The Great Rough Water Dog. (Canis Aquaticus, Linn.)—The great rough water dog has long curly hair, is web-footed, swims with great ease, and is extremely useful in the sport of shooting aquatic birds. He has many of the qualities of the land spaniel.
This dog has a great liking to fetching and carrying, and such is his exquisite sense of smell, that he will find a particular stone thrown by his master to the bottom of a river: he dives with astonishing dexterity. He is particularly valuable on board of ships, as he leaps from the side of a vessel after any article which has fallen overboard, and is very useful for recovering birds that have been shot from the deck of the ship. Above all, he is lively, playful, good-tempered, and much attached to his master.
Large Water Spaniel. (Canis Inquisitor.)—The large water spaniel is about the size of an ordinary setter, but much stronger in the bone and shorter in the legs. His head is long, his muzzle moderately acute, and his face is quite smooth, as well as the front of all his legs; his ears are long, which, together with his whole body, is covered with deep hair, consisting of firm, small, and distinctly crisped curls, not unlike those of a wig, his tail is rather short, and clothed with curled hair. His hair is very differently curled from the great water dog and poodle, as that of the two latter consists of long and pendulous curls. His general colour is a dark liver-brown, with white legs, neck, and belly; and is sometimes, though rarely to be met with, all black, or with a black body and white neck and legs.
His smell is extremely acute, and he has in some instances been taught to set, but this is rather a difficult task, from his naturally lively disposition. He takes the water with great eagerness, on which account he is a valuable dog in shooting wild fowl; he watches with much keenness and anxiety the motions of his master, and as soon as the bird is killed he instantly plunges into the water, fetches it out, and lays it at the feet of his master. He is very quick at finding the haunts of wild fowl; he is also easily taught to fetch and carry articles, and will seek things which have been lost, on which account he has received in England the appellation of the finder.
The great water spaniel has sometimes been employed in otter hunting, but it is seldom he has the pluck to combat with so keen an adversary. He is an animal naturally distinguished for mildness and docility, qualities which are pourtrayed in his countenance, and is remarkable for his attachment to his master.
The native country of this dog is Spain; but we conceive that the variety we possess, which is a very distinct one, is not the pure breed as originally imported into this country, but that it is the produce of the large water dog and the English setter, as it appears to be intermediate between these, not only in figure, but also in their united qualities.
The Small Water Spaniel, or Poodle. (Canis Aquaticus minor.)—This variety is presumed to be the offspring of the large water dog and the small cocker; it has all the appearance of the former, not only in shape, but also in the thick curled silky hairs. It is a most lively active dog, with an acute sense of smell, and is very susceptible of instruction of almost every kind. Its general colour is white, although individuals are sometimes found with black patches over various parts of their bodies. The poodle is very fond of diving, and can find at the bottom of a river or pond any particular stone thrown in by his master.
In France this dog is a great favourite, and is taught many curious tricks. He is an excellent companion in shooting of wild fowl, which, when killed in the water, he very soon recovers.
Some dogs are more easily instructed than others, though all are sufficiently docile. The poodle breed is the most extraordinary for aptitude in this particular; many have been made so useful as to perform the common offices of a servant, such as to go on ordinary errands, shut and open doors, ring bells, &c. and their knack at mimicry is extreme.