HISTORY OF THE DOG. 163 



dogs used in shooting is, that the spaniel gives tongue the in- 

 stant that he scents the game, and by that means raises it, so 

 that the sportsman may take aim at it on the wing, which 

 is the only gentlemanly way of shooting winged game. 

 They are comparatively weak dogs, and their bite is not 

 very formidable, but they are exceedingly active. The 

 Springer, or true spaniel, used in springing game, bears a 

 considerable resemblance to the setter in shape, but is 

 much smaller in size. The colors are red, liver-colored, 

 yellow, and white; their ears are very long, soft, and 

 pliable, and covered with long and very silky and delicate 

 hair ; the tail hangs down, and is bushy, but it is in con- 

 tinual motion while they are hunting. The Cocker is much 

 smaller, but far more lively and active than the spaniel, 

 and he is so fond of sport, that he can be kept running the 

 whole day long without apparent fatigue. Of the pet 

 spaniels there are many breeds, of which King Charles' 

 and the Blenheim, or Marlborough, are among the most 

 esteemed. Smaller sized than even these, there is an 

 endless variety, but, except for their beauty and attach- 

 ment, they are of but small value ; though all spaniels, 

 from their restlessness, and the proneness they have to 

 give tongue on the least alarm or noise, make excellent 

 watch dogs inside a house, they are too feeble and too 

 delicate for being of much value out of doors during the 

 night. There is one variety, however, which is an ex- 

 ception to this, and that variety is, 



THE ALPINE SPANIEL, OR DOG OF ST. BERNARD. 



This is a dog far exceeding every other spaniel in size 

 and strength, and also in beauty and sagacity. In the last 

 respect, he is perhaps superior to every other dog. A full- 

 grown one measures six feet from the point of the nose to 

 the end of the tail, and stands at least two feet high at the 

 shoulder. The offices which these beautiful arid highly 



