4 o A MANUAL OF TOY DOGS 



in their character, need by no means acquire the stout, 

 snoring wheeziness which some folk think an elderly 

 pug cannot escape. All the same, I can but say that 

 I prefer the black variety on the whole, for they unite 

 the sweet temper, faithfulness, and gentleness of the 

 fawns with an untiring energy, to my mind one of the 

 best qualities a dog can possess. They are also hardier, 

 less subject to " distemper " and kindred ills, and very 

 alert and intelligent. One merit, if such it be, they 

 do not share with the fawns the latter are not ex- 

 pensive dogs, for they are almost always good mothers 

 and prolific breeders. Not that the blacks fail in these 

 respects, but as yet they are comparatively dear that 

 is, the really good ones. Head properties make much 

 of their value just now, for a good-headed black pug, 

 with a broad skull, large eyes, and plenty of skin and 

 wrinkle, is not in every litter, and narrow skulls are 

 much disliked, though Nature, with characteristic 

 contrariety, seems to rejoice in producing them. 



Pugs cannot stand heating foods any more than 

 Yorkshires, which agree with them in doing better 

 upon boiled rice as an addition to meat to make needful 

 bulk, than upon any other farinaceous food. Next 

 to it in value comes wheat meal ; oatmeal and Indian 

 corn meal will surely bring skin disaster. Lean meat, 

 underdone for choice, fish, and chicken, may be varied, 

 to make the meals, with a small amount of the needful 

 staple as bu'k. 



Toy spaniels in general are not difficult dogs to 

 deal with. They are faithful and extremely affec- 

 tionate dogs, and the Blenheims make good country^ 

 pets, having often a considerable amount of sporting 

 instinct, even when they come of stock which has been 

 kept for show only for many years. The Marlborough 

 Blenheims are, of course, examples of the sporting 

 Blenheim, though they are not correct in show points ; 

 and there is no reason why one of these dogs, toys 

 though they be, and fit to win, should not be a good 

 little country companion. For towns, white long- 



