English Toy Spaniels. 291 



breeding between relatives, and by judicious mating, 

 there is no reason why the toy spaniels in their four 

 varieties should not increase, multiply, and improve. 

 Within the past two or three years the abnormally 

 short nose and the protruding, lolling tongue have 

 certainly not been encouraged, and anyone attending 

 the periodical exhibitions arranged by the Toy 

 Spaniel Club cannot fail to be charmed with the 

 pretty dogs that are there benched. These lovely 

 specimens are not always from the homes of the 

 noble and the wealthy, for in the. East End of 

 London, where the labourer dwells, many of our 

 best toy spaniels have been produced. Such little 

 dogs are well adapted for cottage homes, as they 

 take up less room than the bigger terrier, and are 

 kept in good health with less exercise. Our English 

 toy spaniels have for generations been favourites 

 with the working man fancier, and his wife will 

 attend to their comforts when she has put the 

 children to bed. On the Saturday night, when his 

 work is over for the week, this working man has a 

 show of his own at his favourite " public round 

 the corner," where, on the parlour table, his little 

 beauties are placed to compete against those of his 

 neighbours. The prize is generally a useful article 

 of small value, given either by the landlord or by a 

 friend. At such shows as these the choicest toy 



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