BRITISH DOGS

Their Points, Selection, and Show Preparation

BRITISH DOds?

THEIR POINTS, SELECTION, AND SHOW
PREPARATION

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF TYPICAL DOGS,

*V

THIRD EDITION

BY W. D. DRURY

KENNEL EDITOR OF " THE BAZAAR "

With the Collaboration of the following Specialists

Basset'hounds ...

A. CROXTON SMITH

Foxhounds ... ... W. CROFTON

Beagles ...

... W. CROFTON

Gordon Setters DR. REID*

Bedlingtons

... C. H. LANE

^at y MRS. VIOLET HORSFALL-

Terriers**" 1

W. K. TAUNTON

uanes J
Harriers... ... ... W. CROFTON^

Bloodhounds ...

E. BROUGH

Irish Setters ... J. H. H. SWINEY"

Border Terriers

f J. T. DODD AND

( JOHN ROBSON

Irish Terriers ... ... G. PERRY
Irish Wolfhounds R. HOOD WRIGHT

Borzois
Brussels Griffons

CAPT. E OR MAN
... C. H. LANE

T , j f HON. A. HOLLAND.-
Labradors ...( RIBBERT

Bulldogs

ST. JOHN COOPER

Maltese Terriers ... C. H. LANE

Bull-terriers ...

H. J. STEAVENSON

Mastiffs W.K.TAUNTON

Chows and other

\ W T<T T

Otter-hounds ... ... E. BUCKLEY

Chinese Dogs

j W. IV. lAUNTON

Pointers... ... W. ARKWRIGHT

Collies

PANMURE GORDON

Poodles ... . C. H. LANE

Dachshunds

H. JONES Pugs ... ... Miss HOLDSWORTH

Dalmatians

... C. H. LANE Retrievers ... HARDING Cox

Deerhounds

K. HOOD WRIGHT \ St. Bernards MRS. JAGGER

Dingoes

W. K. T'AUNTON Spaniels... ... W. ARKWRIGHT

English \ REV

D W W HORLOCK Toy SPaniels ••• MRS- L- E> JENKINS

Toy Bulldogs ... ST. JOHN COOPER

Esquimaux and

}Tov Terriers ... ... C. H. LANE

other Northern

W. K. TAUNTON

Yorkshire Terriers E. S. DE PASS

Dogs

LONDON
L. UPCOTT GILL, BAZAAR BUILDINGS, DRURY LANE, W.C.

(FORMERLY OF 170, STRAND)

NEW YORK

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, 153-157, FIFTH AVENUE

1903

PRINTED BY

HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD.,
LONDON AND AYLESBURY

/903

PREFACE

SINCE the last Edition of " British Dogs " was issued, many
breeds but then little known have become popular ; while
others quite unknown have come " to stay." This, combined
with a more extended knowledge of the management of
existing varieties, has rendered a new Edition absolutely
necessary. As is fairly well known, the old work was in two
volumes — a form that was somewhat cumbersome and
necessarily expensive. The present work has been com-
pressed into one volume, and this without sacrificing any of
those important details that have characterised the work since
its inception. The aim has been to produce a modern
work upon modern dogs ; and in doing so the claims of the
fancier have been studied equally with those of that wider
section known as the dog-loving public.

Particular attention has been given to the practical as
apart from the historical side of the subject. Where, therefore,
a breed stands in need of somewhat different treatment
from that of the generality of the varieties, this has been
described. Sporting field-dogs, too, have not been forgotten.
With these sufficient details in regard to the requirements
of each breed have been given to enable the breeder, if he
be a novice, to proceed in the right direction with the
education of his charges.

Another departure in plan from that pursued in the two
earlier Editions is that of entrusting the revision of certain
breeds to a number of specialists. As will be seen by the
enumeration on the title-page, they are names well-known

vi PREFACE

in the Kennel World. Outside that enumeration there are
many other ladies and gentlemen to whom the Editor is
indebted for much kindly help and many courtesies ; while
he is also no less mindful of the ready response given
by the secretaries of the specialist Clubs for descriptions
of the breeds.

Some may cavil perhaps at the title of the work, " British
Dogs," now that so many foreign breeds are included. They,
however, are such varieties as are commonly bred in this
country and are found at our shows, and may therefore be
deemed " naturalised."

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I. EARLY DOGS . . . . . . . . r

II. THE MASTIFF ....... .^ !6

III. THE THIBET MASTIFF . . . . . . . 28

IV. THE ST. BERNARD . . . 3I

V. THE GREAT DANE .- 45

VI. THE NEWFOUNDLAND .... . . . .56

VII. THE BLOODHOUND . . . . .... 67

VIII. THE GREYHOUND . 82

IX. THE WHIPPET . . . . ..' .96

X. THE IRISH WOLFHOUND . .. . . . . 104

XI. THE SCOTCH DEERHOUND . . . . . . 115

XII. THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND . . . .129

XIII. THE BARUKHZY AND ALLIED EASTERN HOUNDS . .138

XIV. THE CIRCASSIAN ORLOFF WOLFHOUND . . . .141
XV. THE PYRENEAN WOLFHOUND !43

XVI. THE COLLIES " . m § I^

XVII. THE OLD ENGLISH BOBTAILED SHEEPDOG . . . .162

XVIII. THE OTTER-HOUND .- , I7o

XIX THE FOXHOUND ........ I76

XX. THE HARRIER . . . . '>. l^

XXI. THE BEAGLE ....'.. .... 192

XXII. THE BASSET-HOUND . . 203

XXIII. THE DACHSHUND . . ... . . ri ..-.., . 225

XXIV. THE POINTER . . . . ... -. . 241

XXV. THE ENGLISH SETTER . . . . . .254

XXVI. THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON) SETTER . .. • 275
XXVII. THE IRISH SETTER ........ 285

XXV111. THE SPANIELS > 295

viii CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

XXIX. THE RETRIEVERS . 333

XXX. THE LABRADOR ......... . . . 356

XXXI. NORTHERN DOGS . . .. : 362

XXXII. THE DINGO . 373

XXXIII. THE DALMATIAN 376

XXXIV. THE BULLDOG . . ' . 384

XXXV. THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX 401

XXXVI. THE BULL-TERRIER ........ 406

XXXVII. THE AIREDALE TERRIER . . . . . . .415

XXXVIII. THE FOX-TERRIER . . ; 419

XXXIX. THE SCOTTISH TERRIER . . . . . . .451

XL. THE IRISH TERRIER . , . . . . . . .461

XLI. THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER 478

XLII. THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER . . • 490

XLIII. THE SKYE TERRIER . . . . . . . .501

XLIV. THE CLYDESDALE (OR PAISLEY) TERRIER . . .513

XLV. THE WELSH TERRIER . . 517

XLVI. THE BORDER TERRIER . . . . . . .521

XLVII. THE BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER. 525

XLVIII. THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER . . . . .530

XLIX. THE POODLE . .*...' 534

L. THE CHOW-CHOW AND HAIRLESS DOG .... 543

LI. THE POMERANIAN . . 550

LII. THE SCHIPPERKE . 558

LIII. THE PUG . . .... . . . . .566

LIV. THE MALTESE ... . . . . . .575

LV. THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER •. . .... • . 582

LVI. ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS . . . * . . .588

LVII. THE JAPANESE SPANIEL 603

LVIII. CHINESE (PEKINESE) SPANIELS AND PUGS . . . 607

LIX. THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS 610

LX. THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND . . . . . .613

LXI. THE TOY BULLDOG . - 618

LXII. OTHER DIMINUTIVE TOY DOGS . . . . . 626
LXIII. THIBETAN DOGS . , 630

INDEX ." '. '. . . . . . V . . . 633

BRITISH DOGS

CHAPTER I
EARLY DOGS

COEVAL with primeval man apparently existed a type of dog
equally primitive, though upon this head even palaeontology
does not give us much assistance. None the less, fragments of
bone unearthed from some prehistoric cave show us carved thereon
some rude resemblances to the Canidce. of those far-off days. At
that time, too, as now, we are led to suppose that the dogs were
more or less associated with man from the fact that the remains
of both have been found together. Then such an animal was a
necessity of the time : now it is largely a luxury, yet . far more
deserving of the encomium bestowed upon it by Cuvier than it
was when he described it as " the completest, the most singular,
and the most useful conquest ever made by man."

Geologically considered, the dog does not belong to a very
remote past, despite the fact that, in the opinion of experts, it was
contemporaneous with men of the Flint Age, some 30,000 years B.C.
Historically considered, it is of course far nearer to our own times,
the earliest authentic records not dating back more than five
thousand years. Doubtless, then the animal was used by its
owner as a means not only of providing food, but also of acting as
a defence against the existent wild animals. From that period,
therefore, if not from an earlier one, we are justified in assuming
that the dog was domesticated, or at least semi-domesticated.

How the Domestic dog (Cam's familiaris) first originated has
puzzled some of the greatest naturalists of our own and other
times. It is not proposed here to attempt to cut the Gordian knot
with regard to its fons et origo. To do so would be to assume a
knowledge and a power that the writer cannot claim. What is
intended is, as far as possible, to give the place the dog has occupied
in history, and endeavour to connect the past with the present.

BRITISH DOGS

Still, before doing so, there will be no harm in taking a cursory
glance at some of the theories of the more practical naturalists with
regard to the origin of the Domestic dog. The evidences of the
existence of prehistoric dogs, as already suggested, are of the
scantiest, and often of the rudest, and it is by reason of this fact
that so much in connection with primeval dogs is left to absolute
conjecture. However, so wonderfully polymorphic is the Domestic
dog as met with to-day, that one is constantly beset with the
thought as to its origin. It must be confessed that it is difficult
to believe that such an atom of dog flesh as the Chihuahua dog,
the Japanese Spaniel, the Pug, the Greyhound, the Spaniel, and
the huge-framed St. Bernard all sprang from one species of wild
true dog. Yet, as Mr. St. John Mivart, in his " Monograph of the
CanidaV' suggests, it is possible, and we certainly see no reason to
doubt it. Some naturalists incline to the theory that certain varieties
of the Domestic dog, showing a good deal in common, sprang from
different species possessing such characteristics, and that these
were simply awaiting development at the hands of man. Against
this must be placed, as Mr. St. John Mivart points out, the fact
that no such races exist in Nature. " They can hardly all have
existed," he says, "and become extinct, for two reasons: first,
palaeontology affords us no evidence that such has been the case ;
secondly, . . . the dog family is not one the species of which tend
readily to disappear, as is shown by the long, persistent efforts
needed to exterminate the wolf even in the most civilised parts of
the habitable globe. Therefore the Domesticated dog cannot well
be the product or a variety of wild true dog once widely diffused,
but now entirely extinct. . . . That the various breeds known to
us may nevertheless have originated from one form must be
admitted to be possible, when we consider the changes that have
taken place in old breeds, and the new forms that have been called
forth in the historical period."

Of those naturalists who assert that more than one species have
contributed the elements that have resulted in the production of the
Domestic dog, Darwin is one. He intimates that all Domestic
dogs are descended from two species of wolf — Cant's lupus and
Cam's latrans. These were both savage when hunting gregariously,
but were readily amenable to man's influence when dealt with
singly. Certain it is that there are many characteristics common
to both the wild and the domesticated Canidcz of to-day. The
Australian Dingo, that pest of the sheep and the stock farmer, is
as savage as any of its more ancestral prototypes when hunting, as
is its wont, in flocks. Yet that it is capable of at least semi-
domestication has been demonstrated beyond the shadow of a
doubt. Again, students of dog-form will readily see the very close
resemblance that there is between the wolves and many present-day

EARLY DOGS

varieties of the Domestic dog. Of this no better example can be
cited than the Esquimaux dog, described and illustrated elsewhere
in this volume. Between this dog and the Grey Arctic Wolves
there is a very great resemblance — so great a resemblance, in fact,
that a pack of the dogs were once mistaken for wolves by the
well-known Arctic traveller Sir John Richardson. Yet another
example may be given : the dogs of the Hare Indians differ but
very slightly from the Prairie Wolf, or Coyote (C. latrans\ one of
the species that Darwin suggests as a remote ancestor of the
Domestic dog.

As bearing upon the subject, the remarks of that eminently
practical naturalist Mr. A. D. Bartlett (the late Superintendent of
the Zoological Society's Gardens), as given in the Zoological Society's
Proceedings for 1890, are most interesting. He says: "The
extraordinary and wonderful number of well-marked breeds of the
Domesticated dog, and their variations of size, form, and colour,
render any attempt to account for their origin a task of some
difficulty ; but as many wild dogs appear to be descendants of
Domestic dogs, it is necessary to endeavour to account for the
origin of the Domestic race. There can be no doubt that the
Esquimaux dogs are reclaimed or domesticated wolves. All wolves,
if taken young and reared by man, are tame, playful, and exhibit a
fondness for those who feed and attend to them. The same may
be said of all the species of jackals. This being so, it is highly
probable that both wolves and jackals were for many ages found in
the company of man, and that, owing to this association, the different
species of these animals may have bred together and become mixed.
A mixed breed would at once develop a new variety. A variety
once commenced would in all probability in a few generations
undergo many changes, especially if any well-marked variety should
occur. Nothing would be more natural than to suppose that the
owners of this variety would endeavour to increase its number,
especially if it were found to possess useful qualities.

The fashion of hunting led in all probability to the separation of
Domestic dogs into two distinct groups — those that hunt by sight as
distinguished from those that hunt by scent ; for there can be no
doubt that at a very early period dogs were used in the chase of
wild animals. . . . The utility of dogs being established at a very
early period would naturally lead to great care being bestowed upon
them, and doubtless to the breeding of them in a domestic state.
This would lead to the production of the many breeds and varieties
that have been developed, and thus varieties may have been
perpetuated by the mixing and crossing of breeds originally obtained
from distinct wild animals."

Mr. Bartlett then goes on to give his experiences in regard to the
crossing of wolves and jackals with Domestic dogs, and states that

BRITISH DOGS

when suitably mated he never had any difficulty. He also refers to
the fact that the Esquimaux frequently allows his dogs to breed with
wolves in order to maintain strength, endurance, and courage. He
also relates, what is most interesting, that, he never met with a well
authenticated instance of a hybrid between a fox and a dog.

In habits the wolves and the jackals present so much in common
that Mr. Bartlett is unable to point out any marked differences
between them. Domestic dogs, he says, "exhibit many of the
habits of wolves and jackals, such as the scratching up of earth with
the front feet, and the pushing of it back with the hind feet, in
order to hide the droppings. Again, when about to rest, the
turning round two or three times with the object of forming a hole
may be noticed in pet dogs about to lie down — a habit evidently
inherited from their wild ancestors."

As to the whining, howling, and growling of wolves, jackals, and
dogs, these are so much alike, Mr. Bartlett considers, as to be indistin-
guishable ; but barking, he says, is undoubtedly an acquired habit,
and doubtless due to domestication. Wolves, jackals, Esquimaux,
and Dingoes in a state of nature never bark ; but if either be asso-
ciated with barking dogs, these in many instances acquire the habit.

The above constitute in brief some of the more important
suggestions of latter-day naturalists with regard to the very vexed
question of the origin of the Domestic dog. Whatever grounds there
may be for widely divergent opinions as to this, there cannot be
two opinions with regard to the dog's early association with man.
In fact, it may be said with certainty that in every age of which we
have history, and even in prehistoric times, man had, if riot as his
best friend, at least probably as a most useful auxiliary, the dog.

FIG. i.— ANUBIS.GODOF FlG 2._EARLY EGYPTIAN DOG.

THE SETTING SUN.

So far as historic dogs are concerned, it is hoped to be able to
show the various changes in type that have taken place, by means
of illustrations from monuments and other records, from the time
when a dog (or, more correctly, a jackal) was sacred to Anubis,
the God of the Setting Sun (Fig. i). The earlier presentments of

EARLY DOGS

the dog upon the Egyptian monuments show a decidedly wolf-like
animal (Fig. 2), with erect ears and a thin and apparently tapering
tail. Such a dog, though doubtless but a remove from the wolf or
the jackal, was at any rate common. This dog evidently gave

FIG. 3.— TERRIER-LIKE DOG OF THE
EGYPTIANS.

FIG. 4. — EGYPTIAN HOUND.

place to a more compact-habited animal, not so long in head or in
body, though still with prick ears, but with what may be described
as a double-curled if fine tail (Fig. 3) and decidedly terrier-like.

FIG. 5. — EGYPTIAN HOUNDS IN A LEASH.

As time went on, further changes were met with, as shown in
Figs. 4 and 5. It does not require a very vivid imagination to
conjure up the chief characteristics and work of these Egyptian
hounds, that were, as Fig. 5 suggests, employed to hunt the deer and

BRITISH DOGS

such-like animals of that time. The hounds held in the leash by
the huntsman, with the dead body of the antelope carried on the
shoulders, plainly tell their tale. Nor were the ancient Egyptian
ladies without their dogs, and thus early we are led to believe that
lapdogs— and lapdogs, too, with a resemblance to the Dachshund-
were popular (Fig. 6). True, the ears are upright, as doubtless were

FIG. 6.— DACHSHUND-LIKE PET DOG OF THE EGYPTIANS.

those of the original dogs, and one can even at this very remote
period of history see how an intelligent fancier might very well
have modified by selection those traces of the wild ancestors, and
evolved from the material at command a not very bad representa-
tion of a twentieth-century Dachshund.

Passing from the Egyptian to the Assyrian monuments, we find
still further interesting sculptures of the dog of the period, but
especially between 1273 B.C. and 747 B.C. These introduce us to
a type of dog of far more formidable proportions than any met with

FIG. 7. — ASSYRIAN HUNTING DOG.

previously (Figs. 7 and 8). These are of Great Dane-like appearance,
and were employed for hunting large wild animals, from the lion
and the bull down to the very abundant wild ass, the last-named
being a favourite quarry.

Kings had their canine favourites in those days, as they had
many centuries later in the times of good Queen Bess and of the
" Merry Monarch." The dog shown in Fig. 8 is one of these royal
favourites, and the cuneiform characters extending from the top of
the shoulder to the hindquarters represent the name of the animal.

EARLY DOGS

As well as the huge dogs just described, there existed a variety
that was its very antithesis in conformation — a Greyhound-like dog.
This was employed for coursing the hare, or it may be for hunting
the timid deer. However, to judge by the records, it does not
appear to have found anything like the favour with the Assyrians
that we are led to believe was the case with the more savage and
bulkier dog already noted.

Students of ancient Grecian history are aware that several

FIG. 8.— ASSYRIAN HUNTING DOG, AS USED BY THE KING.

varieties of dogs were identified with the different races ; while
even the schoolboy struggling with his Odyssey or his Virgil has
at least a faint idea of the fearful dogs that tradition has handed
down. Cerberus, the many-headed dog that Hesiod
named, and whose existence Homer hinted at, is
undoubtedly the most noteworthy of these latter.
Of the former, some were used in the more peace-
ful pursuit of the chase, and others in the arts of
war. The war dogs, which were also big game
dogs, were alike formidable in appearance (Fig. 9)
and fierce as to temperament ; added to which
they were provided with spiked collars and not
infrequently armour-clad, so that their capture or
their despatch was not easy of accomplishment.
They were divided into two groups — Pugnaces and Sagaces. Apart
from the coursing dog proper, or Gallic Greyhound, there was a
long-legged Bull-terrier-like animal occasionally used against the
hare ; but to judge from the methods employed to circumvent

FIG. -9.

8

BRITISH DOGS

the timid animal, about as much credit ought to have attached
in those days to a kill as should in the case of present-day dogs
employed to hunt the rabbit in an enclosed ground. Fig. 10
shows both the war dog and the coursing animal proper with the
huntsman, spear in hand, in the act of encouraging them. In the
earlier type of Gallic Greyhound the ears were erect, while in
the later ones they were disposed probably much as they are to-day.

FIG. io.— GRECIAN WAR OR HUNTING DOG AND COURSING DOG.

From each of these three principal varieties there were many
sub-varieties, from the fierce Mastiff (an altogether heavier type
of dog than the war-dog) to the lapdogs like the Maltese, though
history is strangely silent as to the general appearance of these
latter. Nor is the Mastiff of the time described specifically enough

FIG. ii. — ROMAN BOARHOUND.

to admit ot present-day dog-lovers forming a comparison between
their dogs and those, say, of the Assyrian or the Grecian periods.
What is recorded is the fact that the Assyrian war-dogs stood as
high at shoulder as 35in., that the Mastiff of Epirus in Grecian
times was at least heavier, and that the early British dog, in both
size and ferocity, eclipsed either. Rome also had her boar-
hounds ^Fig. IT), her Greyhounds, perhaps her Italian Greyhounds,

EARLY DOGS

and her long-haired and other Terriers, though for lack of specific
detail on the part of the writers of those days and of sculptures,
the actual conformation of the last named is left practically to
conjecture.

The early Romans classified the dogs in accordance with their
utilitarian properties. Thus we have
Canes villatici, or House-dogs , Canes
pastorales, or Shepherd-dogs ; and Canes
venatiri, or Sporting dogs. The last were
again subdivided into Pugnaces, or Fight-
ing dogs, like the Mastiffs, Bulldogs,
etc., and the Sagaces, or Hunting dogs,
like the Greyhounds.

As already hinted, the early Britons
had a most formidable Mastiff -like
animal that, history says, was exported to
Rome to give battle in the arena of the
amphitheatre with the bulls. There were,
too, the Greyhound, which does not ap-
pear to have undergone any great modi-
fication ; and the Gazehound, that Op-
pian describes as a small hunting dog
with a good voice, crooked-legged, slight,
and shaggy, but possessing feet armed
with formidable nails. This last state-
ment is somewhat peculiar, as one would
imagine a dog that was used for hunting
could not very well possess long toe-
nails.

In the tenth century mention is made
of Bloodhounds, Spaniels, Shepherd-dogs,
and House-curs, and of course Mastiffs ;
but neither coins, sculptures on monu-
ments, nor pottery of the period, give
anything like a true representation of the
dogs. All show a more or less exagger-
ated type (Fig. 12).

Coming to more recent times, we find
the dearth of specific information with
regard to dogs quite as great as that
which characterised pre-mediaeval days; while the representations
of dogs upon monumental tombs are often so rude as to give but
the slightest clue to the identity of the animals thereon depicted.
Sometimes it is the Greyhound that is thus selected as an emblem
of fidelity ; at others a spotted dog, it may be a Dalmatian of the
period (Fig. 13), and at yet others a lapdog (Fig. 14), by some

10

BRITISH DOGS

considered to represent a Pug of the period— namely, the latter part
of the fourteenth century.

When Dr. Caius wrote his famous work, translations of which
have appeared from 1576 to our own day, we get the first attempt
at anything like a system of classification of the breeds that then
were known. Unfortunately, however, we have to rely purely upon
description, the work in Latin and its translations being devoid
of illustrations. Caius, or Kaye, refers to eight distinct varieties
of hunting dogs — Harrier, Terrier, Blood-
hound, Gazehound proper, Greyhound (a
very swift Gazehound, slim of body, and
both rough and smooth coated), Leviner (a
kind of Lurcher, a cross between the Har-
rier and the Greyhound), Tumbler (a small
kind of Greyhound, remarkable for its
duplicity), and Night Cur, or Stealer.

Land, Water, and Toy Spaniels are also
described by the Doctor, as are also Sheep-
dog, Mastiff, Turnspit, and many others
that were apparently mongrels, though from
their associations, the work that they were
called upon to perform, or even their habits,
were accorded names — the Butcher's Dog
and the Dancer, for instance.

From Turberville's sporting work we select
two illustrations that represent the Spaniels
of the latter part of the sixteenth century

FIG. 13.— A MEDIAEVAL
DALMATIAN.

FIG. 14.— A FOURTEENTH-CENTURY LAPDOG.

(Fig. 15) and the Hounds of the same period (Fig. 16), but whether
Bloodhounds or Foxhounds is not by any means clear, though they
seem to have a closer affinity to the former than to the latter.

No survey of British dogs, however scanty it may be, would be
complete without an allusion to the dogs that were depicted so
faithfully by the old masters like Vandyck, from the prototype of
the modern Mastiff (Fig. 17) to the Toy Terriers (Fig. 18) and
Toy Spaniels that brightened perhaps the early days of the unhappy
Charles I.

Allusion has already been made to the close association of dog
and man, though when or how the intimacy sprung, which mutual

i

FIG. 15.— HAWKING PARTY AND WATER SPANIELS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

FIG. 16. — HUNTING MEN AND HOUNDS 'OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

EARLY DOGS

advantage has kept as century succeeded century, cannot be deter-
mined. However, doubtless man was not slow to appreciate the

FIG. 17. — PROTOTYPE OF THE MODERN MASTIFF.

combination of useful qualities to be found in the dog, and with his
superior intelligence he was equally apt in turning such characteristics

FIG. 18. — EARLY TOY TERRIERS.

to the very best account, aided, perhaps, by a natural instinct in the
lower animal to trust, love, and serve him.

As was pointed out, to primeval man the dog was a necessity of

• 4 BRITISH DOGS

the time, depending as he did for his sustenance largely on the
spoils of the chase. With man's subjection of the earth one can
readily imagine how the shepherd's crook was taken up in addition
to the rude instruments of war and the chase, and how the pliant
nature of the dog would be moulded into unison with the new order
of things. The dog would then become, as he was in Biblical times
and as he is more or less in the present day, alike a tender and a
defender of the flocks. New duties and conditions of life would
develop fresh traits of character as well as variety of form.
Gradually the shepherd's dog would assume a character of his own ;
while the Nimrods of those early days would have their own
branches of the family chosen as best suited for their particular
purpose. Special work would of necessity call into play certain
faculties : whilst others not required would, in process of time, be
so modified as to be scarcely in evidence. Thus, still further
divergence of type from the original ensued, and differences between
existing breeds became more extinct. This alone, carried out
extensively, would produce great variety in form, size, colour, and
natural capabilities. With the growth of civilisation, these influences
would increase in strength and variety, and, together with the
powerful influence of climate and accidental circumstances, fully
account for the extraordinary varieties of form met with in the
Domestic dog.

Faint and imperfect as such an outline of a very big subject
must necessarily be, yet it is hoped that it will at any rate suggest
the leading lines upon which the varieties of historic dogs were
built, and serve to show how, by a gradual process of selection, the
large number of present-day varieties breeding true to type have
been slowly evolved by the painstaking fancier.

In a work of this character something about classification will be
looked for. This, however, is another of the points on which such
a diversity of opinion exists that it would serve no good purpose to
fill space with details of the more or less artificial systems that have
existed for generations. As a matter of fact, only one serious
attempt of recent years has been made to arrange the Domestic
dogs on a natural basis. For this classification, which is founded
chiefly on the form and development of the ears, Mr. E. L.
Harting is responsible (see The Zoologist for 1884, vol. viii.).
Even that recent author, however, regards his as affording perhaps
only an " approximation to a natural classification." Mr. Harting
arranges the dogs in six groups, thus : Wolf-like, Greyhounds,
Spaniels, Hounds, Mastiffs, and Terriers.

With the classification of the Kennel Club into Sporting and
Non-sporting varieties most fanciers are familiar ; but as this work is
intended to appeal to a much wider area than the necessarily
restricted one of the Fancy, the system is here given.

EARLY DOGS

Sporting.

Bloodhounds

Otter-hounds

Foxhounds

Harriers

Beagles

Basset-hounds (Smooth)

Basset-hounds (Rough)

Dachshunds

Greyhounds

Deerhounds

Borzois

Irish Wolthounds

Whippets

Pointers

English Setters

Irish Setters

Black-and-tan Setters

Retrievers (Flat-coated)

Retrievers (Curly)

Irish Water Spaniels
Water Spaniels (other than Irish)
Clumber Spaniels
Sussex Spaniels
Field Spaniels
Cocker Spaniels

English Springers (other than
Clumber, Sussex, and Field)
Welsh Springers (Red and White)
Fox-terriers (Smooth)
Fox-terriers (Wire)
Irish Terriers
Scottish Terriers
Welsh Terriers
Old English Terriers
Dandie Dinmont Terriers
Skye Terriers
Airedale Terriers
Bedlington Terriers

Non - Sporting.

Bulldogs

Bulldogs (Toy)

Mastiffs

Great Danes

Newfoundlands (Black)

Newfoundlands (other than Black)

St. Bernards (Rough)

St. Bernards (Smooth)

Collies (Rough)

Collies (Smooth)

Old English Sheepdogs

Dalmatians

Poodles

Bull-terriers

White English Terriers

Black-and-tan Terriers

Blenheim Spaniels

Ruby Spaniels

King Charles Spaniels

Prince Charles Spaniels

Japanese Spaniels

Pekinese Spaniels

Yorkshire Terriers

Clydesdale Terriers

Maltese Terriers

Italian Greyhounds

Toy Terriers (Smooth)

Lhassa Terriers

Chow Chows

Pomeranians (exceeding 8 Ibs.)

Pomeranians (not exceeding 8 Ibs.)

Pugs (Fawn)

Pugs (Black)

Schipperkes

Griffon Bruxellois

Foreign Dogs not included in the

above list, whether Sporting

or Non-Sporting

CHAPTER II
THE MASTIFF

MUCH has been written upon the origin of the Mastiff, but the
writers are by no means agreed upon the subject. There can,
however, be no doubt that a dog possessing many of the qualities
of our Mastiff of the present day has been known in this country
from time immemorial. The Romans, when they invaded these
islands, found the natives possessed of a large and powerful race
of dogs, from which the Mastiff, as known to us, is in all probability
descended. Many of these dogs were exported to Rome, to take
part in the sports of the amphitheatre, which shows how highly
their courage was estimated in those days ; and it is stated that a
special officer was appointed to superintend the selection and
transmission of these dogs.

The Mastiff is one of the three kinds of Cur dogs mentioned
in the old Welsh laws of the ninth century, and is constantly re-
ferred to by old English writers as a house-dog and guardian of
live stock and other property. In the forest laws of Henry II.
the keeping of these dogs in or near royal forests was the subject
of special regulations which would now be considered cruel and
oppressive. The statute, which prohibited all but a few privileged
individuals from keeping Greyhounds or Spaniels, provided that
farmers and substantial freeholders dwelling within the forests might
keep Mastiffs for the defence of their houses within the same, pro-
vided such Mastiffs be expediated according to the laws of the
forest. This " expediating," " hambling," or " lawing," as it was
indifferently termed, was .intended so to maim the dog as to reduce
to a minimum the chances of his chasing and seizing the deer, and
the law enforced its being done after the following manner : " Three
claws of the fore foot shall be cut off by the skin, by setting one
of his fore feet upon a piece of wood 8 inches thick and i foot
square, and with a mallet, setting a chisel of 2 inches broad upon the
three claws of his fore feet, and at one blow cutting them clean off."

The etymology of the word Mastiff has exercised many writers,
and very opposite opinions have been expressed with reference to

16

THE MASTIFF 17

it. " Idstone " derives the word from " Mase Theefe," or " Master
Theefe," because the dog was a terror to thieves, and this view was
adopted by Manwood in his Forest Laws. The Rev. M. B. Wynn
says the word is of Norman introduction, and he derives it from
" the Latin massivus, massa, a mass, and applied to the breed on
account of the thick-set, massive, or masty, form of the animal."
Skeat derives the word from the French — Low Latin — Latin,
and says : " Old French mas t if not found, but probably a variant
of O. F. mastin (French matin), a ' mastive ' ; Cotgrave. The Low
Latin form would be mastinus, doubtless short for masnatinus, i.e.
house-dog, from Low Latin masnata, a household."

The general character of the breed is well described in the points
of the Mastiff of the Old English Mastiff Club : " Large, massive,
powerful, symmetrical, and well-knit frame. A combination of
grandeur and good nature, courage and docility." As a watch-dog
and as a guard to person or property, the Mastiff cannot be sur-
passed, nor, in fact, is his equal for these purposes to be found in
any other breed of dog. His size and great power are sufficient
to make any one cautious of entering premises where one of these
dogs is known to be kept, or interfering with any one accompanied
by a dog of this breed, whilst his docility and good temper render
him an excellent companion. Children may be trusted with a Mas-
tiff with safety, as he is very reliable in temper. Care must be taken
to select a dog of pure breed, as a cross-bred Mastiff is frequently
not to be depended on. He is the gamekeeper's best companion
and preserver from night marauders, and for this purpose a dark
brindled dog is preferable to a fawn, not being so easily seen at night.

The average height of the Mastiff is about 3oin. for dogs, and
2 Sin. for bitches; but the larger they are, the better, provided
there is a proportionate increase in size throughout. A dog
which stands 33in. high must have a larger head, a deeper and
longer body, and possess more bone than one standing 3oin.
Extra height alone is not desirable.

The recognised colours of the present day are apricot or silver
fawns and dark brindles, the red, which was to be met with some
years ago, having apparently died out. Black is also spoken of
as a Mastiff colour of bygone days, whilst blue-brindles are occasion-
ally to be met with in litters. It is a colour not to be encouraged
from a show point of view ; but the breeder will be wise in not
destroying puppies of this colour too hastily, for some of our best
dark brindles have been bred from bitches of this colour. It is
difficult to say whence this blue-brindle comes, but it has generally
occurred in litters of puppies whose parentage traces back to Mr.
Lindoe's Druid. The puppies when whelped are of a blue or slate
colour, and the brindle markings do not appear till later. These
dogs almost invariably possess light-coloured eyes.

1 8 BRITISH DOGS

Of the various strains of Mastiffs the Lyme Hall is one of the
most ancient. It has been in the Legh family since the fifteenth
century. The late Mr. Kingdon was a strong advocate for the
purity of this strain, and maintained that no out-cross had been
resorted to. This, however, has been disputed, and about twenty
years ago a letter from a well-known Mastiff breeder was published,
in which he stated that he was in possession of a communication
from Mr. Legh which tended to show that Mr. Kingdon was
mistaken upon this point. The Duke of Devonshire also possessed
a celebrated strain of Mastiffs at Chatsworth, and it was from a
bitch obtained from this source in the early part of the last century
that Mr. Lukey laid the foundation of his well-known kennel of
Mastiffs. It is from dogs bred by Mr. Lukey that most of the
best Mastiffs of to-day are descended.

Among other noted breeders following close upon Mr. Lukey
will be found the names of Captain Gamier, Mr. Edgar Hanbury,
Rev. M. B. Wynn, Mr. Edwin Nichols, and Miss Anglionbury,
who was the breeder of Turk (2,349), one of the most noted
Mastiffs of thirty years ago, and winner of numerous prizes between
1870 and 1875. This dog had many owners, but was eventually
purchased by Mr. Edwin Brough, who has made a world-wide
reputation as a breeder of Bloodhounds, but who at that time was
breeding Mastiffs, and with him Turk ended his days. It is
difficult to find a Mastiff of any note without this dog's name
appearing in its pedigree; but as in those days any number of
dogs could be called by the same name, it is more than probable
that this celebrated Mastiff was credited with being the father of
puppies sired by some other dog of the same name. Turk was
one of the few dogs sired by Mr. Field's King (2,301), a grandson
of Mr. Lukey's Governor. He was a fawn dog, as was also his
sire. Another celebrated dog of about the same period was Mr.
Green's Monarch (2,316). It is to be regretted that this dog was
not more extensively used at stud, as his great size and bone and
excellent legs and feet are qualities which he transmitted to many
of his progeny. On the other hand, his rough coat and high
carriage of tail were faults objected to by many — faults which were
apparent in many of his immediate descendants, but probably
more so in those of the next generation. These defects could
have been, and in fact were, bred out with a little care and attention.
Mr. Hanbury's Rajah (2,333), besides being the winner of many
prizes, left his mark as a stud dog in being the sire of Wolsey
(S>3 IS) a dark brindle — which colour he inherited from his dam,
Mr. Hanbury's Queen— and The Shah (4,45?), which, like his father,
was a fawn, but not so dark in muzzle and ears, nor so good in shape
of skull, as could be wished. This dog was first exhibited as a
ouppy by his breeder, Mr. W. H. Balleston, at the Crystal Palace

THE MASTIFF

in 1874, and was there claimed at his catalogue price, much to
the chagrin of his owner. Among the most noted of his stock
was Mrs. Rawlinson's The Emperor (9,340).

At the Alexandra Palace Show held in 1880 Mr. Woolmore
brought out Crown Prince, a Mastiff about which there has been
more discussion than probably any other. It was thought by
many that his Dudley nose and light eyes would throw him out
of competition, but the Rev. W. J. Mellor, who was the judge,
decided otherwise, and awarded him premier honours in the puppy
class, and afterwards endorsed his opinion by purchasing the

::

FIG. 19.— THE MASTIFF MINTING, OWNED BY E. H. i MOORE, MELROSE, MASS.,
WINNER OF AMERICAN MASTIFF CLUB'S CHALLENGE CUP, ETC.

dog, although he did not retain him long in his possession. No
sooner was the dog seen than the correctness of his pedigree on
his sire's side was questioned, some expressing their opinion that
instead of being a son of Young Prince, his reputed sire, there
could be little doubt that he was a son of The Shah, whilst others
were equally decided in their opinion that no other dog than
The Emperor could be his sire. It should be mentioned that
all these three dogs, Young Prince, The Shah, and The Emperor,
although the property of different owners, were at the time under
the charge of the same man.

20 BRITISH DOGS

So long as the question was confined to expressions of opinion
only, no steps could be taken to attempt to clear the matter up ;
but as soon as a public statement was made that direct evidence was
forthcoming that The Emperor was the sire and that the breeder
of Crown Prince was cognisant of the fact, the Committee of the
Old English Mastiff Club felt that the time had arrived when
something should be done to clear up the question whether The
Emperor was really the sire of this dog. All who were in any
way interested in the matter were invited to give evidence before
the Committee. After a long and exhaustive enquiry, which ex-
tended over many meetings, the Committee came to the conclusion
that Mr. Woolmore fully believed that Young Prince was the
sire of Crown Prince, and that sufficient evidence had not been
brought forward to show that the registered pedigree of this dog
was incorrect. This decision was adversely criticised at the time,
more especially by Mr. Dalziel, and by Mr. Evans, who had
purchased The Emperor, but no disinterested person who was
present at the investigation and heard the evidence could have
come to any other conclusion.

Crown Prince was extensively used at stud, the result being that
many of his faults became apparent in the breed. Light eyes,
which are so objectionable in a Mastiff, were commonly to be met
with, and the bad hindquarters, from which so many of our
Mastiffs suffer, are in most cases traceable to the indiscriminate
,use of this dog. The Dudley nose appears from time to time in
litters of Mastiffs, but breeders have been wise enough to destroy
the puppies possessing this fault.

Mr. Beaufoy's Beau (6,356) was not a great success at stud until
his show days were drawing to a close, when, among other good
Mastiffs, he got Beaufort, the best all-round Mastiff that has been
seen for many years, and Cambrian Princess, another grand
specimen of the breed, the dam of Minting (Fig. 19). Beaufort
(18,504) was bred by Mr. Sidney Turner, who has bred many
good Mastiffs, and was purchased from him by the writer. This
dog, for which an offer of ^"400 was refused, had a most successful
career as a show dog and at stud in both this country and America.
Minting was bred by Mrs. Willins by Maximilian, a son of The
Emperor. Unfortunately for the breed in this country, he was
purchased by Mr. E. H. Moore, of Melrose, Mass., U.S.A., for
whom he won numerous prizes. Minting died a short time before
the arrival of Beaufort in America, otherwise the meeting of these
two famous Mastiffs would have been very interesting.

There are few dogs that have done more good for the breed than
the brindle Cardinal (8,410). He became the property of the writer
at a time when Mastiffs of this colour were very scarce, the colour
being at that time by no means a popular one. He was not, there-

THE MASTIFF 21

fore, used at stud so much as he should have been ; but it is a fact
worthy of note that most of the winning Mastiffs of the past few years
have been brindles, all of which trace their pedigrees back to this dog.
- Before attempting to breed Mastiffs, the breeder should have a
clear and definite idea as to what he wishes to breed, and having
made up his mind upon this point, he must devote all his energies to
attain what he desires. If his aim is to breed a dog exceptionally good
in one particular point, he will find his task a far easier one than to
breed a dog good all round ; but if he gains his end he will probably
be disappointed in the result, as the dog may possibly be so bad in
other points as to be a constant eyesore to its owner. Unfortunately,
there appears to be an impression among some who attempt to
breed Mastiffs that if they devote all their attention to obtaining one
quality, they can, when they have obtained this, turn their attention
to other points, and in this way they will in course of time succeed
in producing a perfect animal. There is not a greater mistake in
Mastiff breeding. A breeder cannot afford to ignore the smallest
detail, and he should ever bear in mind that if he once allows a fault to
be perpetuated, it may take him many years to eradicate it, even if he
is so fortunate as to do so at last. If a few of those who have been
breeding Mastiffs within the last ten or twenty years had displayed
the same amount of enthusiasm in endeavouring to breed dogs with
as few faults as possible as they have shown in their attempts to
produce a dog excelling in one or two particular points, they would
have done more good, and there would be a larger number of better
Mastiffs than at present.

In selecting the brood bitch, her pedigree is a matter of the first
importance, for unless this is known the breeder cannot tell how she
should be mated. She should not be bred from until she has
attained the age of about fifteen months. Length of body and
width across the loins are essential points to be looked for.
Ascertain, if possible, whether any faults that are apparent in her —
such, for instance, as bad legs and feet — are the result of bad rearing
or are hereditary. If the bitch is deficient in size, her pedigree should
be carefully examined in order to make sure whether she comes
from a strain of small Mastiffs or whether her ancestors were animals
of average size. It does not necessarily follow that a small bitch
will not throw large puppies ; so much depends upon her breeding.
The dam of Mr. Green's Monarch (2,316) was very small, but
Monarch was a very large dog, standing over 33in., and many of
his progeny were also dogs of unusual size. Should the bitch
be light in colour, a cross with a dark brindle dog is desirable.
Puppies, one of the parents of which is a fawn and the other a
brindle, are generally distinctly of one colour or the other.

The next thing to do is to select the stud dog, and here again
the pedigree must be carefully examined with a view to ascertain in

22 BRITISH DOGS

what respects the dog is likely to suit the bitch. In speaking of
examining a pedigree, it is not to be supposed that merely looking
at the names of a number of Mastiffs on paper will be of any
assistance to a breeder unless he has a knowledge of the dogs
themselves. The mere fact of a dog and his ancestors having
been prize-winners is no guide to any one as to whether he will suit
the bitch that it is proposed to mate with him. The breeder must
ascertain the good qualities of the dog and his ancestors as well as
their faults. He will then be in a position to know whether by
using a certain dog he is likely to correct the faults that may be
apparent in his bitch, or which have been noticeable in her ancestors,
and which, although the bitch herself may not show them, are likely
to reappear in her progeny. If it is desired to secure any particular
quality, it is necessary in some cases to resort to in-breeding ; but
in doing so great judgment is required, and it is better to avoid
it if the same results can be obtained in other ways. The general
opinion is that in-breeding tends to decrease size, and that dogs
and bitches so -bred are less reliable breeders. That the latter
is the case admits of very little doubt; but it is, in the writer's
opinion somewhat questionable whether the former is necessarily
the case, provided the animals used are of a large strain, and that
in-breeding is resorted to within certain limits only.

The bitch should be fed twice a day after she has visited the
dog, and have regular exercise up to the time she is due to whelp.
It is desirable to have foster-mothers ready to rear the puppies,
for although many Mastiffs are excellent mothers, it not infrequently
happens that they are clumsy, and many a time a breeder is grievously
disappointed at finding that the best puppies in the litter have been
killed by the dam laying on them. The puppies should be in-
duced to take a little milk thickened with arrowroot as soon as
they are able to lap. If goat's milk is to be obtained, it is far
preferable to that of the cow, but it is much too expensive to
purchase. It is, however, well worth the breeder's while to keep
a goat on the premises, if he has the convenience for doing so.
It has been asserted that puppies reared on goat's milk will be
free from worms, but this is not by any means invariably the
case. A hornless goat should be selected, if possible, as there is
far less risk of her injuring the puppies if she is allowed to be
about with them.

The puppies should be fed frequently, at regular intervals, not
more being given to them at a time than they will readily eat up.
A small quantity of cod liver oil mixed with the food may be given
with advantage. Puppies should have their liberty, and not be
chained up on any account, although it is desirable to accustom them
to a collar and chain when young, as it saves much trouble later on.
They should not be pampered, but receive good, nourishing food

•

40

FIG. 20.— MR. R. LEADBETTER'S BRINDLE MASTIFF CHAMPION MARKSMAN.

•••BIRR?

FIG. 2i.— MR. F. MCKRILL'S FAWN MASTIFF STAFFORD BELLE.

THE MASTIFF 25

during the whole period of their growth, care being taken that they
are not allowed to get too fat, but that they are kept in what is
termed good growing condition. Some breeders are too apt to
force their puppies when young, and are then able to boast of
their weight; but it will frequently be found that puppies of
abnormal weight do not develop into Mastiffs of corresponding
size when full grown, they having made their growth within the
first ten or twelve months of their life. A Mastiff should continue
to grow in height until he is fifteen months old or more, and to
increase in size and develop for a further eighteen months or so.
Many large dogs do not reach their prime until a later period.
About six weeks is the best age at which to select those
puppies that are to be kept, for experience shows that, however
much they may change during growth, the good points that they
possess at this early age are likely to be found when full growth
has been attained. In selecting a puppy, one naturally seeks for
those qualities which are looked for in the adult animal. These
are principally width of skull, width between the eyes, breadth and
depth of muzzle, and plenty of bone. Size, of course, is a considera-
tion, but this in young puppies is frequently misleading and too
much stress must not be laid on it, as it sometimes happens that
the smallest puppy, although reared under similar conditions to
the rest of the litter, develops into the largest.

That the Mastiff is not so popular at the present time as it was
some years ago is a fact that cannot be denied. The introduction
of so many foreign breeds into this country within the last few
years could hardly fail to affect some of our native breeds, but
this does not altogether account for the loss of public favour from
which the Mastiff is suffering. Possibly this lack of interest in
the breed is to some extent attributable to these dogs having of
late years been bred with abnormally short muzzles, the result
being that many of the characteristics of the breed have been
changed. Faults, such as short bodies, short legs, straight hocks,
and bad hindquarters have been far too common, whilst the benign
expression of the Mastiff has to a great extent been lost. Altogether
the Mastiff of recent years has approached far too near the Bulldog
to please the general public, upon whose favour every breed is,
after all, more or less dependent. That the Mastiff is a short-
muzzled dog every one will admit, but there is a medium in
everything ; breadth and depth of muzzle are, in the writer's opinion,
of far more consequence than extreme shortness and, at the same
time, more difficult to obtain. Although the Mastiff is not so
active as some other breeds of large dogs, being much heavier built,
yet he should be sufficiently so to be able to accompany his owner
on a walk without showing fatigue ; it is doubtful whether many of
the Mastiffs exhibited of late years would be able to do this.

26 BRITISH DOGS

These are a few points to which Mastiff breeders of the future
should give their attention, and we would commend to their
favourable notice the following extract from an interesting letter
of Mr. Sidney Turner on Mastiffs and their points: — "The short
square head, which most of our .present judges admire, is not
likely to be found associated with great length of body and well
let down hocks, because the head is a sort of fifth limb, and if
the shafts of the long bones are of unusual length, the bones of
the cranium naturally follow the same law, and vice versa. ... As
in most things, the happy medium seems to promise the best
success. This should be the keynote of our theme, and the
harmonies should be sought to correspond, and no discordances
permitted in the ideal Mastiff of the future."

The following is the Old English Mastiff Club's description of
the Mastiff. It is a description of what a perfect Mastiff should
be, although no Mastiff that is perfect in all points has yet been
seen, and in all probability never will be; but the breeder's aim
should be to produce one as nearly corresponding to this de-
scription as possible. The numerical value of the points is not
intended to be used in judging, but was added in 1890, as it
was suggested that it would be a help to the novice, who, without
some such guide, had no means of knowing whether any particular
points were of more importance than others. Figs. 20 and 21
show a brindle and a fawn respectively.

General Character and Symmetry (VALUE 10). — Large, massive, powerful,
symmetrical, and well-knit frame. A combination of grandeur and good nature,
courage and docility.

General Description of Head. — In general outline, giving a square appearance
when viewed from any point. Breadth greatly to be desired, and should be in
ratio to length of the whole head and face as 2 to 3.

General Description of Body {Height and Siibstance.} (VALUE 10). —
Massive, broad, deep, long, powerfully built, on legs wide apart and squarely set.
Muscles sharply defined. Size a great desideratum, if combined with quality.
Height and substance important, if both points are proportionately combined.

Skull ( VALUE 12). —Broad between the ears, forehead flat, but wrinkled when
attention is excited. Brows (superciliary ridges) slightly raised. Muscles of the
temples and cheeks (temporal and masseter) well developed. Arch across the
skull of a rounded, flattened curve, with a depression up the centre of the fore-
head from the medium line between the eyes to half-way up the sagittal suture.

Face or Muzzle (VALUE 18). — Short, broad under the eyes, and keeping
nearly parallel in width to the end of the nose ; truncated, i.e. blunt and cut
off square, thus forming a right angle with the upper line of the face, of great
depth from the point of the nose to under jaw. Under jaw broad to the end ;
canine teeth healthy, powerful, and wide apart ; incisors level, or the lower
projecting beyond the upper, but never sufficiently so as to become visible when
the mouth is closed. Nose broad, with widely spreading nostrils when viewed
from the front ; flat (not pointed or turned up) in profile Lips diverging at
obtuse angles with the septum, and slightly pendulous, so as to show a square
profile. Length of muzzle to whole head and face as I to 3. Circumference
of muzzle (measured midway between the eyes and nose) to that of the head
(measured before the ears) as 3 to 5-

THE MASTIFF 27

Ears (VALUE 4). — Small, thin to the touch, wide apart, set on at the
highest points of the sides of the skull, so as to continue the outline across the
summit, and lying flat and close to the cheeks when in repose.

Eyes (VALUE 6). — Small, wide apart, divided by at least the space of two
eyes. The stop between the eyes well marked, but not too abrupt. Colour
hazel-brown, the darker the better, showing no haw.

Chest and Ribs (VALUE 8). —Neck slightly arched, moderately long,
very muscular, and measuring in circumference about I or 2 inches less than
the skull before the ears. Chest wide, deep, and well let down between the
fore legs. Ribs arched and well rounded. False ribs deep and well set back
to the hips. Girth should be one- third more than the height at the shoulder.
Shoulder and arm slightly sloping, heavy, and muscular.

Fore Legs and Feet (VALUE 6). — Legs straight, strong, and set wide apart ;
bones very large. Elbows square. Pasterns upright. Feet large and round.
Toes well arched up. Nails black.

Back, Loins, and Flanks (VALUE 8). — Back and loins wide and muscular;
flat and very wide in a bitch, slightly arched in a dog. Great depth of flanks.

Hind Legs and Feet (VALUE 10). — Hind-quarters broad, wide, and muscular,
with well-developed second thighs. Hocks bent, wide apart, and quite squarely
set when standing or walking. Feet round.

7"ail (VALUE 3). — Put on high up, and reaching to the hocks, or a little
below them, wide at its root and tapering to the end, hanging straight in repose,
but forming a curve, with the end pointing upwards, but not over the back,
when the dog is excited.

Coat Colour (VALUE 5). — Coat short and close lying, but not loo fine over
the shoulders, neck, and back. Colour, apricot or silver fawn, or dark fawn-
brindle. In any case, muzzle, ears, and nose should be black, with black
round the orbits, and extending upwards between them.

One often hears sung the praises of the cross-bred dog known
as the Bull-mastiff— a dog that is frequently employed for service
with night-watchmen and gamekeepers. Some are wont to assert
that the animal is a more formidable foe than the Mastiff proper,
but they have never been able, so far as we can remember, to show
why. Our own contention is that, generally speaking, it is far better
to keep a variety that breeds true to type than a mongrel, especially
when the former, alike as regards size and general fitness, has
superior claims to the latter. Many are under the impression that
what is required in a night-dog is ferocity. No greater mistake
could be made, as those who have witnessed the work of night-dogs,
alike in this country and abroad, can testify. Strength, a good
dark colour, and the knowledge of how to floor an " undesirable "
are essentials in any night-dog. The first two are to be found
naturally in the Mastiff; while the last may be readily imparted,
and is, in fact, the product of skilful training. In the old days it
was popularly supposed that wherever a Bulldog cross was used,
gameness was the invariable result. Whatever may have been true
in respect of the Bulldog of old does not necessarily hold good of its
twentieth-century representative, and, therefore, until we find some
material advantage in possessing a much smaller cross-bred dog,
we shall continue to stand by the pure-bred animal.

CHAPTER III
THE THIBET MASTIFF

THESE dogs are comparatively rare in England, and only occasionally
met with at our shows ; but they are such magnificent animals that
it is to be regretted that they are not bred here, as they are really
well worth cultivating for their noble appearance, and under the
skill and care of English breeders their natural good qualities, grand
proportions, and noble bearing would be developed to the utmost.

In their native country they are used as guardians of the flock
and the family ; and half a dozen of them, with " their bristles up,"
would certainly present a formidable front to marauders, human
or lupine.

In general contour they bear a resemblance to our English
Mastiff, although the rough, dense coat and black colour form a
strong contrast to the rich fawns and fallows of our home breed,
with their close-lying, short, and shining jackets.

The subject of our illustration (Fig. 22) — Siring — was a remarkably
fine specimen, one of two exhibited by the King, at that time the
Prince of Wales, at the Alexandra Palace Show, December, 1875.
The pair were exceedingly well matched, and were much admired,
Siring being, perhaps, a shade the better. Both the specimens
were well formed, strong in the back and loins, deep ribbed, with
well-developed quarters, and standing on stout, straight legs.

In size they are not quite equal to our native Mastiffs, although
the long coat gives them an advantage in appearance. The coat
is about as long as a Newfoundland's, and very dense; not sleek
and glossy, but rough, without being harsh. The colour is black,
inclining to brownish-black on some parts of the body, and the
soft undercoat is of a fulvous colour. The tail is large, well
furnished with hair, and carried pretty high, and with a good
swirl — in fact, the term "gawcie," which Burns uses to describe
the Scotch Collie's tail, pretty accurately applies; but unfortu-
nately there is no exact equivalent in English — bushy, yet showy,
comes near it. The Thibet Mastiff carries his stern much
higher than the Collie — in fact, well over the hips.

The head, wherein the character of the animal is stamped, and
where we always look first in considering the type of dog, differs

THE THIBET MASTIFF

29

considerably from that of his English namesake, and partakes
somewhat of the character of that of our Bloodhounds, although
equally distinct from that; and it might fairly be described as a

compromise between the two, as it possesses features common to
both. The skull is shorter than that of the Bloodhound, and not so
massive as that of our Mastiff. The ears are small, like those of
the latter dog. The eyes are deep sunk, like the Bloodhound's,
and show some haw ; there is also a good deal of flew, the lips

30 BRITISH DOGS

falling very deep, quite as much so as in many specimens of the
Bloodhound ; and with this there is the usual concomitant throati-
ness, although this latter feature is not so noticeable under the
thick ruff that surrounds the throat and neck as it is in the
smooth-haired Hound. The muzzle is a trifle longer than in our
Mastiffs, and the nose is wide and capacious, showing inherent
ability to hunt, although that quality may not be developed, as the
dog is principally used as a guard. The general appearance of
the breed stamps it as a distinct variety, and one of such noble
qualities that if encouragement were given to it at our principal
shows breeders would be stimulated to produce and bring it forward
in greater numbers.

CHAPTER IV
THE ST. BERNARD

THE St. Bernard, both before and since its introduction into
England, has been surrounded with a halo of romance. The stories
related of these magnificent dogs, their picturesque appearance,
noble bearing, and romantic history, so appeal to the imagination,
that it seems natural they should claim the title of " holy breed " as
belonging to a grander group than other varieties of the canine race.
Before speaking more fully of the introduction of the St. Bernard
into England, it will be as well to give in detail an interesting
account furnished by H. Schumacher, of Switzerland, at one time
the largest breeder and exporter of these animals, and whose
thorough knowledge of the subject was to be relied upon at the
time. Mr. Schumacher writes in 1886 as follows : —

44 Compiled from Traditions of the Monks of the Hospice and
Recollections of Heinrich Schumacher,

" In kynological circles there prevails the erroneous idea that the
so-called St. Bernard breed of dogs died out in 1815. This depends
upon the way in which the matter is regarded, because a double
explanation is possible. The first notion, that the breed of dogs
does not exist in the same purity as before 1815, arose from a belief
that in the great snowstorms which then prevailed the breed was
destroyed. Although, indeed, in the Maison St. Bernard, in
Martigny, and in the monastery on Simplon, stocks were always kept
up, from which the losses sustained in the mountains were made
good, yet the monks of that time observed that the breed of dogs
deteriorated through continual in-breeding, and there was a loss
in strength which incapacitated the dogs from developing the
activity and endurance needed in the difficult service of the
mountains in winter time. In the beginning of 1830 the monks
tried, therefore, to renew the old breed by crossing with strong,
intelligent dogs, to recover the weakened good qualities — size,
strength, and endurance. This crossing was done with long-haired
Newfoundland females, which are recognised as the strongest and

31

32 BRITISH DOGS

most suitable dogs. The crossing was also tried with German or
Danish dogs.

"The assumption that the breed, as it existed for five hundred
years, still exists, is in relation to the outward signs and to the use-
fulness and performances. Even to-day the Monastery of Great St.
Bernard could not exist without the services of its dogs. In winter
the daily service of the dogs consists in tracing the passes. On one
series, from the Cantine au Proz (on the Swiss side) to the Hospice
and back, and the other series, from the Hospice to St. Remy and
back (on the Italian side), the peculiar formation of the mountains
causes mistakes, so that the most experienced monks and their
servants have to be guided after every fresh fall of snow by the
sharp senses, especially that of smell, of the dogs. I give this
explanation to show that the breed of St. Bernard dogs, with the
necessary strength of body and intellectual qualities, still exists as
it has existed for centuries, and that the old breed was improved by
crossing with Newfoundland dogs, with systematically strict choice of
the offspring, giving preference to those which most resembled the
parents in hair, colour, and build. The result of the first crossing
showed a disadvantage in the long hair proving unsuitable to the
winter service, because it collected so much snow that the dogs
could not move about, and thus lost their lives. This is why the
long-haired puppies were sold as unserviceable, or were presented
to benefactors of or donors to the monastery.

"The celebrated Barry, now in the Natural History Museum
at Berne, was taken alive to Berne in 1815, and afterwards stuffed.
Barry is a representative of the old breed before crossing with the
Newfoundland dogs, and he must remain the purest type of the
original St. Bernard breed of dogs. Whence come the number of
so-called St. Bernard dogs which are to be found in the middle
of Switzerland, and nearly always of the long-haired type ? It
is this question that I am happy partly to answer. Amongst the
most prominent donors to the Hospice who received as presents
dogs resulting from the long-haired crossing with Newfoundland
dogs were Mr. Pourtales, Berne; Mr. Rougement, Morat ; Prince Von
Russland, Berne ; .a breeder at Bussy ; Colonel Risold, Berne ; and
Messrs. Cornaz, Morat. These dogs, presented from the St. Bernard
Hospice, and their offspring I have known mostly since 1838.
All of these were red, with white marks, black face, black neck, and
double wolf-claws, and of a height not since attained, strongly
built, deep chested, and with large and noble heads. The dogs
in Mettlen were long-haired, with fine, high-worn feather tail, and
their offspring, I have observed since 1850, were trained in the same
way as the parents had been. From these were bred the dogs of
Marchligen, Deisswyl, and Riggisberg. Most of the long-haired
so-called St. Bernard dogs are to be found in a degenerate state

THE ST. BERNARD 33

in Berne. The dogs of Bussy were short-haired, red, with white
marks. Amongst them was the most beautiful and most powerful
female I ever saw, which I knew from 1846 to 1849. I tried to
get puppies from the owner, but could not do so. Its offspring
are to be found on the Nauenburgischen estate, La Chaux de
Fonds, etc. Colonel Risold, of Berne, had only one dog from 1830
to 1840 — short-haired, the same colour and markings as the others,
and with an enormous head. It was so courageous as to be the
terror and master of all other dogs in Berne. The dogs of Prince
Von Russland were similar to those of Mettlen, with similar offspring
and similarly dispersed. The dogs of Messrs. Cornaz I did not
recognise as being amongst the progenitors received from the
Hospice. Their offspring I knew from 1845 to 1856. These
were erect, long-haired, double-clawed, white, with reddish brown
heads. Several were stump-tailed, from which descended the
Utzenstorf breed, which exists still in Bernese Oberaargau, and
are owned by the peasant proprietors, and distinguished for their
size and beauty. The dogs from Lowenberg I have known since
1838, passing some time in Murten. There have been several
generations, always long-haired like the others.

In 1854 my Barry I. was born in Lowenberg — short-haired,
white, with red head. As he resembled neither in hair nor colour
the preceding generation, the owners thought him a mongrel, and
sold him as valueless to Mr. Klopfenstein of Neuenegg, from whom
I acquired the dog in 1855, because so like the Barry of 1815 in the
Berne Museum, and because I knew his pedigree. From Barry I
bred magnificent pups, which were mostly sold to Russia, until
Mr. Baron Judd, of Glockenthal, near Thun, bought Barry from
me in 1858, on condition that pups should be given to me. Mr.
Baron Judd experienced difficulty in finding females of similar
breed. The Rev. Mr. Weyerman, Interlachen, possessed a large
long-haired female, resulting from the crossing with a Hospice
dog, which female, by Barry I., produced Sultan I., the only offspring
from this pair. Favorita I. and Toni I. are from Sultan and
Diana I. Mr. Judd gave up to me Sultan I. in 1862. From
him I obtained Diana I. of the St. Bernard stock, from which I
have received up to date, with the help of blood renewal, not
only strong and pure, but improved dogs, of which my present
breeding dogs, Apollo I., Bernice I., Apollo II., Bernice II., and
Juno, testify.

