FLAT OR WAVY-COATED RETRIEVERS. 415 



enjoyed the reputation of being regarded as invaluable at this kind of work. Things continued 

 thus, and few changes or improvements were hazarded, though certain crosses were attempted 

 by a few enthusiasts, until well on in the present century, when more attention came to be 

 bestowed upon this breed of dog. 



Up to the institution of dog shows most breeders seemed to follow the course of their own 

 ideas in breeding and Collie, Bull-dog, and even Hound blood was introduced by enterprising 

 owners. When dog shows first began, however, it seemed to dawn upon sportsmen generally 

 that a good-looking dog need not necessarily be an indifferent workman, and that more profit, 

 if not pleasure, could be gained from the breeding of a handsome Retriever. The result 

 has been that there is now a uniformity of type which was not long ago unknown, and the 

 Retriever classes at every canine exhibition of importance present a very different aspect to 

 that they showed at Birmingham in 1860. There has been also a decided improvement in 

 the quality of Retrievers all over the country, which almost reconciles us to the presence of 

 the countless mongrels alluded to above. It is now no uncommon thing to see fine upstanding 

 specimens of the breed in places where in former times a cross-bred hard-mouthed dog was 

 considered good enough to carry out all the duties which a well-trained Retriever is now 

 expected to fulfil. 



No breed of dog requires more careful handling than a Retriever, and his docility and 

 intelligence should be beyond suspicion. It is in his power to mar a day's sport, or cause 

 discomfiture to say the least, and therefore much responsibility rests with those who work 

 him, though very frequently the dog is much hampered in his movements by the conduct of 

 some sportsman present, who foolishly will interfere with the directions given him. 



At present there are two distinct breeds of Retrievers in existence one the flat or wavy 

 coated, the other curly-coated ; the latter variety is divided by colour into black or liver. The 

 wavy-coated dogs are also sometimes sandy, or even black-and-tan, but any colour but black 

 is not regarded with favourable eyes by judges or breeders of the variety. Although there 

 is not a very great amount of difference in structural development between the breeds, it will 

 be better if we take them separately, and as the Wavies are certainly the greater favourites 

 with the sporting public, to them shall be the place of honour, and we will begin with a 

 description of 



THE FLAT OR WAVY-COATED RETRIEVER. 



This dog is admittedly a cross breed of very recent origin, and is popularly, and we believe 

 correctly, believed to be a cross between the Setter and the Labrador dog. As in the case of 

 Bull-terriers, the breed is now tolerably pure, and early crosses are seldom to be met with in 

 the field or on the bench. Possibly it might be beneficial to the wavy-coated Retriever if some 

 new blood were introduced into his veins, as it would appear probable, from the fact that the 

 best strains are so few in number, that it will soon become weakened from the effects of in- 

 breeding, and consequently a general and sudden recourse to either Setter or Labrador blood, 

 or both, will have to be made by breeders, which will tend to affect the progress of this grand 

 dog towards perfection. As matters stand, however, no breed has made more rapid strides in 

 public estimation, and, thanks to the energy of his supporters, this has been thoroughly well 

 deserved. Dr. Bond Moore, late of Wolverhampton, did much for the wavy-coated Retriever, 

 and his breed of dogs was highly estimated. As a judge of the breed, too, Dr. Bond Moore 

 was quite at the head of affairs, though he was on many occasions considered arbitrary in his 

 decisions. As an instance, he has been known to disqualify a dog for having a few white 



