"I one day picked up in the streets an old spaniel bitch, that some
boys were worrying, from which her natural timidity rendered her
incapable of defending herself. Grateful for the protection, she
readily followed me home, where she was placed among other dogs, in
expectation of finding an owner for her; but which not happening, she
spent the remainder of her life (three or four years) in this asylum.
Convinced she was safe and well treated, I had few opportunities of
particularly noticing her afterwards, and she attached herself
principally to the man who fed her. At a future period, when
inspecting the sick dogs, I observed her in great pain, occasionally
crying out. Supposing her to be affected in her bowels, and having no
suspicion she was in pup, I directed some castor-oil to be given her.
The next day she was still worse, when I examined her more
attentively, and, to my surprise, discovered that a young one
obstructed the passage, and which she was totally unable to bring
forth. I placed her on a table, and, after some difficulty, succeeded
in detaching the puppy from her. The relief she instantly felt
produced an effect I shall never forget; she licked my hands, and when
put on the ground she did the same to my feet, danced round me, and
screamed with gratitude and joy.
"From this time to her death, which did not happen till two years
after, she never forgot the benefit she had received; on the contrary,
whenever I approached, she was boisterous in evincing her gratitude
and regard, and would never let me rest till, by noticing her, I had
convinced her that I was sensible of her caresses. The difference
between her behaviour before this accident and after it was so pointed
and striking, that it was impossible to mistake the grateful sense she
had ever retained of the kindness which had been shown to her."
Spaniels in cover are merry and cheerful companions, all life and
animation. They hunt, they frisk about, watching the movements of
their master, and are indefatigable in their exertions to find game
for him. Their neat shape, their beautiful coats, their cleanly
habits, their insinuating attention, incessant attendance, and
faithful obedience, insure for them general favour. It is almost
impossible, therefore, not to have the greatest attachment and
affection for them, especially as few dogs evince so much sagacity,
sincerity, patience, fidelity, and gratitude. From the time they are
thrown off in the field, as a proof of the pleasure they feel in being
employed, the tail is in perpetual motion, upon the increased
vibration of which the experienced sportsman well knows when he is
getting nearer to the game. As the dog approaches it, the more
energetic he becomes. Tremulous whimpers escape him as a matter of
doubt occurs, and he is all eagerness as he hits again on the scent.
The Clumber breed of spaniels have long been celebrated for their
strength and powers of endurance, their unerring nose, and for hunting
mute--a great qualification where game abounds. This breed has been
preserved in its purity by the successive Dukes of Newcastle, and may
be considered as an aristocratic apanage to their country seats. Nor
should the fine breed of spaniels belonging to the Earl of Albemarle
be passed by in silence. They are black and tan, of a large size, with
long ears, and very much feathered about the legs. They are excellent
retrievers; and those who have seen will not soon forget Sir Edwin
Landseer's charming picture of the late Lord Albemarle's celebrated
dog Chancellor, and one of his progeny, holding a dead rabbit between
them, as if equally eager to bring it to their amiable master. These
dogs, like those of the Clumber breed, hunt mute, and seldom range out
of shot.
While on the subject of Lord Albemarle's breed of dogs, I may mention
an extraordinary fact which I noticed in a former work, and which I
witnessed myself. I allude to the circumstance of a favourite dog
having died after producing a litter of puppies, which were adopted,
suckled, and brought up by a young bitch of the same breed, who never
had any whelps of her own, or indeed was in the way of having any. The
flow of milk of the foster-mother was quite sufficient for the
sustenance of the adopted offspring, and enabled her to support and
bring them up with as much care and affection as if they had been her
own. Here was an absence of that _notus odor_ which enables animals to
distinguish their young from those of others, and also of that
distension of milk which makes the suckling their young so delightful
to them. Indeed it may be observed how beautifully and providentially
it has been ordered, that the process of suckling their young is as
pleasurable to the parent animal as it is essential to the support of
the infant progeny. The mammae of animals become painful when
over-distended with milk. Drawing off that fluid removes positive
uneasiness and affords positive pleasure. In the present instance,
however, nothing of the sort was the case, and therefore we can only
look to that kindliness of disposition and intelligence with which
many animals are so strongly endowed as the reason of the singular
adoption referred to. I am aware that this fact has been doubted, but
it is too well known and authenticated to admit of the possibility of
any mistake. In this instance it must be allowed that the usually
defined bounds of instinct were exceeded. If so, distress at hearing
the cries of the helpless young must have acted forcibly on the kindly
feelings of a poor brute, and thus induced her to act in the manner I
have described.
