Up to the time of the institution of dog shows, the lemon and whites were little valued in comparison with the liver and whites; but Mr. H. Gilbert's L'ob and Major (the latter sold to Mr. Smith, of Tettenhall, on Mr. Gilbert's death in 1862), brought the lemon and whites into notice on the show bench; while a son of Bob, Mr. Whitehouse's celebrated Hamlet, took 90 points out of a possible 100 at the Bedford field trials in 1865, making a tie with Brockton's Bounce, to whom I have alluded among the liver and whites. Mr. Whitehouse's Hamlet also took several prizes on the show bench, and his stock have quite superseded that of Major, which, handsome as they are admitted to be, have not shown much capacity for the work demanded from them in the field. Mr. Whitehouse has bred from Mr. Smith's Pointer "Major," this dog Priam, Rap, Joke, Flirt, and Nina, all winners; besides Macgregor, who is by Sancho out of a grand-daughter of Hamlet. From these successes in the twofold direction of beauty and goodness in the field, Hamlet was in high fashion until the appearance of Sir R. Garth's Brake, since which the contest between the stock of those two dogs has been maintained with varying results, there being little difference in the number of wins between Viscount Downe's Bang II., Mars, Grace II., and Drake II., together with Mr. Lloyd Price's Mallard and Beau, and Mr. Statter's Dick; and, on the other hand, Mr. Whitehouse's Priam, Rap, Pax, Nora, and Blanche. Besides these may be mentioned Mr. Brackenbury's Romp and her produce by Chang, Mr. Whitehouse's Rapid, and Mr. Fairhead's Romp. Mr. Birkett's black and white dog Rector is the only addition to these strains among the chief prize winners, but he is entirely of blood unknown in the field or on the bench.

During the last five or six years (1875 - 1882) the liver and white strain has gained ground considerably in public estimation, and has outnumbered the lemon and whites on the show bench. Mr. Lloyd Price's Wagg and Mr. S. Price's Bang have largely contributed to this result; but, whatever may be the cause, it is impossible to dispute the fact.

Taking, however, these several strains as representing the modern fashionable pointer, it must be admitted that the result of recent efforts in breeding has been manifested in a great increase of pace, so as to bring the pointer up to the level of the setter in that quality, so important to the grouse shooter, for whom both pointers and setters are now, as already remarked, chiefly demanded. For this reason it is absurd to ignore range and pace in judging at field trials, as has been attempted by certain influential members of the Kennel Club. In any case, to count up the number of times each competitor finds a brace of birds, and decide by that alone, in a trial limited to minutes, is, in my opinion, to give chance too great a "pull"; and, as I before remarked, range and pace, though not necessary in the south, are essential for grouse dogs, and it is for that purpose that pointers as well as setters are now mainly required. One great advantage in pointers is that they do not require water so often as the setter, or to be rebroken every season more or less.

They are hardier too, and do not succumb so easily to the ravages of distemper.

In the endeavour to increase the speed and stamina of the pointer, the foxhound has been used as a cross by Col. Thornton and others since his time. It is well known that the foxhound is far superior to all dogs in the latter capacity, and equal to all but the greyhound in the former. I have tried several pointers more or less crossed with the foxhound, and most of them have been very fast and stout; but in every instance there was unsteadiness behind, however carefully the dog was broken, and great difficulty has been experienced in getting any "back" whatever. In both the foxhound and the greyhound jealousy is encouraged to the utmost, while in the pointer it is a fatal defect. Hence, although I believe several of our best strains possess in a remote degree a cross of the foxhound, it is not hastily to be introduced, and it takes several crosses back into steady pointer blood to neutralise the defect alluded to.

The most celebrated breeders of the liver and white strain in modern times have been Sir R. Garth, facile princeps with Drake, besides a number of lesser stars - Lord H. Bentinck, Mr. Statter, Lord Lichfield, the Duke of Westminster, Mr. Francis (of Exeter), Mr. S. Price (also of Devon), the late Mr. G. Moore, Viscount Downe, and Mr. R. J. Lloyd Price (of Bala). Sir Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks has a breed of high private reputation, as has also Sir R. Musgrave of Edenhall; but, as far as I know, none have appeared in public. The old, heavy sort of the Edge, Antrobus, and Sefton strains are now quite out of fashion, except when combined with faster blood.