238 CROSSED BREEDS. 



The feet are apt to be spreading from the Irish cross, but they 

 should have the toes well up, and strong horny pads. 



The tail is free from feather, but covered up to within six 

 inches of the point with short crisp curls, which gradually dis- 

 appear towards the tip. A stiff (and not a limp) tail is a sine 

 qua non, without any great curl upwards, and it should be quite 

 free from any side bend. 



The coat is not woolly, but of crisply curled hair, each curl 

 being distinct, as in the Astrakan sheep, but even more regularly 

 so. It is frequently oiled or glycerined for show purposes, which 

 the hand readily detects. The whole face and forehead, up to 

 the setting on of the ears, is covered with very short hair, which 

 should shine in a way to show that it is not clipped. With this 

 exception the whole of the upper part of the body is covered 

 with the above-described curls. Sometimes the back is " saddle- 

 marked '' by the absence of them, and this is considered a grave 

 defect. 



The colour is either jet black or liver, the latter being con- 

 sidered inferior in value, though both are admitted to be true to 

 the breed. The former is derived from the Newfoundland, the 

 latter from the water-spaniel. 



The symmetry is not very remarkable. 



As to temperament, great attention should be paid' to it, as the 

 breed is apt to be deficient in this respect. 



(b) the wavy-coated eeteievee. 



This fashionable breed, now considered a necessary adjunct to 

 every shooter, even if he only attends a lattui or a " drive," is 

 often pure St. John's or Labrador, at other times he is more or 



