THE RETRIEVERS 345 



Such as Champions Uarenth, Horton Rector, Black Quilt, 

 Wimpole Peter, Boreas of Batsford, and Pettings Mallard are 

 worthy of special mention, and they one and all had the 

 reputation of being most brilliant workers ; whilst Paul of River- 

 side and Black Charm are youngsters that should obtain champion- 

 ship honours in the near future. Amongst stud dogs, Black Drake 

 and Darenth stand out alone. 



As already remarked, good bitches have been far more in 

 evidence of late years than good dogs ; but amongst a galaxy of 

 beauty, Champion Worsley Bess, Champion Black Queen, Champion 

 Bring 'Em, Champion Black Squirrel, Champion Dido of Swynnerton, 

 Champion Kite, Champion Twiddle, Horton Fern, Colwyn Clytic, 

 Black Adder, and Pettings Ruth are, or were, exceptionally beautiful 

 specimens. Of these Champion Worsley Bess is dam of Paul of 

 Riverside, whilst Champion Black Queen is dam of Champion 

 Black Quilt. 



THE CURLY-COATED RETRIEVER 



As remarked at the beginning of this chapter, the Curly-coated 

 Retriever is not nearly so popular as his Flat-coated relative, and, 

 in the writer's opinion, the genuine show article is not in general use 

 with the gun. Nevertheless, he is a striking-looking member of 

 the canine race, and though quantity is wanting, quality is well 

 represented amongst the select few. 



There seems to be a prevailing impression that the average dis- 

 position of the Curly-coated Retriever (Fig. 74) is not as sweet and 

 benevolent as that of the more popular dog, and that he is less 

 tractable. The writer's only experience of these animals is in the 

 show-ring, and he confesses that he has always found the exhibits mild 

 and friendly enough. Probably the real reason of their unpopularity 

 lies in the fact that they are more or less a " fancy " breed, and that 

 their beautiful astrachan coats, which constitute by far the most 

 important item in the scale, require a deal of keeping in order 

 and expert manipulation. Mr. S. Darbey used to be facile pri nceps 

 as a breeder and an exhibitor. His Tiverton Beauties had a wonder- 

 ful success in their own classes, and generally managed to squelch 

 opposition, when opposed to even the very best Flat-coated specimens; 

 whilst one or other of them often annexed special prizes for "the 

 best dog or bitch in the show," or " the best sporting team." 

 Messrs. Mason and Wood, too, have been very faithful to the breed, 

 and have shown many specimens of the highest merit ; but the 

 writer thinks that they have a leaning towards the other variety, 

 as they have taken to showing a good one now and then. The 

 same remark applies to Mr. Duerdin Dutton, who, once one of 



