Our Toys are rather inclined to luxuriate in the idleness and comfort usually at their disposal. But when we are dressed for a walk and invite them to accompany us they quickly testify to their fondness for an outing. There are perhaps few prettier sights than to see a family of these different-coloured Spaniels sporting in a garden or a meadow, and especially when trained to play with a ball. Activity of this kind is always beneficial, as they should never be allowed to get fat, gross, or lazy. A coarse, snuffling Spaniel is an abomination; but they must be kept out of the wet, as their long hair holds the moisture, and damp feet are most injurious to them.

At some time or other the house Spaniels must be taught "society manners." This they soon learn with a little indulgence and training. It is usually best to let them out of doors from three to four times a day - of course in the early morning, and the last thing at night before putting them to bed, at other times after the luncheon hour, and at tea time.

Apart from other dogs, the trouble to which the sensitive Toy Spaniel is most liable is "eczema." The best preventative is strict attention to the laws of hygiene. The most effective treatment for its removal pays equal attention to internal as well as external requirements. For both purposes the old-fashioned remedy of sulphur still holds its own.

The food of our Toy Spaniels should be of the very best, given regularly twice a day to grown dogs, and four or five times to puppies, according to age. When two or three only are kept scraps from the table will suffice. A little lean meat chopped very fine, and mixed with vegetables and breadcrumbs, moistened with gravy, varied sometimes with plain suet pudding, boiled rice, and of course pet dog biscuits, which may be given at all times, make an excellent diet. Occasionally the much-coveted bone may be given, but it must not be likely to splinter. Pure, fresh drinking-water kept in porcelain or enamelled dishes should always be within reach.

Our pet dogs run more risk from over-feeding than from neglect. They are usually too much indulged with rich and highly seasoned foods, whereas they cannot be fed too plainly; but once addicted to an unnatural diet it is difficult to remedy the mistake. Grown dogs should be fed from small vessels, so that their long ears may fall over the sides, otherwise they become matted and dirty. Small enamel dishes are the best, and they are very inexpensive.

To keep the coat of the Toy Spaniel clean and in the best condition it requires daily brushing and combing. A long, moderately hard brush, and a strong comb with teeth set wide apart - such a brush and comb as we use for our own toilet - is most suitable. Both must be kept scrupulously clean. A small-wire-tooth comb occasionally passed through the coat, besides keeping it in good order, also serves to dismiss any unpleasant visitors that may venture to intrude. Too frequent combing, particularly with a small comb, is not recommended, however, as the coat of the Toy Spaniel is tender, and the comb may rob it of its glory, but the more it is brushed the glossier and more beautiful it will become.

A warm bath, in soft rain water if possible, not less than once in two or three weeks, will usually keep our pets clean and fresh, and fit for the lap of ye daintiest ladie; but the bath requires both care and hard work, because the coat of the Toy Spaniel is long and fine, and the skin is sensitive and delicate. After the lathering has been done and the coat well washed - care being taken to keep the soap out of the ears, eyes, and nose of our pet, to prevent which it is best to wash the head last - the water should be changed for the purpose of rinsing out all the remaining soap and dirt; the coat then requires first wringing with the hands, and then to be vigorously rubbed with dry towels, until it is as dry as practicable, after which the dog should be placed in a blanket, near a fire if the weather is cold or damp, or in the sunshine in summer time. Care must be taken to keep the dog out of the cold or draught until after the coat is dry, and before then it should not be allowed to move even over an ordinary carpet or floor, as the long coat catches up all the dust or dirt that may exist. Before the coat is dry it may be carefully combed and brushed, as it can be more easily disentangled while damp than if left until it is quite dry, and, like the human hair, will better retain its position afterwards.

If the hair is short or falling out, grooming serves as massage, causing activity in the cells of the skin and stimulating the growth of hair. Cocoanut oil or ordinary vaseline may be advantageously employed, if used moderately and well rubbed in; but the rubbing is half the virtue. Of course, in the case of specific disease it is advisable to secure experienced treatment.

The labour involved in preparing Toy Spaniels for an exhibition is always tedious, even to the ardent fancier. The special washing, brushing, and combing, which is so essential, and then the watchful care required to keep the would-be champions from soiling their parade coats, always precedes the show-ring, from which cares many other breeds of dogs are exempt.

Unfortunately, like the rest of the canine race, our highly bred Spaniels are short lived, and seldom exceed more than fifteen years. For the brilliancy of their colourings, the variety of their markings, the amiability and innate refinement of their dispositions, their sagacity and activity, they may be rightly considered the most attractive pets, for both palace and home, that it is possible to find.

Since the foregoing article was written there has been a movement among Toy Spaniel fanciers in England and America to consider the advisability of classing all varieties of Toy Spaniels as one breed, under the title of King Charles, only subdividing them by colour. His Majesty King Edward VII., with his usual interest in such matters, upon learning this expressed his wish that the historic name of "King Charles" should be retained, as it appeared threatened with extinction. There seems a reasonable necessity for the new classification suggested, as the four varieties are sometimes produced in one litter, thus showing that they are all one family, and experienced breeders find that judicious crossing is necessary to preserve type and colour. Undoubtedly in the olden days the same varieties existed and all were called Spaniels.