284 DOGS AND ALL ABOUT THEM 



and do not yap continually when strangers go into a room 

 where they are, or at other times, as is the habit with some 

 breeds of toy dogs. 



Those who have once had King Charles Spaniels as pets 

 seldom care to replace them by any other variety of dog, 

 fearing lest they might not find in another breed such engaging 

 little friends and companions, " gentle " as of yore and also 

 " comforters." 



Although these dogs need care, they possess great powers of 

 endurance. They appreciate warmth and comfort, but do not 

 thrive so well in either extreme heat or intense cold. One 

 thing to be avoided is the wetting of their feathered feet, or, 

 should this happen, allowing them to remain so ; and, as in 

 the case of all dogs with long ears, the interior of the ears 

 should be carefully kept dry to avoid the risk of canker. 



In going back to a period long before the last century was 

 half-way through, we find that a great number of these orna- 

 mental pets were in the hands of working men living in the 

 East End of London, and the competition among them to 

 own the best was very keen. They held miniature dog shows 

 at small taverns, and paraded their dogs on the sanded floor 

 of tap-rooms, their owners sitting around smoking long church- 

 warden pipes. The value of good specimens in those early 

 days appears to have been from 5 to 250, which latter sum 

 is said to have been refused by a comparatively poor man for 

 a small black and tan with very long ears, and a nose much 

 too long for our present-day fancy. Among the names of some 

 old prominent breeders and exhibitors may be mentioned those 

 of C. Aistrop, J. Garwood, J. A. Buggs, and Mrs. Forder. 



It is interesting to note, on looking over a catalogue of the 

 Kennel Club Show, that in 1884 the classes for Toy Spaniels 

 numbered five, with two championship prizes, one each for 

 Blenheims and Black and Tans, and the total entries were 19. 

 At this date neither Tricolours nor Rubies were recognised as 

 a separate variety by the Kennel Cub, and they had no place 

 :in the register of breeds until the year 1902. At the Kennel 



