164 CROSSED BllEEDS. 



regard to the propriety of using a separate dog for retrieving in 

 open or covert shooting, there is a great difference of opinion. 

 This part of the subject will be considered under the next division 

 of this book. I now confine myself to a description of the 

 crosses used solely as retrievers, including the ordinary cross be- 

 tween the Newfoundland and setter, and that between the terrier 

 and the water spaniel, which is recommended by Mr. Colquhoun, 

 and which I have found especially serviceable. 



The qualities which are required in the regular retriever are : 

 Great delicacy of nose, and power of stopping (which latter is of- 

 ten not possessed by the pointer); cleverness to follow out the 

 windings of the wounded bird, which are frequently most intri- 

 cate, and puzzle the intelligence as well as the nose to unravel 

 them ; love of approbation, to induce the dog to attend to the in- 

 structions of the master, and an amount of obedience which will 

 be required to prevent his venturing to break out when game is 

 before bim. All these are doubtless found in the retriever, but 

 they are coupled with a large heavy frame, requiring a consider- 

 able amount of food to keep it, and space in the vehicle when he 

 is to be conveyed from place to place. Hence, if a smaller dog 

 can be found to do the work equally well, he should be preferred, 

 and as some think he can, both shall be described. 



The Large Black Betriever is known by Lis resemblance to the 

 small Newfoundland, and the Irish water spaniel, or setter, be- 

 tween which two he is bred, and the forms of which he partakes 

 of in nearly equal proportions, according to the cross. Hence the 

 modem retriever is distinguished as either the curly-coated or 

 wavy-coated, separate classes being made for them at most of our 

 shows, and sometimes a third depending on color alone. 



The Wavy-coated Betrie'cer has a head like that of a heavy setter, 

 but with shorter ears, less clothed with hair. The body is al- 

 together larger and heavier, the limbs stronger, the feet less 

 compact than those of the setter, while the gait more or less 

 resembles in its peculiarities that of the Newfoundland. The 

 color is almost always black, with very little white ; indeed, 

 most people wotUd reject a retriever of this kind, if accidentally 



