IRISH SETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 36

IRISH SETTER.

The following description of the show points of the Irish setter is given by a well-known authority : — Head. — The head should be long and lean ; the ekull oval from ear to ear, having plenty of brain room and with well-defined occipital protuberance ; brows raised, showing stop ; the muzzle moderately deep and fairly square at Bnd. From the «top to point of the nose should be long, the nostrils wide, and the jaws of nearly equal length ; flews not lo be pendulous ; the colonr of the ncse dark mahogany or dark walnut, and that of the eyes (which onght not to be too large) rich hazel or brown ; the ears to be of moderate size, fine in the texture, set on low, well back, and haDging in » neat fold close to the head. Neck.— The neck should "be moderately long, very muscular, but not too thick ; slightly arched ; free from all tendency to throatiness. Body.— The body should be long ; shoulders fine at ths points, deep, and sloping well back ; the ribs well sprnng, leaving plenty of lung room ; loins muscular and slightly arched ; the hindquarters wide and ' powerful ; the chest should be as deep as possible, rather narrow in front.

Leg 3 and Feet. — The hind legs from hip to hock should be long and muscular ; from hock to heel, short and strong ; the stifle and hock joints well bent, and not inclined either in or out ; the fore legs should bo straight and sinewy, having plenty of bone, with elbows free, well set down, and, like the hock", not inclined either in or out ; the feet small, very firm ; toes strong, close together, and arched. Tail.— The tail should be of moderate length, set on rather low, strong at root, and tapering to a fine point ; to be carried in a scimitar-like curve on a level with or below the back. Coat. — On the head, front legs, and tips of ears should bo short and fine, but on all other parts of the body and legs ib ought to be of moderate length, fiat, and free as possible from curve or wave. Featherings. — The feather on the upper portion of the ears should be long and silky ; on the back of fore and hind legs long and five ; » fair amount of hair on tha belly, forming a nice fringe, which may ex end on chest and throat. Feet to be well faatbered between tbe toes. Tail to have a nice fringe of moderately long hair, decreasing in length as it approaches the point, all feathering to be as straight and as fiat as possible. Colour and Markings. — The colour should be a rich golden chestnut, with no traces whatever of black ; white on chest, throat, or toes, or a small star on the forehead, or a narrow streak or blaze on the ncsa oc face not to disqualify. Standard of Points ron Judging. Points. Points. Head 30 Tail 4 Kyes 6 Coat and feather 10 ISars 4 Colour 8 Neck 4 Sizi, style, and Body 20 general appearHind l*gs and feet... 10 ance 14 Fore lege and feet 10 — rr_i.«T inn