English Toy Spaniels. 289 



as much coat and feather as the winners of to-day. 

 All these dogs hunted by the water's edge, and 

 would kill rats fairly well ; but at the same period, 

 and that would be thirty-five years ago, an old lady 

 of my acquaintance had a couple of black and tan 

 spaniels as fat and wheezy and incapable of exertion 

 as the most distorted specimens of modern times. 

 Of course this difference was brought about through 

 the rearing and general surroundings. 



As to the breeding and inter-breeding of the 

 varieties there appears to be some difference of 

 ideas, but none can be higher or more valued than 

 the opinion of Mrs. Forder, of Southsea, one of the 

 oldest breeders, and of Mr. Hugh Collis, of 

 Rusham, honorary secretary to the Toy Spaniel 

 Club, who have kindly contributed the following 

 information. 



They say that the Rubies are not a distinct 

 variety, but in the first instance specimens came 

 from the ordinary King Charles. Then it was 

 sought to perpetuate or improve them by crossing 

 with the Blenheim, but this proved a failure, as 

 when Ruby puppies were born they had more or 

 less white about them, and at one period it was 

 actually impossible to get a Ruby spaniel without 

 white, especially on the forehead or chest. By 

 altogether leaving the Blenheim alone and keeping 



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