104 THE SPANIEL 



The topknot should fall well over the eyes ; it should 

 be abundant and wavy, as well as the furnishing of 

 the ears. The capacious skull is rather raised in 

 the dome, and fairly wide, showing much brain 

 capacity^; the topknot, which grows down to a point 

 between the eyes, makes the dome appear more pro- 

 nounced. The ears, which are set on rather low, 

 should carry leather not less than 1 8 inches in length, 

 and, with the feathers, about 24 inches. Eyes are 

 comparatively small, dark amber, and very intelli- 

 gent-looking. The nose is a dark liver colour, rather 

 large and well developed. The neck should be pointer- 

 like, i.e.) muscular, slightly arched, and not too long ; 

 it should be strongly set on the shoulders. The chest 

 is deep and not too narrowJJ the shoulders strong, 

 rather sloping, and well -covered with hard muscle. 

 The back is strong, with loins a trifle arched, and 

 powerful ; the hindquarters round and muscular and 

 slightly drooping towards the set -on of the stern. 

 The stern is a " whip tail," thick at base, and taper- 

 ing to a " sting." The hair on it should be short, 

 straight, and close -lying, except for a few inches 

 from its roots, where it gradually merges into the 

 body coat in some short curls. The colour is dark 

 rich maroon or puce, a sandy, light coat being a 

 defect. Total absence of white is desirable, any, 

 excepting a little on chest or a toe, disqualifying 

 in the showing. 



The Sussex shares with the Clumber the honour 

 of being the oldest representative of the Spaniel 

 tribe, and he was much esteemed for his sporting 

 qualities fully one hundred years ago. For all that 

 he was more or less localised in his native county 

 of Sussex, being kept in the hands of a few families. 



