332 BRITISH DOGS 



fowl on the Avon and the tributary streams about Wootton-Wawen 

 and Henley-in-Arden, as no doubt did also the poet of field sports, 

 Somerville, in that charming part of Warwickshire where he lived, 

 wrote, and now lies buried. 



Here is the description of the English Water Spaniel, published 

 by the Sporting Spaniel Society : 



Skull. Long, straightish, and rather narrow. 



Jaws. Long and rather pointed, without superfluous lip. 



Eyts. Small, dark, and intelligent. 



Ears. Of medium length, set on forward, and thickly coated. 



Neck. Strong, and of fair length. 



Shoulders. Somewhat low and broad. 



Fore Legs. Long and strong, with bone of great size. 



Body. Large, round, and barrel-like ; back ribs well developed ; chest deep 

 and broad. 



Loin. Strong and very slightly arched. 



Hindquarters. Long and muscular, the stifle well bent. The croup rising 

 towards the stern, combined with the low shoulder, gives the dog the appearance 

 of standing higher behind than in front. 



Feet. Large, strong, and well-spread, thickly clothed with hair, especially 

 between the pads. 



Stern. Carried a little above the level of the back, but by no means highly. 



Coat. Oily, and composed of thick, crisp curls, no topknot, and the curl 

 should end at the occiput, leaving the face quite smooth and lean-looking. Ears 

 and stern thickly covered with ringlets. 



Colour. Liver-and- white, self-coloured liver, or liver-roan-and-white, with 

 usually a blaze up the face. 



