CHAPTER XXIX 

 THE RETRIEVERS 



No breed of latter days has sprung into greater favour than that 

 of the Flat-coated Retriever ; but whereas he has improved in both 

 quality and quantity, his Curly-coated cousin has sunk in disfavour, 

 despite the efforts of the devoted band who formed themselves 

 into a club for his development and maintenance an advantage (?) 

 which the flat-coated variety has never fully enjoyed, although in 

 the year 1900 a subsidiary society was formed for its benefit, 

 which society was affiliated to the Gun-dog League; but no 

 great encouragement has been offered by this body, with the 

 exception of the institution of Retriever trials in connection with 

 those periodically held for Pointers, Setters, and Spaniels. 



That the Curly-coated Retriever is doomed to practical ex- 

 tinction is a notable and an undeniable fact, which must be 

 put down to the inevitable law of the survival of the fittest. 



For every Curly-coated dog (speaking of the recognised show 

 type) used in the field, or exhibited on the bench, there are now 

 a score, at least, of Flat-coats. The origin of the latter variety 

 is not very remote, and is by no means difficult to fathom. It 

 may be taken that the Labrador dog and the old English black 

 Setter are the tap-roots from which it has generated and developed. 

 Sometimes the cross of the Gordon, and even the Irish, Setter 

 has been resorted to, as evidenced by the throw-back of red- or 

 liver-coloured puppies, and others showing a sprinkling of brindle 

 on the legs, muzzle, and thighs, whilst the tan eye-spot not 

 infrequently displays itself. It may be that in the earlier days 

 of the nineteenth century Retrievers closely resembling the modern 

 finished article were to be met with ; but it was not until the days 

 of Mr. Gorse, Mr. Thorpe-Bartram, and Mr. S. E. Shirley were 

 reached, that a uniform and recognised type was arrived at ; and 

 to the champions of the show-bench belonging to these gentlemen, 

 our present-day representatives, almost without exception, trace their 

 lineage. 



Adonis, Merlin, Sailor, and Ben were amongst the earliest 

 patriarchs to claim recognition. The last named was the sire of 



