316 THE AMEKICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



unpopular 3 ' ' My answer is that they are the victims of 

 ignorance and prejudice. 



It may be pertinent to remark that I know of no one 

 who has taken up Clumbers who is not more than pleased 

 and satisfied with them; nay, in nearly every instance they 

 are enthusiastic in their praise. 



Clumbers as bred in America are much higher on the 

 leg than the general run of English dogs, consequent upon 

 their having been bred, until the last few years, for shoot- 

 ing only, and without reference to bench-show points of 

 excellence. A working Spaniel must have a certain amount 

 of leg; but then, again, leg can be overdone, just as low- 

 ness can be, and many of our Clumbers are far too abund- 

 antly supplied with understandings. But while I dislike 

 extreme legginess greatly, I also abhor the exaggerated 

 long and low type, whose bellies nearly sweep the ground. 

 It is purely a fancy fad that construes "short" in a 

 standard to mean shortest and "low" lowest. Why we 

 should rush to extremes, instead of following a midway 

 course, for the life of me I can not see. 



In breeding Clumbers, this tendency to extreme leggi- 

 ness is to be guarded against. Another general fault is the 

 un-Clumber-like ear, and few specimens have really well- 

 shaped and well-hung ones. The ear is so distinctive a 

 mark of the breed that this is to be deplored. Expression 

 of the true kind, too, is seldom seen, and heads are far too 

 apt to be misshapen. In England, I learn, the breed is fast 

 deteriorating from its old-time excellence; but I hope that 

 the proverbial American push and intelligence will in time 

 succeed in resuscitating the Clumber Spaniel. 



Probably the best Clumber ever seen Avas Mr. Bullock's 

 Old Nabob, some time since* dead. I have repeatedly en- 

 deavored to secure a portrait of him, but without success; 

 indeed, a prominent English Spaniel owner writes to me: 

 "I do not think there is a photograph of Nabob in exist- 

 ence. I knew the dog, and the gentleman who owned him, 

 during nearly the whole of his show time. Mr. Bullock 

 was awfully jealous of his dogs, and hardly liked people 



