THE WATER SPANIEL. 119 



This oil is rank in smell, and hence they are all unfit to be inmates 

 of our houses, which is a strong objection even to the poodle as a 

 toy dog. As, therefore, we have no ground for separating the 

 land from the water dogs by this strong line, I have not attempted 

 to do so, but have grouped them according to the divisions under 

 which they naturally fall. 



The Old English water Spaniel is particularly fond of the water, 

 and will enter it in almost all weathers by choice, while it never is 

 too cold for him when any game is on it. His powers of swim- 

 ming and diving are immense, and he will continue in it for hours 

 together, after which he gives his coat a shake and is soon dry. 

 Indeed, when he first comes out he does not seem thoroughly wet, 

 his oiled and woolly coat appearing to set at defiance the approach 

 of water. His nose is pretty good, and he is capable of an excel- 

 lent education ; but it takes some time to break him thoroughly, 

 as he is required to be completely under command, and is a very 

 restless dog by nature, whereas his duties demand perfect silence. 

 There are generally said to be two distinct breeds, one larger than 

 the other, but in other respects alike. 



His points are as follows : Head long and narrow, eyes small, 

 and ears of medium length, covered with thick curly hair. Body 

 stout, but elegantly formed, with strong loins, and round barrel- 

 like chest, which is broad across the shoulders. The legs are 

 rather long, but very strong, the bone being of great size, and well 

 clothed with muscle. Feet large and spreading, tail covered 

 thickly with long curly hair, and slightly curved upwards, but 

 not carried above the level of the back. 



The Irish water Spaniel consists of two distinct varieties, peculiar 

 to the north and south of Ireland. The northern dog has short 

 ears, with little feather either on them or on the logs, but with 

 a considerable curl in his coat. In color he is generally liver, but 

 with more or less white which sometimes predominates, so as to 

 make him decidedly white and liver. The south country Irish 

 water spaniel is, on the contrary, invariably of a puce liver color. 

 Ears long and well feathered, being often two feet from point to 

 point, and the whole coat consisting of short crisp curls. Body 



