[Illustration: A BRACE OF ENGLISH SETTERS AT REPOSE (PRIDE and SALLY, Mr STANHOPE LOVELL).]
[Illustration: AN ENGLISH SETTER (ROMNEY ROCK).]
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.