Irish Water Spaniel 279 
two or three inches beyond. The whole of the ears are thickly covered 
with curls, which gradually lengthen toward the tips. 
Chest and Shoulders (value 74).—There is nothing remarkable about 
these points, which must, nevertheless, be of sufficient dimensions and 
muscularity. The chest is small compared with most breeds of similar 
substance. ° 
Back and Quarters (value 73).—Also have no peculiarity, but the 
stifles are almost always straight, giving an appearance of legginess. 
Legs and Feet (value 10).—The legs should be straight, and the feet 
large but strong; the toes are somewhat open and covered with short crisp 
curls. In all dogs of this breed the legs are thickly clothed with short 
curls, slightly pendent behind and at the sides, and some have them all 
round, hanging in ringlets for some time before the annual shedding. 
No feather like that of the setter should be shown. ‘The front of the hind 
legs below the hocks is always bare. 
Tail (value 10).—Is very thick at the root, where it is clothed with 
very short hair. Beyond the root, however, the hair is perfectly short, 
so as to look as if the tail had been clipped, which it sometimes fraudulently 
is at shows, but the natural bareness of the tail is a true characteristic of the 
breed. 
Coat (value 10).—Is composed of short curls of hair, not woolly, 
which betrays the poodle cross. A soft, flossy coat is objected to as indica- 
tive of an admixture with some of the land spaniels. 
Colour (value 10).—Must be a deep pure liver without white; but, as 
in other breeds, a white toe will occasionally appear with the best-bred 
litter. 
Symmetry (value 5) of this dog is not very great. 
ScaLe oF Ponts 
Head iss convas er eeeews 10 ~=— Legs and Feet.......... 10 
Face and Eyes .........  “Wdilescnces yeewrareees 10 
POPEADE 4 2.08 br keexouns 16 Coaticus dascue ri auesrs 10 
BAS Ac scagearvewsniess te. “Colbtir. toe) cosdee renee 10 
Chest and Shoulders..... ay  ByMIMetY aac de nee woke 5 
Back and Quarters..... 74 — 
