48 Varieties of the Dog. 
purpose, but unfortunately the puppy died of abscess in 
the head. Intelligence and docility are the qualities 
which must be looked for, and these are possessed by 
the St. Bernard in the highest degree, while the setter 
must furnish nose and the desire to hunt game. 
The modern Retriever is now almost always a cross 
of the setter and Newfoundland (showing the smooth or, 
wavy coat), or of the water spaniel (generally Trish) with 
the same dog, in which case the coat is curly. Very often 
the two kinds are intermixed, the result of which is a coat 
showing more or less of each texture. There has been a 
good deal of discussion on the relative value of these 
strains, and the question is by no means settled. My 
own impression is in favour of the smooth, wavy coat, 
indicative of the setter origin rather than the spaniel, as I 
believe this cross is more docile and better fitted to be 
broken to the extent of implicit obedience which is re- 
quired. It is a great nuisance to have to work a retriever 
in a slip, but there are very few curly-coated dogs with 
which it can be dispensed with, whereas it is compara- 
tively easy to do so with the smooth kind. 
The Norfolk Retriever is a breed introduced within 
recent years. The colour of the coat is sandy-brown, 
though this may run so dark as to be called black, and 
curls somewhat loosely, being open, short, woolly, coarse 
and harsh under the fingers. The head is massive, and 
has the appearance of intelligence ; the ears are large, the 
hair upon them being thick and curly, and the muzzle is 
broad and square or deep. Along the back the hair lies 
short and straight. The limbsare strong, stout, well-set 
and terminate in feet which are largely developed, and 
fully webbed. It is stated by “Saxon” to be the usual 
custom to dock the tail, the utility of which seems 
questionable in the opinion of sportsmen outside the 
county. The dogs of this breed run somewhat above the 
medium size, being also strong and well’set. They 
exhibit a remarkable degree of intelligence and tracta- 
bility, which under efficient training renders them exceed- 
ingly clever under the gun, or as the amusing companion 
in leisure hours. Uncertainty of temper is somewhat 
