Dogs Used in Sport (Continued)

sporting spaniels—basset hounds—dachshounds

A good many I have known, make much and think highly of some of the breeds of Spaniels. These are noted for their affectionate disposition and docility. The least often seen, and therefore not much known, are the Irish and the English Water Spaniels. The former should be dark liver coloured, covered with curls, except on the tail, which should be nearly bare of hair, and on the head a considerable tuft of hair, called the top-knot, hanging down over the eyes and face, so as to almost hide the former. There is something very comical, and quite "Hibernian," about the look of this breed, and they always appear to be open for any amount of fun, but they are also grand workers, and for duck-shooting, and retrieving in general, they are above the average in achievements, as they are above most of their fellows in size. The English Variety is also a capital all-round useful dog, generally roan or dark coloured in ground, with sometimes spots or markings on head and body, also covered with curls, and looks best with tail moderately docked. He gives you the idea of a "business dog," and is very lively and ready for work of almost any sporting kind, and can stand a deal of it. Another of the family I am very partial to and have sometimes met with and kept as a companion, is the Clumber. I think this is the most aristocratic-looking of the sporting varieties of the breed, and should be a creamy white, with patches of lemon or light orange-tan, about the head and body. Either the tactics of the sportsmen of the present day are too rapid, or for some other cause, but there certainly are not so many of the breed to be seen now as there were some fifteen or twenty years since, but I am glad to see the present Duke of Newcastle is keeping up the breed at Clumber, where it is supposed to have been originally produced, and that there are still a few kennels in the country, where they are breeding some of these beautiful dogs, for I contend that a Clumber, in good form and well-groomed (when his coat will have quite a bloom on it), is one of the handsomest dogs a sportsman can wish to accompany him, and although his build and formation are not suited for a high rate of speed, he can get over a good deal of ground in the course of the day, and render some useful service to his owner and his friends. In that celebrated book, "The Master of the Game," preserved in the British Museum, and attributed to a royal author, being supposed to be written by a son of King Edward III. (who died in 1402), the Spaniel is spoken of as "Saynolfe," no doubt a term intended for "Spaynolfe," and is described as one of the hounds used for hawking, and called a Spaynel, "because the nature of him cometh from Spain, notwithstanding they are to be found in other countries," and such hounds, the author declares, have many good customs and evil. He insists that a good hound for hawking should have a large head and body, and that he should be of a "fair hewe," white or tawne, and not too "jough," that is, hairy or rough, but, his tail should be "rough," or feathered; he goes on to describe the proper temperament, as a sportsman of the present age would speak of a modern Clumber, leaving out one of its greatest merits, its silence, or muteness, in work, however excited, so much to be desired. A great deal of sport may be had over a brace of Clumbers, which are as much as a sportsman can do with, particularly with a Retriever to look after the "killed and wounded."

I have also, occasionally, seen a specimen of the Sussex Spaniel, which are rare dogs for work, made a house pet of. They should be rich copper colour, and are very showy and distinguished looking in appearance, strong and muscular in build, more active than you would give them credit for, by their looks, and possessed of much intelligence and affection for their friends, good guards, and well able to take their own parts in any row, seldom coming off worst, even with larger antagonists. They have been brought to great perfection of late years. I should say there are some as good as any ever seen, to be met with at the present day, and especially at the well known Bridford Kennels in Devon. I think they are rather growing in public favour, to the reverse being the case; I often see what I may call "the Field Spaniel proper," the old glossy black, kept as a companion; the very long backed, and short-legged type, now in favour, don't strike one as being able to stand so much hard work, in the covers, as the more old fashioned sort, but they are, many of them, very beautiful dogs, and of high quality, and, what is also of importance to breeders, they command very high prices. I heard of an instance, not very long since, when a buyer was found for five or six specimens of the Black Field Spaniel, at £1,100, and another gave £400 for a single dog. I know all the three parties, that is, the seller and the two buyers, in these transactions, and believe them to be bon fide and true, in substance and fact, so that Spaniel breeding evidently can be made to pay. Although I sometimes see some of the old liver and white, roan, blue and black Spaniels about, I certainly think they are not so popular as they were some years since. As a rule they are tractable, good tempered, "born sportsmen," particularly fond of a ramble amongst country lanes and hedgerows, and capital companions for all, attaching themselves readily to ladies and children, and making themselves "at home" as members of the household, though always ready for their own proper work, outside, when called upon.

