_Coat._--Very important. To consist of tight, crisp curls all over body, and limbs. Fifteen per cent. of points go to the coat. _Height_ (shoulder measurement).--Not more than 24 inches, or less than 20 inches. _General Appearances._--To win, the Irish Water Spaniel must look proportionate all over, be active, have a tight curly coat and a good top-knot, carry the head well up, be keen in facial expression, have a cat-like tail, and look as though he would be ready to dive at the word of command--in fact a workman from top-knot to tail. _Faults._--Total absence of top-knot, a fully feathered tail and much white hair will disqualify. An open woolly coat, light in colour, cording of hair, Setter feathering on legs, and a moustache, are objectionable, and should tell heavily against an Irishman in the show-ring. _Weight._--55 to 65 lbs. _Club._--The Irish Water Spaniel Society. =The English Water Spaniel= Bewick gives an excellent figure of a large Water Spaniel. It is generally liver-coloured and white, with the hair on the body in little curls. The dog is of medium size, strong, active and intelligent, and used by the water-fowl shooter. In the _Gentleman's Recreation_ and in the _Sportman's Cabinet_, this variety of dog is also described. In the writer's opinion, there are plenty of these dogs to be seen about at the present time. They are larger than the Field Spaniel, and stronger built altogether, looking as though they had both the blood of Retriever and Irish Water Spaniel in them. The English Water Spaniel Club looks after the interests of this breed, and the Kennel Club provides a class for them. A narrow head, small eyes, large nose, straight neck, strong back, rather narrow, deep chest, long strong legs, large feet, a six-inch dock, with a coat of ringlets or curls (no top-knot), and good general appearance, are the chief points. Black, liver, liver and white, black and white, black and liver, are the accepted colours, but pied is most admired. In addition to this breed of Spaniel, the Kennel Club also provides classes for English Springers and Welsh Springers. [Illustration] CHAPTER VI INTERNATIONAL GUNDOG LEAGUE _The Sporting Spaniel Society_ CONSTITUTIONAL RULES 1. The name of the Society shall be "The Sporting Spaniel Society," its objects being to encourage the working qualities of Spaniels in every possible way, the breeding of them upon working lines, and the judging of them at shows from a working standpoint. All varieties of Sporting Spaniels, English and Irish Water, Norfolk, Clumber, Sussex, Black Springer, and Cocker Spaniels, and any other varieties of Spaniels used with the gun, shall be fostered and encouraged by this Society. It shall, if possible, hold a series of working Trials.