The Japanese Spaniel 303 



These small dogs were originally derived from Corea, 

 and are continually imported from that country into 

 China, where, especially in the north, they are much 

 valued, where they are to be found in the houses of 

 the wealthy." 



The above, as being written by an authority on 

 Chinese dogs, I think well worth reproducing, but 

 whether admirers of the Japanese dogs will recognise 

 much resemblance to their favourites in the dogs 

 described, is a matter for them to determine. In 

 1870 a black and white Japanese spaniel, such as 

 we have now, was entered at a Crystal Palace dog 

 show by Mr. P. Gordon. It was called a Mandarin 

 pug, and said to be one of the four taken at the 

 sacking of the Summer Palace at Pekin. This 

 little dog was about twelve years old when shown in 

 England. 



In their native country the " Japs " are called 

 " sleeve dogs," because it is, or was, the fashion for 

 the Japanese swell of the period to carry his little toy 

 dog about with him hidden in one of the sleeves of 

 his flowing garment. Thus the smaller the dogs 

 the better, and specimens not more than three 

 pounds weight are cherished exceedingly. It is said 

 that to keep the dogs as minute as possible, it 

 is customary when young to give them a liquor 

 called " saki," which retards their growth. Such 



