48 DOGS 



and very abundant, but not matted ; a matted coat holds 

 the water and shows great neglect on the part of the 



owner. 



The Irish Water Spaniel 



This is a most intelligent dog and a capital re- 

 triever either by land or water. He is most intelligent 

 and full of frisk and fun. The head is long and capa- 

 cious, muzzle square and fairly deep, high forehead ; the 

 eye verj' dark, with a jocose expression ; the face is 

 covered with short hair, with a topknot of considerable 

 length overhanging it, which hangs down in a peak of 

 ringlets, which is the peculiarity of the breed. The ears 

 are long and pendent, measuring from tip to tip 25 

 inches ; chest deep and strong ; neck long ; loin firm ; 

 shoulders muscular ; legs strong ; feet well knuckled up 

 and hard to feel ; the tail short, stiff, and round, without 

 feather, and terminates in a point. 



The coat is very abundant, covered with strong crisp 

 curls. There should be long locks of curly hair on the 

 ears. The legs are all ringleted, and the feet and toes 

 plentifully feathered. The height is about 21 inches, the 

 length fi'om muzzle to tip of tail 52 inches ; colour deep 

 liver or mahogany. 



'A dog of this species named Rover followed the 

 profession of a beggar by soliciting the charity of passers- 

 by. It was his habit on receiving a halfpenny to proceed 

 to a baker's shop and purchase a biscuit ; but very often 

 the supply of coppers would be more than adequate for his 

 appetite, and being a sagacious and thrifty animal he saved 

 them up for a rainy day. The dog one day entered the 

 room where he had concealed his little hoard, fivepence 

 halfpenny in all, and found his master's servant eyeing 

 the money. Giving a loud growl, Rover dashed to the spot, 

 snatched up his wealth, and made straight for the baker's 

 shop, placed the money on the counter, and expended it all 

 in biscuits. From that moment he never saved up again.' 



