PERFORMING AND TOY BREEDS 251 



to get specimens too large; in my opinion, they should 

 be under the maximum weight allowed (twelve 

 pounds) as the intention is, they should be not too 

 heavy for a lady to pick up, and carry her little com- 

 panion, when out with it, if so disposed. So that, from 

 six to ten pounds would be a more suitable weight, and 

 such as you may see in numbers of Yorkshire Terriers, 

 Griffons, Pomeranians and Japanese Spaniels, some of 

 the keenest rivals of the native Toy Spaniels. In 

 fact many of all those varieties can be obtained 

 well under five pounds weight, or even less if de- 

 sired. 



The Ruby Toy Spaniel — Another very beautiful 

 variety, is the Ruby Spaniel, something the col- 

 our of its larger cousin, the Sussex Spaniel, but 

 richer, and brighter in tone. I am afraid these 

 are not being so much bred as they were some 

 years since, but all true dog lovers, would regret 

 their becoming extinct, on account of their great beauty 

 and aristocratic appearance; to be correct, the colour 

 should be quite free from white, as rich and bright as 

 possible, and the points same as King Charles and with- 

 out legginess, which seems to affect these more than the 

 other varieties ; I suppose, there is little doubt the native 

 breeds of Toy Spaniels have been much interbred, and 

 I have been told by breeders they have had in one litter 

 a specimen of all four breeds. I cannot vouch for the 

 truth of this, as it has not happened within my own ex- 

 perience, but if true, it confirms the idea of how much 

 they have been interbred. 