The deterioration of the breed is not only the result of want
of kynological skill, and of the difficulty in bringing up puppies,
but also from financial causes. The majority of owners have made
the breeding of these noble animals a trade, only considering profit.
Moreover, foreign buyers desire long-haired animals, so that breeders
cross the original breeds with long-haired dogs without making

34 BRITISH DOGS

the right choice, only to meet the demand. I do not assert that
long-haired animals have depreciated, but through unsuitable cross-
ings depreciation has been facilitated. The long-haired animals
are more imposing and handsomer than the short-haired, but the
latter have the advantage of less perspiration, and are hardier.
Besides, I adhere to the principle that the race ought to be
reared parallel with the parents, so that it may acquire the same
reputation. For this reason I have asked the St. Bernard Club
section of the Swiss Kynological Society to make the pure breeding
of short-haired dogs one of its features.

In conclusion, I give you explanations about the best-known
dogs in England. From 1862 I sold puppies from Sultan I.,
Diana L, Leo I., Barry II., Favorita I., and Toni I. for England
without registration. Before 1867 I learned that the dogs sold by me
won the first prizes in the various dog shows, and I decided to
exhibit my Sultan I., Favorita L, and Leo I. at the Paris Show in
1867, for which purpose the monks of St. Bernard gave me a
certificate testifying to the purity of my breed, which contributed
to my dogs winning first prize. In 1866 the Rev. J. C. Macdona
bought his first three St. Bernard dogs from Mr. Schindler, Berne.
Amongst these was a fine, long-haired specimen — red, with white
marks, and double wolf-claws. With this dog the Rev. J. C. Macdona
obtained his first success in England, and many of his offspring
are considered the best in England. In 1865 I sold the Rev.
Mr. Dillon, in Berne, the dog Tell and the female Hero. The Rev.
Mr. Macdona bought Tell, and it is well known that he was con-
sidered the best short-haired dog. In 1871 I sold Mr. Murchison
Thor and Jura. These two, up to recent date, were considered
to be the best long-haired St. Bernards, and their offspring are
well known in England. I sold Mr. Murchison, in 1882, Sirius
and Bellona. Sultan and Medar are also great prize winners in
England. This proves that Englishmen have drawn their St. Bernards
from well-known Swiss breeders, and have not, as the Germans assert,
manufactured the breed. To the English belongs the merit of first
recognising and ennobling the breed, especially by new blood, by
which they have contributed to the improvement of the race.
In 1867 I started the register for my St. Bernards, and this
contains the oldest pedigrees. There were many attempts to cross
between German and Newfoundland dogs to produce a short-haired
breed similar to St. Bernards, under the impression that the original
breed has been thus obtained. These crossings gave no brilliant
results. It must remain for later investigation whether the St.
Bernard breed is not one which is still to be found in the isolated
Rhone valleys, because the first peasants who took part in the
wars of liberation five or six centuries ago took with them into
battle a species of dog of enormous dimensions, probably of the

THE ST. BERNARD 35

same origin as the present St. Bernard; at least, this assumption
is worthy of investigation.

HEINRICH SCHUMACHER.

HOLLIGEN, AtlgUSt 24//J, 1886."

Here a further reference to Mr. Schumacher's Barry I., often
styled the regenerator of the breed, may be made. Though
modern St. Bernard breeders are ever ready to acknowledge their
indebtedness to Barry I., yet few have any idea what the dog was
like. Fig. 23 will, however, show present-day fanciers that
massiveness and depth of head at least characterised this dog of

FIG. 23.— HEAD OF ST. BERNARD BARRY

other days. It was not until 1891 that the present generation
of fanciers were enabled to see what manner of dog, as judged by
head properties, Barry I. was like. In that year Mr. Schumacher
came across, by accident, an old daguerreotype that had been taken
of himself and his wife, with Barry I. lying at their feet, and that
had been buried for thirty-five years. This Mr. Schumacher placed
at the disposal of the late Mr. Hugh Dalziel, and the half-tone
illustration (Fig. 23) is the result.

Without entering into controversy as to the origin of the St.
Bernard, or whether the breed had existed in its purity for five
hundred years, as stated by H. Schumacher in 1886, his communi-
cation will always prove interesting to the true St. Bernard lover,

36 BRITISH DOGS

for we have obtained our best English stock from the strains of
Schumacher.

Albert Smith, the celebrated traveller, was the first person to
introduce a couple of St. Bernards into England, and he brought
them on to public platforms, when giving his lectures, for illustration.
These animals caused universal interest, and both traveller and dogs
appeared before the late Queen Victoria. But to the Rev. J. C.
Macdona (at that time Rector of Cheadle) belongs really the
honour of introducing and popularising the breed. After Mr.
Macdona had exhibited his Tell, one of the earliest importations
into this country, these beautiful animals instantly found favour with
the British public. A St. Bernard became a coveted possession,
and no breed of dogs have claimed more devoted and influential
admirers, ranging from royalty downwards.

After Mr. Macdona had introduced his dogs, St. Bernard owners
quickly increased, and the best animals in Switzerland that money
could purchase were brought over to England. It was not until
dog shows had become well established that a class was given to
St. Bernards, and this was at the once famous Cremorne Gardens
in 1863, when the Rev. A. N. Bate's Monk won first prize. The
benching, however, of the Rev. J. C. Macdona's Tell gave the
impetus to the breed, and the dog's place of exhibition was sur-
rounded with admiring crowds. Other specimens quickly followed
Tell, their grand appearance captivating all beholders, and they
were thought worthy of the brush of Landseer.

St. Bernard admirers increased so rapidly that a club named the
St. Bernard Club was formed in the interests of the breed. Rules
were drawn up, type was defined strictly on the Swiss standard, and
influential members undertook the compilation of a Stud-book — a
work that required long and self-denying labour, especially as the
pillars of that stud-book were imported dogs. Next, the members
decided to hold a show exclusively for the breed ; that took place
at Knightsbridge in 1882.

Some idea of the rapid strides that the breed had made may be
gathered from the fact that two hundred and fifty of the best dogs
were brought together at this first show of the St. Bernard Club.
The judge was Mr. Macdona, and he must have felt flattered to be
surrounded by two hundred and fifty gigantic and beautiful animals,
whose presence must have been partly, if not wholly, due to his
expenditure of time, money, and skill in first introducing the breed
to the English show-bench. Amongst the well-known exhibitors
at this time were Prince Solms, Mr. J. H. Murchison, Rev. J. C.
Macdona, Rev. A. Carter, Rev. Sneyd, Rev. Thornton, Mr. F.
Gresham, Mr. Sweet, Mr. Marsden, Mr. Rutherglen, Mr. Inman
Betterton, Mr. McKillop, Miss Hales, Miss Aglionby, Mr. J. F.
Smith, Sir C. Isham, Mr. Hughes-Hughes, Mr. Norris-Elye,

THE ST. BERNARD 39

Mr. Tinker, Mr. S. W. Smith, and others. Some of the best-known
dogs exhibited at the first show of the St. Bernard Club were Bayard,
Thor, Boniface, Bonivard, Save, Turk, Rector, Pilgrim, etc.

The following year two hundred and sixty specimens were
benched, and at the third exhibition of the Club's Show, two hundred
and forty-seven. A foreign breed thus became quickly established,
holding the premier position amongst the varieties of the Domesti-
cated dog, and for many years retaining its popularity.

Americans now became great admirers of the St. Bernard, and
the animal was more worshipped and coveted than formerly.
Celebrity after celebrity crossed the Atlantic at fabulous prices, the
desire increasing after each celebrated animal had been seen.
More than once ;£i,ooo was paid for one of these exported animals.
For a time the demand from across the Atlantic was great, but
at the close of the nineteenth century the demand for high-class
English- bred stock was gradually waning. This was due to
many causes that will be named afterwards. For a long time,
however, the ardour of St. Bernard owners in England did not cool.
Almost as high prices could be obtained in this country for the
best specimens as in America. St. Bernard fanciers increased by
leaps and bounds ; but in the quantity of dogs, quality was not
always predominant. Such large sums had been obtained for
St. Bernards that the cupidity of the public was aroused, and the
ranks of St. Bernard owners were increased by people who only
owned a St. Bernard as an investment. The status of the owners
of the breed deteriorated in consequence, and as a noble dog
should possess a noble owner, the quality of the St. Bernard
suffered. The dogs of saintly name and heroic deeds were never
intended to be chained in the slums of a town or backyards of
a village.

As one by one the original lovers of the breed, who had spared
neither time nor money in its interests, dropped out of the ranks,
the once powerful St. Bernard Club, second to none in importance,
began to lose its influence in encouraging the breeding of pure
St. Bernards of a recognised type. The demand from America
for large specimens had fostered the breeding for size, and bone
and size had become pet themes for St. Bernard fanciers to dwell
upon. Such unnatural forcing produced defective hocks, crooked
legs, stiltiness, etc. : size and bone had been obtained at the
cost of physical beauty and activity. Such past celebrities as
Tell and Thor weighed i47lb. and J5olb. respectively, whilst we
have dozens of later St. Bernards turning the scale at 2oolb.

Next, a Mastiff-like head with an abnormal depth of lip became
the rage, thus losing the benevolent expression so characteristic
of the breed. The beautiful white markings were ignored in
judging, and dew-claws, that once counted for much in the eyes

40 BRITISH DOGS

of the pioneers of the breed, became of no value. The St. Bernard,
however, still held supremacy in the Dog World, and a second club
was formed in its interests in 1893 by a few Northern fanciers,
because at that time the most prominent exhibitors resided in the
North of England.

At that period the foremost breeders and exhibitors of the
St. Bernard were Messrs. Smith & Baker, Leeds ; the late Mr.
Shillcock, Birmingham ; J. F. Smith, Sheffield ; Joseph Royle,
Manchester; Captain Hargreaves, South port; Messrs. W. S. Clarke,
Wishaw, N.B. ; J. Storey, Durham ; William Hamlyn, Devonshire,
and others.

Since the first introduction of the St. Bernard into England,
its most enthusiastic admirers have been found amongst women,
Miss Hales and Miss Aglionby following close upon the Rev. J. C.
Macdona with their imported specimens Hermit and Hilda. Since,
women have bred and owned the best, notably Mrs. Jagger, Mrs.
Hannay, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Semple, Mrs. Spencer, Misses Waller,
Mrs. Steele, Miss Browne, and others.

The most noted St. Bernard between 1890 and 1900 was Sir
Bedivere. He was followed by Mr. Shillcock's Champions Plin-
limmon, Lord Bute, Duke of Maplecroft, and Princess Florence ;
Messrs. Smith & Baker's Champions Le Prince, La Princesse,
Duke of Florence, etc. ; Captain Hargreaves's Sir Hereward (the
most noted sire since the days of Bayard and Thor) ; Joseph Royle's
Champion Lord Douglas and Lord Hatherton; Mrs. Jagger's
Champion Frandley Stephanie, Lady Mignon, and Champion
Florentius (Fig. 24) ; Mrs. Jones's Champion Duke of Surrey
(Fig. 25) ; Mrs. Semple's Baron Richmond ; and many more noted
dogs could be named owned by women.

Whilst both the original St. Bernard Club and the Northern
Club recognised the same scale of points, friction arose. The
Northern Club changed its name to that of the National St. Bernard
Club, and became antagonistic to the older club — a state of things
that has done harm to the breed.

Thus, from making a trade of the breeding of these noble dogs,
the bickerings arising from the various ideas held upon the question
of type, and no doubt the great expense entailed in rearing and
keeping these leviathans, there are signs that the St. Bernard is
waning in public favour. This may be only a passing cloud, and
perhaps when the dog is bred more to original type, he will again
become first favourite amongst canine pets.

Schumacher regretted the deterioration of the St. Bernard when
the Swiss breeders bred to please the English buyers. Yet we
have certainly improved upon the original pure Swiss type
of dog.

At the present time there is, again, an absence of once well-

THE ST. BERNARD 43

known names amongst the ranks of St. Bernard exhibitors. At
the close of 1901 the best dogs are all in one kennel, owned by
Messrs. Inman & Walmsley. Notable amongst the numerous
Champions in this kennel are Wolfram^ The King's Son, Tann-
hauser, Viola, Judith Inman, and others. When competition is
almost confined to one kennel, the breed is in a perilous state.

The present-day St. Bernard is not taking a stirring part in a
picturesque by-gone life, when appearance would be sacrificed to
usefulness, but kept more for its striking appearance or as a
companion. When so much time and money have been spent
upon the introduction and improvement of the breed, there is no
reason why it should not be restored to its former prestige, if left
to original type. There is no more desirable possession than one
of these canine aristocrats, if owners have suitable surroundings
and not too needy pockets. If bred, the would-be breeder should
master the points of a high-class St. Bernard, and purchase not
only a good female, but one with a faultless pedigree. To mate
her properly, a novice cannot possess the knowledge that comes
from long experience ; but, at least for a beginning, the bitch can
be mated to the best-known male specimen.

The pups must be fed on the best of food, containing most
bone-producing properties, and such helps as Parrish's Food, cod
liver oil, lime-water, etc., are not to be ignored in the rearing of
a St. Bernard, especially as judges still demand monsters in size.
Too long walks or running after vehicles are fatal to size and bulk
in a St. Bernard, though more natural and healthy ; yet for the
present size and weight of St. Bernard's, limited but regular exercise
is best. Weights and measurements of celebrated dogs could be
given, but they were the victims of early forcing. Such a large
animal, however, wants to mature slowly and naturally, attaining to
its best at three years old.

If a St. Bernard is purchased, a novice should not be dazzled
by the number of prizes a dog has won ; often such prizes are of
no value, on account of the poor competition. It is wisest to ask
advice from well-known and respected breeders and exhibitors, or
seek the advice of the clubs.

So many good books are published containing advice both
on how to rear pups and prepare adult dogs for the show-
bench, that such details must be omitted here. Suffice it to
say, a dog no more than a man can exist upon past reputation ;
but still there is a grandeur of form even about the present-day
dog unsurpassed in any other breed. If bred and kept under
the conditions suitable for such a large animal, there is no
more noble companion or more picturesque animal than the
St. Bernard.

The following is the description adopted by both clubs: —

44 BRITISH DOGS

Head. — Large and massive, circumference of skull being rather more than
double the length of the head, from nose to occiput. Face short, full below
eye, and square at muzzle ; cheeks flat, and great depth from eye to lower jaw.
Lips deep, but not too pendulous. From nose to stop perfectly straight and
broad. Stop somewhat abrupt and well defined. Skull broad, slightly rounded
at the top, with somewhat prominent brow.

Ears. — Of medium size, lying close to cheek, and not heavily feathered.

Eyes. — Rather small and deep set, dark in colour, not too close together,
the lower eyelid drooping so as to show a fair amount of the haw, the upper
lid falling well over the eye.

Nose. — Large and black, with well-developed nostrils.

Teeth.— Level.

Expression. — Should betoken benevolence, dignity, and intelligence.

Neck. — Lengthy, muscular, and slightly arched, with dew-lap well developed.

Shoulders. — Broad and sloping, well up at the withers.

Chest. — Wide and deep ; the lower part should not project below the
elbows.

Body. — Back broad and straight, ribs well rounded. Loin wide and very
muscular.

Tail. — Set on rather high, long, and, in the long-coated variety, bushy.
Carried low when in repose, and when excited or in motion, slightly above the
line of the back.

Legs and Feet. — Fore legs perfectly straight, strong in bone, and of good
length. Hind legs heavy in bone ; hocks well bent, and thighs very muscular.
Feet large and compact, with well-arched toes.

Size. — A dog should be at least 3Oin. in height at the shoulder, and a bitch
27in. (the taller the better, provided the symmetry is maintained), thoroughly
well proportioned, and of great substance. The general outline should suggest
great power and capability of endurance.

Coat. — In the Long-coated 'variety should be dense and flat ; rather fuller
round the neck, so as to form a ruff ; thighs well feathered. In the Short-coated
variety it should be close and Hound-like, slightly feathered on thighs and
tail.

Colour and Markings. — Orange, mahogany-brindle, red-brindle, or white,
with patches on body of either of the above-named colours. The markings
should be as follows : White muzzle, white blaze up face, white collar round
neck, white chest, white forelegs, feet, and end of tail, black shadings on
face and ears.

Dew-claivs. — Of no value.

Objectionable Points. — Dudley, liver, flesh-coloured, or split nose ; unlevel
mouth and cankered teeth ; snipy muzzle ; light or staring eyes ; cheek-bumps ;
wedge head ; flat skull ; badly set or heavily feathered ears ; too much peak ;
short neck ; curly coat ; curled tail ; flat sides ; hollow back ; roach back ;
ring tail ; open feet or hare feet ; cow-hocks, straight hocks ; fawn, black tan
and white, or self-coloured.

CHAPTER V
THE GREAT DANE

RIGHT at the head of the list of giants among Domestic dogs
stands the Great Dane, Boarhound, Tiger Mastiff, or German
Mastiff — a dog that is unsurpassed for immense strength combined
with activity and elegance of outline. Though at no period of its
existence a popular variety in the ordinary sense of that term, yet
it has a very decided following. In the past probably the fact that
it was necessary to crop the dog acted more or less prejudicially
against the breed ; but this ear-cutting is now abolished, and as
the variety becomes better known, and the erroneous impressions
formed about it are dissipated, we may confidently look forward
to an increase in its number of admirers. Unlike many breeds,
the Great Dane has not been taken in hand by royalty, but it has
always had a number of exalted personages amongst its followers.
If we mistake not, Lord Salisbury favours the hound as a com-
panion ; while the Iron Chancellor had a Great Dane— one Tyras
— as his most devoted companion.

When the First Edition of this work appeared, the variety was
comparatively little known in England ; but it was therein suggested
that the Great Dane was a breed that was well worthy of recogni-
tion. By such eminent naturalists as Linnaeus and BufTon it was
classed as a distinct variety, though none of the earlier naturalists
described the breed with the detailed accuracy that leaves no
doubt as to the actual conformation of the dog at the time. Buffon
classed the Great Dane among those varieties that had been
modified and formed by climatic influence, and asserted that it
originated from the sheepdog. He also held that the small Danish
dog was a modified Bulldog.

Sydenham Edwards, writing in the early part of the last century,
said that the Harlequin Dane was occasionally used in England as
an ornamental appendage to run with the coaches of the wealthy,
instead of the smaller Dalmatian.

Richardson was evidently well acquainted with the dog, which
he describes as rarely standing " less than 3oin. at the shoulder,

45

46 BRITISH DOGS

and usually more." He further describes a Great Dane named
Hector, the property of the Duke of Buccleuch, that measured,
when eighteen years old, and his legs had given way, 32in. at
shoulder, and computed that when in his prime the dog must
have measured 32|in.

Of writers and students of our own time the most consistent
and also the most persistent was Mr. Frank Adcock, whose
monster specimens Satan and Proserpina were dubbed by the
Fancy "the Devil and his Wife." Mr. Adcock thus eulogises the
breed : " Enormous in size, sensitive in nose, of great speed, un-
yielding in tenacity and courage, and full of intelligence, there
is no variety that can so well sustain the part of the dog of the
hunter of large game."

The latter part stands in need of some slight modification ;
for however suitable the Great Dane may be for hunting in climates
akin to our own, yet in India it has not been found suitable for the
plains during the hot season.

To judge by records of the past, there seems to be no doubt
that the Great Dane is as old a pure breed as any that we now
possess. From ancient pictures it will be seen that the Great Dane
as we know him now existed hundreds of years ago. He is,
moreover, one of the few dogs depicted upon coins. One such
coin in particular was recently referred to by Herr Gustave Lang
as being in the Museum at Munich, and is said to bear the head
of a typical modern Great Dane, with square muzzle, cropped ears,
and long, clean neck. This coin belongs to the fifth century B.C.

A few years ago the Badminton Magazine published a series
of " Old Sporting Prints," several of which contained excellent
likenesses of the modern Great Dane. Take, for example, the
November number for 1895 (pp. 511 and 513). This illustrates
boarhounds from an etching by Antonio Tempesta, copied by him
in 1609 from an old tapestry. Again, in the February number for
1896 (p. 264) there is a picture, dated 1640, of five hounds attacking
a wild boar. In fact, one black dog in particular almost exactly
agrees in conformation with the dogs of our own day.

The name Boarhound (by which the Great Dane was formerly
known) is said to have originated from the German word Bauer
(meaning peasant), as at one time the breed was largely in the
hands of such people. Far more likely, however, are they to
have been called Boarhounds from the fact that they were actually
employed in hunting wild boars, as must have been the case, if
we may rely upon numerous old sporting pictures and writings.
Occasional Great Danes must have been imported into England
long before the breed was known in the show-ring. For instance,
the writer knows of an oil painting from life that depicts a most
typical fawn Great Dane that was imported about 1812, and said to

THE GREAT DANE 49

stand 33in. at the shoulder. The dog has cropped ears, a short
coat, and all the points of a Great Dane, but is called at the back
of the picture " an Irish Wolfe Dog."

Unfortunately, some of the first Great Danes that were exhibited
were very bad-tempered, and this helped to give the breed a bad
name. Many people fancied them savage and uncontrollable, and
quite unsuitable as companions. As a matter of fact, of all the
larger breeds the Great Dane is the most suitable as a house dog,
especially if he always lives indoors and has to act as guard and
companion as well as pet. His smooth, sleek, short coat is so easy
to keep clean and free from " doggy " smells. He is, as a rule (if
properly trained and not treated as a savage brute), most docile
and good-tempered, and easily taught anything; while his courage
and determination as a guard are unequalled. From his earliest
puppyhood his devotion to his master or his mistress is remark-
able, and he will not go trotting off after strangers, as so many
puppies of other breeds have the annoying habit of doing at an
early age.

Great Danes are fairly hardy, but cannot stand damp or draughty
kennels. Most of them have good constitutions, and they do not
suffer from being in-bred. If kept in the house all day and turned
out at night, this breed of dog should have a rug on and plenty of
straw during the cold weather, when he will take no harm. Great
Danes are often good water dogs, and may be taught to retrieve
from the water and even to dive after objects ; while as companions
for a country walk they are unequalled : even if absolutely harmless
and timid, their great size is a terror to tramps and beggars.

It is extraordinary how such a huge animal may be kept in
quite a small house, curling himself up, as he does, in a corner,
and not always being on the fidget like a smaller animal. One often
hears remarks from people that they have no room for a Great
Dane ; but those who have tried know well how little room they
really take up. When always kept indoors they become wonderfully
gentle, and learn to move about without doing any damage. One
that is kept outside and brought in now and then as a treat is
generally the cause of disaster. His joy and romps soon bring
destruction, in the way of china and ornaments smashed by each
wag of his extremely long and powerful tail.

Great Danes have very strong sporting instincts, and they
may be easily taught to retrieve. Curiously enough, the writer
has known them have tender mouths, and many times her dogs
have brought rabbits they have caught, quite unhurt ; while the
same dogs would kill a strange cat with one bite of their strong
jaws. She has also noticed that some of them, whilst walking up-
wind and getting the scent of birds or rabbits in front, will draw
on them very like a Pointer. The Great Dane hunts mostly by

50 BRITISH DOGS

sight, but he can also use his nose with quite remarkable success
in tracking his master or while hunting in covert.

When galloping in the open in full view of their quarry, these
hounds do not seem to wish to kill immediately ; their idea seems
rather to be of tiring the animal out. They gallop along, with
heads up, without trying to lessen the distance ; then, when the
right time comes, they dash in and seize hold just at the back
of the neck. Should two dogs be after the same animal, one
will always wait for the other to catch hold at the same time
on the other side; this surely is a relic of their old boar-hunting
ancestors.

Without doubt Great Danes would prove wonderfully successful
if trained for hunting big game. Their courage, great turn of
speed, and strength, combined with wonderful intelligence and the
ease with which they learn what is required of them, would
prove invaluable to any one who had the opportunity of training
them properly.

At the present time the breed is in a very flourishing condition.
The Great Dane Club has over fifty members, with R. Lead-
better, Esq., as President, H. L. Horsfall, Esq., as Vice-President,
and R. Hood Wright, Esq., as Hon. Secretary. The entries at
shows where a good classification is given are generally very satis-
factory, and plenty of first-class home-bred Great Danes are exhibited
each year, in spite of the many vicissitudes through which the breed
has passed. First, there was the Kennel Club rule against cropping
— this induced many fanciers to give up the breed; while later
came the quarantine regulations that now practically prevent fresh
blood from being obtained from abroad.

It is worthy of note that none of the successful show Great
Danes of to-day can trace their pedigrees back to the many excellent
dogs that were imported several years ago. In fact, one cannot
help thinking that in those days judges went more for size than
for type, and that gradually the beautiful outline and general
alertness that a Great Dane should possess were lost. The writer
has often been told that at one time any Great Dane, cow-hocked
or bent in front, would win, providing he was of huge size. Now
cripples are very few and far between, though it is much to be
feared that size has been sacrificed to a great extent, and every
effort should be made to regain this point, providing, of course,
type can be maintained as well. It is useless to try to breed a
show Great Dane from anything except very high-class parents.
It seems that in other breeds a bitch, providing she is well bred
and is judiciously mated, may breed champions. This is not so
with Great Danes, save in a very few exceptional cases. In fact,
unless the dam herself were good in show points, it would not be
worth troubling to breed from her — that is, if any very high-class

THE GREAT DANE 51

progeny were expected. It is very important that both sire and
dam should be in perfect health and condition, or the puppies will
most probably be small and puny at birth. As size is of great
importance, the bitch should be exceedingly well and carefully fed
all the time she is in whelp, varying her food as much as possible,
and giving nourishment without letting her get too fat. Walking
exercise is best at this time, and during the last month the bitch
should never be allowed to gallop or jump. With such very heavy
dogs the result, if they are allowed to do so, is generally dead
puppies. No Great Dane bitch should be allowed to rear more
than five or six puppies to do them really well. It is unnecessary
to destroy the others, as there are always plenty of foster-mothers
advertised in the doggy papers, and this method is invariably
successful if the foster-mother is taken out of sight and hearing
while the puppies are changed. The puppies should all be left
together for half an hour while the foster is away, and then all
the foster-puppies should be removed where the mother can neither
smell nor hear them, and with a little patience and watchfulness
for an hour or two there is little fear of any mishap occurring.

At ten days, or at latest a fortnight, the puppies should be fed
with milk thickened with any of the advertised infant foods. At first
dip their noses in and let them lick off what remains, and in a day
or two they will lap nicely. This will help them greatly, and
prevents their feeling the ill-effects of weaning, which should be
done gradually, removing the mother for longer and longer intervals
during the day, and at last returning her only at night, and then
keeping her a'way altogether. The puppies ought now to be fed at
least five times a day, giving the first meal as early and the evening
meal as late as possible. Twice a day they may have the milk
thickened with food — well-boiled oatmeal or rice, good, reliable
biscuits crushed very small and only prepared as required, cods'
heads, paunches, and meat, occasionally giving a little raw. Melox
Food the writer has found very successful, if given in small quantities
once a day. If cods' heads are boiled long enough, the bones will
become so soft that they will not harm the puppies to eat, only
care should be taken that they are soft.

At this stage the puppies require no regular exercise. A large
paddock or yard with shade, a warm, dry house to sleep in, plenty
of large bones to gnaw and play with, and plenty of sunshine are,
however, essential.

Great Dane puppies, save under exceptional circumstances,
should not make their appearance in the winter or, still worse, the
autumn. February and March are the best months, as then they
have the whole summer in which to grow. The writer's puppies
have the run of their paddock during suitable weather night and
day all through the summer, and are never shut up at all. Small

52 BRITISH DOGS

kennels, small yards, hours at a time of being shut in, are the causes
of most of the crooked fore legs and cow-hocks. At five or six
months old the puppies may be taught to lead and go for short
walks, but not much galloping exercise should be indulged in till
their legs become firmer, and above all things they should not be
encouraged to jump till fully twelve months old, as their enormous
weight suddenly thrown on the young, unformed knee-joints causes
them to bend and contract, especially if the puppy is big and
heavy boned. On no account should a growing puppy be chained
or fastened up ; at any time it is a great mistake, as it tends to
make the best-tempered one savage.

Distemper is almost certain to come after the first dog show, but
with care, the use of Rackham's distemper remedies, and keeping
the puppies warm by means of a rug and artificial heat if necessary,
they will usually weather the disease. The temperature of the room
should never fall below 60° Fahr., and on no account should the
dog be allowed outside for any purpose till his temperature is
normal and the worst symptoms are over. As well as Rackham's
Distemper Cure five grains of salicylate of soda twice a day will
help distemper patients wonderfully, but this should not be given
without the advice of a veterinary surgeon. Plenty of light
nourishment should be given to keep up the strength ; but beware
of the danger of drenching dogs with sloppy foods given by an
inexperienced person. This is often the cause of lung troubles
during this disease. Brand's Essence of Beef given in the jelly is
far safer. A tablespoonful put at the back of the tongue is easily
swallowed, and there is not so much risk of it going the wrong way.

When preparing a Great Dane for exhibition, he should be well
brushed and rubbed over half an hour each day, and if deficient in
muscle, long walking exercise on the roads will put it on far more
quickly than galloping or any other kind of exercise. Boiled
linseed brightens the gloss of the coat and is useful to improve
the look of the skin. And now a hint (which may be of use to
novices, but which is probably known to experienced breeders) as
to the often unknown cause of skin troubles, such as eczema, blotch,
surfeit, etc. These skin diseases often arise from the grease not
having been carefully removed from the gravy before using it to
soak the biscuits. If the gravy is left to stand till cold, the grease
can easily be removed, and the gravy warmed up again if so required.

The training of a Great Dane as^a companion requires great
care. He should be handled firmly, but as gently as possible. A
puppy ought never to be thrashed, even under the most provoking
circumstances. Its skin is very tender, and one or two cuts
with a thin switchy stick are quite enough. Violent beatings will
make a Great Dane grow up a cowed, slinking, cringing creature,
without any of the fire and spirit that he should possess, or he

THE GREAT DANE

53

will be bad-tempered, sullen, and savage, and his character quite
spoilt.

Another good thing to remember is to put the collar and lead
on before correcting a puppy, and not to unloose him until sufficient
time has elapsed after the correction to enable you to again make
friends with him.

In choosing a puppy from the litter, there is generally one or
perhaps two that stand out superior to all the others. The first
point to look for is depth and squareness of muzzle at the nose ;
next, a clean neck carried high, with no loose skin (this, in the
writer's experience, never decreases, but, on the contrary, increases
as the puppy grows). The skull, too, ought to look narrow between
the ears in comparison with the breadth across the muzzle. Long
straight legs, with plenty of bone and big knee-joints, are also
points to look for in a puppy six weeks to two months old. After
that the description as given by the Great Dane Club should be
the guide. This description, which has recently been rewritten with
the idea of helping novices, will be found below. Such vague state-
ments as " skull not too broad," " back not too long or short,"
are all very well for those knowing the breed, but are quite useless
for those novices desirous of selecting a good dog.

The description and standard of points of the Great Dane adopted
by the Great Dane Club are as follow : —

General Appearance. — The Great Dane is not so heavy or massive as the
Mastiff, nor should he too nearly approach the Greyhound type. Remarkable
in size and very muscular, strongly though elegantly built, the head and neck
should be carried high, and the tail in line with the back, or slightly upwards,
but not curled over the hindquarters. Elegance of outline and grace of form
are most essential to a Dane ; size is absolutely necessary ; but there must be
that alertness of expression and briskness of movement without which the Dane
character is lost. He should have a
look of dash and daring, of being
ready to go anywhere and do anything.

Temperament. — The Great Dane is
good-tempered, affectionate, and faith-
ful to his master, not demonstrative with
strangers, intelligent, courageous, and
always alert. His value as a guard is
unrivalled. He is easily controlled
when well trained, but he may grow
savage if confined too much, kept on
chain, or ill-treated.

Height. — The minimum height ot
an adult dog should be 3oin. ; that of
a bitch, 28in.

Weight. — The minimum weight of
an adult dog should be I2olb. ; that of
a bitch, loolb. The greater height and
weight are to be preferred, provided
that quality and proportion are also combined.

Head. — Taken altogether, the head should give the idea of great length and

54

BRITISH DOGS

strength of jaw. The muzzle, or foreface, is broad, and the skull proportionately
narrow, so that the whole head when viewed from above and in front has the
appearance of equal breadth throughout.

Length of Head. — The entire length of head varies with the height of the dog ;
I3in. from the tip of the nose to the back of the occiput is a good measurement
for a dog of 32in. at the shoulder. The length from
the end of the nose to the point between the eyes
should be about equal or preferably of greater
length than from this point to the back of the
occiput.

Skull.— The skull should be flat rather than
domed, and have, a slight indentation running up
the centre, the occipital peak not prominent. There
should be a decided rise or brow over the eyes, but
no abrupt stop between them.

Face. — The face should be well chiselled and
foreface long, of equal depth throughout, and well
filled in below the eye, with no appearance of being
pinched.

Muscles of the Cheek. — The muscles of the cheeks
should be quite flat, with no lumpiness or cheek
bumps, the angle of the jaw-bone well defined.

Lips. — The lips should hang
quite square in front, forming
a right angle with the upper line of foreface.

Underline. — The underline of the head, viewed in profile,
runs almost in a straight line from the comer of the lip
to the corner of the jaw-bone, allowing for the fold of the
lip, but with no loose skin to hang down.

Jaw. — The lower jaw should be about level, or at any
rate not project more than the sixteenth of an inch.

Nase and Nostrils. — The bridge of the nose should be
very wide, with a slight ridge where the cartilage joins
the bone. (This is quite a characteristic of the breed.)
The nostrils should be large, wide, and open, giving a blunt look to the nose.
A butterfly or flesh-coloured nose is not objected to in harlequins.

Front View.

Dotted Line shows
Faulty Lip,

Ears. — The ears should be small, set high on the skull, and carried slightly
erect with the tips falling forward.

THE GREAT DANE

55

Neck. — Next to the head, the neck is one of the chief characteristics. It
should be long, well arched, and quite clean and free from loose skin, held
well up, snakelike in carriage, well set in the shoulders, and the junction of head
and neck well defined.

Shoulders. — The shoulders should be muscular but not loaded and well sloped
back, with the elbows well under the body, so that when viewed in front the dog
does not stand too wide.

Fore Legs and Feet. — The fore legs should be perfectly straight, with big flat
bone, the feet large and round, the toes well arched and close, the nails strong
and curved.

Body. — The body is very deep, with ribs well sprung and belly well
drawn up.

Back and Loins. — The back and loins are strong, the latter slightly arched
as in the Greyhound.

Hindquarters. — The hindquarters and thighs are extremely muscular, giving
the idea of great strength and galloping power. The second thigh is long
and well developed, as in a Greyhound, and the hocks are set low, turning neither
out nor in.

Tail. — The tail is strong at the root and ends in a fine point, reaching to or
just below the hocks. It should be carried, when
the dog is in action, in a straight line level with

A Badly-carried Tail.

A Well-earned Tail.

the back, slightly curved towards the end, but
should not curl over the back.

Coat. — The hair is short and dense and sleek-
looking, and in no case should it incline to
coarseness.

Gait or Action. — The gait should be lithe,

springy, and free, the action high. The hocks should move very freely, and
the head should be held well up.

Colour. — The colours are brindle, fawn, blue, black, and harlequin. The
harlequin should have jet black patches and spots on a pure white ground ;
grey patches are admissible but not desired ; fawn or brindle shades are
objectionable.

CHAPTER VI
THE NEWFOUNDLAND

AROUND the Newfoundland centres a halo of romance hardly less
bright than that investing the St Bernard. Both are life-savers, and,
strange to say, both are importations so far as this country is con-
cerned ; while they are two varieties of the Domestic dog that even
the child is from very early times taught to venerate. As to whether
Sebastian Cabot, when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497, found
dogs of a remarkably large size and noble appearance, history is
silent. No naturalist, sportsman, or other writer that treats of dogs
before the end of last century says anything about the Newfound-
lander, as he has sometimes been called.

The European settlers in Newfoundland were at one time prin-
cipally Irish and natives of the Channel Islands. The question
arises, Did these settlers, or others from England or France, take
with them dogs of a large sort from Europe, which, being crossed
with the native dogs, improved the latter, and gradually formed a
new variety ? It is not necessary to suppose this to have occurred
in the earliest days of the settlement, for there has been a growing
intercourse ever since, and the introduction of one or more of our
large and superior races of dogs, from the beginning to the middle
of the eighteenth century, would give ample time for the formation
of a new breed of dog in Newfoundland, by commixture of their
blood with that of the native race, before imported Newfoundland
dogs became popular in this country.

Writers constantly speak of the pure breed of dog indigenous
to Newfoundland, and lament that he is now only to be met with
mongrelised through crosses with inferior races. If the native
inhabitants — the Mic Macs — possessed a dog of the high intellectual
and moral character of the Newfoundland as now known, it would
indeed be an astonishing fact. Such a supposition is highly im-
probable, the more probable theory being that Europeans made the
breed now recognised as the Newfoundland. The breed seems to
have become popular in England during the last half of the eighteenth
century, Bewick and other contemporary writers referring to it as
being then well known. Many interesting stories of the time are

56

THE NEWFOUNDLAND 57

told of lives saved from sea and river by the intelligence and
bravery of this noble dog.

The Newfoundland undoubtedly had its full share of public
attention, and long before dog shows were in existence, or the finely
drawn distinctions respecting " points " were called into being, he
reigned paramount in the affections of the British public as a
companion, an ornament, and a guard. But in those days every
man had his own ideal standard of excellence, or borrowed a
suitable one from a doggy friend, the suitability being insured by
alteration sufficient to make it applicable to his own pet — a process
not yet entirely obsolete.

Many of these large, so-called Newfoundland dogs of forty-five
to sixty years ago had been imported, or were the immediate
descendants of such ; but they differed materially in colour, coat,
and in other minor points, from each other, and still more from
what in this country is now held to be the Newfoundland proper.

There was a decided difference between dogs imported from
Newfoundland into Liverpool some fifty years ago, though by their
importers each believed to be the pure breed. The difference,
however, was more in the sort of coat and the colour than in the
other marked characteristics of the breed, which they all had in
common with the recognised dog of the day.

The decided differences then existing in these dogs in this
country was also common in those of the Island of Newfoundland,
and still continues ; and this obscures the interesting question,
What was the original breed of the Island really like ? and prepares
us for the very wide difference and rather dogmatic expression of
opinion on the subject by gentlemen who have had the advantage
of a residence there, and who have afterwards joined in public
discussion on the question.

Many years ago the late Mr. William Lort (who spent some
portion of his early life in Newfoundland), in giving some reminiscences
to a few friends, referred to the dogs. He said that, although a
variety of big mongrels were kept and used there, those that the
natives of the Island looked on as the true breed were the black or
rusty black, with thick and shaggy coats, and corresponding in all
other points — although, from want of proper culture, inferior — to
our best specimens of the day.

Against this testimony may be quoted the opinion of " Index,"
who in the Field, nearly a quarter of a century ago, wrote on this
subject with great pertinence, and, evidently from personal observa-
tion, declared the true breed to be of " an intense black colour,"
and " with a small streak of white, which is upon the breasts of
ninety-nine out of every hundred genuine dogs."

Per contra, " Otterstone," in the Country, January 6th, 1876,
says : " The predominant colour of the * Newfoundland proper '

58 BRITISH DOGS

is white. His marks are nearly invariable, namely, a black head
or face mark, a black saddle mark, and the tip of the stern also
black." " Otterstone " also wrote from personal observation of the
dogs accepted as pure Newfoundlands in Canada.

Others wrote not only about colour, but also about texture
of coat, some holding that it should be curly, others wavy, others
shaggy ; while as to the height of the original, this is variously stated
as 24in. to 26in., up to 3oin. and 32in.

In the "Sportsman's Cabinet," published in 1802, is an engraving
of the Newfoundland from a drawing by Reinagle. The dog repre-
sented is like our modern one in most points, but not so big and
square in head, altogether lighter in build, and almost entirely white.
No specific description follows, the author evidently considering
that the artist so well conveys the impression as to the general
appearance as to render such unnecessary.

Whether there was a dog of marked characteristics from other
recognised breeds found indigenous to the Island on its discovery
or not, we may accept the case as proved that they are now, from
various causes, a mixed lot, greatly inferior to our English New-
foundlands. At one time the lesser Newfoundland was recognised ;
but whatever claims to recognition such a dog may have had in
the past, it is certain that none exist in the present, except such
as may be found in the Wavy-coated Retriever, which variety
was evolved from the smaller Newfoundlands.

The contention of those who say the original breed — using the
expression to mean the breed as it was when we began to import
these dogs — did not stand more than about 25in. at the shoulder
is greatly discounted by references to the size and dignified appear-
ance of the dog by older writers ; and although climate and good
care do much, their effects would hardly be so immediate and
so great as to make a 3oin. dog out of a pup which, left at home,
would only have grown to 25in., or that that result would follow
except after a considerable number of years of careful breeding; but
in the " Sportsman's Cabinet," nearly seventy years before " Index "
wrote in the Field, and his dictum as to height was accepted by
" Stonehenge," the dog was stated to be valued for his great size.
Nor is size any less highly esteemed at the present day, so long
as it is not obtained at the expense of character.

By many the Newfoundland is given an unjust character as
regards temperament. Taken as a breed, the dogs are good-
tempered and generally to be moulded into the best of companions
if their education be but taken in hand sufficiently early. That
there are bad-tempered Newfoundlands cannot be denied ; but such
a fault is individual, and not that of the breed as a whole.

There is certainly a dignity of demeanour, a noble bearing,
and a sense of strength and power, though softened by the serenity

PHI

•PP^

THE NEWFOUNDLAND 61

of his countenance and deeply sagacious look, which cannot be
dissociated from great size, and these were among the good
qualities which commended this dog to public favour. The Newfound-
land's good qualities, however, do not rest here ; he is of a strongly
emulative disposition, extremely sensitive to either praise or censure,
and should therefore, especially when young, be managed with
great care. He is never so well satisfied as when employed for
either the pleasure or the advantage of his master, and his strong
propensity to fetch and carry develops itself naturally at an early age.

As a water dog the Newfoundland has no equal — he delights in
it, will almost live in it — and his high courage and great swimming
powers might with benefit to mankind be oftener turned to account.

If we continuously breed from prize winners, however grand in
appearance, which are uneducated, and have their natural powers
undeveloped — indeed, checked— we shall soon have lost sterling
qualities, and get in return mere good looks. But the two things
— fine physical development, with high cultivation of those instincts
and natural powers — are not incompatible, and should be simul-
taneously encouraged by dog-show promoters, just as the Kennel
Club does for Pointers and Setters by their field trials.

Water trials of Newfoundlands were held at Maidstone Show
and at Portsmouth some twenty-five years since ; but neither could
be pronounced a brilliant success. They were each of them in many
respects interesting, and proved that, with more experience, and
if well carried out, such competitive trials might become more than
interesting — highly useful.

Later the British Kennel Association had a dog show at Aston,
near Birmingham, and had water trials in connection with it. Many
of the competing dogs exhibited intelligent capacity, but the place
was unsuitable and the arrangements were very defective.

Competitive trials will one day perhaps be established as a
means of proving to the public, in an interesting way, how best to
use the valuable services of the Newfoundland dog in the saving of
human life. If so, the following excellent rules, drafted for the con-
duct of public water trials of dogs at Maidstone, may be of service : —

TESTS FOR WATER DOGS

ist. Courage displayed in jumping into the water from a height to recover an
object. The effigy of a man is the most suitable thing.

2nd. The quickness displayed in bringing the object ashore.

3rd. Intelligence and speed in bringing a boat to shore— the boat must, of
course, be adrift, and the painter have a piece of white wood attached to keep it
afloat, mark its position, and facilitate the dog's work.

4th. To carry a rope from shore to a boat with a stranger, not the master,
in it.

5th. Swimming races, to show speed and power against stream or tide.

6th. Diving. A common flag-basket, with a stone in the bottom of it, to
sink it, answers well, as it is white enough to be seen, and soft enough to the
dog's mouth.

62 BRITISH DOGS

In the early days of the Newfoundland the dog was met with
in colours other than black and white-and-black, and not only that,
but prizes were awarded to livers and bronzes. To-day the two
varieties most sought are the Black and the White-and-black (Figs.
27 and 28). The latter has been immortalised by Landseer in his
world-famous picture of " A Distinguished Member of the Humane
Society," though it must be confessed that the dog taken as a model
would certainly not pass muster in the present day, the coat, to
go no further, being of the curly order, instead of flat, as the Club's
description requires. The White-and-black has not progressed so
rapidly as the Black, except perhaps in the south, where it has made
great strides, though neither may be said to be popular in the
strictest sense of that term. This, however, is due rather to Fashion's
vagaries than to any shortcomings on the part of the variety. The
first year of the twentieth century certainly shows an improve-
ment as compared with the declining years of the nineteenth.
Coats generally are alike better as to texture and arrangement, and
what in the case of the show dog of old had largely to be done by
resorting to little tricks has been remedied to a very great extent
by the breeder. Eyes, again, are darker in colour, much better
placed,' and smaller in size than once they were, and as it is the
eyes that are largely responsible for the expression so noticeable
in the Newfoundland, the improvement in the directions stated are
not without their value upon the breed.

Allusion has already been made to size, and the value set upon
it so long as it is obtained without the loss of quality. And here,
also, the present-day dog scores over those of a decade ago. The
improvement shown in the White-and-black dogs continues, as
breeders have recognised that if these are to equal in type the
best of the Blacks, the finest specimens of both will have to be
" worked." The old-time breeder, in his anxiety to obtain a big
dog, often only succeeded in producing a long-legged, weak-faced,
slab-sided, straight-behind monstrosity, and not a typical Newfound-
land. The defects just mentioned must be carefully guarded against
when breeding, as also must light eyes and badly carried and
twisted tails. Faults of any kind are always easier of perpetuation
than they are of eradication.

No really practical purpose is to be served by enumerating the
many good dogs that have been produced since the publication of
pedigrees. These may be learned by a careful study of the Kennel
Club Stud Book. It may, however, be remarked that of the older
dogs some of the more renowned, and that have become pillars of
the Stud Book, are : Nelson I., Courtier, Thora I. and Thora II.,
Mrs. Cunliffe Lee's Nep, Leo, Lion, Lady Mayoress, Lord Nelson,
Lady-in-Waiting, Merry Maiden, Triumph, Hanlon, etc. And for
a strain of Blacks those associated with either Courtier or Nelson

THE NEWFOUNDLAND

would be difficult to beat. Of the White-and-black, or Landseer
variety, as Dr. Gordon Stables named it, Dick, Prince Charlie,
Bonnie Swell, Bonnie Maid, Rosebud, His Nibs (Fig. 27), Kettering

Wonder, are but a few that occur. As an excellent example of the
Courtier type of dog Wolf of Badenoch (Fig. 28) may be cited.

The? Newfoundland does not call for any special treatment by
way of show preparation, except perhaps in the grooming. Novices
sometimes err in respect of this latter by parting the hair. This
should never take place : the dog should be brushed and combed
from head to tail. Though, as stated by Mr. Lort, it is not uncommon

64 BRITISH DOGS

to find a sort of rustiness of hue in many Black Newfoundlands,
and these too of the best, yet this must not be confused with the
all-brown specimens sometimes occurring in litters. The Newfound-
land, like all the giants of the canine - race, takes some two years
and more to build up its massive frame, and this must be duly
borne in mind. Meat should oftener enter into the dietary than
is the case with the smaller varieties, though when using this for
young puppies, it should be of such a kind that it is readily
assimilated. For that reason such meat as well-cooked tripe or
paunch will be found the best for the puppies until such times as
the permanent teeth commence to be erupted. Exercise for heavy
breeds should be of the walking kind, and as soon as the feet are
hard enough upon the roads. No puppy should be chained to a
kennel. If this takes place while the bones are at all soft, the heavy
frame tugging at a chain will soon pull out of shape the most
promising of puppies. In selecting a young puppy — say one at six
months old, a most useful age to commence with — the head
properties should be the chief criterion. If there is not abundant
promise of a massive head at the age named, it may be taken for
granted that such a puppy is not likely to finish well. A Newfound-
land should also show early in life promise of plenty of bone ; dark
eyes, straight forelegs, and a dense flat coat must also be found on
a puppy of promise. Tail-carriage in any puppy must not be too
seriously regarded until after the period of dentition is complete.
Many puppies carry both tails and ears irregularly while teething.

The Newfoundland Club has been established many years and
has worked well in the interest of the breed. It has drawn up a
description of the breed on the lines given below : —

Symmetry and General Appearance. — The dog should impress the eye with
strength and great activity. He should move freely on his legs, with the body
swung loosely between them, so that a slight roll in gait should not be objection-
able ; but at the same time a weak or hollow back, slackness of the loins, or
cowhocks should be a decided fault.

Head. — Should be broad and massive, flat on the skull, the occipital bone
well developed ; there should be no decided stop, and the muzzle should be short,
clean cut, rather square in shape, and covered with short fine hair.

Coat. — Should be flat and dense, of a coarsish texture and oily nature, and
capable of resisting the water. If brushed the wrong way, it should fall back into
its place naturally.

Body.— Should be well ribbed up, with a broad back. A neck strong, well
set on to the shoulders and back, and strong muscular loins.

Fore Legs.— Should be perfectly straight, well covered with muscle, elbows
in but well let down, and feathered all down.

Hindquarters and Legs.— Should be very strong ; the legs should have great
freedom of action, and a little feather. Slackness of loins and cowhock are a
great defect ; dew-claws are objectionable, and should be removed.

Chest. — Should be deep and fairly broad and well covered with hair, but not
to such an extent as to form a frill.

Bone. — Massive throughout, but not to give a heavy, inactive appearance.

THE NEWFOUNDLAND 65

peet. —Should be large and well shaped. Splayed or turned-out feet are
objectionable.

Tail.— Should be of moderate length, reaching down a little below the hocks ;
it should be of fair thickness and well covered with long hair, but not to form a
flag. When the dog is standing still and not excited, it should hang downwards,
with a slight curve at the end ; but when the dog is in motion, it should be carried
a trifle up, and when he is excited, straight out, with a slight curve at the end.
Tails with a kink in them, or curled over the back, are very objectionable.

Ears. —Should be small, set well back, square with the skull, lie close to the
head, and covered with short hair, and no fringe.

Eyes. — Should be small, of a dark brown colour, rather deeply set, but not
showing any haw, and they should be rather widely apart.

Colour.— ]&. black. A slight tinge of bronze, or a splash of white on chest
and toes is not objectionable.

Height and Weight. — Size and weight are very desirable so long as symmetry
is maintained. A fair average height at the shoulders is 2;in. for a dog and
25in. for a bitch, and a fair average weight is respectively : dogs, I4olb. to I5olb. ;
bitches, nolb. to I2olb.

Other than Black. — Should in all respects follow the black except in colour,
which may be almost any, so long as it disqualifies for the Black class, but the
colours most to be encouraged are black-and-white and bronze. Beauty in
markings to be taken greatly into consideration.

Dogs that have been entered in Black classes at shows held under Kennel
Club Rules, where classes are provided for dogs Other than Black, shall not be
qualified to compete in Other than Black classes in future.

Black dogs that have only white toes and white breasts and white tip to tail
are to be exhibited in the classes provided for Black.

SCALE OF POINTS

Head ... ... ... ... ... ... 34

Shape of Skull ... ... ... .. ... 8

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Eyes ... ... ... ... ... ... 8

Muzzle ... ... ... ... ... ... 8

Body ... ... ... ... ... ... 66

Neck ... ... ... ... ... ... 4

Chest ... ... ... ... ... 6

Shoulders ... ... ... ... ... 4

Loin and Back ... ... ... ... ... 12

Hindquarters and Tail ... ... ... ... 10

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... 10

Coat ... ... ... ... ... ... 12

Size, Height, and General Appearance ... ... 8

Total points in all ... ... ... 100

We may very well mention here a variety of dog that is
occasionally met with at shows in this country and that is un-
doubtedly a combination of the Newfoundland and some other
breed, probably the Great Dane. The dog referred to is the Leon-
berg. Though not very highly thought of in England, yet upon the
Continent there is at least one club that fosters the breed. In
colour it is reddish, and the head is well shown in the illustration

5

66 BRITISH DOGS

(Fig. 29), prepared from a photograph kindly placed at our disposal
by Mr. W. H. Fawkes, of the Vicarage, Harrogate. The head has
the occipital bone well developed, the eyes are of medium size,
brown, expressive, and intelligent-looking. The ears are set on high
and carried slightly forward. White patches on the body are not
admissible ; but a little white upon the breast and feet (as seen in
some Newfoundlands) is tolerated by those that regard the dog as a
distinct variety breeding true to type. Anything, however, suggestive
of a St. Bernard cross is not tolerated.

FIG. 29. — HEAD OF LEONBERG DOG.

CHAPTER VII

THE BLOODHOUND

HE who attempts to discover the origin and trace the history of
any one of our breeds of dogs, beyond a comparatively few genera-
tions, will, in most or all cases, speedily find himself in a fog, tossed
on a sea of doubt, driven hither and thither by the conflicting
evidence of the writers he consults, who seem to emulate each
other in the meagreness of the information they give, and the
vagueness with which they convey it. To this the Bloodhound
is no exception ; and it is, perhaps, wiser to accept the inevitable,
and frankly admit that we know very little about the origin of
this or any other breed, for at best we can but guess at the most
probable from the very insufficient data at our command to farm
any certain opinion. This is certainly a wiser and more dignified
course than to prate about this, that, and the other breed being
the original dog of the British Islands, as many are disposed to do,
One thing is very certain, that, could we go back, say, a thousand
years, and select a hundred of the finest specimens then living,
and bring them as they then were into competition with their
descendants of today, say, at a Crystal Palace show, the whole
century of them would be quickly sent out of the ring as mongrels :
they would stand no more chance than a herd of our ancient wild
cattle would against a herd of Shorthorns.

The first printed book touching on dogs that we have is the
" Book of Huntynge," by Juliana Berners. The list of dogs given
by her does not include Bloodhounds, but it does the Lemor and
Raches, both of which were dogs that ran their game by scent,
and the former was probably the nearest approach to our notions
of a hound, and was used to trace the wounded deer, etc., the name
Lymer being taken from the fact of his being led in a leash, or lyam,
In more ancient times the Lymehound, under the name of Inductor,
appears to have been employed to lead up to the harbour of the
game sought, being selected for that work on account of the
superiority of his scenting powers. Xenophon (500 B.C.) describes
a Lymehound as a dog that follows up by scent the quarry in quest,

67

68 BRITISH DOGS

and then, calling others together, rouses the game by barking. The
principles of breeding were sufficiently well known to the hunting
men of Greece and Italy to assure us that this special superiority
of nose would be propagated and improved by mating the animals
most distinguished in that quality — in fact, the first principle in
breeding, and one that lies on the surface, staring the most un-
observant in the face, that like produces like, would certainly be
acted on, and so the earliest steps be taken in fixing a special type
of hound, the particular quality of which we see inherited now by
many allied breeds.

No doubt at the date at which the " Book of Huntynge " was
written, and for a long time previous, English hounds were being
modified by crosses from imported dogs brought in by the Norman
conquerors from France, some varieties of them having originally
come from the East , and the slow hunting hounds of that day
have, by various commixture, produced for us the varieties we
now recognise.

Dr. Caius mentions the Bloodhound as " the greatest sort which
serves to hunt, having lips of a large size, and ears of no small
length.'' In Turberville's " Book of Hunting " there are a number
of dogs portrayed, all of the hound type, and with true hound ears ;
whereas, in the " Book of St. Albans," printed a century earlier, the
dogs represented have much smaller ears, and thrown back, as the
dogs are seen straining on the slips, greyhound-like. Turberville
has a good deal to say about hounds. If he could be credited, the
progenitors of our modern dogs originally came from Greece, and
the first of them that reached this country were landed at Totnes.

It was the custom in Turberville's time to range the dogs accord-
ing to colour ; of these, white and fallow, white spotted with red,
and black, were most esteemed. White spotted with black or dun
was not so much valued. The best of the fallow dogs were held
to be those with their hair lively red, with white spots on the fore-
head, or a white ring round the neck ; and of these it is said : " Those
which are well joynted and dew-clawed are best to make Blood-
hounds," clearly showing, as passages from all the old writers could
be quoted to do, that the term Bloodhound was applied to the
dog because of the work set him, and that, in fact, where hounds
are spoken of the Bloodhound is included. That the work of this
hound was varied — that he was used as a Lymehound, as well as
in tracking wounded deer and deer-stealers, sheep-stealers, and other
felons, even so late as two centuries ago — is clear from Blome's in-
structions in his work "The Gentleman's Recreation" (1688) : "To
find out the Hart or Stag, where his harbour or Lare is, you must
be provided with a Bloodhound, Draughthound, or Sluithound,
which must be led in a Liam ; and, for the quickening his scent,
it is good to rub his nose with vinegar."

THE BLOODHOUND 69

Black hounds, called St. Huberts, are described as mighty of
body, with legs low and short, not swift in work, but of good scent.
The following couplet shows that the St. Hubert hounds were
highly thought of: —

My name 'came first from holy Hubert's race ;
Soygllard my sire, a hound of singular grace.

The Count le Couteulx de Canteleu, in his work " Les Races de
Chiens Courans Frangais," says : " The hounds of St. Hubert,
famous since the eighth century, under the name of Flemish Hounds,
were divided into two varieties, the black and the white. The most
esteemed was the black variety, and the abbots of the St. Hubert
Monastery preserved the breed in memory of their founder. They
were generally black, running into tan, tan markings over the eye,
and feet the same colour; long ears.

Descendants of the white St. Huberts existed in the Duke of
Lorraine's hounds, spoken of by Ligniville ; Salno also mentions
the existence of the black and the white St. Huberts in their native
country, the Ardennes.

In 1620 we have an account of two packs of the black and
tan St. Huberts belonging to the Cardinal de Guise and the Marquis
of Souvray. The St. Huberts were transported to England at the
time of the Conquest, and Henri IV. presented a team to James I.
From about 1200 to the year 1789 the abbots of the St. Hubert
Monastery annually supplied the royal kennels of France with three
couples of black and tan St. Hubert hounds, which were used as
limiers, and were very greatly prized. At the end of Louis XIV. 's
reign, according to Gaffet de la Briffardiere, they were preserved
by gentlemen in the north of France for their all-round hunting
capacities. By the time of D'Yauville the breed had become
rare."

There is no higher living authority on the question than the
Count, and he has no doubt that the Bloodhound was derived from
the St. Hubert. He considers that at the time when fox-hunting
in something like its present form was first instituted, the Sleuth-
hound, or hound of the country, was not found fast enough, and
crosses were made with the Greyhound and other breeds, and
gradually the present Foxhound was evolved. During this transition
it became customary, when speaking of the hound of the country
(as distinct from the Foxhound), to allude to him as the Bloodhound,
meaning the hound of pure blood, just as we speak of a blood
horse.

Writers are apt to lay too much stress on colour, and, in
studying this question, it must not be forgotten that black and tan
combined are colours common to almost every breed : Spaniels,
Setters, Collies, Terriers, and even Greyhounds, have been known

70 BRITISH DOGS

of these colours, and with the characteristic spots on cheeks and
over the eyes.

Turberville says : "The Bloodhounds of this colour prove good,
especially such as are * cole ' black." The dun hounds are much
nearer in colour to our modern dog ; these were dun on the back,
having their legs and forequarters red or tanned, and it is added
the light-tanned dogs were not so strong.

Gervase Markham, who was a very copious writer, follows
Turberville pretty closely. His description of a Talbot-like hound
would, in many respects, stand for a modern Bloodhound, although
certainly not in head, on which point he does not seem to
have expressed his meaning very clearly. He says : " A round,
thick head, with a short nose uprising, and large, open nostrils ;
ears exceedingly large and thin, and down hanging much lower
than his chaps, and the flews of his upper lips almost two inches
lower than his nether chaps ; back strong and straight ; fillets thick
and great; huckle bones round and hidden ; thighs round; hams
straight ; tail long and rush-grown — that is, big at the setting on,
and small downwards ; legs large and lean ; foot high knuckled and
well clawed, with a dry, hard sole."

From all this, and much more that might be quoted, it may
be gathered that whilst the dun and tan — that is, the black saddle
back and tan-legged — dogs most nearly agree in colour with our
Bloodhound, it is a mere accident of selection, although that may
have been influenced by that coloured dog showing more aptitude
for the special work he was put to, and certainly the colour is
admirably adapted to a dog used for night work, as he often was ;
for even Dr. Caius relates how these dogs were kept in dark kennels,
that they might better do night work. The practice would assuredly
defeat its object.

Daniels, in his "Rural Sports," says of the Bloodhound: "This
singular race of dogs is nearly extinct, Mr. Astle and his family
possessing a few only of the pure breed. The height of the species
was seven or eight and twenty inches; of compact, muscular form;
the upper part of the face broad, gradually contracted to the snout ;
nostrils wide ; ears large and pendulous, and narrowing to the tip.
One distinguishing trait of purity in the breed was the colour,
which was almost invariably a reddish tan, progressively darkening
to the upper part, with a mixture of black upon the back."

It appears that Daniels made the mistake, so common with
modern ephemeral writers on dogs, of taking a particular strain
or a kennel as the type of a breed, instead of a variation of the
breed in unimportant points.

When the Bloodhound was first used to track fugitives has riever
been satisfactorily determined. However, an undoubted allusion
to their employment in such a capacity that we have found occurs

THE BLOODHOUND

in "Blind Harry's Life of William Wallace," the Scottish patriot,
as the following lines, which have been so frequently quoted by
writers on the Bloodhound, show : —

About the ground they set on breid and length
A hundredth men, chairgit in arms strang,
To keep a hunde that they had them amang,
In Gillisland there was that Brachell bred,
Sikyr of scent, to follow them that fled.
Sae was she used in Eske and Liddesdale,
Quhile she gat bluid nae fleeing might avail.

