Text: Edgar Allan Poe (rejected), “A Chapter on Field Sports and Manly Pastimes [Part 03],” Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine (Philadelphia, PA), Vol. IV, no. 3, March 1839, pp. 237-240

[page 237, unnumbered:]

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THE SETTER.

THE Setter was originally a Spaniel, perhaps of the larger kind, taught to sit or couch on scenting the game, as the Hound was subsequently taught to stand or point, in the similar circumstance. Had we not the testimony of history, the deep flue and external form of the Setter, even when highly crossed with the Pointer according to modern fashion, fully demonstrate his origin. A Duke of Northumberland of the fourteenth century, has the reputation of being the first sportsman, who broke and trained the Setting dog to the net. In the year 1685, a Yeoman of the name of John Harris of Willdon, in the parish of Hastlebury, County of Worcester, executed a deed signed by his mark, to Henry Herbert of Robbesford, said County, Esquire, in consideration of ten shillings of lawful English money, well and sufficiently to maintain and keep until the first day of March, for the said Henry Herbert, a Spaniel bitch named Quand, and fully and effectually train up and teach the said bitch to sit Partridges, Pheasants, anti other game, as well and exactly, as the best sitting dogs usually set the same. Daniel, in his Rural Sports, has copied at length, this curious instrument. Setters in Ireland are, or used to be, termed English Spaniels. Mr. Thornhill thus describes the crack Setters in that country: colors deep Chesnut and white, or all red, with the nose and roof of the mouth black. In general, Setters partake of the variety of colors in the Spaniel and Pointer. On the same authority, we learn that the Hibernian Sportsmen are in the habit of giving very liberal prices for the best kinds of this dog; as a proof, a gentleman in the north of Ireland, gave to his tenant for a setter dog and bitch, the renewal of a lease of a farm for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, which farm, had the lease expired, would have cleared to the landlord, above two hundred and My pounds per annum. In this case, it is but fair that we be allowed to presume some additional and valuable consideration. Extraordinary high prices for Setters in England, have not hitherto [page 238:] come under our notice, and we believe at the present time, a very good Setter may be imported for ten pounds sterling. Yet Setters, however extremely useful, and preferred by many Sportsmen, are by no means so numerous as Pointers, the latter breed being the greatest favorites of the English gunners; but Setters are undoubtedly the best dogs for an American sportsman.

The Setter is a very beautiful and engaging dog, and the more so in proportion to retaining his original breed and form, and being free from the Pointer cross. His eye and countenance have all the softness of the Spaniel, and when of good size, with his soft, deep, and curly flue, and long fringed tail, he makes a charming and enticing appearance in the field. It is difficult, however, at present, to find a true Setter, so much has the original breed been mixed with the Pointer; perhaps the breed may have been preserved more pure in Ireland. The field duties of the Setter and Pointer are the same, but the former is the more active, hardy, and spirited, fearing no ground, wet or dry, nor the thickest covers, his feet being narrow, hard, and well defended by hair. He is well fitted for moor and heath, and no day is too long for his unwearied activity and courage. He is said sometimes to be given to strange antipathies, caprices, and self-will in his hunting.

It has been disputed, very uselessly, whether the Setter or Pointer have the most powerful nose; but. let a sportsman take a thorough good dog of either kind, into the field, and he will no Longer trouble himself with that dispute. Beyond a doubt, the Setter is the most useful gun dog of the two; but the Pointer is the Largest, most stately and showy, and is admired for his rate, his high ranging and steadiness. The Setter on his part, may put in his claim, and more especially when of the pure breed, to his full share of the intelligence, sagacity, and affection for man, which shines so eminently and so delightfully in the Spaniel.

The Setter is said to require much water, and to be unable to endure heat and thirst like the Pointer; the former, from his constitutional activity, and the hardiness of his feet, is superior in a long day, over a rough and uneven surface. From accident, or from that never-failing desire of shining by the intermixture of breeds, with little consideration of the end, Pointers have been crossed with Setters, and Setters with Pointers, but we have not observed the beneficial result. On the score of utility, the Setter can derive no improvement from such a cross; and granting, which however is not proved, that the Pointer gains something in regard of usefulness, such advantage will be counter-vailed by an abatement of size, figure, and stateliness, on which account only, perhaps, he superseded the Setter in the affections of the sportsman. Many instances have been related of the unwearied activity and stoutness of the Setter, whilst following his master travelling on horseback; this dog will hunt all the fields adjoining the road, during the journey, whilst a Pointer, in the same circumstances, will generally stick close and unconcernedly at the horse’s heels,

From the care taken in breeding from choice imported dogs, the breed of Setters in America has become of first-rate value. In fact, the Setter is, in every way, better adapted to the use of gunners here than any dog that can be named. Somerville, in his excellent and characteristic poem of The Chase, truly describes the qualities and habits of this excellent animal:

The method necessary to be observed in the training and breaking of Setters, will be given in another chapter.

THE SPANIEL.

