THE DdO. 



flovmds as are out at the elbows and such as are weak from the 

 imees to the foot shoald never be taken into the pack." 



THE BEAGLE. 



The beagle '(the hratch of ancient times) is the smallest of our 

 true hounds. In shape it is not unlike the harrier, but is 

 heavier about the throat, and its body and limbs are stouter. 

 The ordinary beagle measures about fourteen inches in height. 

 The animal known as the rough beagle is supposed to be a cross 

 between the original stock and the rough terrier. This opinion, 

 however, is probably derived from the fact that its bark, which is 

 sharp and shrill, more nearly resembles the voice of the terrier 

 than any other, and that the quality of its hair and its whiskers 

 resembles the terrier's. Some writers regard the rough beagle 

 as a distinct variely. The smallest of the family is the dwarf 

 or rabbit beagle. It is said that at the time of Queen Eliza- 

 beth there was a breed of these beagles so small that one 

 might be hidden in a man's glove. Perhaps, however, his 

 hawking-glove was meant ; and although this would denote the 

 dog to be marvellously little, a dog that could be squeezed into 

 a modern " kid " would be a much greater novelty, as an Irish- 

 man might observe. 



THE WAIER-SPANIEL. 



This anim al is of moderate size, measuring about twenty -two 

 inches in height at the shoulders, and proportionately stout in 

 make. Its forehead is lofty, its nose fine, its ears, which when 

 Bpread measure from tip to tip rather more than the dog's 

 entire height, are deeply fringed. Its coat, which is close, curls 

 over the body in crisp curls. General colour, brown. Its tail 

 is not fringed, but covered with curly hair to the extremity. 

 That the water-spaniel was known to the Romans is proved by 

 the fact that his figure exists on many of their monuments. 



No weather, be it ever so cold or boisterous, can daunt this 

 water-loving species of the genus cams. Indeed, it is admir- 

 ably formed for aquatic exercise. Its feet are very broad| 

 (webbed, it has been asserted, but this is an old woman's tale), 

 and its coat is supplied with natural oil in such profusion that 

 it never becomes saturated ; as soon as the dog leaves the 

 water, he gives himself a vigorous shake, and is at once dry. 

 This waterproof quaHty of the water-spaniel, however, debars 

 him the privilege of inhabiting the house, for should he happen 