And even if the above is not the first mention of the subject,
it is at least a very early one. Again: —

But this sleuth Brache, quilke sekyr was and keen,
On Wallace fute followit sae felloune fast
Quilk in thar sicht thai prochit at the last.

In the traditions of the peasantry of the West of Scotland many
stirring stories of the " hair-breadth 'scapes " of Wallace and Bruce
from Bloodhounds still live, and some of them at the present
moment come up fresh to our mind, although they have lain buried
for many years. An old MS., referring to King Edward I. pursuing
Robert Bruce, when as yet a claimant only to the Scottish crown,
says : —

The King Edward with horse and hound him sought — •
With men on foot, through marshes, moss, and mire ;
Through woods also, and mountains, where they fought.

By the above-quoted instances we see that the use of the Blood-
hound as a tracker of fugitives was a common enough practice with
our ancestors.

In the metrical legend of Owen Glendower these lines occur : —

For as the dogs pursue the silty doe,

The Brach behind, the hounds on every side,

So traced they me among the mountains wide.

As the term " Brach " is so often met with in old sporting writers,
and as the above quotations show that it was certainly applied to
the Bloodhound, as well as to other varieties of hounds, it may be
as well to give the definitions of it. Brach seems to be a term of
general application to all hunting dogs. In old English and old
French it is spelt Brache, and in modern German Brack, and it is
applied to dogs that hunt by scent. Cotgrave says that the French
Braque is a kind of short-tailed dog, usually of a parti-colour;
Spanish Braco is flat-nosed, from the usually blunt, square nose
of dogs that hunt by scent.

Jamieson, in his "Scottish Dictionary," defines "Brachell" as

72 BRITISH DOGS

" a dog employed to discover and pursue game by scent " ; but,
whether by change of time or otherwise, Brachell, and also Brach,
is generally applied to bitch hounds. Shakespeare seems to use
the term indifferently to both sexes. In The Taming of the Shrew
we have the lines : —

Brach Merriman — the poor hound is imbost,

And couple Clouder with the deep mouthed Brach —

evidently referring to dog hounds ; but in Henry IV. and other
of his plays he seems to indicate bitch hounds :—

I had rather hear Lady, my Brach, howl in Irish.
And H. Taylor may be considered to apply the term to the same

sex in the quaint and pretty lines : —

Down lay, in a nook, my lady's Brach,

And said, "My feet are sore:
I cannot follow with the pack,

A-hunting of the Boar."

Wright, in his dictionary, defines Brach as " a bitch of the hound
kind " ; and the author of " The Gentleman's Recreation " says :
" There are in England and Scotland two kinds of hunting dogs,
and nowhere else in the world : the first is called a Rache, and this
is a foot-scenting creature, both of wild beasts, birds, and fishes
also, which lie among the rocks ; the female hereof in England is
called a Brach, which is a mannerly name for all bitch hounds."
By " the fishes which lie among the rocks " it may be presumed
that otters and seals are intended — the notable phoca that so much
disconcerted the gallant, hot-headed Captain Mclntyre.

Sleuth-hounds, or Bloodhounds, were long bred and trained to
track Border raiders, and a most exciting chase it must have been
through those wild moorlands, as all who have read Scott, even
without having visited the scenes he so well depicts, will say. The
words of eulogy on the dead Richard Musgrave, pronounced by
"the stark moss-trooping Scot," William of Deloraine, who,

By wily turns and desperate bounds,
Had baffled Percy's best Bloodhounds,

will arise in every reader's memory, but they will lose nothing by
repetition here : —

Yet rest thee, God ! for well I know
I ne'er shall find a nobler foe
In all the northern countries here,
Whose word is snaffle, spur, and spear.
Thou wert the best to follow gear ;
'Twas pleasure, as we looked behind,
To see how thou the chase could wind?

THE BLOODHOUND 73

Cheer the dark Bloodhound on his way,
And with the bugle rouse the fray.
I'd give the lands of Deloraine
Dark Musgrave were alive again.

In order to follow the Border rievers, or cattle-lifters, a special
law, imposing a tax for the maintenance of Bloodhounds as trackers,
obtained in Scotland ; and by the law of Hot-trod, which implied
tracking the rievers at once, on discovery of the loss of stock — or
gear, as Scott has it — if the hounds traced the thief to a house,
and showed their desire to enter, the occupants refusing admittance
were held equally culpable with the cattle-lifters, and rendered
themselves liable to punishment.

In later times the Bloodhound has been used successfully in
tracing poachers. Meyrick, in his useful little work on dogs, gives
an interesting example of a successful poacher-hunt. The hound
was also often used for tracing thieves ; and, as an instance of this,
about the beginning of the last century the Thrapstone Association
for the Prosecution of Felons — a class of institution now almost
obsolete — kept a trained Bloodhound for the tracking of sheep-
stealers.

So excellent an authority as Colonel Hutchinson, author of " Dog
Breaking," gives details of a case of Bloodhounds, " held with long
cords," being put on the track of a gang of poachers in a frosty
night of December, 1844, and following them for nine miles into
the town of Coventry ; and he also quotes, as an established fact,
that a discharged groom, who had mutilated a horse of his former
master, was tracked by a Bloodhound for twenty miles, and followed
to his bedroom, where the man was found and, in proof of the
sagacity of the hound, admitted his guilt.

As late as March, 1896, a well-authenticated instance of the value
of the Bloodhound for gamekeeping purposes was given in the
field, as below. For obvious reasons there is a desire to omit
the name of the locality where this took place ; but the truth of the
narrative is vouched for by the superintendent of the police of the
district, by his constable who used the hound, and by the breeder
of the hound. The story is as follows : —

Some time this year a constable was out in the early morning,
when about 6.30 a.m. he came across a couple of notorious
poachers, who were walking along a footpath through some fields.
They, seeing the constable, called out in alarm as a signal to
their companions, who were no doubt coming behind. Owing to
the darkness, the latter escaped ; but the constable took some
rabbits and nets from the men he had met, for being in posses-
sion of which, under such circumstances, they were later on duly
punished. At daybreak the constable, accompanied by a young
Bloodhound bitch, returned to the place, and was able to di§-

74 BRITISH DOGS

tinguish the footsteps of a number of men who had come out
of a turnip field. They had separated, some going in one
direction, others in another. The hound was put upon the tracks,
and with nose to the ground she hunted them across two fields,
going straight up to sundry bags of game which had been hidden
in a hedgerow. So far so good; but the constable was not yet
satisfied, and he took his hound back to where she had originally
been laid on the line. This time she went off in another direction,
and soon left the policeman far behind. He, following up, however,
ultimately found her standing at another hedgerow, where more
bags of game were found concealed. These were secretly watched
all day, but the poachers must have "smelled a rat," for none of
themselves or their families came near. This is rather to be won-
dered at, for the bags were numerous and their contents valuable.
At night the constable and the lessee of the shooting concealed
themselves near the place where the first lot of game was discovered.
Now they had not long to wait, for in about half an hour there
came a sound of approaching footsteps, and two men appeared, who
immediately appropriated the bags and their contents, which in-
cluded nets and the usual poachers' paraphernalia. These were at
once recognised, and, the spoil taken from them, were allowed to
go. Summonses followed in due course, and when the case was
heard a plea was set up that they had not taken the game them-
selves, but had been sent for it by their mates. Fines of 40^. and
costs were imposed, or, failing the payment, a month's imprisonment.

Now, in the above case a comparatively untrained puppy was
found to be of great use ; and had it not been for her the two men
would never have been caught. There is no doubt they were
members of the original gang, and had taken part in the capture
of the game for which they were convicted.

The hound in question is one of our ordinary Bloodhounds such
as win prizes on the show-bench. She is by Chaucer ex Crony.
Chaucer is by Champion Bono, from Beppa by Beckford out of
Bianca. Crony is by Dictator out of Dainty. Chaucer was bred by
the writer, and Crony by Mr. T. W. Markland, whilst Mr. R. E. S.
Cooper, of Hillrnorton Paddocks, near Rugby, bred the bitch who
was the heroine of the adventure.

In the Southern States of America it was customary to hunt
escaped slaves with hounds and to call those hounds Bloodhounds.
It is not wise to make sweeping assertions, and no doubt each district
had its special strain of man-hunters, but whatever else these might
be, they were not Bloodhounds. They were mainly the Foxhound
of the country originally imported from England, but bred on
different lines. Some slave-owners claimed to have crossed their
hounds with the Cuban Bloodhound, or Cuban Mastiff, as it was
sometimes called, It is doubtful whether the Cuban ever attained

THE BLOODHOUND

any fixity of type, and as far as it is possible to ascertain it resembled
a bad Great Dane (see Fig. 30) more than anything else, and was
undoubtedly a savage brute. The hounds which were used for
slave-hunting, and which are still used in some penitentiaries in
South America, were trained to pull their man down when they
had overtaken him. It would not be practicable to do this with
the Bloodhound, although, partly in consequence of his sanguinaiy
name (the innocent origin of which we have explained), and partly
in consequence of his supposed association with "Uncle Tom's
Cabin " horrors, the vulgar superstition is that he is a treacherous

FIG. 30.— CUBAN BLOODHOUND.

and dangerous animal endowed with almost supernatural powers.
Nothing could be further from fact and there are few delusions
which die so hard as this. As a matter of fact, there is no member
of the canine race whose temper is more reliable, though, curiously
enough, a cross between the Bloodhound and some other breed is
frequently just the reverse. So far from being of a savage nature,
the Bloodhound (owing no doubt to in-breeding) is sometimes
rather shy.

About the early part of the last century the breed became very
scarce, and if it had not been for the institution of dog shows it
might possibly have become extinct.

In-breeding gradually became commoner, until now it is
scarcely possible to obtain two specimens which are not more or less

76 BRITISH DOGS

closely related, and consequently it is more than ever important to
breed only from hounds of strong constitution. If this precaution is
taken, Bloodhounds are not more difficult to rear than other breeds,
except that when they have distemper it often takes a rather severe
form, and for this reason it is advisable to take all reasonable
precautions against contagion until the pups are of an age to combat
the disease with a probable prospect of success.

Bloodhounds generally have large litters, from nine to sixteen,
and occasionally even up to nineteen. Even when the litter is not
a large one, it is well to be provided with foster-bitches, as after a
bitch has had two or three litters her milk becomes in many cases
unsuitable for the pups, and after a day or two they die off, if not
promptly removed from the dam to a good foster. Curiously enough,
if the mongrel foster-bitch's pups are given to the Bloodhound bitch,
they seem to thrive just as well as when on their own mother. The
pups should be treated for worms as soon as they are weaned, if
not earlier, and at regular intervals afterwards. There are few
animals more grotesque than Bloodhound pups, and it is no un-
common thing to see them trip themselves up by treading on their
ears.

In selecting pups it is well to choose those with long heads, and
when quite young the thicker the head the better, so long as it is
consistently thick all the way down and wide at the muzzle. These
pups get fine in head with age, whilst the very narrow ones frequently
become thick when they mature.

A Bloodhound makes a very capital companion dog, and, if
intelligently trained to hunt the clean boot, may be a constant
source of interest and amusement. To do this it is best to begin
when quite young, even three or four months old. For the first
few times it is best to let them run some one they know till they
really get their noses down ; afterwards, the oftener the runner is
changed, the better. He should caress and make much of the
pup and let it see him start away, but get quickly out of sight and
run, say, two hundred yards up wind on grass land in a straight
line, and then hide himself. The person hunting the hound should
take him over the exact line, encouraging him to hunt until he gets
to his man, who should always reward him with a piece of meat.
This short lesson may have to be repeated several times before the
pup takes a really keen interest in the quest, but when he has once
begun to hunt he will improve rapidly. Everything should be made
as easy as possible to begin with, and the difficulties increased very
gradually. This may be done by extending the time before the
pup is laid on the line, by crossing roads, having the line crossed
by others, etc. The great thing to aim at is to prevent the hound
from finding out that it is possible for him to fail to run down
his man? and to do this it is needful to make haste very slowly,

THE BLOODHOUND 77

and to make a good finish, and leave off before the hound becomes
tired. When he has done particularly well, there is a great tempta-
tion to make the next run much more difficult, and if the runner
has not been cautioned to obey orders exactly, he may think it
clever (if he can see the hound working well) to make the finish
more difficult, thereby probably turning what would have been a
very good lesson into a very bad one. When the pups are old
enough they should be taught to jump boldly and to swim brooks
when necessary.

Hounds soon learn to try back when they have overrun the
line and to cast themselves, and should never be interfered with
as long as they are working on their own account. There is no
more heartbreaking sensation than to find that you have lifted a
hound wrongly when he was working out the right line for himself.

The Bloodhound can not only puzzle out a colder line than any
other hound, but he has the great characteristic that he is "free
from change," as the French say, and after he has had a small
amount of training he should be quite reliable to stick to the line
of the hunted man, although it has been crossed by many others.

It is best to train hounds singly at first, and to be very careful
when hunting hounds in a pack that they shall be well matched,
or there is a danger of the slower hounds running to the leading
ones, instead of working out the line for themselves. Any one who
is fond of seeing hounds work, but who has only a limited amount
of country to hunt over, will derive an immense amount of pleasure
in hunting man with one or two couples of Bloodhounds. In such
circumstances it is a great convenience to be able to select the
exact course, which could not be done if hunting some animal,
and a great variety of different runs may be planned over com-
paratively limited ground.

There is nothing more delightful than to see Bloodhounds
working out a line carefully under varying conditions, and, after a
check and the line has been hit off again, to hear their sonorous,
deep, bell-like note. There is not, of course, the slightest danger
to the runner, even if the hounds have never seen him before.
When they have come up and sniffed him over, they take no further
interest in him. There is plenty of scope for enterprise in this
direction, and no reason why the Bloodhound should not be restored
to the old pitch of excellence, when he could be relied upon to run
his man down on a scent twelve to twenty-four hours old.

Fortunately for the Bloodhound, it has been impossible to make
him a more picturesque animal in any other way than by accentuating
the special features for which he is remarkable, and he has therefore
escaped the ruin which has been wrought on some breeds by the
development of fancy points that are quite foreign to them.
Consequently we have the special properties indicative of great

78 BRITISH DOGS

scenting power developed to an extent never known before, and
the trainer has now more suitable material ready to his hand than
any previously available.

During the "Jack the Ripper" outrages in 1889 Sir Charles
Warren approached the writer, who took up a couple of well-known
hounds, and various experiments were made in the parks, which
demonstrated to Sir Charles Warren's satisfaction that Bloodhounds
could hunt man on grass land, crossing roads, etc., and that they
would not change when the line had been crossed by others than the
hunted man ; but it was not found practicable to hunt a line on a
London pavement, and the writer had never held out any hope
that this could be done. It is, however, interesting to note that
during the two months during which the hounds were in London
these murders ceased, but immediately the hounds were sent back
another outrage was committed. This speaks volumes for the
deterrent influence of the Bloodhound.

The chief requisite for the use of Bloodhounds in the pursuit of
criminals is to have a few yards that may be relied upon not to have
been traversed by any other recent footsteps than those of the
particular criminal wanted. These few yards are for the purpose of
laying on the hound. For this reason the ideal chance of making
Bloodhounds useful is such a case as a country house dinner-time
jewel robbery present. Here access to the house is usually by
means of a ladder placed against an upstairs window. In such
cases there is a great probability of being able to lay the hound on
the right line.

The Association of Bloodhound Breeders (founded 1897 —
Hon. Sec., Mr. A. Croxton-Smith, Burlington House, Wandle Road,
Upper Tooting) is doing much to encourage, by means of promoting
trials and matches between its members, proficiency in man-hunting ;
but so far the competitions have been on lines only one and two
hours old, and it is to be hoped that much severer tests will shortly
be practicable.

The most noted winners of trials and matches have been the
writer's Kickshaw, 1896 (Championship, 1900), and Clotho, 1896,
Mrs. Oliphant's Chatley Rocket, and Lieut.-Colonel Joynson's Ballet.
On the show-bench the most celebrated winners have been :—

In the sixties : Jennings's Druid, Cowen's Druid, Draco,
Dingle, and Dauntless, Holford's Regent, Matchless, and Trimbush,
Ray's Roswell and Peeress, Rushton's Duchess and Juno, Becker's
Brenda, and the writer's Clotho and Rufus. Of these hounds by far
the grandest were Regent, Matchless, Roswell, and the two Druids.

In the seventies : the writer's Napier and Brilliant, Bradford's
Rollo, Ray's Baron and Baroness, Bird's Brutus, Morrell's
Belladonna, Nichols's Diana, and Tinker's Dido ; and of these the
most celebrated were Napier, Rollo, Brutus, and Belladonna.

THE BLOODHOUND

79

In the eighties : Nichols's Triumph and Invincible, Bird's Hebe,
Beaufoy's Nestor, the writer's Bono, Beckford, Brevity Barnaby,
Babette, and Beeswing, Clayton's Luath XL, Wright's Hector II.,
Homfray's Nell Gwynne, Cousen's Cromwell, Craven's Dandy and
Chesterton Duchess, Hill's Tantrums, and Tinker's Darby. Of
these the best were Triumph, Hebe, Nestor, Bono, Beckford,
Brevity, Nell Gwynne, Cromwell, and Tantrums.

P

FIG. 31.— MR. EDWIN BROUGH'S BLOODHOUND BURGUNDY.

Since then the most noted hounds have been the writer's Bur-
gundy, Bardolph, Belinda, Banner, Baretta, Brunhilda, Barbarossa,
Benedicta, Betula, Babbo 96, Boscobel 96, Brocade, and Bettina,
Craven's Clara and Constance, Bowker's Boadicea and Berengaria,
Lee's Harlequin, Whittle's Diana of Hayes, Heydon's South Carolina,
Croxton-Smith's Panther and Wandle Welcome, Mangin's Hordle
Hercules and Hordle Niobe.

Burgundy (Fig. 31) is considered by his owner to have been the
best Bloodhound he has ever seen, and his brother Bardolph was not

BRITISH DOGS

very far behind him. Banner, Barbarossa, Benedicta, Babbo 96,
Brocade, Bettina, Boadicea, Berengaria, South Carolina, Panther,
Wandle Welcome, and Hordle Hercules were all most exceptional
hounds.

The stately and majestic appearance of the Bloodhound it is
impossible to describe, and in this particular he occupies a position
which is unique.

The following description of the Bloodhound, or Sleuth-hound,
was drawn up by Mr. J. Sidney Turner and Mr. Edwin Brough, and
has been adopted by the Association of Bloodhound Breeders : —

General Character, — The Bloodhound possesses in a most marked degree
every point and characteristic of those dogs which hunt together by scent
(Sagaces). He is very powerful, and stands over more ground than is usual
with hounds of other breeds. The skin is thin to the touch and extremely loose,
this being more especially noticeable about the head and neck, where it hangs in
deep folds.

Height. — The mean average height of adult dogs is 26in., and of adult bitches
24in. Dogs usually vary from 2$in. to 27in., and bitches from 23in. to 25in. ;
but, in either case, the greater height is to be preferred, provided that character
and quality are also combined.

Weight. — The mean average weight of adult dogs, in fair condition, is polb ,
and of adult bitches 8olb. Dogs attain the weight of nolb., bitches icolb.
The greater weights are to be preferred, provided (as in the case of height) that
quality and proportion are also combined.

Expression. — The expression is noble and dignified, and characterised by
solemnity, wisdom, and power.

Temperament. — In temperament he is extremely affectionate, neither quarrel-
some with companions nor with other dogs. His nature is somewhat shy, and
equally sensitive to kindness or correction by his master.

Head.—lte head is narrow in proportion to its
length, and long in proportion to the body, tapering
but slightly from the temples to the end of the muzzle,
thus (when viewed from above and in front) having
the appearance of being flattened at the sides and of
being nearly equal in width throughout its entire
length. In profile the upper outline of the skull is
nearly in the same plane as that of the foreface.
The length from end of nose to stop (midway between
the eyes) should be not less than that from stop to
back of occipital protuberance (peak). The entire
length of head from the posterior part of the occipital
protuberance to the end of the muzzle should be I2in.,
or more, in dogs, and nin., or more, in bitches.

Skull. — The skull is long and narrow, with the
occipital peak very pronounced. The brows are not
prominent, although, owing to the deep-set eyes,
they may have that appearance.

Fore-face.— The fore-face is long, deep, and of
even width throughout, with square outline when
seen in profile.

Eyes. — The eyes are deeply sunk in the orbits,
the lids assuming a lozenge or diamond shape, in
consequence of the lower lids being dragged down

The dotted lines show a
faulty peak.

THE BLOODHOUND

81

and everted by the heavy flews. The eyes correspond
with the general tone of colour of the animal, varying
from deep hazel to yellow. The hazel colour is, how-
ever, to be preferred, although very seldom seen in
red-and-tan hounds.

Ears. — The ears are thin and soft to the touch,
extremely long, set very low, and fall in graceful
folds, the lower parts curling inwards and backwards.

Wrinkle. — The head is furnished with an amount
of loose skin, which in nearly every position appears
superabundant, but more particularly so when the
head is carried low ; the skin then falls into loose
pendulous ridges and folds, especially over the fore-
head and sides of the face.

Nostrils. — The nostrils are large and open.

Lips, Flews, and Dewlap. — In front the lips fall
squarely, making a right angle with the upper line of
the fore-face ; whilst behind they form deep hanging flews, and being continued
into the pendant folds of loose skin about the neck, constitute the dewlap,
which is very pronounced. These characters are found, though in a less degree,
in the bitch.

Neck, Shotilders, and Chest. — The neck is long, the shoulders muscular and
well sloped backwards ; the ribs are well sprung,
and the chest well let down between the fore-legs,
forming a deep keel.

Legs and Feet. — The fore-legs are straight and
large in bone, with elbows squarely set ; the feet
strong and well knuckled up ; the thighs and second
thighs (gaskins) are very muscular ; the hocks well
bent and let down and squarely set.

Back and Loin. — The back and loins are strong,
the latter deep and slightly arched. -

Stern. — The stern is long and tapering and set on
rather high, with a moderate amount of hair under-
neath.

Gait. — The gait is elastic, swinging, and free, the
stern being carried high, but not too much curled
over the back.

Colour. — The colours are black-and-tan, red-and-
tan, and tawny ; the darker colours being sometimes

interspersed with lighter or badger-coloured hair, and sometimes flecked with
white. A small amount of white is permissible on chest, feet, and tip of stern.

CHAPTER VIII
THE GREYHOUND

OF dogs hunting by keenness of sight and fleetness of foot, the Grey-
hound possesses an inherent right to occupy the highest place in the
group. The modern Greyhound, the most elegant of the canine race,
the highest achievement of man's skill in manipulating the plastic
nature of the dog and forming it to his special requirements, as he is
stripped, in all his beauty of outline and wonderful development,
not only of muscle, but of that hidden fire which gives dash, energy,
and daring, stands revealed a manufactured article, the acme of
perfection in beauty of outline and fitness of purpose. Whether we
see him trying conclusions on the meadows of Lurgan, the rough
hillsides of Crawford John, or for the blue ribbon of the leash on
the classic flats of Altcar, he is still the same— the dog in whom the
genius of man has so mingled the blood of all the best varieties of
the Celtic Canes celeres, that no one can lay special claim to him.
He is a combination of art and Nature that challenges the world,
unequalled in speed, spirit, and perseverance, and in elegance and
beauty of form as far removed from many of his clumsy ancestors
as an English thoroughbred is from a coarse dray-horse.

It is not intended here to attempt to trace the history of the
Greyhound, or to follow his development from the comparatively
coarse but more powerful dog from which he was evolved. It is
clear, however, to those who study the history of the ancients, that
more than four thousand years ago the Egyptians had developed his
form, swiftness, and wind, so as to enable him to hunt with the kings
of those very remote times. Of this records are actually existent ;
but the probability is that such a dog lived more than 30,000 years
ago. This is deduced from the fact that in the very earliest times of
which we have records a very high type of Greyhound is met with.

The Greyhound, having been always kept for the chase, would
naturally undergo modifications with the changes in the manner of
hunting, the nature of the wild animals he was trained to hunt, and
the characteristics of the country in which he was used ; and having
always, until very recent times, been restricted to the possession of

82

THE GREYHOUND 83

persons of the higher ranks, he would have greater care, and his
improvement be the better secured. That his possession was so
restricted is shown by the Forest Laws of King Canute, which pro-
hibited any one under the degree of a gentleman from keeping a
Greyhound; and an old Welsh proverb says: "You may know a
gentleman by his horse, his hawk, and his Greyhound." In the
Welsh laws of Howel Dda (who died 948) the King's Buckhound,
or Covert-hound, is valued at a pound, his Greyhound at six-score
pence; and, in the Code of 1080, and the Dimetian Code of 1180,
the Greyhound is valued at half that of the Buckhound. The
alteration in the game laws of modern times, coupled with the great
increase of wealth and leisure, have, by giving impetus to the natural
desire for field sports characteristic of Englishmen, led to the present
great and increasing popularity of coursing, and consequent diffusion
of Greyhounds through all classes, heightening an honourable
competition, and securing a continued if not a greater care and
certainty of the dog's still further improvement.

It is impossible to separate the Greyhound from coursing as we
understand it ; for, although the sport existed, and was practised in
a manner similar to our present system, some seventeen hundred
years ago, as described by Arrian in the second century, the
thorough organisation of the sport, and the condensation of the laws
governing it, are not only essentially British, but, in their present
shape, quite modern ; and it is the conditions of the sport that have
produced the Greyhound of to-day.

If we go back to the earlier centuries of the history of our
country, we find the Greyhound used in pursuit of the wolf, boar,
deer, etc., in conjunction with other dogs of more powerful build.
Still, we can easily perceive that, to take a share in such sports at
all, he must have been probably larger, certainly stronger, coarser,
and more inured to hardships, whilst he would not be kept so
strictly to sight hunting as the demands of the present require ; but
the material out of which the present dog has been made was there,
and his form and characteristics, even to minute detail, were
recognised, and have been described with an accuracy of which no
other breed of dogs has had the advantage, else might we be in
a better position to understand the value of claims for old descent
set up for so many varieties.

The whole group to which the Greyhound belongs is dis-
tinguished by the elongated head ; the parietal, side and upper, or
partition bones of the head, shelving in towards each other ; high
proportionate stature, deep chest, arched loins, tucked-up flank, and
long, fine tail ; and such general form as is outlined in this
description is seen in perfection in the Greyhound. To some it
may sound contradictory to speak in one sentence of elegance
and beauty of form, and in the next of a tucked-up flank ; and

84 BRITISH DOGS

Fox-terrier and Mastiff men, who want their favourites with well-
ribbed back, deep loin, and flanks well filled, to make a form as
square as a prize Shorthorn, may object ; but we must remember
that beauty largely consists in fitness and aptitude for the uses
designed, and the position to be filled.

This being so, in estimating the Greyhound's claim to be the
handsomest of the canine race we must remember for what his
various excellencies, resulting in a whole which is so strikingly
elegant, are designed. Speed is the first and greatest quality a dog
of this breed can possess. To make a perfect dog, there are other
attributes he must not be deficient in ; but wanting in pace, he can
never hope to excel. The most superficial knowledge of coursing
or coursing literature will show this, and it is a quality which,
although developed to its present high pitch, has always been
recognised as most important. Chaucer says : —

Greihounds he hadde as swift as fowl of flight ;

and again, Sir Walter Scott, in his Introduction to " Marmion,"
thus eulogises the speed of the Greyhound : —

• > Remember'st thou my Greyhounds true ?

O'er holt or hill there never flew,
From leash or slip there never sprang,
More fleet of foot, more sure of fang.

Well does he deserve the encomium of Markham, who declares
he is, " of all dogs whatsoever, the most princely, strong, nimble,
swift, and valient."

In addition to speed, the dog must have strength to last out
a severe course, nimbleness in turning, the capacity to catch and
bear the hare in his stride, good killing powers, and vital force to
give him dash, staunchness, and endurance. What a dog possessing
these qualities should be like an endeavour will be made to show.

Without going deeply into the subject of coursing, it will be
necessary to briefly glance at what a dog is required to do in a
course, and that for two reasons : first, because practical writers
are agreed that all dogs should be judged in the show-ring by their
apparent suitability for their special work ; and secondly, because
this book may fall into the hands of many who are real lovers of
the dog, and genuine sportsmen at heart, but who, from various
circumstances, have never had an opportunity of seeing a course,
or that so rarely as to be practically unacquainted with its merits.

The remarks of the inexperienced on a course are often amusing.
The commonest mistake made by the tyro is, that the dog which
kills the hare always wins, irrespective of other considerations— a
most excusable error on the part of the novice, as in most or all
other descriptions of racing the first at the post or object is the

THE GREYHOUND 85

winner ; but in coursing it is not the hound first there, but the one
that has done most towards accomplishing the death of the hare,
or put her to the greatest straits to escape, that is awarded the
palm. Be it here understood that the object of the courser and
the object of the dogs differ materially. The dogs' object is the
death of the hare ; the courser's object is to test the relative speed,
working abilities, and endurance of the competitors, as shown in
their endeavours to accomplish their object : and the possession
of the hare is of little consequence, except to the pothunter or
currant jelly devotee, who is quite out of the pale of genuine
coursing society.

Two dogs only are slipped at a hare — and this has always been
the honourable practice in this country. Even the Greek courser
Arrian recognises this, saying : " Whoever courses with Greyhounds
should neither slip them near the hare, nor more than a brace at
a time " ; and in Turberville's " Observations on Coursing " we
find the maxim : " If the Greyhounds be but yonge or slow, you
may course with a lease at one hare, but that is seldom seen,
and a brase of dogges is ynow for such a poore beaste."

The hare being found, or so-ho'd, and given law — a fair start
of eighty or a hundred yards — the dogs are slipped. In the run
up, as in after stretches following a turn, the relative speed of the
dogs is seen ; but the hare, being pressed, will jerk, turn, and wind
in the most nimble manner, testing the dog's smartness in working,
suppleness, and agility in making quick turns, and "it is a gallant
sport to see how the hare will turn and wind to save herself out
of the dogge's mouth, so that, sometimes, when you think that your
Greyhound doth, as it were, gape to take her, she will turn and
cast them a good way behinde her, and so save herself by turning,
wrenching, and winding." It is by the practice of these clever wiles
and shifts that the hare endeavours to reach her covert, and, in
closely following her scut, and o'ermastering her in her own devices,
that a Greyhound displays the mastery of this branch of his business,
in which particular a slower dog will often excel an opponent that
has the foot of him in the stretches ; but, with this working power,
a facility in making short turns, speed must be combined, or it
stands to reason points could not be made, except on a comparatively
weak hare. It is, therefore, important that the conformation of
the dog should be such as to combine speed with a strength and
suppleness that will, as far as possible, enable him to control and
guide the velocity with which he is moving, as his quick eye sees
the game swerve or turn to one side or another.

As the death of the hare, when it is a kill of merit — that is,
when accomplished by superior speed and cleverness, and not by
the accident of the foremost dog turning the hare, as it were, into
the killer's mouth — is a consideration in reckoning up the total of

86 BRITISH DOGS

good points made, it is important that the dog should be formed
to do this, picking up and bearing the hare in his stride, and not
stopping to worry her as a Terrier would a rat. And here many
points come in which should be narrowly scanned and compared
in the show-ring, but too often are not, and these will be alluded
to hereafter.

In addition, there are other requirements for which the dog
must possess qualities to make him successful in the field, and
give him a right to a prize in the show-ring ; these will be noticed
in detail.

In forming an opinion of a dog — whether in selecting him for
some special purpose of work, or merely choosing the best out of
a lot in the prize ring — first impressions are occasionally deceptive,
get confirmed into prejudices, and mislead the judgment. But, in
the great majority of cases, to the man who knows what he is
looking at, what he is looking for, and what he has a reasonable right
to expect, the first impression conveyed to the mind by the general
outline or contour, and the way it is filled in, will be confirmed
on a close critical and analytical examination of the animal point
by point ; and it is only by such close and minute examination that
a judge can become thoroughly master of his subject, and arrive
at a position where he can give strong, clear, and intelligible reasons
for the opinions he has formed and the decision he has arrived at.
Moreover, there is that to be weighed and taken into account, in
the final judgment on the dog's merits, which is referable to no part
alone, and which can only be appreciated on taking him as a whole —
that is, life — that indefinable something which evades the dissector's
knife, yet permeates the whole body ; the centre power, which is
the source of movement in every quivering muscle, and is variously
seen in every action of the dog, and in every changing emotion of
which he is capable. This is probably what is often meant by
condition and quality.

The judge must, however, consider, and, if need be, describe,
not only the general appearance of the animal, and the impression
he conveys to his (the judge's) mind, but, as it were, take him to
pieces, assessing the value of each particular part according to its
fitness for the performance of the special function for which it
is designed, and under the peculiar conditions in which it will
have to act ; and, having done so, he will find his first opinion
confirmed precisely in the ratio of his fitness to judge.

Before taking the points one by one, we will glance at the
description of a Greyhound, as laid down in the doggerel rhymes
of the illustrious authoress of " The Booke of St. Albans," Dame
Juliana Berners, or Barnes, somewhile Abbess of Sopewell, and
since described as "a second Minerva in her studies and another
Diana in her diversions." It would be sheer heresy to write of

THE GREYHOUND 87

Greyhounds without introducing her description, so universally has
this been done. In doing so, there are one or two points that need
a little elucidation. In his eighth year the good dame suggests that
he is only a lick ladle ', probably intending to convey that he is fit
to lick a trencher ; and in his ninth year cart and saddle may be
used to take him to the tanner.

THE PROPERTIES OF A GOOD GREHOUNDE

A Grehound shold be heeded lyke a snake

And neckyd lyke a drake,

Footed lyke a catte,

Tayllyd lyke a ratte,

Syded lyke a teme,

And chynyd lyke a beme.

The fyrst yere he must lerne to fede,

The second yere to felde him lede,

The thyrde yere he is felowe lyke,

The fourth yere there is none syke,

The fyfth yere he is good enough,

The syxte yere he shall hold the plough

The seventh yere he woll avaylle

Grete bytches for to assaylle,

The eygthe yere licke ladyll,

The nynthe yere cartsadyll ;

And when he is comyn to that yere

Have him to the tannere,

For the best Hounde that ever bytche had

At nynthe yere he is full badde.

To begin the detailed description with the head — which includes
jaws, teeth, eyes, ears, and brain development — first the general
form must be considered. It must be quite evident that " heeded
lyke a snake " cannot be taken literally, the heads of the two animals
having nothing in common ; and the thing savours rather of literary
licence than of physiological accuracy.

Arrian says: "Your Greyhounds should have light and well-
articulated heads, whether hooked or flat-nosed is not of much
consequence, nor does it greatly matter whether the parts beneath
the forehead be protuberant with muscle. They are alone bad
which are heavy-headed, having thick nostrils, with a blunt instead
of a pointed termination." Edmund de Langley, in his " Mayster
of Game," says : " The Greihound should have a long hede and
somedele grete, ymakyd in the manner of a luce ; a good large
mouth and good sessours, the one again the other, so that the
nether jaws passe not them above, ne that thei above passe not him
by neither"; and coming down to Gervase Markham, in the
sixteenth century, we have his description : " He should have a
fine long leane head, with a sharp nose, rush grown from the eyes
downward."

88 BRITISH DOGS

The general form and character of the head is here pretty fairly
sketched, and we see a very close agreement between these old
authorities. The " Mayster of Game" seems the happiest in his
illustration, "made in the manner of a luce" — that is, a fullgrown
pike — as the heads of the Greyhound and pike will bear a fair
comparison without straining ; and who can say it was not the
exigencies of rhyme that compelled our sporting Abbess to set up
for us that stumbling-block, the head of a snake ? Or was it that
she thought of the very fair illustration that the neck of the drake
offered her, and had to find a rhyme to it ?

Markham is right in desiring a " long leane head," though even
that may be carried to a fault ; but we do not want the " part
beneath the forehead protuberant of muscle," or the " heavy-headed,
with thick nostrils and a blunt nose." Looking at the whole head,
we see by the sloping in of the side walls of the skull how the brain
capacity is diminished, and how the elongation and narrowing of
head and jaws have almost obliterated the olfactory organs, the
internal cavities becoming contracted, and presenting so much less
surface that the scenting powers are necessarily limited, although it
is a mistake to suppose that they are entirely lost. This is just what
we want in the Greyhound : he must run by sight, never using his
nose ; he must have the brain developed where it shows courage,
not intelligence. A Greyhound should measure well round the
head by the ears, which is a sure indication of the courage that
gives dash and persistence to his efforts.

If by " hooked nose " Arrian meant that the upper jaw protrudes,
then that would decidedly be a fault, as a dog so formed would be at
a disadvantage in holding and killing his hare. This formation, called
overshot, or pig-jawed, is met with in various breeds of dogs, but
if at all excessive is most objectionable. The opposite to that is
sometimes seen, and we have them undershot, though such cases
are comparatively rare, and are oftener met with on the show-bench
Greyhound than in the courser. They owe their origin to the cross
with the Bulldog, which was resorted to in order to give stamina,
courage, and staunchness. The form to be desired is the level
mouth, with the " good sessours, the one again the other."

There is a formation of muzzle met with which is slightly ridged
or Roman-nosed ; if not excessive, this is no detriment to the
dog's practical usefulness, although it may not add to the beauty
of his appearance. This peculiarity may exist with a good level
mouth.

The teeth themselves are important, and should be large, strong,
and white, the fangs sharp and powerful — the upper ones just
overlapping those in the lower jaw ; this is not only necessary for
their work, but is indicative of health.

" The eye" Arrian says, "should be large, upraised, clear, and

THE GREYHOUND 89

strikingly bright. The best look fiery, and flash like lightning,
resembling those of leopards, lions, or lynxes." The clear, bright,
and fiery eye is always a necessity, although, of course, the condition
of the dog and the circumstances under which he is seen must
be considered in judging of it. A medium-sized eye, however, is
better than a large one. The colour usually varies with that of the
coat, as in all breeds, though light eyes are met with in dark dogs,
and are objectionable.

Of the ears Arrian writes: "They should be large and soft,
so as to appear broken ; but it is no bad indication if they appear
erect, provided they are not small and stiff." This description
would not be accepted as satisfactory now, as ears are preferred
small, and free from all coarseness. Neither does Markham's
" a sharp ear, short, and close-falling," quite convey the modern
idea of a Greyhound's ear; it should be soft, fine in leather, and
folded, with the shoulder of the ear strong enough to carry the
whole up when the dog is excited or his attention fixed.

The neck is the next point, and it is one of very great import-
ance. It must be long, strong, well clothed with muscle, yet withal
gracefully set on, well balanced, and wonderfully flexible and supple.
A long, supple neck is necessary to enable the dog to strike the
hare without stopping.

Continuing from the neck we have the beam-like back — that is,
of good breadth and strength ; without this the dog could not endure
the exhaustive process of the " pumpers " he is submitted to.

The cjiest, too, must be deep and fairly wide. Arrian says :
" Broad chests are better than narrow ; shoulders wide apart, not
tied together, but as loose and free as possible ; legs round, straight,
and well jointed ; sides strong ; loins broad, firm, not fleshy, but
sinewy ; upper flanks loose and supple ; hips wide asunder ; lower
flanks hollow ; tail long, fine, and supple ; haunches sweeping, and
fine to the touch." In respect to the chest, it is needless to say
how all-important it is that it should be capacious ; but we must
get capacity from the depth and squareness, not from the bulged-
out, barrel form, which would produce slow movement and a
heavy-fronted dog that would soon tire.

The shoulders should be set on as obliquely as possible, to
enable the dog to throw his fore legs well forward in his gallop,
the shoulder-blades sloping in towards each other as they rise ;
they should be well clothed with muscle, but not fleshy and coarse
so as to look loaded; the shoulders should not be tied together,
but have plenty of freedom — this, with the strong muscles of the
loin, enables the dog to turn fast and cleverly; the elbows must
be neither turned out nor in ; the bone of the leg must be strong ;
there must be good length of arm ; and the leg below the knee
must be short and very strong, and the foot roundish (but not of

90 BRITISH DOGS

that cat-like roundness that the Abbess and many other authors
suggest) and compact.

The beam-like back is to give the necessary strength ; the deep
chest is needed with sufficient width to give plenty of room for the
lungs and heart to freely perform their functions ; width is needed
that the necessary room may be got without making the chest so
deep as to be in the way and catch against stones, tussocks, and
lumps of turf on rough, coarse ground, when the dog is fully
stretched in the gallop ; the oblique shoulders enable the dog
to throw his legs well forward and close together, thus enabling him
to cover a lot of ground at each stride, and also, in connection with
his long and supple neck, to throw himself through an astonishingly
small meuse (gap in the hedge). The necessity for sufficient bone,
big, strong joints, and muscular legs is apparent where such violent
exertion is called for, and the roundish, compact foot is a necessity
for speed.

The loins must be strong ; a Greyhound weak there might be fast
for a spurt, but he would prove merely flashy, being neither able to
endure nor yet be good at his turns. When Markham says " short
and strong fillets," he means the loin — the term being used in
speaking of the horse — not the fleshy part of the thigh, which the
term might seem to indicate. The hips must be wide asunder, and
the hind legs straight as regards each other, " not crompyng as of
an oxe" — that is, as we now express it, not cowhocked — but they
must be bent or sicklehocked, and the thighs with immense and
well-developed muscle. The same strength of muscular development
is needed as in the fore legs, and especially there should be no
weakness below the knee. The dog should stand rather wide
behind, and higher than before ; the slight width gives additional
propelling force, and the higher hindquarters additional speed and
power in racing up hill, as hares invariably do, if they can, unless
there is temptation of a covert near.

In respect of the tail, all agree that it should be long and fine ; but,
as a matter of fact, the latter term requires slight modification, as
all tails are not of that fineness that usually obtains. The tail, no
doubt, acts as a rudder, and as such must play an important part
in swerving and turning.

Colour in Greyhounds should go for little ; for although many
persons have a prejudice in favour of a special fancy, experience
proves that there are good of all. " Stonehenge " says the colours
preferred are black, and red or fawn, with black muzzle ; and it may
be worth notice that, in quoting hini, " Idstone " falls into the
singular mistake of saying that they should have red muzzles.

At the sale of the Greyhounds of that eminent courser Lord
Rivers, in May, 1825, a list of which is given in Goodlake's
" Courser's Manual," there were, out of fifty-two dogs, twenty -three

THE GREYHOUND 91

all black, fourteen all blue, six red, four blue-and-white, and one
all white. There are still many coursers who prefer the pure black
or the red ; but the following short list, taken from the Coursing
Calendar, shows good Greyhounds of many different colours :
Scotland Yet and her sons Canaradzo and Calioja were white;
Cerito, fawn-and-white ; Lobelia, brindled-and-white ; Lady Stormont,
black-and-white ; Master M'Grath, black-and-white ; Beacon, Blue
Light, and Sapphire, all blue ; High Idea, blue ticked ; Bed of
Stone, Bab at the Bowster, and Sea Cove, red ; Cauld Kail, red
ticked ; Mocking Bird, Cashier, and Black Knight, all black ; Land-
gravine, Elsecar, Herschel, and of course the mighty Fullerton,
brindled.

As regards size, the medium-sized dog is preferred by most.
There is a considerable difference, in both height and weight,
between the dog and the bitch. Prejudice against small dogs received
a shock by the double victory of Coomassie in the Waterloo Cup,
she being a bitch of only 44lb. running weight ; and her appearance,
also, was not prepossessing, her colour being a washed-out fawn.
Again, Penelope II., the runner-up for the Cup in 1886, weighed
but 4 ilb., her victor, Miss Glendyne, weighing 54lb. ; this seeming
to confirm the courser's adage, " A good big one will always beat a
good little one."

Even more famous as a winner than Coomassie was Lord
Lurgan's Master M'Grath ; but, like the celebrated little bitch, he
was on the small side, not scaling more than 54lb. Judged by
performances he was a giant, but by appearances he was mean-looking,
and was often disparagingly referred to as the Irish Terrier. How-
ever, he was decidedly one of the finest Greyhounds of the last
century, and worthy to rank with such meritorious animals as the
redoubtable Fullerton and Bab at the Bowster. His performance
in the deciding course for the Waterloo Cup of 1869, when he met
Bab at the Bowster, will long remain green in coursing annals. It
was a contest never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it, and
was equalled only by that of Fullerton and Herschel in the final for
the Cup of 1889. The famous Irish Greyhound placed the Blue
Ribbon of the Leash three times to his owner's credit ; while
Fullerton topped that performance by dividing with Troughend.
Fullerton was purchased under the hammer for ;£86o, a record
price for a Greyhound, and that his late owner was justified in paying
such a figure subsequent performances amply proved. As a sire
Fullerton, however, was a failure, and this was deplored doubtless by
owner and breeders alike. The only other dog that won the Cup
three times was Cerito, but that was at a time when the stake was
only half the size that it is now — namely, a thirty-two dog one. He
also was a failure as a stud dog, in which category also falls the great
Master M'Grath.

92 BRITISH DOGS

Lesser lights perhaps than the bright particular stars referred to
above, yet none the less worthy of being enshrined in the Valhalla
of coursing Greyhounds, are : Judge, Greentick (that prince of sires),
Patent, Honeymoon, Canaradzo, Lobelia, Misterton, Princess
Dagmar, Scotland Yet, Bed of Stone, and a few others.

It is not intended here to treat of the practical part of Greyhound
training and management. These have been fully dealt with in the
companion volume of " Practical Kennel Management." Contrary
to the general practice pursued with regard to the breeding of dogs
generally — namely, to as far as possible avoid having a litter of
winter whelps — the Greyhound courser does not at all object to
whelps in the first month of the year, though spring is un-
doubtedly a better time, if it can be managed. If, however, born in
late summer, there is no chance of their being able to compete as
puppies. Here it may be as well to refer to what constitutes a
puppy and what a sapling. The former is applied to a Greyhound
whelped on or after January ist of the year preceding the com-
mencement of the season of running ; the term sapling is applied
to a Greyhound whelped on or after January ist of the same year in
which the season of running commenced.

The following is a summary of points of the modern Greyhound : —

Head. — Long and lean, but wide between ears, measuring in girth, just
before or close in behind, about I5in. in a dog 26in. high, with a length from
occiput to nose of about loin, to io|in.

Ears. — Set on well back, small and fine in the flap, falling gracefully
with a half fold back, exposing the inner surface when at rest, slightly raised
when excited.

Eye. — Varying in colour ; must be bright, clear, and fiery.

7*eeth. — Strong, white, and level.

Neck. — Length and suppleness are of great importance, to enable the dog
to seize the hare as he runs at full speed. It is elegantly bent or arched above
the windpipe, giving it a slightly protuberant form along the lower surface, the
whole gradually swelling out to meet the shoulders.

Chest and Forequarters (including Shoulders and Fore Legs). — The chest must
be capacious, and the room obtained more by depth than width, to give free
action to the heart and lungs. The scapula, or shoulder-blade, must be oblique,
that the fore legs may be readily stretched well forward. The arm from
shoulder to elbow, and fore arm from elbow to knee, should be both of good
length, and short from knee to the ground. The elbows must not turn either in
or out, but be in a straight line, so that the action may be free. The muscles,
for expansion and retraction of the several parts of legs and shoulders, must be
large and well developed.

Loin and Back Ribs. — The back should be broad and square, or beam-like,
slightly arched, but not approaching to the wheel back of the Italian Toy
Greyhound. The loin should be wide, deep, and strong, the muscles well developed
throughout, so that, although the flank is cut up, it yet measures well round —
and this is important, as showing strength.

Hindquarters. — Strong, broad across, the stifles well bent ; first and second
thigh both big with muscle ; the legs rather wide apart, and longer than the fore
legs, short from the hock to the ground.

THE GREYHOUND

93

Feet. — Roundish, with the toes well sprung, the claws strong, and the pad, or
sole, compact and hard.

Tail. — Long, usually fine, and nicely curved.

Coat and Colour. — Coat fine, thick, and close, and colour clear.

Experience has proved that for breeding purposes a medium-
sized bitch is preferable to a large one, so long as she be well bred.
Unless she possesses blood, it is useless expecting first-class stock,
even though she be mated ever so carefully. The family tree upon
both sides must be carefully studied, together with the laws of pre-
potency and heredity. Then, and not till then, is a man likely to

FIG. 32.— GREYHOUND MANEY STARLIGHT.

breed anything good, except by accident. And that nature occasion-
ally produces an accidental good sport in animals as well as in
vegetables is indisputable.

The classes of Greyhounds seen at our shows vary very much
as to numbers. As a rule they are not well filled, and it is the
exception rather than the rule to find any coursing dog of merit
entered. Occasionally, however, this does occur, as in the case of
Maney Starlight (Fig. 32), a Greyhound that has rendered good
account of herself as a courser and as a show-bench winner. As in
the case of sporting field dogs, a dog cannot be fitted for both work
and ornament at one and the same time. Dr. Salter has frequently

94 BRITISH DOGS

won stakes and show-bench honours with dogs, and so have some
few others.

Occasionally, when well-known coursing men have been
appointed to judge, classes have rilled well. This seems to indicate
that, if only such were selected to officiate, and a different classifica-
tion adopted, we might see large numbers competing at our more
important summer shows. Classes for winners at their legitimate
work would not merely be interesting, but would have a whole-
some effect in modifying the extravagancies of theoretical ideas of
fitness, which are too apt to prevail.

The best classes of Greyhounds are to be met with at provincial
shows, in coursing counties, where the local celebrities are shown
by their owners ; but at many shows one or more good-looking dogs
that have been brought out — generally in the North — are first run
round a few of the summer shows, and then, getting into the hands
of regular exhibitors, snap up most of the prizes throughout the
country. Some of these prize dogs have been fair performers, and
are eminently handsome specimens, and invariably well bred.

Popularly it is supposed that the Greyhound is a brainless dog,
savage and treacherous as to temperament, and of not the slightest
use as a companion. No greater fallacy ever existed. Properly
brought up and educated, the Greyhound makes an excellent
companion, and is almost invariably well disposed and intelligent,
added to which it is a dog that occupies very little room, even when
brought into the house, as it curls up into a small space ; while it
is one of the few that may be allowed to follow either a trap or a
cycle, providing the distance be not too great. The great thing when
exercising Greyhounds that are kept solely for companions is to
prevent them from chevying and running riot. Once the habit
of rioting becomes fixed, the dogs are an intolerable nuisance, and
no small domestic animal, from grimalkin to the cocks and hens
that fly excitedly before them, is safe.

In selecting a puppy, care should be taken to secure one that
shows a long, lean head with slightly domed skull, straight fore legs,
good bone, muscular hindquarters, a nicely arched back, bent
stifles, long neck, shoulders set obliquely, not straight, and deep
chest.

Before leaving the Greyhound it will not be out of place to refer to
a crossbred dog — the Lurcher — that, if not remarkable for elegance,
is noteworthy on account of the cunning it displays. It is the
poachers' dog, and is by no means the ugly brute he is sometimes
described. The Lurcher proper is a cross between the Scotch
Collie and the Greyhound. Some, however, have a Terrier cross,
while others may have a dash of Harrier, Pointer, or Setter. An
average Collie- Greyhound Lurcher will stand about three-fourths
the height of the Greyhound. He is more strongly built than the

THE GREYHOUND

95

latter, and heavier boned, yet lithe and supple withal ; his whole
conformation gives an impression of speed, just as his blinking, half-
closed eye, as he lies pretending to sleep, impresses one with his
intelligence and cunning. His coat is rough, hard, and uneven;
his ears are coarse ; and altogether there is an air of vulgarity about
him. No yelp, youf, or yowl from the Lurcher. Steady at heel,
or keeping watch at the stile till the wire is in the meuse and the
net across the gate ; then, at a motion of the hand, and without
a whimper, he is round the field, driving rabbit and hare into the
fatal snare.

Lurchers will run by either nose or sight, as suits them, but
always cunning. Let them start a hare — they will probably make
for the meuse and meet poor Wat ; but their great game is, with
crouching, stealthy step, to pounce on him in his form. All
Lurchers will retrieve their game. They vary greatly in general
size and shape, as they do in colour ; but an ideal Lurcher is an
animal with a heavyish Greyhound conformation, with just enough
of the Collie to make him look intelligent, and in colour, red,
brindle, or grizzle.

CHAPTER IX
THE WHIPPET

THOUGH it is not until recent years that the Whippet, or Snap-dog,
has come into such prominence as to warrant its recognition by the
Kennel Club as a variety, yet for many decades the animal has been
known to the miners and other workers in the North of England.
More than thirty years ago at least the name Whippet was bestowed
upon a dog built very much on the lines that to-day find favour.
It is, however, only some ten or twelve years since the effort
to popularise the dog in the South of England was attempted.
Somehow, straight-running, as the sport for which the Whippet is
chiefly used is called, did not catch on in the South as it already
had in the North, and the efforts of those who provided an oppor-
tunity for the public to see how the sport was conducted did not
meet with much success.

Prior to the appearance of the First Edition of this work, no
mention of the variety as such had been made by any previous
writer. To-day no work upon the dog could be regarded as
complete that did not deal fully with the Whippet. Moreover, the
variety is one of the few that can now boast a handbook devoted to
its uses, breeding, training, and general management.* How the
name Whippet came to be given is not with certainty known. The
probability is that it is .a provincial one, expressive at once of
the diminutive size of the dogs and the quick action they display in
the sports in which they are used, especially that of rabbit-coursing
— or, rather, running rabbits, for the laws of coursing are not
followed, but the dog that soonest reaches and kills, or snaps, the
rabbit, wins ; hence the appellation of Snap-dog, a name by which
they used to be known at the Darlington Show, where, in years
gone by, good classes of them were annually found. The Whippet
was originally produced from a cross between the Greyhound and
the Terrier ; but to-day it breeds as true to type as any other variety.
In conformation it is Greyhound-like ; in fact, it may be most
truthfully described as a small edition of the Greyhound. There

* "The Whippet and Race-dog," by Freeman Lloyd (London: L. Upcott
Gill).

96

THE WHIPPET 97

are two kinds of Whippets, distinguished respectively by a rough and
a smooth coat, the latter being the favourite and the one usually seen.

Whippets are kept in great numbers throughout the counties of
Lancashire, Yorkshire,' Durham, Northumberland, and the northern
districts of the Midlands, but for sporting rather than for show
purposes.

First with regard to the racing for which these dogs are used,
and which is so popular with the working classes in many parts of
the North. And here it may be well to state that as a sprinter there
is no dog that can touch the Whippet for pace. The race-dog may
be anything from 9lb. to 24lb., the latter being the maximum.
The dogs are handicapped according to their known performances,
etc., the distance run being 2ooyds. They are entered as
"Thomson's Rose, i9|lb.," etc., as the case may be, the weight
appearing on the handicap card. Dogs are weighed out an hour
before the time set for the first heat, and are allowed 4oz. over the
declared weight. The winners of the heats are weighed again
immediately the heats are run. If the meeting extends over one
day an allowance is made of 8oz., provided, of course, the dog has
run on the first day. In the final heat dogs are generally allowed
6oz. in addition, making i4oz. in all. This allowance should,
however, only be made when a handicap that commences one week
is finished the next. The dogs generally get a light meal — half a
pigeon, or a chop, or a piece of steak — after running the second trial
heats, and so weigh a bit heavier the second time of scaling.

The modus operandi will be best illustrated by the following
description of a race meeting held at Farn worth Recreation Grounds,
near Bolton, when there were sixty odd heats of three dogs. The
course is a perfectly level path of i2yds. in width. The dogs
are stripped and put on their marks, each being held by his owner,
or a man for him, and the starter goes behind them with the
pistol. Meanwhile, a man the dog knows starts off in front of
him, carrying a big piece of linen rag, a handkerchief, or some
conspicuous object; and every now and then, as he runs up the
course, the man will turn round and " Hi " to the dog, at the
same time waving the cloth up and down. When these runners-up
have got pretty near the finish, the pistol is fired, and the dogs
are started on their journey. There is a good deal in the slipping
of the dogs, and an expert man at the game will score considerably
over a novice. The dogs are pushed or even thrown into their
stride, and to do this work nicely and to get the best results
requires plenty of skill and not a little practice. With a view to
obviate any unfairness in slipping a Starting Box has been invented
and has been successfully used at some meetings. The runners-up
must then get over the loyds. mark, beyond the finish line.
Each dog has a piece of ribbon round his neck — according to

98

BRITISH DOGS

his station, red, white, or blue — and the judge, or referee, as he
is called, holds up a flag of the winning colour to show which has
won. The cloth carried by the men who run before and encourage
the dogs is called " bait," and " live bait " is prohibited. The
accompanying diagram (Fig. 33) shows an ideal Whippet track.
The following rules governing straight-running with Whippets

JLmus e. ™ ents

o o o o

j4.j}2 17 J em ejirs *

O O O O

FIG. 33.— AN IDEAL WHIPPET TRACK.

will serve to show those interested in the sport the chief points to
be observed : —

1. No Whippet shall be qualified to run unless duly entered for the race.

2. The name of any Whippet qualified to run in a race must be notified as a
starter to the Clerk of the Scales at the time appointed for weighing in.

3. In weighing the Clerk of the Scales shall allow 8ozs. over and above the
weight the Whippet is entered to run at.

4. No Whippet shall run unless it has been weighed out and passed by the
Clerk of the Scales.

5. The Starter shall give all orders necessary for securing a fair start. Whippets
must be started with fore feet behind the mark.

6. Any slipper wilfully throwing his Whippet against another, or starting
before the report of the pistol, or being guilty of any other misconduct or disobe-
dience while under the Starter's orders, shall be reported to the Stewards of the
meeting, and the Whippet shall be liable to disqualification.

THE WHIPPET 99

7. The runners-up to be 10 yards over the trigg mark before the pistol is
fired, the Judge to signal to pistol firer when the runners-up are in their place.
Any runner-up moving in front of trigg mark after once having taken his place,
shall cause the Whippet for which he is runner-up to be disqualified. No person
shall be allowed to run with live bait.

8. Any Whippet wilfully slipped before the pistol is fired shall forfeit all claim
to the handicap.

9. Each Whippet must run with the right coloured ribbon round its neck or
it will be disqualified.

10. The Judge must announce his decision immediately, which decision shall
be final unless an objection to the winner or the placed Whippets be made and
sustained. This rule shall not prevent the Judge from correcting a mistake.

11. If a winning dog be disqualified after running, the second dog in the heat
shall be placed first, and if impossible to tell the second dog, all in the heat shall
run again with the exception of the disqualified dog.

12. If an objection be made to a dog, the winner in the final, such objection
shall be in writing and signed by the owner of some Whippet engaged in the race
or by his deputed agent, and must be made to one of the Stewards, the Judge, or
the Clerk of the Scales. The objector shall, at the time of lodging same, deposit
;£i, which, in the event of the objection being declared to be frivolous or
vexatious, shall be forfeited to the funds of the meeting ; or if otherwise, returned
to the objector.

13. All disputes to be settled by the Stewards, of which there must be not
less than three, whose decision shall be final, subject only to an appeal to the
Committee of the Whippet Club.

The following information was contributed to the First Edition
of this work by the late Mr. Angus Sutherland, of Accrington, well
known as a writer on dogs, coursing, and other sports, and who
had exceptional experience of this breed of dog and every phase
of the sports in which it is used : — •

" These dogs, which are kept in large numbers by the working
classes in the northern counties of England, may be called the
Poor Man's Greyhounds, being similar in form, and having to
undergo the same preparation for work, by severe training and a
prescribed diet, as Greyhounds, and, like them, require to be
protected from the effects of severe weather by the use of thick
woollen covers, both breeds being very susceptible to chills in the
sudden changes of our fickle climate.

These remarks specially refer to the smooth-coated sort, which
form an immense majority of those kept in Lancashire, Yorkshire,
and the Midlands ; but amongst the pitmen of Durham and North-
umberland are found a great many rough-haired ones, many of
which are the result of crossing with the Bedlington Terrier, and
these are naturally hardier.

The breed is kept for the sport termed straight-running, and
also for rabbit-coursing. The fastest dogs have been produced by
a first cross from the Greyhound ; but those used for rabbit-coursing
have generally an infusion of Bull-terrier, or some other game
blood, calculated to give them staying powers ; for to run thirty-
one courses in one day is not only a trying test of condition, but
also a severe trial of gameness.

ioo BRITISH DOGS

The fleetness of the modern Whippet is not generally known
to the outside world ; but, considering their weight, these dogs
may be termed the speediest four-legged animals known. As an
illustration, I will adduce Mr. William Whittaker's red bitch Nettle.
This bitch was not only the handsomest, but about the fastest, ever
bred; her running weight was iQlb. She will be known to many
from her show-bench career, having, when exhibited by Messrs.
William Whittaker and Abraham Boulton, won a great number of
first prizes ; in fact, in this line she had an unbeaten record. But
it is to her extraordinary fleetness I wish particularly to refer. Upon
a favourable day, and given a good course, she could traverse
2ooyds. in i2sec., which gives a speed of i6|yds. per second, her
stride, when thoroughly extended, as measured from toes to toes,
being a trifle over i5ft. ; such cannot but be considered astounding
when performed by a iQlb. animal. By way of comparison, I will
take the fastest celebrity in the annals of the equine race, Colonel
Townley's Kettledrum, who, strange to say, sprang from the same
town as the bitch Nettle — viz. Burnley, in Lancashire. He traversed
the Derby course, Epsom (i| miles in extent), in 2min. 43sec.
or at the rate of i6iyds. per second; consequently, the rate of
speed is in favour of the canine heroine."

The parallel here drawn by Mr. Sutherland is scarcely fair to
the horse, as his average is taken on a distance more than thirteen
times that covered by the dog.

