Varieties of the Dog. 19 
and is highly prized since it was brought to perfection by 
Mr. McCarthy. He is a very intelligent companion, 
capable of bemg broke to retrieve with facility, and a 
most useful general attendant on the gunner, though 
specially good at his own vocation in the water. His 
height is about 21 im. or 22 in, and his weight a little 
above 40 Ibs. i 
The head is capacious—forehead high, and eyes intel- 
ligent, though rather small. The face is clothed with 
short hair, over which hangs a top-knet of considerable 
length, coming forward to a peak ; these two points being 
indicative of true breeding. Ears very long, measuring 
fully 26 in. across when extended. 
Body moderately long and very strong, covered with 
short crisp curls, which often become daggled towards 
the moulting season. ‘Tail round, without feather, termi- 
nating in a sharp point, and rather short. 
Colour, a pure deep puce, without white. In other par- 
ticulars these dogs should resemble the ordinary spaniel, 
so that it is needless to recapitulate them. 
Points: head and nose, 20; top-knot and bareness of 
face, 10; ears, 10; feet and legs, 10; back and quarters, 
10; symmetry, 10; coat and colour, 20; tail 10. 
The spaniel, as the name implies, was originally a 
native of Spain, his class forming the oldest, and possibly 
“the most useful, among the various breeds of sporting 
dogs. In the field they prove most intelligent, persever- 
ing and persistent ; and at home are remarkable for their 
gentleness and loving companionship, besides being 
exceedingly graceful, docile, and easily trained to almost 
every degree of house refinement within the compass 
_of canine intelligence. We have similar experience. A 
dog of this breed was offered to us as a gift, on account 
of his somewhat “warm temper,” which proved to be the 
result of ill-usage. We took him into our care and he 
became exceedingly clever, a most faithful guard and 
amusing companion. One day, a fiend in human form 
struck him and fractured his foreleg, when he returned 
home, limping, and crying piteously, holding the injured 
