Page:The power of the dog.djvu/127

 are whites, blacks, browns and sables in several shades, orange, blues, beavers, chocolates, black and whites, racoons, tricolours and others⸻a range exemplified by no other variety. One has almost to be an artist to follow the subtle gradations, which, however, can be appreciated by the most commonplace Philistine. When we contemplate the wonderful creations we are amazed at the cleverness of the ladies engaged in the pursuit. Nature plays strange pranks in relation to her colour schemes, and the most skilful breeder is she who has an encyclopædic knowledge of the mingling of blood necessary to bring about a given result. The problem is further complicated by the influence of the law of heredity, and some of the most exquisite shades have come by chance in the first instance.

The desire for small specimens, many of which may weigh no more than two and a half pounds, has led to a sub-division of the variety into Pomeranians and Pomeranians miniature. It is one of the latter that Miss Earl has so well depicted.