THE SPANIEL 101 



blue blood in all the Spaniel family, may, in the 

 lighter and more active Cocker, although set low 

 down, be allowed a slightly higher carriage than 

 in the other breeds, never cocked up over, but rather 

 in a line with, the back, though the lower its carriage 

 and action the better, and when at work the action 

 should be incessant. The legs must be well boned, 

 feathered, and straight, and not so short as to inter- 

 fere with its full activity;; the feet firm, round, and 

 catlike, not too large, spreading, and loose jointed. 

 [The coat is flat or waved, and silky in texture, never 

 wiry, woolly, or curly, with sufficient feather of the 

 right sort. The " general appearance/* in the words 

 of the Spaniel Club, " suggests concentration of pure 

 blood and type, sagacity, docility, good-temper, affec- 

 tion, and activity." 



The Field Spaniel is considerably larger in size, 

 ranging from 35 Ib. to 45 lb., and has a long and 

 very low body. The variety is comparatively modern, 

 having only come into prominence since the Dog 

 Show days. As in the case of the Clumber, there 

 are indications which make us believe that there is 

 a considerable infusion of Basset blood in these dogs. 

 At the present time there is a movement to change 

 the standard, in order to bring them more into con- 

 formity with working types 7; it is held, for instance, 

 that the back might with advantage be shorter and 

 the legs longer. The character of the head is very 

 houndy, the skull being well developed, with a dis- 

 tinct occiput. The muzzle should not be too wide, 

 but long, lean, and never snipy or squarely cut. 

 Thickness beneath the eyes is objected to as giving 

 coarseness to the whole head. The eyes should not 

 be too full or small ; in the black dog they are 



