NOSE.-Large and soft. SHOULDERS AND CHEST.-Shoulders long and sloping; chest deep, and fairly broad. BACK AND LOIN.-Back flat and strong; loin rather long, flat, and strong. HINDQUARTERS.-Long; hock well let down; stifles moderately bent, and not twisted inward or outward. STERN. Low carried, i.e., not above the level of the back. FEET AND LEGS.-Strong boned, inclining to shortness; feet large, and rather flat. COAT. Not woolly, not curly, but may be broken. COLOUR.-Liver and white, and black and white. GENERAL APPEARANCE.-An active, useful, medium-sized dog. My illustrations represent Ch. Becchgrove Will, and Toss. The former, described by his owner as a "springer" spaniel, was bred and is owned by Mr. F. Winton Smith, and was born in November 1898. His sire was Beechgrove Romp and his dam Beechgrove Plum. He is probably one of the best specimens of his breed in existence, and secured the title of "Champion" at the Kennel Club Show of 1903. He is the winner of many prizes. The following is the description of Toss, who was bred by Mr. Cock, by Hoas out of Shot, and born in May 1899. He stands 15 inches high at shoulder, weighs 47 lbs., and is liver and white in colour. Is an extremely well-balanced dog, with immense bone, a splendid coat, typical head, deep and square in muzzle, dark brown eyes, full of intelligence, and correct carriage of both ears and tail. Well feathered to the feet on both front and hind legs; round cat-like feet, well protected with hair; neck and front very powerfully built, and he can carry five to six pounds with ease. Has never been known to be stopped by any break, no matter how thick. He has won many prizes in variety classes, and has been placed equal with champion spaniels. In the illustration his head has been made to look, owing to its being twisted, inclined to snipeyness, when in reality he has a particularly deep and square muzzle. THE WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL IN the Spaniel Club's Annual Report for 1902 it is announced: "The first committee meeting of the year was specially called on February 3rd to consider the decision of the Kennel Club to place on the register classes for English springers, other than Clumber and Sussex,' and 'Welsh springers, red and white,' which the committee unanimously decided to protest against." With such a dictum confronting me as I entitle this section I cannot but harbour qualms and doubts, and nervously anticipate that "derision" to which Mr. Bleazby complains he is subjected what time he leads his "Norfolk" spaniel into the ring. On the other hand, I am fortified by the decision of the Kennel Club, and the opinions of Welsh spaniel experts, who can speak of and vouch for the purity and antiquity of the breed from long personal and family experience. In answer to an inquiry, Sir John Talbot Dillwyn Llewelyn, Bart., of Penllergaer, writes: Mr. Williams, of Ynisygerwm, has now got the best spaniels -Welsh springers-which I know of, of our old breed. They are red and white, medium size, and in my younger days we had a very good team. I have a fair team now, but was unlucky a year or two ago. They are good workers. I believe my father had them many years; they were natives of the Vale of Neath, and tradition says we had the best then. Certainly I consider, |