220 CROSSED BREEDS. 
but the gamekeeper should never despise the most wretched-looking 
animal on his beat, if the cur has size and strength to do what is 
required. 
I.—_THE RETRIEVER. 
In speaking of the retriever, it is generally understood that the 
dog for recovering game on land is meant, the distinct kind known 
as the water-spaniel being already alluded to at page 161. With 
regard to the propriety of using a separate dog for retrieving in 
open or covert. shooting, there is great difference of opinion, but 
this subject will be better considered under the next division of 
this book, and I shall now confine myself to a description of the 
crosses used solely as retrievers, including the Newfoundland, 
alluded to at page 177, and the ordinary cross between that dog 
and the setter, and that between the terrier and the water-spaniel, 
which is recommended by Mr. Colquhoun, and which I have found 
especially serviceable. 
‘The qualities which are required in the regular retriever are: 
great delicacy of nose and power of stooping (which latter is often 
not possessed by the pointer) ; cleverness to follow out the windings 
of the wounded bird, which are frequently most intricate, and puzzle 
the intelligence as well as the nose to unravel them ; love of appro- 
bation, to induce the dog to attend to the instructions of the 
master; and an amount of obedience which will be required to 
prevent his venturing to break out when game is before him. All 
these are doubtless found in the retriever, but they are coupled with 
a large heavy frame, requiring a considerable amount of food to 
keep it, and space in the dogcart when he is to be conveyed from 
place to place. Hence, if a smaller dog can be found to do the 
work equally well, he should be preferred ; and as I think he can, 
I shall describe both. 
The large black retriever, if crossed, is known by his resemblance 
to the small Newfoundland and the Irish water-spaniel or setter, 
between two of which he is bred, and the forms of which he 
partakes of in nearly equal proportions, according to the cross. 
Hence the modern retriever ig distinguished as either the curly- 
coated or wavy-coated, separate classes being made for them at most 
of our shows, and sometimes a third depending on colour alone. 
