112 DOMESTICATED DOGS FOR THE GUK, 



pear, that, for every kind of covert shooting but the battue, we re- 

 quire a strong useful spaniel, capable of bearing exposure to the 

 weather, and neither too large for the runs, nor too small to bear 

 work. Added to these qualities, we want an exquisite nose, and a 

 musical but not noisy tongue, which is all the more valuable if it 

 will distinguish by its note the various kinds of game. These dogs 

 must also be readily kept under command, and must not be inclined 

 to hunt far away from the shooter, or so fast as to prevent his fol- 

 lowing them. For various purposes a vast number of breeds have 

 been established, more or less resembling each other, and a good 

 many of them being now extinct, in consequence of the diminish- 

 ed demand for their services since the introduction of battues and 

 their attendant preserves, by which, as a matter of course, wild 

 covert shooting; is rendered much more scarce. All the spaniels 

 have a marked down carriage of their tails, which they work rapid- 

 ly when on game, but should never raise above the level of their 

 backs. All these various breeds ma}', however, be arranged under 

 two leading divisions ; one known as the " Springer," and includ- 

 ing the Sussex, Clumber, and Norfolk Spaniels, besides several 

 others confined to their respective localities ; and the other called 

 *' the Cocker," from his being chiefly used for woodcocks, though 

 also good for general purposes. The King Charles and Blenheim 

 originally belonged to the second division, but they are now kept 

 and bred for toy purposes only. 



The Springer has a most tender and discriminating nose, is very 

 tractable, and therefore easily kept in command. As has been 

 already remarked, some are mute (as the Clumber), while others 

 tlirow their tongues, as, for instan<"e, the S;ssex and the Norfolk. 

 All the springers are heavy and slow as compared with the cock- 

 ers, and most of them soon tire, three or four hours' work being 

 about a good average day's work. Hence, they are scarcely adapt- 

 ed for beating large and wild woodb'^ds, and for this reason they 

 are seldom used for cock-shootin£ excepting in small coverts 

 frequented by this bird, and highly valued by the sportsman. 



The Clumber Spaniel, which for a long time was confined to the 

 Newcastle family, but has lately become very fashionable, is a re- 