Spaniels, like other dogs, possess the power of finding their way to
their homes from distances of considerable extent, and over ground
they have not before traversed.
A lady residing at Richmond (Mrs. Grosvenor) gave the Rev. Leonard
Jenyns the following anecdote of a dog and cat. A little Blenheim
spaniel of hers once accompanied her to the house of a relative, where
it was taken into the kitchen to be fed, when two large favourite cats
flew at it several times, and scratched it severely. The spaniel was
in the habit of following its mistress in her walks in the garden, and
by degrees it formed a friendship with a young cat of the gardener's,
which it tempted into the house,--first into the hall, and then into
the kitchen,--where, on finding one of the large cats, the spaniel and
its ally fell on it together, and, without further provocation, beat
it well; they then waited for the other, which they served in the same
manner, and finally drove both cats from the kitchen. The two friends
continued afterwards to eat off the same plate as long as the spaniel
remained with her mistress in the house.
A gentleman residing at Worcester had a favourite spaniel, which he
brought with him to London inside the coach. After having been in town
a day or two he missed the dog, and wrote to acquaint his family at
Worcester of his loss. He received an answer informing him that he
need not distress himself about "Rose," as she had arrived at her old
house at Worcester five days after she had been lost in London, but
very thin and out of condition. This same dog was a great favourite,
and much domesticated. She formed a friendship with the cat, and when
before the fire the latter would lie down in the most familiar manner
by the side of the dog. When the dog had puppies, the cat was in the
habit of sucking her; and it happened more than once that both had
young ones at the same time, when the cat might be seen sucking the
bitch, and the kittens taking their nourishment from the cat.
A friend of mine, who then resided in South Wales, had a team of
spaniels, which he used for woodcock shooting. As he was leaving the
country for a considerable length of time, he gave permission to some
of his neighbours to take out his spaniels when they wanted them. One
of these was a remarkably good dog, but of rather a surly disposition,
and had, in consequence, been but little petted or noticed by his
master. Notwithstanding this, nothing could induce him either to
follow or hunt with those to whom he was lent. In order, therefore, to
make him of any use, it was necessary to get his feeder to accompany
the shooting party, and the dog would then take to hunt in cover; but
if this man returned home, the dog would find it out and be there
before him. At the end of nearly six years his master returned into
Wales, and near the house discovered his old dog, apparently asleep.
Knowing his ferocious disposition, he did not venture to go close to
him, but called him by name, which did not appear to excite the
animal's attention. No sooner, however, did the dog hear an old
exciting _cover-call_, than he jumped up, sprang to his old master,
and showed his affection for him in every possible way. When the
shooting season came, he proved himself to be as good a dog as ever.
Mons. Blaze says, that a fondness for the chase does not always make a
dog forget his fidelity to his master. He was one day shooting wild
ducks with a friend near Versailles, when, as soon as the first shot
was fired, a fine spaniel dog joined and began to caress them. They
shot during the whole day, and the dog hunted with the greatest zeal
and alacrity. Supposing him to be a stray dog, they began to think of
appropriating him to themselves; but as soon as the sport was over,
the dog ran away. They afterwards discovered that he belonged to one
of the keepers, who was confined to his house by illness. His duty,
however, was to shoot ducks on one particular day of the week, when he
was accompanied by this spaniel; he lived six miles from the spot, and
the dog, knowing the precise day, had come there to enjoy his usual
sport, and then returned to his master.
