59 2 



BRITISH DOGS 



Nothing in the canine race can exceed the beauty of this breed 

 when it possesses its natural profusion of coat and feather, with its 

 rich colours nicely distributed. Indeed, in many respects it is more 

 attractive from an artistic standpoint, doubtless for which reason 

 Frith and Landseer chose it for the subjects of their art. Why 

 this breed has apparently declined in popularity is a matter of 

 surprise ; but it is believed, now that more encouragement is given 

 at shows, that it will soon reappear and regain the position it has 

 temporarily lost. 



THE RUBY SPANIEL 



Twenty years ago this variety (Fig. 122) was almost unknown, 



except as a freak of nature, 

 when one would occasionally 

 appear in a litter of pure- 

 bred black-and-tans. They 

 a recognised and 

 breed, and only 



FIG. 122. RUBY SPANIEL. 



are now 



popular 



differ from the King Charles 



in colour, which is a bright 



golden tan. 



It has taken time to 

 bring this breed to its 

 present standard, but we now 

 have many beautiful speci- 

 mens. There is yet another 

 offspring from the King 

 Charles not generally known, 

 that is the deep chocolate- 

 or liver-coloured Ruby, with 

 bright tan markings, as in 

 the King Charles. This 

 variety is as handsome as 

 it is rare, but it is hoped that 

 in the course of time more 

 will be developed to form 

 a class for the show-ring, 



and to compete with their 

 lighter-coloured relatives, each of which appears to act as a setting 

 to the other. 



THE BLENHEIM SPANIEL 



This charming Spaniel (Fig. 123) cannot be traced as far back as 

 the King Charles, but it is believed to have been first imported 

 from Spain in the reign of Charles II., by John Churchill, the first 