Up to the present the handicap is the only form of racing in
vogue ; but there is no reason why this should be so, for, as Mr.
Tatham in a most interesting series of papers that he contributes to
the Dog World points out, the possibilities of this sport, if not end-
less, are at least great. He says that : —

"When the sport obtains the support it is entitled to, I have
no doubt whatever races other than handicaps will crop up. They
cannot be introduced too soon, for obvious reasons. Moreover,
numbers of persons ignorant of the niceties of dog-racing, yet
anxious to own and run dogs, hold back through being lost amid
the intricacies of handicaps. The class of race I allude to would
initiate them into the mysteries of yards and pounds in a very short
time, and they would then know what mark their dogs would have
just as readily as an owner of racehorses knows what weight his
animal will have to carry in a weight-for-age race.

" To put forth a race, say, for dogs and bitches any weight, yards
or pounds, bitches allowing dogs three yards to the pound, would
be, of course, a foregone conclusion, and there would be very few
starters. But a person putting forth a programme of a meeting is
supposed to know what conditions to make in order to provide good
sport, and by the insertion of those conditions quite a new com-
plexion is put on the matter, the race at the same time being essen-

THE WHIPPET 1 01

tially according to the scale of yards for pounds. By such means
high-class dogs will be meeting high-class dogs, and in races meant
for them; the moderate ones also would find races suitable for
them, and the handicap would still remain for any class of animal.

Again, no more interesting race could be inaugurated than one
for dogs whelped in the spring of one year and entered for a yards-
for-pounds race to be run in the spring of the following year.
Equally interesting would be a similar race for bitches, and more
interesting still would be one for dogs and bitches run some months
after, say in the autumn. The difficulty as to time of whelping
would be no greater than it is in coursing or time of foaling in
horse-racing. In fact, there are no difficulties in dog-racing greater
than those found in coursing and horse-racing, and they can be
overcome by the same means as the National Coursing Club and
the Jockey Club employ in overcoming their difficulties."

Mr. Sutherland next refers to the Whippet as used for rabbit-
coursing, as follows: —

" The matches in connection with rabbit-coursing invariably take
place in enclosed grounds set apart for that and other sports. These
matches are ruled by what is termed the ' 6oyds. Law ' — that is,
the rabbits are allowed 6oyds. start of the competing dogs. The
slipper, who is selected for his known impartiality, grasps the com-
petitors by the napes of their necks, despatching them as evenly
as possible the instant the rabbit is dropped at the stipulated mark
by the judge, who immediately takes up a favourable position to
view the course, and decides in favour of the dog first seizing and
holding bunny.

It will thus be seen that the duties of judge are not so intricate
as those of the Greyhound judge, who is called upon to decide
the knotty points of pace, the working turns, go-byes, and merits
of the kill.

The weight of the dogs is generally the guide in match-making,
the heavier dog having to give his opponent a certain number of
dead rabbits ; but height in some districts rules the handicap. In
rabbit-coursing, however, as in straight-running, there are at all
times a few dogs more proficient than others ; these are handicapped
by dead rabbits, according to merit ; and, as in the latter sport,
bitches, being considered greater adepts at the game, are handi
capped accordingly. A good weight for a Snap-dog is from 22lb.
to 25lb."

The Whippet for straight-running needs to be trained much
upon the same lines as his near relative the Greyhound. Upon this
subject Mr. Freeman Lloyd has a good deal to say in his monograph.
Suffice it for the purpose here to refer to his directions in a con-
densed form. Sharp walking is advocated, the actual distance
depending upon the individual dog's feeding and constitution.

102 BRITISH DOGS

These the owner will know all about. If the dog be a heavy feeder,
he will need to be galloped oftener than a less hearty one. He
should be taken on to a piece of level grass and allowed to play and
to gallop himself into form, getting over a lot of ground, and at the
same time doing some sharp work, which latter is very important.
If long walking exercise be indulged in, the Whippet not only gets
slow but also loses dash at the finish. In commencing to train, care
must be taken to avoid galloping a dog too often before he is fit
enough to sprint the distance without showing signs of tiring ; this
makes an animal finish badly and grow false. Puppies should not
be galloped too far. Fifty yards will be quite a sufficient distance
for youngsters, increasing the run as the dog conditions. It is also

FIG. 34.— A TYPE OF SHOW WHIPPET.

a bad plan to keep on trying them. If there be a promising one,
he should be tried with one that he can beat. He should not be
tried against an animal far his superior in pace, or it will take the
dash out of him.

In feeding, wholesome and plain food must be the order of the
day. Fatty scraps must always be avoided. Sheep's heads well
boiled (and once or twice a week an onion and a parsnip may be
boiled with these and afterwards mashed) will prove beneficial.
Brown bread a fortnight old should be well covered with the broth
from the heads, and a new-laid egg be beaten in with it. This
dietary will suffice for a few days, when beef, boiled to "rags" or else
cooked in the Dutch oven to such a condition that when cut the
gravy follows the knife, should be given. If the Whippet be a bad
feeder and somewhat delicate, he may have an egg beaten up and
given with a little toast before taking him out for the morning's

THE WHIPPET 103

work. In the last few days before running a cut out of the middle
of a leg of mutton, nicely stewed, with some toast made from a
brown loaf, a little of the broth, just a sprinkling of the vegetables
already named, and an egg beaten in the broth, are advocated. All
stimulants should be avoided.

As a companion the Whippet has many superiors, though to
some he has his good points — not the least attractive of which are
his conformation, speed, the fact that he occupies but a very small
space indoors, and has no long coat to lick up the mud. Nor as a
sporting dog is he without his admirers, though the possession of
a brace, it must be confessed, is not unfrequently regarded with
suspicion by farmers and game-preservers. For rabbit-catching the
rough-haired variety is more fancied, such a coat standing them
in better stead than the smooth one. When employed for rabbit-
catching it is usual to work a brace of Whippets with a smart terrier.

As a show dog the Whippet does not meet with a large share of
support, though there is no reason why so easily kept a variety should
not. For this purpose one from i61b. to 2olb. is about the correct
weight ; but to win the dog 'must be built upon the lines of the
Greyhound, and look all over like a racer. He must be shown in
good, hard condition, but not so finely trained as if he were intended
for straight-running. Exercise behind a trap or a cycle, if judiciously
given, combined with good grooming on return, in which there is
plenty of hand- rubbing employed, will soon bring a typical Whippet
into really excellent show form.

The following is the description of the Whippet as drawn up by
the Whippet Club :—

Head. — Long and lean, rather wide between the eyes, and flat at the top. The
jaw powerful yet clearly cut. Teeth level and white.

Eyes. — Bright and fiery.

kars. — Small, fine in texture, and rose shape.

Neck. — Long and muscular, elegantly arched, and free from throatiness.

Shoulders. — Oblique and muscular.

Chest. — Deep and capacious.

Back. — Broad and square, rather long, and slightly arched over loin, which
should be strong and powerful.

Fore Leg*. — Rather long, well set under dog, possessing fair amount of bone.

.Hindquarters. — Strong and broad across, stifles well bent, thighs broad and
muscular, hocks well let down.

Feet. — Round, well split up, with strong soles.

7 a/7. — Long, tapering, and nicely carried.

Coat. — Fine and close.

Colour.— Black, red, white, brindle, fawn, blue, and the various mixtures of
each.

Weight.— 201b.

In selecting a Whippet, practically the same rules hold good as
in the case of a Greyhound.

CHAPTER X
THE IRISH WOLFHOUND

PROBABLY no dog has been the subject of so much contention or
misapprehension as Ireland's historic hound. This has been due
in great part to the exaggerated statements respecting the size
to which it, in some instances, attained. Its early history is also
enshrouded in mystery, and we are apparently, in the twentieth
century, no nearer a satisfactory solution of it than we were in the
seventeenth and even earlier times. Oliver Goldsmith, who was not
distinguished, as a naturalist, by strict accuracy, was certainly very far
wrong in stating that the Irish Wolfhound attained to a height of
4ft., as we measure dogs and horses — that is, from the ground to
the level of the top of the shoulders ; though a tall, long-necked,
and long-headed dog, with his snout held pointing up in air, might
reach very near that height. That, however, would be a totally
misleading way of taking and stating the dog's height.

Doubtless the size of the Irish Wolfhound has also been ex-
aggerated by the use of loose expressions ; but that he was the giant
of his race, so far as these islands are concerned, there appears to
be very good grounds for believing. That there should have been,
by many, a strong desire entertained to save from utter extinction
so noble a breed, is most natural. The astonishing matter is that so
few persons comparatively have taken practical steps towards its
resuscitation, for if the breed did not altogether cease to exist early
in the eighteenth century, it went dangerously near to extinction.
That much even its most enthusiastic admirer, Captain Graham
himself, admits when, in the previous Edition of this work, he says :
" That in its original integrity it has apparently disappeared cannot
be disputed ; yet there can be little doubt that so much of the true
breed is forthcoming, both in the race still known in Ireland as the
Irish Wolfhound (to be met with, however, in one or two places
only) and in our modern Deerhound, as to allow of its complete
recovery in its pristine grandeur, with proper management, in
judicious hands." It is easy to see from this the theory of Captain
Graham with regard to the breed ; but whether or not there really

104

THE IRISH WOLFHOUND 105

existed a sufficiency of the original blood on which to rebuild the
breed " in all its pristine grandeur," is still a vexed question. We
have not the space to enter into all the interesting points that
Captain Graham raises in his well-thought-out monograph. Here
we are chiefly concerned with the dog as we know it now, rather
than as it was some centuries ago. Before, however, leaving this
part of the subject, we will quote another passage or two that Captain
Graham has written in support of his theory that in the modern
Deerhound lives the Irish Wolfhound of old : —

"That we have in the Deerhound the modern representative of
the old Irish dog is patent ; though of less stature, less robust, and
of slimmer form, the main characteristics of the original breed
remain, and, in very exceptional instances, specimens ' crop up ' that
throw back to, and resemble in a marked manner, the old stock from
which they have sprung. For instance, the dog well known at all
the leading shows as Champion Torunn (now for some years lost to
sight), although requiring a somewhat lighter ear and still more
massive proportions, combined with greater stature, evidently ap-
proximated more nearly to his distant ancestors than to his immediate
ones. The matter of ear alluded to here is probably only a require-
ment called for by modem and more refined tastes, as it is hardly
likely that any very high standard as to quality or looks, was ever
aimed at or reached by our remote ancestors in any breed of dogs.
Strength, stature, and fleetness were the points most carefully
cultivated — at any rate, as regards those dogs used in the pursuit
and capture of large and fierce game.

It is somewhat remarkable that, whilst we have accounts of
almost all the noted breeds, including the Irish Wolfhound, there
is no allusion to any such dog as the Deerhound, save in writings
of a comparatively recent date.

The article or essay on the Irish Wolfhound written by
Richardson in 1842 is, it is supposed, the only one on this
subject in existence ; and whilst it is evident to the reader of it
that the subject has been most ably treated and thoroughly sifted,
yet some of the writer's conclusions, if not erroneous, are at least
open to question. It is a matter of history that this dog was of
very ancient origin, being well known to, and highly prized by,
the Romans, who frequently used him for their combats in the
arena ; and also that he was retained at home, in a certain degree
of purity, to within a comparatively recent period, when, owing
to the extinction of wolves, and, presumably, to the indifference
and carelessness of owners, this most superb and valuable breed
of dog was unaccountably suffered to fall into a very neglected
and degenerate state.

From the general tenor of old accounts we have of this dog's
dimensions and appearance, it is to be gathered that he was of

106 BRITISH DOGS

considerably greater stature than any known race existing at present,
and, apparently, more than equal to the destruction of the wolf.

It is an incontestable fact that the Domestic dog, when used
for the pursuit of ferocious animals, should be invariably larger,
and apparently more powerful, than his quarry, as the fierce
nature, roving habits, and food of the wild animal, render him
usually more than a match for his domesticated enemy if only of
equal size and stature. We know that the Russian Wolfhound,
the equal in stature to the wolf, will attack him single-handed ; but
he ought not to be allowed to do so, as he wpuld almost invariably
be worsted in the combat.

The Irish Wolfhound, being used for both the capture and
despatch of the wolf, would necessarily have been of Greyhound
conformation, besides being of enormous power. A heavy dog,
such as a Mastiff, would be equal to the destruction of a wolf
when caught ; but to obtain a dog with Greyhound speed and the
strength of the Mastiff, it would stand to reason that his stature
should considerably exceed that of the Mastiff — one of our tallest
as well as most powerful breeds. The usual height of the Mastiff
does not exceed 3oin. ; and, arguing as above, we may reasonably
conclude that, to obtain the requisite combination of speed and
power, a height of at least 33in. would have to be reached. Many
writers, however, put the stature of the Irish Wolfhound down as
far exceeding that."

Mr. G. W. Hickman, who has equally devoted time and ability
to an examination of the subject, suggests that —

"There is not a particle of direct evidence to identify the
Irish Wolfhound with the Deerhound, and such evidence as we
have goes in the opposite direction. Until some time in the
' thirties ' of the past century all the naturalists who described
or depicted the Irish Wolfhound concurred in representing it as
an animal of a certain kind, both in their descriptions and their
pictures. But about the time mentioned, a Mr. Haffield, who
appears to have been prompted by that desire for starting new
theories and demolishing old-standing beliefs which actuates men
of science, read a paper before one of the Dublin philosophical
societies, in which he departed from all existing ideas, and
enunciated views which suggested — as it seems — to Richardson
his enlarged Deerhound theory. Richardson, who admits that
he had previously entertained the orthodox views, in accordance
with the existing evidence, appears to have had an accommodating
mind, and to have considered that evidence equally applicable
to 'the new departure,' which he hastened to advocate. The
theory of Richardson and his followers is merely one of conjecture
and inference. The practice of these writers has been to start
with a theory, and to adapt their evidence to it, instead of deducing

THE IRISH WOLFHOUND 107

their theory from the existing evidence. They pick out such
passages as suit their views, with more or less of misquotation,
draw their own inferences from them, and totally ignore all the
authorities that are opposed to them.

No doubt what first suggested the identification of the Irish
Wolfdog with the Deerhound was Macpherson's ' Ossian,' and the
accounts in the Fingalian legends of the marvellous doings of
the hero's * white-breasted,' * hairy-footed ' Bran, and others. As
Ireland claimed some common property in this legend, Irish
amour propre seized the idea of associating with their already
extinct and almost mythological Wolfdog— as harmonising with his
traditional gigantic size — all the glamour and poetical colouring
belonging to the dogs of ' Ossian.' But as it is a matter of doubt
with some 'if — as Gibbon says — 'we can with safety indulge
the pleasing supposition that Fingal lived and Ossian sung,' there
is no value in such an argument ; and even granting that there is
foundation for those legends, it is absurd to draw any conclusions
as to the gigantic character of the dogs from the poetical exaggera-
tions of mere legends ; whilst their rough coats would only be an
instance of the 'local colouring' supplied by the bards from the
dogs they were accustomed to, as no one disputes that the Deer-
hound, or rough Greyhound, was a common dog enough in olden
times. The Ossianic argument may therefore be put aside."

Having given some opinions of the two principal modern writers
upon the early history of the Irish Wolfhound, the one a supporter of
the theory that the ancient dog survives in a modified form in the
Scottish Deerhound, and the other a great opponent of such a
theory, we now pass on to the writings of a still more recent date —
1897. In that year an Irishman, the Rev. E. Hogan, issued an
interesting little work entitled "The Irish Wolfdog."* This gentle-
man's opinions in the main coincide with those of Captain Graham,
though the arguments in support of them are not always very con-
clusive. In tracing the descent of the modern Wolfdog, he writes : —

" Friend and foe say he has the Highland Deerhound strain.
Now, the Deerhound has the old Irish Wolfdog blood. Therefore
the modern Wolfdog has it also. . . . Taking for granted that the
Irish Wolfdogs and Scotch Deerhounds were the largest, most
notable, and among the most ancient dogs of their respective
countries, I say, whereas it is certain (i) that the Irish conquered
Scotland centuries ago, and (2) that they took their wolf, boar, and
deer-hunting Greyhounds with them, it follows that the Scotch Deer-
hounds are descended from these Irish dogs. . . . Centuries ago
Irish warriors, then called Scots, conquered and colonised Caledonia,
gave their name and language and its kings to that country, and

* "The History of the Irish Wolfdog," by the Rev. Edmund Hogan, S.T.
(Dublin : M. H. Gill & Son).

io8 BRITISH DOGS

kept up a long and constant communication with Ireland. . . . Now,
these Irish warriors came from a land famous for deer-hunting, as
Bede informs us, the inhabitants of which were ardent in the chase
of stags and wolves. . . . Being hunters, then, those warriors took
their big Greyhounds with them to ' Caledonia stern and wild,'
and kept up the breed for hunting, being able through their close
connection with Ireland for centuries to import dogs from thence
if necessary. In that case, as the wolf-hunting Greyhound of the
seventeenth century was descended from the dogs that remained
in Ireland, so the Deerhound was descended from the old Irish
dogs that were exported. Hence we find that the Highland Deer-
hounds were called Irish Greyhounds, as the Highlanders are called
Irish (Gaels) and their language Irish (Gaelic)."

The opinions above quoted by no means exhaust those put
forth with regard to the early history of the breed by the more
modern writers. With the exception perhaps of Richardson (of
whom Captain Graham is a disciple), who wrote in the " forties," they
may be regarded as the chief.

If we look for enlightenment in the writings of the older authors,
we find little ; indeed, rather is it a case of confusion worse con-
founded. In some descriptions seem grossly exaggerated ; while in
others they are lacking in those essential details that, if forthcoming,
would have helped us with greater accuracy to piece together the
unwoven threads of history. Take, for instance, the coat, which is
one of the most debatable of all points in connection with the hound.
Was it a rough or a smooth coat? The weight of evidence is in
support of the latter. Nor is there more unanimity among, or
greater assistance from, the artists of the time. Bewick depicts a
smooth dog, as did Lambart some four years later ; but whereas the
former shows a dog of Greyhound type, the latter's depiction more
closely approximates to the Mastiff. Reinagle, a Royal Academician
and a contemporary of Bewick, illustrates in the " Sportsman's
Cabinet " a dog that is quite out of harmony with the description,
which applies to a Great Dane-like animal. It must, however, be
confessed that Reinagle's picture (Fig. 35) accords more with the
popular creation of the Irish Wolfdog than anything that we know.
It has been suggested that Reinagle's is a fanciful creation rather
than a representative picture of the WTolfhound of the time — a time,
be it noted, that accords with that in which Lord Altamount's dogs
were supposed to be in existence.

By some the Irish Wolfhound is thought to have disappeared
with the last Irish wolf — somewhere about 1710; but in a work on
"Canine Madness," by Dr. James, and published in 1733, he refers
specifically to an Irish Wolfhound of uncommon size. The dog
attacked his owner's child, and would have killed it but that he wore
a garland ; this, the author explains, consisted of two cross-hoops,

THE IRISH WOLFHOUND

109

that were hung before a dog's fore legs to prevent him from sheep-
worrying or being otherwise mischievous.

Whether the modern Irish Wolfhound is to be regarded in the
future as containing sufficient of the blood of the old Wolfdog to be
considered but a resuscitation, or whether it is to be judged in the
light of a new creation (and we are personally of this opinion), will
probably never be satisfactorily determined. One thing, however,

FIG. 35.— THE IRISH WOLFHOUND, AFTER REINAGLE.

is certain — that to Captain Graham, of Rednock, Dursley, belongs
the chief credit of either creating or resuscitating the breed. This
he began in 1862 with the two hounds Faust and Old Donagh, the
latter bred by Mr. Baker, of Ballyrotune Castle, Kilkenny. Other
dogs that played an important part in the resuscitation were Young
Donagh, Islay, Swaren I., Brenda, Oscar, Wolf, and Torunn. In
the process Great Dane, Deerhound, and later Russian Wolfhound
blood have commingled with what is supposed to have remained of
the original Irish Wolfhound, and the dog as we know it to-day has

I io BRITISH DOGS

been gradually evolved, though close upon half a century has been
occupied in the work. Even now the Irish Wolfhound Club and
those outside its pale that are interested in the breed, cannot afford
to rest upon their oars. There is yet a great deal more to be done
before that uniformity of type so desirable in any breed is obtained.
One is impressed with these divergencies of type at each gathering
where these magnificent hounds are brought together in any number,
and probably this will continue until the rival sections of the Fancy
are united in a common cause and one type only is recognised. If
one looks carefully at the family tree of the majority of present-day
champions the particular blood favoured will be at once apparent,
and it is this probably that is responsible for the difficulty experienced
also in the rearing of present-day whelps. To stamp the progeny
with the chief characteristics of the Brian II. type of dog considerable
in-breeding has been resorted to this last five or six years, and with
the inevitable result in such cases — weakness of constitution. Many
Irish Wolfhound breeders swear by the O'Leary type of hound in
preference to Brian II., but the infirmity that the former suffered
from probably prevented the dog being used as much at stud as he
otherwise would. At the present time there are not lacking plenty
of splendid material on which to set to work and still further perfect
the magnificent hound that Captain Graham, Colonel Gamier, Mr.
Crisp, Mr. Hood Wright, the Hon. Miss Dillon, Mr. Angelo, Mrs.
Williams, Mrs. Compton, Mrs. Gerard, and a few others have worked
so assiduously for.

We will now consider the Irish Wolfhound as a companion and
personal guard, as the day has long passed since he can be utilised
for any other purpose in these islands. He may, perhaps, be casually
employed in other countries as a big-game dog ; but in hot countries,
whatever his suitability as regards activity and courage, he probably
would not be able to live the year through. In India, at any rate,
the closely allied Scottish Deerhound has often been tried, and
though for a part of the season the sportsman has found him useful,
yet when the hot weather arrives the dog has had to migrate from
the plains to the hill country. And this doubtless would be
necessary in the case of his bigger relative the Irish Wolfhound.

As a companion and personal guard we hold this hound in high
repute, and for either a lady or a gentleman he is eminently suitable.
Dignified and quiet of manner, though of immense strength, may
truthfully be written of the Irish Wolfhound; added to which he
boasts an excellent temperament. As is the case with all the
Greyhound family, they are big dogs but not bulky ones, and they
may therefore be kept where the St. Bernard, Mastiff, and such-
like huge-framed varieties could not be tolerated. We have often
known the dog brought up in a house " quite as one of the family,"
and any one who has noticed an Irish Wolfhound "curled up '; on

THE IRISH WOLFHOUND m

the rug or under the table cannot fail to be struck with the
comparatively little room that he then occupies.

For following a trap, if the pace be not too great or the distance
too long, the Irish Wolfhound is admirably suited ; while he is one
of the very few breeds that may be taken by a lady cyclist on a
lonely road. In fact, we can conceive no better dog for a lady's
companion than a really well-trained, good-tempered specimen.
Our only wonder is that a dog having so many good qualities has
not found a more numerous following. Doubtless some of this

FIG. 36. — IRISH WOLFHOUND DERMOT ASTHORE.

lack of appreciation of the breed is due to the fact that, so far as
outward appearances go, the Irish Wolthound, as judged by the
" man in the street," has none of the personal attractions that go
such a long way towards " making " a breed \ nor has he been
" boomed " to anything like the extent that some breeds have.
Where good qualities lie hidden under a somewhat rugged exterior it
is always a difficult and uphill task to get the merits of a variety
properly recognised. It is this undoubtedly that in a great measure
has helped to keep the Irish Wolfhound in the background. The
more's the pity. His day will, however, assuredly come. Forty
years of patient work in connection with the evolution of the breed

BRITISH DdGS

have been absorbed, and with little monetary reward for those who
have laboured so long. Still, breeders have manfully stuck to their
recreated or regenerated animal, and at the present day are even
more enthusiastic over the noble hound than they were in the early
"sixties." Fig. 36 is an excellent type of present-day Irish Wolf-
hound, and a great winner upon the show-bench.

It has already been suggested that the Irish Wolfhound makes
an excellent companion and guard. The variety, however, is not
one to be confined to a lonely backyard, chained to an apology for
a kennel. With this and similar breeds the chain should be practically
unknown, save that the hound, like any other, should be acquainted
with both collar and chain. No young puppy should ever be
chained if straight limbs and decent body-conformation are sought.
Plenty of exercise is required for all the members of the Greyhound
family, and road-walking exercise is especially beneficial for harden-
ing the pads. If, in addition to this, young dogs can have access
to a meadow, preferably with a hill, this will soon develop them
to the full.

The kennels should be well positioned, roomy, light, and well
ventilated. If a range of kennels be not required and a nice loose
box is vacant, this will make a capital home for the average Wolf-
hound when it is necessary to restrict him in, any way. The more,
however, that such a dog, when required as a companion and guard,
is allowed to associate with the owner and his family, the more useful
is it likely to become. Seclusion and chaining, when carried to
excess, either mean a savage or a broken-spirited animal — the one
a nuisance and a source of danger, and the other a canine fool.

Although with all large breeds it is most desirable to start
with a puppy, yet the novice would do well not to purchase one
that is too young. As a matter of fact, the Irish Wolfhound up to
the age of four or five months is more than ordinarily delicate or
susceptible to certain ailments incidental to that period of a young
dog's life. Distemper, and the complications that follow, claim a
good many victims. It will, therefore, be politic to look out for a
puppy that is some six months old. Breeders of repute always have
in their kennels puppies which, while they just miss being show
specimens, nevertheless make first-class companions and guards.
The Irish Wolfhound is not mature until two years old.

The Irish Wolfhound is another of the varieties of British
dog that vary much in colour as puppies. They may not show
such a marked, difference as do the Airedale or the Yorkshire, but
it is sufficiently so to be worth recording. We have it on no less
an authority than Mr. Hood Wright that the really blues are born
black, while the slates are born that colour. There is always a
tendency, he says, for them to get lighter. In support of this he
instances the case of his old bitch Champion Selwood Callach.

THE IRISH WOLFHOUND 113

She was as black as her brother Champion Selwood Dhouran at
birih } at the age of six months she was a medium shade of fawn
grizzle, while her brother remained .black. Mr. Hood Wright also
states that he has known of a case of a red-fawn dog (but one with a
blue skin) that after he had attained the age of two years became
a blue. The dog was sold as a fawn, but the next time that the
late owner met the animal he was an undoubtedly natural blue.

In selecting a puppy, the head-points, as noted below, should
be carefully considered, especially as to length, position, and size
of ears. The head as a whole must not promise to be too Deer-
houndy on the one hand, or Great Dane-like on the other. Other
points that should be looked for are a deep chest, straight legs, large,
rounded feet, a long neck, and of course a well-arched loin.

Of late Irish Wolfhound type has been freely criticised in the
Press, and the more practical fanciers have advocated a readjust-
ment of points, as it were, with a view to strengthening those
characteristics that appear weak. With that end in view a most
commonsense letter appeared in Our Dogs over the simple nom
de guerre of " Breeder." In it the writer not only suggests a suitable
scale of point-values for the breed, but also gives an idea of how
an ideal hound should be made up. The description therein
given so closely accords with our own that we give it for the benefit
of those that are beginning : —

Height, 34in. ; weight, I4olb. ; girth, 38in. ; head, I4in., avoiding the
broad forehead, and with strong muzzle. Eyes small and dark. Ears neatly
tucked and cocked. Body long, deep, and supple. Tail long and lashing. Neck
clean and arched. Hooks well let down, and without a suspicion of "cow."
Legs like parallel rulers. Coat rough and wiry. Beard and eyebrows plentiful.
Colour, any met with in the Deerhound. Muscular all over, of course.

The Irish Wolfhound boasts an excellent club to watch over
its interests, and the following is the description of the breed as
drawn up by that body : —

General Appearance. — The Irish Wolfhound should not be quite so heavy
or massive as the Great Dane, but more so than the Deerhound, which in
general type he should otherwise resemble. Of great size and commanding
appearance, very muscular, strongly though gracefully built, movements easy and
active ; head and neck carried high ; the tail carried with an upward sweep with
a slight curve towards the extremity.

The Minimum, Height and Weight of dogs should be 3iin. and I2olb. ; of
bitches 28in. and Qolb. Anything below this should be debarred from competi-
tion. Great size, including height at shoulder and proportionate length of body,
is the desideratum to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a race that
shall average from 32in. to34in. in dogs, showing the requisite power, activity,
courage, and symmetry.

Head. — Long, the frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised, and very
little indentation between the eyes. Skull not too broad. Muzzle long and
moderately pointed. Ears small and Greyhound-like in carriage.

n4 BRITISH DOGS

Neck. — Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap,
or loose skin about the throat.

Chest. — Very deep. Breast wide.

Back. — Rather long than short. Loins arched.

Tail. — Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness, and well covered
with hair.

Belly —Well drawn up.

Forequarters. — Shoulders muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping.
Elbows well under, neither turned inwards nor outwards.

Leg. — Fore-arm muscular, and the whole leg strong and quite straight.

hindquarters.— Muscular thighs and second thigh long and strong as in ihe
Greyhound, and hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.

Feet. — Moderately large and round, neither turned inwards nor outwards.
Toes well arched and closed. Nails very strong and curved.

Hair. — Rough and hard on body, legs, and head ; especially wiry and long
over eyes and under jaw.

Colour and Markings. — The recognised colours are grey, brindle, red, black,
pure white, fawn, or any colour that appears in the Deerhound. [Captain
Graham states that he has seen several perfectly black-and-tan Deerhounds.]

Faidls. — Too light or heavy a head, too highly arched frontal bone, large ears
and hanging flat to the face ; short neck ; full dewlap ; too narrow or too broad
a chest ; sunken or hollow or quite straight back ; bent fore legs ; overbent
fetlocks ; twisted feet ; spreading toes ; too curly a tail ; weak hindquarters and
a general want of muscle ; too short in body.

The following scale of point-values have been suggested by
" Breeder " in the paper above named :—

Head ... ... ... ... ... 25

Length and shape of ... ... ... ... 10

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 8

Beard and Eyebrows ... ... ... ... 5

Eyes ... ' ... ... ... ... ... 2

Body ... ... ... ... ... 25

Height at Shoulder ... ... ... ... 12

Substance and Girth ... ... .. ... 7

Length and Symmetry of Body ... ... ... 6

Limbs ... ... ... ... ... ... 25

Loins and Hocks ... ... ... ... 10

P'ore Legs ... ... ... ... ... 8

Feet ... ... ... ... ... • ... 7

The Rest ... ... ... ... ... ... 25

Coat ... ... ... ... ... ... 12

Neck ... ... ... ... ... ... 6

Tail 3

Nails ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

Teeth . 2

Total points in all ... ... ... 100

CHAPTER XI
THE SCOTCH DEERHOUND

FROM his superior size and rough coat the Deerhound has a more
imposing appearance than his refined brother the Greyhound, and
many would place him at the head of the family. He is frequently
referred to as the Staghound. It is well to note this, to prevent
confusion, as in England the Staghound is a totally different dog,
hunting by scent alone, and often simply a large Foxhound. He
is also named the Rough Greyhound, and the Northern, or Fleet-
hound.

Blome, writing of the various hounds of his time, after describing
the deep-mouthed hound, says : "For the Northern, or Fleet-hound,
his head and nose ought to be slenderer and longer, his back broad,
his belly gaunt, his joynts long, and his ears thicker and shorter —
in a word, he is in all parts slighter made, and framed after the
mould of a Greyhound." It is, however, uncertain whether Blome
here meant to describe the Deerhound, or the light-built and swift
Foxhound of the North, which, by comparison with the slow, deep-
tongued, Southern hound, approached to the Greyhound form.

In that much-valued work the "Sportsman's Cabinet" no
mention is made of the Scotch Deerhound, and the Staghound
described and illustrated by Reinagle is a pure modern Foxhound.

Richardson, a well-known authority on dogs, writing nearly sixty
years ago, gave it as his opinion that the Irish Wolfhound was the
ancestor of the Highland Deerhound, an opinion not by any means
well supported ; this question, however, is discussed at some length
in the chapter on the Irish Wolfhound. Equally open to doubt
are the crosses suggested by some as having been resorted to in
order to prevent the Deerhound from dying out — and particularly
those of the Foxhound and Bloodhound.

In treating of the Deerhound, " Stonehenge," who is usually
careful and accurate, says : " On carefully examining the description
given by Arrian, no one can doubt that the dog of his day was
rough in his coat, and in all respects like the present Scotch dog."
On the contrary, Arrian is very clear on this point, showing he was

n6 BRITISH DOGS

well acquainted with both varieties, for he says : " The hair, whether
the dog be of the rough or smooth sort," etc. This is quoted in
support of the views of a common origin for all the members of
this group. "Idstone" is "inclined to think it is an imported
breed " ; out he gives no reason for thinking so, and declares it
" is one of the oldest breeds we have."

Sir Walter Scott did much to draw attention to the breed, and the
description of the Deerhound he puts in the mouth of the Knight
of Gilsland has never been equalled, and no article on the breed
is complete without it : "A most perfect creature of heaven ; of the
old Northern breed — deep in the chest, strong in the stern, black
colour, and brindled on the breast and legs, not spotted with white,
but just shaded into grey — strength to pull down a bull, swiftness
to cote an antelope."

Of present-day writers none are better qualified to speak than
Mr. G. W. Hickman, who has devoted so many years to the practical
study of the race as a breeder and judge, and whose literary tastes
have naturally led him to make, in addition, a study of its history.

Mr. Hickman's contribution to the last Edition of this work was
one of the most interesting and instructive of the many to be found.
It combined the historical and the practical in a manner not always,
or indeed often, associated. The time that has elapsed since it was
published has brought about some slight modifications and changes
for the better in the breed as a whole ; but Mr. Hickman's advice
and words of warning are as sound and necessary now as they were
then. We therefore unhesitatingly reproduce as much of the
original article as our more restricted space will allow.

" The thing to be feared in connection with the Scottish Deer-
hound is that the breed, as its use gradually dies out in the High-
lands, may lose all its character and quality, and thus be theorised
into extinction.

Of late years many men have bred solely for size, and trusted
to Providence for quality. The outcome of this has been that we
have had on the show-bench animals wanting in all the grace,
elegance, and symmetry which should characterise the Deerhound ;
with big, heavy heads, bulging out at the eyes ; with blunt muzzles,
nearly as thick at the nose as just in front of the eyes ; with big,
heavy, drooping ears, often heavily coated and fringed in addition ;
and with a large but overgrown and weak-looking frame and coarse
but doubtful-looking limbs.

I do not say that most of our show dogs have been of this
kind, but we have had several notable instances, whose success
has been perplexing arid disheartening to those who have kept the
Deerhound for his proper work, and whose occasional patronage
of shows has thus been alienated. This is the more to be regretted,

THE SCOTCH DEERHOUND 117

as the use of the Deerhound in his native country is decreasing day
by day ; and in this fact we come to another of the chief causes
which have been prejudicial to the breed, and will be still more
so unless care be taken not to lose sight of the purpose for which
it was used. As soon as the Deerhound begins to be regarded
solely as a show dog, then will the breed be in imminent danger
of losing its character ; but as long as an animal is bred and used
for a practical purpose, so long can reference be made to the product
which is found best suited to such requirements.

* Man,' says Darwin, ' closely imitates natural selection ' ; that
is, man in breeding Greyhounds for coursing, Deerhounds for
deerstalking, and St. Bernards for use in the snow, selects and
breeds from those specimens only which are likely to produce the
requisite combination of qualities for his purpose. Thus each
product becomes, as far as it can be, a naturally perfect animal
for the designed purpose, inasmuch as there is always being applied
the infallible criterion of utility and experience to test the results.
In each case, mere appearance or outward form has not been the
primary consideration with the breeder — the essential qualities are
what he aims at; but, finding that those qualities are associated
with certain outward characteristics, he is guided by the latter in
his selection of breeding specimens. So each breed settles down
into a uniform type, and this is maintained by the most rigid of
all examiners — experience.

At this point, perhaps, in steps the fancier, or, the man who
takes up the breed rather from its appearance than its practical
qualities. At first he accepts what he finds, and does not get far
away from the proper type ; but presently, as he has no other means
of testing his results, he lays down certain rules or points for his
guidance, and very often attaches undue importance to some one
of these that readily strikes the eye, forcing it unduly to the expense
of, and out of its proper relation to, the rest ; and as he does not
apply the touchstone of a practical trial in its proper vocation to
his production, he errs more and more in the direction of his
arbitrary requirements, and the breed loses that harmony of com-
bined qualities which constituted its original ' character/ and
which had been kept in due relation by practical requirements.

That the Deerhound has suffered considerably from a mania
for size is only too certain, and that it will suffer more yet is to be
feared, unless judges will set their faces against allowing themselves
to be influenced by mere size and bulk. In proof of my assertion,
subjoined is an extract from a letter received, some quarter of a
century ago, from a gentleman who bred and exhibited some of
the best specimens when shows were in their infancy :

' Some twenty years ago, before shows began, there were two or
three owners of the breed, and a few dogs might be called pure.

n8 , BRITISH DOGS

The late Duke of Leeds had as pure blood of the old breed as
any one. After shows were the fashion, great size, at the expense
of other qualities, was considered necessary, and lately there has
been much resort to crossing. I am an advocate for size myself,
but speed must not be sacrificed to it. If you desire a true guide
to tell whether a dog has been crossed, look at his ear first. If that
is SMALL, and lies folded close to his head, like a Greyhound's, I
should consider that a very great point in his favour as to his
purity; but if his ears droop, and are large, no matter what his size
and appearance were, I should be quite certain he had a cross
somewhere. I consider size and shape before colour, and the
purest dogs of old time had little white upon them — the less the
better on the feet and legs ; but colour is always a superficial
matter, and can always be regulated as the breeder chooses. Size
and FORM, especially combining strength and great speed, are far
more difficult to obtain.'

I can commend every word of the foregoing to the careful
consideration of every admirer of the Deerhound, especially those
with regard to the ear, as close observation has convinced me of
their perfect truth, as I have invariably noticed, in those strains
which have been notoriously crossed within a recent period, that,
though they might pass muster in other respects, they had large,
heavy, hanging ears.

As regards the size required in the Deerhound for work in the
Highlands, there seems to be no doubt that a dog over 3oin. at the
shoulder would be useless. Indeed, one authority, whose family claim
to have kept the purest breed in the Highlands, solely for woik,
for upwards of the last sixty years, puts the height at 26in. up to
28in. He says : * Larger dogs may be good enough for racing,
but for hard work, so far as my experience has gone, I always found
an ordinary sized dog do his work much better.'

The following opinions of the two greatest authorities that could
be produced, Lochiel and Horatio Ross, Esq., must convince even
those who, by their arguments and aims, seem to think that the
Deerhound can never be too large for his work. The former
observes : ' Personally, I do not like dogs over 3oin., and prefer
them between 28in. and 3oin. They get too coarse at a great
height, and quite useless for real work. Great size too often depends
on feeding, and if thus produced gives a coarse and soft dog, quite
unsuited lor the purpose for which he is intended.' The latter states,
that for deerstalking a height of ' 28in. to join, is ample. A very
large dog is never a good dog; he gets beat going up hill.' What
is the use of theory against opinions like these ?

The late Lieut.-Colonel Inge, who for many years possessed one
of the most extensive deer forests in Scotland, and whose kennel of

THE SCOTCH DEERHOUND 119

Deerhounds fetched large prices on their disposal at Aldridge's many
years ago, was of the same opinion, and informed my father that
large dogs were useless for deerstalking. I have had personal
knowledge of five kennels of Deerhounds, kept for work alone in
the Highlands, and from all connected with them I have always
heard the same opinion expressed as to the uselessness of the very
large dogs. In the case of three noted show dogs of late years, all
about 3 1 in. high, and of another that created a sensation in America,
I was informed by each of their owners that they were parted with
because they were too big for work in the Highlands — and not one
exceeded 3iin. at the shoulder, and three of them were symmetrical,
and well made for big dogs. These three were (Old) Torunn, Bran
(ist prize, Crystal Palace, 1872), and Sir Boriss. The remaining
one was never exhibited in England. It will be recollected, perhaps,
that McNeil's Buskar, the largest of the dogs which took part in
the deer course described in the Appendix to Scrope's ' Deer-
stalking,' was only 28in. in height. Those who wish to see the
original of Landseer's sketch will find it in the Bell Collection in
the National Gallery. The animal certainly looks rather light in
substance, but it is fair to call to mind that McNeil, referring to it,
stated that the portrait scarcely gave a correct idea of the muscle
and bone of the original ; and this must have been so, as the dog
girthed 32in., or 4in. more than its height, and few Deerhounds
exceed, or attain to, this proportionate depth of chest. McNeil's
dogs, as is well known, were used for coursing the deer in the
Island of Jura, and from the very fact of the place being an island,
the practice was not subject to the disadvantages which it would
have been on the mainland, by driving the deer far away. Now,
if McNeil's dogs, which did not exceed 28in. in height, were equal
to the task of coursing and pulling down a cold (i.e. unwounded)
stag, it seems reasonable to infer that a larger dog could hardly be
necessary for deerstalking where it was only, or chiefly, used for the
purpose of retrieving the wounded deer.

From the above remarks and authorities it will be gathered that
very large dogs are of little use in deerstalking. It must not,
however, be supposed that I would necessarily confine the show
Deerhound within the same limits. Everyone likes a fine, upstand-
ing dog, and a little extra height may, perhaps, be tolerated in a
show dog ; but what is deprecated is the awarding of a prize to a
dog simply and solely because he is large, coarse, and bulky — in
fact, for the very and only reason that he possesses those qualities
which would entirely unfit him for the purpose which his names
implies. Personally, I think dogs of 3oin. tall enough for anything ;
and that, instead of trying to raise them beyond this, the efforts of
breeders would be more usefully directed to improving their quality,
and obtaining the requisite combination of strength and speed.

120 BRITISH DOGS

The causes of the disuse of the Deerhound in the Highlands
are, as is pretty well known, the greater precision of modern rifles,
and the great demand for, and consequent sub-division of, deer
forests and shootings. Years ago, when the large Highland pro-
prietors, or chieftains, held their vast tracks in their own possession,
before they had begun to realise what a gold mine their barren
hills and wild expanse of heather contained, it mattered little how
much the deer were disturbed or how far they were driven. But
now that forests, by sub-division, have become far more numerous,
and as nothing frightens away deer more than chasing them with
Ueerhounds, the use of the latter has died away, and, indeed, is
prohibited in many leases.

Another circumstance which threatens to seriously injure and
coarsen the Deerhound is the modern craze that seeks to identify
the Irish Wolfhound, long extinct, with a gigantic Deerhound. To
attain the required standard, the Deerhound has been crossed with
various large breeds, even, I believe, with the St. Bernard ; but the
results have not been satisfactory, as, though bulk and coarseness
have been obtained, the height does not appear to have been
increased. Some of the animals thus bred have found their way
on to the show-bench as Deerhounds, and will certainly, with their
mixed blood, do no good to the breed if they transmit the qualities
for which themselves are conspicuous.

Having now seen what the Deerhound, in my opinion, was not,
let us see what he is. He is doubtless the tall, rough Greyhound
of ancient days, appointed, as Holinshed says, to hunt the larger
beasts, such as stags and the like, and probably at one time as
common in England as in Scotland. The disappearance of the larger
animals in a wild state from England at such an early period con-
trasted with Scotland would account for his being found in the latter
country so long a time after he had totally died away here. There can,
indeed, be no doubt, from the accounts of Caius and Holinshed,
and those we get from others, that large * shagg-haired ' Grey-
hounds were used in England. This affords another inference
against the theory of Richardson, for, if the Irish dog had been no
more than a large, rough Greyhound, it would not have been in
any way remarkable. It was clearly a specific animal, peculiar to
Ireland, which merely rough Greyhounds evidently were not. The
Russian Wolfhound is an analogous example of the tall, rough
Greyhound of ancient days, yet I have never heard it claimed as
an Irish Wolfdog.

Captain Graham, in 'The Book of the Dog,' says the earliest
record of the Deerhound is that given by Pennant, in 1769, and
elsewhere he founds thereon one of the chief inferences for his
Wolfdog theory, * that, whilst we have accounts of all the noticeable
breeds from a remote period, including the Irish Wolfdog, we do

THE SCOTCH DEERHOUND 121

not find any allusion to the Deerhound, save in writings of a com-
paratively modern date, which in a measure justify us in supposing
that the Deerhound is the modern representative of that superb
animal.' Now, if my theory is correct that the Deerhound is simply
the tall, rough Greyhound used for hunting the larger game, this
apparent want of allusion is explained, as we have plenty of refer-
ences to such Greyhounds. It is remarkable that, to this day, the
Deerhound is often called ' a Greyhound ' by the Highlanders. A
gentleman informed me, some years ago, that his forester always
used the term * Greyhound,' and I have letters from gentlemen
in the Highlands in which the terms Greyhound, Staghound, and
Deerhound are used indifferently; in fact, Deerhound is a term
even now far less in use than Staghound.

We cannot, therefore, feel surprised if we do not meet the term
' Deerhound ' in old times, when we get mention of the Greyhound
under the term of Highland Greyhound, or its equivalent. The
'Irish Greyhounds' mentioned by Taylor, in 1620, were most
certainly Deerhounds ; but, to save any quibbling on terms, I will
now proceed to show that the specific word ' Deerhound ' was
used long ago, before any degeneracy from the Wolfdog can be
supposed. In Pitscottie's ' History of Scotland,' published about
1600, occurs the following passage: 'The king (A.D. 1528)
desired all gentlemen that had dogges that war guid to bring thame
to hunt in the saidis boundis, quhilk the most pairt of the noblemen
of the Highlandis did, sick as the Earles of Huntlie, Argyle, and
Athol, who brought their deir houndis with thame and hunted with
his majestic.'

This authority is decisive, and completely shatters the last
possible remnant of the chief argument for the identification of the
Irish Wolfdog with the Deerhound. The inference that both were
the same is met by the irresistible fact that the Irish dog was
imported into Scotland when the Deerhound existed in large
numbers, and at a period when it cannot have degenerated. The
further inference of the Richardsonians, that with a change of
occupation came a change of name, and that the name Deerhound
was not used until very late times, when the Wolfdog had de-
generated into the Deerhound, is shown to be utterly unfounded
by the fact of the use of the name Deerhound three hundred years
ago. The last pretence for such an inference is now destroyed.

In modern times the breed of Mr. Menzies, of Chesthill, is
doubtless the oldest strain we have note of. A gentleman who
knows the district well, and purchased a dog called Ossian at
Menzies of Chesthill's sale some years ago, informed the writer
that the family claimed to have had the breed pure for one hundred
years. Ossian is the grandsire of my Champion Cuchullin.

Next in point of antiquity would come the strain of Mr. Grant,

122 BRITISH DOGS

of Glenmoriston, for Captain Basil Hall, who described his dogs
in 1848, and who therefore saw them, probably, a year or so before,
mentions that Mr. Grant had kept the breed thirty years, which
would take us back to about 1815 or so. I have never seen
Captain Basil Hall referred to in relation to the Deerhound, though
his account is highly interesting. He states that the first dog Glen-
moriston had was sent him by Captain Macdonald, of Moray in
the Braes of Lochaber. Having heard of a pure and beautiful
bitch, celebrated for her great courage and lasting power, then the
property of Mr. Mackenzie, of Applecross, Glenmoriston suggested
to him that one of them should keep up the breed. Mr. Mackenzie
declined, and the bitch became domiciled at Invermoriston, from
which period — then about forty years ago — the breed had remained
uncontaminated in those parts. Captain Hall then remarks that
he had since learnt that Glenmoriston had relinquished the breed
to Mr. E. Ellis, of Glengarry.

The breed of McNeil of Colonsay, described in Scrope's work
in 1839, would be the next one of which we have any account. His
dogs have been already described.

It may here be mentioned that Captain Hall states that he had
two Glenmoriston dogs, and one from another source, and that he
gave one to a friend in Ireland. It was, perhaps, some of the
descendants of this latter dog that Captain Graham's friend mistook
for Wolfdogs in the early part of the ' Forties ' of this century.
At all events, we see that Deerhounds had been sent to Ireland.

General Hugh Ross and Colonel David Ross had also a fine
kennel in Glenmoidart some years ago, the remains of which,
including Oscar, winner of first prize Birmingham in 1865 and 1866,
passed into the hands of their relative Major Robertson, who,
unfortunately, lost the stud records. I have no very distinct
recollection of Oscar, but he has been described to me by the
breeder of Morni — whose sire Oscar was — as a dog not over large,
but with grand hindquarters and thorough Deerhound character.
Colonel Campbell, of Monzie, was also noted for his kennel of
Deerhounds some thirty years or more ago. I never saw but one
actually bred by Monzie — an elegant yellow dog, called Rob,
exhibited by Mrs. Cameron Campbell, at Birmingham, in 1870,
good sized, and with plenty of character. Monzie's Gruamach, the
sire of Lochiel's Torunn (afterwards belonging to Mr. Musters) and
Pirate, is perhaps the best known of this strain. He was, doubtless,
a very fine dog, and I may perhaps be permitted to mention,
without being charged with egotism, that I was informed by a
gentleman who has kept Deerhounds for work for nearly thirty
years, and who was well acquainted with Monzie's dogs, and bred
from them, that Gruamach and Morni were the two finest Deerhounds
he had ever seen. The same gentleman informed me — horresco

THE SCOTCH DEERHOUND 123

referens — that Gruamach, in his old age, was killed and eaten by
his kennel companions ! This is the worst blot on the Deerhound's
character that I ever knew, and is almost incredible. In con-
versation, some years after, with the kennelman who had charge of
the dogs at the time, he repeated the circumstance, with particulars.
It appears that Gruamach had been the master of the kennel so
long, that his younger companions rose one night in a body against
his tyranny, and treated him as I have described.

Perhaps the happiest hit ever known in breeding show Deer-
hounds was made by my friend Mr. Pershouse Parkes when he
sent Brenda, the own sister to Morni, to Mr. Musters's Torunn.
The one litter contained such noted dogs as Mr. Musters's Torunn
(the Younger), Mr. H. P. Parkes's champion bitch Teeldar, Lord St.
Leonard's Hylda, and Mr. Lewis's Meg, all great winners on the
show-bench at Birmingham and the other large shows. In addition
to this, their blood, or that of their near relative Morni, is to be
found in nearly every show dog of the present day.

As an example of the uncertainty in choosing a puppy in dogs
like the Deerhound, it may be mentioned that Morni and his sister
Brenda were the two selected by their breeder for weeding out
from a litter of six. I selected the dog for a small sum, and the
bitch was given away to a friend. The one grew up into Champion
Morni, the most successful show dog of his day, though he retired
at six years old ; and the other became the dam and ancestress of
more prize winners than any other bitch that can be mentioned.
Such is luck. Allowance must be made for the fond prejudice of
ownership, and perhaps a discount taken off accordingly ; but I
cannot call to mind a dog that combined in a greater degree than
Morni the qualities of symmetry and strength : of a good height,
and a greater proportionate length than is usually seen, he neverthe-
less possessed an extremely deep chest and enormous loin, with a
wonderful breadth of hindquarters, a grand forearm, and yet withal
a perfect Greyhound frame. There was, moreover, that appearance
of quality and character which is so wanting in some specimens
nowadays. One fault was ever found with him — viz. that his coat
was too soft ; but that arose from the way he was treated, in being
made a pet of. Had he been kept out in a kennel, and roughed
it, the coat would have been hard enough ; and, as it was, it was
hardness itself to that of most of the prize winners we have seen
since. Morni had but fevv chances given him at the stud, his
services being only allowed to a select few. He was chiefly used
by a gentleman who bred dogs for work alone, and the few of his
progeny that have found their way on to the show-bench have been
odd dogs out of such litters. Nevertheless, every dog but one by
him that has been shown has been a prize winner ; and, what is
more, the pups that were bred for work all showed themselves

124 BRITISH DOGS

possessed of speed, courage, and all the qualities of the Deerhound
in their vocation in the Highlands.

Lochiel's Pirate was one of the finest dogs I ever saw ; he stood
about 29in., had good bone, fine symmetry, and a hardish coat of
a fair length, and altogether looked what a Deerhound should— a
combination of speed and power. He was of the dark blue colour,
so much prized, and so seldom seen. The Duke of Sutherland
exhibited two very fine dogs of this colour at Birmingham in 1869,
and a descendant of theirs, in the person of Lord Fitzhardinge's Tom,
a powerful dog of like colour, took first at Birmingham in 1880.
Another beautiful dog, in shape and symmetry, was Mr. J. Addie's
Arran, a well-known dog some thirty years ago. He stood over
3oin. at the shoulder, had a wonderfully deep chest, capital loin,
strong limbs of the best shape, and was of a dark blue colour,
approaching black. His great failing was his want of coat, it being
extremely scanty, especially on the head and legs. From the union
with Mr. Parkes's Brenda he is the grandsire of that gentleman's
Borva and Leona and of my Lord of the Isles, in all of which dogs
some of his best qualities can be traced. Wallace, son of Arran,
was a well-shaped dog, of but medium height, perhaps not more
than 28in. For this reason, and from a deficiency of coat as a
puppy, he was not destined to the show-bench, but given away.
He afterwards, I am told, developed a splendid coat ; but it was
almost by a chance that Mr. H. P. Parkes bred from him, as he
was thought not to have sufficient size. The result was, however,
that his first litter produced some dogs of the largest size in Lord
of the Isles, Mr. Parkes's Duncan, and Mr. Sherman's Haco.
Duncan, whose loss Mr. Parkes never ceased to regret, though
larger than I care for, was certainly the best-made giant I can call
to mind. His owner states that he was 31 gin. in height, girthed
35in., and weighed gylb., at thirteen months old, when he was
exhibited for the first time. He then caught distemper and died,
as so many puppies do. Haco was over 29tn. high at nine months
old, when purchased by me for Mr. W. S. Sherman, of Rhode Island,
and sent out to America. On his voyage out he was shipwrecked
on his 'native' shore of Scotland, off the Mull of Cantyre ; but
after being transhipped he arrived safely at his destination, and
won first prize at the great New York Show in 1881.

Wallace's second litter from the same bitch produced Mr.
Parkes's Borva and his well-known bitch Leona, the latter one of
the best of her time. Borva was a true Deerhound, a wonderfully
fast dog and a magnificent fencer, and would have made a perfect
dog for work. Owing, however, to his not being an overgrown
animal, but only about 28in., he was not so successful as a show
dog as he should have been.

Here we have the case of a moderate-sized dog like Wallace

THE SCOTCH DEERHOUND 125

getting unusually large stock ; showing that, if an animal has size in
its breeding, it is just as likely to transmit size as one of its larger
relations, thus giving encouragement to the plan, advocated by me,
of not always selecting the largest and coarsest specimens of a strain
in the hope of getting size merely because they are big, a system
which simply perpetuates coarseness and clumsiness, very often
unaccompanied by what is the chief aim. But if you breed from
the smaller specimens of a large strain which possess character and
quality, you will be nearly sure to get the latter, and very probably
the size: 'a giant's dwarf may beget a giant.' Dr. Hemming's
Linda, whose portrait was given in the First Edition of this work,
was a splendid bitch, but her portrait was a mere caricature, and
must have been taken in the last stage of decrepitude and decay.

It has been a matter of remark how much superior in late years
the bitches have been to the dogs. For one good dog we can count
three or four good bitches. Amongst the latter Dr. Haddon's
Maida must not be forgotten. She was a grand bitch, with a fine
coat, and would doubtless have been the greatest prize winner of
her sex, had she not been killed in transit to the Alexandra Palace
Show before she had got to her best. Mr. Parkes's Teeldar and
Leona were also of the highest class, and several others I might
mention. Indeed, a long string of first-class ones could be given,
beside which an equal number of the dogs contemporary with them
would make a poor show.

The great fault of the show Deerhound of to-day is the want of
length and Greyhound form, the coarse, thick muzzles, heavy ears,
woolly coats, and want of quality, arising from breeding for size
alone. A dog standing 3oin. at the shoulder, girthing 33in. to
34in., and with a loin of not less than 24in. round, should be the
highest standard aimed at. The rest of our efforts should be
directed to getting the highest combination of strength and speed
with the greatest amount of character, aiming at improving the
length to such a degree that the dog should, with all his size, have
a long, low frame, rather than a tall, stilty one.

As companionable animals, Deerhounds cannot be excelled.
Their chief drawback is their eagerness, when young, to chase any
running object. If, however, they are taken out constantly, or
reared amongst animals in the country, they soon become easily
restrainable and capital followers. They are not quarrelsome, but
when they get three or four years old will not stand any nonsense
from other dogs. They are of a gentle and affectionate disposition,
strong in personal attachment, and may safely be let run about the
premises without any fear of their biting any lawful comer. They
are delicate dogs to rear, and should never be shown as puppies
unless they have had distemper.

The great difference in size between dogs and bitches of this

126

BRITISH DOGS

breed has often been a matter of notice ; and, as has been often
correctly remarked, the purer the breed the greater the difference.
Crossing increases the height of bitches, but not so much so that
of the dogs. I do not believe in crossing ; but, if it be resorted
to, the best cross, there can be no question, is that with the Russian
Wolfhound, a very pure bred dog, and of an analogous breed.
Improvement in Greyhound shape might certainly be looked for,
and the chief defects to be expected are the soft, silky coat and

FIG. 37.— MR. R. HOOD WRIGHT'S SCOTCH DEERHOUNDISELWOOD_DHOURAN.

the white colour. But plenty of material is at hand nowadays, if
breeders will have the courage not to neglect good strains simply
because they are not of very large size."

It must not be imagined that the breeders enumerated by any
means exhaust the list of those who are entitled to rank as among
the more noteworthy even. No article upon the Scotch Deerhound
would be complete that did not give credit to the brothers Bell, of
Forsjandenny, for the many fine hounds produced within their

THE SCOTCH DEERHOUND 127

kennels ; or to the indefatigable Mr. Hood Wright, who has laboured
so long for the breed whose cause he has chiefly espoused, and who,
moreover, has shown all those practical qualities that go to make a
successful fancier. Like the Bells, his name has been associated
with a host of good dogs, of which Selwood Morven, that afterwards
passed into the hands of Mr. Harry Rawson, Selwood Dhouran,
and Selwood Boy are but a trio that come readily to mind. Mr.
W. H. Singer, too, at one time owned and bred some noteworthy
specimens, of which Champion Swift was the best known. Of
other names writ large on the scroll of Deerhound fame, those of
the Duchess of Wellington, Mr. W. Evans, Mr. G. E. Crisp, Mr.
Morse Coulter, Mr. W. B. Gibbin, Mr. W. C. Grew, Major Davis,
Dr. and Miss Rattray may be named. Fig. 37 illustrates Champion
Selwood Dhouran, a dog that has had a most remarkable show-ring
career. He stands over 31 in. at shoulder, and is by Champion Swift
(30,617) out of Selwood Morag (37,981).

Mr. Hickman has already referred to the good qualities of the
Deerhound as a companion, and he certainly does not at all colour
the picture. Of recent years the Kennel Press has received many
testimonials from ladies testifying to the full to the hounds' excellent
qualities. What has been said in respect of the Irish Wolfhound
as regards details of management, colour of puppies, etc., apply
equally to the Scotch hound, which only needs to be better known
to be more highly appreciated.

The following excellent description of the Scotch Deerhound
was drawn up by Mr. Hickman and Mr. Hood Wright, and it
received the approval of the Scottish Deerhound Club in 1892 : —

Head. — The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes,
with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose. The muzzle should be
pointed, but the teeth and lips level. The head should be long, the skull flat,
rather than round, with a very slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing
approaching a stop. The skull should be coated with moderately long hair,
which is softer than the rest of the coat. The nose should be black (though
in some blue-fawns the colour is blue), and slightly aquiline. In the lighter-
coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a good moustache
of rather silky hair, and a fair beard.

Ears. — The ears should be set on high, and, in repose, folded back like
the Greyhound's, though raised above the head in excitement without losing the
fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect. A prick ear is bad. A big thick
ear, hanging flat to the head, or heavily coated with long hair, is the worst
of faults. The ear should be soft, glossy, and like a mouse's coat to the touch,
and the smaller it is, the better. It should have no long coat or long fringe, but
there is often a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and the tip. Whatever
the general colour, the ears should be black or dark-coloured.

Neck and Shoulders. — The neck should be long — that is, of the length that
befits the Greyhound character of the dog. An over-long neck is not necessary,
nor desirable, for the dog is not required to stoop to his work like a Greyhound,
and it must be remembered that the mane, which every good specimen should
have, detracts from the apparent length of neck. Moreover, a Deerhound

128 BRITISH DOGS

requires a very strong neck to hold a stag. The nape of the neck should be
very prominent where the head is set on, and the throat should be clean-cut
at the angle and prominent. The shoulders should be well sloped, the blades
well back and not too much width between them. Loaded and straight shoulders
are very bad faults.

Stern. — Stern should be tolerably long, tapering, and reaching to within
i^in. of the ground, and about i^in. below the hocks. When the dog is still,
dropped perfectly straight down, or curved. When in motion it should be
curved when excited, in no case to be lifted out of the line of the back. It
should be well covered with hair, on the inside thick and wiry, underside
longer, and towards the end a slight fringe not objectionable. A curl or ring
tail very undesirable.

Eyes. — The eyes should be dark, generally they are dark brown or hazel.
A very light eye is not liked. The eye is moderately full, with a soft look in
repose, but a keen, far-away look when the dog is roused. The rims of the
eyelids should be black.

Body. — The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound of larger size
and bone. Chest deep rather than broad, but not too narrow and flat-sided.
The loin well arched and drooping to the tail. A straight back is not desirable,
this formation being unsuitable for going up-hill, and very unsightly.

Legs and Feet. — The legs should be broad and flat, a good broad fore arm and
elbow being desirable. Fore legs, of course, as straight as possible. Feet close
and compact, with -well-arched toes. The hindquarters drooping, and as broad
and powerful as possible, the hips being set wide apart. The hind legs should
be well bent at the stifle, with great length from the hip to the hock, which
should be broad and flat. Cow hocks, weak pasterns, straight stifles, and splay
feet very bad faults.