One of the most extraordinary cases on record of a friendship between
two most dissimilar animals, a spaniel and a partridge, is narrated by
a writer in whom implicit confidence may be placed:--"We were lately
(in 1823) visiting in a house, where a very pleasing and singular
portrait attracted our observation: it was that of a young lady,
represented with a partridge perched upon her shoulder, and a dog with
his feet on her arm. We recognised it as a representation of the lady
of the house; but were at a loss to account for the odd association of
her companions. She observed our surprise, and at once gave the
history of the bird and the spaniel. They were both, some years back,
domesticated in her family. The dog was an old parlour favourite, who
went by the name of Tom; the partridge was more recently introduced
from France, and answered to the equally familiar name of Bill. It
was rather a dangerous experiment to place them together, for Tom was
a lively and spirited creature, very apt to torment the cats, and to
bark at any object which roused his instinct. But the experiment was
tried; and Bill, being very tame, did not feel much alarm at his
natural enemy. They were, of course, shy at first; but this shyness
gradually wore off: the bird became less timid, and the dog less bold.
The most perfect friendship was at length established between them.
When the hour of dinner arrived, the partridge invariably flew on his
mistress's shoulder, calling with that shrill note which is so well
known to sportsmen; and the spaniel leapt about with equal ardour. One
dish of bread and milk was placed on the floor, out of which the
spaniel and bird fed together. After their social meal, the dog would
retire to a corner to sleep, while the partridge would nestle between
his legs, and never stir till his favourite awoke. Whenever the dog
accompanied his mistress out, the bird displayed the utmost
disquietude till his return; and once, when the partridge was shut up
by accident a whole day, the dog searched about the house, with a
mournful cry which indicated the strength of his affection. The
friendship of Tom and Bill was at length fatally terminated. The
beautiful little dog was stolen; and the bird from that time refused
food, and died on the seventh day, a victim to his grief."
A friend of mine has a small spaniel, which very recently showed
great sagacity. This dog, which is much attached to him, was left
under the care of a servant while his master paid a visit of a few
weeks in Hampshire. The poor animal was so miserable during his
absence, that he was informed of it, and directed the dog to be sent
to him in a hamper, which was done. He was overjoyed at the sight of
his kind master, and remained perfectly contented at his new abode.
When preparations were making for his departure, the day before it
took place, the dog was evidently aware of what was going forward, and
showed his dread of being again left behind, by keeping as close as
possible to the feet of his master during the evening. On getting up
very early the next morning, before daylight, he found on opening his
door that the apprehensive animal was lying before it, although it was
winter, and very cold. At breakfast the dog not only nestled against
his feet, but rubbed himself so much against them, that he was at last
turned out of the room. On going into his dressing-room, where the dog
had been in the habit of sleeping in a warm basket before a good fire,
he found him coiled up in his portmanteau, which had been left open
nearly packed.
In this instance, the animal's knowledge of what was going forward was
very evident, and his fear of being left behind could not be more
strongly expressed; thus affording another proof that animals are
possessed of a faculty much beyond mere instinct.
A young gentleman lately residing in Edinburgh was master of a
handsome spaniel bitch, which he had bought from a dealer in dogs. The
animal had been educated to steal for the benefit of its protector;
but it was some time ere his new master became aware of this
irregularity of morals, and he was not a little astonished and teazed
by its constantly bringing home articles of which it had feloniously
obtained possession. Perceiving, at length, that the animal proceeded
systematically in this sort of behaviour, he used to amuse his
friends, by causing the spaniel to give proofs of her sagacity in the
Spartan art of privately stealing; putting, of course, the shopkeepers
where he meant she should exercise her faculty on their guard as to
the issue.
The process was curious, and excites some surprise at the pains which
must have been bestowed to qualify the animal for these practices. As
soon as the master entered the shop, the dog seemed to avoid all
appearance of recognizing or acknowledging any connexion with him, but
lounged about in an indolent, disengaged, and independent sort of
manner, as if she had come into the shop of her own accord. In the
course of looking over some wares, his master indicated by a touch on
the parcel and a look towards the spaniel, that which he desired she
should appropriate, and then left the shop. The dog, whose watchful
eye caught the hint in an instant, instead of following his master out
of the shop, continued to sit at the door, or lie by the fire,
watching the counter, until she observed the attention of the people
of the shop withdrawn from the prize which she wished to secure.
Whenever she saw an opportunity of doing so, as she imagined,
unobserved, she never failed to jump upon the counter with her fore
feet, possess herself of the gloves, or whatever else had been pointed
out to her, and escape from the shop to join her master.