Varieties of the Dog. \g 



and is highly prized since it was brought to perfection by 

 Mr. Mc Cafthy. He is a very intelligent companion, 

 capable of being broke to retrieve with facility, and a 

 most useful general attendant on the gimner, though 

 specially good at his own vocation in the water. His 

 height is about 21 in. or 22 in., and his weight a little 

 above 40 lbs. 



The head is capacious — forehead high, and eyes intel- 

 ligent, though rather small. The face is clothed with 

 short hair, over which hangs a top-knot of considerable 

 length, coming forward to a peak ; these two points being 

 indicative of true breeding. Ears very long, measuring 

 fully 26 in. across when extended. 



Body moderately long and very strong, covered with 

 short crisp curls, which often become daggled towards 

 the moulting season. Tail round, without feather, termi- 

 nating in a sharp point, and rather short. 



Colour, a pure deep puce, without white. In other par- 

 ticulars these dogs should resemble the ordinary spaniel, 

 so that it is needless to recapitulate them. 



Points : head and nose, 20; top-knot and bareness of 

 face, 10; ears, 10; feet and legs, 10; back and quarters, 

 10; symmetry, 10; coat and colour, 20; tail 10. 



The spaniel, as the name implies, was originally a 

 native of Spain, his class forming the oldest, and possibly 

 the most useful, among the various breeds of sporting 

 dogs. In the field they prove most intelligent, persever- 

 ing and persistent ; and at home are remarkable for their 

 gentleness and loving companionship, besides being 

 exceedingly graceful, docile, and easily trained to almost 

 every degree of house refinement within the compass 

 of canine intelligence. We have similar experience. A 

 dog of this breed was offered to us as a gift, on account 

 of his somewhat " warm temper," which proved to be the 

 result of ill-usage. We took him into our care and he 

 became exceedingly clever, a most faithful guard and 

 amusing companion. One day, a fiend in human form 

 struck him and fractured his fore-leg, when he returned 

 home, limping, and crying piteously, holding the injured 