Sporting Spaniel Points.—I will here give the show points of the several Sporting Spaniels, commencing with the Clumber. The points of this breed are as follows:—He should be long, low, and heavy, weight varies, but averages about forty to forty-five pounds. Colour, white, of a creamy shade, with orange or lemon markings; actual liver colour, or the very pale lemon, once made a point of, are now objected to by some breeders of the present day. Height should not be over eighteen or twenty inches. Legs, both short and strong, in fact, so much so that, with his deep, well-coated body, he shows little "daylight" below him, as he stands or walks. Head, large, long, coloured to a line under the eyes, and showing a "blaze" up the face. Eyes, rather small for size of head, sunken, pensive, and thoughtful. Nose, dark flesh, or liver, coloured. Ears, large and much feathered, below, where the fleshy part of the ear ends. Neck, long, strong, and muscular. Back, straight and long. Chest, wide, also the shoulders, and substantial, likewise the forearm, which is very heavy for his size. Hocks, and hind quarters, large, bony, and very muscular. Loins, not arched, but straight. Ribs, round and prominent, back-ribs, in particular, very deep. Stern, set on low, looks best "docked," as is usually the case, with a little hair hanging at the fag end. Coat should be not too full in quantity, but very straight, silky, shining, and soft, in texture. The appearance and general character being that of a high class, dignified specimen of the sporting dog, well able to do all that can be reasonably required of him, but with no idea of being dictated to, hurried, or "put out of the way," by any one.

The Irish Water Spaniel.—The head of the Irish Water Spaniel is rather large, forehead prominent, face perfectly smooth from eyes down, ears from twenty-four to twenty-six inches long from end to end; head should be crowned with a well-defined top-knot, not straggling across, like the common Water Dog, but coming down in a peak on the forehead. The body should be covered with small, crisp curls, which often become draggled in the moulting season; the tail, should be round and "rat-like," without feather, rather short than the reverse, and as stiff as a ramrod. Colour, pure puce-shaded liver, without any white. Height, about from twenty-two to twenty-two and a half inches, seldom more when pure bred.

English Water Spaniel.—The following description of this breed, which is a very great favourite of mine, and I regret to say seems to be growing more scarce, year by year, is from the pen of my old friend, Mr. A. W. Langdale, who was counted an authority on Spaniels generally:—"Young breeders and judges should have before them this fact, that Colour should be a secondary matter with the English Water Spaniel, and the latter should never pass over a liver and white dog, in favour of a whole coloured liver, provided the liver and white is a well-made specimen of his breed. The weight, again, should not exceed forty pounds, and his height nineteen inches, his ears may be fairly long, and covered all over with curl; also the body, not the close curl of his Irish brother, but one somewhat looser, and more straggly; his head is broad and long, with piercing eyes, his legs are well feathered behind, as well as in front, and there is no doubt that the feather, which in a ticked dog, comes out from each and every liver spot in front of the forelegs, has much to do with his power of endurance in water. They may be called 'natural retrievers,' as no dog is easier taught."

