The Blenheim must on no account be whole colored, but should have a ground of pure pearly white, with bright, rich chestnut or Ruby markings, evenly distributed in large patches, and should have a spot on the forehead.
Strictly speaking this breed might, with some justice, be classed with the Spanish breeds, as unquestionably the King Charles Spaniel originally hailed from that country, but since the early part of the seventeenth century certain families of the English nobility have affected him and it is equally true to assign the production of the other three varieties to their influence and breeding operations.
The King Charles’s compactness of shape almost rivals that of the Pug. He has a broad back and wide chest. The head is well domed, and in good specimens is semi-globular, and the skull should project over the eyes, so as to nearly meet the upturned nose. The eyes are set wide apart, are large and dark, with enormous pupils. The stop is well marked, some good specimens exhibiting a hollow. The nose is short and well turned up and should be both deep and wide with open nostrils. The ears must be long so as to almost touch the ground, are set low on the head, and be heavily feathered. The coat is long, silky, soft and wavy, but not curly. In the Blenheim there should be a profuse mane. The feathering should be well displayed on the ears and feet, and on the King Charles the feathering is very long and profuse. The feathering on the tail (which is cut to the length of three or four inches) should be silky, forming a marked “flag” of a square shape, and must not be carried above the level of the back.
Irish Breeds
Irish Wolfhound
Irish Terrier
Kerry Beagle
Irish Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
