scaling as it did some 4lb.; but since the days of Ted typical Yorkshire Terriers have been produced at less than half the weight. Such midgets, when females, it is hardly necessary to say, are not used for brood bitches. The risk at whelping-time would be far too great, considering the prices that first-rate specimens of the breed realise. Far better is it to use a medium-sized, roomy bitch of first-class pedigree, coming of a strain renowned for yielding small Yorkshire Terriers, and to mate her with a suitable small sire. Below is set out a description of the breed as given by the Yorkshire Terrier Club:

General Appearance. The general appearance should be that of a long-coated pet-dog, the coat hanging quite straight and evenly down each side, a parting extending from the nose to the end of the tail. The animal should be very compact and neat, the carriage being very sprightly. Although the frame is hidden beneath a mantle of hair, the general outline should be such as to suggest the existence of a vigorous and well-proportioned body.

Head. This should be rather small and flat, not too prominent or round in the skull, nor too long in the muzzle, with a perfectly black nose. The fall on the head should be very long and of a rich golden tan, deeper in colour at the sides of the head about the ear roots and on the muzzle, where it should be very long. The hair on the chest should be a rich bright tan. On no account must the tan on the head extend on to the neck; nor must there be any sooty or dark hairs intermingled with any of the tan.

Eyes.-Medium, dark, and sparkling, having a sharp, intelligent expression, and placed so as to look directly forward. They should not be prominent, and the edge of the eyelids should be dark.

Ears.-These should be small, V-shaped, and carried semi-erect or erect, covered with short hair, the colour being of a deep rich tan.

Mouth. Perfectly even, with teeth as sound as possible. An animal having lost any teeth through accident is not a fault, providing the jaws are even.

Body. Very compact, with a good loin, and level on top of the back.

Coat. The hair on the body should be as long as possible, and perfectly straight (not wavy), glossy like silk, and of a fine silky texture. Colour, a dark steel-blue (not a silver-blue) extending from the occiput to the root of the tail, and on no account mingled with fawn, bronze, or dark hairs.

Legs. Quite straight, and well covered with hair of a rich golden tan a few shades lighter at the ends than at the roots, not extending higher on the fore legs than the elbow, nor on the hind legs than the stifle.

Feet. As round as possible, and the toe-nails black.

Tail.-Docked to medium length; with plenty of hair, darker blue in colour than the rest of the body, especially at the end of the tail, and carried a little higher than the level of the back.

Tan-All tan hair should be darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to a still lighter tan at the tips.

Weight.-Divided into three classes: 5lb. and under; 7lb. and under, but over 5lb.; and over 7lb.

Of recent years there has been introduced a class known as "Silver" Yorkshire Terriers. As, however, these for the most part are poor-coloured examples of the true Yorkshire Terrier, it does not appear compatible with a desire to improve the breed to encourage them.

CHAPTER LVI

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS

ENGLISH "Toy Spaniels," as now designated, are the offspring of royal and aristocratic pets since the time of Henry VIII., early in the fifteenth century, and comprise the four well-known varieties, King Charles, Prince Charles, Ruby, and Blenheim Spaniels. How long these dainty pets were known in England before that period is a matter of uncertainty, or from what breed or primary types they are the lineal descendants history does not record; but it is believed that they were imported into Spain from Japan, and certainly the name "Spaniel," from espagneul, shows Spanish connection or origin. A comparison of the present King Charles with the Japanese Spaniel shows much that is identical in colour, size, and general symmetry, and supports this theory. If, however, the genealogy of these old-time favourites is lost in obscurity, and the popular belief be true that it requires two generations to make a gentleman, then surely these canine pets, through the course of generations of culture under royal auspices, are gentle-dogs indeed!

In their different varieties the Toy Spaniels are closely associated with English history, and figure as the favourites of lord and lady, of court and monarch, the pets of our stern and manly forefathers, and the fitting subjects of artist, poet, and biographer.

