ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS 



593 



Duke of Marlborough, since which time the breed has been so 

 closely associated with that illustrious family as for ever to bear the 

 name of their home Blenheim Palace. 



The colour of the Blenheim is a pearly white and bright tan. 

 The original in both type and character was very different from that 

 of the present day ; indeed, so great is the difference that many 

 people find it difficult to believe that they are one and the same. 

 The ears were larger and the coat was wavy, as may be seen by 

 the pictures of the old masters. The character of the early Spaniel 

 more nearly resembled that of the miniature Cocker ; indeed, we 

 are told that a former Duke 

 of Marlborough used the 

 Blenheim for hunting pur- 

 poses. 



An old writer referring 

 to the Blenheim of the 

 last century, says : " The 

 smallest Spaniel passing 

 under the denomination of 

 Cockers is that peculiar 

 breed in the possession 

 and preservation of the 

 Duke of Marlborough and 

 his friends ; these are in- 

 variably red-and-white, with 

 very long ears, short noses, 

 and black eyes ; they are 

 excellent and indefatigable, 

 being held in great estima- 

 tion with those sportsmen 

 who became possessed of 

 the breed." How far this 

 breed would suit the sportsman of to-day experience does not 

 give us an opportunity to say, owing to the changes the Blenheim 

 has undergone. In the writer's experience he is often a game 

 little dog, but predominantly a lady's pet. 



The following description ancl anecdotes, furnished by the owner 

 of Bowsie, one of the well-known champions of the past twenty 

 years, is somewhat typical of the best qualities of the breed : 



" My old favourite would never make friends with any strangers, 

 unless he considered them drawing-room guests; then he would 

 don his most gracious airs, poise his head on one side, and put 

 out his paw to be shaken, at the same time waving his flag in 

 token of welcome. But woe be unto a back-door intruder if 

 Bowsie were near, no Bulldog or Mastiff could appear more 



38 



FIG. 123. BLENHEIM SPANIEL. 



