The feet should be of proportionate size to the dog, and either round or cat-shaped, or pointed like that of the hare. I have seen dogs with both kinds stand any amount of work without going lame, therefore for use I think there is no difference; but for show purposes the round foot, with well arched toes, looks the smartest.

The shoulders should be long, thin, and sloping backwards; great attention should be given to them, as a dog with a thick loaded, straight shoulder, will have a cramped, stilty, laboured gallop.

The chest should be deep, and not wide, the ribs well sprung from backbone, and not shovelling at the brisket.

The body should be long and powerful; a weak, tucked up body is a great defect, indicating lack of constitution, and a dog without a good constitution is not capable of enduring consecutive hard work. The back ribs should be deep, and the last rib as near the hip bone as possible to get it. Much length from last rib to hip gives an appearance of a slack weak loin.

The loin should be slightly arched, very wide, strong, and muscular.

It is upon the hind legs and thighs that a dog chiefly depends for his propelling leverage. If they are weak and ill formed the dog is a poor "stayer." The thighs should be very long and muscular, well developed, with a prominent second thigh. The stifle fairly bent, and slightly inclined outwards. The hocks large and strong, and coming straight with thigh, not in, or cow-hocked. The hip wide apart and well up, at least as high as the line of back, even when the dog is in good condition. The dogs with wide, ragged hip bones are generally dogs with speed and endurance.

The tail should be short, but not shortened, fine at tip and strong at root. It should be set on just below the line of back, and not too low down to make the dog look "goose-rumped." It must not be curled over back bike the hound's, nor yet drooping like the Clumber's. It should be carried in a lively manner just above the level of the back.

Symmetry is, as far as I can define it, a perfect unity of proportion of all the points before enumerated, so as to present the beautiful outline that is so pleasing to the eye. A perfect adaptability of each part of the dog to the exercise of all his powers to the greatest advantage. For instance, some dogs possess several points in a very marked degree of excellence, and still, because other parts are deficient, their symmetry will be said to be at fault. Unless all parts are considered collectively, no estimate can be formed of symmetry; and then it is very difficult to estimate correctly.

Colour I do not consider should have any weight in a decision at all. A predominance of white has been thought to be best, because it assists the sportsman in detecting the whereabouts of his dogs in high covert; but as to the colour of the markings on this white ground, why I attach no importance to it whatever, and in support of this opinion I may say we frequently see equally good pointers of different colours. A few years ago the lemon and white were the most fashionable, but for the past year or two the liver and white have been the most successful prize winners. For smartness of appearance in the show ring I consider liver or lemon and white the best colours.

There is much that is quite essential in making up a first-class pointer that show-bench beauty - however much it may be admired and valued - does not vouch for the possession of; consequently, a great deal besides the points of merit as given in my standard, whereby to judge of appearance, has to enter into the calculations of a successful breeder. For instance, a dog may comply with all the conditions there laid down to make him a successful show dog, and yet be a worthless brute for the purposes for which the pointer is bred; and as these qualities, so necessary to make the dog useful, are transmitted from parents to offspring, it is only reasonable in breeding to exercise the same care to produce what is needed in the dog to make him suited for his work as is employed to obtain the beauty that now graces the pointer classes at our large shows.

As much difference exists between pointers in their working capacities as in their appearances, and sportsmen know well enough how to appreciate the qualities that make a dog a good performer in the field. Dogs that can successfully run through a big stake at field trials are considered more valuable than those that are able to win many a champion cup on the show bench. And, having knowledge of this fact, I think it becomes me, in writing on this subject, to define that which is of such primary importance to those interested in the breed.

First, it is of great importance that pointers should have a good nose to enable them to scent game at a distance, the further off the better, provided they have sufficient discrimination in using it to prevent them false-pointing. The necessity for this quality is so evident that I will not dilate further upon it, simply adding that this subject, nose versus brains, in setting dogs, is full of interest, and one that I should like to discuss with other breeders.

Next to this is a natural love of hunting, without which no dog ever attains to any great perfection, and with it many dogs, weak in other points, become, by practice, tolerably useful dogs. Those that frequently require the words of encouragement, "hold up," are very troublesome to break, and when broken often turn out lazy or display a lack of energy that is painful to witness. From their nervousness and want of heart they are unable to use to advantage the other good qualities they may possess.

It is a nice, lively, high-spirited, kindly-dispositioned dog that is so much prized - those with plenty of pluck, and yet not headstrong or reckless. Many dogs from their self-will, although possessing other admirable qualities, become very difficult to manage, and nothing but repeated and hard work will keep them under control. Such dogs are never wholly reliable, and this is especially felt when using them in braces. A good dog that is trying to do his best is tempted into doing wrong by the provocation he receives from his reckless companion.