THE SPANIELS 313 



the eighteenth century ; and the picture of the Spaniels belonging to 

 a gentleman (a dweller, however, on the Welsh border) who died in 

 the middle of the eighteenth century, bears eloquent testimony that 

 the red-and-white Spaniels of that period were of the same type as 

 those of to-day, and gives them an authentic record in antecedence 

 of the Clumber. 



But the English red-and-white breeds have died out long ago; 

 and South Wales seems to be the only region that has cherished and 

 preserved them to the present day, which fact goes far to justify the 

 claim of their fellow-countrymen that these Spaniels shall be for the 

 luture called Welsh, and that all red-and-white Springers shall appear 

 at trials and exhibitions under this title. Anyhow, the antiquity of 

 the Welsh Spaniels is proved by " A Quartogenarian " in his letter 

 (Nov. 1833) to the "Sporting Magazine," in which, referring to a 

 " yellow-and-white " Spaniel, that had been given to Mr. Prowse 

 Jones by an Officer, he adds "who got it somewhere about Brecon 

 of what was then there termed the old Welsh breed." 



The enemies of this most sporting gundog seem to think it an 

 almost conclusive argument against him that, till lately, he was 

 unknown in the show-ring, and, indeed, outside his own " sphere 

 of influence " ; whereas the preservation of his type is due to his 

 having thus escaped the attention of "fanciers." 



As workers these Spaniels have no superiors ; and the methodical 

 quartering, so merrily and so steadily executed by a team of four of 

 them at the 1901 trials, delighted every one. 



To Mr. Williams, of Ynisygerwn, the writer is indebted for the 

 following notes, which are a supplement to the description of this 

 variety, promulgated by a committee of the Welsh members of the 

 Sporting Spaniel Society : 



" The Welsh * Spaniel,' or ' Springer,' is also known and referred 

 to in Wales as a * Starter.' He is of a very ancient and pure origin, 

 and is a distinct variety, which has been bred and preserved purely 

 for working purposes. The show-bench has therefore in no way 

 affected him, and he retains his beauty and his working properties. 

 The true original colour is red-and-white (of varying shades). The 

 standard of points adopted for this variety of Spaniel by the Kennel 

 Club is as follows : 



Skull. Fairly long and fairly broad, -slightly rounded, with a stop at the 

 eyes. 



Jaws. Medium length, narrow (when looked at downwards), straight, fairly 

 square, the nostrils well developed, and flesh-coloured or dark. A short, chubby 

 head is objectionable. 



Eyes. Hazel or dark brown, medium size, intelligent, not prominent, not 

 sunken nor showing haw. 



Ears, Comparatively small, covered with feather not longer than the ear, 

 set moderately low and hanging close to the cheeks. 



Neck. Strong, muscular, clean in throat. 



