| The Spaniel
The Spaniel
is probably of Spanish origin, and thence his name. The ears are large
and pendent, the tail elevated, the fur of a different length in
different parts of the body, but longest about the ears, under the neck,
behind the thighs and on the tail, varying in colour, but most commonly
white with brown or black patches.
There are many varieties of the spaniel. The smallest of the land
spaniels is
the Cocker.
The King Charles's
Spaniel, so called from the fondness of Charles II for it — who
usually had some of them following him, wherever he went — belongs
likewise to the cockers.
The Black and Tan Spaniel, the cross of the terrier being
nearly or quite got rid of, is often a beautiful animal, and is much
valued, although it is frequently considered a somewhat stupid animal. The
cocker and the springer
are sometimes used as finders in coursing. The Blenheim Spaniel,
a breed cultivated by one of the Dukes of Marlborough, belongs to this
division. From its beauty, and occasional gaiety, it is oftener an
inhabitant of the drawing-room than the field; but it occasionally
breaks out, and shows what nature designed it for. Some of these
carpeted pets acquit themselves nobly in the covert. There they ought
oftener to be; for they have not much individuality of attachment to
recommend them, and, like other spoiled animals, both quadruped and
biped, misbehave. The breed has degenerated of late, and is not always
to be had pure, even in the neighbourhood of Blenheim. This spaniel may
he distinguished by the length and silkiness of the coat, the deep
fringe about the ear, the arch and deep-feathering of the tail, the full
and moist eye, and the blackness of the palate.
See also: Water Spaniel Dogs
Back to: Dog Types
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