arly imported specimens were
generally of the larger kind, and if they were bred from--which is
doubtful--it was by crossing with the already long-established King
Charles or Blenheim Spaniels. Their colours were not invariably white
and black. Many were white and red, or white with lemon-yellow
patches. The colouring other than white was usually about the
long-fringed ears and the crown of the head, with a line of white
running from the point of the snub black nose between the eyes as far
as the occiput. This blaze up the face was commonly said to resemble
the body of a butterfly, whose closed wings were represented by the
dog's expansive ears.

The white and black colouring is now the most frequent. The points
desired are a broad and rounded skull, large in proportion to the
dog's body; a wide, strong muzzle and a turned-up lower jaw. Great
length of body is not good; the back should be short and level. The
legs are by preference slender and much feathered, the feet large and
well separated. An important point is the coat. It should be abundant,
particularly about the neck, where it forms a ruffle, and it ought
to be quite straight and very silky. The Japanese Spaniel is
constitutionally delicate, requiring considerable care in feeding. A
frequent--almost a daily--change of diet is to be recommended, and
manufactured foods are to be avoided. Rice usually agrees well; fresh
fish, sheep's head, tongue, chicken livers, milk or batter puddings
are also suitable; and occasionally give oatmeal porridge, alternated
with a little scraped raw meat as an especial favour. For puppies
newly weaned it is well to limit the supply of milk foods and to avoid
red meat. Finely minced rabbit, or fish are better.

Of the Japanese Spaniels which have recently been prominent in
competition, may be mentioned Miss Serena's Champion Fuji of Kobe, a
remarkably beautiful bitch, who was under 5 lb. in weight, and who in
her brief life gained six full championships. Mrs. Gregson's Ch. Tora
of Braywick, a fine red and white dog, somewhat over 7 lb., is also to
be remembered as a typical example of the breed, together with Kara,
the smallest Jap ever exhibited or bred in this country, weighing only
2-1/2 lb. when 2-1/2 years old; Lady Samuelson's Togo and O'Toyo of
Braywick, and Mrs. Hull's Ch. Daddy Jap.

There has lately been a tendency to lay too much stress upon
diminutive size in this variety of the dog, to the neglect of
well-formed limbs