A typical portrait of two well-known winners in these popular varieties.]
YORKSHIRE TOY TERRIERS, with their steel-blue bodies and golden-tanned faces, legs, and lower parts, and long straight coats, require skilful attention to keep in order, but are very attractive as pets.
TOY SPANIELS are very old members of the toy division, dating from or before the time of His Majesty King Charles: KING CHARLES SPANIELS being black and tan; PRINCE CHARLES SPANIELS black, white, and tan; another strain, the BLENHEIM, white, with shades of reddish-tan markings on the head and body, and a spot of same colour on forehead; and the RUBY, a rich coppery red all over. They should be small and stout in size and shape, without coarseness, long in the ear, with large full protruding eyes of dark colour, a short face, a straight coat, and not leggy.
JAPANESE SPANIELS carry heavy coats, usually black, or yellow, and white in colour, shorter in the ears, which are carried more forward than in the last-named, broader in the muzzle, with nearly flat faces, dark eyes, and bushy tails carried over the back. They have very short legs, and their hair nearly reaches the ground as they walk. When I kept them they were much larger in size, but they are often now produced under 6 lbs. in weight.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. Reid_] [_Wishaw, N.B._
A picture full of life and go--at present odds in favour of our friend with the prickly coat.]
PEKIN SPANIELS, the last of the toy spaniels I need mention, come from China. They should have soft fluffy coats, tails inclined to turn over the back, short faces, broad muzzles, large lustrous eyes, and a grave, dignified expression. The colour is usually some shade of tawny fawn or drab, but I have seen them black and dark brown; whatever colour, it should be without white. The illustration, Mrs. Lindsay's "Tartan Plaid," was one of the early importations.
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor_] [_Ealing._
This little group will serve to show the appearance of these charming little pets.]
ITALIAN GREYHOUNDS, another old-fashioned variety of toy dog, should not exceed 12 lbs. in weight, but in my opinion are better if they are some pounds less. Much like miniature greyhounds in shape and build, they are elegant, graceful little creatures, very sensitive to cold. Shades of fawn, cream, or French grey are most common; but some are slate-blue, chestnut-red, and other tints. Of late years the breed has met with more encouragement, and there is less fear of its being allowed to die out.