ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS 595 



run after a cycle or a carriage, and often exhibits his ancestral traits 

 in the field. 



Owing to the characteristics of the four varieties being so similar, 

 with the exception of colour, in giving the description they are 

 treated as one, and, with slight alteration, according to the standard 

 formulated by the Toy Spaniel Club, which has classified, and 

 done much to promote the interests of the different varieties of 

 Toy Spaniels. 



/&#,/. This is the most prominent feature. " It should be well domed, and 

 in some specimens is absolutely semi-globular, sometimes even extending beyond 

 the half-circle, and absolutely projecting over the eyes, so as to nearly meet the 

 upturned nose." 



Eyes. These are set wide apart, with the eyelids square to the line of face 

 not oblique, or fox-like. The eyes themselves are large, and so dark "as to be 

 generally considered black, their enormous pupils, which are absolutely of that 

 colour, increasing the deception. From their large size there is almost always 

 a certain amount of weeping shown at the inner angles." This is probably owing 

 to the amount of light that enters in consequence, though it is said to be due 

 " to a defect in the lachrymal duct." 



Stop, The " stop," or hollow between the eyes, is well marked, as in the 

 Bulldog, or even more pronounced, some good specimens exhibiting a hollow deep 

 enough to bury a small marble. 



Nose. The nose must lie short and well turned up between the eyes, and 

 without any indication of artificial or unnatural displacement afforded by a 

 deviation to either side. The colour of the end should be black, and it should 

 be both deep and wide, with open nostrils. 



Jaw. The lower jaw must be wide between its branches, leaving plenty of 

 room for the tongue and for the attachment of the lower lips, which should com- 

 pletely conceal the teeth. It should be turned up, or " finished," so as to allow 

 of its meeting the end of the upper jaw, turned up in a similar way as above 

 described. The tongue should on no account protrude. 



Ears. The ears must be long, so as to approach the ground. In an average- 

 sized dog they measure I5in. to 2oin. from tip to tip, and in some reach 

 22in., or even more. They should be set low on the head, and be heavily 

 feathered. In this respect the King Charles is expected to exceed the Blenheim, 

 and his ears occasionally extend to 24in. 



Size. The most desirable size, according to the Club standard, is determined 

 by weight, which is "from 7lb. to lolb. " ; but owing to the deceptive appear- 

 ance of the small, cobby dogs, I2lb. or 13!!). does not mean a large specimen. 



Shape. In compactness of shape these Spaniels almost rival the Pug, but the 

 length of the coat adds greatly to the apparent bulk, as the body when the coat 

 is wetted looks small in comparison with that dog. Still, it ought to be decidedly 

 " cobby," with strong, stout legs, broad back, and wide chest. The symmetry of 

 the Toy Spaniel is of importance. 



Coat. The coat should be long, silky, soft, and wavy, but not curly. In the 

 Blenheim there should be a profuse mane, extending well down in front of the 

 chest ; and the feather should be displayed on the ears and feet, and so long as 

 to give the latter the appearance of being webbed. It is also well carried up the 

 back of the legs. In the King Charles the feathering on the ears is very long 

 and profuse, exceeding that of the Blenheim by an inch or more. 



Tail. This is usually "docked" to the length of "three and a half or four 

 inches." "The feather should be silky, and about 5in. or 6in. in length, con- 

 stituting a marked ' flag,' "of a square shape, and not carried above the level 

 of the back." 