The Sussex Spaniel.—He should be of a deep golden liver colour, and should weigh about thirty-four pounds. His head should be long and heavy, his eye large, and languishing, his forehead projecting over the eye, the muzzle square, the lips rather pendulous, his mouth large, and his underjaw rather recedes from the upper jaw. His ears should be large and well furnished with silky hair, they should be small, or narrow, where they spring from the head, and large, or lobe shaped, at the base; they should be set low down, and hang close to the cheeks. The nostrils should be large, the nose large and liver-coloured. The neck should be strong and muscular, with the crest a little arched. The chest, should be wide, the shoulders well thrown back, the body, long, and round. The legs should be short and strong, well flewed to the foot, before and behind. The feet, which are nearly always good in a Spaniel, should be round, well arched, and abundantly furnished with feather. The loin should be very strong, the back ribs very deep and round; the tail, docked to about nine inches, and well-feathered, should be set low, and have a downward action. The proper carriage of the tail marks the Spaniel's purity, as much as anything. The coat should be waved, not curled, and as already said, of a golden liver colour.

The Black Spaniel.—The following description of the points required in this popular variety, are laid down by my friend, Mr. T. Jacobs, of Newton Abbot, who is, as far as I know, about the most successful breeder and exhibitor of them, during the last twenty-five years, he says:—"My standard is as follows: Pleasing temper I always look to first, never breed from a bad tempered sporting dog, every sportsman knows what a nuisance they are. A long body, short legs, with plenty of bone and feather, a perfectly smooth, satin-like coat, with no inclination to wave, or curl, moderately long. Ears, covered with long, silky hair, not ringlets, well set, low down, and hung close to the cheeks, small, or narrow, where they spring from the head, and large and lobe shaped, at the base, well furnished with hair on the inside leather. A long head, not 'snipey,' or heavy, like the Clumber; dark, pleasing eye, a yellow eye indicates bad temper, and should be avoided. Level mouth, not 'pig-jawed,' or under hung, but I prefer the former fault to the latter, which prevails, I am sorry to see, in some of our present show dogs. Breeders should avoid them as stock dogs. A long neck, slightly arched, well clothed with muscle. Strong across the loins. Ribs well sprung, and barrel-shaped. Belly, well clothed with long hair and not tucked up, like the Greyhound, a common fault. Broad chest, well clothed with muscle and feather. Feet, round and cat-like, with a plentiful supply of hair between the toes. Many have argued with me, that mating black with liver colour, would throw the black puppies rusty, or bad black, but, being a pigeon breeder for many years, and knowing that by mating duns and blacks, you procure a better black than by breeding two blacks together, I thought if this held good with Pigeons, why should it not do with dogs? I therefore mated my Spaniels, as before described, the result is, I have never seen one bad black, and have bred more than a dozen litters in that way."

Some Other Sporting Spaniels.—The heads of small Spaniels should resemble those of small Setters, and have no tuft on them. The ears should be moderately long, and lie close to the cheek. Very short ears indicate a cross. The legs should be strong, well feathered and short; the feet round; and each toe should be protected with hair, a plentiful supply of which on, and between the toes, is important. The chest should be rather broad. The elbows, not so oblique as in the Setter. The body, should be long, and somewhat round, and barrel-like, with less depth of the fore rib than in the Setter. The tail, should come out on a line with the backbone. The colours may be almost anything, black, black and white, liver, liver and white, lemon, lemon and white, roan, blue, or grey mottled.

Bassets.—Amongst those breeds which have been taken up a good deal as pets and companions in comparatively recent years, have been the Bassets, both Smooth and Rough-coated. This breed, which has been in fewer hands than most, also enjoys the advantage of royal patronage, both their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, being successful breeders and exhibitors of them. They are heavy looking, usually hound marked, in colour, that is, white with black and light brown, and hound-tanned markings on body, which is very long shaped on short, strong legs, large, pendulous ears and head, and in expression much like what we used to see in pictures of the "old English Hound." They have a high-class and distinguished look about them, and give you the impression of character and breeding. They have not been used extensively for sporting purposes in this country, to my knowledge.

