The King Charles Spaniel. 405 



The ears must be long, so as to approach the ground. In an average 

 sized dog they measure 20in. from tip to tip, and some reach 22in., or 

 even a trifle more. They should be set low on the head, and be heavily 

 feathered. In this respect the King Charles is expected to exceed 

 the Blenheim, and his ears occasionally extended to 24in. 



The eyes are set wide apart, with the eyelids square to the line of face, 

 not oblique or fox-like. The eyes themselves are large, lustrous and 

 very dark in colour, so as to be generally considered black ; their enormous 

 pupils, which are absolutely of that colour, increasing the description. 

 From their large size, there is almost always a certain amount of weeping 

 shown at the inner angles. 



In compactness of shape these spaniels almost rival the pug, but the 

 length of coat adds greatly to the apparent bulk, as the body, when the 

 coat is wetted, looks small in comparison with that dog. Still, it ought 

 to be decidedly "cobby," with strong stout legs, broad back, and wide 

 chest. 



The symmetry of the toy spaniel is of some importance, but it is 

 seldom that there is any defect in this respect. 



The colour varies with the breed. In the King Charles a rich black and 

 tan is demanded without white, the black tan and white variety being dis- 

 regarded, though, in the best bred litters, occasionally a puppy of this 

 colour appears. Tan spots over the eyes and on the cheeks, as well as 

 the usual marking on the legs, are also required. The Blenheim, on the 

 other hand, must on no account be whole-coloured, but should have a 

 ground of pure pearly white, with bright rich chesnut red markings, 

 evenly distributed in large patches. The ears and cheeks should be red, 

 and there should be a blaze of white extending from the nose up to the 

 forehead, and ending between the ears in a crescentic curve. In the 

 centre of this blaze there should be a clear " spot" of red, of the size of 

 a sixpence. 



The coat in both varieties should be long, silky, soft, and wavy, but 

 not curly. In the Blenheim there should be a profuse mane, extending 

 well down in front of the chest. 



The feather should be well displayed on the ears and feet, where it is 

 so long as to give the appearance of their being webbed. It is also 

 carried well up the backs of the legs. In the King Charles the feather 

 on the ears is very long and profuse, exceeding that of the Blenheim by 



