CLASSIFICATION OF DOGS. 73 



The English water spaniel, which also has a curly coat 

 and is a useful dog, is but little known in America. 



The Retrievers. — A dog kept purposely to retrieve 

 dead and wounded birds on land is not employed in 

 America, as setters, pointers, and spaniels are expected to 

 do this ; but in Britain a special breed for this purpose is 

 highly esteemed (p. 264). 



They are divided into two classes — the wavy-coated 

 and the curly-coated black retriever. Both are large dogs 

 of about eighty pounds, and standing twenty-five to 

 twenty-six inches in height. 



These breeds, which resemble each other greatly except 

 in coat, have been formed, in all probability, by a cross 

 between the ISTewf oundland and the spaniel (Irish) or the 

 setter, or most likely both. 



In general, the form is that which admits of consid- 

 erable speed, endurance, and stooping power ; hence a long 

 neck is indispensable, as the dog must follow the foot- 

 scent to seek out the wounded bird. Scenting powers of 

 the highest quality are essential, as well as docility and 

 a desire to work so as to please his master. A bad-tem- 

 pered dog must not be tolerated on the bench or in the 

 field. 



Differences between the Breeds. — Tail. — In the wavy- 

 coated it may be bushy, but in the curly-coated the hair 

 should be short and curly, and bare of curls toward the 

 tip. 



Coat. — Texture of coat and bareness of face constitute 

 the chief difference between the breeds. The coat in the 

 curly dog is intermediate between wool and hair, and 

 very oily. On the whole face up to nearly middle of 



