The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-20
THE POINTER
A Manly Statement From a True
Sportsman


of the American Field is the manly
statement of true sportsman, says
Field Sports. Mr.. Buckles is compe-
tent handler, who loves pointer as we'll
as anybody, and has probably developed
more winners, of that breed than any
other man now in the field He has
run his dogs under whatever judges the
several clubs have seen fit to select and
made no complaint. When he won he
knew that it was the quality of the dog
that gave him the position, and wher
he was beaten he knew also that it was
the work of his opponents dog that
beat him and not the length of it's hair
Mr.. Buckles is right in his remarks
about pedigrees, for only from the right
blood lines can one expect to breed indi-
vidual quality. The pointer men of
America can no more expect to breed
winners from certain blood lines than
do their brethren of the setter fancy ex-
pect to breed winners from Monk of
Furness, Count Howard, Rockingham or
Cactus stock. If the, pointer men will
breed right they can expect winners.
But if they breed for slow, pottering,
over-cautious dogs, they must not ac-
cuse the judges of bias if their dogs
don't win.
Mr.. Buckles article is capital reading
for same of our California sportsmen,
and we give it below for their careful
perusal:
II think Mr.. Ashford is unnecessarily
perturbed when thinking that the point
er will not have a fair show at the COM
ing field trials, because most all the
judges are setter men. Even supposing
they are, what of it? Do not the past
records go to prove that Mr.. Dexter
has competed many times almost sin
glehanded against settlers under setter
judges and frequently got placed. and
on one occasion won two of the three
places at the eastern trials under the
most pronounced setter men, Colonel
Merriman and H. B. Duryea? I shall
always maintain that if a thoroughly
competent judge does not place the best
dog. irrespective of breed (barring flukeS
and acoidents) it is because he does not
want to- and in his heart of hearts is
not really an honorable man. l cannot
understand the following statements as
coming from Mr.. Ashford, knowing him
as 1 do, and considering the respect 1
have for him, because, to say the least,
the principles are decidedly unsports-
manlike:
1T would be pity to date the point
er's decline from the inauguration of a
custom to select all setter men to judge
pointers in setter competitions. l do not
believe pointer men ought to and will
supports these clubs. They should show
their disapproval of such injustice by
keeping their pointers at home. To say
the least the pointer breeders will not
take the same interest'in developing or
running their dog, and by degrees they
will drop out. :. l will not run
away myself and am using my influence
to the utmost to keep my pointer friends
from doing so, until the judging condi-
lions change
II feel certain the various clubs have
endeavored to get the services of the best
judges obtainable and the idea inferred
that the members, most of whom ara
thorough sportmen are trying to down
a breed other than their fancy is a most
despicable insinuation. beg to say that.
| If all goes well, the Charlottesville ken
rel intends to enter and run in every
! stake possible. and we ask fellow pointer
breeders and sportmen, in behalf of this
noble breed, to stick to US; do not get
| frightened and listen to any such back
down talk. After all Mr. Dexter has
done in the past for this breed it is a
mighty poor compliment to leave him
to fight the settere alone in those days
as in the past, especially just as we have
gained the respect of the setter men, who
no longer look upon us with disdain but
as a worthy fee.
1T is easy enough to call for pointer
judges, and, since it is human nature
to lean to its preference, how many pro-
rounced prejudiced pointer judges are
there?
| IF pointer breeders would give more
attention to pedisrees; avoid certain
blood, as if poison; breed only from the
best individuals; and, lastly, benefit by
the experience of setter breeders by not
breeding in too close, we would have less
kicking and more winners.
&C. E. BUCKLES"