ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS 60 1 



visitors that may venture to intrude. Too frequent combing, 

 particularly with a small comb, is not recommended, however, as the 

 coat of the Toy Spaniel is tender, and the comb may rob it of its 

 glory, but the more it is brushed the glossier and more beautiful 

 it will become. 



A warm bath, in soft rain water if possible, not less than once 

 in two or three weeks, will usually keep our pets clean and fresh, 

 and fit for the lap of ye daintiest ladie ; but the bath requires both 

 care and hard work, because the coat of the Toy Spaniel is long 

 and fine, and the skin is sensitive and delicate. After the lathering 

 has been done and the coat well washed care being taken to keep 

 the soap out of the ears, eyes, and nose of our pet, to prevent which 

 it is best to wash the head last the water should be changed for 

 the purpose of rinsing out all the remaining soap and dirt ; the 

 coat then requires first wringing with the hands, and then to be 

 vigorously rubbed with dry towels, until it is as dry as practicable, 

 after which the dog should be placed in a blanket, near a fire if 

 the weather is cold or damp, or in the sunshine in summer time. 

 Care must be taken to keep the dog out of the cold or draught until 

 after the coat is dry, and before then it should not be allowed to move 

 even over an ordinary carpet or floor, as the long coat catches up 

 all the dust or dirt that may exist. Before the coat is dry it may 

 be carefully combed and brushed, as it can be more easily dis- 

 entangled while damp than if left until it is quite dry, and, like the 

 human hair, will better retain its position afterwards. 



If the hair is short or falling out, grooming serves as massage, 

 causing activity in the cells of the skin and stimulating the growth 

 of hair. Cocoanut oil or ordinary vaseline may be advantageously 

 employed, if used moderately and well rubbed in ; but the rubbing 

 is half the virtue. Of course, in the case of specific disease it is 

 advisable to secure experienced treatment. 



The labour involved in preparing Toy Spaniels for an exhibition 

 is always tedious, even to the ardent fancier. The special washing, 

 brushing, and combing, which is so essential, and then the watchful 

 care required to keep the would-be champions from soiling their 

 parade coats, always precedes the show-ring, from which cares many 

 other breeds of dogs are exempt. 



Unfortunately, like the rest of the canine race, our highly bred 

 Spaniels are short lived, and seldom exceed more than fifteen years. 

 For the brilliancy of their colourings, the variety of their mark- 

 ings, the amiability and innate refinement of their dispositions, their 

 sagacity and activity, they may be rightly considered the most 

 attractive pets, for both palace and home, that it is possible to find. 



Since the foregoing article was written there has been a move- 

 ment among Toy Spaniel fanciers in England and America to consider 

 the advisability of classing all varieties of Toy Spaniels as one breed, 