Coat. — The hair on the body, neck, and quarters should be harsh and wiry,
and about 3in. or 4in. long ; that on the head, breast, and belly is much
softer. There should be a slight hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind
legs, but nothing approaching " the feather" of a Collie. The Deerhound should
be a shaggy dog, but not overcoated. A woolly coat is bad. Some good strains
have a slight mixture of silky coat with the hard, which is preferable to a woolly
coat, but the proper coat is a thick, close-lying, ragged coat, harsh or crisp
to the touch.

Colour. — Colour is much a matter of fancy. But there is no manner of doubt
that the dark blue-grey is the most preferred. Next come the darker and
lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being generally preferred. Yellow and
sandy-red or red-fawn, especially with black points — i.e. ears and muzzles — are
also in equal estimation, this being the colour of the oldest known strains, the
McNeil and the Chesthill Menzies. White is condemned by all the old
authorities, but a white chest and white toes, occurring as they do in a great
many of the darkest-coloured dogs, are not so greatly objected to, but the less the
better, as the Deerhound is a self-coloured clog. A white blaze on the head
or a white collar should entirely disqualify. In other cases, though passable,
yet an attempt should be made to get rid of white markings. The less white
the better, but a slight white tip to the stern occurs in the best strains.

Height of Dogs. — From 28in. to 3oin., or even more if there be symmetry
without coarseness, but which is rare.

Height of Bitches. — From 26in. upwards. There can be no objection to
a bitch being large, unless too coarse, as even at her greatest height she does
not approach that of the dog, and, therefore, could not have l>een too big for
work, as over-big dogs are. Besides, a big bitch is good for breeding and
keeping up the size.

Weight. — From 85lb. to io5lb. in dogs ; from 65!!). to 8olb. in bitches.

CHAPTER XII
THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND

IF for nothing else, we have at least one thing to be grateful for
to Russia — she has given us the Borzoi, one of the most beautiful
of the canine race, combining at once strength, symmetry, and
grace. The manner in which in recent years the Borzoi has
steadily advanced in the public favour, while other foreign breeds,
and unfortunately some of our own (e.g. the Mastiff) have gone to
the wall, is in itself sufficient evidence that this breed, at all events,
has come to stay.

Some fifteen or twenty years ago an occasional specimen was
shown in variety classes, but it was then generally catalogued as a
Siberian Wolfhound. Nowadays every show worthy of the name
provides classes for the breed. In March, 1892, the Borzoi Club
was founded — -of which more anon — with the Duchess of Newcastle
as President. Indeed, in a great measure the Borzoi owes its present
position in the English dog world to her Grace, who takes a keen
and active interest in the welfare of the breed, and who is acknow-
ledged to be the best judge of the variety we have. Her Grace,
between the years 1889 and 1892, laid the foundation of her now
famous kennels, importing, among others, Champion Ooslad,
Kaissack, Champion Milka, Oudar, Champion Golub, and others, all
pillars of the stud book. It was not, however, until the year 1894
that Borzois received a separate classification in the Kennel Club
Stud Book (Vol. XXL).

In England, of course, the Borzoi is kept chiefly for companion-
ship and exhibition purposes, although there is no reason why the
dog should not be more generally used for coursing. A friend of
the writer's owns a bitch which, when ten years old, successfully
competed against trained Greyhounds. In their native country they
are used for wolf-hunting, and regular meetings (or trials) are also
held, much after the style of our own coursing events.

The trials take place in an enclosed place — i.e. with high fence
all the way round — and the wolves are brought on to the scene in
similar carts to our deer-carts. The hounds are always slipped in

129

130 BRITISH DOGS

couples on a wolf, and judging takes place on the performance of
the brace let loose on the wolf. The whole merit of the course is
where the two hounds can overtake their wolf and pin him down so
that the keeper can secure him alive. It means, therefore, that if in
a brace one dog should prove faster and stronger than the other, he
would not add any more points to the score, as he would be working
alone, and alone would be quite incapable of tackling a wolf. In
order to win, one has to have two good dogs as equal as possible,
but of course at the same time fast and powerful. Of late it is
a very, very rare occurrence for any brace of Borzois to succeed in
holding a wolf at all.

Some of the first specimens imported were not all that could be
desired as regards temper, and people fought shy of the breed as
" vicious." " One swallow does not make a summer," neither do
two or three ill-tempered dogs constitute a breed a " vicious " one.
That idea is now, however, happily exploded, and it may truthfully be
said that the writer has never possessed a " vicious " Borzoi, and he
can only remember seeing two that could fairly be described as
such. On the contrary, a Borzoi properly reared — not dragged up,
chained to a kennel, a method of procedure warranted to spoil the
temper of any dog — invariably turns out an affectionate and
intelligent dog, devoted to those he knows. At the same time, the
nervous system in the Borzoi appears (whether from inbreeding or
other causes it is impossible to say) to be very highly developed,
and a puppy's temper may easily be ruined by any undue harshness.
A highly bred Borzoi puppy is a mass of nerves, and if beaten,
either becomes a miserable, cowed brute or a snappy, bad-
tempered one, and the same applies in a lesser degree to the adult
hound. There is probably no breed of dog less quarrelsome than
the Borzoi. In the writer's kennel there are invariably a large
number running loose together, both dogs and bitches, and kennel
fights are few and far between. If attacked, however, their strength
of jaw and rapidity of movement make them very unpleasant
antagonists. Bitches, as a rule, are more inclined to quarrel than
dogs.

The Borzoi makes an excellent house-dog, taking up little room,
in spite of his size. He is a thorough aristocrat, quiet and dignified
in his manner, never rushing about to the detriment of the " house-
hold gods," and seldom given to unnecessary barking. In fact he is,
as the advertisements say, "an ornament fit for any nobleman's
drawing-room."

In constitution the Borzoi is hardy, and may safely be kept in
any good outdoor kennel or stable, provided his quarters are dry,
and a plentiful supply of straw be allowed in winter. The colder the
weather, the better the dogs seem to like it. Damp, of course, must
be avoided.

FIG. 38.— MRS. BORMAN WITH CHAMPION STATESMAN.

THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND 133

The accompanying illustration of Champion Statesman (Fig. 38)
— although the photograph from which it was made was taken
when he was dead out of coat — together with the appended
list of points, as laid down by the Borzoi Club, and the following
measurements of some of the leading dogs of the present day (1902)
may be useful as a guide.

Mr. Gardner, head kennelman to her Grace the Duchess of
Newcastle, kindly furnishes particulars of the following dogs, the
property of her Grace : —

1. Champion Velsk (dog). Height at shoulder, 31 fin. Length

of head, i2|in. Girth of chest, 35|in.

2. Champion Velasquez (dog). Height at shoulder, 32|in.

Length of head, i2|in. Girth of chest, 36in.

3. Champion Tsaretsa (bitch). Height, 3i|in. Length of

head, i2^in. Girth of chest, 36in.

4. Champion Tatiana (bitch). Height at shoulder, 3o|in.

Length of head, i2tn. Girth of chest, 35|in.

To Mr. P. Farrer Baynes, owner of the late Champion Caspian,
I am indebted for the following measurements : —

5. Champion Caspian. Height (when standing smartly), 34^in.

Length of head, i2|in. Girth of chest, 37|in. Heaviest
weight, i281b.

6. Champion Statesman's (owned by Mrs. Borman) measure-

ments are as follows: Height, 3i|in. Head, i2|in.
Girth of chest, 35^.

Besides the above there are at the time of writing five other
Borzois living entitled to the coveted title of Champion — viz.
H.M. the Queen's Alex (dog), her Grace of Newcastle's Velsk
Votrio (dog), Theodora (bitch), and Vikhra (bitch), and Miss
Kilvert's Knoeas (bitch).

It will be noticed that the Borzoi Club list of points give the
height of dogs as from " 28in. upwards." At the present day
dogs of 2 Sin. would hardly be looked at by the majority of our
judges ; indeed, few of our best bitches are less than 2pin. to 29|in.
at shoulder. Mere height is not everything, and breeders nowadays,
it is feared, are sacrificing many other points to obtain height, and
great height is only too often accompanied by coarseness. In the
case of Champion Caspian (whose death last year was certainly
a loss to the breed) this was not the case — he combined quality
with quantity. What was a record price for a dog of this breed
— viz. ^700 — was offered for Caspian.

Another fault which is unfortunately gaining ground is light eyes.
These are not mentioned among the Club's list of faults, but they
certainly are a fault, and a bad one. One of the Borzoi's greatest

134 BRITISH DOGS

charms is his expression— and a light-eyed Borzoi cannot have this
desired expression to any great degree !

The predominating colour is white, with or without fawn, lemon,
grey, brindle, blue, or black markings, too much of the last colour
being considered a detriment. There are also self-, or whole-coloured
dogs ; but these, unless especially good in other points, generally
find themselves handicapped in the show-ring. There are, of course,
exceptions, Champion Velasquez, for instance, being a handsome
whole-coloured brindle.

To the intending purchaser, if a novice, the following hints on
purchasing may be helpful. Do not be satisfied with particulars of
measurements sent to you in writing; one person may, according
to his own ideas, make a dog's head from one to two inches longer
than it actually is, and three inches difference between the actual
and reputed height at shoulder is no uncommon thing. The
writer has often had particulars sent of measurements that put
the dimensions of the champion dogs of the day to shame ; but
when the dog itself arrived, there was always a difficulty in
getting the measurements to agree with those of the vendor. If
you have no friend who understands the breed, place yourself in
the hands of a breeder of repute, pay a fair price, and you will
get fair value.

In selecting a puppy, choose the one with the longest head,
biggest bone, smallest ears, and longest tail. If you can get all
these qualities combined, so much the better. As regards coat, it
is preferable to be guided by those of the parents, if possible ; a
puppy may carry a splendid coat, but after casting this, may never
grow a good one. Some dogs never grow a long coat, containing,
as they do, much of the blood of the wavy and less profuse coated
strain.

The colour will not be found to vary much in the puppy and
adult dog. Some brindle or mouse-coloured markings change to
fawn when the puppy coat is cast ; but in this case the hair is
generally of the shade it will ultimately attain at the roots. A
healthy puppy at three months should measure from ipin. to 21 in.
at shoulder, at six months about 25in., and at nine months from
2yin. to 29in., and should continue to grow up to fifteen or eighteen
months old. The above is only intended as a rough guide, and
may be exceeded. On the contrary, from many causes — distemper,
worms, inattention, etc. — such measurements may never be attained.
Generally speaking, a Borzoi is in his prime when three years of
age, as he continues to deepen in chest and otherwise fill out
until then. On the other hand, some get coarse in head after their
second or third year.

As regards price, a puppy, say eight weeks old, should be
had for ^5 to ;£io. It is unwise to give more, as it is almost

THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND 135

impossible to say with any degree of certainty how so young a pup
will turn out, and to pay less is to probably buy a " weed."

One of the best methods in starting a kennel in this as in
other breeds is to purchase a good bitch, a winner for preference,
and mate her to the best dog whose pedigree is suitable. Do not
think to breed good stock from a third-rate bitch— the dam is
quite as important a factor as the sire, perhaps more so. Again,
do not seek to save a sovereign or so in the stud fee. Like
produces like, with certain modifications, therefore do not try
to breed champions from a second-rate stud dog, however low
the fee.

Having decided on the stud dog, it is always a wise precaution
to dose a bitch thoroughly for worms, before having her served.
If possible, accompany the bitch and see her properly mated.
After her return she will require nothing but a little extra grooming,
and if in whelp will probably exhibit an increased appetite, which
must of course be satisfied. No jumping or violent exercise should
be permitted during the last fortnight, but steady exercise only.
Borzois as a rule make excellent mothers, and, if healthy, seldom
have any difficulty in whelping. The bitch's food for the first
few days after the birth of the pups should be sloppy but
nutritious.

Unfortunately, Borzoi pups are not the easiest of dogs to rear.
They require plenty of room for exercise, and are liable to suffer
badly should they contract distemper. Apart from these drawbacks
they require no different treatment from other large breeds. Feed
little and often : use oatmeal, rice, well-boiled meat, and butchers'
offal, with good hound meal as the staple food, and as much new
milk as they will drink.

Few breeds require less "preparation" for the show-bench
(except the legitimate bath) than the Borzoi, and the " novice "
shows on equal terms with the " old hand." For washing, nothing
is better than rain water, if procurable, as it tends to soften the
coat. If a little liquid ammonia be added, it will greatly assist
in removing any dirt or grease. A good brushing and combing
after the bath is all that is necessary. A Borzoi should not be
shown in too fat a condition, or the symmetry of outline, one of
the chief beauties of the breed, is lost. Some exhibitors go so far
as not to feed their dogs before leading them into the ring.

The general management of the adult dog may be summed up
in a few words : Regular food — say dry biscuits in the morning
and a good feed at night time— plenty of exercise, and grooming,
for which purpose an ordinary dandy-brush is perhaps the best.
To keep the coat in perfection, the dog should be brushed every
day, and the feathering and tail carefully combed out. If this
is done, washing will seldom be required, except before shows — a

136 BRITISH DOGS

consideration where a number are kept. A Borzoi should never
be kept " on chain " ; if the dog cannot be allowed entire liberty,
or at least a kennel with a run, the prospective owner had better
confine his attentions to a smaller breed.

The interest of the breed is well looked after by the Borzoi Club,
who support all the leading shows by offering their challenge cups,
medals, cash specials, as well as by guaranteeing classes. Club
shows are also held. The first of these took place at Southport.
In 1899 and 1900 specialist shows were held at Ranelagh, and
at these collections of animals were brought together that in Russia
itself could hardly have been excelled. As before stated, the Club
is presided over by her Grace the Duchess of Newcastle, with the
Duke as joint-President, ably backed up by a committee of twelve
ladies and gentlemen elected annually from among the members.
The Club is represented on the Kennel Club Council of delegates
by Mr. W. Blatspiel-Stamp. The Hon. Secretary and Hon. Trea-
surer are Mr. Hood Wright, Frome, Somerset, and Captain Borman,
Billericay, Essex, respectively, either of whom will always be
pleased to give any information to those desirous of becoming
members.

Appended is a description of the breed as defined and adopted
by the Borzoi Club : —

Head. — Long and lean. The skull flat and narrow ; stop not perceptible,
and muzzle long and tapering. The head from the forehead to the tip of the
nose should be so fine that the shape and direction of the bones and principal
veins can be seen clearly, and in profile should appear rather Roman-nosed.
Bitches should be even narrower in head than dogs. Eyes dark, expressive,
almond-shaped, and not too far apart. Ears, like those of a Greyhound, small,
thin, and placed well back on the head, with the tips, when thrown back, almost
touching behind the occiput.

Neck. — The head should be carried somewhat low, with the neck continuing
the line of the back.

Shoulders. — Clean and sloping well back.

Chest. — Deep and somewhat narrow.

Back. — Rather bony and free from any cavity in the spinal column, the arch
in the back being more marked in the dog than in the bitch.

Loins. — Broad and very powerful, with plenty of muscular development.

Thighs. — Long and well developed, with good second thigh.

Ribs. — Slightly sprung at the angle ; deep, reaching to the elbow, and even
lower.

Fore Legs. — Lean and straight. Seen from the front they should be narrow,
and from the side, broad at the shoulders and narrowing gradually down to the
foot, the bone appearing flat, and not round as in the Foxhound.

Hind Legs. — The least thing under the body when standing still, not straight,
and the stifle slightly bent.

Muscles. — Well distributed and highly developed.

Pasterns. — Strong.

Feet. — Like those of the Deerhound, rather long. The toes close together
and well arched.

Coat.— Long, silky (not woolly), either flat, wavy, or rather curly. On the

THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND 137

head, ears, and front legs it should be short and smooth. On the neck the frill
should be profuse and rather curly. On the chest and rest of body, the tail,
and hindquarters, it should be long. The fore legs should be well feathered.

fail. — Long, well feathered, and not gaily carried.

Height. — At shoulder of dogs, from 28in. upwards ; of bitches, from 26in.
upwards.

Faults. — Head short or thick. Too much stop. Parti-coloured nose. Eyes
too wide apart. Heavy ears. Heavy shoulders. Wide chest. " Barrel " ribbed.
Dew claws. Elbows turned out, wide behind.

CHAPTER XIII

THE BARUKHZY AND ALLIED EASTERN
HOUNDS

BELONGING to the interesting Greyhound family, but approximating
more closely to the Deerhound than to the Greyhound proper, is
a curious-looking hound sometimes found in this country under
the name of Afghan Greyhound, but more correctly by the name
adopted above. After the Afghanistan War several of these hounds
were brought to England, and occasionally the Foreign Dog classes
at our shows were enriched by an entry of one. Mr. Carter, of
Carshalton, had one specimen that was frequently benched —
Rajah II. by name; while another was Motee, owned by Mr. Tufnell.
Rajah II. was a very active dog, and lived to a good old age. He
was a fawn, merging into red on the back. His coat was abundant,
but fine in texture ; while the dog was feathered on flank, breast,
tail, and legs. The ears of the Barukhzy Hound are large and
pendulous, and covered with wavy hair some 5in. or 6in. long.
In the bitches especially there are tufts of hair on the loins ; while
there is a fringe of curly hair as a sort of topknot.

To judge by the general appearance of the Barukhzy Hound,
one feels inclined to write it down as a soft, timid animal. This,
however, is far from being the case. Some six years ago we
received from Major Mackenzie a most interesting contribution
upon these hounds, and in that the dog is described as bold and
courageous to a degree. Moreover, the writer was speaking not
only of a very large number that he had kept while residing in
Switzerland, but also of the hound as found in Afghanistan.

Major Mackenzie thus writes: "The sporting dog of Afghanistan,
sometimes called the Cabul Dog, has been named the Barukhzy
Hound from being chiefly used by the sporting sirdars of the royal
Barukhzy family. It comes from Balkh, the north-eastern province
of Afghanistan, where it is believed that dogs of this variety entered
the ark with Noah. That it is an old variety (probably the oldest
domesticated breed in existence) is proved by very ancient rock-
carvings, within caves of Balkh, of dogs exactly like the Barukhzy

'38

THE BARUKHZY AND ALLIED EASTERN HOUNDS 139

Hound of to-day. On some of these carvings, of colossal size, are
inscriptions of much later date, that were written by invaders under
Alexander the Great."

To show what courage these hounds possess, Major Mackenzie

9

I

I
y.

j

relates how Koosh, the grandsire of the bitch Khulm (illustrated in
" Practical Kennel Management "), alone killed a nearly full-grown
leopard that was carrying away her dam Mooroo II., when she was
a pup. The bitches, being kept in seclusion by the women (as care-
fully guarded as mares are in Arabia) except when required to hunt,

140 BRITISH DOGS

are very shy. They usually hunt in couples, bitch and dog. The
bitch attacks the hinder parts, and while the quarry is thus distracted,
the dog, which has great power of jaw and neck, seizes and tears
the throat. Their scent, speed, and endurance are remarkable ; they
track or run to sight equally well. Their long toes, being carefully
protected by tufts of hair, are serviceable on both sand and rock.
Their height varies from 24i'n. to 3oin. ; their weight from 45lb. to
yolb. Usually they are of fawn or of bluish-mouse colour, but
always of a darker shade on the back, which is smooth and velvety.
The Shah owned a well-known dog of this variety, named Muckmul,
meaning "velvet."

Some authorities are inclined to regard this hound as but a
sub-variety of the Persian Greyhound — a dog that varies much as
to coat character. Specimens of this graceful variety are com-
paratively rare in England. The Persian Greyhound is of similar
type to our Greyhound, but more slimly built, and wanting the
great muscular development that the latter possesses. These dogs
differ from our Greyhounds also in having the ears larger, drooping,
and heavily feathered. The fore-legs, thighs, and tail are also well
fringed. The coat is somewhat silky in texture, and not so abundant
upon the back and at the sides.

These hounds are employed in hunting the gazelle, an interesting
account of which sport appeared in the Field some years ago. For
this purpose they are used in relays, a custom that at one time
obtained in this country in deer-hunting.

The Rampur Hound, a hairless dog, built on general Greyhound
lines, but heavier, and with large, close drop, filbert-shaped ears,
does not often occur at shows in this country. Those who have
studied most carefully the dogs of India think that the Rampur
Hound is but a modification of the Persian Greyhound. Anyhow,
so far as India is concerned, it is one of the most useful dogs
known, especially when crossed, as it frequently is, with our Grey-
hound. The produce is a dog capable of withstanding the heat
without going to pieces on the hard ground.

The Rampur Hound is not so fast as its English relative the
Greyhound, and, like all the members of the family indigenous to
the East, it is inclined to " run cunning." It is a pity that the dog-
loving public is not often familiarised with these Eastern hounds —
the Persian Greyhound and the Barukhzy Hound especially — as
they are built on far more graceful lines than the coarser Rampur
Hound.

CHAPTER XIV
THE CIRCASSIAN ORLOFF WOLFHOUND

YET another interesting variety of the Greyhound group is the
Circassian Orloff Wolfhound. Although we have not had many
specimens in this country, yet the variety is one that is worthy
of encouragement, as it has a good appearance, activity, and
strength to recommend it. Some seventeen years ago there was
exhibited at the Crystal Palace Show a remarkably handsome
specimen of this variety in M. Zambaco's Domovoy. This was a
fine, upstanding dog, straight and strong in limbs, and in contour
resembling a Scotch Deerhound, though shorter in comparison to
height. In colour he was a cloudy red, with a useful if not very
thick coat. He was a winner at many Continental shows and a
descendant from winners. His weight and measurements are thus
recorded : Weight, 83lb. ; height of shoulder, 32|in. ; length from
nose to set-on of tail, 5iin. ; length of tail, 26in. ; girth of chest,
35m. ; girth of loin, 21 gin. ; girth of head, ijin. • girth of fore-arm,
8in. ; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, n|in. ; girth
of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, gin. ; length of
neck from joint to shoulders, n|in. ; girth round neck, 17 in. ; girth
of thigh, iQin. ; length of ear (important as showing purity of breed),
5in. ; colour, fawn, mixed with black (wolf colour).

M. Zambaco, the owner of Domovoy, thus describes the variety :
"The Circassian Orloff Wolfhound is the cousin of the Siberian
Borzoi, but it has a few special characteristics that show it to be a
distinct variety. The coat, instead of being wavy, as in the Northern
animal, lies flat on the body, though it is about 2in. long. The
hind part of the front legs, the thighs, and the lower part of the
tail, are heavily feathered; the coat is longest about the breast,
and neck, forming a sort of frill. The legs of the Circassian dog
are proportionately longer than those of the Siberian ; the head
is shorter, and the forehead not so sloping back between the
ears ; the eyes are more open ; the colour is dark fawn or black.
This hound is faster than the Siberian, and perhaps more intelligent,
though both are suitable as companions; their aristocratic

141

142

BRITISH DOGS

demeanour and most graceful attitudes make them the richest
ornamental hound of the hall and the drawing-room."

As supplementing the information given by M. Zambaco, in
respect of the colour it may be stated that the Circassian Wolfhound
is always dark. The colour preferred is dark tawny or black, and
fawn on back and other upper parts, shading off into a creamy-
fawn, almost white, on belly, lower thighs, and limbs.

FIG. 40. — CIRCASSIAN ORLOFF HOUND, DOMOVOY.

By some of its admirers the Circassian Wolfhound is believed
to be the Siberian transported to the southern mountainous regions,
and altered in colour and minor characteristics by centuries of
climatic influence This theory, however, is purely conjectural, whilst
the structural affinity of both Circassian and Siberian hounds with
our Deerhounds and Greyhounds suggest all of them as variations
merely, and alike descendants of the same parent stock ; and the
little light history throws on the subject points to the Greyhound
of the old Celtic tribes as the origin of all.

CHAPTER XV
THE PYRENEAN WOLFHOUND

UNDER various names, such as Pyrenean Sheepdogs, Pyrenean
Mastiffs, etc., dogs of the Wolfhound type are sometimes met with
at our shows. These are of stronger build, and shorter, in proportion
to height, than the Borzoi, and shaggy. The whole head is thicker,
and the skull rounder, although the muzzle is fairly elongated, and
not approaching to the truncated Mastiff type. The ears are small,
pointed, and dropping. From an English point of view, so far as
general conformation goes, the dog suggests a cross between a Collie
and a Deerhound, and about 6516. to yolb. in weight. It is not of
very prepossessing appearance, and is evidently a dog built rather
for use than for ornament. The shoulders are oblique.

The Pyrenean Wolfhounds look well fitted to tend mountain
sheep, and to defend them from the attacks of such predatory
animals as wolves and foxes. Their coats are thick and shaggy,
especially in the vicinity of the neck, and very wiry, frequently of a
rufous colour, slightly tawny, and of a lighter shade on throat, chest,
and lower parts. The height appears to range from about 2 Sin. to
3oin. The tail is rather long and tufted.

It is thought by many that the Pyrenean Wolfhound was resorted
to to resuscitate the St. Bernard, at a time when that breed of
dog was nearly extinct; and many St. Bernards, of good pedigree,
that have attained to some notoriety here, by their general con-
formation and length of skull and muzzle, give substantial support
to that view.

The Pyrenean Wolfhound appears at our shows in the class for
any breed of foreign dog not specially classified in the schedule,
which many foreign breeds, from their great popularity, now are.
From the specimens awarded prizes as good representatives of the
breed, it is evident no very clear idea of their special characteristics
prevails with the judges, for dogs very different from each other
have won. Well-known prize-winners have been Captain S. M.
Thomas's Bilboa (K.C.S.B. 18,328), Miss A. Bodley's Congleton

143

144 BRITISH DOGS

Bruno (K.C.S.B. 15,689), and Mr. R. Todd's Derwent Jumbo
(K.C.S.B. 17,286) — all Crystal Palace winners; these were parti-
coloured dogs — white, lemon, fawn, and black or tawny in parts.
Colour, however, is not very material, as the variety is met with in
practically every colour in which the Domestic dog is found. I

CHAPTER XVI
THE COLLIES

THE origin and history of the Scotch Collie as a distinct breed are
still unsolved questions. There are no solid facts to base even a
theory upon, and, as in the case of many other dogs, we are left to
conjecture.

Professor Low, in " Domesticated Animals of the British
Islands," says that the Terrier of the Highlands was anciently the
shepherd's dog ; and the Rev. Dr. Alexander Stewart says that the
Collie is " the old indigenous dog of the British Islands," and claims
for it the honour of being at once the Deerhound, Otter-hound,
Sealdog, Terrier, and shepherd's dog of the Scottish Gaels. Fingal's
dog Bran, he says, was "just an exceptionally strong and intelligent
Collie ; nor would it be easy to persuade me that the faithful Argus
of Ulysses, in far-off Ithaca, three thousand years ago, was other
than a genuine Collie of the same breed as the Fingalians more than
a thousand years afterwards in the hunting-grounds of mediaeval
Scotland and Ireland," who therefore, of course, are to be considered
as identical with the Collie of to-day.

If we take Dr. Stewart's opinions as seriously meant, we can only
reflect that the learned doctor, like many other worthy men, shows
national predilection. Enlarged currency was given to Dr. Stewart's
views by the substance of his contribution appearing afterwards as
a leader in the Daily News, and that again being reproduced by
the Fancier? Gazette. If Professor Low is correct, the "ancient
shepherds" of the Highlands exhibited less judgment than they are
proverbially credited with when they resorted to Terriers to look
after their flocks, especially as, according to Dr. Stewart, they
possessed the real Simon Pure Collie.

The more likely theory with regard to the Collie's origin is that
the dog is the result of selection carried on through a long series of
years. There has been an attempt made by writers to circumscribe
the national character of this dog by calling him the Highland
Collie, as though he were peculiar to the North of Scotland. There
appears to be even less justification for this than for calling the
Old English Black-and-tan Terrier the Manchester Terrier, for

*45 10

146 BRITISH DOGS

Manchester has done something special in making the modern
Black-and-tan Terrier what he is; but it is not so in the case of
the Highlands of Scotland and the Collie, and this dog is more
properly described as the Scotch Collie, even to the manner of
spelling the word.

This dog is peculiarly Scotch, and as a pastoral dog was originally
more intimately connected with the Lowlands, where he is still met
with pure in the greatest numbers, although now plentiful in both
the Highlands of Scotland and the northern counties of England —
and, indeed, through the influence of dog shows and the rage for
the breed in fashionable circles, in London itself.

The English form of Sheepdog is described in earlier times than
is the Scotch Collie ; and it is not improbable that the latter may be
in part derived from the former and the Scotch Greyhound. The
Collie at least partakes of the form of both, having the strength of
build of the English Sheepdog and the lithe, graceful action of the
Greyhound. This is, of course, a mere suggestion, and not even
much supported by the fact that intermediates in form between the
Collie and both of these are seen in litters of what are called pure
Collies.

If we endeavour to learn anything of the Collie's origin from his
name, we are again met with a host of difficulties. Some writers
have assumed that the name is of Gaelic origin ; but they advance
no satisfactory reasons, and, before that can be accepted, we must
have proofs that the dog is Celtic.

In Chaucer, " Coll our dog " occurs, and it may be the name was
used in reference to the colour — black prevailing in this variety of
dog. It has been suggested that Coll and Collie may be from the
same root as collar, and the name given to the dog because of the
white collar round the neck, which is very common in this, and
indeed in all breeds where we get a mixture of a dark colour
and white.

Dr. Ogilvie, in his " Imperial Dictionary," and Jamieson, in his
" Scottish Dictionary," both give Collie ; and it is not improbable
that Collie is merely the diminutive and familiar form of Coll, for in
all Scotch words the "ie" is thus used — Will becomes Willie, and
Lass Lassie. Bewick, in his " British Quadrupeds," indeed, had his
own peculiar and original spelling of the word, which was Coaly —
pardonable ih a book published in a town the subject of the proverb
" Carry coals to Newcastle."

The Collie is one among many Sheepdogs that writers have
credited with being the origin of all our varieties of Domestic dogs ;
but this seems an untenable position to take on the question. Far
more feasible is it to suppose that the Collie, like other breeds,
is the result of crosses and selection to adapt him to the special
requirements of his country and the work he is called upon to perform.

THE COLLIES

There is one point upon which most people will agree, namely,
that the Collie is in physical properties more nearly allied to several
races of wild dogs than any other of our domestic breeds. The
Aguara dogs, and especially the Hoary Aguara, as depicted by
Lieut. -Colonel Charles Hamilton Smith, in Jardine's "Naturalists'
Library," bear a strong resemblance to a Smooth or a Half-rough
Collie with prick ears, which feature is not uncommon in the Collie.
The likeness between the Collie and the Indian Haredog, as given
by Youatt, is very striking.

At once a useful and an ornamental variety, the Collie is one of

FIG. 41.— A BEARDED COLLIE.

the prime favourites with the dog-loving public of to-day. How
great is the popularity achieved by the breed, may be gauged with a
fair amount of accuracy by the enormous entries at all the more
important shows, and these whether in the north or in the south,
by the number of clubs that exist to foster the breed, and, lastly,
by the phenomenal prices first-class specimens of the breed have
realised over a long series of years. The only other variety that
can claim anything like the same amount of popularity as the Rough
Collie is the Fox-terrier. In fact, for years it has been practically
a neck-and-neck race between the Collie and the Fox-terrier for
pride of place in the long list of Domesticated dogs. So far as the
Rough Collie is concerned, his beautiful full coat and striking

i48 BRITISH DOGS

colours have combined to make him one of the most ornamental of
all dogs ; and though the Smooth in every respect except coat is
the equal if not the superior of the Rough, the difference in value
between two dogs of similar excellence in their respective varieties
is so great as to be almost incredible.

As will be gathered from this, there are two varieties of Collie as
generally accepted — the Rough and the Smooth ; but there is also
a third, the Bearded Collie (Fig. 41), which is often found in the
sheep-markets of Perth, Stirling, and Falkirk. This is a purely
working type of dog, and appears to be a combination of the Collie
proper and the Old English Sheepdog. Unlike the latter, however,
it is not bob-tailed. Classes for this distinctive-looking dog are
provided at some shows, and meet with a fair amount of success.

Less than forty years ago £10 would have been considered a
very fair price for a Collie, and when Mr. G. R. Krehl gave ;£ioo
for the puppy Eclipse, something like a sensation was caused. With
this may be said to have commenced the era of big prices for
Collies. Since that time, however, the sums that have been paid
by breeders for first- class specimens have run well over the four
figures. Amongst the highest prices paid for these dogs stand
those in the name of Mr. A. H. Megson, of Manchester. He
started with the black-and-tan Rutland (K.C.S.B. 13,948), which
was bred by the Rev. Hans Hamilton, and which had a more or less
chequered career and several owners before its true merits were
recognised by the astute Mr. Boddtngton, who picked it out of a
West Country show and bought it for the modest " fiver." Soon
the dog made a name for his new owner, and eventually became
Mr. Megson's property at ^250.

Yet another big purchase by the same gentleman was Champion
Metchley Wonder, for which no less a sum than ^£500 was paid.
This was followed by ^350 for Champion Caractacus — a price, too,
that was paid under the hammer at the Liverpool fixture of 1888.
At the time of his purchase Caractacus was a nine months' old
puppy, and was entered in the catalogue as for sale at ^100. So
promising a youngster, even if not so attractive-looking as some, did
not escape the eyes of those ever on the look-out for something good,
and there were several claimants for the dog at the catalogue price.
He was therefore put up for auction, and bought by Mr. Megson
as stated. High as the foregoing prices were, they were soon put
in the shade by Mr. Megson's subsequent purchases, which included
Champion Southport Perfection at ^1,005, and Champion Ormskirk
Emerald (Fig. 42) at ^1,300, or its equivalent. This by no means
exhausts the list of Mr. Megson's purchases, and his enthusiasm in
the breed whose cause he has espoused is unabated, for at the time
of writing he has acquired Annandale Piccolo for .£250.

In connection with Rutland it may be interesting to breeders

COLL1EB

149

to know that on the dam's side he traces back — as so many noted
show-dogs do — to Mr. S. E. Shirley's kennels, through Tricolour, a
younger brother of the more celebrated Trefoil, who was a fine black,
white, and tan dog and a champion of his time. On his sire's side
Rutland possessed a double strain of the famous Old Cockie. His
dam, Madge, was a beautiful bitch bred by Mr. W. W. Thomson ;
and he was sired by Marcus, an almost black dog of unascertained
pedigree, but of a good working strain, brought out of the Lothians.

FIG. 42.— MR. A. H. MEGSON'S ROUGH COLLIE CHAMPION
ORMSKIRK EMERALD.

Though numbers of three-figure sums have been paid for Collies,
yet only on one occasion other than those recorded has ^1,000
been given, that being in the case of Christopher, bought for America.
One of the most remarkable Collie sales was in connection with the
dog purchased by Mr. L. P. C. Astley at a provincial show, and
that afterwards was sold as Ormskirk Golddust for ^500, or about
ten times the amount paid by the well-known fancier just named.
The sales recorded are interesting as showing what prices are
possible for the highest class stock, though the average amateur
whose love for the variety may induce him to take it up as a hobby

150 BRITISH DOGS

is hardly likely to either breed or pick up animals of the calibre
of those associated with the names above mentioned.

The Collie Club has, by its influence, made our exhibited Collies
en masse more homogeneous, and its influence has, on the whole,
been to give more correct ideas to the public of what a true Collie
is. Naturally, too, with a breed that existed primarily as a worker,
one likes to see what influence for good or ill shows, and necessarily
the encouragement of a more or less ornamental animal, have exerted.
It is pretty generally admitted that we have to-day an animal of
a more uniform type, as well as a more pleasing one, so far as
regards the Rough variety ; but the craze for an extra long head
and one or two other mere externals for a time at least endangered
the breed. Some of those outside the pale of the Fancy may wonder
why it is not possible to have the taking coat and the workmanlike
appearance in one and the same animal. The fancier knows that
such is practically impossible so far as the Rough Collie is concerned,
and for this reason. One of the glories of a typical Collie, judged
from a show point cf view, is his coat, and this would be utterly
ruined if he were used as a sheep-tender. Moreover, from a
pecuniary point of view, it need scarcely be pointed out which is
the more valuable.

The late Mr. Hugh Dalziel was one of those who thought that
the influences of shows tend strongly to deteriorate the dog in his
capacity as a worker, and it must be confessed that there is more
than a substratum of truth in what he more than once stated. It is,
however, only fair to say the contrary opinion has been vigorously
upheld by a good many owners of winning stock. These have
supported their views by adducing numerous instances of prize-bred
dogs that have proved excellent Sheepdogs. Instances coming under
personal observation cannot decide the question, for the reason that
they are numerically insufficient to draw safe inferences from.
Rather have we to ask, To what causes may be attributed the
wonderful sense and judgment and marvellous cleverness in dealing
with sheep inherent in the Collie ? To this there can be but one
answer : the constant education and practice in one particular work
— and that in conjunction with a master— and the selection, generation
after generation, of the progeny of the best to succeed to the work.
Even the habit of running round a flock has become an inherited
instinct, and, as Darwin points out, is seen in the action of the
Collie when running round a carriage and heading the horses.

Other peculiarities that distinguish the Collie, and that are also
the inherited result of education and long practice, specially aided
by the selection of the best to propagate their kind, must of necessity
become more and more weakly developed the farther we get from
the sources that created and sustained them. Those who breed for
exhibition, as already suggested, care in the main for points of beauty

THE COLLIES 151

arbitrarily established, for the reasons adduced elsewhere. Breeders,
therefore, working with such different aims, and selecting- animals
for the stud on such widely different grounds as our shepherds and
exhibitors do, must get wider and wider apart the farther they travel
on their several courses. It is, however, quite possible to improve
the outward dog without destroying the inward or intellectual
Collie. There are some famous breeders of Collies — as there are of
Fox and other Terriers — who send their dogs to be trained to the
work for which by Nature they were intended to accomplish.

Competitive trials in gathering, driving, and penning sheep — of
which there are a few held annually in Wales and the North of
England — are most interesting from a spectator's point of view, and
have a powerful tendency to maintain the practically useful char-
acter of this dog ; but the greatest influence in that direction must
always be our working shepherds, who with their trusty helps are
scattered over our lonely hillsides. The placing of dogs that have
been externally beautified in the hands of such men, and the
drafting of good-looking and clever dogs from the shepherds to
recruit the stock of exhibitors, prove mutually beneficial.

For the benefit of those who have not seen one of the Sheepdog
trials, the following description, furnished by a correspondent to
The Bazaar, may be interesting : —

"At many of the smaller agricultural shows in the moorland
districts Sheepdog trials are held, and prizes given to the owners of
those Collies that pen their sheep in the shortest time. Even at
some of the ' sports ' or ' feasts ' held in the dales these trials form
an important and interesting feature of the day's proceedings, and the
movements of the animals are keenly watched and commented
upon by the many shepherds and sheep-farmers assembled. At some
of the more important agricultural shows in Wales, Westmorland,
and Cumberland dogs are sent from places far distant to compete.
Although at each show the details of the trial may vary, still the
general conditions under which the trials take place are similar.

At a small show in the Yorkshire dales, once visited by the
writer, the greater part of the afternoon was devoted to these Sheep-
dog trials. The diagram (Fig. 43) will aid the description. The
rules here were that each dog be allowed fifteen minutes in which
to pen the three sheep, which were driven through the gate (c),
having first to take them a circuitous route between various flags,
and then, with the assistance of the shepherd, to drive the three
sheep into a triangular pen, composed of three hurdles, another
hurdle acting as a gate to the pen (D)

The three sheep were let loose, the shepherd or owner of the
dog took his place beside the pen, from which he was not allowed
to move, although permitted by hand, voice, and whistle to guide

BRITISH

and encourage his dog. A rough idea of the performance may be
gathered by a reference to Fig. 43. On the signal being given,
the dog was allowed to go for the sheep, and had to drive them
between the various flags (E) and the wall (A), then over the
gap in the wall (B), turn them, and, bringing them through the
other flags, drive them into the pen within the space of fifteen
minutes. Of course, in a trial of this description a large amount of
luck or chance is bound to occur ; in fact, the winner on the after-

FIG. 43.— DIAGRAM SHOWING A SHEEPDOG TRIAL COURSE.

noon in question was greatly favoured in having a lot of sheep that
of their own accord went between the two most difficult flags, and
that were comparatively easy to pen. Still, it was most interesting
to watch the almost human intelligence displayed by the various
dogs, their absolute obedience to the slightest whistle, and, to the
majority of the crowd, the unintelligible jargon in which they were
ordered to perform their work. Gestures as well as words were
employed, and the dogs at once recognised the signs when several
hundred yards from their masters.

TtiE COLUES 153

Rough, unkempt animals most of these Sheepdogs were, too,
and far removed in appearance from the Collies one sees on the
benches at the dog shows ; and yet, despite their appearance, these
dogs are simply invaluable to their masters, and are instrumental
during the heavy snowstorms which occur in the dales in saving the
lives of scores of sheep by their wonderful sagacity. Locally they
are termed ' curs,' not Collies, and in colour are chiefly black-and-
tan, some long coated, others quite smooth, but all with that look
of intelligence in the eyes that is only seen where the dogs enjoy
constant companionship with man. In the case of the dogs shown
here, each one from puppyhood had been in the company of man
night and day, and appeared able to instinctively comprehend the
desires and wishes of his master. To the dog lover a trial of this
description is most interesting and instructive, as showing how the
intelligence of the animal can be so trained as to become a most
valuable auxiliary to man. At the trials in question, however, the
sexes were not divided, and it was noticeable that the bitches were,
as a rule, much smarter and sharper in their work than the dogs.

In some of the trials the sheep got utterly out of hand, and
jumped the high stone walls, whilst in others they went quietly and
were easily guided. The winner succeeded in penning her sheep
in about twelve minutes, whilst at the termination of the fifteen
minutes allowed, many of the dogs had" not succeeded in getting
their sheep half-way round the appointed course. Any smart or
clever piece of work on the part of the dogs was vociferously
applauded, and those present were loud in their praises of the
excellent work put in by the winner. Doubtless the winner will
figure at all the shows in the district where similar trials take place,
and will considerably add to the income of her owner, whilst the
work performed is really additional training for the bitch, and should
add to her value. Pedigree in these dales is of little consideration
in comparison with working-blood, and appearances do not count
for much unless accompanied by the ability to do good work on the
wild, open pastures or still wilder heather-clad moorlands. After
the trials were over, considerable discussion took place as to the
relative merits of the various competitors ; but so much depends
upon luck and upon the manner in which the sheep act, that it is
not always the best dog that succeeds in winning the coveted prize."

Amongst those in authority who believed that our modern
Collie is a degenerate as regards intelligence was the late
Mr. D. J. Thomson Gray. He said : " The craze for high-set
ears and extra long heads has given us not a Collie, but a long-
coated Greyhound, with all the latter's stupidity. Fanciers in
breeding for outward points have ignored intelligence, so that the
most intelligent dogs of the breed are found in those outside the

154

BRITISH DOGS

prize-lists. As a watch, as a companion, and as a sporting dog, an
intelligent Collie has few equals, and what makes him the more
valuable in the eyes of the non-fancier is that he is as guid as he
is bonnie."

In general appearance the Collie stands clear and distinct from
any other of our Domestic breeds : his build is light and graceful —
no superabundance of needless bone or tissue to cumber him in
his work, no sacrifice of these at the shrine of elegance ; yet his
style and carriage are eminently elegant in every outline and
graceful movement, and there is a fitness about him for the rough
yet important work he has to do, and in his countenance there is

FIG. 44 — MR. PIERPONT MORGAN'S ROUGH COLLIE ORMSKIRK ALEXANDRA.

a combination of wisdom and self-reliance, toned down by an
expression of loyalty and love for his master, that commends him
to us and commands our admiration. Fig. 44 represents Ormskirk
Alexandra, owned by Mr. Pierpont Morgan, and is one of a
remarkable quartet of bitches from one litter, each of which had
won championships before the age of twelve months had been
attained. She is a tricolour, and was bred by Mr. T. H. Stretch.
The general contour, with its filling-in, shows a combination
of agility, speed, and suppleness, with a power of endurance that
few, if any, other breeds possess. There is no waste, no lumber
about him ; even his heavy coat is so in appearance only, being
essentially wet-resisting, and a necessity of the exposed life he leads.

THE COLLIES 155

There is no dog that excels the Collie in good looks, high
intelligence, and unswerving loyalty to his master or his mistress,
and to these qualities does he owe his high position as a general
favourite with the public, whilst his practical excellences render
him indispensable to the shepherd. As an instance of the sagacity
shown by the shepherd's Collie the following may be qupted.
A Scotch herder once bought some sheep in Edinburgh, and on
the way home, as the road was crowded, lost two of them. This
was not only a misfortune to John, but a slur upon his dog and
a reproach to the man. Several days after John learned that a
farmer who lived near the highway had found a pair of sheep, and
he went with the dog to see if they were his. The farmer, with
proper caution, asked him how they were marked. As John had
bought sheep from many sellers, and had hurried out of town, he
could not inform the farmer, who said : " Very well, then it is
only right that I should keep the sheep." " It's a fact," replied
John, " that I cannot tell the sheep ; but if my dog can, will you
let me have them ? " The farmer, though hard, was honest, and,
having little fear of the ordeal, had all the sheep upon his farm
turned into a large park. John's dog also was turned into the park,
and immediately singled out first one and then the other of the
strays. That afternoon John was offered forty pounds for his Collie,
and refused it, saying : " He's a good dog, and he's worth more
than that to me. He does my work for me."

Of the development by training of that intelligence with which
the Collie is so liberally endowed there is hardly any need to speak.
Our many variety shows furnish us with abundant proof, while
a decent book of well-authenticated instances of remarkably clever
dogs might easily be compiled. Suffice it to say that there is
hardly any limit to the many useful and ornamental tricks that the
Collie may be taught by a patient and painstaking owner.

Of the many fallacies in connection with dogs that ought to be
relegated to the limbo of forgotten absurdities is the very prevalent
one that the Collie as a breed is treacherous. Even the judicial mind
is not free from bias in respect of the dog, and one County Court
judge who was called upon to adjudicate in a case in which a Collie
figured stated that all he knew about Collies was that they were
treacherous brutes. Further, he said that he had owned one, and
that it had bitten several members of his family, so he sold it !
Statements such as these are very damaging to a breed, and are
the more regrettable since they are unwarranted by what is known
of the breed as a whole. It is a slander, to say the least, on a most
intelligent breed, for the modern Collie is not by nature treacherous,
whatever may be said with regard to his remote ancestors. Shows
more than anything have been instrumental in establishing that
close association with men that is so desirable. That there are

156 kMTlStt DOGS

individual Collies that are savage as there are individuals in every
breed cannot be denied. To condemn a variety, however, simply
because of the failings of a very few is manifestly unfair,
unreasonable, and misleading.

The general character of the Collie is the reverse of treacherous,
although he is not so ready to bestow his confidence in a " love-at-
first-sight" way, as some breeds that are accustomed to fawn and
to be fondled are. His affections, once placed, are strong and
his memory is tenacious; and these qualities, combined with his
unusually high intelligence, make him one of the most interesting
and pleasant of companions. Out of doors he is active and merry,
not to say boisterous, and if this last is not kept within reasonable
limits it may develop into a serious fault. When, however, this
does occur, it is the fault rather of the owner than of the dog.
As a watch-dog he is vigilant and trustworthy, more especially if
those higher qualities are developed by judicious training.

Another very prevalent but equally erroneous, if somewhat
ingenious, theory at one time advanced was that the Collie owed
some of its beautiful appearance to a cross with the Gordon Setter.
There is, however, nothing very tangible in what has been adduced
in respect of such a cross. It must be confessed to border so
closely on the imaginary as not to be worth consideration, and may
be dismissed accordingly.

Classes for Collies have been provided at the shows for more
than thirty years; but it was not until June, 1885, that the breed
had obtained a sufficient hold upon the public to warrant a
specialist show. In that year a fairly successful show of Collies was
organised by the Collie Club, the judges on that occasion being
Mr. A. N. Radcliffe, Mr. W. W. Thomson, and Mr. J. Pirie. This
was followed by a second show under similar auspices in October of
the following year, when Mr. W. P. Arkwright was the judge-elect.
From that time onward other shows have been held, and the breed
has gradually progressed. At one time the show dogs were almost
entirely in the hands of gentlemen ; but of late years lady Collie
fanciers have become a power in the Kennel World, and have to be
reckoned with wherever classes for Collies obtain. It would not
serve any good purpose to enumerate all the breeders that have
contributed to the greatness of the present-day Collie, as these may
be learned from such public records as the Kennel Club Stud Book
and the Collie Stud Book. There are, however, a few breeders
whose names stand out so conspicuously that it would hardly be
just to leave them unmentioned — Queen Alexandra (when Princess
of Wales), the Rev. Hans Hamilton, Mr. S. E. Shirley, the late
Mr. H. Panmure Gordon, Mr. W. P. Arkwright, the Messrs. Stretch,
the Messrs. Charles, Mr. Robert Chapman, Mr. A. H. Megson, Mr.
C. H. Wheeler, Mr. Robert Tait, Mr. Hugo Ainscough, Mr. Barlow,

THE COLLIES 157

and Mr. Powers are but a few that will go down to posterity as
breeders and owners of renown.

To select a Collie puppy practically from the nest is no easy
matter, and even really good judges not infrequently find them-
selves " at sea." The usual time at which the average novice is
called upon to make a selection is just after weaning. At that
age the puppies have not the correct ear-carriage of the adult, and
with this variety, as with all others, it is not wise to discard an
otherwise promising puppy on account thereof. Often even after
the time when the ears are "up" they are carried indifferently, if
the teething process is incomplete. There must, however, be a
great distinction drawn between ear-carriage and ear-placement, as
obviously the latter does not alter. A Collie's ears should be set
on high, and the smaller they are the better. The head should
be long and level, and neither too broad nor too narrow — the happy
medium, in fact. The eyes should be small and intelligent-looking.
The back should be short and strong. The fore legs should be
straight. The tail should be short, and though a gay carriage is not
desirable in the adult, too much importance must not be placed upon
this in the case of the young puppy. The age at which the ears are
raised varies in individuals, but is usually about the sixth month.

With regard to colour in Collie puppies, it may be stated that
they always darken with age. As an instance of this the well-known
Metchley Wonder may be cited. As a puppy he might have been
correctly described as a pale sable ; but at five years of age he
had developed a black saddle. Mr. A. H. Megson relates how he
once thought that he had a white Collie, which was most unusual ;
but when three months old it was of a cinnamon colour. He also
states that he has bred puppies of quite a blue shade that ultimately
turned out black.

In selecting, therefore, a Rough Collie puppy, the animal that
most closely approximates, so far as points go, to the one described
will probably make the most typical adult. Practically everything
that has been said in connection with the Rough variety holds good
with the Smooth, save that in the latter the shorter and smoother
the coat is, the more promising the individual — so long as the
desired coat is a natural and not an artificial production.

Something here may be very well said with regard to colour in
the Collie, despite the fact that in the Club's descriptions this is
said to be immaterial. Sable and sable-and-white are the fashion-
able colours, although there is no denying the beauty of the black,
white, and tan. With many of the older school of Collie fanciers
the last-named was considered the colour. Mr. Thomson Gray
was an admirer of them. He wrote : " There is no colour so
pretty in a Collie as a black, white, and tan, the tan being confined
to the lower part of the legs, and to spots above the eyes ; the

158 BRITISH DOGS

chest white, with a large, broad, white collar, and the tip of the
tail white. Such a dog, with a white muzzle and blaze up the face,
is a picture to worship. Washed and kept perfectly clean, there
is nothing in dog-flesh so pretty." The much-admired sable-and-
white colour, so often found in the best specimens on the show-
bench, is rarely met with in working Collies, which are mostly
black and white in colour. So-called white Collies sometimes occur,
but they do not command much favour. Of those preferring the
sables and sable-and-whites the late Mr. Panmure Gordon was one,
and he was one of the foremost supporters of the colours.

To show a Rough Collie in first-rate condition is by no means
an easy matter : it requires plenty of good grooming, for which a
dandy-brush is excellent, and periodical washing, say a couple of
days before the show. The brushing should be a daily operation,
and always in the direction of the head, or upwards. A comb is not
used, except in the case of a matted coat. The Collie that is required
for show should have good bedding material, straw being the best,
constantly renewed. Like many another variety, the Collie in the
past has not been free from the faker's attentions ; but nowadays
ears and tails cause the exhibitors the greatest anxiety. Lozenges
are frequently employed some time beforehand in order to induce
a better ear-carriage; or an extra gaily-carried tail not infrequently
receives a hard knock prior to an exhibit entering the ring ; while
a Rough that is bad in coat has ere now been shown as a Smooth.
It may be stated that the use of lozenges is forbidden by the
Kennel Club, and if any tell-tale marks exist, a dog so exhibited
stands a good chance of being disqualified.

Smooth-coated Collies are treated as a distinct variety. It is,
however, needless to give a separate chapter to them, for, as previously
stated, in all points except coat this variety is a facsimile of the more
fashionable Rough-coated dog ; indeed, both are often found in the
same litter. A good instance of this is Mr. W. W. Thomson's Guelt,
who was of the most noted strain in the West of Scotland, being a
lineal descendant of the dog of a noted sheep-stealer, who — tradition
says — as he drove his flock to the southern markets along the old
Roman road that runs along the crest of the hills on the north bank
of the river Nith, used to send his dog along the hillsides or the
south side of the river to select a few sheep from several flocks, and,
fording the river, add them to his master's drove. Mr. Thomson
had his dog Guelt and another from the same litter direct from their
breeder, Mr. Craig, of Glen, in the parish of New Cumnock,
Ayrshire, and one of them was a very rough-coated one. Shepherds
prefer these to the long-coated, as they do not get matted with snow,
and their coat is so dense as to prove a sufficient protection against
the cold weather, and it is considered they suffer less during very
hot weather.

THE COLLIES 159

Within the last few years the number of good Smooth-coated
Collies has greatly increased, and the variety promises to become,
if not as popular as the Rough, at least a good second.

A very well-marked variety of Collie is the Marled, or Marbled
(Fig. 45), sometimes incorrectly called the Tortoiseshell, and
from the bizarre combination of colours it also gets the name of
Harlequin. The name of Welsh " Heeler " has also been given
to this variety from the way the dogs have of heeling the driven
cattle; but the animals are not peculiar to Wales. Until Mr.
Arkwright demonstrated that it was possible to breed these Marled

FIG. 45.— MR. J. HOUGH'S SMOOTH MARLED COLLIE WHITELEY LASS.

Collies true to type, they were regarded as accidental colour
variations. Since that gentleman's famous kennel was dispersed,
other breeders have taken up the Marled Collie with more or
less success. Mr. Arkwright set about the breeding of Marled
Collies in that sound, practical manner for which he has been
noted. Having found a splendidly coated dog of the colour, Scot
by name, belonging to Mr. Brackenbury, Downham, Norfolk, he
inbred to him and at once fixed the colour. The Marled Collies
may be bred very easily and freely, but two blues must only be
bred together seldom, as they have a tendency to throw all-white
puppies with blue eyes, and these are deaf. To get the best coloured
ones Mr. Arkwright suggests breeding a wall-eyed blue with a

160 BRITISH DOGS

black-and-tan. If two blues are bred together they must not both
be wall-eyed. It may be well to state that the correct name for
these dogs' is blue-marled (a contraction of marbled), and not
merled, or mirled, as generally written, the word merle simply
meaning a blackbird — from the Old French merle and the Latin
merula, a blackbird.

Few breeds have more clubs to look after their interests than the
Collie. What may be regarded as the parent society is the Collie
Club, founded in 1881. There is also the Scottish Collie Club, as
well as the Smooth Collie Club, established in 1898. It is proposed
here to give the descriptions of the breed as laid down by the first
and the last respectively.

The following is a description of the type of the Collie as revised
by the Collie Club in 1898 :—

The Skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually
tapering to the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at stop. The
width of skull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle,
and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The
cheek should not be full or prominent.

The Muzzle should be of fair length tapering to the nose, and must not show
weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour of the dog may be, the
nose must be black.

The Teeth should be of good size, sound, and level ; very slight unevenness
is permissible.

The Jaws should be clean cut and powerful.

The Eyes are a very important feature, and give expression to the dog. They
should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape, and of a
brown colour except in the case of Maries, when the eyes are frequently (one or
both) blue-and-white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick, alert
look when listening.

The Ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not
too close together, on top of the skull, nor too much to the side of head. When
in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert
brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tip slightly drooping in an attitude
of listening.

The Neck should be muscular, powerful, and of fair length, and somewhat
arched.

The Body should be rather long, with well-sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly
broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloping, loins slightly arched and
powerful. The dog should be straight in front.

The Fore Legs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows,
with a fair amount of bone ; the fore arm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing
flexibility without weakness.

The Hind Legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the
hocks, with well-bent stifles.

The Feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched
and close together. The hind feet less arched, hocks well let down and
powerful.

The Brush should be moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet,
with a slight upward "swirl" at the end, and may be gaily carried when the
dog is excited, but not over the .back.

7^he Coat should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner
or under coat soft, furry, and very close, so close as to almost hide the skin.

THE COLLIES 161

The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, as also
the ears at the tips, but they should carry more hair towards the base ; the fore
legs well feathered, the hind legs above the hocks profusely so ; but below the
hocks fairly smooth, although all heavily coated Collies are liable to grow a
slight feathering. Hair on the brush very profuse.

Colotir. — Immaterial.

General Character. — A lithe, active dog, his deep chest showing lung power,
his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well-bent hocks indicating speed,
and his expression high intelligence. He should be a fair length on the leg,
giving him more of a racy than a cloddy appearance. In a few words, a Collie
should show endurance, activity, and intelligence, with free and true action.

Size and Weight. — Dogs, 22in. to 24in, at the shoulders ; bitches, 2oin. to 22in.
Dogs, 45lb. to 65lb. ; bitches, 4olb. to 55lb.

The Smooth Collie only differs from the Rough in its coat, which should be
hard, dense, and quite smooth.

Faults. — Domed skull, high peaked occipital bone, heavy, pendulous, or prick
ears, weak jaws, snipy muzzle, full, staring, or light eyes, crooked legs, large, flat,
or hare feet, curly or soft coat, cow hocks, brush twisted or carried right over
the back, and an under- or an over-shot mouth.

The Smooth Collie Club thus describes the variety whose cause
it espouses : —

Head. — Should be in proportion to dog's size ; skull moderately wide between
the ears, and flat, tapering to the end of the muzzle, which ought to be of a
fair length but not too snipy, with only a slight stop.

Teeth. — Strong and white, the top jaw fitting nicely over the lower, and
where much over- or at all under-shot, it should count against the dog.

Eyes. — Of almond shape, set obliquely in the head, and the shade consistent
with the colour of the dog. A full or staring eye is very objectionable.

Ears. — Small, and when the dog's attention is attracted, carried semi-erect ;
but when in repose it is natural for them to be laid back.

Neck. — Long and well arched, and shoulders muscular and sloping.

Back. — Rather long, strong, and straight, the loin slightly arched, and the
chest fairly deep, but not too wide.

Fore Legs. — Straight and muscular, with a fair amount of bone. The hind
legs should be rather wide apart, with stifle well bent, forming sickle hocks.

Feet. — Compact, knuckles well sprung, claws strong and close together, pads
cannot be too hard.

Coat. — " Short, dense, flat coat with good texture with an abundance of
undercoat."

Symmetry. — The dog should be of fair length on the leg, and his movements
active and graceful.

Height. — Dogs, 22in. to 24in. ; bitches, 2oin. to 22in.

Tail. — Oi medium length, and when the dog is standing quietly, should be
slightly raised, but more so when excited.

SCALE OF POINTS

Head ... ... ... ... ... 25

Ears I5

Body ... ... ... ... ... ... 15

Legs and Feet 15

Coat 2«;

Tail i 5

Total ioo

II

CHAPTER XVII

THE OLD ENGLISH BOBTAILED
SHEEPDOG

FEW varieties of British dogs are so well known by the absolute
novice as the Old English Sheepdog, Bobtail, or Drovers' Dog. Nor
is the reason far to seek. Long ere fickle Fashion set her seal
upon the breed, or clubs and shows existed, the dog was one of
those that every day, by reason of its occupation, was brought more
or less in contact with man. In towns it was seen as the Drovers'
Dog ; while in the country its vocations were more pastoral. There
was nothing of the fashionable beauty about the dog, whose monetary
value was represented by a very modest sum — a few shillings, in
fact, at which price more than one good dog changed hands. In
the old days he was kept solely as a utility dog; to-day it must
truthfully be admitted that he is more or less an ornament, for,
as in the case of the Collie, to allow the Bobtail to pursue his calling
would be to spoil him for show, and it is in the latter capacity that he
is of the greater monetary value. Even thirty years ago specimens
of the breed might have been picked up very cheaply from drovers
at cattle-markets, fairs, and the like. Shows, so far as this breed
was concerned, had not then begun to make their influence felt.
Directly they did, however, the best specimens were snapped up, and
the Bobtail as we know it to-day was gradually evolved.

The Old English Sheepdog is a very distinct variety from the Scotch
Collie, as the two breeds now exist, although they may have had a
common origin ; indeed, there are strong probabilities in favour of
the theory that the English Sheepdog was the stock from which the
Collie sprang, through, it may be, a cross with the Rough Greyhound.
Both breeds are, doubtless, composite, and it is quite impossible to
say of what elements these, or, indeed, any other recognised breeds
were originally composed. The Old English Sheepdog, as now
recognised, is of a pronounced type, differing considerably from
most other breeds ; the nearest in general appearance to him
among our show dogs is the Bearded Collie, illustrated elsewhere,
and thought by some to be identical with the variety now under
consideration.

