The great beauty of this dog is his lovely colour, and as this in perfection is in no way antagonistic to his working qualities, great prominence should be given to it in judging. Formerly, without doubt, the prevailing colours were black, white, and tan. The black should be a jet, not brown or rusty; the tan should be a rich dark mahogany, and should be exhibited on the inside of the thighs, showing down the front of the stifle to the ground, and on the forelegs to the knees. The muzzle also should be tan, the spots over the eyes well defined, not blurred, and on the points of the shoulders also. Blurring and diffusion over the belly and other parts of the dog probably indicate contamination with other blood. It is of the highest importance, if we are to get back the real hunting qualities of this breed and the show qualities also, that purity of blood should be the chief aim in breeding. A first cross may sometimes appear to answer, but succeeding generations will certainly show the cross, and will deteriorate in all the qualities we prize.

A splendid intelligence, fine scenting powers, and great endurance are the main characteristics of the Gordon Setter. If purity of blood is maintained, we may not only recover the qualities that some fear we have partly lost, but also develop their natural powers to an extent hitherto unknown. A well-formed head is of the first importance if we are to develop and maintain that intelligence which is the great charm and usefulness of the dog.

SCALE OF POINTS

Head and Neck ...........

35

Shoulders and Chest ............

12

Loin and Quarter ............

12

Feet and Legs ..

16

Colour...........

10

Coat, Feather, and Quality ...........

10

Tail .. .. .. .. .. ..

5

Total ..

100

Some years ago one met with odd specimens of this breed characterised by an extremely short flag, a short, straight neck, high withers, and rather drooping quarters. They had a great reputation as working dogs, and undoubtedly possessed great staying powers. A number of these were observed in America, where the Black-and-tan Setter was a great favourite, and is deservedly so at the present time. In France and Belgium this variety is even more popular than on this side.