330 BRITISH DOGS 



kinds being peculiarly wary and timid. The dog should even be 

 taught to slip into the water noiselessly, and not with a rush and 

 plunge, if the bag is to be well filled ; he must quest assiduously 

 and in silence, keeping well within range and working to signal ; 

 and he must be a thorough retriever, as bold and persevering as 

 obedient. 



Two sizes are referred to in the old books ; but for the fresh- 

 water fowler a large dog is not required, and one weighing from 

 3olb. to 4olb. will work, more advantageously than a big one, 

 the sedges, reeds, osiers, "etc., that fringe river, pool, and loch. 



These are the points of the English Water Spaniel : 



General Appearance, Strong, compact, of medium size, leggy by comparison 

 with the Clumber, Sussex, or Field Spaniel, and showing much greater activity. 



Htad. Rather long; the brow apparent, but not very great; jaws fairly 

 long, and slightly, but not too much, pointed ; the whole face and skull to the 

 occiput covered with short smooth hair, and no forelock as in the Irish Water 

 Spaniel. 



Eyes. Fairly full but not watery, clear, brown-coloured, with intelligent, 

 beseeching expression. 



Ears. Long, rather broad, soft, pendulous, and thickly covered with curly 

 hair of greater length than on body. 



Neck. Short, thick, and muscular. 



Chest. Capacious, the barrel stout, and the shoulders wide and strong, 



Loins. Strong, the buttocks square, and the thighs muscular. 



Legs. Rather long, straight, strong of bone, and well clothed with muscle ; 

 and \\iQfeet a good size, rather spreading, without being absolutely splay-footed. 



Coat. Over the whole upper part of the body and sides thick and closely curled, 

 flatter on the belly and the front of the legs, which should, however, be well 

 clad at the back with feathery curls. The prevailing colour is liver-and-white, but 

 whole liver, black, and black-and-white are also described by some writers. 



Tail. Is usually docked, rather thick, and covered with curls. 



There is nothing to alter in the foregoing admirable description, 

 which appeared in the First Edition of this work. The following 

 remarks, which occur in the last Edition, shall also be left intact : 



" The Kennel Club Stud Book has only increased its list in the 

 class for Water Spaniels other than Irish by fourteen in twelve years. 

 This does not seem a very creditable performance on the part of 

 a body of men possessing the great power and influence of the 

 Kennel Club, the avowed object of which is the encouragement 

 and improvement of every breed of dog. The reason is not far to 

 seek. But surely a dog club occupying the position of a national 

 institution, whether self-assumed or not, ought to encourage the 

 indigenous and long-established breeds of dogs of Britain ; and the 

 Water Spaniel has a title to be included in the list superior to many 

 that are made much of whilst it is neglected. 



For many years the dogs awarded prizes as Water Spaniels 

 at our shows have been Spaniels with coats almost as flat as that 



