242 THE DOGS OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 



prize holders, Fido being at the head of his class, and a dog called Prince second. 

 Since then Mr. Mandeville's strain has held undisputed possession of the prize list, 

 whether the dogs exhibited belonged to him, Mrs. Bligh Monk, of Coley Park, 

 Reading, Lady Giffard, or Mr. Macdonald, who have been the chief exhibitors. At 

 Birmingham the Maltese dog has not been so well represented as in London, and it 

 was not until 1864 that a class was established for it, owing partly to the fact that 

 the breed was almost confined to London and its neighbourhood, and partly to the 

 greater premiums given to sporting over toy dogs at the Midland Metropolis. 



The Maltese claims the following merits as a toy dog, but I am not aware that 

 in any respect they are superior to those of the toy spaniel. In the first place he is 

 said to be very beautiful in shape, colour, and texture of coat, but certainly in these 

 respects he is not more so than the toy spaniel, whether King Charles or Blenheim. 

 Secondly, he is said to be more sweet in breath and skin, and here I can give no 

 opinion, never having possessed a specimen, nor have I any good authority to adduce 

 on either side. He is admitted, however to be a very delicate dog, and more 

 difficult to rear than the toy spaniel, and this is rather an important point to all 

 those who do not depend on the market for their supply. In point of price there is 

 not much difference, so that as far as I can judge, individual taste must as usual 

 settle the matter. 



The points of the Maltese are as follows : 



Value. 



Coat 30 



Colour 20 



Eyes 5 



55 



Value. 



Ears 5 



Nose 5 



Symmetry 5 



15 

 Grand Total 100. 



Value. 



Size 15 



Tail .. .15 



30 



1. The coat (value 30) must be long and silky in texture, any approach to wool 

 being specially to be penalised. The little bitch " Psyche " engraved in " The Dog " 

 had a coat measuring 15in. across the shoulder, though only 3|lb. in weight, and 

 this length when considered in comparison with her small size, I have never seen 

 excelled; it was remarkably silky in texture. There is a slight wave, but no 

 absolute curl to be seen in good specimens. 



2. The colour (value 20) should be a pure white, rather transparent, like spun 

 glass, than opaque. Many specimens are disfigured by patches of fawn, which are 

 very objectionable. 



3. The eyes (value 5) must be full and black, and should not show the weeping 

 corner incidental to the King Charles and Blenheim spaniels. 



4. The ears (value 5) are long, but not so much so as those of the toy spaniel. 

 The ears of Fido were 12in. across from tip to tip. 



5. The nose (value 5) is short and black, and also the roof of the mouth. 



6. In symmetry (value 5) there is no great test, as the shape is almost 

 entirely concealed by the long coat, but there ought nevertheless to be a proper 



