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Description

A wonderfully detailed chromolithograph of a dog by Paul Caillard from his beautifully illustrated book "Les Chiens d'Arret: Races Anglais, Dresseage, Hygiene de Chenil". This book was published in Paris in 1890 by J. Rothschild. This 7 3/4" x 11" print has been hinged onto a larger 13 3/4" x 18 1/2" sheet. Paul Caillard was a prolific 19th century writer who explored a number of scientific and natural history trajectories. "Les Chiens d'Arret" illustrates the history and characteristics of a variety of sporting dog breeds. It also contains the breeding history of each dog culled from the National Kennel Club stud book. Dogs in the Sporting group, which are referred to in England as Gundogs can be divided into three main categories - Retrievers, Pointers and Setters. These dogs were bred primarily to work with people to hunt game birds. Some of these dogs work in water whilst other dogs are more suited to work on land and many of the dogs in the Sporting dog category are comfortable and capable of working in either land or water environments. Sporting dogs (Gundogs) are particularly suited to wood and field activities. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for. Overall this print is in very good condition with some foxing/staining and a few creases in margins.