Part 19

MIDNIGHT. DARKNESS.]

ORIGIN.—Wholly Dutch, but how far back it dates is unknown.

USES.—The canal-boatmen in Holland use this “little beggar” as a guard against intruders, as well as to advise the captain of an approaching boat. It will kill rats, swims like a duck, and as a companion is not surpassed.

* SCALE OF POINTS, ETC.

Value. Head, nose, eyes, and teeth 20 Ears 10 Neck, shoulders, and chest 10 Back and loins 5 Fore legs 5 Hind legs 5 Feet 5 Hind quarters 10 Coat and color 20 General appearance 10 --- Total 100

GENERAL APPEARANCE.—A small, cobby dog, with sharp expression, lively, always on the alert.

HEAD.—Foxy in type; skull broad, not round; little stop. Muzzle fine, not weak, well filled out below eyes. Nose black and small. Eyes small, dark brown, not full, more round than oval, bright, and full of expression. Ears moderate length, tapering, carried stiffly erect and at right angles with skull. Teeth strong and level.

NECK.—Short, strong, full, and stiffly arched.

SHOULDERS AND CHEST.—Shoulders muscular, sloping; chest deep and broad.

BACK.—Short, straight, strong; loins powerful and well drawn up.

LEGS AND FEET.—Fore legs perfectly straight, well under body, good bone. Hind legs strong; hocks well let down. Feet small, cat-like; nails black.

HIND QUARTERS.—Fine compared to fore parts, muscular, well developed; rump well rounded; tailless.

COAT.—Black, abundant, dense, harsh; smooth on head, ears, and legs; lying close on back and sides; erect and thick around neck, forming a mane and frill; well feathered on thighs.

WEIGHT.—About 12 pounds.

DEFECTS.—White hairs are objected to.

DISQUALIFYING POINTS.—Drop or semi-erect ears.

THE SETTER (ENGLISH).

KENT RODERIGO.]

ORIGIN.—Best authorities claim it to be descended from the old Spanish setting-spaniel.

USES.—Hunting all kinds of game-birds.

* SCALE OF POINTS, ETC.

Value. Skull 5 Nose 5 Ears, lips, and eyes 10 Neck 5 Shoulders and chest 15 Back, quarters, and stifles 15 Legs, elbows, and hocks 12 Feet 8 Flag 5 Symmetry and quality 10 Coat 5 Color 5 --- Total 100

HEAD.—Considerable prominence of occipital bone, moderately narrow between ears, with decided brow over eyes. Nose long, wide, without fullness under eye; nostrils large and wide apart. Dark specimens should have black nose; for orange and whites, or lemon and whites, a colored nose is desirable. Jaws level, and of equal length. Ears small, shorter than a pointer’s, and carried close to cheeks, partly clothed with silky hair; leather thin and soft. Lips not full nor pendulous. Eyes medium size, animated, best colors being brown.

NECK.—Not throaty; skin rather loose; slightly arched.

SHOULDERS AND CHEST.—Shoulders sloping; elbows well let down; chest deep; ribs well sprung, with great depth of back ribs.

BACK.—Arched over loins, but not wheel-back; stifles well bent, set wide apart.

LEGS, ELBOWS, AND TOES.—Legs straight; arms muscular; knees broad and strong; pasterns short; hind legs muscular, plenty of bone; hocks clean and strong.

FEET.—Either cat- or harefoot; but either must be well clothed with hair and between toes.