English Toy Spaniels. 295 



able follower in the crowded streets when properly 

 trained. There is no guile about him, and if he 

 prefers to pay attention to all the movements of his 

 fair mistress, and is ever ready to be fondled in her 

 lap, he never forgets to come to a stranger and give 

 him welcome, and no doubt expects a word of praise 

 in return. He is not so liable to become fat and 

 podgy as the King Charles, and in most respects 

 the Ruby Spaniel takes after the Blenheim in 

 disposition and character. 



The black and tan and the tri-colour are alike in 

 general conduct and behaviour, and appear to be 

 less dainty as to their food than are the other 

 varieties, and so have a tendency to become obese. 

 This they should not be allowed to do, as 'it inter- 

 feres with the glossiness of their coats, and I am 

 inclined to believe has a tendency to make the jackets 

 become curlier and not so straight as would be the 

 case under healthier surroundings. This tendency 

 for the coat to lose its straightness with increasing 

 age is one of the great drawbacks to the King 

 Charles spaniel, and in this respect a modern four- 

 year-old dog is not to be compared with a puppy of 

 twelve months or so. Some of these toy spaniels 

 have a habit of lolling out their tongues, which is 

 bad ; others have indifferent sets of teeth, which is 

 equally bad. Level mouths are the best, but in many 



