Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Spaniel

SPANIEL, or Canis avicularius, a valuable species of the dog-kind, which is supposed to have been originally bred in Spain.

Spaniels are divided into three varieties, namely, 1. Starters, or Pointers, from their use in starting game; 2. Setters, which are employed only for the net; and 3. Water-spaniels, which are of service in recovering lost game, or fetching it out of the water. These animals are of various sizes, and colours; but the black sorts are held in the greatest estimation, on account of their superior scent: next are the pied or spotted spaniels; and those, which are of a plain liver-colour, are reputed to be the best swimmers. The external appearance, however, is an uncertain guide by which to ascertain the relative qualities of these sagacious animals; as their excellence principally depends on the manner in which they have been trained.—Every species of dogs being subject to various disorders, of which we have already treated, the reader is referred to vol. ii. pp. 151-52.—See also Mange.