THE SPORTING SPANIEL. 



293 



beyond the bounds of the Principality, 

 where he is referred to as the Starter. 



When his claims were first put forward 

 they were vigorously contested by many 

 who could claim to speak and write with 

 authority upon the various breeds of Spaniels 

 existing in these islands, and it was freely 

 asserted that they were nothing but cross- 

 breds between the ordinary Springer and 

 probably a Clumber in order to account 

 for the red or orange markings and the 

 vine-leaf-shaped ears. I must confess that 

 at first I was inclined to take this view, 

 but the many excellent classes I have seen 

 during the last few years, filled with Spaniels 

 all of the same type, have quite converted 

 me, and I think that a case has been fairly 

 made out for them. Even if they are a 

 new breed, which I do not suggest for a 

 moment in face of all the evidence pro- 

 duced in their favour, they are a most 

 meritorious one, both in their ap- 

 pearance, which is eminently sport- 

 ing and workmanlike, and for the 

 excellence of their work in the field, 

 which has been amply demonstrated 

 by the record earned at the field 

 trials by Mr. A. T. Williams and 

 others. I have never seen this breed 

 at work myself, so cannot speak 

 from personal experience, but those 

 who have, have nothing but good 

 to say of them, and for working 

 large rough tracts of country in 

 teams their admirers say they are 

 unequalled. 



In appearance they are decidedly 

 attractive, rather more lightly built 

 than most Spaniels, small in size, in- 

 deed very little larger than Cockers, 

 invariably white in colour, with red 

 or orange markings, and possessing 

 rather fine heads with small Clumber- 

 shaped ears. Their general appear- 

 ance is that of extremely smart and 

 active little dogs. Mr. A. T. Williams, 

 Mr. Harry Jones, Mr. H. D. Greene, Mr. 

 B. C. Ransome, and several others have 

 shown good specimens, the most famous 

 prize-winners of the breed so far having 

 been Kimla Dash, Corrin, Tramp of Gerwn, 



Rover of Gerwn, Gypsy of Gerwn, Cardinal, 

 Rock, and Longmynd Myfanwy. 



The Welsh Springer is described by the 

 Sporting Spaniel Society as follows : 



1. Skull. — Fairly long and fairly broad, slightly 

 rounded with a stop at the eyes. 



2. Jaws. — Medium length, straight, fairly square. 

 the nostrils well developed, and flesh coloured or 

 dark. A short, chubby head is objectionable. 



3. Eyes. — Hazel or dark, medium size, not 

 prominent, not sunken, nor showing haw. 



4. Ears. — Comparatively small and gradually 

 narrowing towards the tip, covered with feather 

 not longer than the ear, set moderately low and 

 hanging close to the cheeks. 



5. Neck. — Strong, muscular, clean in throat. 



6. Shoulders. — Long and sloping. 



7. Forelegs. — Medium length, straight, good 

 bone, moderately feathered. 



8. Body. — Strong, fairly deep, not long, well- 

 sprung ribs. Length of body should be pro- 

 portionate to length of leg. 



9. Loin. — Muscular and strong, slightly arched, 

 well coupled up and knit together. 



MRS. H. D. 

 BY CORRIN- 



Photogmpli by 



GREENE'S UH. KOU 

 —GLORY OF GERWN. 



". Fall. 



10. Hindquarters and Hindlegs. — Strong ; hocks 

 well let down ; stifles moderately bent (not twisted 

 in or out), not feathered below the hock on the 

 leg. 



11. Feet. — Round, with thick pads. 



12. Stern. — Low, never carried above the level 

 of the back, feathered, and with a lively motion. 