162

THE OLD ENGLISH BOBT AILED SHEEPDOG 163

The Old English Sheepdog, as he is seen with the shepherd
on the South Downs, on the Salisbury Plains, and on the Welsh,
Cumbrian, and Scotch hills and dales, is usually, but not invariably,
bobtailed — either born so, or made so by docking. In vain have
we consulted past writers on dogs for any minute description of
this animal's size, build, general appearance, and, in show language,
his " points." His moral and intellectual qualities are described
with enthusiasm, and often in greatly exaggerated terms of praise,
but as to what he was like, we are, by most who have written
concerning him, left to guess.

In the " Sportsman's Cabinet " there is a drawing by Reinagle,
and engraved by J. Scott, which the author of the work — " A
Veteran Sportsman " — declares to be " an admirable representation "
of the breed, " taken from the life." No written description applic-
able to the dog engraved appears in the text ; but we are told that
"the breed is propagated and preserved, with the greatest respect
to purity, in the Northern parts of the kingdom, as well as in the
Highlands of Scotland." From this it would appear that "A
Veteran Sportsman" did not write from personal knowledge, for
assuredly in the North the Collie type of Sheepdog was the prevailing
one ; and there are reasons numerous and ample for believing the
dog to be more a Southern than a Northern breed.

Shepherds and farmers are not classes of men who rapidly change
their habits, opinions, or even fashions; and in a matter of such
practical importance to them as the sort of Sheepdog they shall
have to guide and guard their flocks, there would have to be
strong reasons for the admission and adoption of innovation. Now,
nothing is more certain than that in the South and South-western
parts of England, Sheepdogs of the type represented in Reinagle's
drawing are most plentiful ; and although the breed is not unknown
in the North, it is, and had been long before the last century began
— at which date Reinagle painted and " A Veteran Sportsman "
wrote — a very small fraction in the number of Sheepdogs, the large
majority having been, as they still are, of the Collie type.

Reinagle's shepherd's dog appears to be a grey, with white
on upper neck and shoulder, white on ridge of muzzle, and with
a diminishing, white, uneven line up the forehead to centre of
skull ; measured — as a living specimen would be — with a rod from
point line of chest to the line of back of thigh, and with an upright
and crossbar at shoulder, his height and length are very nearly
equal ; he is not so deep in the chest as the Collie, and the skull
is rounder and the muzzle shorter and broader — in fact, an obtuse
muzzle. There is far less difference in girth between chest and
loin than in the Collie ; the eyes, as in the Collie, are fairly close
together; the coat looks rough and harsh, free from curl, long all
over the body and on back of legs, but much shorter on hind legs

164 BRITISH DOGS

from hock downwards ; on the face the hair is shorter but still
rough, apparently about half the length or less of that on the legs,
but nothing like the short hair that gives comparative smoothness
to the face of the Rough Collie ; the ears drop like a Mastiff's,
are almost smooth, and if drawn towards the nose would not
reach more than two-thirds down the muzzle ; the tail appears to
have had about one-third of its natural length removed.

Youatt gives a representation of an English Sheepdog with
a stump tail and a very pointed muzzle ; but the dog is shown
galloping down hill, and in such a position that his shape cannot
be judged of as the dog of Reinagle's drawing can. Youatt gives
no accurate detailed description, but merely says "he is com-
paratively a small dog," and that under conditions where strength
is needed " he is crossed with some larger dog." " Idstone " says
he considers the typical Old English Sheepdog to be " the blue
grizzled, rough-haired, large-limbed, surly, small-eared and small-
eyed, leggy, bobtail ed dog."

It has been held that the docking of the tail generation after
generation resulted in pups being born tailless. Now, although
such a result might follow if the practice were continued long
enough, yet to attribute the cause to constant mutilation of the
parents seems controverted by the fact that the Bob-tailed Sheepdog
has other clearly marked features in common, which breeding
from the promiscuous herd of dogs docked to save a tax would
have dissipated rather than insured.

There are some people who go so far as to say such a mutilation
as a docked tail represents can never become an inherited character.
The subject is admittedly a difficult one. " Carrier " (a gentleman
who wrote for many years over that nom de plume in the Field and
other papers) says it is impossible for any one who has read Darwin
to believe that a mutilation can become inherited. On the contrary,
it seems that evolution teaches that a disused member changes form,
and may be eventually dispensed with. It is puzzling, to say
the least, to account for Fox-terrier puppies having been whelped
with stump tails. So many instances of this during the last twenty
years have been recorded, that it is difficult to believe such cases
purely accidental, and influenced by no law of heredity.

On the point of time required to influence such change, we
must not forget we may go far beyond the usual argument that
docking was a result of the tax in this country on undocked dogs,
for, so far into the past as the history of dogs clearly carries us,
docking was practised by shepherds, as vouched for by Columella.
The true reason for the practice of docking is to be found in the
general superstition, which for two thousand years has prevailed
among dog-owners, that the operation was a preventive of madness.
This idea pervaded the minds of shepherds and others in all

THE OLD ENGLISH BOBT AILED SHEEPDOG 165

lands ; and if we grant that mutilation may result in establishing
reproduction of a variety minus the particular member, the history
of docking shows a long period of time in which to produce the
effect.

As a justification for docking, it has been argued that the
shortening of the tail strengthens the back, but there is no proof
of the statement ever forthcoming; and the same may be said
of the equally unsupported opinion that the absence of the tail
increases the speed of the dog. One thing in connection with
docking should never be forgotten, if but in the interests of
humanity, and that is to get the operation performed as early as
possible. Since Fashion has ordained that but the merest stump
shall be allowed, it is the height of folly and of cruelty to wait
until a puppy is a few weeks old before removing the portion
of the tail that is considered necessary.

It is always interesting and frequently instructive to be able
to compare a breed as we know it to-day with what it was, say,
half a century previous. Richardson wrote in praise of the Bob-
tailed Sheepdog rather more than fifty years ago. Comparing it with
the Collie, he says that it is "larger and stronger, and has much
the appearance of a cross with the great rough Water-dog. It
is coarser in the muzzle and coat, and is destitute of tail." Further,
he says, with reference to the latter, that it "is not the natural form
of the animal, for the tail is destroyed when very young, not by
cutting off, but by extracting the bones — an inhuman practice
technically called ' stringing,' generally performed by pulling out
that part with the teeth. After this the fleshy part of the tail
contracts to a mere tubercle, and is wholly concealed among
the shaggy hair of the animal. Dogs treated in this manner are
said to endure much more exertion with less fatigue than those
in which the tail is entire."

Old English Sheepdogs have been called Curs, and some writers
on the subject derive the appellation from "curtail." The etymology
of the word is, however, entirely against that. The term Cur has
come to be applied to a crossbred, useless, or degenerate dog,
but that is far from the original meaning. In the old Welsh laws
we find distinct mention of three kinds of Cur dogs — the Mastiff,
the House Cur, and the Shepherd's Cur. Now, the House Cur
was, in the eye of the Welsh law, exalted to the name and dignity
of Shepherd's Cur when it was proved he could perform the duties
of the Sheepdog. The term Cur has no more reference to a
docked dog than any other, and even curtail has nothing to do
with tail, but is, says Skeat, a corruption of the older form curtal
(verb, to dock) ; whilst Cur, Old English Curre, is from the Swedish
Kurre, a dog ; Old Dutch Korre, a house dog ; named from growling,
and derived from the Icelandic Kurra, to murmur, grumble. The

1 66 BRITISH DOGS

English Sheepdog, therefore, may be a curtal-dog without being
a Cur in the sense of a degenerate dog, yet a Cur in the higher
sense of the useful, shepherd's Cur of the old Welsh laws.

With regard to the character of the English Sheepdog, both
old and modern writers differ greatly. Vero Shaw says : " The
disposition of several rough Bobtail Sheepdogs we have met with
has differed considerably from that of the Collie, being mild and
affectionate."

Meyrick says : " The English Sheepdog does not possess the
fidelity and sagacity of the Collie, but he is a teachable and
intelligent animal. ... In temper he is treacherous and savage,
but not by any means courageous."

"Idstone" describes the dog as "surly," "slower and heavier
than the Collie, and not so sprightly, nor, on the whole, so sagacious."
Yet, in the same article, he says " the feats he performs are
the result of his own marvellous sagacity." Then, according to
" Idstone," the sagacity of the Collie is more than marvellous ; or
perhaps " Idstone " meant that whilst the mother-wit of the English
Sheepdog was wonderful, the gumption of the Collie was incredible ;
or perhaps " Idstone " did not very closely consider the question
in correcting his proofs.

Youatt, writing of the disposition of the Sheepdog, says : " If he
be but with his master, he lies content, indifferent to every surround-
ing object, seemingly half asleep and half awake, rarely mingling
with his kind, rarely courting, and generally shrinking from, the
notice of a stranger ; but the moment duty calls, his sleepy, listless
eye becomes brightened, he eagerly gazes on his master, inquires
and comprehends all he is to do, and, springing up, gives himself
to the discharge of his duty with a sagacity, fidelity, and devotion
too rarely equalled even by man himself."

It has been claimed as a characteristic of the Bobtailed
English Sheepdog, that " he has the peculiar habit of running
over the backs of sheep when in flock in order to head them, and
on that account is highly valued in fairs and markets." " Stone-
henge," " Idstone," R. J. Lloyd Price, and many others have all
advanced this as special to the breed. Such a habit is not at
all peculiar to the Bobtails : any Collie that is up to its business
will do so when occasion requires, as every one must have
observed who has attended a sheep-fair or a market.

Whatever reason there may have been for imputing bad temper
to the Old English Sheepdog in the pre-exhibition days, there
is certainly none now, for it is fairly well known that a more docile
variety, taken generally, does not exist. A closer connection with
the outside world than was possible when the breed was kept solely
by the shepherd and the farmer has doubtless tended, as in the
case of many other breeds, to improve the temperament. Shows,

THE OLD ENGLISH BOBT AILED SHEEPDOG 167

too, have not been without their refining influence. The result
is that many of the asperities inherited from those remote ancestors
that were called upon not only to " work " sheep as now generally
understood, but also to defend them from the co-existent wild
Carnivora, have been smoothed down, and the Bobtail Sheepdog,
when properly trained, is a model of what a canine companion
should be. To dilate upon the sagacity of the variety, or to
refer to the many excellent qualities that the dog possesses in a
marked degree, is unnecessary. To these the measure of popu-
larity that the breed enjoys abundantly testifies. How great

1,: : . : _ \ m -M

FIG. 46. — DR. BOTT'S OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CHAMPION BOUNCER.

is this popularity may best be gauged by remembering that only
as far back as fourteen years ago an entry of a dozen at a show
providing a decent classification would have been a fair one ; while
to-day a three-figure entry would be the rule at a first-class show
under a popular judge ; while the breed is one of the comparative
few strong enough to provide a show all its own. Not a little of
the popularity the breed now enjoys is due to the labours of those
early fanciers, Mr. W. Weager, Mr. Freeman Lloyd, Mr. C. W.
Macbeth, Dr. Edwardes Kerr, Mr. R. J. Lloyd Price, and a few
others ; while later, Dr. Bott, Mr. A. H. Megson, Mrs. Fare Fosse,
Mr. T. H. Shout, .Mr. F. W. Clayton, and Dr. Locke have, with

J68 BRITISH DOGS

a host of others, laboured most assiduously for the breed. Nor
must one lose sight of the good work done by the Old English
Sheepdog Club that was founded in 1888, and has been much in
evidence ever since.

From the foundation of the Club there has been a great
improvement in uniformity of type. Differences of opinion have
existed, and will exist, with regard to how the ideal dog should
be made up. At present size is one of the vexed questions of the
Fancy. A very short time ago there was an outcry against the
dog being bred too small ; to-day, if anything, the other extreme
obtains, the dog being too big, added to which not a few of
the modern Bobtails are deficient in that indefinable if very well
understood quality — expression. Colour of coat also exercised very
greatly the minds of the early breeders, and it was a long time
before the much coveted pigeon-blue was found combined with
dogs of the right stamp. Frequently it was associated with weedy-
looking specimens. Gradually, however, breeders overcame the
difficulty, and the pigeon-blue came to stay. Indeed, though the
blue marie is undeniably handsome, yet the pigeon-blue dog, even
in the twentieth century, has a host of admirers.

To put down the Old English Sheepdog (Fig. 46) in the pink of
coat condition is no easy task. Constant grooming it must have ;
but there is such a thing as over-grooming. If the novice be
well advised, he will early in his career enter the Club already
named. Once a member of that body, he will come in contact
with men and women who have made the showing of this dog
a speciality, and these will be willing to help him over the stile.

In purchasing an adult dog, the description of the breed as
furnished by the Club should be the guide ; but to select a
young puppy is not so easy. The chief points to look for are the
promise of a big square head, short back, strong loin, a coat that is
harsh to the feel, and plenty of bone. If called upon to select from
the nest, the puppy that is biggest and most closely approximates
to the one described should be chosen. Colour in puppies is
frequently deceptive, the very dark-coloured ones sometimes
assuming the coveted blue, but after many months.

The following is the description of the breed as drawn up by
the Old English Sheepdog Club : —

Skull. — Capacious, and rather squarely formed, giving plenty of room for
brain-power. The parts over the eyes should be well arched and the whole well
covered with hair.

Jaw. — Fairly long, strong, square, and truncated. The stop should be defined,
to avoid a Deerhound face. [ The attention of judges is particularly called to the
above properties ', as a long narrow head is a deformity.}

Eyes. — Vary according to the colour of the dog, but in the glaucous or blue
dogs a pearl, wall, or china eye is considered typical.

Nose. — Always black, large, and capacious.

THE OLD ENGLISH BOB! AILED SHEEPDOG 169

Teeth. — Strong and large, evenly placed, and level in opposition.

Ears. — Small, and carried flat to side of head ; coated moderately.

Legs. — The fore legs should be dead straight, with plenty of bone, removing
the body a medium height from the ground, without approaching legginess ; well
coated all round.

Feet.— Small, round ; toes well arched, and pads thick and hard.

Tail. — Puppies requiring docking must have an appendage left of from i|m.
to 2in., and the operation performed when not older than four days.

Aeck and Shoitlders. — The neck should be fairly long, arched gracefully, and
well coated with hair ; the shoulders sloping and narrow at the points, the dog
standing lower at the shoulder than at the loin.

Body. — Rather short and very compact, ribs well sprung, and brisket deep
and capacious. The loin should be very stout and gently arched, while the
hindquarters should be round and muscular, with well let down hocks, and the
hams densely coated with a thick, long jacket, in excess of any other part.

Coat. — Profuse, and of good hard texture ; not straight, but shaggy and free
from curl. The undercoat should be a waterproof pile, when not removed by
grooming, or season.

Colour. — Any shade of grey, grizzle, blue, or blue-marled, with or without
white markings ; or in reverse, any shade of brown or sable is considered distinctly
objectionable and not to be encouraged.

Height. — 22in. and upwards for dogs, slightly less for bitches.

General Appearance. — A strong, compact-looking dog of great symmetry,
absolutely free from legginess or " weaselness," profusely coated all over, very
elastic in his gallop, but in walking or trotting he has a characteristic ambling or
pacing movement, and his bark should be loud, with a peculiar pot cassee ring
in it. Taking him all round, he is a thickset, muscular, able-bodied dog, with
a most intelligent expression, free from all Poodle or Deerhound character.

SCALE OF POINTS

Head 5

Eye 5

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Body, Loins, and Hindquarters ... ... ... ... 20

Jaw ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Nose ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Teeth ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Legs ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Neck and Shoulders ... ... ... ... ... 10

Coat ... ... ... .. ..." ... 15

Total

CHAPTER XVIII
THE OTTER-HOUND

ALTHOUGH many writers describe the Otter-hound as a dog of
mixed breed, all refer him back to the old Southern Hound, or
the Bloodhound, for his origin, whatever crosses may have been
resorted to for producing the dog we now recognise as the legitimate
hound to pursue the " Fish-slicer." Elaine says he is the old
Southern Hound crossed with the Water Spaniel, and that those
with a dash of the Bulldog in them are the best; the Water
Spaniel being supposed to supply the roughness of coat — for Water
Spaniels of the eighteenth century were very different in coat, as in
other points, from those dogs of to-day called by that name — and
also to give or to increase the aptitude for swimming, whilst the
Bulldog cross is supposed to have infused the necessary hardiness,
courage, and tenacity.

Both Youatt and Richardson suppose him to be the result 'of
a cross between the Southern Hound and the Rough Terrier, and
by others the Rough Deerhound has been held to have had a share
in the production of the Otter-hound. If, however, any such cross
ever occurred, by either accident or design, it is so remote and
slight as to be now quite swallowed up ; and as a stream is lost in
the immensely larger volume of the river to which it is a tributary,
so has any infusion of alien blood been absorbed by the true old
English hound blood of the genuine Otter-hound.

The hunting of the otter is one of our most ancient sports.
Jesse, in his researches into the history of the dog, gives many
interesting quotations from ancient documents showing the pursuit
with hounds to have been a Royal pastime with many of our
English kings. In July, 1212, the Sheriff of Somerset received
commands from King John to " provide necessaries for Ralph, the
otter-huntsman, and Godfrey, his fellow, with two men and two
horses, and twelve Otter-hounds, as long as they find employment
in capturing otters in your shire." And John, the otter-hunter
to King Edward I., had twelve otter dogs under his charge. An
annual payment, called " Kilgh Dourgon," was made in Wales for

170

THE OTTER-HOUND 171

the king's water dogs with which otters were hunted ; and James I.,
an ardent sportsman, had for his Master of Otter-hounds John
Parry, to superintend the hunt, and provide for the king's diversion ;
and so on, from reign to reign, otter-hunting has, with varying
patronage and popularity, remained a British sport, there being
fifteen or sixteen packs at the present time, and these spread over
England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Some of them, like the
Carlisle, the Cheriton, and the Culm stock, are old-time packs.

Otter-hunting has become a most popular sport within the last
few years, and the followers of a good pack are very numerous.
Instead, too, of employing quite a scratch pack for the purpose,
as was at one time not uncommon, we have either the Otter-hound
pure and simple (that is, the dog described and figured here), or
the same dog with a number of Foxhounds. According to Mr. E.
Buckley, whose name is well known in connection with the sport
of otter-hunting, one very often gets the best sport from hitting
off the " drag " (i.e. scent) left by the otter who has been travelling
the night before. He has had runs up to four miles, sometimes
finding in a "holt" (or "earth"), and sometimes without reward.
From the time when he is driven from his " wicker couch,"
contrived "within some hollow trunk, where ancient alders shade
the deep, still pool," the mephitic otter gives his pursuers plenty
to do, and when it comes to close quarters, be it with Terrier
or with hound, makes, as opportunity offers, good use of his teeth.
Traced by his spraints and seal, and unharboured from his kennel
or couch, he finds hard work for men and dogs, as the latter
follow him up from holt to holt, and pool to pool, and the hunts-
men eagerly watch for his "vents," or "chain."

In recent times otter-hunting has been modified to suit different
circumstances, and practices in vogue in one hunt are tabooed in
another. The spear is discontinued, and the practice of tailing the
otter — that is, rushing in on him when worn and pressed, seizing
him by the tail, swinging him round in the presence of the hounds,
to excite them, and finally throwing him among them — whilst
treated as an act of prowess in some otter-hunting districts, is
strictly forbidden in others.

" Whoa-Whoop," a writer in the Field, thus interestingly describes
the pastime : —

" A pack of otter-hounds consists of from nine to fourteen couples,
and the variation of their appearance, some being smooth coated
and some rough, lends a peculiar contrast to the eye. Two, three,
or more Terriers are also employed for the purpose of driving the
otter from its holt, and of these rough-coated ones are preferred.
The staff is contained in a huntsman— generally the Master—
a couple of whips, and in many Hunts a 'follower,' as the field

172 BRITISH DOGS

are termed, called the ' amateur whip,' one whom, by his enthusiasm
and general knowledge of the craft, has shown himself to be a
useful addition to the Hunt. As in most cases, this division of
the chase has its own ' calls,' the principal of which are a ' solid
mark,' when the pack strike the true line of the 'trail,' which
is the term applying distinctly to the scent of an otter ; ' bubble
avent,' for the air-bubbles which break the surface of a pool,
showing the line of the otter's passage as it travels up or down
stream under water. ' Heu gaze ' is the term used when it appears
in view, and it is ' watched ' when it makes its ' holt,' as those
elaborate underground workings made in the bank of the river
are termed, in which it sometimes passes its time during the day,
after having eaten a hearty breakfast ; and then the ' spur ' is
the name given to its footprint.

The meet is usually made at some well-known trysting-place,
which, though not always near to a railway, yet generally there
may be found conveyances that will carry one to the river. The
time of appointment entirely depends on the length of the river to
be hunted. Those of a short course necessarily must be hunted
earlier than those whose length extends far into the country, the
reason for this being that it has been found that those otters which
frequent the less lengthy streams generally return to the estuaries
into which they empty, and unless you are up betimes the hounds
will only strike a trail which will soon show that the otter has
gone beyond their reach. Those, however, which inhabit the longer
rivers often betake themselves up some of the smaller tributaries,
and, leaving these some distance away from the main stream, find
shelter during the day in the woods which are sometimes to be
found in the vicinity. When the time of appointment has elapsed,
the pack, which had arrived at the river side some time previously
and have been duly rested, are what is called ' cast off,' or ' put
to water,' and while some feather along each bank of the river,
others swim the stream until at length a hound, whose note is
well known to the pack, lifts its voice in quack cadence once or
twice, then suddenly becomes mute. But as the rest of the pack
gather round, knowing full well that their companion has not
spoken without good cause, again comes the sound of their voices,
which, gathering in strength in a few seconds, breaks into a lovely
volume of melody. Now onward and upward dash the whole
pack until, maybe, they reach a long, deep pool, to which, though
they may have driven the trail with a good head, yet, as they
take the deep water, all becomes as silent as the grave. Nothing
discouraged, however, they begin without any hesitation at once
to search silently every root and nook, while the huntsman, whips,
and followers at the same time are eagerly looking along the
side of the bank, seeking for some sign of the otter's presence.

THE OTTER-HOUND 173

At length one of the searchers lifts his head, yet still in silence,
to call the attention of the huntsman, who immediately hastens to
the spot, where on his knees he carefully examines that to which
his notice has been drawn, and, after a few moments, raising
himself from his prostrate position, winds his horn merrily.
Immediately the whole pack gathers to his side, and as they rise
the bank a beautiful chorus fills the air, they having once more
touched the trail, the sign that had been found being the * spur '
of the otter where it had left the river. Then the hunt proceeds
in all its excitement, but the certainty of a kill is always as im-
probable as it is probable, and in this is the beauty of the chase.
Should, however, the luck be with the pack and the hunt ter-
minate with a good kill, the huntsman brings the now dead otter
on the bank, and here he carries out the offices attached to the
matter. First the ' pads ' (feet) are dismembered from the legs
and the ' mask ' (head) is severed from the body. Then the
'pole' (tail) is cut off at the root, and now the 'pelt' (skin)
is stripped from the carcase, which is then cast as a reward
among the longing and excited pack. These trophies are distributed
among the field of followers, the ladies, who often grace an otter-
hunt with their presence, receiving their full share."

A breed of dogs selected and kept to this game, even if
originally of the identical stock of our modern Bloodhounds, would
naturally diverge in some characteristics, and the wet-resisting coat,
so necessary to a dog so much in the water, would be developed ;
whereas, on the contrary, the treatment to which the companion
Bloodhound is subjected tends to fine and soften his coat : or
there may have been rough-coated hounds of the Bloodhound
type from which the Otter-hound has sprung; and, according to
both Caius and Turberville, Bloodhounds were used for this sport.
But whether either of these suppositions is correct or not, he is
in shape and voice and style so truly a hound that one cannot
think he is indebted to a strain of either Spaniel, Terrier, or Deer-
hound blood for his rough and wet-resisting coat.

Mr. Buckley says : " I have tried a cross with the Bloodhound,
but it was a failure, as the progeny were much too tender. I think
the probable origin was the Southern Hound, Water Spaniel, and
old Harrier blood. This, however, is only my individual opinion,
derived from ten years' breeding ; but it is difficult to say, as there
are at least two distinct types."

In general appearance — always excepting the coat — the Otter-
hound much resembles the Bloodhound; he should be perfect in
symmetry, strongly built, hard and enduring, with unfailing powers of
scent, and a natural antipathy to the game he is bred to pursue.
The head should be large, broader in proportion than the Blood-

174

BRITISH DOGS

hound's, the forehead high, the muzzle a fair length, and the nostrils
wide ; the ears long, thin, and pendulous, fringed with hair ; the neck
not naturally long, and looking shorter than it really is, from the
abundance of hair on it. The shoulders should slope well, the legs
be straight, and the feet a good size (with as much webbing between
the toes as possible, as this assists him to swim), but compact;
the back strong and wide ; the ribs, and particularly the back ribs,
well let down ; the thighs big and firm, and the hocks well let down ;
the stern well and thickly covered with hair, and carried well up,

FIG. 47. — MR. E. BUCKLEY'S OTTER-HOUND MAWDDWY STANLEY.

but not curled. The colours are generally grizzle or sandy, with
black and tan more or less clearly defined, or black and tan with
a slight tinge of grizzle.

The Otter-hound is one of the few varieties of the Domestic dog
that is puzzling to the novice. True, the breed is occasionally
represented at shows in winter and late autumn; but it is only at
the more important gatherings, like those of the Kennel Club,
Birmingham, and Cruft's, that a classification is provided. There
one finds represented the Dumfriesshire packs, or those associated
with the names of Mr. Uthwatt or Mr. Buckley. To the latter
gentleman we are indebted for the following measurements and

THE OTTER-HOUND 175

weight of a well-known show-bench winner and worker in his
Mawddwy Stanley (fig. 47) : Age, 4! years ; weight, Qolb. ; height at
shoulders, 26in. ; length from nose to set-on of tail, 45in. ; length
of tail, i7in. ; girth of chest, 3iin. ; girth of loin, 27in. ; girth of
head, 19^111. ; girth of fore arm, 7|in. ; length of head from occiput
to tip of nose, nin. ; girth of muzzle, midway between eyes and
tip of nose, n|in. ; ear, gin.

CHAPTER XIX
THE FOXHOUND

THE Foxhound may fairly claim to be the means of circulating more
money than all the other members of the canine race put together.
It has been estimated that there are now about 160 packs hunting
the country at a cost of — well, anything the reader likes to fancy,
per annum. Calculations more or less wild have been made by
various writers, and sums named differing to the extent of from
one and a half millions to four millions of pounds, a little variance
which causes the cautious man to hesitate before accepting any one
of them as being even approximately accurate.

How difficult it is to form a reliable estimate is shown by
the difference of opinion existing at the very outset. " Stonehenge "
in 1865 considered it should cost ^845 per annum to maintain
a three-day pack in a state of efficiency — a very low estimate, we
should consider it ; but other authorities place it as high as .£3,000.
The fact is that where so much depends upon the taste and fancy
of the Master or the reputation and character of the Hunt, no
general estimate can be made. That hounds can be hunted
cheaply, efficiently, and in a sportsmanlike manner is well known
to many an old hand who loves hunting for hunting's sake ; but
the Master must be here, there, and everywhere, with a personal
knowledge of every detail, and a whole-hearted love for the business
which takes him to the kennels at all hours and at all seasons
of the year. If he lives miles away, visits the kennels " sometimes,"
but during the season meets the hounds at the appointed place
in spotless attire, and leaves for home when a reasonable opportunity
occurs, if he tires of the " honour " after a couple of seasons and
makes room for another gentleman with money, or the inexperience
plus the ambition of youth, then the bills mount up and the
highest estimate may be often exceeded.

We live in an expensive age — everything has to be done in an
expensive style ; and as in Society we see people with small incomes
making desperate and painful attempts to copy their rich neighbours,
so we can see small, poor, and unfashionable Hunts making desperate

176

THE FOXHOUND 177

and unhappy attempts to be a mild and distant copy of those
fashionable packs having as much money at their backs as they
desire to spend. How much less their difficulties and happier
their lot if they could be content with being "unfashionable," and
aimed only at being " sporting " — a virtue which money cannot buy.
" Stonehenge " writes : " I have seen a pack costing little more than
^£700 a year show more sport in the same country than another
subsequently established costing ^£1,400 per annum.

When " money " fails to provide " sport," keepers are blamed,
fanners are blamed, shooting tenants, wire fences — anything, every-
thing, except what is often the real reason, the absence of the
sporting spirit and a knowledge of the huntsman's craft. Give us
" more money," is the cry ; and how very often they get the money
but no increase of sport ! Give us men with the sportsman's
knowledge, zeal, and devotion would be a more useful prayer
in many a Hunt. Not that present-day difficulties should be
under-estimated, for they are very great, and increasing every season,
many of them being quite unknown to our ancestors.

The Foxhound has been bred with undoubted purity for very
many years, and his pedigree recorded from generation to genera-
tion with the utmost care ; but how he was originally obtained
is an open question. Richardson, who made a careful study of
hound breeding and who wrote in 1840, was decidedly of opinion
that the modern Foxhound is the result of a fortunate blend
between the blood of the Talbot, Greyhound, and English Terrier ;
other writers substitute Bulldog for English Terrier. All consider
the Talbot to be the foundation stock and apparently believe
in a Greyhound cross. It is, of course, quite probable that
the Foxhound may have been " made " by some such method.
As the country became clearer and speed more to be desired
or even essential, the Greyhound would naturally have been
regarded as the proper corrective for the slow, painstaking Talbot,
and the high courage of the Bulldog would also have been considered
a desirable commodity to introduce. It seems to be allowed that
at one time some Greyhounds had Bulldog blood in their veins,
and it may well be that these were found to provide what was
wanting in the old Talbot. There is, however, no necessity to
presume any direct cross in bringing the Foxhound to his present
pitch of perfection ; skilled breeders, given time and a wide choice,
would in a course of years, by a process of careful selection, produce
a race far lighter, quicker, and more dashing than the parent stock.

How type, size, character, and constitution can all be altered
in the course of a few years by breeders with an object in view
is well known to most of us, even middle-aged men being often
astounded by alterations made in a breed which was perhaps the
favourite of their boyhood, and then lost sight of for a time.

12

i78 BRITISH DOGS

The Foxhound has always enjoyed enthusiastic, skilled, and wealthy
owners ; he has not been dependent upon the whims of ladies
and gentlemen taking him up for a hobby, proud and delighted
with the new toy so long as they can win prizes at shows, cast
away and ignored when the owner no longer shines through his
dog. On the contrary, Foxhound stud books have been carefully
preserved for generations. The history of every important strain is
known for many a year, fresh blood and the right stuff can always be
obtained, and Masters of experience, desirous neither of making
money nor of winning prizes, have, as a rule, given every facility
to less favoured packs to improve their hounds and get or breed
the really high-class specimens now often to be seen in very
" local " Hunts. Foxhound breeders have thus for many years
had an ideal opportunity, and have taken full advantage of it.

Although speed and endurance may be considered the chief
characteristics of the modern Foxhound, and to have elbowed
out nose from first or even second place, it must not be supposed
that every strain is bred on the same lines or with the same object.
In the great hunting counties of the Midlands a pack is required
of beautiful clean thoroughbreds, full of hard muscle, fit and ready
to "run for their lives." They skim like a flying cloud before the
wind over the wide, scent-holding pasture-lands only a few minutes
behind a perfect Greyhound of a fox racing in a direct line for the
covert of which he knows a few miles distant. Usually there is no
time for music, no time for feints and dodges, no necessity for
puzzling out a line ; on — on — without a pause, at a pace which one
writer describes as " the envy of every second-class Greyhound."
Men press down their hats and gallop for their lives in order
to keep even within sight of the race. But what would be the
good of all this in a country mostly composed of sticky plough,
small holdings, or steep hills ? In such the Master requires careful,
painstaking hounds able to carry on a stale line over a cold plough
or along a high road, or, as in parts of North Hampshire, over
fields seemingly little else than a bed of flints. Then, in a big
woodland country a pack with great push and plenty of music
is of immense importance if foxes are to be forced into the open
and the field to be kept informed of where hounds are. For
these reasons Foxhounds which are a complete failure in some
packs often, when drafted, perform most useful service and are
highly valued by the huntsmen.

Still, allowing to the fullest extent for the different sort of hound
required to meet the needs of a different sort of country, the English
Foxhound should in make and shape follow closely certain well-de-
fined lines. Thus, the head should be of fair size and well balanced ;
good length of skull and muzzle, which should be broad with wide
nostrils ; the eye should have a bold, keen, determined look, and the

THE FOXHOUND

179

whole head denote power. The neck should be long, clean, and mus-
cular, quite free from dewlap, except when such is characteristic of
a particular strain. The shoulders are very important ; they should be
nicely sloped, and free from any suspicion of being " loaded." It is
generally considered that to insure speed the elbows should be
perfectly straight in a line with the body. The chest should be
deep, ribs coming down well, giving a certain appearance of square-

FIG. 48. — THE FOXHOUND.

ness ; the back and loins should be very strong and disclose to the
touch any amount of muscle ; the thighs should be full of power
and muscle. The legs should be straight as gun-barrels and the
bone great. A failure here is fatal : these legs have to carry a heavy
hound for many miles at a great pace over every sort of country,
consequently " legs " are the first thing at which a huntsman looks;
but bad feet will render good legs useless, so see that the feet are
round and compact, with a hard, firm pad and strong nails. The
stern should be thick at the root, gradually tapering, carried well up,

i8o BRITISH DOGS

and is usually fringed slightly with longish hair. The coat should be
short, dense, and rather hard in texture ; but as a final covering for
all these excellent "points" we must have a coating of "quality."
A horse or a hound without " quality " is never really pleasing, and
a pack of Foxhounds failing in quality can never be regarded with
strong approval. Such is a verbal description of a high-class Fox-
hound (Fig. 48) ; but an object-lesson is worth all the written de-
scriptions ever published, and any one wishing to make a study of
the breed cannot do better than pay a visit to the summer Hound
Show held annually at Peterborough, where he will see Foxhounds
in perfection from some of the best packs in England, and as only
the very best are sent, the eye is not so confused as when a whole
pack is under inspection.

It is now rapidly becoming the custom to leave the ears of the
Foxhound as nature intended, it being more than suspected that
the time-honoured custom of " rounding " is of no real advantage.
One man says he " rounds " his hounds as it " prevents canker to
a great extent"; another says he does it "to prevent their being
torn " ; a third thinks " the loss of blood entailed by the operation
does the young entry so much good " ; and the great majority do it
" because it is the custom." But we live in an enquiring age, and
the result of enquiry is to cast considerable doubt upon the value
of any of the reasons given.

A pack of Foxhounds, to look well and to work well together,
should be uniform in size ; what that size should be depends
largely upon the country hunted and the taste of the Master. The
majority seem to prefer medium-sized hounds, and always have
done so, judging from the ancient literature of the breed; but there
have been some wonderfully smart, quick-killing " small " packs
about 2iin. It is generally supposed that bitches are smarter in
their work and "cast" quicker than the dog hounds, and many
packs divide the sexes and hunt all dog hounds one day, all bitches
the next.

The speed of a Foxhound has been a subject of interest for
very many years, and it is quite a mistake to suppose it was
little thought of in old days. On the contrary, we meet with re-
peated accounts of matches between favourite hounds of different
packs, and challenges being issued to run for sums of money up to
ten thousand guineas. " Blain " reports an interesting match for
five hundred guineas between a couple nominated by a Mr. Barry
and another couple nominated by Mr. Meynell. The distance
was four miles on a hot drag, and the time taken was eight minutes
and a few seconds. It is recorded that sixty horsemen followed
the race, but only twelve could see the finish. A celebrated hound
called Merkin is stated by Mr. Daniel to have in a trial covered
the same distance in seven minutes.

THE FOXHOUND 181

One of the most important questions a Master may have to
decide is the maintenance of his pack by breeding or by the
purchase of drafts. It is a curious but well-known fact that some
hunts never can " breed " with the slightest measure of success,
and if the Master has a buyer upon whom he can depend, or
has himself a natural eye for a hound and the means of obtaining
reliable information, the purchase of drafts saves an infinite amount
of trouble. A draft may consist either of unentered puppies
(these can usually be seen and obtained at the annual puppy
show of a leading pack, for often double the number required
are then returned from their " walks ") or of working hounds
discarded for being too fast, too slow, or for some other fault.
Of course, in buying such it is of the utmost importance to
obtain correct information as to the real reason.

Should the Master decide upon breeding his own hounds, he
is adopting a most troublesome but most interesting course, and
before attempting it he should make a careful study of the best
Foxhound strains, observe results already obtained by others, and
ever keep in mind that certain strains may be invaluable for
one country but not at all suitable for his. Should he decide
upon breeding from ten bitches and has at all a wide choice,
let them be as good as he can find for the work they have to
do. The dam has usually a great influence over the field qualities
of her progeny, and if the bitch has peculiar value for the country
in which she hunts, breed from her by all means, even if she in
appearance leaves something to be desired ; only in this case be
careful to select a sire who in bodily conformation is extra strong
in those points where the bitch is weak, and at the same time
does not possess field peculiarities which would counter-balance
the virtues of the bitch, for it is a lamentable fact that faults
are more readily inherited than virtues. To make the point quite
clear, for it is important, we will suppose you are hunting a cold
plough country, and you have a bitch of rare value on those days
when hounds seem almost unable to hunt — one who sticks to
a line and picks it out when it has been foiled by sheep or made
almost unacknowledgable by cold snow-showers, but this bitch
is very slow, has wide open feet, and is wanting in bone. Well,
naturally you will select for her a hound remarkable for his legs,
good feet, and with some pace; but do not suppose that a "wild,"
"skirting," "self-hunting," or "false," hound can be used with
impunity, trusting to the bitch to correct these imperfections in
the progeny. On the contrary, confirm her good points by an
alliance with a true line-hunting hound, and so far as possible
obliterate her faults by seeing that he has drive and speed in the
field and irreproachable legs and feet, and also, what is still more
important, see that such characteristics are inherent.

182 BRITISH DOGS

Puppies should always be whelped during the spring months,
thus giving them the whole summer in which to grow, play about,
and get strong. When weaned they are usually placed out (" walked,"
as it is termed) at farmhouses or other suitable quarters where
they will enjoy plenty of liberty and good feeding. The following
summer it is customary to have a puppy show, at which prizes
are given to those who have reared the best hounds. When a
bitch becomes heavy in young, she should never be hunted or indeed
left in kennel with the pack ; a capital system, when it can be
arranged, is to place the bitch out some time before she whelps.
Some hunting farmers are proud of being trusted with a favourite
bitch, and have hit upon the excellent plan of cutting for her
comfort and accommodation a hole in the side of the straw stack.
This is always a favourite place, and the bitch rears her pups there
far better than in any kennel.

The sooner a puppy begins to hunt the better — anything he may
choose to find; time enough to talk about "riot" and to begin
" rating " when the hunting spirit has caught hold of the hound
and burns brightly within him. The wilder and more dashing the
puppy, the better he is liked by many experienced huntsmen ; but
a timid, slinking, frightened puppy, taking no notice of rabbit or
hare is seldom of much use. It is not unusual to meet people who
imagine that the Foxhound is designed by nature to hunt foxes
exclusively. Of course, naturally the Foxhound would hunt any
quarry leaving a scent; it is only by being "entered," "blooded"
to fox, cheered when he hunts it, rated and flogged when he turns
aside to other game, that he acquires the qualities of his race.

Before closing this chapter on the Foxhound, mention must be
made of the Welsh Wire-coated Hound, because he is sometimes
termed the Welsh Foxhound. In truth, he is simply a Welsh breed
of hound used sometimes for hunting the fox, sometimes the hare,
and often the otter. He is not now very often to be met with,
but has at his best some valuable characteristics — a remarkably
sensitive nose, great powers of endurance, considerable intelligence,
and a wonderful natural aptitude for hunting, causing him to
"enter" and to become, it is said, a valued member of the pack
before an English Foxhound has seen a fox. On the other hand,
he is reported to be seldom free from riot, to be very heady in
the field and quarrelsome in kennel. A cross with the English
Foxhound has been tried by some Masters. Opinions differ widely
as to the result : it seems to be generally agreed that " appearances "
have not been improved by the experiment ; but it is stoutly claimed
that the music of the pack has been greatly increased, and more
foxes killed on bad scenting days.

CHAPTER XX
THE HARRIER

THE Harrier is an unsatisfactory breed about which to write, for
it has no real title to be called a " breed " ; and yet we read of
the Harrier ages before many now well established were even
thought of. Some authors have been of opinion that the word
" harrier " was the Norman equivalent to our word i{ hound,"
and that this accounts for the name being found in the works
of very early writers. However this may be, as we shall see later,
Caius gives a description of the Harrier, but it does not bear much
resemblance to the modern hound.

The fact is that the Harrier of one part of the country always
seems to have differed considerably from the Harrier of another
part ; and at the present time, if any uniformity can be said to
exist, it is in favour of the Harrier being simply a Foxhound bred
from Foxhounds. There is a "Harrier Stud Book," kept by
the " Associated Masters of Harriers and Beagles " ; but as pure-
bred Foxhounds find ready admittance, its value as a preservative
of Harrier blood is not very clear. Quite recently an American
author bringing out a standard work upon the dog made application
to the Master of an English pack well and favourably known in
the field and at Peterborough (where only Stud-Book hounds
can be exhibited) for an authentic account and photograph of
his Harriers. He has published the following reply : " I do not
send you a photograph of my Harriers, for mine are all dwarf
Foxhounds entered in the Harrier Stud Book. They are, however,
the type that win at Peterborough Hound Show, and are my idea
of Harriers." This is honest and straightforward, but does not help
us in considering the Harrier as a breed.

Probably most Masters study their country and the wishes of
their best supporters, forming their packs accordingly. The majority
like a fast twenty-five minutes and a kill, consequently medium-sized
Foxhounds are in general use ; but a few consider that the very
essence of hare-hunting consists in giving the quarry time to display
all her consummate skill in throwing hounds off her line — they like

183

1 84 BRITISH DOGS

to see hare and hound fairly matched, they love to watch the pack
" hunting," and are not anxious to total up at the end of the season
an immense number of kills. In such packs the type of the old
Southern Hound is generally conspicuous; sometimes slightly
enlarged Beagles of lyin. to i8in. are clearly in evidence.

The Bexhill Harriers are a black-and-tan pack very striking in
appearance. Some show pronounced old Southern Hound charac-
teristics, but not all. They are as large and powerful as Foxhounds.

Probably the nearest approach to a distinct Harrier " breed "
has been attained by some of the old-established Lancashire packs,
a county in which hare-hunting has always been extremely popular.
The Holcombe can, it is said, show hounds with a Harrier pedigree
of over one hundred years ; but of course this at once brings us back
to the question of what is a " Harrier " pedigree. In size these
Lancashire hounds (Fig. 49) usually equal Foxhounds (22in. to 23in.).
A favourite colour is blue-mottle with some tan markings. This
is never seen in the Foxhound, but is common enough in the
Beagle, one of the most ancient breeds of our country. Although
they are too big to suit some Hunts, or to be generally accepted
as the ideal Harrier, they would doubtless afford the best and
safest foundation on which a Master could build who had
sufficient enthusiasm and skill to set before himself the task of
establishing a Harrier pack free from the pottering of the old
Southern Hound, and the dash, drive, and pace of the Foxhound.
A few determined breeders, by forming themselves into a Club
and acting together, could very soon revive a type of hare-hunting
hound with characteristics of its own, suitable for most districts
in which hares are hunted ; and would help to save the Harrier
from becoming only another name for " draft Foxhound."

Caius describes the Harrier as " that kind of dog which Nature
hath endued with the virtue of smelling, whose property it is to
use a justness, a readiness, and a courageousness in hunting " ;
and, further : " We may know these kind of dogs by their long,
large, and bagging lippes, by their hanging ears, reaching down
both sides of their chappes, and by the indifferent and measurable
proportion of their making ; this sort of dog we call Leverarius,
Harriers."

Such a description, meagre as it is, applies more to the old
Southern Hound than to the Harrier of to-day, for it is long
since hare-hunting was revolutionised, and the slow, plodding hound
that would dwell on the scent — giving vent to the keenness of his
own enjoyment of the chase, and delighting the sportsman with
melodious tongue whilst following puss in her every wile and
double — has had to make way for the modern hound, possessing
more dash and speed, thus forcing the hare to depend on her
swiftness, rather than on cunning devices, for evading her pursuers.

THE HARRIER

'85

Harriers, like other classes of hounds, have been bred and
varied to suit the requirements of the country they are hunted in,
and the taste, and even whims, of the owner. " Stonehenge," in
his original work on the dog, says: "The true Harrier is a dwarf
Southern Hound, with a very slight infusion of the Greyhound in
him." But to get the increased speed required, it would seem
to be quite unnecessary to go to the Greyhound. Beckford, a
sportsman, and brilliant writer on sport, whose opinions were,

FIG. 49.— BEVER, A HOLCOMBE HARRIER.

and still are, authoritative as far as applicable to the altered
circumstances of our day, writing at the end of last century, says :
" The hounds I think most likely to show you sport are between
the large, slow-hunting Harrier and the little Fox-Beagle. . . .
The first, it is true, have most excellent noses, and I make no
doubt will kill their game at last if the day be long enough ; but
the days are short in winter, and it is bad hunting in the dark.
The other, on the contrary, fling and dash, and are all alive;
but every cold blast affects them, and if your country be deep

1 86 BRITISH DOGS

and wet, it is not impossible that some of them may be drowned.
My hounds," he goes on to say, "were a cross of both these
kinds, in which it was my endeavour to get as much bone and
strength in as small a compass as possible. I tried many years,
and an infinity of hounds, before I could get what I wanted, and
at last had the pleasure to see them very handsome, small, yet
very bony ; they ran remarkably well together, went fast enough,
had all the alacrity that could be desired, and would hunt the
coldest scent."

The so-called Harrier of to-day in most externals is a facsimile
of the Foxhound. The " large and bagging lippes " of the days of
Caius, with the attendant abundance of dewlap, have been bred
out; the neck should be long and hairy, rising with a gradual
swell from the shoulders, which must be well placed, sloping back,
and clothed with muscle ; the fore arms strong, elbows well let
down, and in a straight line with the body ; the fore legs perfectly
straight, large of bone ; neat strong ankles, and a foot round, firm,
and close— the knuckles arched, but not immoderately so, the
claws strong, and the sole firm and hard. The chest must be
capacious ; the back broad and strong, lined with hard muscle ;
the ribs, especially the back ones, well let down; the loin deep,
and, like the hindquarters, very strong ; the thighs very muscular ;
clean hocks, without a suspicion of leaning in towards each other,
and the leg from the hock down should be short and strong ; the
stern must be thick at the setting, and gradually tapering to the point,
well covered with hair, without being bushy, and carried gaily,
and almost straight. The whole build of the Harrier is most
symmetrical ; there should be, literally, no waste about him. In
texture the coat should be moderately fine, very dense, and the
colour various — black, white and tan, blue mottles, black and tan,
badger pied, hare pied, and a variety of combinations, in which the
colours are often very beautifully blended. Delicacy of scent and
perseverance are essential qualities in the Harrier, and the tongue
should be rich and melodious.

The Welsh Harrier is still to be met with. This is a rough
or shag-haired hound, more resembling the Otterhound than our
modern Harrier, in shape as well as in coat. He is much smaller
than the Otter-hound, but may be used for otter-hunting ; in fact,
like other varieties, he may be trained to hunt and to keep to any
particular quarry he is entered to, and taught that to chase other
game is riot.

In England there are (in 1902), according to the Field list of
hounds, ninety-seven packs of Harriers kept; in Scotland, three
packs only ; and in Ireland, twenty-five packs ; besides these, there
are, in several parts of the country, what may be called scratch
packs, the hounds being the individual property of, and kept by,

THE HARRIER 187

men who join their forces for the mutual enjoyment of the pleasures
of the chase.

Although so much weaker, numerically, than the Foxhounds, the
above citations respecting Harriers show the aggregate to be very
considerable ; and when the vast amount of incidental expenditure
connected with them is reckoned, the most exacting of political
economists may be reasonably expected to pause and think before
proceeding further in rendering the hare as extinct as the wolf in
our country.

Perhaps it would not be out of place here to say a word or two
on the subject of hare-hunting. The antiquity of this pastime
cannot be called into question ; and we have an undoubted allusion
to it by Cervantes, in his " Don Quixote," wherein he says : " Mercy
on me, what pleasure can you find, any of ye all, in killing a poor
beast that never meant any harm ? "

The question of Sancho Panza has, by all writers, down to a very
recent period, received the stereotyped answer, that it is a noble
recreation, most suitable for kings, princes, and the nobility, and
also a healthy recreation for knights and gentlemen ; and it was
usually gently insinuated that the poor beast, whatever might be
its name and nature, ought to be rather pleased than otherwise to
be hunted to death by such very exalted beings and their hounds.
Without inquiring too curiously into the ethics of hunting, we may
venture on the truism that, as hunting, in one form or another, has
existed since the dawn of our history, we may assume the predatory
habit to be instinctive and inherited ; even in these democratic
days, when the pleasures of the chase are less restricted to the
highly bred, there is no diminution in the ardour with which it is
pursued. One thing we may congratulate ourselves upon is that,
with a few exceptions, sport is carried out with less of cruelty, and
more in a spirit of fair-play to the game. No one, nowadays,
would advocate breaking the lower jaw of a badger in order that
a young Terrier might, with safety to itself, learn to draw it. In
like manner, the hunting of the hare is carried out on fairer terms
than of yore, and, from the hare's point of view, must be very
preferable to the prolonged agony of the cruel trap, or the lingering
death from mortification or starvation consequent upon the sports-
man's shot failing to reach a mortal part. We no longer resort
to nets, gins, and pitfalls to aid the dogs that drive her to destruction ;
nor do we uncouple hounds, one after another, at points of 'vantage,
after she has been roused, in order to make the more certain of
her capture.

In ancient times not only the hare, but all beasts of chase,
had to run the gauntlet of relays of hounds of various kinds, and
also risk being driven into toils prepared for their capture. These
practices have long ceased in England, if, indeed, the use of nets

1 88 BRITISH DOGS

was ever in vogue here. The Mayster of Game says : " Men
slee hares with Greyhoundes and with Rennynghoundes as in
England ; but ellis where they slee hem with smale pocketes and
with pursenettes and w1 smale nettes, with hair pipes and with
long nettis, and with smale cordes that men casten where thei
mak here brekyng of the smale twygges whan thei goon to hure
pasture."

In the classic ages hounds and nets combined were used in
hare-hunting, and Xenophon, writing 500 B.C., gives minutely-
detailed accounts of the methods used, and of the dogs employed,
which embraced many varieties of the type of our hounds ; for
the Greyhound, running by sight and outspeeding the hare, was
unknown to him. It is pleasant to read that Xenophon, with the
instincts of a true sportsman, forbade the nets and gins, set for
the capture of the hare during the hunt, to be left standing when
the game was over ; that was, at least, a step towards fair-play
to the quarry. From that very ancient date, down to the first part of
the eighteenth century, it was the general custom to hunt hares in
the early morning, so that what was considered a good day's sport,
with, perhaps, several hares accounted for by the hounds, had been
enjoyed, and an appetite for lunch obtained, by the hour sportsmen
now think of turning out of the stableyard to go to the meet. The
otter-hunters are almost the only sportsmen nowadays who can
be called early risers. There was, above and beyond what has
been suggested, a. special advantage in hunting the hare in the early
morning. The hare being, to a great extent, a night-feeder, goes
to her seat, or form, in the morning, and, by taking the hounds
out then, they, coming across her trail, have a stronger scent to
lead them up to her seat than when she is sought in her form and
then pursued. This fact, well known to every sportsman, was
recognised and described by the old Greek hare-hunter, who says,
according to Elaine's translation : " The scent of the hare going
to her form lasts longer than that of her course when pursued.
When she goes to her form, she goes slowly, often stopping; but
her course, when pursued, is performed running ; therefore, the
ground is saturated with the one and not filled with the other."
Anyone who has watched a hare in early morning, stealing leisurely
along a fence, from her feeding-ground, to squat in the open, among
rushes or tussocks of grass, or to shelter in the plantation, must
have noticed the easy-going style, apparently unconscious of sur-
roundings, except when every now and again, on some hillock,
she stops, with ears erect, to take a general survey, and make sure
that there are no enemies near.

It is about a hundred years since the fashion of late meets
came into vogue, and the hunter's horn ceased to proclaim the
morn in competition with shrill-voiced chanticleer. With this

THE HARRIER 189

change, and to make the fun easy for feather-bed sportsmen,
hare-finders were employed to mark down the seated game. Now
the prevailing custom is to beat up the hare without such help,
and the agreeable work of looking for and finding is only less than
the more exciting pleasure of pursuit.

As, allowing for minor changes in the lapse of time, Beckford
is still the head of all authorities, and his descriptions are generically
true, we quote his remarks on hare-hunting — a sport, by the way,
to which he was not partial, but took to as the best substitute for
his favourite fox-hunting, because, as he declared, he could not
ride along a turnpike road.

He formed his Harriers by a cross of large, slow-hunting
Harriers and the little Fox-Beagle, holding that " the former were
too dull, too heavy, and too slow ; the latter too lively, too light,
and too fleet." He adds : —

" As the trail of a hare lays both partially and imperfectly in
proportion to the length of time elapsed since she went to her seat,
so is the difficulty of finding increased in proportion to the late or
early hour at which the hounds are thrown off; hence it is, that
the attendants upon different packs, under the denomination of
hare-finders, so very little known or required at that time, are now
become so truly and unavoidably instrumental to the sport of the
day. Although the services of these people are always welcome
to the anxious and expectant sportsman, yet it is admitted, by
every judicious and competent observer, they are exceedingly pre-
judicial to the good order and regular discipline of hounds ; for,
having occasionally such assistance, they become habitually in-
dolent and progressively wild ; the game being so frequently and
easily found for them, they become individually and conjunctively
indifferent to the trouble of finding it for themselves. Those who
are accustomed to have their hares found sitting, know the hare-
finders as well as they know the huntsman, and will not only, upon
sight, set off to meet him, but have their heads eternally thrown
up in the air in expectation of a view holloa ! Packs of Harriers
well managed and disciplined are quietly brought up to the place
of meeting, and, when thrown off, a general silence should prevail,
that every hound may be permitted to do his own work.

Those well bred and properly broke seldom stand in need of
assistance ; officious intrusions frequently do more harm than
good. . . . Young sportsmen, like young hounds, are too much
accustomed to babbling when newly entered ; and often, by
frivolous questions or obtrusive conversation, attract the attention
of the hounds, and insure the silent curse or public reproach of
the huntsman.

Those who keep Harriers vary considerably in their modes

1 90 BRITISH DOGS

of hunting them, but the humane and liberal-minded never deviate
from the consistency and strict impartiality of the chase. If the hare
is found sitting, and the hounds are too near at hand, they should
be immediately (and, as it were, accidentally) drawn off, to prevent
her being chopped in her form ; the hare should then be silently
walked up by the individual who found her, or knows where she
is seated, that she may be permitted to go off without alarm, at her
own pace. The hounds should then be drawn quietly over the spot
whence she started, where, being permitted to come calmly and
unexpectedly upon the scent, they then go away with it in a style
of uniformity, constituting what may be candidly considered the
consistency of the chase."

It is of importance to the full enjoyment of the sport, whether
coursing or hunting the hare, to let her steal away quietly, for,
if she is hustled, being a timid creature, she is likely to double
instead of giving a tolerably straight run, without which there is
comparatively little enjoyment. It is in the nature of the hare
to run more or less in circles, and to make ever and again for
the home she has been driven from by her pursuers; and, when
hard pressed, her instinct or reason often instructs her to betake
herself for shelter to the midst of a flock of sheep, where, the
ground being soiled by them, the effluvia from her own heated
body may be overpowered by that of the sheep, and the hounds
thereby baffled.

A long treatise would be necessary to do justice to the subject
of hare-hunting, but the object here has been to convey to the
uninitiated a general conception of the sport. No one, without
practical experience, can ever be a hunting man, in the sense
of fully understanding and enjoying the glories, the dangers, and
the pleasures of the chase ; and, as a stimulus to attain to that
position, we give a graphic description of hare-hunting from Somer-
ville's poem " The Chase " :

Huntsman, take heed ; they stop in full career.

Yon crowding flocks, that at a distance gaze,

Have haply soil'd the turf. See ! that old hound !

How busily he works, but dares not trust

His doubtful sense ; draw yet a wider ring.

Hark ! now again the chorus fills. As bells,

Sally'd awhile, at once their peal renew,

And high in air the tuneful thunder rolls,

See how they toss, with animated rage

Recovering all they lost ! That eager haste

Some doubling wile foreshows. Ah ! yet once more

They're check'd, hold back with speed — on either hand

They flourish round — e'en yet persist — 'Tis right,

Away they spring ; the rustling stubbles bend

Beneath the driving storm. Now the poor chase

THE HARRIER 191

Begins to flag, to her last shifts reduced.

From brake to brake she flies, and visits all

Her well-known haunts, where once she rang'd secure,

With love and plenty blest. See ! there she goes,

She reels along, and by her gait betrays

Her inward weakness. See ! how black she looks !

The sweat, that clogs th' obstructed pores, scarce leaves

A languid scent. And now in open view

See, see, she flies ! each eager hound exerts

His utmost speed, and stretches every nerve ;

How quick she turns ! their gaping jaws eludes,

And yet a moment lives ; 'till, round enclosed

By all the greedy pack, with infant screams

She yields her breath, and there reluctant dies.

CHAPTER XXI
THE BEAGLE

THE Beagle is the foot hound of our country, indigenous to the
soil, and able to boast of an alliance with the sport-loving Britons
so far as we are able to trace back through the misty pages of
ancient history. It is at least probable that when the correct
hunting-costume of our forefathers was a coat of natural paint,
the Beagle even then was his favourite hound, for a translation
from the poet Appian, who wrote about the year 200, gives us
this version : — •

There is a kind of dog of mighty fame
For hunting, worthier of a fairer frame ;
By painted Britons brave in war they're bred,
Are Beagles called, and to the chase are led ;
Their bodies small and of so mean a shape,
You'd think them curs that under tables gape.

The "Agasscei" are also thus described in the " Venatiae
Novantiqua " : " They are very slender and small, and being much
like the hare, hunt them out in the burrows where they dwell. . . .
They are bred so that one hand may encompass the whole of their
body. . . .. They are great pets at the table, and it is a great
pleasure to them when they are led to the chase."

Then we find the Forest Laws of King Canute prohibit dogs
within the Royal Forests, " except the Velterer, which the English
call Langehren [long eared], for manifestly they be too small to
do harm to the King's deer." Evidently there was a well-known,
popular breed in existence used in the forests, long of ear and too
small to injure the deer. We may believe it to be the Beagle — at
all events, such evidence as there is points to the Britons being
assisted in the chase by a small breed of hounds admired and
coveted by the Romans.

It is quite possible that the "Talbot" is the progenitor of
all our modern scent-hunting hounds. He may have been the
" Langehren " ; and as forest lands were cleared, he was bred faster
and larger, becoming the " Talbot," and eventually the " Foxhound,"

192

THE BEAGLE 193

On the other hand, to suit a thick and uncleared country, where
he had to be followed on foot, small strains were doubtless carefully
preserved to track and push out the game from the dense coverts.
Care was naturally taken to develop their scenting powers to
the highest pitch of perfection, and as it must always have been
important to know where they were, great attention was naturally
paid to voice. So we may get the delightful and ready music of a
pack of Beagles.

But this very ancient history, interesting as it may be to some
minds, is not of much practical importance to the modern beagler :
certain it is that the Beagle existed and flourished hundreds of
years ago, and was under its present name the favourite hound
of the great Queen Elizabeth, and not the Beagle only, but the
Pocket variety of the breed, then called the " Glove," or " Singing,"
Beagle.

Coming to modern times, George IV., when Prince of Wales,
kept a pack of Dwarf Beagles which he used to hunt on the Brighton
Downs, and Colonel Thornton, who some fifty years ago had a
celebrated pack of Pocket Beagles, thus wrote of them : " Naturally
I inspected the Prince of VVales's kennels, and particularly his Dwarf
Beagles, which were originally of the same breed as my own. The
Prince's Beagles were of much larger growth than mine and more
mixed ; but it is a rule with me to get the most stuff in the least
room. The Beagle, in point of height, should be regulated by the
country he is to hunt in ; but he ought, at any rate, to be very slow.
In a dry country free from walls he cannot be too slow : in the
country where my pack hunt the turf is like velvet — a circumstance
much in their favour ; but the Prince's Beagles, in point of speed,
are all too fast."

Prince Albert also maintained a pack of Beagles, as recorded
by Mr. Mills in the " Sportsman's Library." That interesting writer
on all sporting matters some fifty years ago thus expressed himself
about the Beagle : " Beagles, to be very choice, can scarcely be
bred too small. The standard of perfection is considered to be from
ten to eleven inches, and the latter should be the maximum height.
Although far inferior in speed to the Harrier, the sense of smelling
is equally if not more exquisite in the Beagle. In pursuing the
hare he exercises indefatigable vigilance, energy, and perseverance.
Every winding and double is traced with a degree of exactness
which must be seen to be enjoyed and justly estimated, and his cry
loads the trembling air with unequalled music. Nothing can be
more melodious and beautiful than to hear the pigmy pack open
at a hare, and if slow, comparatively speaking, in running her, should
the scent be good, she-stands but little chance of escape from them
in the end."

