VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 45 



larger and moister eye, the longer and silken coat, and the clearness of 

 the tan, and white and black colour, sufficiently distinguish this variety. 

 His beauty and diminutive size have consigned him to the drawing-room 

 or parlour. 



Charles the First had a breed of spaniels, very small, with the hair black 

 and curly. The spaniel of the second Charles was of the black and tan 

 breed. 



The King Charles's breed of the present day is materially altered for 

 the worse. The muzzle is almost as short, and the forehead as ugly and 

 prominent, as the veriest bull-dog. The eye is increased to double its 

 former size, and has an expression of stupidity with which the character 

 of the dog too accurately corresponds. Still there is the long ear, and the 

 silky coat, and the beautiful colour of the hair, and for these the dealers 

 do not scruple to ask twenty, thirty, and even fifty guineas. 



THE SPRINGER. 



This dog is slower and steadier in its range than the cocker ; but it is a 

 much safer dog for the shooter, and can better stand a hard day's work. 

 The largest and best breed of springers is said to be in Sussex, and is 

 much esteemed in the Wealds of that county. 



From a cross with the terrier a black and tan variety was procured, 

 which was cultivated by the late Duke of Norfolk, and thence called the 

 Norfolk Spaniel. It is larger than the common springer, and stancher, 

 and stouter. It often forms a strong individual attachment, and is un- 

 happy and pines away when separated from its master. It is more ill- 

 tempered than the common springer, and, if not well broken in, is often 

 exceedingly obstinate. 



THE BLACK AND TAN SPANIEL, 



the cross of the terrier being nearly or quite got rid of, is often a beau- 

 tiful animal, and is much valued, although it is frequently considered a 

 somewhat stupid animal. The cocker and the springer are sometimes 

 used as finders in coursing. 



THE BLENHEIM SPANIEL, 



a breed cultivated by one of the Dukes of Marlborough, belongs to this 

 division. From its beauty, and occasional gaiety, it is oftener an inha- 

 bitant of the drawing-room than the field ; but it occasionally breaks out, 

 and shows what nature designed it for. Some of these carpeted pets ac- 

 quit themselves nobly in the covert. There they ought oftener to be ; for 

 they have not much individuality of attachment to recommend them, and, 

 like other spoiled animals, both quadruped and biped, misbehave. The 

 breed has degenerated of late, and is not always to be had pure, even in 

 the neighbourhood of Blenheim. This spaniel may be distinguished by 

 the length and silkiness of the coat, the deep fringe about the ear, the arch 

 and deep-feathering of the tail, the full and moist eye, and the blackness 

 of the palate. 



THE WATER-SPANIEL. 



Of this breed there are two varieties, a larger and smaller, both useful 

 according to the degree of range or the work required ; the smaller, how- 

 ever, being ordinarily preferable. Whatever be his general size, strength 

 and compactness of form are requisite. His head is long, his face smooth 



