Pointing and retrieving were all one to him.
He would watch a towered or a stung bird, and let him go and he would go straight, judging distance well, a thing very few retrievers can do; and if the bird did not rise again, he would to a certainty bring him.
The only retriever that I have seen judge distance with a towered bird was a large black dog belonging to the late Sir Stephen Glyn. He marked the bird; the ground being difficult he went, not straight, but across other fields to the right of his bird.
I never did any good with red Irish setters, but it does not follow that, others may not have done so, but I very much doubt it.
I was persuaded to buy a beautiful young pedigree bitch puppy, warranted from dogs that on both sides were worked on grouse. She was perfect in shape and colour, but the veriest fool that ever ranged a moor.
After a season's experience not work, for she never did any work except range beautifully, David said that I had better shoot her.
No, I said; I will advertise her in The Field, and I did as follows:—
"A very handsome —— pedigree red Irish setter bitch, useless on the field, no nose; probably make a winner on the show bench."
I had several applications, and got a few pounds for her, which I handed to David.
