394 Modern Dogs. 



attractive and cared for varieties that are the 

 popular idols at the present time. 



But, after all, there are almost all sizes and con- 

 ditions of retrievers. There were trials of water-dogs 

 arranged in connection with the Maidstone show 

 in May, 1876, and here many varieties competed, 

 including Newfoundlands. It was, however, acknow- 

 ledged on all hands, that, by far the best work, 

 in retrieving, diving, and swimming, was performed 

 by a black and white retriever, semi-curly in coat, 

 and one that, in the show ring, no judge would have 

 looked at a second time. Still, it beat such known 

 cracks as the belauded Theodore Nero, and easily 

 took the first prize. The dog was Mr. T. Cole's 

 Nero. 



John Colquhoun, in his " Moor and the Loch," 

 descants in praiseworthy terms of his wild-fowl 

 retriever that was a cross bet\veen a water spaniel 

 and a terrier. In appearance it was not unlike a 

 modern Airedale terrier, but doubtless one of the 

 most useful dogs ever bred, and in a boat would 

 do better than a larger and curlier animal, as he 

 would bring less water in with him when retrieving 

 his master's ducks. Such dogs are, however, liable 

 to be hard-mouthed ; still, I have myself owned 

 terriers, and have one now an Irishman that will 

 carry an egg in a cup without breaking either, or a 



