THE WATER-SPANIEL. 163 
seems to threaten it. Mr. Lindoe and others who have possessed 
good specimens tell me that a more useful spaniel does not exist, 
either for land or water, and that he possesses a good nose, retrieves 
well, with a tender mouth, if not spoiled by bad management. 
Added to these good qualities is an untiring disposition to hunt, 
while as a companionable dog he is A-t. 
Points of the southern Irish water-spaniel :— 
: VALUE : VALUE 
Head, . i ; 1o | Feet, . : 5 
Face and eyes, - 10 Coat, . : 3 - 10 
Ears, . : i . 10 Colour, . : . 10 
Top-knot, . . . . ro | Tail, . . 10 
Chest and shoulders, . . 7% | Symmetry, . ‘ 5 
Back and quarters, . a Spates — 
Legs, . : 5 : eS Total, . . Ica 
The head is remarkable for the absence of brow, the nose being 
quite of the Grecian order, and making nearly a straight line with 
the top of the head. It is covered with long fine curls to within 
an inch of the eyes, when the hair becomes quite short. This is 
quite distinct from the wig of the poodle, in which the curls are 
short and crisp. 
Eyes small, and set almost level with the skin. The face is long, 
with open nostrils and level teeth. It is covered with very short 
hair, not glossy. 
The ears are long, both in leather and feather. The former 
extends beyond the nose when drawn forward, and the latter 
several inches beyond it. 
The top-knot is a long wisp of hair falling forward between the 
eyes, and rising from the skin in a decided peak. 
Chest and shoulders.—The chest does not girth so much as 
in any other spaniel, a full-sized dog not measuring more than 
22 inches. In the shoulders there is nothing to be noticed; 
from the thick coat it is difficult to ascertain their formation. 
Back and quarters.—The back is straight and not remarkably 
strong. The quarters also are not very muscular. As the dog is 
leggy the stifles are nearly straight. 
The legs are straight, but the fore-pasterns generally bend a 
good deal below the knee, giving an appearance of weakness. 