Now let us consider what a Beagle should be. He is not

1 94 BRITISH DOGS

a small Foxhound, or a small Bloodhound, or a long-eared Terrier,
but a breed as distinct as any breed can be, and those who would
make him a small copy of any other breed are either ignorant,
thoughtless, or possess the same class of mind as the gentleman
who recently proposed to alter our cathedrals into " buildings
more suited to the [supposed] wants of the present day." Still,
our Beagle is a hound, and in consequence has many points in
common with all hounds : the short back, compact body, straight
legs, round feet, powerful loin, and nicely placed shoulders, must
all be possessed by the perfect Beagle, and are of more or less
importance according to the work he has to do. The really good,
true Beagle head is a study : long, thin ears, a skull free from
coarseness but with plenty of room, an eye full, soft, almost pleading
in expression, a nostril wide and large, a lip pendulous and very
full — such is the Beagle head. The great difficulty is to get it on-
to a perfect body and legs, and this has given rise to much loose
talk and writing about "modern" and "old-time" Beagles,
apparently those with good bodies and legs but unbeagle-like
heads being classed as " modern." Of course, if they have not Beagle
heads, they are not Beagles modern or ancient ; but perfection all
round has yet to be attained, and many a Master of a hard-working
pack, as a choice of evils, reluctantly sacrifices perfection in head
in order to maintain perfection in body and legs. His hounds are
none the less Beagles, but good hounds failing a bit in head
points, and, if not carefully watched, are likely to throw out pro-
nounced unbeagle-like characteristics, such as the bold, determined
stare of the Foxhound, his drive and pace and quick wide casts
when at fault, impetuosity, and music faulty alike in quality and
quantity. Most of us have met with these departures from Beagle
style, and know that in some packs they are very marked. On the
other hand, many will cheerfully sacrifice body or legs to maintain
the Beagle head in perfection : such are beautiful typical headed
Beagles, failing in body or legs or both. So long as we recognise
such failings are faults, and serious faults, breeders will in time
work a cure. The danger commences when owners pretend to
take a pride in faults they find it difficult to eradicate — urge, for
instance, that a Beagle need not have straight legs, or that a Fox-
hound type of head is correct " for a modern Beagle." Lovers
of the Beagle appreciate the absurdity of the contention, realise
the true reason for it, smile, and pass on ; but the novice is apt to
fall a victim. To counteract this danger, which a few years ago
was considerable, a club was formed for the protection of the
true Beagle, and has brought together many skilled breeders bent
upon producing and maintaining the Beagle in perfection; con-
sequently we now have a centre from which reliable information
is disseminated concerning the breed, and where novices are always

THE BEAGLE 195

sure of obtaining assistance and receiving a welcome into the ranks
of Beaglers.

Speaking generally, i6in. is accepted as the maximum height
allowable in the Beagle, and those that run to this limit
seldom display the type to perfection ; they are usually desired
by those who have long distances to go, or are afflicted with a
superabundance of hares. It is urged that smaller hounds, being
for a long time far behind the hare, would be for ever changing.
Harriers with a mounted " field " to follow are sometimes objected
to ; consequently the largest-sized Beagles are sought after, and
a powerful, big-boned hound with some pace is cultivated. For
hunting "jack" and bush kangaroos in India and our colonies,

FIG. 50. — MR. C. CANDY'S i4iN. BEAGLE LOFTY.

Beagles of the larger size are becoming very popular, and a few years
of skilled breeding might produce i6in. packs just as typical of
the breed as are the smaller hounds.

Probably the most interesting Beagle work is seen in a suitable
country with a 12 in. pack; these, when they match nicely and
work well together, not only show hunting in its perfection, but do
a wonderful amount of execution even against strong hares. Able-
bodied men can run with them (not only to them) and see every bit
of the work, which to many greatly enhances the pleasure of a run.
Even one ignorant of all sporting matters cannot but be attracted
by a pack of highly bred, well-marked Beagles puzzling out a stale
line on a nice piece of green turf, acknowledging the scent here and
there by a few solo notes, and finally, having made quite sure, going

196 BRITISH DOGS

away with a sudden burst of chorus music which brings a smile of
gratification to the face of the most casual onlooker, for eye and ear
have been alike delighted. The deep, bell-like tones down to the
shrill treble blend together into a beautiful harmony of sound, just as
the various shades of " blue mottle," " hare pie," " lemon and white,"
"black, white, and tan," and "black and tan" blend together in a
perfect harmony of colour. Fig. 50 shows one of Mr. Candy's
1410. Beagles.

The " Pocket" variety, which has also been called the "Sleeve,"
"Pocket," "Glove," and "Toy" Beagle, must not exceed loin, in
heightj and should be an ordinary Beagle in miniature. Thanks to
its extraordinary beauty and love of sport, this midget hound has
become a general favourite wherever known. It is usually used for
rabbit-shooting, drag-hunting, or rabbit-hunting when holes have
previously been stopped. Nothing can exceed the keenness with
which a well-bred and well-entered pack of these marvellous little
hounds will work, even for long hours and through a stiff country.
The great difficulties breeders have to contend with are toyish
characteristics (such should be rigidly suppressed), round heads,
protruding eyes, light bone, weak hindquarters, and thin co'ats
covering a shaking, chilly little body. When, after a long period
of neglect, the variety again became fashionable, all the unthrifty,
undersized, weakly puppies from ordinary Beagles were, instead
of being destroyed as usual, reared and sold to the public as
Pocket Beagles. They in their turn were bred from (this was
termed "breeding down"), and the usual results of breeding from
failures were bound to follow — weak constitutions, with a tendency
to catch every disease known to dog flesh and no vitality to resist it;
wholesale losses in pupping, consequent upon throwing back to a
big ancestor, and in the field a want of power, go, and stamina.
Some of the same results follow from over-much in-and-in-breeding
to certain strains, the owners of which are perhaps reluctant to depart
from the blood with which they are thoroughly acquainted.

The true Pocket Beagle is a distinct and very old variety,
and although the limit of loin, is a modern and an arbitrary one,
chiefly for show purposes, it should always be ascertained by a
reference to the pedigree if the strain is of small blood and that
only. Then it must ever be remembered that he is a " hound," and
should be built so as to be capable of performing a day's work —
short back, powerful loin, and all the other points you look for in
a working hound. Most difficult to get packed away in a gin. or
loin, body, it has been the despair of many a breeder who has
started on the task with cheerful confidence. To have some idea
of the difficulty, the reader should cut a stick loin, long, and
then imagine a pack of hounds within that limit, with all a hound's
characteristics (see Fig. 51).

THE BEAGLE

197

A writer in the Field thus described rabbit-hunting with
Pocket Beagles : " But supposing there are no hares, still we can get
real fun out of our miniature pack. ... By carefully netting a few
rabbits and turning them down, quite uninjured, in a field of roots
or a thick hedgerow far from their usual haunts, an afternoon's
excellent sport may be obtained. Giving bunny twenty minutes' law
to shake off any feeling of stiffness or fright and enable him to take
stock of the new country, we bring up ' the toys.' Now let them find
him, hunt him, kill him if they can all by themselves ; you are not
there to kill the rabbit, but to see your toy hounds hunt him like a
pack of little tigers, with a burst of music which will often put to

FIG. 51. — MR. WALTER CROFTON'S TOIN. BEAGLE COLONIST.

shame the local pack of Foxhounds. A short, sharp burst followed
by a pretty bit of slow hunting ; up jumps bunny again, down the
hedgerow, through, and out of sight, quick over for another burst,
for the tiny hounds are working like demons after the excitement
of their view. Many a corner you elders will have to cut if you
wish to be always there ; but the rules of the game must be observed.
See that your rabbit is perfectly uninjured before he is turned out.
Give him a fair start — i.e. no shaking out of a. bag in front of the
hounds • make them find him. Do not cramp your rabbit up in a
small box or a bag for twenty-four hours before expecting him to run.
Do not help your pack; bunny is sufficiently handicapped by the
strangeness of his surroundings. Do not let your hounds exceed

198 BRITISH DOGS

loin. ; you should be able, if necessary, to carry home in a
shooting-coat pocket any member of your pack. Then even rabbit-
hunting will give you and your friends many an hour's amusement
and drive away many an ache and pain."

Another variety is the Rough, or Wire-haired, Beagle. The
absolute purity of his descent is doubtful, a cross more or less remote
of the Terrier or the Otterhound being generally alleged. He is,
however, a quaint, hard little hound found useful in a very rough
country, and should in all respects be a copy of the ordinary Beagle,
excepting for a stiff, dense, wiry coat. He is now seldom seen
at shows or in the hare-hunting packs. A revival is urgently
needed if the variety is to be rescued from oblivion, and it is well
worth the attention of breeders.

The Kerry Beagle is in reality not a Beagle at all, usually
a black-and-tan hound the size of a Foxhound, and with much of
the appearance and many of the characteristics of the old Southern
Hound. The breed is seldom seen in England, and only occasionally
met with in Ireland. These hounds are reputed to be very musical
and most persistent workers.

To start a pack of Beagles is an easy matter, but to form one
typical of the breed in appearance and manner of work, requires
skill, knowledge, and time. Apparently a favourite method is to
buy a hound here and another there; this usually results in an
interesting collection of all the field faults to which Beagles are
liable, and a process of weeding out has to be commenced during
the very first season. The writer has known a pack formed in
this way with some success ; but the Master was a man of con-
siderable resolution and long hunting experience. He knew exactly
what he wanted, bought cheaply, and discarded at once every hound
having bad faults in the field, however good-looking or suitable
for show. Let the future Master (having made up his mind what
it is he wants) attach himself to one of the leading packs of the
height he has selected ; let him mark a few bitches which take
his fancy for both work and appearance, ascertain that the pedigree
includes hounds of about the same size, and at the end of the
season let him try and induce the Master, by the offer of a stiff
price, if necessary, to let him have them with which to start his
pack. He, of course, will not get them all, and is unlikely to get
the best, but will probably be able to secure something worth
having.

The next step will be to obtain a dog hound of different blood,
and too much care cannot be taken about his selection, for he can
make or mar your future pack. If your bitches are of a rather
larger strain than you intend to keep, see that the dog comes from
a smaller, and it is, as a rule, better policy to breed from the large

THE BEAGLE 199

ones of a small-strain litter than from the small ones of a large
strain, although there are exceptions to this, as to most rules. Should
you have the good fortune to be offered a dog hound absolutely
typical of the breed, perfect in the field and a proved sire, do not
grudge any necessary expense in order to secure him, for it will
be money well spent ; and when spring comes, set to work and
breed your future pack, strong in the confidence which the possession
of the best Beagle blood will give you. In the autumn the entering
of the puppies of your own breeding will be a great and an additional
pleasure.

Although far more satisfactory to use your own stud hound,
"services" from well-known sires can often be obtained for a
moderate fee or in exchange for a puppy, but great care must
be exercised in the selection. The pedigree should in all cases be
asked for and carefully examined, not as a mere string of names,
but with regard to the peculiarities, strong points, or failures of
immediate ancestors. If possible, you should be acquainted with
his work in the field and observe what sort of stock he has already
generated. To have been a " prize winner " speaks for his
appearance, if you know the show to have been a good Beagle show
with real, not sham, competition ; but it tells you nothing of his
constitution, his ancestors, or his work, all of which may, or rather
will, affect his progeny. A weak sire with a tendency to a delicacy
of heart, lungs, or eyes should be avoided. Let him be a strong,
bold, firm, upstanding little hound full of typical points. There
is no greater test of the beagler's proficiency than the power to
breed really good hounds ; yet every novice thinks it quite easy.
His idea is, buy a real good bitch, pay a proper stud fee for the
service of a prize dog, and there you are. Yes, and there you remain,
in nine cases out of ten. When a little more advanced, he grasps
the useful but elementary idea that if his bitch is deficient in
some point, he should select a mate specially strong in that direction.
The best of us have much to learn about the mystery of breeding ;
experience will prove that some strains invariably amalgamate well,
and others, in every way suitable to the eye, almost invariably
fail. Very second-class-looking bitches often breed the best puppies,
and the best you have sometimes never produce a puppy at all
equal to themselves. It may be taken, however, that the key to
success in breeding is knowledge of the strains from which you
are breeding.

Sometimes a whole pack may be purchased in one deal. This
saves a lot of time, and, if you have seen them at work and know
them to be a good average lot, some drafting and the careful
introduction of a few new hounds quickly enable a reliable pack to
take the field. But supposing, as sometimes happens, the would-be
Master has not had an opportunity of becoming a capable judge of

200 BRITISH DOGS

Beagles, and yet, being offered a country over which to hunt, is
anxious to begin, then he will be wise to place himself entirely
in the hands of some known authority and, telling him exactly how
he is situated, be guided by his judgment. Masters of Beagles, if
properly approached, are as a rule very ready to assist new-comers,
and one of the greatest uses of the Beagle Club is to bring together
beaglers experienced and otherwise.

Having obtained his hounds, the Master will then require to
kennel them. The most expensive kennels are not always the best,
and some of the most primitive have kept Beagles in comfort and
free from disease. The writer likes his kennels to be traps to catch
sunbeams, providing some temporary shade in a hot summer ; but
he knows a very experienced Beagle owner and breeder who prefers
having each small kennel yard surrounded entirely by a high wall
of brick or iron. In any case, Beagle kennels should be kept per-
fectly clean, dry, sweet, and warm ; there should be good ventilation
with freedom from draught. Sometimes visit your kennels at night
after they have been shut up for a few hours, and ascertain how they
feel. Never put hounds away wet or dirty ; either rub them dry or
turn them into a loose box a foot deep in straw to dry themselves.
The bedding should be on a bench raised from the ground ; straw
constantly changed makes the best. Concrete is probably the most
satisfactory flooring, but there should always be a fall to run off the
moisture into an outside drain. It is a great advantage to have
summer kennels with extensive grass runs ; this gives a change of
ground, and, if space is no object, they can be easily and cheaply
erected for summer use, as the runs can be enclosed by wire netting
6ft. high, and converted wooden poultry-houses make very good
sleeping-boxes. It must, however, be remembered that if hounds are
kept too long on grass it is apt to make their feet spread, and in
wet weather a grass run is undesirable ; so that it can only be recom-
mended for a change during the hot months. Hound-kennels are
usually built of brick ; but there is some advantage in having good
wooden buildings : they are cheap, last for several years if seasoned
wood is used, and can then be broken up or used for poultry-houses,
being replaced by /in entirely fresh building. If possible, arrange
for a window on the east or south side to admit the sun. By far
the best roofing is a thick thatch of rye or wheat straw with over-
hanging eaves on the south side, under which there may be a bench
on which hounds can sit in the sun ; such a roof is cool in summer
and warm in winter.

Unless it is intended to board the puppies out — find walks
for them, as it is called — the Master must have ready a separate
kennel and as extensive a run as possible for his unentered hounds,
and all puppies require as much liberty as circumstances allow,
a little daily exercise being quite insufficient. A small isolation

THE BEAGLE 201

hospital at some little distance from the kennels must also be
provided ; this can be as elaborate or as simple as the Master
pleases, but it must be warm and easily disinfected. Then there
should also be a small separate kennel for the reception of strange
hounds and for isolating those returned from strange kennels or
a show, until one is assured that they are free from disease. Use
every effort and take every precaution to prevent disease from
getting into your pack, for once it obtains a footing the loss and
trouble are often beyond calculation, and many a breeder has
seen the work and pleasure of years swept away in a month — a
depressing and disheartening experience indeed.

Having housed his Beagles, the Master will need to feed them.
If the pack is in regular hard work, there is nothing to equal
horseflesh ; but otherwise it will be found too heating, and of
course many Beagle packs would take too long getting through a
horse. Whatever food is given, it is best to allow one full meal
in the evening, and the smaller variety or delicate feeders will
be all the better for a good piece of bread or biscuit in the morning
from the Master's hand when making his inspection, which should
be daily as a matter of course. Such numbers of " foods " are
now made and advertised that every Master has an easy opportunity
of trying for himself which suits his pack and pocket the best;
but the results should be carefully watched. A change of food
is often desirable, and the writer keeps three different " makes "
of food going at the same time.

When there is little or no work to be done, " wholemeal "
bread and oatmeal biscuits from a reliable maker will be found
excellent, healthy and staple foods at all times for a change.
Feeding is an important part of kennel management, and should
be attended to with the greatest care, greedy feeders being checked
and shy hounds encouraged and favoured : it will often be found
necessary to draw some hounds and feed separately. The smallest
Beagles generally do best kept in rather high condition— of course
not pig fat, as sometimes seen. Try and exercise Beagles every
day, if only for a few minutes — it helps greatly to keep them in
health.

When at work, remember Beagles are not Foxhounds. They will
not stand much rating and very little whip-cord — the less the better ;
but the necessity arises sometimes, of course. Leave them alone as
much as possible ; interference seldom helps a Beagle. Let them
trust to their noses and puzzle out a solution of the problem for
themselves— that is true Beagle work. If you take no pleasure
in watching ten or twelve couples of highly bred beauties working
out the intricacies caused by the cunning of puss, but feel in a
desperate hurry to drive on and catch your hare, then for good-
ness' sake leave Beagles alone and patronise small Harriers ; with

202 BRITISH DOGS

these you will be able to cut in here and there, your " field "
will run " to the Harriers " instead of " with the Beagles," and
the number of your "kills " may be enormously increased.

Of course, in all hunting the " kill " is the climax, the final
victory of the hounds over the quarry, and as such to be desired ;
but the true Beagler infinitely prefers a long run over a variety
of ground, with all the vicissitudes of hope and fear culminating
in the last wild excitement of bursting from scent to view of a
failing hare just as dusk begins to replace the daylight; and we
are all well content to make tracks for home when the last, even if
also the first, triumphant " whoo-whoop " has died away upon
the evening air.

CHAPTER XXII
THE BASSET-HOUND

SINCE the time of the gentleman who at one time wrote over the
nom de guerre of " Snapshot," and who is better known to the
present generation of doggy men as " Wildfowler," the Basset-hound
has, in this country, attained to very considerable numerical strength.
The fact that Mr. Everett Millais, when acting as judge at the show
held at the * Royal Aquarium, Westminster, in 1886, had 120 entries
to deal with, shows that admirers of the breed have not been
wanting ; and that exhibition was in strong contrast to the time —
not more than ten years before — when Lord Onslow and Mr.
Everett Millais were the only exhibitors of these crook-legged, slow
hounds, and had to show them in the omnium gatherum class, which
may be described as the show committee's finest-mesh net, that
secures all the fish and finance that escape the regulation nets.

Though it will be necessary to take a closer view of the Basset
in England since his introduction into this country, yet the following
remarks, contributed by " Wildfowler " to the original edition of
this work, are so interesting that they merit reproduction.

" Snapshot " was a frequent contributor, under that signature,
to the Country^ and was also well known as " Wildfowler " of the
Field ; he was the author of numerous canine articles and works,
including "General Sport at Home and Abroad," "Modern Wild-
fowling," etc. His experience with Continental sporting dogs was
considerable, which gives weight and value to his article on Bassets.
He says : —

" Any hound which stands lower than i6in. (no matter his
' provincial ' breed) is called in France and in Belgium a Basset.
The derivation of the expression Basset is clear : bas means low ;
and, therefore, Basset means low set, a very appropriate denomina-
tion as applied to these diminutive hounds.

The vast army of French and Belgian Bassets may be divided
into three grand classes — viz. Bassets a jarnbes droites (straight-
legged), ditto a jambe* demi-torses (with fore legs half crooked), and

203

204 BRITISH DOGS

ditto a jambes torses (fore legs fully crooked). And in each of
these classes will be found three varieties of coats — viz. the Bassets
a poil ras (smooth-coated), those a poll dur (rough-coated), and
a class half rough, half smooth-coated, which is called half griffon.

The types vary for almost each province, but the general
characteristics remain throughout pretty well the same. All well-
bred Bassets have long, pendulous ears and hounds' heads ; but the
crooked-legged breeds show always better points in these respects
than the straight-legged ones, simply because, when a man wishes
to breed a good Basset a jambes torses, he is obliged to be very
careful in selecting the stock to breed from, if he does not wish his
experiment to end in failure, for, should there be the slightest
admixture of foreign blood, the * bar sinister' will be at once shown
in the fore-legs. Hence the Bassets a jambes torses show, as a rule,
far better properties than their congeners.

In build the Basset a jambes torses is long in the barrel, and
is very low on his pins ; so much so that, when hunting, he literally
drags his long ears on the ground. He is the slowest of hounds,
and his value as such cannot be overestimated. His style of
hunting is peculiar, inasmuch that he will have his own way, and
each one tries for himself; and if one of them finds, and 'says'
so, the others will not blindly follow him and give tongue simply
because he does (as some hounds, accustomed to work in packs,
are apt to do) ; but, on the contrary, they are slow to acknowledge
the alarm given, and will investigate the matter for themselves.
Thus, under covert, Bassets a jambes torses following a scent go in
Indian file, and each one speaks to the line according to his own
sentiments on the point, irrespective of what the others may think
about it. In this manner, it is not uncommon to see the little
hounds, when following a mazy track, crossing each other's route
without paying any attention to one another ; and, in short, each of
them works as if he were alone. This style I attribute to their
slowness, to their extremely delicate powers of scent, and to their
innate stubborn confidence in their own powers. Nevertheless, it
is a fashion which has its drawbacks ; for, should the individual
hounds hit on separate tracks of different animals, unless at once
stopped, and put together on the same one, each will follow its own
find, and let the shooter or shooters do his or their best. That is
why a shooter who is fond of that sort of spoit rarely owns more
than one or two of these hounds. One is enough, two may be
handy in difficult cases, but more would certainly entail confusion,
precisely because each one of them will rely only on the evidence
of his own senses.

I have now several clever Bassets a jambes torses in my mind's
eye, and their general description would be about as follows :
Height, between loin, and i5in. at shoulder; longish barrels; very

THE BASSET-HOUND 205

crooked fore legs, with little more than an inch or two of daylight
between the knees ; stout thighs ; gay sterns ; conical heads ; long
faces ; ears long enough to overlap each other by an inch or two
(and more sometimes) when both were drawn over the nose ;
heavy-headed rather, with square muzzles ; plenty of flews and
dewlap ; eyes deep set, under heavy wrinkles ; fore paws wide, and
well turned out ; markings, hare-pied and white, black tan and white,
tan and white, black with tan eyebrows, and tan legs and belly,
etc. — in short, all the varieties of hound markings will be found
among them. They have excellent tongues for their size, and when
in good training and good condition they will hunt every day, and
seem to thrive on it. They are very fond of the gun, and many are
cunning enough to ' ring ' the game, if missed when breaking covert,
back again to the guns until it is shot. Some of these Bassets are
so highly prized that no amount of money will buy them ; and, as
a breed, it may safely be asserted that it is probably the purest now
in existence in France. They hunt readily deer, roebuck, wild
boars, wolves, foxes, hares, rabbits, etc., but if entered exclusively
to one species of quarry, and kept to it, they never leave it to run
riot after anything else. I have seen one, when hunting a? hare in a
park, running through fifty rabbits and never noticing them. They
go slowly, and give you plenty of time to take your station for a
shot — hence their great value in the estimation of shooters. They
are chiefly used for smallish woods, furze fields, and the like,
because, if uncoupled in a forest, they do not drive their
game fast enough ; and though eventually they are bound to
bring it out, yet the long time they would take in so doing would
tell against the sport. Moreover, large forests are cut about by
ditches, and here and there streamlets, boulders, and rocks intervene,
which difficulty the "short, crooked-legged hound would be slow in
surmounting. He is, therefore, not so often used there as for
smaller coverts, where his voice can throughout the hunt be heard,
and thereby direct the shooters which post of vantage to take.

As regards the coats of Bassets a jambes torses, there are both
rough, half-rough, and smooth-coated specimens ; but the last two
predominate greatly ; in fact, I have but rarely seen very rough
Bassets a jambes torses. I saw three once, in the Ardennes. They
were very big hounds for Bassets, and were used chiefly to drive
wolves, roebuck, and wild boars. They were a poll dur with a
vengeance, and, when ' riled,' their backs were up like bristles. Of
course, in these matters the chasseurs breed their hounds according
to the ground they have to hunt over; and, consequently, in
provinces of comparatively easy coverts, such as vineyards, small
woods, furze fields, etc., smooth-coated or half rough-coated Bassets
are in universal demand. In Brittany, Vendee, Alsace, Lorraine,
Luxemburg, on the contrary, wherever the coverts are extensive

206 BRITISH DOGS

and very rough, rougher-coated hounds are used ; but poll durs are
scarce, as far as diminutive hounds are concerned.

Bassets a jambes demi-torses are simply crosses between Bassets
a jambes torses and Bassets a jambes droites. They are usually
bigger than the former and smaller than the latter, although it must
be borne in mind that there are several varieties of Bassets a jambes
droites quite as small as the smallest with crooked legs. In short,
there are so many subdivisions in each breed that any classification
must necessarily be general.

The advantages claimed by the owners of Bassets a jambes
demi-torses are these : first, these hounds are almost as sure-nosed
as the full-crooked breeds ; secondly, they run faster, and yet not
fast enough to spoil shooting ; thirdly, in a wood with moderate
ditches, being bigger in body and higher on the leg than the full-
crooked Bassets, they can clear the ditches at a bound, whereas
the full jambes torses have to go down into them, and scramble up
on the other side. In points, they are pretty much like their
congeners, but already the cross tells. The lips are shorter ; the
muzzle is not so stout in proportion to general size ; the ears are
much shorter ; the skull is less conical, the occiput being not so
pronounced ; the body is not so long ; the stern is carried more
horizontally ; the feet are rounder ; the wrinkles in the face are
fewer ; the eye is smaller ; and the coat, as a rule, is coarser. The
increase in size is also great. I have seen such reaching to fully
i6in. ; and I believe they had been obtained by a direct cross from
a regular chien courant (hound) with a full Basset a jambes torses.
When sire and dam are both good, there is no reason why the
progeny should not answer the breeder's purpose ; but I confess
to a tendency for either one thing or the other, and, were I to go
in for fancy for that breed of hounds, I would certainly get either
a thoroughly crooked Basset or a thoroughly straight-on-his-pins
Beagle. By the way, a black-and-tan or a red Basset a jambes
torses cannot, by any possible use of one's eyes, be distinguished
from a Dachshund of the same colour, although some German
writers assert that the breeds are quite distinct. To the naked eye
there is no difference ; but in the matter of names (wherein German
scientists particularly shine), then, indeed, confusion gets worse
confounded. They have, say, a dozen black-and-tan Bassets a
jambes torses before them. Well, if one of them is a thorough
good-looking hound, they call him Dachs Bracken ; if he is short-
eared, and with a pointed muzzle, they cap him with the appellation
of a Dachshund. Between you and me, kind reader, it is a distinction
without a difference, and there is no doubt that both belong to the
same breed. I will, at a fortnight's notice, place a Basset a jambes
torses, small size, side by side with the best Dachshund hound to
be found, and if any difference in legs, anatomy, and general

THE BASSET-HOUND 207

appearance of the two can be detected, I shall be very greatly
surprised. That the longer-eared and squarer-muzzled hound is
the better of the two for practical work there is not the shadow
of a doubt ; but, of course, if digging badgers is the sport in view,
then the Dachshund Terrier is the proper article. But that is not
to be admitted. One cannot breed Hounds from Terriers, whereas
one can breed Terriers from Hounds, and therefore the Dachshund
Terrier is descended from the Basset a jambes torses. As for
Dachshund hounds, they are, in every respect, Basset a jambes torses ;
at least, that is the opinion I have come to after a great deal of
experience. Quarrelling about names is an unprofitable occupation.
Never rnind the * Bracken ' or the ' Hund,' since the two articles
are alike. I say, from the evidence of my senses, that they must
come from the same stock, and, since they cannot come from a
Terrier pedigree, the Hound one is the only logical solution.

The Basset a jambes droites is synonymous with our Beagle ;
but, whereas our Beagles rarely exceed i4i'n., it is not uncommon to
see some Bassets reaching even i6in. in France; still, it should be
remembered that then, even among the French, appellations will
differ. Thus, a certain school will call i6in. Bassets petits chiens
courants, and will deny them the right of being called Bassets,
being, in their estimation, too high on the leg. I agree with them.
The characteristics of Bassets a jambes droites are — a somewhat
shorter face than those with crooked legs ; ears shorter, but broader,
and very soft usually ; neck a shade longer ; stern carried straight
up; good loins; shorter bodies, very level from shoulder to rump :
whereas the other two breeds are invariably a shade lower at
shoulder than at the stern. Some show the os occipitis well marked ;
others are more apple-headed ; the hair is coarse on the stern ; the
feet are straight and compact, knees well placed, thighs muscular
and well proportioned; in short, they are an elegant-looking,
dashing, and rather taking breed as a lot. But in work there is a
world of difference. The crooked-legged ones go slow and sure ;
the straight-legged ones run into the defect of fast hounds — i.e. they
go too fast occasionally for their noses ; they are not, either, quite so
free from riot ; but wherever pretty fast work is required, and when
the covert requires some doing in the way of jumping drains and
scrambling over boulders, etc., then they will carry the day. They
are chiefly used for large game, in pretty large coverts, and run in
small packs. For fast fun, exercise, and music, they will do ; but
for actual shooting, commend me to the Basset a jambes torses.
With such a little hound, if he knows you and understands your
ways, you are bound to bag, and alone he will do the work of ten
ordinary hounds ; and, in truth, there are few things more exciting
to the sportsman than to hear his lonely, crooked-legged companion,
merrily, slowly, but surely, bringing his quarry to his gun. Some of

2oS BRITISH DOGS

the pleasantest moments of my life have been thus spent ; and once,
having shot two wolves that had been led out to me by a Basset
ajambes torses, I fairly lifted up the little beggar to my breast and
hugged him, and I called him a pet and a dear, and all that sort of
bosh, and I thought that in all my life I had never seen a pluckier
and cleverer little fellow.

In short, there is no doubt that, for purposes of shooting,
Bassets, of whatever breed, are pre-eminently excellent. They run
very true, and are more easily taught the tricks of game than
full-sized hounds. This I have found out by experience. The
average large hound, once in full swing on a scent, runs on like a
donkey. But Bassets seem to reason, and when they come to an
imbroglio of tracks, purposely left by the quarry to puzzle them,
they are rarely taken in, but, slowly and patiently setting to work,
they unravel the maze, and eventually pick up again the wily
customer's scent. Hence, for the man who can only keep one or
two hounds to be used with the gun, there is no breed likely to suit
him better than Bassets, for they are sure not to lose the scent,
whatever takes place, and their low size enables them to pick it up
when it is so cold that a larger hound would, perhaps, not even
notice it.

They have also a good deal of pluck, to which they add a sort
of reasoning discretion. To illustrate my meaning, I will give an
instance to the point — viz. very few hounds of any kind take readily
to hunting wolves, and when they do take to it, they hunt in a pack,
each hound countenancing the other. Now, some well-bred Bassets
will hunt a wolf singly. I have stated already that I have had
myself the pleasure of killing two wolves that were, individually,
hunted by one Basset. This, therefore, shows extraordinary pluck
on the part of the little hound ; for be it known that, as a rule, any
hound or dog who comes for the first time on the scent of a wolf
forthwith bolts home, or hides behind his master for protection.
On the other hand, Bassets are cautious. When they by chance
come near a wolf, or a wild boar, or a stag, or any other wild animal
on whom they could make but little impression, but who is, on the
other hand, likely to do them an irretrievable injury, they never run
the risk, but bay at him from a distance. As long as he chooses to
stop they will not leave him ; they will resume hunting him as soon
as he will start, but they will only run at him when the decisive shot
has been fired.

Some Bassets are used for vermin-killing (badger, fox, etc.) ;
others are employed for pheasant-shooting, woodcock-shooting, and
partridge-shooting, besides their legitimate employment in hunting
ground game. When used for birds, they are frequently called
to, to keep them within range, and, generally, a bell or a small
brass greloi is fastened to their collar, that the shooter may know

THE BASSET-HOUND 209

where they are. Some men make their Bassets retrieve, even
from water ; and most Bassets will go to ground readily to fox
or badger.

Finally, some peasants use their extraordinary powers of scent
to find truffles. Their training for that sort of business is wonder-
fully simple. The hound, when young, is kept a day without
food, and a truffle being shown to him, the peasant throws it into
some small covert, or hides it in stones, or buries it lightly in
the ground, and makes the dog find it ; when he has done so, he
gives him a piece of bread — this sort of thing being repeated until
the Basset looks readily for the truffle. He is then taken to those
places in the neighbourhood of which truffles are known or sus-
pected to be, and the peasant, pretending to throw away the usual
truffle, tells the dog, ' Cherchez /— cherchez ! ' (' Seek !— seek !'),
whereupon the little hound, diligently ferreting about the ground,
soon comes upon a truffle scent, and begins digging for the tuber.
At the first sign of that process the peasant relieves him, and digs
out the precious fungus ; and so on. There are some other
species of dogs also used for that sort of work; but the Basset,
owing to his acute power of scent, is mostly preferred by the pro-
fessional chercheurs de truffes. Some of these men, however, use
pigs for the purpose.

Concerning those French Bassets which have from time to
time been exhibited at our shows, some of them have shown fair
points, but none of them have had the very long ears which one
will notice with the Bassets in the foresters' kennels on the Con-
tinent. Moreover, in the classes set aside for Bassets, I do not
remember having seen a good Basset a jambes torses, though there
were one or two fair specimens of half-crooked and straight-
legged Bassets. If my memory serves me right, the Earl of
Onslow's were straight-legged, half rough-coated Bassets, with
remarkably short ears. Mr. Millais' Model was a black, white,
and tan, smooth-coated Basset, with very fair properties — the best
I had seen in England so far — and a Vendean Basset was a
regular Griffon. I forget now the state of his legs, but his coat
was just the sort of jacket for the rough woods of Brittany and
Vendee.

On the other hand, in the classes for Dachshunds I have
seen some first-rate black-and-tan and also red Bassets a jambes
torses, all smooth-coated. No doubt, eventually, classes will be
set apart for each individual breed, and in such a case there is
a very fine field yet open for an enterprising exhibitor wishing to
produce Bassets in open court."

Since the foregoing was written the Basset-hound has, by im-
portation and breeding, greatly increased in this country ; and

14

210 BRITISH DOGS

to all frequenters of shows this quaint animal, with his short,
bandy legs and heavy body, has now become familiar ; and a
better knowledge of his intrinsic qualities has secured for him
admirers, even among those who, on his first introduction, scoffed
at him as a deformity, a disproportioned beast, with the clumsy
gait and the abnormal strength often found in misshapen dwarfs.

This better acquaintance and closer study of the Basset have
compelled a change in the view taken of the breed, and most
unprejudiced persons are now ready to admit that these hounds
possess characteristics worthy of the admiration of both the sports-
man and the dog-lover ; consequently, they are no longer looked

FIG. 52.— THE LATE SIR EVERETT MILLAIS'S SMOOTH BASSET MODEL.

upon— as when Mr. Millais first exhibited Model, at Wolverhampton,
in 1875 — as oddities or curiosities, only fit for a place in a museum
of the Canida, and, as the rector's wife said of Di Vernon, " of
no use in the 'varsal world."

There is reason for believing that the preceding article on the
breed, contributed to the original edition of " British Dogs " by
" Wildfowler," was a powerful incentive to that study of the Basset
which has resulted in its becoming a recognised British breed.

Mr. Everett Millais (who died soon after succeeding to the title
on the death of his father) imported Model in 1874, the portrait of
which, drawn by Mr. R. H. Moore, from an oil painting by Sir
J. E. Millais, R. A., is given with this chapter (Fig. 52). Mr. E. Millais

THE BASSET-HOUND

was at that time under the impression that Model was the first of the
breed imported, and that hound was certainly the first of his kind
exhibited at an English dog show. It appears, however, from
a pamphlet ("Bassets: their Use and Breeding") subsequently
written and published by Mr. Millais, and to which it will be
necessary to refer on several points, that Lord Onslow possessed,
prior to Model's importation, several Bassets, which had been given
to him by Lord Gal way, who had been presented with them by
Comte Tournon, of Montmelas. These are the first imported
Bassets on record ; but it would be against fair inference from
undoubted evidence to suppose that Bassets, like other French
breeds, had not been brought to England centuries ago, although
the blood has been absorbed and lost in the flood of other varieties.
At the time, however, that Mr. Millais obtained Model, no other
representative of the breed could be found in this country, and his
owner, therefore, resorted to a Beagle cross, claiming that in the
second generation he was able to show hounds at the Agricultural
Hall in 1877 which it was impossible to distinguish from pure
Bassets. He gave up this strain when Lord Onslow imported Fino
and Finette from Comte le Couteulx, the breeder of Model.

The next great impulse towards popularising these hounds here
was, undoubtedly, the importation of specimens from the best
French kennels, by " Wildfowler " and Mr. G. R. Krehl ; to a
remarkable extent by the latter's Fino de Paris, a hound of great
beauty and of concentrated pedigree, whose blood runs in the
majority of Bassets of the day.

Fino de Paris deserves a few words to himself, so potent has his
influence been upon the breed. Mr. Krehl showed excellent
judgment in acquiring him in 1880. Mr. Millais, who could have
had him at an earlier date, believed him to be Model's brother, but
he had the bloodhound type of head to which we have bred since,
while Model's was more on the lines of a Foxhound's. Now we may
trace the foundation of the breed as it is to-day in Great Britain.
The union of Model with Lord Onslow's Finette produced Garenne
and Proctor. The latter, put to Juno, a bitch imported by Lord
Onslow, produced Cigarette, who became the dam of Medore by
Champion Bourbon (Fino de Paris ex Guinevere). The alliance of
Medore with Fino VI. (a son of Fino V. by Vivien, a grand-
daughter of Fino de Paris) resulted in the birth of Champions
Forester, Fresco, Merlin, and Flora, all names of great moment in
the Basset-hound world.

The next potent factor in the establishment of the breed in this
country came into play in 1883. It is related of certain voyagers
that, when in immediate danger of shipwreck, and it was found no
one of their number was capable of conducting the devotions
suitable to the perilous occasion, a brilliant idea presented itself to

212 BRITISH DOGS

one of them, who exclaimed : " Let us make a collection." In
the doggy world, when a breed does not prosper as its devotees
desire, some one possessed of specimens writes to the newspapers,
and says, " Let us form a club " ; and, calling a few friends together,
a club is formed, and a standard framed to match existing speci-
mens, by which all future dogs of the breed are to be judged.

In 1883, then, the Basset Club was instituted, and the immense
increase of these hounds in England is largely due to its influence.
The Club proposed to itself the task of defining the true type, of
publishing a full and minute description of the breed, and also a
book of pedigrees. A fourth edition of the Stud Book (originally
compiled by Mr. Everett Millais) was published in 1900, having
been corrected and brought up to date by Mrs. Tottie.

Turning, for the time being, from this part of the subject to a
consideration of the uses of Bassets, it will be seen, from " Wild-
fowler's " contribution, that in France their chief use is in serving
the gun, and especially in driving ground game from the coverts to
the open glades, rides, or avenues, wherein the shooters take up
their position ; and although not kept exclusively to that work, yet
there is no mention of them being used as we do our Harriers and
Beagles.

At the time that Arrian lived hounds corresponding to the
modern Basset were used for hunting, as we use the term, many
centuries before "villainous saltpetre was digged out of the bowels
of the harmless earth" for the making of gunpowder. Such use
of hounds was an absolute necessity of the then existing circum-
stances ; and, no doubt, in times nearer to our own, Bassets
were also used to drive game within reach of the bowman's shaft
long before the " mimic thunder " of the iron tube roused the
echo, as it sounded the death of hare or pheasant.

Bassets are now employed to a considerable extent in hare-
hunting in this country, in packs, as Harriers are used, and, in
many instances, with marked success.

Mr. Fred. W. Blain, of Bromborough, Cheshire, well known
in the earlier days of the breed, wrote to the previous edition
of "British Dogs":—

" During the past few years the number of Basset-hounds in
this country has greatly increased, and I am glad to see that
they are growing in favour as sporting dogs. For hare-hunting
they are excellent, and for some reasons I think they are preferable
to Beagles. They are by no means as slow as most people imagine,
and they will go on for hours at top speed, showing great endurance
and pluck. Like most delicate-nosed hounds, such as Bloodhounds,
Otter-hounds, and the old Southern Hounds, Bassets are inclined
to dwell very much on a scent, and to be rather too free with

THE BASSET-HOUND 213

their tongue ; they like to work out every inch of the trail, and,
as they invariably cast back of their own accord, they hunt best
when left pretty much to themselves. They should not be pressed,
especially at the beginning, before they are well settled to their work.

It is well known that the formation of a fair pack of Foxhounds
is the work of very many years, even with the great number of
drafts to choose from. With Bassets, the number a buyer can
select from is very limited — they vary greatly in size and build,
and, of course, in speed ; yet some people, having got together
half a dozen hounds of all sizes and shapes, never hunted before,
and probably bred from parents which for generations have not
done a day's hunting, are disgusted because they do not show
good sport. Surely this is unreasonable. A certain amount of
time and patience are required before a pack can be formed of,
say, eight couple, well matched in speed, and hunting nicely
together ; but with such a pack splendid results are obtained,
and I have heard old Beagle men most enthusiastic in their praise.
On a smaller scale very good amusement and exercise may be
obtained with two couple or so, run on a plain rabbit-skin drag,
or even merely letting them track their kennelman across country.

Let me advise any one trying Bassets for hunting not to
attempt to teach them with the whip and harsh words, as they
are very sensitive, and easily frightened, and in some cases never
forget a thrashing. Headstrong they certainly are, and fond of
their own way — but this failing must be put up with ; to those
who know the breed they are not hard to manage, with a little tact.

I consider that, in making use of Bassets to run as Beagles,
we are taking them rather out of their element, and, consequently,
it will take time before they can be expected to be perfect at this
work. For shooting where the coverts are too dense for beaters,
Bassets in France take the place of our Spaniels, driving everything
before them, and making such a noise that neither boar nor rabbit
is likely to remain in cover. This was, I think, their original use
in France ; but in this country game is generally too plentiful
and highly preserved for them to be much used.

I hope that, in breeding Bassets for hunting purposes, owners
will not neglect the heavy and somewhat ungainly appearance
that they should have, and gradually get them higher on the leg
and lighter in bone and body ; by so doing they may increase
the speed, but they will lose the endurance, and they will in time
be nothing better than deformed Beagles. I have already noticed
a tendency in this direction in packs. If Bassets are not fast
enough for a man, let him by all means keep Beagles instead.
You cannot expect a Clydesdale to go as fast as a thoroughbred,
nor would you think of breeding them to do so. Keep each to
his real work : both are good, but their style may suit different tastes."

2i4 BRITISH DOGS

Lieutenant Munro was also the Master of a pack, which he
regularly hunted, about the same period ; but from a note of
that gentleman, quoted by Mr. Millais, he appears rather to have
used them to beat rabbits to the gun than as hare-hounds.
Lieutenant Munro says : " Two years ago I had a very good
pack of eight couple working hounds, all good hunting, and staunch.
If one of my hounds gave tongue, I was certain that there was
a rabbit. I used to shoot over my Bassets, and have often killed
fifty couple rabbits a day over them. I believe, when bred carefully
for this object, they are the best sort of dogs for rabbiting."

Speaking of the same hounds, Mr. Northcote, another well-
known admirer of Bassets, says : " He [Mr. Munro] used them
for rabbiting. I was delighted with them. Their lovely music,
like a Foxhound ; first-rate nose ; and, after finding, keeping
together in a pack after one rabbit, however many there were
about — to me was enchanting, adding considerably to the sport."

Mr. T. Pick, who had the care and management of the Earl
of Onslow's Bassets, and who continued to breed these hounds,
writing at the time when the Earl of Onslow had just given up the
breed, and made a present of most of his dogs to Mr. Pick, said : —

"They are the most intelligent dogs in the world. They are
very keen hunters, and I have hunted a hare with them, with two
inches of snow on the ground, for over two miles. I have also
hunted a hare with them for a mile, over a dust-blown field, with
a warm sun and a dry east wind, at four o'clock in the afternoon.
Once, when out with a pup a few days under four months old,
named Proctor, a rabbit crossed the gravel path, and when
the pup came on the scent he immediately gave tongue, and
followed up the scent for about 400 yards, when the rabbit got
into his hole. That pup had never seen a rabbit, or any other
game, in his life before. I once left a pup named Hector (now
belonging to Mr. Ramsay, of Bray) hunting a hare or something,
and, as I was in a hurry, I did not wait for him, but went on
to Gomshall, a distance of four miles from home, thinking the
pup would go home when he had lost me. But when I had just
got to Gomshall, which was about one hour after, I heard him
following full -cry ; so, after he had missed me, he got on my
scent, and hunted me down, though I had crossed over ploughed
fields, through very large woods, and through lanes, and on a
track that I had never been before. The pup was only eight months
old at the time. The same pup was out with Lord Burleigh's
hounds on January ist, 1881, when only seven months old,
and I had the chance of putting him on the scent of a fox,
to see if he would hunt him ; and he went off full-cry at once,
although he had never seen a fox in his life. I have hunted

THE BASSET-HOUND 215

deer with them ; but the proper game for them is the hare. They
seem to hunt more offhand than the Foxhound and Harrier,
and they give more music, and are keener than any English hound ;
and although they have short legs, they get over the ground
very fast — they take the scent so very easily, and don't seem to
lose time in putting their heads up and down. I was once out with
twelve of these hounds in a strange country to them, and they
were hunting a rabbit or something ; but as I had no whipper-
in, and as it was late in the afternoon, I wanted to get home, so
I ran away from them, thinking that when they could not see me,
and found that I had gone, they would leave off hunting rabbits.
I ran about a mile across fields, towards home, and after the
hounds had their hunt out, and could not find me, being in a
part of the country they did not know, they immediately got on
my track full cry. When I found what they were doing, I ran
as fast as possible to have a good start, but they soon ran me
down."

From the opinions and experiences quoted, it is evident that
the Basset may be turned to account in many branches of sport;
and, notwithstanding some slight discrepancies in the statements,
the whole speaks well for the utility of the breed. Only one more
quotation on this head is needed, and it is from the article by
Mr. Krehl in " Stonehenge's " book. " Deer and hares," says this
eminently practical follower of the chase, " will actually play before
the little hounds, stopping to listen to them coming." The games
the deer and hares play on these agreeable occasions are, perhaps
discreetly, not declared. There is no beast of chase that does
not use its ears in endeavouring to escape, no matter what the
nature of the pursuer.

I have already referred to Mr. Everett Millais' essay on " Bassets :
their Use and Breeding," which he subsequently followed up with
" Rational Breeding." Mr. Millais has collected a mass of facts,
and has so marshalled them as to show, almost to a demonstration,
the results certain to follow the mating of Bassets, in certain pro-
portions of blood, of the strains of these hounds then possessed
in England. The book is not an inviting one on first dipping into
it, but well repays digestion. On first reading it, it will probably
appear an enigma ; but a closer reading will disclose its sound
common sense. The fact is, Mr. Millais has written for those who
are supposed to know, and perfectly comprehend every allusion to,
the types of hounds he speaks of; but there he is in error: he
should have defined his types, in order to make his arguments clear
to the uninitiated in Basset mysteries.

In a correspondence Mr. Millais declared that "type cannot
be defined more than fashion." " But fashion," replied Mr. Hugh

216 BRITISH DOGS

Dalziel, " can be defined ; even a male creature, without being a
milliner, can define and describe the difference between the type
of ladies' head-gear that used to be called a ' cosy,' and that
irreverently named the { coal-scuttle,' up the long cavern of which
those who would osculate had to venture as into a railway tunnel."
Mr. Millais says: "Type is as changeable as fashion; were it not
so, the Foxhound of to-day would be a very similar animal to what
it was 100 years ago, which it is not." On the question of what
constitutes type there is a great diversity of opinion. Mr. Millais
preferred a Basset tricoloured, with tan head and black-and-white
body ; but that is not type : the type — that is to say, the generic
characters — of the Basset, as of the Greyhound, was accurately, and
with very considerable detail, described nearly 2,000 years ago,
and remains essentially the same. As to our English hounds, the
type has not been altered, but special developments, amounting
merely to variations to meet altered methods of using the hounds,
and the difference in the enjoyment sought to be derived from them,
have been cultivated. Our Foxhounds of to-day were formed by
selection 100 years ago, to meet new requirements, but the modifi-
cations made did not interfere with the essential character of them
as hounds. Those only who set up imaginary types to suit their
taste as fanciers, of whatever breed, imitate, and may, therefore,
be compared to the rulers of fashion in dress and other trivialities.

Mr. Millais was, however, good enough to contribute to an earlier
edition of this work his views of the three divisions of Bassets
existing in England — namely, the Couteulx, or Fino de Paris ; the
Masson, or Termino ; and the Lane — holding the term Couteulx
Hound, as applied to all our Bassets, to be a most erroneous
nomenclature. It is right, therefore, to present his views here,
especially as they supply the great want in his essay, and should
always be read, in conjunction with his remarks on breeding, by
those interested in Bassets. Mr. Millais wrote :—

" When asked, some seven years ago, to write a small article on
the Basset for ' British Dogs,' this hound could scarcely be called
a British dog, the breed having only just begun to have a footing
in England. Since then it has largely increased, and may now
safely be classed as a British production.

Bassets may be classed in three divisions : —

1. Couteulx Hounds

2. Lane Hounds

3. Griffons Rough-coated.

"" VSmooth-coated.
2. Lane Hounds ... ... ... J

Of the first two varieties we have many examples at present ;
of the third, only one, to my knowledge, has been exhibited in
England — namely, Ramoneau — though the type is common enough

7 HE BASSET-HOUND 217

at Continental shows. To go into minute particulars of how the
Basset has had its origin, or how it has thriven in this country, is
not the object of these notes ; though it will be necessary, in
dealing with the Couteulx Hounds, to show how the two sub-
divisions, into which they must now be classed, have come about.

In the first place, before proceeding farther, it must be clearly
understood what the terms ' Couteulx ' and ' Lane ' mean. When
Bassets first began to be imported into England — I refer, of course,
to our present stock, dating back to 1874 — our hounds were
imported from the kennels of Comte Couteulx le Cantalan, of
Etrepagny. After a lapse of a few years a new kind of Basset
made its appearance on the show-bench, exhibited by Mons. Louis
Lane, of Francqueville, near Rouen.

So far, then, the terms ' Couteulx ' and ' Lane ' were applied
to hounds emanating from the kennels of these two gentlemen.
Fresh importations, however, arriving, and no new name occurring
to breeders' minds for these hounds, the term ' Couteulx ' has
gradually come to mean any hound (smooth-coated) which is not a
Lane, though, in truth, our smooth-coated Bassets might, with far
greater advantages, be divided into the —

Couteulx Fino de Paris type.

Masson ... ... ... ... Termino type.

Lane ... ... ... ... Ramono type.

I will, however, only speak of them as two varieties, the Couteulx
and Lane; the former with two subdivisions.

COUTEULX HOUNDS
These hounds are exemplified by two types : —

1. Fino de Paris type.

2. Termino type.

Before proceeding to give the differences between the two
types, it would be, perhaps, as well to understand how this has
arisen. The following small pedigree table will show it :—

(Couteulx) Fino de Paris =f= Trouvette (Couteulx).

(Couteulx) Ravaude II. =f= Fino de Paris =f= Mignarde.

I
Finette =j= Termino (Masson).

Fanfaro =f= Theo. Guinevre =f= Fino de Paris.

.1

Vivien. I ' 1

Bourbon. Fino V.

Although Guinevre and Theo were bred from Fino de Paris
stock on the dam's side, they were of quite a different type from

2i8 BRITISH DOGS

Fino de Paris, or any other hound imported from Comte Couteulx's
kennels; but they much resembled Bellicent, another of Mons.
Masson's hounds imported into this country, which is a proof that
this peculiar type is indigenous in his kennels. They must, there-
fore, have resembled their sire, which belonged to Mons. Masson.
Bearing this well in mind, it is very easy to see how these two
nearly related but different types have arisen.

On the importation of Guinevre, Theo, and Vivien into this
country, the first-named bitch was mated with Fino de Paris. Had
Guinevre followed the common rules of breeding, she should have
given birth to pups of Fino de Paris type, but she did not; she
chose to present one of them (Bourbon) in her own form, the type
of Monsieur Masson's kennel, and that which I call the Termino
type. The other pup, Fino V., resembled his sire, with the addition
of some of his dam's quality.

Bourbon, being mated with his aunt, Theo, thus virtually
breeding into the Masson or Termino side of the house, produced
Chopette, a bitch excelling even her sire in points which make him
so different from his Fino de Paris brother, Fino V.

In Vivien we have a bitch of very weak Termino type, so
' complaisant ' as to throw both types whichever way mated, but
who will throw her own, as in the case of Jupiter, a poor type-
producer. In this way have arisen the two Couteulx types that we
have at present on our show-benches.

FINO DE PARIS TYPE

Colour. — Rich tricolour — hare-pie, lemon, and white. The first object which
strikes us is the brilliancy and general evenness of the markings : the tan is
deep ; the black, saddle- shaped on the back, running into tan on the buttocks.

Coat. — Thick, strong, and at times crimped even to coarseness ; stern
feathered.

Head. — In those unallied to the Terrnino hounds, flattish ; ears set on high
and small, but should be domed. In those containing Termino blood, the
head is large, well shaped ; ears hung low and of good size, with well-developed
flews ; nose slightly inclined to be Roman.

Eye. — Dark, sunken, and showing a prominent haw.

Bone. — Good ; in those not too closely inbred, massive.

Legs. — Torses, demi-torses, droites.

General Appearance. — A fine large hound, of powerful physique.

Examples. — In the first instance, Fino de Paris as a type. In the second,
Fino V., VI., Pallas II., Fresco, Forester, Merlin, Clovis, Eve, Texas Fino,
Wazir, Aryan, Lselaps, Fancy, Fiddler, Flora.

TERMING TYPE

Colour. — Tricolour (light), lemon-and- white, hare-pie, blue mottled. The
tricolour of this hound is far less brilliant than in the preceding type, the tan
being no longer so rich, whilst the black is distributed in uneven patches over
the body, and, in addition to these markings, the hound is often "ticked,"
whilst frequently is to be seen a blue mottled appearance,

THE BASSET-HOUND 219

Coat. — Short and fine ; no crimping.

Head. — Domed, though in many of our best specimens this is not apparent.

Nose. — Strongly Roman, and finer than in the Fino de Paris hounds.

£ars. — H\.\ng very low, and of immense length.

Flews. — Well marked.

Fye. — Dark, sunken, and hawed.

Bone. — Somewhat light, except in one or two specimens.

Legs. — Torses, demi-torses, droites, with an inclination to height.

General Appearance. — A fine, upstanding hound, well put together, and of
high breeding.

Examples. — In the first instance, Termino (?), Guinevre, Bellicent. In the
second degree, Bourbon, Chopette, Zeus, Beau, Beauclerc, Narcissus, Colinnette,
Blondin, Dosia.

LANE HOUNDS

Colour. — Light tricolour, lemon-and-white, hare-pie (with ticking).

Coat.— Short, thick.

Head. — Should be domed ; somewhat large and coarse.

Ears. — Long, heavy, broad, and hung low.

/%«*.— Well marked.

Eye.— Light.

Legs. — Torses.

Bone. — Enormous.

General Appearance,. — A very big, heavy Basset ; coarse and clumsy, with
enormous chest development.

Examples.— In the first instance, Ramono II. ; in the second instance,
Gavotte, Blanchette II., Champion, Bavard, Chorister, Hannibal.

GRIFFONS

Colour. — Tricolour, blue-grey, hare-pie, lemon-and-white.
Coat. — Thick, hard, wire-haired, and like that of the Otter-hound.
Head. — Such as that of the Otter-hound, and well flewed.
Eye. — Dark and hawed.
Ears. — Long and pendulous, low hung.
Bone. — Good.
Legs. — Torses.

General Appearance.— A strong, active hound, powerful, and well knit
together.

Example. — Ramoneau."

Readers of the foregoing interesting contribution, will readily
see that type and fashion could each be defined ; for in his article
Mr. Millais has described not merely one type of Basset, but
(including the broken-haired Griffon) four, and has thereby proved
that he had estimated his own ability too modestly. Perhaps the
term " type " is too strong to apply to the slight variations described,
which, in fact, amount merely to small differences in features, always
showing variations in families. We would say of the Scottish
Highlanders, they are of Celtic type ; but the term would not
be used to describe some minute difference that may have been
observable between the Clan Macgregor and the Clan Macdonald.
It is, however, the order of the day, in regard to dogs, to sub-
divide with such great minuteness that it is only given to those

220 BRITISH DOGS

inspired with the peculiar afflatus of ''the fancy" to appreciate
every microscopic difference dealt with.

It has frequently been urged that the points of a dog, of what-
ever breed, must, if worthy of appreciation, be capable of demonstra-
tion in terms comprehensible to every one. Mr. Millais was certainly
not one of those who cannot express in language the differences
they distinguish in the animals they judge; and it will be acknow-
ledged that he did good service in plainly stating the distinguishing
features of the four varieties of Basset-hounds as they were types
fixed in his mind. It is a decided advantage to have the points,
or, as the old school of breeders called them, " the properties," of
each breed defined. If the definition proves to be wrong, or
capable of amendment in any way, it can be done; but without
a written definition we are left to the incompetence of egotists,
who claim to be inspired, and able to see a something they call
" character," indefinable by them, and invisible to all but themselves
and the privileged few initiated in the mystery.

Though it is not difficult to accept Mr. Millais' distinction
between the Fino de Paris and the Termino Hounds, the same
can hardly be said of his theory of breeding, which appears to
rest on an insufficiently solid basis, leaving out of account influences
which sometimes assert themselves in a way to all of us inexplicable.

Fino de Paris was bred from brother and sister — farther than
his grandparents his pedigree is unknown. Termino is said, as
a sire, to show more prepotency, stamping the character of his
family against odds in favour of Fino de Paris ; yet the pedigree
of Termino is unknown. To square results, in this case, with
the accumulated experiences of breeders, Termino's pedigree,
although unwritten, must be the longest, and most free from
foreign admixture.

The facts of the case appear to be that Comte Couteulx and
MM. Masson and Lane have each bred his own strain from the
same common stock. It is, therefore, going too far to base a system
on present results in England of any combinations of these strains,
until several more generations of breeding from existing results
are seen.

Most of the above has already appeared in earlier editions of
this work, but it is of so much interest to present-day breeders that
it has been deemed worthy of repetition. Since the above remarks
were penned, the Basset has increased enormously in popularity,
both in the field and on the show-bench. Among the successful
breeders have been, in addition to those already mentioned,
Mrs. C. C. Ellis, who produced a remarkable succession of
champions from her kennels, Mrs. Walsh, Mrs. Tottie, Mr. Harry
Jones, Mr. F. B. Craven, Mr. G. T. G. Musson, Dr. S. Isaacke,
Mr. W. W. White, Major Owen Swaffield, Mr. McNeill, Captain

THE BASSET-HOUND 221

Stone, Mr. G. Ualton, Mr. B. F. Parrott, the Messrs. Heseltine,
Mrs. A. N. Lubbock, Miss Wimbush, Mr. C. Garnett, Captain
Crowe, Dr. Woodhead, Mr. Roberts, Mr. J. Stark, Mr. C. R.
Morrison, Mr. Lord, Prince Pless, Hon. C. B. Courtenay, Mr.
Kenyori Fuller, Mr. A. Croxton Smith, and many others. The
King and Queen are acknowledged lovers of the showy little
hound, and good specimens, mainly bred at Sandringham, are from
time to time exhibited by them.

Quite a number of packs, too, exist for the purpose of hare-
hunting, and it is pleasing to find that in the majority of instances
Masters are breeding to type. One or two attempts have been
made to produce a longer legged hound, but the idea has not
met with favour, and most Basset-hound men of to-day will be
thoroughly in sympathy with the concluding remarks of Mr. Blain,
quoted on a previous page.

Below we give the points and description of the Basset-hound,
originally drawn up by Mr. G. R. Krehl, and accepted at a club
meeting in 1899 : —

POINTS OF THE BASSET-HOUND (SMOOTH)

VALUE.

Head, Skull, Eyes, Muzzle, and Flews ... ... ... 15

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15

Neck, Dewlap, Chest, and Shoulders ... ... ... 10

Fore Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... 15

Back, Loins, and Hindquarters ... ... ... ... 10

Stern... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Coat and Skin ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Colour and Markings ... ... ... ... ... 15

" Basset Character " and Symmetry ... ... ... 5

Total ... ... ... 100

GENERAL APPEARANCE

1. To begin with the Head, as the most distinguishing part of all breeds.
The head of the Basset-hound is most perfect when it closest resembles a Blood-
hound's. It is long and narrow, with heavy flews, occiput prominent, "la bosse
de la chasse" and forehead wrinkled to the eyes, which should be kind, and show
the haw. The general appearance of the head must present high breeding and
reposeful dignity ; the teeth are small, and the upper jaw sometimes protrudes.
This is not a fault, and is called the " bee de lievre"

2. The Ears very long, and when drawn forward folding well over the nose —
so long that in hunting they will often actually tread on them ; they are set on
low, and hang loose in folds like drapery, the ends inward curling, in texture
thin and velvety.

3. The Neck is powerful, with heavy dewlaps. Elbows must not turn out.
The chest is deep, full, and framed like a " man-of-war." Body long and low.

4. Fore Legs short, about 4in., and close-fitting to the chest till the crooked
knee, from where the wrinkled ankle ends in a massive paw, each toe standing
out distinctly.

5. The Stifles are bent, and the quarters full of muscle, which stands out so

222 BRITISH DOGS

that when one looks at the dog from behind, it gives him a round, barrel-like
effect. This, with their peculiar, waddling gait, goes a long way towards Basset
character — a quality easily recognised by the judge, and as desirable as Terrier
character in a Terrier.

6. The Stern is coarse underneath, and carried hound-fashion.

7. The Coat is short, smooth, and fine, and has a gloss on it like that of a
racehorse. (To get this appearance, they should be hound-gloved, never
brushed.) Skin loose and elastic.

8. The Colour should be black, white, and tan ; the head, shoulders, and
quarters a rich tan, and black patches on the back. They are also sometimes
hare-pied.

