32 THE dog; and how to break him. 



I have occasionally seen small curly spaniels in 

 every way resembling water spaniels^ except in 

 size — witli tlie white stripe down the forehead ; in 

 fact^ water spaniels in miniature. These,, I believe^ 

 give tongue very freely ; but the dogs to be re- 

 commended for all purposes should be short in the 

 leg, long in the body, with wavy (not curly) hair ; 

 the ears shorter than what is generallj^ considered 

 handsome, or they will catch in the briars and be 

 an obstruction when hunting ; and they may be 

 selected to hunt mute or otherwise, at the fancy 

 of the sportsman. For my own part I like a 

 spaniel to give tongue when he is certain of his 

 game, and to open pretty freely when it rises. 



In the selection of a breed of spaniels little fear 

 need be entertained but that they will hunt : I 

 never saw one of the breed that was not almost 

 too eager in that way. Care should be taken to 

 have hardy animals ; and great attention should 

 be paid to nose. The Clumber breed, and what 

 are called Blenheims, are lemon and white ; the 

 King Charles's breed is generally supjDOsed to be 

 black, with tanned eyes, ears, and belly ; and from 

 these have sprung dogs of almost all colours and 

 every variety of size. Amongst spaniels a cross 

 from the terrier is not uncommon ; nor have I 

 much doubt but that such animals, when properly 

 trained, will be most ser\iceable in cover. The 

 terrier is known to possess the most exquisite 



