RETRIEVER. 163 



instructions of the master ; and an amount of obedience which 

 will be required to prevent his venturing to break out, when 

 game is before him. All these are doubtless found in the 

 retriever, but they are coupled with a large heavy frame, requiring 

 a considerable amount of food to keep it, and space in the dog- 

 cart when he is to be conveyed from place to place. Hence, if 

 a smaller dog can be found to do the work equally well, he should 

 be preferred ; and, as I think he can, I shall describe both. 



The large black retriever is known by his resemblance to the 

 small Newfoundland, and the Irish water spaniel, or setter, be- 

 tween which two he is bred, and the forms of which he partakes 

 of in nearly equal proportions, according to the cross. Hence 

 the modern retriever is distinguished as either the curly-coated or 

 wavy-coated, separate classes being made for them at most of our 

 shows, and sometimes a thii'd depending on colour alone. 



The icavy-coated retriever has a head like that of a h?avy 

 setter, but with shorter ears, less clothed with hair. The body 

 is altogether larger and heavier, the limbs stronger, and the feet 

 less compact, while the loin is much more loose, and the gait more 

 or less resembling in its peculiarities that of the Newfoundland. 

 The colour is almost always black, with very Kttle white ; indeed, 

 most people would reject a retriever of this kind, if accidentally of 

 any other colour. The coat is slightly wavy, but not very long or 

 curly ; and the legs are not much feathered. The height is usually 

 about 23 or 24 inches, sometimes slightly more or less. This dog 

 can readily be made to set and back ; and he will also hunt as 

 well as a setter, but slowly, and lasting for a short time only. 



M 2 



