DOMESTIC DOGS 



529 



^Lurchers 



The lurcher is a cross either between the rough Scotch greyhound 

 and the collie, or between the English greyhound and the sheep-dog, 

 or any pair of these four. Some lurchers are very handsome animals, while others 

 are equally ugly. With these variations it is difficult to give any precise description 

 of the breed, which may, however, be roughly designated as a dog with the general 

 shape of a greyhound, combined with the stouter build, larger ears, and rougher 

 coat of the sheep-dog. 



Field S aniel With tlie field ' s P aniel > of which there are several varieties, we reach 

 s the third division of domestic dogs, all of which are characterized 

 by their large pendent ears, comparatively wide heads, with moderate muzzles, 

 relatively short and stout limbs, thick and frequently long hair, and thickly-haired 

 tails. Their skulls 

 are distinguished 

 irom those of all 

 the dogs yet men- 

 tioned by their 

 width and com- 

 parative shortness, 

 this being espe- 

 cially noticeable in 

 the palate and 

 lower jaw. The 

 profile of the skull 

 is also more mark- 

 edly concave, the 

 brain case rising 

 suddenly at the 

 eyes, and thus in- 

 dicating great men- 

 tal power. True 

 spaniels, as their 



name denotes, are probably of Spanish origin, and are divided into field and water- 

 spaniels, in addition to which there are the smaller breeds kept only as pets. Field- 

 spaniels form some of the best shooting dogs, and generally give notice of the 

 proximity of game by their voice. They are now divided into the Clumber, 

 Sussex, Norfolk, and Cocker breeds. 



The Clumber spaniel is distinguished by its silence when hunting ; and is a 

 heavily-built animal, of comparatively large size, and soon tiring when at work. 

 The head is massive, with a deep furrow along the top, large flesh or liver-colored 

 nostrils, large and generally hazel eyes, and long ears shaped like a vine leaf, with- 

 out a very long fringe of hair. In build the Clumber is long and low ; the length of 

 the head and body being properly two and one-half times the height. The hair of 

 the body should be silky and of moderate length, with a slight wave, but no curl ; its 

 .ground color being always white, with yellow or orange spots, the lemon-yellow tint 

 t>eing preferred. The Sussex spaniel, which has the ordinary lobe-shaped ear and 

 34 



CLUMBER SPANIEL. 



