The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-15
HISTORY OF POINTER
Is FULL OF CHARM
Description Of Breed Written
in 1928 Makes Good Read
ing To-day.
BIG CHANGE SINCE THEN

The following interesting description
Sports of Great Britain published by
Thomas Mclean in the year 1923. and
should prove interesting reading to the
lovers of this breed. 1t shows plainly
that the pointer has undergone some
radical changes In the last century, but
1t also contains many things which are
familiar to the admirers of the short
coated bird finder:
Pointer 10 merely a pointing hound,
but although probably any hound might
be taught to point or set game, there
may be n variety of hound which are
natural pointers. This seems to be the
case. There Is a hiatus. however, non
Nalde defendus, in our sporting records
respecting this variety of hound. for we
are quite in the dark as to the period
at which he was introduced into this
country. where in former days the set
ter or setting spaniel were in use for
similar purposes. 1t might probably be
nearly or somewhat subsequent TO the
Revolution.
1t IL agreed the pointer came from
Spain. as the Spanish pointer is first
noticed In our sporting annals, n dog
much resembling the old Southern hound
In head. ear. exquisite fineness OF nose
and general heaviness. This original
pointer has since been crossed with the
modern english foxhound. thereby Civ
ing him superior lightness. elegance Of
form and speed, but detracting from his
olfactory powers. Very few or zone Of
the old Spanish breed remain in the
country. but many which strongly re-
an1hl than aS having haan ai4ybttN
crossed. The pointer also has frequently
been crossed with the setter: indeed the
crossing has been interchangeable be-
tween these two rival breeds. The pur-
poses to which the gunner applies his
pointer are to find and point game. and
also. particularly in the absence of the
spaniel. to find md bring In the dead or
wounded game. In order to the due
performance OF this last duty the dog
must be trained to have a tender mouth
and the greatest Arefulness that the
feather of the game be broken as little
as possible and the flesh as little torn
or bruised.
Some sportsmen contend that neither
spaniel nor pointer should be suffered to
intermeddle in this affair. in which case
the duty OF finding. however difficult
and fatiguing. must devolve upon the
servant or themselves. OF all the sport
ing dogs the pointer Is the most diff
cult to train. not seing void OF that
ductlity OF disposition by which some
other species are distinguished, but that
his lessons are more numerous and tedi-
Gus. requiring a greater share of sa-
gacity and heed. To complete his edu-
cation he must be made staunch to bird.
dog and gum. to back his partner, to
quarter his ground thoroughly and hon
estly. to know his place and to yield a
steady obedience. A stately. high rang
ing pointer endowed with these auarif-
cations Is a valuable property to any
gentlemen attached to the sports of the
field.
Pointers and settlers may he used n
discriminatory for the same purposes.
hut the former are chiefly employed on
partridge and pheasant. In pursuit OF
moor game the setter as the most hardy
Is now universally preferred. The price
OF a good pointer is about 20 TO %
gu'neas, but some individual species en-
lowed with very high qualities have oh
tained for their owners proportionate
prices. OF which Col. T~hornton's Dash Is
"A well known example. Dash was sold
FOR between two and three hundred
pounds In wine and other property"