The name of the Spaniel race is derived from its supposed original country, Spain. There are many sub-varieties — the smaller Spaniel, with small round head, the ears and tails covered with long hair — King Charles’ Spaniels — the Maltese or Bichon of Buffon — the lion dog — the Calabrian or carriage dog — the hunting Spaniel or Cocker — the Setter — the Newfoundland dog — the Alpine Spaniel — the water Spaniel — the small or petit barbet — the Shock dog, a race between the water Spaniel and the Shepherd’s dog.

The hunting Spaniel, or Springer, (Canis extrarius of Linnæus,) is useful in the pursuit of any kind of game in this country. The true English bred springing Spaniel differs but little in figure [page 239:] from the Setter, except in size: their chief difference consists in the former having a larger head than the latter in proportion to the hulk of his body; they vary also in a small degree in point of color, from red, yellow, or liver color and white, which seems to be the invariable standard of the breed. They are nearly two-fifths less in height and strength than the Setter, their form being more delicate, their eats longer, very soft and pliable, covered with a coat of long waving and silky hair; the nose is red or black, the latter bring the surest mark of high bleeding; the tail is bushy and pendulous, and is always in motion when employed in pursuit of game.

Differently from other dogs used in shooting, both the springer and the cocker give tongue the moment they either smell or see game; and this gives intimation to the sportsmen. who generally station themselves on the skirts of the wood or covert to which woodcocks, snipes, and pheasants are known to fly when started.

Both this dog and the cocker are frequently used as finders in greyhound-coursing, and are no less eager to start a hare, which they pursue with as much ardor as they do winged game.

From the time the springer is thrown off in the field, he gives evident proofs of the pleasure he experiences in being thus employed, by the perpetual motion of his tail, which is termed feathering amongst sportsmen; and upon the increasing vibration of which the experienced fowler well knows

that he is getting nearer to the of of attraction.

The nearer he approaches the game, the more energetic the dog becomes in his endeavors to succeed; tremulous whispers escape him, as a symptom of doubt; but the moment this doubt is dispelled, and the game is found, his clamorous raptures break forth in full force. He expresses his gratification by loud and quick barking, which may be relied on as a proof that he has not sought in vain; leaving the happy owner exultingly to boast, that he is in possession of at least one faithful domestic, who never tells a lie.”

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THE COCKER SPANIEL.

The cocker spaniel is much smaller than the springing spaniel, and is generally used for woodcock and snipe shooting. His diminutive size peculiarly tits him for ranging in low and thick coverts, for which purpose nature seems peculiarly to have adapted him.

The cocker differs from the springer in having a shorter and more compact form, a rounder head, and a shorter muzzle; the ears are very long, the limbs are short and strong; the tail is generally truncated and more bushy; and the hair of the conker, over his whole body, is more curled than that of the springer. He varies in color from liver alai white, red, red and white, black and white, all liver-colored, and not unfrequently black, with tanned legs and muzzle.

This beautiful and lively dog seems to have been produced, originally, by a cross between the small water spaniel and the springer, for he. not only resembles the figure of the latter, but also has many of his habits, combined with the. lively and active disposition of both. From the beauty and temper of the cocker, the breed has become very generally diffused, and he is most frequently a companion in the parlor than used in the sports of the field. [page 240:]

In his general qualifications the cocker differs but little from the springer, except that he is decidedly more active; he appears also to have a more acute sense of smelling, and pursues game with an enthusiasm amounting to ecstacy. From his lively temperament, he does not tire so soon as the springer, however long the Labor of the day may be.

From an innate principle of this industrious little animal, he gives the loudest proofs of his ecstatic delight upon finding, or even coming upon the scent, foot, or haunt of game; it is also his determined resolution to persevere until he has fairly driven them from covert. Consequently all sportsmen who take the field with corkers, are compelled to be on the alert, and to keep pace with the progress which the dogs make in the wood, otherwise they are sure to lose the greater part of the game. They may even travel many a weary mile without obtaining a successful shot, as it is the unalterable nature of these dogs to spring, flush, or start alI the game before them; and they pursue, without distinction, hare, pheasant, partridge, woodcock, snipe, quail, and plover. It thus becomes necessary to hunt them within gun-shot of covert, and bells ca jingles should he placed inside the collars, if the wood is extensive, to prevent them from heating too wide, and to keep them within call of the whistle.

The springer and cocker are more particularly appropriated to pheasant and woodcock shooting. Spaniels of both descriptions are brought into general use and domestic estimation, from their handsome shape, their beautiful sleek coats, their cleanly habits, insinuating manner, incessant attendance, and faithful obedience to their masters, qualities in which they surpass all the other members o ithe canine race.

Cockers are said to be more subject to certain diseases than other dogs, as loss of smell, and swelling of the glands in the neck, which sometimes prevents their taking any assistance tin they die; a disease of the ears, like the mange, called formicæ; and lastly to the mange itself, which is most destructive of all to their beauty, health, and quiet.

The training of spaniels is comparatively easy; and in the field, the chief object is to keep them within bounds and call as much as possible, and to repress, in due degree, their incessant activity, to keep pace with which the sportsman had need partake somewhat of their active nature.