Without doubt, the Dalmatian is a pointer when at home; but in this country he has never been used, so far as I know, except to accompany a carriage, in which capacity he is unrivalled. Our English pointers will follow a dogcart quite as closely, and I have had more than one which would occupy the place generally selected by the Dalmatian, close behind the horse's heels; but then they were accustomed to be taken out in the same dogcart to a distance from home, for the purpose of hunting their game; and, associating the idea of hunting with the presence of the dogcart, they clung closely to it, if not allowed to ride. Now, when I have treated greyhounds exactly in the same way, they have not shown the same tendency, but have lagged behind at a distance of at least 100 yards, although in better condition as to wind and feet than the pointers. This peculiarity serves to show that there is a mental capacity common to both the English pointer and the Dalmatian, and confirms the opinion that the latter is a true pointer, differing only in colour from the English breeds of that dog.

So long as it was the fashion to crop the ears of the Dalmatian, the above resemblance was not so close in the eyes of the casual observer, as it was usually thought that the bull-terrier was the nearest approach to him in shape; but now that cropping is never practised the pointer type stands out clearly and prominently, and, saving the peculiar distribution of the black and white on the skin, the external differences are nil. But, whether or not this dog is by nature a game dog, in this country he has so long been confined to the stable that he is now pre-eminently a carriage dog, and he seems to care for no other occupation. Whether quietly resting in a stall or a loose box, or accompanying a carriage, he is equally content, and in the latter capacity he is jubilant, though, unlike the colley, he does not display his joy in barking at the horses' heads, but quietly and closely follows their heels between the fore-wheels. Most other varieties of the species soon tire of going long journeys on the road at a fast pace; but the Dalmatian perseveres year after year, and never seems to lose the zest which he originally displayed.

In spite, however, of the authority of Youatt, who states that "this dog is said to be used in his native country for the chase," the Dalmatian has always been included in our shows among the "dogs not used in field sports," and for this reason I have classed him among the watch dogs. In the time of Youatt, as would appear from the illustration given by him, the peculiar marking now insisted on was not so imperative; and it would be easy to find an English pointer almost exactly resembling his engraving in this respect. The colour of the Devonshire pointer bitch Romp, well known at recent field trials, very nearly approaches this standard, and, no doubt by a judicious selection from her puppies, a moderately good Dalmatian might soon be produced.

From the prevalence of the breed at the institution of shows, it is not surprising that a class was soon formed for it, the first being at the Birmingham exhibition of 1860; but on that occasion the dogs were so bad that, acting as judge, I withheld the prizes altogether. In the following year, at Leeds, a fairly good class appeared, and for some time after this the breed seemed to be rising in public estimation and in appearance; but latterly the colley has superseded it as a carriage dog, and, though some very fine specimens are occasionally exhibited, the classes, on the average, are badly filled. Mr. Harrison's Carlo was the chief prize winner until his son, Mr. R. J. Ll. Price's Crib, appeared at Birmingham in 1866, since which time the latter maintained his supremacy until 1874, when age had begun to tell upon him. In that year his younger brother of the same name, belonging to Mr. Hall, of Burton-on-Trent, beat him at Birmingham, and he retired from competition. Since then Mr. Fawdry's Captain has been the chief prize winner, his colour and markings being specially good.

He was bred by Mr. Burgess, by Captain out of Countess; and, commencing at Nottingham in 1875, monopolised all the first prizes at the London, Birmingham, and other important shows for several years.

The Following Is The Numerical Value Of The Points Op The Dalmatian

Grand Total 100.

1. The Head (Value 10)

1. The head (value 10) exactly resembles that of the pointer, but so long as the nose is cleanly cut under the eyes, and square at the point, great breadth is not insisted on, and there should be no flews. The ears should not be long and houndlike, but flat, thin, and vine-shaped, lying close to the cheeks, and rather smaller than those of the pointer. Eyes small, dark, and brilliant.

2. The Neck (Value 5)

2. The neck (value 5) should be arched like that of the pointer, without any throatiness or approach to dewlap.

3. The Body (Value 5)

3. The body (value 5) must be moderately strong, but not heavy and lumbering; sloping shoulders and a muscular loin are imperative.

4. In Legs And Feet (Value 10)

4. In legs and feet (value 10) the Dalmatian ought to be perfect, as his sole employment is on the road; very strong bone is, however, not demanded, as he has no shocks to withstand, and useless lumber of any kind is to be deprecated. However, straight limbs, united with elbows well let down, and clean hocks, form the desideratum in this breed. The feet must be strong and close, whether hare or cat-like; and the horny sole should specially be regarded as of necessity thick and tough.

5. The Tail (Value 5)

5. The tail (value 5) should be small in bone after it leaves the root, and should be gently curved in one direction only, not with any approach to a corkscrew twist.

6. The Symmetry (Value 10)

6. The symmetry (value 10) should be examined closely, and, if deficient, penalised accordingly.

7. In Coat (Value 5)

7. In coat (value 5) this dog resembles the pointer in all respects, being short, without any approach to silkiness.

8. The Colour (Value 10)

8. The colour (value 10) is either black, liver, or dark blue. Sometimes there is a stain of tan about the head and legs, which is not objected to. A clear jet black is more highly valued than black and tan, the liver and blue being of equal value.

9. The Marking (Value 40)

9. The marking (value 40) is the point on which the judging of this dog mainly depends, some breeders valuing it at 50 out of the 100. I cannot, however, think that a well-marked cripple should prevail over a moderately well-marked dog perfect in all other respects, and I have consequently lowered the valuation of this point to 40. In no case should there be a black patch on any part of the body or head exceeding the size of half a crown, and the nearer the spots approach to the size intermediate between a shilling and half a crown, and to the circular shape, the higher the estimate made. None should be smaller (if possible) than the shilling; but no dog has ever yet appeared without a few such "flecks" or "freckles." A well-spotted tail is greatly admired, but it is very rarely met with. The white ground should be quite distinct from the spots, without any approach to freckles on it and the more regularly the spots are distributed the better. It is usual to divide the valuation of the several qualities in the markings as follows: Size, 15; shape and well-defined edges, 15; regular distribution so as to avoid patches of white, 10.