332 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



and very bright and glossy. A harsher texture of coat is 

 generally dull in color, but some very excellent Spaniels have 

 rather strong hair, and this may be, as is by their owners 

 contended, an indication of strength of constitution. It is 

 certainly quite becoming when brilliant and straight, but 

 the tendency of such coats is to be scant and open. The 

 feather should always be long and straight, or slightly 

 wavy, very heavy on ears, back of fore legs, under the belly, 

 and behind the thighs, as well as between the toes, which 

 gives the feet great protection. 



A great deal of interesting contention and discussion 

 has periodically been occasioned by the interbreeding of 

 Cockers and Springers, and I have been asked to give my 

 opinion as to the line of distinction to be drawn between 

 the Field and the Cocker Spaniel. Well, the actual 

 difference is mainly one of size and proportions, and also 

 of temperament. Field Spaniels range from twenty-eight 

 to forty-live pounds weight. Some exceed this latter limit, 

 but I think this is not desirable. Cocker Spaniels should 

 weigh from eighteen to twenty-five pounds, or, as the stand- 

 ard defines, even twenty-eight pounds. Field Spaniels 

 should be proportionately lower, heavier in bone, and gen- 

 erally slower, and longer in body; Cocker Spaniels, pro- 

 portionately higher, but strong in muscle, more active, and 

 cobbier in build. While both classes should display the 

 essential characteristics of the sporting Spaniel, more dash 

 and energy, and general eagerness (which their more active 

 build and smaller size indicate), are expected from the 

 smaller breed; and, on the other hand, a closer range, 

 stricter obedience to signs and whistles, and the same dili- 

 gence in work should be looked for in the larger and 

 heavier breed. The Cocker may be shorter in head and 

 body, but should exhibit a well-formed muzzle, showing a 

 well-developed nose and flews, with lips well pendent; and 

 in both breeds the ears should be long in leather, and with 

 good feather, set low on head, especially so with the larger 

 breed. It is esteemed a point of beauty in Field Spaniels to 

 have the peak of the occiput well marked and rising in a 



