TOY SPANIELS. The best known of the small pet or 'fancy' spaniels is the King Charles—a black and tan breed, which was maintained pure blooded for many generations with jealous care by the dukes of Norfolk. In early times they were broken to hunt. Now they are only pets. They are in the main simply miniature spaniels, weighing from 7 to 10 pounds, with eyes large, wide apart, and level, and ears long, drooping, and silky. The Blenheim resembles the King Charles, but its cars are shorter and it differs in color, being a pure pearly white, with bright chestnut or ruby red markings, evenly distrib uted in large patches. Both the ears and cheeks are red, with a blaze of white between them, in the centre of which is one small red spot. The breed derives its name from the estate of the first Duke of Alarlhorough, by whose family it was bred. They were in those days trained for the hunt as well as highly prized in the house. The Prince Charles, Charles I. spaniel, or tricolor,
resembles the Blenheim, except that where the Blenheim is red lie is black. and he has no 'blaze.' The 'ruby' is a King Charles spaniel, with a black nose, and is wholly red. The Japanese spaniel is pure parti-colored with black or red or lemon, and of very small size. It may weigh S to 12 pounds, or only one pound. as do some of the 'sleeve-dogs,' so called in Japan because they may be carried in the coat sleeve. The Japanese spaniels have a very compact body, large, highly arched head, and their dark eyes are set high and wide apart. The nose is short and pug-like; the legs are slender; and the tail is well feathered and carried in a tight curl over the back. They are very alert and affectionate. A similar (log is highly esteemed in China, especially when solid fawn or silver in color.
Consult authorities cited under Dog; also Spicer, Toy Dogs (London and New York, 1903).