1 62 The Sporting Dog 



typical Chesapeake I have seen on the bench in 

 the West. But there are many others in private 

 hands. 



If ducks could be protected from the reckless 

 slaughter which follows their flight every mile 

 from the breeding grounds to the Gulf and back ; 

 if only spring shooting could be effectually 

 abolished, these two breeds, magnificent in the 

 water, would have an increasing popularity. If 

 the ducks are to disappear, neither breed seems 

 to possess the agreeable house and yard qualities 

 which would sustain competition with other dogs. 



Americans who study the dog family regret 

 that the Chesapeake Bay dog, until the advent 

 of the Boston terrier about the only breed of 

 native production, should fall into decline before it 

 is sufficiently established to breed true and per- 

 petuate the type. That they do not breed re- 

 liably is the experience of nearly all who have 

 made an experiment; though I confess that I 

 am not acquainted with the kennel records of 

 the Carroll Island Club. I do know that I had a 

 bitch, from close-coated sire and dam, which had 

 a long, straight, open coat and a rather foxy or 

 Spitz head ; and that, bred to a capital close- 

 coated dog, she produced straight and open coats 

 in half of her puppies. Anybody who has seen 

 these dogs perform in the water would share the 

 dog fancier's hope that the breed may be special- 



