Ladies' Toy Dogs, 89 



that name derived their origin from in-and-in breeding, 

 and jealousy to preserve the breed. 



"Good specimens were the great exception; and about 

 the year 1841' perhaps but two or three good specimens 

 existed in the neighbourhood of Blenheim, and of these 

 we can call to mind but one of surpassing excellence, a 

 bitch named Rose, belonging to A. R. Reingle, Esq., of 

 Oxford. This bitch would at the present time bear com- 

 parison with anything to be purchased in London, and 

 she quite came up to the description we shall give of a 

 true ' Blenheim.' 



"This charming spaniel did not weigh more than 4I lbs. 

 or 5 lbs. Her head (exquisitely modelled and full of cha- 

 racter and intelligence) was in exact proportion to her 

 size. Her coat was soft, silky, shining, luxuriant, and of 

 transparent wmteness, except where it was stained in 

 patches with the genuine rich 'Blenheim orange,' whilst 

 her feet and legs were almost lost in the exuberant feather 

 of her ' mane,' body, and thighs. 



"At the time Rose was in her glory we were receiving 

 instructions from her owner, and possessed many oppor- 

 tunities of marking her beauty and intelligence — two 

 properties which are not always found together in pet 

 spaniels. 



' "The Blenheim is at the present time rare,. but, com- 

 pared with the King Charles, it does not connnand a 

 large price. About a year ago it was with the greatest 

 difficulty we procured one; although of perfect form and 

 exceedingly diminutive, only ^1^ was asked for it, whilst 

 a King Charles of equal excellence would have been 

 cheap at double the money. 



, " The points of the Blenheim do not differ from those 

 of the King Charles. The main difference consists in 

 the colour and markings, and in the texture of the hair, 

 which may be more waved in the Blenheim than in the 

 other breed. He should have the same round skull, the 

 same prominent, large, round eyes, weeping and wet at 

 the corner, and leaving a wet trace down the cheek. He 

 must also have the deep stop, the projecting lower jaw,' 

 and the short black nose. He should have large, well- 