Dachshunds.—Another of the breeds I have seen kept as pets, is the Dachshund, or Badger Dog, as the name implies. I think they are rarely, or ever, used for Badgers in this country, and for the safety of the greater part of those I have seen here, I think it is much better that is so, as any one familiar with the Badger, or the "old Gentleman in Grey," as he is frequently called, will know that he is a formidable opponent to tackle, muscular, active, low to the ground, with a very tough, harsh coat, and long, powerful jaws, and weighing from over twenty to over thirty pounds, so that it requires activity, strength and indomitable pluck for a small dog to attempt to overcome such an animal, possessing so many natural advantages. I think Dachshunds are not so generally kept as pets as they were some years since, but my experience of them is favourable, having found them amiable and docile in disposition, cleanly in habits, and bright and lively in temperament. They are very long, and low, in build, head and ears hound shaped, forelegs curved with an outward turn, to facilitate digging operations, tail carried rather gaily, coat fine in texture, skin loose, colours most in favour, rich chestnut red, black and tan, chocolate, and other shades of brown, and of late, what is called "dappled," which seems to be a ground of one shade of brown, splashed with irregular blotches of another darker shade of same colour. Of course there are constantly springing up new patrons and patronesses for all kinds of dogs, but I have noticed that almost every one of the persons who were the most enthusiastic supporters, and breeders of Dachshunds, when they were first brought forward, many years since, have now ceased to keep them, although they nearly all keep some other breeds, so that, as in my own case, I think it is not one of the varieties which takes a lasting hold on its votaries, whether from the fact that it is essentially one of the foreign made breeds, and the effect of the strong preference, which now prevails for the encouragement of everything of British and Colonial origin and manufacture, I do not know, but I can call to mind at least ten of the largest breeders of Dachshunds in this country, who, I believe, have not at present one specimen amongst the lot.

Points of the Basset Hound.—The following description of the points desired in this breed by my friend, the late lamented Sir Everett Millais, Bart., who was quite an enthusiast in his support of it, may be interesting to those of my readers who admire (and who, that has seen them, can fail to do so?) these very beautiful dogs:—"The Basset, for its size, has perhaps more bone than nearly any other dog. The skull, should be peaked, like that of the Bloodhound, with the same dignity, and expression; nose, black, and well flewed. For the size of the Hound, I think the teeth are extremely small. However, as they are not intended to destroy life, perhaps this is the reason. The ears, should hang, like the Bloodhounds, and are like the softest velvet. The eyes are deep brown, and brimful of affection and intelligence. They are pretty deeply set, and should show a considerable 'haw.' A Basset, is one of those Hounds, incapable of having a 'wicked eye.' The neck, is long, but of great power, and in the Basset À jambes torses, the flews extend very nearly down to the chest. The chest, is more expansive in the Basset, than even in the Bull Dog, and should, in the Basset À jambes torses, be not more than two inches from the ground. In the case of the Basset À jambes demi-torses, and jambes droites, being generally lighter, their chests do not of course come so low. The shoulders, are of great power and terminate in the crooked feet of the Basset, which appear to be a mass of joints. The back and ribs, are strong, and the former of great length, the stern, is gaily carried, like that of Hounds in general, and when the Hound is on the scent of game, this portion of his body gets extremely animated, and tells me, in my own Hounds, when they have struck a fresh, or cold, scent, and I even know when the foremost Hound will give tongue! The hindquarters, are very strong and muscular, the muscles standing rigidly out, down to the hocks. The skin, is soft in the smooth haired dogs, and like that of any other Hound, but in the rough variety, it is identical with that of the Otter Hound. Colour, of course, is a matter of fancy, although I infinitely prefer the 'tricolour,' which has a tan head, and black and white body."

Points of the Dachshund.—The following are set down by my friend, Mr. A. O. Mudie, so well-known as a successful breeder, exhibitor and judge of this quaint-looking breed, and who has had a long experience amongst them:—Head, long and narrow, peak well developed. Jaw, strong, and level. Ears, set on low, long, broad, and soft. Chest, deep, and narrow; breastbone prominent. Forelegs, very short, and strong in bone, well-crooked, but standing equally on all parts of the foot. Skin, thick, and supple. Coat, short and strong. Loins, well arched, strong and muscular. Any colour. Long, low, and graceful, and not cloddy."

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