With regard to the obscurity of their origin, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, about 1570, the Spaniels were described at length by the physician of the Queen, Dr. John Caius, who, says a well-known authority, clearly connects them with the Maltese Spaniel (Canis Melitaus), as the latter then existed, and quotes in support of this from the works of Dr. Caius. It may, of course, be that to the Maltese the Toy Spaniel is indebted for its long

coat.

Certainly these doggie favourites had a foremost place in Queen Elizabeth's time, as well as during subsequent reigns. So much did they entwine themselves round the hearts of their various owners, we are informed that even the virtue of healing

was attributed to them, for which purpose they were borne in the bosom of the distressed person, or pressed against the afflicted part. Be this as it may, it goes to show the estimation in which they were held, and, after all, it is not unreasonable that the ready sympathy with which these responsive pets meet our varying conditions and moods carries it the soothing of devotion, potent according to the sympathy existing between owner and pet. Though they are the mere dependants and ornaments of our idlest hours, many of us can testify to the strong but gentle hold with which our pet Spaniels possess our affections, and how much consolation they bring in the hour of sickness or depression.

"I cannot but believe," writes a well-known fancier of these Toys, "like the Rev. J. G. Wood, Dr. Gordon Stables, and others, that the higher order of animals have souls, and that their spirits live. Indeed, I look forward with as much anticipation as the Indian to his happy hunting-grounds, attended by his horse and dogs, to myself meeting in another realm the many sinless little creatures whose bodies lie buried in my garden, and who by life-long devotion might well shame many members of educated humanity."

History records that the hapless Queen of Scots was accompanied to the scaffold by her little Spaniel, and that while a fugitive or prisoner at Carisbrook Castle, King Charles was attended by his favourite Spaniels, with whom he often amused himself; it is certainly a fact that he was rarely unattended by his four-footed pets. They were so numerous in his time that they bred in his bedroom, and over-ran Hampton Court and York Palace-now Whitehall- to which, according to Pepys's diary, they had free access, even upon State occasions.

Although harsh censors may declare these facts fitting to a frivolous age, the popularity of these little animals has ebbed and flowed ever since, and the Toy Spaniel still maintains his exalted associations. The aristocrat seems born in each variety-they cannot be otherwise. Psychologically they are sensitive and observant, as quickly noticing the difference between poorly clad and well-to-do people as between people kind and unkind. They are more at home on the pillow or the counterpane and in the drawing-room than in the kitchen or the kennel. Their lines have correspondingly "fallen in pleasant places."

It is interesting to note what vicissitudes of fortune have attended these little dogs-from being the chosen company of ye daintie dames and monarchs, they were found, as late as thirty years ago, bred in the slums of London, and some of the best specimens now on the show-bench are related to grand-dames and sires bred and reared in Whitechapel. Many are the experiences old fanciers can tell of visits to underground kitchens

and dark apartments, and discoveries of rare specimens huddled in corners, or extracted from boxes and cupboards. How these delicate animals survived under such conditions, or retained their charming characteristics, is a matter of conjecture.

We must not imagine the Spaniel of former days to be the same as the present type; the breed has undergone various changes with the fashion of the times. He undoubtedly had a much longer nose, a smaller head, and a coat inclined to be curly. By depriving him

of the long nose his keen sense of smell and hunting abilities are exchanged for traits of gentleness, beauty, and for profuse coat and silken feather. Though opinions differ, and criticisms are severe at the peculiarities developed from time to time, it is here purposed impartially to outline the history of these breeds, and their characteristics past and present.

THE KING CHARLES
SPANIEL

This variety is perhaps the oldest and best known of the Toy Spaniels. We first hear definitely of it in the Court of King Charles, probably about 1630, before which the different breeds were only known as Spaniels; to this monarch the King Charles" is indebted for his royal title. At the time of Charles II. the King Charles (Fig. 120) may be said to have reached its zenith of popularity; it was the pampered favourite of the King, and the position it held in Court, to which we have referred, allowed it ready access on all

occasions.

Besides being the oldest, the Royal Spaniel has, through the different periods of pet-dog history, always had its votaries, and though the Toy Spaniels are perhaps as plentiful and popular as they ever were, it is not to be replaced by any others at the present