420 Modern Dogs. 



spaniel fail in popularity and numbers. I have 

 letters from several old breeders, who from no 

 other cause, have recently lost their interest in 

 the breed. 



" That the best specimens seen at our exhibitions 

 now, could hold their own with the best ten or 

 twenty years ago I do not believe. I am not one of 

 the ancient pessimists who consider that years since 

 everything was so much better than is the case 

 at the present time ; but certain it is that Irish 

 water spaniels of the past on the bench were 

 more typical and perfect specimen than they are 

 now. 



" Let us compare a few of the principal prize 

 dogs that were winning at shows held at the end of 

 the sixties. I will take Mr. J. S. Skidmore's Doctor 

 (2061), Captain Lindoe's Rake (2088), and Mr. 

 Skidmore's Duck (2066). Now I am quite certain 

 any one of these three specimens, for length of face, 

 formation of head throughout, colour of eye, length 

 of ears, top-knot, and qualit) of coat although 

 perhaps not in colour of coat would simply romp 

 away from any one of the three specimens now 

 winning in the challenge classes at our show say 

 Shaun, Harp, and the Shaughraun. 



" I now come to a more recent period say 

 ten years ago ; and I venture to state that few, 



