The Water-Spaniel 33 



THE WATEK-SPANIEL 



Is excellent for hunting otters, wild ducks and other 

 game whose retreat is among the rushes and reeds which 

 cover the banks of rivers, the fens, and the ponds. He is 

 very sagacious, and perhaps the most docile and tractable 

 of all the canine tribe. 



The Water-Spaniel will fetch and carry whatever he is 

 bid, and often dives to the bottom of deep water in search 

 of a piece of money, which he brings up in his mouth, 

 and lays at the feet of whoever sent him. The best breed 

 has black curly hair and long ears. 



The beautiful breed of Spaniels known as King 

 Charles's, are highly prized for their diminutive size 

 and length of ears. They are found of all colours, but 

 those which are black, with tanned cheeks and legs, 

 are considered the purest breed. 



They derive their name from King Charles the Second, 

 who, as Evelyn tells us, u took great delight in having 

 a number of little spaniels follow him and lie in his 

 bedchamber." 