POINTS OF THE BASSET-HOUND (ROUGH)

VALUE.
Head and Ears ... 20

Body, including Hindquarters

Legs and Feet ...

Coat ...

"Basset Character," etc.

35
20

15
10

Total ... ... ... 100

GENERAL APPEARANCE

1. The Head should be large, the skull narrow but of good length, the peak
well-developed. The muzzle should be strong, and the jaws long and powerful ;
a snipy muzzle and weakness of jaw are objectionable. The eyes should be dark
and not prominent. The ears should be set on low, of good length and fine
texture.

2. The Neck should be strong, of good length and muscular, set on sloping
shoulders.

3. The Body should be massive, of good length, and well ribbed up, any weak-
ness or slackness of loin being a bad fault. The chest should be large and very
deep, the sternum prominent.

4. The Fore Legs should be short and very powerful, very heavy in bone, either
half crooked or nearly straight. The elbows should lie against the side of the
chest, and should not turn out.

5. Hindquarters should be powerful and muscular ; the hind legs should be
rather longer than the fore legs, and should be well bent at the stifles.

6. Stern. — Of moderate length and carried gaily ; should be set on high.

7. Coat. — An extremely important point. It should be profuse, thick and
harsh to the touch, with a dense undercoat. The coat may be wavy.

8. Colour. — Any recognised hound colour.

9. Weight. — Dogs from 4olb. to 5olb., bitches rather less.

The Rough Basset should appear a very powerful hound for
his size, on short, strong legs. Body massive and good length,
without slackness of loin. The feet should be thick, well padded,
and not open. The expression should be kindly and intelligent.
Any unsoundness should disqualify the hound.

Of recent years an emphatic stand has been made against
unsoundness, and hounds that at one time would have won prizes
on account of their beautiful type would now be sent out of the
ring unnoticed. This is quite the right line to go upon, for the

THE BASSET-HOUND 223

Basset is essentially a sporting hound, and every effort should be
made to breed out unsound front legs or weak loins and quarters.
Though many people keep Bassets simply for show purposes or
as pets, there is no reason why the working properties should
occupy a secondary position in the esteem of the breeder. Indeed,
the writer would almost prefer seeing a sporting breed become
extinct than suffer the degradation of being propagated simply for so-
called " fancy " points. We should try for a well-balanced hound,
beautiful in head, with the pathetic expression which is so much of
his charm, short legs, with feet beyond reproach, well-sprung ribs,
and deep chest. Why some people should wish for longer legs it

FIG. 53. — MRS. TOTTIE'S SMOOTH BASSET-HOUND CHAMPION Louis LE BEAU.

is difficult to imagine. The Basset was never meant for speed, and,
rather than take away one of his chief characteristics, those who
want a faster pack should take up Beagles instead. The note of
the little hound is deep and melodious.

As with so many other varieties, persistent inbreeding for the
maintenance of type has resulted in a greater susceptibility to
distemper. In order to strengthen the constitution and also get
an increase in size, the late Sir Everett Millais made experiments
in the direction of a Bloodhound cross, and the results in the third
generation were certainly striking. For some reason or other,
however, breeders did not lend a ready favour to the idea, and
no one has followed it up. As a rule, sensational figures are not
paid for Bassets, and quite a little excitement was caused at Cruft's

224 BRITISH DOGS

Show in 1900 when Mrs. Tottie claimed Mr. A. Croxton Smith's
Wantage for the catalogue price of ^150. At an earlier day
Mr. Krehl obtained a somewhat similar sum. The illustrations
(Fig. 53 and 54) show the present-day type of hound.

Bassets vary a good deal in disposition. Some make delightful
companions, becoming much attached to master or mistress, while
others display a stubbornness which requires considerable humour-
ing. On the whole, it is mainly a question of early training.

FlG. 54. —SMOOTH BASSET-HOUND CHAMPION XENA. BRED BY

MRS. C. C. ELLIS.

In choosing a puppy, select one with plenty of bone and
substance. See that the ears are set on low and fold gracefully,
instead of hanging flat to the side of the skull. Beware, too, of
those with very narrow heads— they are likely to become snipy.
The skin should be loose and fine to the touch, and the eyes
should be deep set and show some haw, as with the Bloodhound.
The legs should be clean at the shoulder, without any tendency
to bow out : the writer prefers them wrinkled down to the feet,
which should be large and clumsy-looking for the size of the puppy,

CHAPTER XXIII
THE DACHSHUND

BEWICK says that the Kibble-hound of his day was a cross between
the old English Hound and the Beagle, which would give a low
hound, but not a swift one ; indeed, lowness and swiftness are
incompatible. Whether the Dachshund is a Kibble-hound, or even
what a Kibble-hound exactly was, is not very clear, for kennel
terms vary greatly in meaning in course of time.

The word Dachshund means " badger dog," and not " hound,"
as that term is used by our hunting men. He has, however, not-
withstanding his use as a Terrier, many of the properties of the
hound, and varietally should be classed with them ; indeed, our
own native Terriers are classed with the hounds by Caius, although
many of our existing varieties are of very different type from hounds.
The term " Kibble-hound " may have been applied to such as
were short and crooked in the leg, as if broken, and, in that
sense, the Dachshund, the Basset, and some of our Dandie Din-
mont Terriers, may be called Kibble-hounds.

During the last few years Dachshunds have immensely increased
in numbers. It is, however, doubtful whether as regards quality
and character the dog has progressed with equal steps. In fact, the
Dachshund is becoming more and more a fashionable pet than
a workman — a quality with which the breed was associated when it
was first introduced in this country.

The following was contributed to the First Edition of this work
by " Vert," whose large experience of Dachshunds entitles his
opinions on the breed to be considered authoritative : —

" So much has been said and written on this breed of dogs
during the few years that they have had a place in the prize
schedules of our shows, that in treating the subject we shall
endeavour to unsay some of the nonsense that has from time to
time been put forth by some of those journals whose pages are
opened to the discussion of canine matters, in one of which a
certain amusing correspondent, in a playful moment, tells his readers

15

226 BRITISH DOGS

that the ears of the Dachshund cannot be too long. Another says
the body cannot be too long. Then we read that the legs cannot
be too short or too crooked, with such impossible measurements as
could only be found in the fertile brain of the writer. At shows
we have had our special attention drawn to the veriest mongrels,
and been held by the button by enthusiastic owners, and had
glaring defects pointed out as characteristics of the pure breed ;
but, being unable to draw on our credulity to that extent, we have
had to fall back on our stock of charity, and call to mind that even
Solomon was young once in his lifetime. There is no breed of
dogs that the English have been so tardy in taking to as the
Dachshund, Satan and Feldmann being the only representatives of
the breed on the Birmingham show-bench for several years ; and
certainly we had one judge who had the courage to grapple with
this little hound when he did make an attempt to emerge from his
obscurity, and we have seen the best Dachshund that has yet been
exhibited passed over by a couple of * all-round ' judges of high
standing at an important show, one of those Solons arguing that he
was a Beagle Otter-hound, and the other that he was a Turnspit ;
neither of them being aware that the Turnspit was little different
from a moderate crooked-legged Pug of the present time, and that it
would be impossible to confine a long-backed twenty-pound dog in
one of those small cages in which the little prisoner had to ply his
calling. We have no wish to speculate on the early history of this
breed, as, like other cases, it would be a mere leap in the dark from
the same source as before alluded to. We have been seriously told
that the breed came originally from France, and that once on a
time, when the French army invaded Germany, and were capturing
towns and provinces, the German nobles, by way of retaliation,
invaded France and carried off all the Dachshunds ; but as we do
not find this theory supported by any authority that we have con-
sulted, possibly the writer of the story may be entitled to the
invention also.

The Dachshund is a short-coated, long-backed dog, on very
short legs, of about 2olb. weight, and should not be less than
i81b., the bitches being 3lb. or 4lb. less than the dogs. They
must be self-coloured, although a little white on the breast or toes
should not be a disqualification, as these beauty spots will crop out
now and then in any breed of dogs.

The colour most in fashion just now is the fallow red and
black-and-tan, but we have very good specimens of various shades
of red, more or less smutty, as well as the brown with tawny
markings, some of which are very handsome. In black-and-tan
we do not demand pencilled toes, as in the Terrier, although, if
good in every other respect, we should consider it an acquisition ;
but we prefer such as nearest approach the standard of excellence,

THE DACHSHUND 227

and care little for shades of colour, so that it he any of those
above named. The head, when of the proper type, greatly resembles
that of the Bloodhound. The ears also are long and pendulous,
and in a 2olb. dog should measure from 4|in. to 5in. each, and
from tip to tip over the cranium, when hanging down in their
natural position, from i3in. to i4in. ; the length from the eye to
the end of the nose should be over 3in., 3§in. being a good length
for a dog of 2olb. weight ; girth of muzzle, from Sin. to 8£in., which
should finish square, and not snipey or spigot-nosed, and the flews
should be fairly developed ; the eyes should be very lustrous and
mild in expression, varying in colour with that of the coat; the
teeth should be very strong and perfectly sound, as a dog with
a diseased mouth is of little use for work, is very objectionable
as a companion, and is quite unfit for the stud in this or any other
breed of dogs ; the neck should be rather long and very muscular.
We have a brood bitch from one of the best kennels in Germany,
in which the dewlap is very strongly pronounced ; but this and
the conical head are but rarely met with as yet. The chest should
be broad, with the brisket point well up to the throat ; the shoulders
should be very loose, giving the chest an appearance of hanging
between them ; they should be well covered with muscle, with
plenty of loose skin about them. The fore legs are one of the
great peculiarities of the breed ; these are very large in bone for
the size of the dog, and very crooked, being turned out at the elbows
and in at the knees ; the knees, however, should not ' knuckle,'
or stand forward over the ankles, as we frequently see in very
crooked -legged dogs, which renders them more clumsy and less
powerful. The feet should be very large, and armed with strong
claws, and should be well splayed outwards, to enable him to
clear his way in the burrow. Terrier-like fore feet cannot be
tolerated in the Dachshund, as great speed is not required, the
great essentials being : a good nose for tracking ; a conformation
of body that will admit of his entering the badger earth, and
adapting himself to his situation ; and a lion heart and power to
grapple with the quarry, in the earth or in the open — and these are
no small requirements. We are frequently told So-and-so's Terrier
has finished his badger in some very small number of minutes. But
there are badgers and badgers — baby badgers ; and if we are to
believe a tithe of what we hear on this head, the supposition is
forced upon us that a great many badgers die in their infancy.

We do know that the premier Dachshund of the present
day has drawn a wild fox from his fastness, and finished him,
unaided, in about four minutes ; but an unsnubbed, fully matured
badger of five or six summers is an awkward customer, and with
him the result might have been quite different.

What are called Dachshunds may be picked up in most

228 BRITISH DOGS

German towns ; but those are often of an inferior sort, or half-breds,
the genuine blue blood being almost entirely in the hands of the
nobles. Familiar to us in the north were those of the late King
of Hanover; those of Baron Nathasius and Baron Von Cram
in the south. The Grand Duke of Baden's kennel, at Eberstein
Schloss, is unrivalled. Prince Couza, Baroness Ingelheim, and
Baron Haber also possessed some of the best and purest strains.

In England Her Majesty the Queen and H.S.H. Prince
Edward of Saxe-Weimar for many years possessed the choicest
specimens of the best strains in Germany ; and we have been
favoured with stud dogs and brood from some of the above-named
kennels, which required something more than gold to possess
them. A habit has sprung up of late — and a very bad one it is —
of entering rough-coated little dogs as Dachshunds at some of
our best shows, and some of them have received honours which
they are in no way entitled to. This is misleading, as they are
not Dachshunds, but 'Bassets' — very nice little fellows, but with
no more right to be exhibited as Dachshunds than a Setter or a
Spaniel would have in a Pointer class. They may be half-breds —
as Dachshund-Basset or Dachshund-Spaniel. We have also met
with others, hound-marked and smooth-coated, which looked like
Dachshund-Beagles ; these are all Bassets, a term applied by the
French to all low, short-legged dogs. The best we have met with
were a leash owned by a French marquis ; these had grand heads
of the Otter-hound type, with rough coats, very long bodies, and
short, crooked legs, and were called 'Rostaing Bassets/ and were
excellent workers in thick coverts ; but they rarely possess either
the courage or the scenting powers of the Dachshund."

Having quoted the opinions of a well-known authority in the
early show days of the variety, we 'now give the opinions of a
present-day enthusiast in the breed, Mr. Harry Jones, and one
whose opinions, alike as breeder, exhibitor, and judge, are entitled
to respect :—

" I do not propose in any way to deal with the ancient history of
the Dachshund, but simply to write about Dachshunds as we have
known them in England since they have been exhibited at our dog
shows. Strange as it may appear, a separate class for this breed
was given at the Crystal Palace Show in 1873, five years before the
earliest record of a separate class being given for Dachshunds at a
dog show in their native country — viz. at Berlin in 1878 (see
Vol. I. of the ' Teckel-Stammbuch,' published by the 'Teckel-
Klub' in 1891).

During the seventies the numbers of Dachshunds seen at our
best shows rapidly increased, and Mr. W. Schuller, of Poland Street,

THE DACHSHUND 229

imported a considerable number of the winners of the day ; but the
two Dachshunds, imported about this time, to whom most of the
modern Dachshunds can be traced back were Waldine (6,355)
and Xaverl (6,337), the former being the dam of Chenda (6,339),
Hans (8,380), Zanah (8,404), etc., and the latter the sire of Hans
(8,380), Zigzag (8,393), etc. etc. The latter's son Ozone (10,502) sired
the two brothers Maximus (12,767) and Superbus (12,776), probably
the most successful show and stud dogs of the breed in this country,
but they owed a great deal of their success to their dam Thusnelda
(10,528), imported by Mr. W. Schuller. She was first exhibited by
Mr. Mudie at the Kennel Club Show of 1880. She was smaller than
most of the Dachshunds then being shown, and was stated to have
won several first prizes at Continental shows. She proved to be
the most valuable importation of all the Dachshunds that passed
through the hands of Mr. Schuller. Although she left no progeny
in Mr. Mudie's kennel, she bred most successfully to both Ozone
and Wag when in Mr. Arkwright's kennel.

There is no doubt that nearly all our Dachshunds that were too
large and houndy in type obtained this from the strain of Waldine
(6,355), t)Ut tnis strain when crossed with Thusnelda soon produced
the right size and the type required.

In January, 1881, the Dachshund Club was formed, and before
the end of the year a description of the Dachshund with a scale of
points was published. It has often been stated that the Dachshund
Club when it published the description of the variety did so in
direct opposition to the acknowledged German type ; but the writers
who make these statements surely overlook the fact that this
standard was compiled in England and published ten years before
any standard or scale of points were published by any acknowledged
German authority — viz. the Teckel-Klub in 1891.

The standard described the Dachshund as he was then known
in this country by the imported dogs that were being exhibited,
and that were stated to have won prizes before being imported, and
to have been bred in the very best German kennels ; but there is no
doubt whatever that these imported dogs were more houndy in type
than the Dachshund described in the scale of points published by
the Teckel-Klub ten years later.

Although the points of the breed as published by the two clubs
had important differences, there was not so much difference in the
type of the dogs themselves.

In 1882 Dachshunds that were prize winners at our shows, and
bred from the most successful winners of the day, competed success-
fully at Hanover under a German judge.

In 1885 and 1886 I exhibited Wagtail (16,633) — a daughter
of Thusnelda, and the dam of Jackdaw (20,689), the most success-
ful English-bred Dachshund ever exhibited — at the shows of the

23o BRITISH DOGS

St. Hubert Society, under a German judge, and each year she not only
won the first prize in her class, but was awarded the prix d'honneur
for the best Dachshund of all classes. She was a small-sized black-
and-tan.

In 1891 I exhibited Pterodactyl (24,854) at Spa under a
German judge, who awarded him first prize in his class, but he was
not permitted to compete for the prix cfhonneur ; and Pterodactyl
was one of the most successful prize winners in England.

That Dachshunds of very different types do win prizes under our
different judges is only what occurs in nearly every breed of dog ;
but since the Teckel-Klub published its scale of points there
has been a decided effort on the part of English breeders to breed
more on the lines of the best of the German dogs, and with this
object several of the winning dogs at the trials and shows have
been imported during the last few years.

I think the greatest harm that is now being done to the breed in
England is to change the nature of the dog, from being a hardy,
keen, sporting little dog, quite able to hold his own with any dog of
his size at field sports, into the ladies' pet dog we now find him.
Instead of being a merry, bold, active dog in the ring, we find half
of them are so shy that they cannot be induced to walk, and some
will not even stand up.

That the Dachshund in his native country is a game sporting
little dog will be admitted by all who have seen the trials under
ground at foxes and badgers at Continental shows. Nearly all
the prize winners were good workers, and some were excellent
under ground.

I think it is a far more serious matter to change this sporting
little companion from a hardy, courageous dog into a pet dog,
nervous, delicate, and shy, than to have a difference in the scale of
points."

No less interesting and practical are the opinions expressed
by another well-known breeder of the variety, Mr. J. F. Sayer.
That gentleman, in his review of the breed in the Kennel Gazette
of January, 1903, states that : —

" What we want now is a few good German-bred dogs for mating
with our houndy bitches to produce better stamina and courage,
better legs and feet, tails, skin, and colour. The body and chest
we have fairly right, and even the head, as to skull, etc., but stronger
jaws are required. I have been much impressed when judging
by the comparatively few Dachshunds that are really sound on their
legs and able to stand evenly on their feet. Many can stand
without knuckling over ; but soundness demands something more
exacting than this — namely, strong (sound) feet, not too long,

THE DACHSHUND

231

outspreading, and not twisted. The twisted foot is oftenest
observed, and no dog with such a fault can be considered absolutely
sound. Then, again, another striking fault, though not, I believe,
so damning as unsoundness, is the loose shoulder — out-at-elbow—
a sign of weakness in a most vital part of a Dachshund. How
rarely one sees a good level back, with proper loin development !
A great number of present-day winners dip behind the shoulders,
and perhaps more are higher on quarters than at shoulder.

Muscle is absolutely at a discount, and its place is taken by
beefiness. I wonder how many of our show dogs get more than

FIG. 55.— Miss A. M. PJGOTT'S DACHSHUND CHAMPION PRIME MINISTER.

the minimum allowance of exercise, to say nothing of work. . . .
Sterns must not be neglected — curly tails, sausage tails, crooked
tails, etc., are all only too apparent ; but the correct tail — not
too long, strong at base, tapering gradually to the top, and
moderately feathered underneath— how few do we see ! Skin of
the right texture we neglect, or perhaps I should say we are losing
it, in spite of ourselves, by inbreeding. The Dachshund should
have plenty of thick skin, but it should be thick and covered with
hair that, on being stroked the wrong way is resisting to the touch,
instead of soft and yielding. Colour is rapidly fading. Red dogs
are nowadays chiefly yellow, shading to whitish fawn. The

23 2 BRITISH DOGS

beautiful cherry-red is rarely seen, and the black-and-tan is almost
conspicuous on the benches on account of its unusual colour ! Even
the black-and-tan is losing its rich tan markings, and a lot of
half-and-half colours are cropping up. Colour is certainly a minor
point ; but it helps to illustrate my contention that an outcross is
desirable. We have long ago exploded the theory of classifying
Dachshunds by colour, but there is much to be said for the care
with which the Germans have preserved the colour pure. I think
that we might with advantage take a leaf out of their book by
classifying our dogs by weight, for the variation in size and weight
of our leading winners is most extraordinary, and must be very
bewildering to beginners, and even to older hands. . . . The
right size and weight for a Dachshund is about i81b. for bitches,
and a couple of pounds heavier for dogs."

The practical breeder will do well to carefully digest what
Mr. Sayer has written with regard to the Dachshund, for they are
words of wisdom, though uttered none too soon.

Though the Dachshund (Fig. 55) in this country is not called
upon, as a rule, to " work," yet occasionally we find an owner who
takes a wholesome pride in those qualities that so endear the breed
to its Continental admirers. We have more than once seen the
working qualities of the variety put to practical test. To the fact that
as a mere ornament it is of greater monetary value than as a
utility animal must be ascribed the apathy exhibited by owners
with regard to its working qualities ; for to develop the latter to
the full would be to put the dog out of court for show-bench
honours. The Dachshund, taken generally, makes an ideal com-
panion and house-guard; while it is one of the easiest of dogs
to keep in first-class condition.

The matter we have quoted from Mr. J. F. Sayer's very practical
contribution to the periodical above referred to sufficiently indicates
the lines that the novice should go upon when selecting a dog,
especially when taken in conjunction with the description of the
breed furnished by the Dachshund Club and given below and
ihe illustration that accompanies this chapter. "Vert," in his
contribution at the beginning of this chaper, disapproves of the
Rough-haired Dachshund ; and the only addition that calls for
mention in connection with the Club's description is the fact that
dappled specimens are occasionally found and special classes
provided for them at the larger shows.

The Dachshund standard, as settled by the Dachshund Club,
November, 1 88 1, is as follows :—

Head and Skull. — Long, level, and narrow ; peak well developed ; no stop ;
eyes intelligent and somewhat small ; follow body in colour.

THE DACHSHUND 233

Ears. — Long, broad, and soft ; set on low, and well back ; carried close to
the head.

Jaw.— Strong, level, and square to the muzzle ; canines recurvent.

Chest. — Deep and narrow ; breast-bone prominent.

Legs and t-eet. — Fore legs very short, and strong in bone, well crooked, not
standing over ; elbows well clothed with muscle, neither in nor out ; feet large,
round, and strong, with thick pads and strong nails. Hind legs smaller in bone
and higher, hind feet smaller. The dog must stand true— i.e. equally on all
parts of the foot.

Skin and Coat.— Skin thick, loose, supple, and in great quantity ; coat dense,
short, and strong.

Loin. — Well arched, long, and muscular.

Stern. — Long and strong, flat at root, tapering to the tip ; hair on under side
coarse ; carried low, except when excited. Quarters very muscular.

Bo'iy.— Length from back of head to root of stern two and a half times the
height at shoulder. Fore ribs well sprung, back ribs very short.

Lolour. — Any colour ; nose to follow body colour ; much white objectionable.

Symmetry and Quality. — The Dachshund should be long, low, and graceful,
not cloddy.

Weight.— Dog?,, about 2 lib. ; bitches, about i81b.

SCALE OF POINTS

Head and Skull ... ... ... ... ... 12

Ears 6|

Jaw 5

Chest ... ... ... ... ... ... . 7

Legs' and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... 20

Skin and Coat ... ... ... ... ... ... 13

Loin ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8

Stern... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Body... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8£

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 4

Symmetry and Quality ... ... ... ... ... n

Total ... ... ... 100

The Dachshund Club states that it does not advocate point
judging, the figures given being only used to show the comparative
value of the features.

The Dachshund is one of the few varieties that can boast a
Stud Book of its own. "Dachshund Pedigrees" are monumental
volumes, and bear eloquent testimony to the painstaking care and
research bestowed upon them by their compilers, Mr. E. S.
Woodiwiss and Mr. E. Watlock Allen. They contain a list of all
registered Dachshunds up to date, giving their reputed sires and
dams, dates of birth, colour, breeders, owners, etc. Apart, too,
from the pedigrees, there are a number of admirable reproductions
in black and white of " pillars of the Stud Book," English and
German dogs alike. Such a feature will be a valuable one to the
breeder in the future, who will not only be able to refer to the family
tree, but also to see some splendid representations of animals
forming its chief branches,

234 BRITISH DOGS

In the volumes referred to, which should be in the possession
of every one interested in the Dachshund, occur of course the
names of those fanciers who have done most to place the variety
upon the pinnacle of fame it now enjoys. Already some of these
have been mentioned, but there are some few others who, having
espoused the cause of the variety on its introduction, have
retained at least their affection for it up to the present day — Mr.
A. O. Mudie, Mr. A. W. Byron, Mr. Montague Wootten, Mr. E. S.
Woodiwiss, Miss Pigott, Mr. W. Arkwright, Captain and Mrs. Barry,
and a few others ; while the lady who at the outset was largely
responsible for the dog's introduction here was Mrs. Merrick-Hoare.

To those accustomed to regard the soft-eyed, smooth-coated
Dachshund as but a pampered pet-dog, incapable of little
beyond the bestowal of its affection upon its owner and it may be
the guarding of the house, the instructive contribution from Mr.
William Carnegie ("Moorman") on the dog's working capabilities will
come as a revelation. It is also to be hoped that those who have
the true welfare of the breed at heart — and their name is legion —
will see fit to pay attention to those workmanlike qualities that
first endeared the breed to English hearts, instead of contriving to
breed solely for those more ornamental ones that fickle Fashion
has for the nonce ruled shall obtain :—

" The popularity of the Dachshund in this country dates now for
many years back, but the curious little dogs have never achieved
that position for either Terrier or Hound work that they hold
in Germany, Austro-Hungary. and other parts of the Continent.
They quickly secured the approval of the ' Fancy ' upon intro-
duction to English kennels and the benches of our dog shows ; but
to a very large, in fact, preponderating, extent their merits in field
and covert, when properly trained and worked, have been either
overlooked or ignored. True, there have been, and are, many
owners of Dachshunds who have sought to prove their worth other-
wise than as merely fancy dogs ; but whatever measure of success
has crowned their efforts in this direction, the generality of those
interested in the breed have not sought to follow up or extend these
favourable results.

No doubt the. name Dachshund, with the German translation
of ' badger-dog,' has handicapped the breed for work in this country,
because people naturally point to the scarcity of badgers in most
parts of the British Isles, and, further, to the apparent unsuitability
of the undoubtedly peculiarly built dogs for drawing badgers, their
inability to tackle them, and the pronounced fact that we have
numberless dogs of various Terrier breeds more suitable to work
of this kind than the Dachshund itself.

It is greatly to be regretted that the breed has been so closely

THE DACHSHUND 235

and so solely associated with the badger by those who patronise
and stand fast by the breed. This is not the case in the Continental
countries, where it chiefly predominates, and where its name has
become more familiar in the semi-diminutive, semi-nicknames of
Daxel or Teckel. Had the dog come to us under any other name
than Dachshund, and its inevitable translation of ' badger-dog,' there
would seem to be' every reason to believe it would have taken better
place as a worker than it has done so far.

To properly appreciate the position that the Dachshund holds
in the countries that chiefly esteem it, it is necessary for the un-
acquainted British amateur to compare it with the position held by
some of our Terrier breeds. It is unnecessary to particularise ; but
for the present purpose any popular breed of working Terrier may
be taken as representative. In these islands we should have a
standard of excellence which would govern the positions of the
best-bred dogs at shows and elsewhere, a general type of well-bred
members of the breed, and the usual mongrel riff-raff; we should
have dogs bred and kept mainly for showing, others for pets or
companions, and others bred and maintained solely for work in the
special direction and under the special conditions demanded by
various circumstances. Such is precisely the position of the
Dachshund in the Continental countries named ; but it holds an
additional one, possessed by no other single breed in the British
Isles — it is essentially the companion of the sportsman, the woods-
man, and the gamekeeper. Whatever the resources of the kennels of
the one or the other, one or more Dachshunds seem to be a sine
qua non, and in the vast majority of cases the Daxel or Teckel will
be a useful, well-trained dog, well up to any of the chance work
such as a gamekeeper or a sportsman would come across in going
his rounds, or in an ordinary stroll over the preserve with dog
and gun.

This class of Dachshund serves as a sort of general utility dog.
If a hare or a rabbit be wounded by a shot, the dog will find or
retrieve it ; a varmint be found in a trap, it will kill it ; if there be
fur or feather to be found and driven from covert, the dog is trained
and is quite equal to the task.

These are all services such as one can command from one or
other of our own breeds of dogs employed for sport ; but then a
single properly trained Dachshund will perform them all, whilst
the little hounds may also be trained to work more associated with
their name, and which I shall describe in detail later on.

It has been made clear so far that the Dachshund is capable of
work in wood, covert, or field, of no mean order, and it is now
necessary to see how these faculties for work can be developed. To
this end we must take some stock of the breed as we now possess
it. Those who are responsible for the type of Dachshund have

236 BRITISH DOGS

frequently disputed between what may be termed Hound and Terrier
type, and in this respect we find one of the causes of the fallacy
which the name Dachshund begets influencing judgment in the
wrong direction. The Dachshund never was a Terrier in the sense
that we understand it of a dog for going to ground. True, well-
trained ones — trained, that is, for this particular work — will go to
ground and tackle fox or badger in its earth ; but the Dachshund,
as a working dog, is and must be regarded in the light of a diminutive
hound, working slowly, but steadily, by scent mostly, and driving
game or vermin to the gun.

There are few dogs more sure or persistent upon a cold trail or
scent ; they will follow and find wounded fur and feather where
smarter breeds, such as a Spaniel or a Terrier, will over-run the
quarry and remain at fault ; they will also, when worked in company,
follow, worry, and bring to gun or to bay far superior quarry to dogs
of their own weight and size of Terrier breed.

It will therefore be seen that to promote and thoroughly bring
out the working capabilities of the Dachshund, it is, to say the least,
unwise to attempt to enter them upon the same lines as one would
commence the education of young Terriers. It is precisely for this
reason that so many failures to make good working Dachshunds
have resulted.

For a portion of its work a Dachshund requires to be entered
upon the same lines as the small Beagles — Beagles, that is, of about
i4.in., not the oversized ones, neither Beagle, Harrier, nor Hound,
of 1 7 in. to even igin., whose size and speed are too great for one
style of work and insufficient for the other. Coupled with this form
of work, the Dachshund Acquires entering also to that portion of a
sporting Terrier's work that embraces the search by scent for fur or
vermin, the driving of them to gun, net, or earth, but not the actual
going to earth. When Dachshunds are required to go to earth after
fox or badger, whether to tackle the quarry and hold it at bay till it
is dug out, or to drive it from its burrow, a specific form of training is
required — upon the same lines as the low-legged Scottish Terriers
are entered for work amongst the cairns and rocky grounds of our
northern province where foxes are shot and caught, but not hunted
with hounds.

Slow seek, sure find, is the maxim that must guide the hand that
seeks to train Dachshunds to the work of which they are capable and
at which they are adepts. They cannot at their best replace any of
our Terrier breeds at the work at which they in their turn are facile
princeps, but they can be brought to such a state of serviceable
training in the directions which have been mentioned as will freely
prove their utility and value as an addition to our list of sporting
dogs. The great point is that they must receive a special course of
training suited to their peculiarities of form and nature and with a

THE DACHSHUND 237

due appreciation of their possible powers. Of course, the general
scheme of game-preservation and woodcraft in these islands is not
the same as in the far larger and wilder lands of the countries where
the Dachshund is chiefly valued and used, whilst at the same time
the quarry upon which they can be worked is of far more limited
character and variety. At the same time, the opportunities for
employing them when properly trained are many and varied, as will
be seen from the experiences of their working gained in those Con-
tinental districts where they are chiefly valued, and which will be
described.

To properly appreciate what well-trained Dachshunds are
capable of, it is necessary to have witnessed them at work, and
shared in the sport in which their services are brought to bear.
Given a concise insight into the manner in which they are employed
abroad — admittedly under somewhat different circumstances from
those obtaining at home — the outcome of the training to which they
are submitted will serve as a guide to the possibilities of their use in
our own lands.

For the most part the majority of the forests and woodlands of
Germany harbour many more hares than do any of our British woods
and coverts ; and in districts where the Dachshund is a plentiful
feature of the kennels, it is freely employed for the purpose of beating
out the hares for the individual gunner, or for general beats, where
several sportsmen are concerned. These woodland hares do not
strike straight away when started from their forms, but display very
much the same tactics as rabbits, dodging here and there amongst
the undergrowth where such exists, and confining their course to
lesser and more circling limits where the woods are clear and the
view of the quarry is more extended.

Under these conditions the work of the Dachshund upon hares
resembles very much that of a steady, slow Spaniel — less bustling
and headstrong, and running more by scent than sight when once
the quarry is sighted. Along drives and paths Dachshunds learn
to work the ground on either side, never going deep into cover, but
driving the hares to the open ground, where opportunity for shooting
is greater. Many Dachshunds trained to this work will follow and
retrieve a wounded hare — wounded heavily, that is, for it stands to
reason that a Dachshund's pace would not be equal to running down
one only slightly touched — within reasonable limits of time. Still,
for all that, these dogs, when keen and thoroughly trained, are quite
capable of such work, and many instances of their powers in this
direction have come under my personal notice.

From the humane point of view this is a distinct merit, for the
Dachshund is powerfully mawed, and makes no great fuss of cleanly
killing a wounded hare and bringing it to bag. Of course we could
find very little occasion for employing this breed for similar purposes

238 BRITISH DOGS

in this country ; but in connection with that form of sport known as
hedge-popping, Dachshunds would serve wonderfully well if properly
trained to the work, and would probably furnish better sport than
many of the Terriers and Spaniels usually brought into this style of
work, frequently to their detriment for that of a more legitimate
description.

Naturally chief interest in the Dachshund and its work must
centre upon what dogs of the breed can do in connection with the
badger. To rightly appreciate the working of any dog on badgers,
it must be borne in mind that it must be specially entered for
tackling or driving out these vermin. None of our British breeds
is in itself specially constituted for this work ; but individual
members, possessing the natural ability and disposition, figure
prominently for the purpose. In just the same way, many
Dachshunds are specially entered and worked upon badgers. These
animals are very plentiful in many districts of Germany, but are
wonderfully so upon some of the Hungarian slopes of the Carpathian
Mountains. Properly trained Dachshunds are employed to hunt
them to their lairs, as well as to go to earth, and either hold them in
their burrows or drive them from them, when they are taken alive
or shot, as the case may be.

Without going into details of the badger's merits or failings as an
object of sport, or enlarging upon the details of the subject, it must,
however, be pointed out that the habits of the brock are mainly
nocturnal ; consequently the services of Dachshunds in this respect
must be attuned to the nature of the work required. The badger,
seemingly a clumsy animal, can, however, go at a comparatively
speaking great rate; it follows, therefore, that any dog capable of
dealing with it in the open must not only possess a certain turn of
speed, but be able to cope with the varmint if it comes up with it,
or if the latter should turn upon its pursuer. These conditions the
Dachshund is freely capable of fulfilling, and to far better advantage
than the more speedy Terriers, whilst being at the same time better
provided for tackling them, if it come to such necessity.

In those particular parts of the Carpathians to which reference
has been made, the lower fringe of forest-land abuts right on to the
higher slopes of cultivated land, where maize is largely grown. The
badgers, which are remarkably numerous in these woods, are also
bad enemies of the growing maize-crop, and will commit very serious
depredations amongst it just before the time of harvest. The
badgers will find their way down from their haunts at dusk, and, getting
amongst the maize, pursue quite a devastating course. The
expanses of growing corn are at times very considerable, and to deal
successfully with the vermin — for such they are — many Dachshunds
are employed. The routine is to put the dogs in upon them, and the
men with the guns — proprietors, foresters, or watchers, as the case

THE DACHSHUND 239

may be — take up positions between the growing crops and the wood-
land ; and as the dogs drive the badgers out, and the latter seek to
reach their proper haunts, some are shot, and some are collared and
killed by the Dachshunds.

It is found that no variety of dog is nearly so successful in this
work as the Dachshund. His manner of working upon the badgers
— chiefly by scent and sound — amongst the strong stalks of the
maize is exactly that which seems most effective in getting them
out and bringing them into the open ground, where they can be
satisfactorily dealt with. There is a considerable element of sport
and excitement about the whole business; and although it is not
unusual for an occasional dog to get severely mauled, still, as a
general rule the dogs have the best of it, and the procedure indicated
is found to be the most effective to employ in dealing with the
circumstances described. It is obvious that the counterpart of this
form of work for the Dachshund exists to only very small extent in
Great Britain ; but there are certain districts where badgers are still
fairly plentiful, and where a certain recognised form of sport is
obtained in hunting them upon similar lines at night-time. As a
rule, however, the badgers are either taken alive, or simply hunted
back to their earths.

I believe I am correct in stating that a few years back a small
pack of Dachshunds were successfully worked in connection with
badger-hunting of this description ; and it is perfectly certain that
some of the small hounds, properly entered and trained to this
work, would show more extended and better sport than would
Terriers employed for the same purpose. At the same time, if
required to go to ground, the Dachshund is far superior for the work
to Terriers of either large or small breed : the former are too
heavy and upstanding for work on badgers below ground, and the
smaller ones, be the individual members never so plucky or hard,
not by nature suited for dealing with such a foe. The badger is in
many ways a naturally inoffensive creature, and from the humane
standpoint, if it be necessary to draw or kill it, it is surely preferable
to adopt the speediest and least cruel manner of so doing.

Those who know the Dachshund best would never seek to place
its work upon rabbits in front of that of either Terriers or Spaniels,
except as a mere set-off against or as a comparison with the work
of these breeds. It is true enough that under certain conditions
the Dachshund would prove superior ; but these conditions are
exceptional, and the colour of the breed is against it when working
upon fur in close cover.

As furnishing an insight to the extreme possibilities of these
little dogs, it may be mentioned that a well-known sportsman of my
acquaintance, very keen on deer and ibex shooting in high grounds,
has a couple of Dachshunds that he employs upon his stalks for

240 BRITISH DOGS

tracking wounded quarry. He has found them to work with the
greatest sureness upon comparatively cold scent, and save him
many a head which otherwise might never have been brought to
bag.

In conclusion, it may be remarked that the proper entering and
training of Dachshunds to any of the work of which they are capable
is a quite easy proceeding. They are extremely intelligent, and
probably the least nervous, as a breed, of any dogs employed for
similar purposes. The main point is to observe that they are not
Terriers ; that the course of entering them to any quarry must be
upon nearly the same lines as are adapted to the entering of Beagles
or other small hounds ; that it is only sure and steady, but not
necessarily slow, work of which they are capable. With these
reservations, there is no reason why great numbers of the Dachs-
hunds now existing in this country should not become as useful
members of our kennels as are their congeners in Continental
countries.

CHAPTER XXIV
THE POINTER

THE pointing dog was first introduced into England about two
hundred years ago This seems clear ; because before the eighteenth
century no trace of him can be found in either the pictures or
books on sport, the first record of him in this country being a
picture of the Duke of Kingston, with his kennel of Pointers,
dated 1725. Now, these dogs are of the same elegant Franco-
Italian type as the pointing dogs painted by Oudry and Desportes
for the French kings at the end of the seventeenth century ; so that,
in spite of this picture by Tillemans being the earliest British
representation, it cannot be supposed to depict the absolute pioneers
of the breed ; for the name " Pointer," derived from the Spanish
punta, implies that the first ancestors of the breed must have
come from Spain, probably brought back by our returning army
after the Peace of Utrecht in 1712. And it must have been
by judiciously blending the blood of the heavy Spaniard with that
of the racing-like French dog, that the Duke of Kingston and
enthusiasts of a similar stamp first created that monarch of his
race, the English Pointer.

The forms of the dogs portrayed in this Tillemans picture
completely demolish the vulgarly received idea that the cross
with the Foxhound was necessary to give the Poin-ter quality or
speed. In fact, this cross was most probably an experiment
arising from the superstitious belief of some that the Foxhound
was so superior an animal, that any other breed whatever must
derive benefit from an admixture of his blood.

Colonel Thornton, in the dying years of the eighteenth century,
seems, from the unanimous voice of his contemporaries, to have
been the first to try this disastrous misalliance; and no doubt
his immediate success in producing in this way such an animal
as his celebrated Dash (sold for about .£350), has induced many
others since then to imitate his pernicious example.

In the earlier decades of the nineteenth century, sporting
literature began to develop very rapidly ; but, imbued with the
true spirit of sport as most of it is, details as to individual dogs

16

242 BRITISH DOGS

and registers of pedigrees were still wanting, until the era of shows
and field trials made their value, and the necessity of more accuracy
on such matters, apparent. Good strains of Pointers existed in
many kennels, and systematic breeding for improvement was
taken in hand by Mattingley and others. Many of our great
families owned kennels of distinct strains, and those of Earl Derby,
at Knowsley, and Earl Sefton, have pretty largely contributed to
produce the excellence of our existing Pointers. The Edge strain
obtained merited fame, and when the kennels were broken up,
after the death of Webb Edge, there were eager buyers at the
sale at Strelley, some of the Pointers going to Prince Albert, and
others to Mr. Statter, to Mr. Brailsford, of the Knowsley Kennels,
and to Mr. George Moore, of Appleby.

Mr. Garth's celebrated Drake, whose pedigree is given very
fully in the Kennel Club Stud Book, takes us back about half
a century, with an almost unbroken lineage ; and since Drake's
time (he was whelped 1867) most of our Pointers have had their
pedigrees minutely kept.

Mr. Lort, writing in 1887, says : —

" Great improvements have been made, within the last ten or
twelve years, in mapy of our now numerous Pointer kennels,
insomuch that far better-looking dogs are now to be seen competing
and winning at field trials ; and many of our chief field-trial winners
have figured in the prize lists of the leading shows, notably Prince
Solms's Naso of Kippen, Mr. F. Lowe's Bang Bang and Duke of
Hessen, Colonel Cotes's Carlo, Mr. Shield's Gladsome, and Mr.
Salter's Osborne Ale, with many others. Some that have not been
fortunate enough to win at field trials have shown themselves to be
not only handsome but really good dogs at work.

On the show-bench, since the days of Hamlet, Wagg, and
Ponto, the leading places have been successfully held by Mr. George
Pilkington's Faust, Mr. Luck's Bang II., Mr. Norrish's Graphic,
and last, but by no means least or worst, Mr. C. H. Beck's Naso
of Upton. Amongst the opposite sex, the late Major Vaughan Lee's
Maggie, Mr. Grant's Maggie, Mr. R. J. Lloyd Price's Bow Bells,
Mr. Heywood Lonsdale's Peach, Mr. Beck's Nan, Mr. S. Price's
Belle of Bow, and a host of others, have gained high positions.

We find the blood of old Champion Bang running strongly
through the list of field-trial winners, Priam, Scamp, Bang Bang,
Laurel, Lingo, Hero, and others, having done much to bring the
good old blood into high repute ; whilst Mr. Salter has been
especially fortunate in producing such animals as Malt, Romp's
Baby, Paris, and Osborne Ale, by crosses from Bang, on the Salter
strain. My Naso (as good a dog as ever ran) earned a reputation,
not only in this country, but also on the Continent, where many

THE POINTER 243

of the strain have been in the hands of Prince Solms, among which
Naso II., Duke of Hessen, and Naso of Kippen, all field-trial
winners, come from the Prince's kennel ; whilst Naso of Kippen,
who has lately been exported at a long price, leaves behind him, in
this country, three good sons in Mr. Beck's Naso of Upton and
Rapid Ben (winner of the Field Trial Derby last year), and the
Rev. W. J. Richardson's Rex of Milton. Mr. J. E. Lloyd Lloyd
has also shown some very beautiful bitches in Daphne, Zasme, lima,
and Lady Jane ; but these have not appeared at field trials. Mr.
Norrish's name, too, has been well known to the public through
Graphic, Beryl, Glee, Revel, Revel III., Beau Ideal, and others.
Sir Thomas Lennard, Mr. R. J. Lloyd Price, Mr. George Pilkington,
Mr. J. H. Whitehouse, Mr. Barclay Field, and Mr. Heywood
Lonsdale, have all done much to make the modern Pointer the
most fashionable of sporting dogs."

The views of Mr. G. Thorpe Bartram, given in a contribution
to the First Edition of " British Dogs," and since revised by him,
are interesting. As a breeder, an exhibitor, and one devoted to
the field sports in which dogs are employed, his remarks are
well worthy of attention. Mr. Bartram says : —

"The Pointer is now, and has ever been, most essentially a sporting
dog. Although his origin is not quite clear, nor the country from
which he was imported into England satisfactorily made out, still,
he is generally credited with coming to us from Spain. Even now
we not infrequently hear the phrase ' That is a regular old-
fashioned Spanish Pointer ' applied to a heavy, lumbering dog,
such as was much used by our forefathers. If his footing upon
British soil cannot be traced back so far as the Setter's — or, at
least, as the Setter has existed amongst us in some form or another
— still, he seems to have been bred in this country for the purpose
for which he is now used, and for that alone. In France, America,
Spain, and Portugal, he is also used for sporting purposes.

He has always, as far as I can ascertain, been considered in
England a distinct breed of dog, cultivated for finding game by
scent, and trained to 'pointing' it when found — i.e. to come to a
standstill upon scenting it. So innate is this propensity to point
in a well-bred puppy of this breed that we frequently see him point
the first time he is entered to game. This is regarded by some
sportsmen as evidence of an original disposition to point peculiar
to this breed ; but all the information that I have obtained on this
matter goes to show that it was first only the result of training, and
now exists more as a communicated habit than anything else. It
is advanced, in favour of the predisposition theory, that the Setter
has been bred, trained, and used for precisely the same purpose, yet

244 BRITISH DOGS

he does not exhibit this quality — spontaneous pointing — in anything
like the same degree. It is a fact that the Pointer does, as a rule,
take to pointing much earlier in his training ; but the cause of this
I must leave for others to decide.

The Pointer, however different in form from what he now is,
and in spite of the many crosses to which he has been subjected,
seems to have experienced very little change in his leading charac-
teristics. The crossing him with other dogs, which at various times
has been tried, has not eradicated the ' stamp ' peculiar to his
breed ; neither is it evident that the object sought by infusing into
his veins blood foreign to him was so much to change his character
as to introduce qualities that it was thought he might with advantage
possess. By this I mean that it was not so much to produce, by
crossing with other breeds, a dog to do the Pointer's work, as to
render him more suitable to the work which he was, through change
of circumstances, required to perform. In most cases, I believe,
first crosses have proved failures, whether with Foxhound or other
dog. The foreign blood thus imported had to be diluted (if I may
use the expression) by crossing back again with the Pointer, before
even so good a dog as the pure Pointer was produced. ' Droppers '
— for such is the name given to the produce of the first cross
between Pointer and Setter— are, in some few instances, fairly good ;
but they are no improvement on the Pointer or Setter proper. The
Pointer of to-day is an animal that has been produced by the most
careful exercise of knowledge, gained by keen observation, assisted
by extensive breeding and sporting experience. He is now a dog
specially adapted to his work. He has been rendered capable of
doing it with the greatest amount of ease and efficiency. By careful
selection he has been divested of all the lumber that was the cause
of his distress in years gone by. His pace has been improved by
a due regard to formation, and he is, as a consequence, capable of
hunting a larger range of ground without becoming useless by
excessive fatigue. The ease with which the present shape of his
shoulders and chest allows him to sweep over his ground in graceful
strides, and to preserve and exercise with advantage his gift of scent,
is a pleasure to witness.

There is no doubt that the field trials and dog shows that have
been held for the past fifteen years have greatly contributed towards
the attainment of his present high state of excellence ; but, much
as I admire the modern Pointer, there is just one of his properties
that I do not think has been improved, at least, by no means so
much as have others — I mean his olfactory powers. He does
not appear to possess any superior (or even equal) faculty of scent-
ing game now to that he did years ago. But I am fully aware
that the great speed at which most Pointers hunt the ground now,
as compared with the old-fashioned dog of, say, twenty-five years

THE POINTER 245

ago, ought to be taken into account in considering this matter.
It is more than probable that, the slower a dog goes, the greater
are his facilities for taking into his nostrils the atoms of scent.
Assuming this to be the case, the slow dog of the past had an
advantage in * winding ' game over the flyers of to-day.

I may be permitted to remark that many of my sporting friends
who have used Pointers all their lives are of my opinion upon the
subject. My father has used Pointers and Setters for nearly fifty
years, and has within the last few trained some (and seen others
at work) of my Pointers by Champions Rap, Pax, Chang, Macgregor,
and Bang ; and although he willingly admits their superior pace
and style, yet he fails to detect any increased range of nose over
that he has been accustomed to in good dogs he used very early
in his sporting experience.

There is no doubt whatever that the modern Pointer, owing
to his increased pace, and through being able to endure (by his
better formation) harder work, with less fatigue, is of more
service to the sportsman ; still, there is room for improvement in
him. What we want is to make htm as much superior in nose as
he is beyond his ancestors in pace. This as yet we have not
accomplished. Of course, increased pace allows of more ground
being hunted in the same time, and this of itself is a great advantage;
and it is this alone, in my opinion, that gives the modern fast
Pointer the advantage over his slower rival. To illustrate what
I mean, I may say that I have often put down my field-trial winner
Romp with good-nosed slow dogs (local celebrities, too), and,
owing to her terrific pace, she could always take and keep the
outside beat ; consequently, her chances of finding game were
much increased, and she invariably beat them ' hands down.' But
it was only her pace, not her nose, that gave her the advantage. The
dogs she could easily beat were her equals in nose. I have attended
field trials for the last fifteen years, and in no case have I seen any
Pointer exhibiting an increased range of nose over that I have
seen in other good dogs.

A fear has often been expressed that, by breeding for pace,
the staunchness of the Pointer would be detrimentally affected. I
am pleased to say I do not find this to be the case. He is now,
in this respect, all that a sportsman can wish for.

The Pointer, I am fully persuaded, is more readily trained to
his duties than the Setter. He seems to take more kindly to
his work, and is generally kept up to his training with less trouble.
I have seen Pointers that have not been turned into a field for
a year or two go and do their work in rare form, as if they had
been in full training. I do not think the Pointer is such a
companionable dog as the Setter. He is * all there ' when at
work, but afterwards the kennel seems his proper place. He does

246 BRITISH DOGS

not acquire so much affectionate amiability of character from his
association with mankind as does the Setter and other sporting dogs.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and I know some few
Pointers that are remarkable for their attachment and sagacity.

By old sportsmen, and in books too, we have had some truly
astonishing accounts given of intelligence displayed by them when
at their legitimate work, and I feel bound to say that, after what
I have seen, I am inclined to believe quite possible much that
I at one time thought wholly incredible. Had it not been for
the high authority who stated the fact that a dog, when used by him
with a puppy, would worry the puppy because he flushed game,
I could not have credited it for one moment ; but, since this article
first appeared in print, a similar fact has been demonstrated before
my eyes ; and more, the dog that would do this would also, when
told, run after and bite the puppy that persisted in chasing game.
I have also seen a Pointer leave his ' point,' and go round the
birds that were running from him, apparently to prevent their
getting up 'out of shot,' and this without the least instruction.

These facts serve to show what a high degree of sagacity it
is possible to obtain in the Pointer. I feel sure that it will be said
by many of my readers : * No matter what you say in favour
of the Pointer, he is of less service to the sportsman than he has
ever been.' As far as partridge-shooting is concerned, I am com-
pelled to admit that he is the victim of circumstances. The change
made in the system of cultivation in England has been such that,
from lack of cover to hide his game (which enabled him to get
up to it), and not from degeneracy in himself, he has become
of less service now than he was in the days of small enclosures
and reaped stubbles.

The stubbles, once the chief cover, are now cut by the machine
so close that it is next to impossible for game to lie to a dog on
them. This, with other changes in agriculture, militates strongly
against the dog. He has now to work against very great difficulties,
and difficulties which are not, I am sorry to say, likely to disappear.
In spite of these disadvantages, I still maintain that a good Pointer
can be used during the first month of the season with pleasure and
advantage. I have always thus used my dogs, whether I have
been shooting alone or in company, and during the first three
weeks of the season 1879, m a verv rough country, over 100 brace
were killed to them, and they did excellent service in finding
wounded game. A friend to whom I one season lent my bitch
Stella, killed over her 100 brace to his own gun, and in the latter
part of September he wrote me : ' I find I can still have good
sport with your dog. Stella is all that I can wish for as a Pointer,
and I never lose any wounded game with her ; she has rendered
me excellent services. She does in her work all but talk to me.' "

THE POINTER 247

Interesting as the remarks of two such eminent sportsmen
cannot fail to be, they, especially Mr. Lort's, are too optimistic
in their tendency. Mr. Lort, alas ! fell latterly very much under
the influence of the dog shows ; and even Mr. Thorpe Bartram
seems to take it for granted that the trials have always brought
out the highest qualities of the Pointer. This is very far from the
case; for the fancy work at the field trials of past years was
only second to that of the shows. In fact, " Save me from my
friends " would have had to be placed as an epitaph on the grave
of the Pointer by this time, had not the Pointer and Setter Society
arisen, born of the embers of the Pointer Club in 1895.

So far, this Society seems to be struggling manfully for the revival
of its breeds, and has already brought back some semblance of
reality to both the working and appearance of the public dogs, and
to the judging of them both at trials and shows Whether it will
persevere until a complete restoration is brought about, of course
remains to be seen. It has yet much hard work to do, if it is to
be completely successful against the malign influences of vested
interests, ignorance, and a Kennel Club that has in its Stud Book
unduly exalted mere looks. Anyhow, it has lately allied itself with
the Sporting Spaniel and Retriever Societies under the title of the
International Gundog League, to which in its work of general
reform all sportsmen will wish Godspeed.

Our Society is trying to foster interest in Brace Stakes, which,
although they are the only ones that can lay claim to be held under
conditions at all resembling real shooting, were till lately looked down
on at public trials with profound contempt. It has made a sine qua
non that all winning braces shall have been run at least twice
in the Stake, thus lessening that undue amount of luck which
is such a blot on these institutions. It is also making efforts
to reintroduce into trial dogs good and systematic quartering of
their ground, an essential that had fallen into complete abeyance
at these meetings ; and it is seeking to impress on the judges the
necessity of penalising all dogs that, in their unrestrained eagerness
to push forward into the wind, leave game unfound on their beat.

The reason for good quartering is, of course, to ensure the
dogs finding all the game on a given strip of country, and never
stumbling on any birds down-wind. Very much depends on
the dog's first cast on a fresh beat, which should always be directly
across the wind with the head inclined towards it. The head
must be carried high, as the body-scent floats in the air with an
upward tendency ; and, therefore, it is easy to perceive the advantage
of that " dished " formation of face which enables the Pointer
to gallop at full speed without constricting the muscles of his
throat.

As regards the advisability of the backing dog remaining

248 BRITISH DOGS

stationary in Brace Stakes while his master and the pointing dog
road up the game, in contradistinction to drawing up behind the
gun — opinions differ among sportsmen. This is owing, no doubt,
to the difference in the sort of country that they shoot over, and to
the dissimilar game that they have to pursue. But, surely, in any
case, all young dogs should be taught at first to remain immovable
when backing, as by this means they become much less jealous
and more careful. Aud for expediency also, looking on public trials
as means to the end of obtaining a supply of first-rate dogs for
shooting, this absolute steadiness behind should be insisted on ;
as one day will suffice to convert a steady dog to the drawing-on
method, but the process can never be reversed.

Reading their game is another faculty in which trial dogs
have improved much of late, and, needless to say, it is of primary
importance to the grouse-shooter ; for the birds so frequently
run on from the point of the dog that, unless on his master's
approach he willingly follows them without fuss or encouragement,
many a shot will be missed and many a brood escape altogether.

Stickiness on the point may be cured easily when a dog is
young by yoking him to an old one, who will take him up to
the birds in spite of himself.

Before detailing the attributes that are necessary to make up
a first-class Pointer, it may be said that there can be no doubt
whatever that the standard of points used of late to decide as
to which is the best-looking Pointer at the shows, is in many
ways fanciful and arbitrary. Indeed, it has made some points
essentially necessary that are of no real practical value, because
they have no direct or indirect bearing on the dog's utility, nor
were they originally characteristic of the Pointer. The pos-
session of them does not render him any the more fitted to
assist the sportsman with the gun. but contrariwise. That these
are not necessary to render a Pointer good at his work will be
clearly understood by every sportsman ; and, in support of this
statement, it may be added that most dogs remarkable for their
excellence in the field do not possess them. That celebrated field-
trial winner Drake (sold at seven years old for 150 guineas to
Mr. Price, of Bala), a marvel in his day, although possessing in
a very marked degree the points of endurance, wear and tear
qualities, could not raise any claim to be considered good-looking
from the modern show-bench point of view. In general outline
he was just the build that should be looked for in a dog of whom
a lot of hard work is required ; but on critical examination — that
is, taking into consideration all the little etceteras which go to
make up a show-ring winner — he would have been found very
deficient. When compared with his kennel companion, the
celebrated show-prize winner Wagg, the qualities that made VVagg

THE POINTER 249

so successful seem to be entirely absent in him. These are the
features that may legitimately be called "fancy points," and are
chiefly derived from the Foxhound cross.

It is well known that a few show dogs have won at field trials ;
but the fact remains that those which are not of this type have taken
the most prominent position as field-trial runners. And those
that by their excellent qualities prove the best in the field are
generally the most unlike what has been considered a good-
looking, show-bred Pointer.

The following are the points of the old-fashioned working
Pointer, to which pure type, happily, sportsmen and exhibitors alike
seem to be reverting : —

Head. — This should be lengthy; the eye being just half-way between occiput
and nostril. There should be a well-pronounced stop between the eyes, and
a good drop from skull to set-on of the well-dished muzzle. At the junction
between skull and muzzle the head should be cleanly cut : this seems to
give character to the face ; when this part is filled up, it makes the head
look what is called "gummy." The skull should be wide between the ears:
dogs with wide and full temples are the most intelligent and have the best noses ;
they should not, however, have large or prominent cheek-bones. The lips, thin
yet ample, should not hang down like the Bloodhound's, nor yet taper up to nostrils
so much as the Foxhound's.

Eyes.— These should not be sunken like the Hound's, but large and full of
animation and intelligence. A sullen, hard-looking eye is to be avoided : it is
frequently the indication of a headstrong, ungovernable animal, almost worthless
in the field.

Ears. — These should be thin and silky, and of medium length. They should
be set high on the skull, and hang flat to the cheeks.

Keck. — This should be long and muscular, springing out cleanly from the
shoulders, and joined to the skull in the same way. It should be slightly arched.

Fore Legs. — These should be straight and strong ; the arms muscular ; the
elbows well let down, and coming down well under the body— not out at elbow,
or pigeon-toed. The pastern should be slanting and of fair length.

/'iv/.— These should be of proportionate size to the dog, and pointed like those
of the hare.

Shottlders. — These should be long, fine, and sloping backwards. Great
attention should be given to them, as a dog with a thick, loaded, straight
shoulder will have a cramped, stilty, laboured gallop.

Chest. — This should be deep, but not too wide ; the ribs well sprung from
the backbone, and massive.

Body. — This should be well developed and powerful ; a weak, tucked-up
body is a great defect, indicating lack of constitution, and a clog without that
will not be capable of enduring consecutive days of hard work. The back ribs
should be deep, the loin appearing to spring from them, as excessive length
from last rib to hip and a concave loin form a very objectionable combination.

Loin. — This should be slightly arched, very wide, strong, and muscular.

Hind Legs and Thighs. — It is upon these that a dog chiefly depends for
his propelling leverage. If they are weak and ill formed, the dog is a poor
"stayer." The thighs should be very long and muscular, well developed, with
a prominent second thigh ; the stifle long and well-bent ; the hocks large aiid
strong and parallel — not turned-in, often called "cow-hocked" ; the hip-bones
wide apart and placed as high as the line of the back. The dogs with wide,
ragged hip-bones are generally endowed with speed and endurance.

250

BRITISH DOGS

Tail. — This should be rather short, fine at tip, and strong at root. It
should be set on just below the line of back, but not too low down to make
the dog look " goose-rumped." It must not be curled over the back like the
Hound's, nor yet must it droop like the Clumber's. It should be carried in a
lively manner just about level.

Symmetry. — This may be defined as a perfect unity of proportion in all the
points before enumerated, so as to present the beautiful outline that is so pleasing
to the eye — a perfect adaptation of each part of the dog for the exercise of all
his powers to the greatest advantage. For instance, some dogs possess several
points in a very marked degree of excellence, and still, because other parts are
deficient, their symmetry will be said to be at fault. Unless all parts are con-
sidered collectively, no estimate can be formed of symmetry ; and then it is very
difficult to estimate correctly.

FIG. 56. —MR. W. ARKWRIGHT'S POINTER CHAMPION SEABREEZE " ON POINT."

Colour. — A predominance or white has been thought to be best, because
it assists the sportsman in detecting the whereabouts of his dogs in high cover ;
but as to the colour of the markings on this white ground, it may be urged that
no importance attaches ; and, in support of this opinion, equally good specimens
of different colours are frequently seen. Some time back the lemon or orange and
whites were most fashionable, but latterly the liver and whites have been the
most successful prize winners. Black and white, and the whole colours — black,
liver, and various shades of yellow — are also quite correct for Pointers, but any
tricolour is very suspicious. Still, in olden times the Pointer might be of almost
any colour — even brindle being admissible, according to John Mayer (1814).

There is much that is quite essential in a first-class Pointer
that mere beauty of form— however admirable and valuable in
itself — does not by its presence guarantee ; consequently, a great
deal besides the points of appearance given in this description

THE POINTER

251

has to enter into the calculations of a successful breeder. For
instance, a dog may seem to comply with all the conditions here
laid down, and yet be a worthless idiot at the very work for which
the Pointer is bred ; and as the mental qualities and capacities of
the dog are transmitted from parents to offspring, it is imperative
in breeding to take pains to fix in one's strain nose, and brain, and
endurance.

As much difference exists between Pointers in their working
powers as in their appearance, and most sportsmen know well enough

FIG. 57.— MK. W. ARKWKIGHT'S POINTER CHAMPION SANDBANK.

how to appreciate the qualities that make a dog a good performer
in the field. Still, it may be as well, in writing on this subject, to
define briefly those natural endowments that are of such primary
importance in the breed.

Figs. 56 and 57 represent Champions Seabreeze and Sandbank,
the property of the writer of this article. The latter is a winner
of many cups and prizes at both field trials and shows ; the former
is also a big winner at shows, but has never run at trials.

First, then, it is very desirable that Pointers should have a good
nose, to enable them to scent game at a distance — the farther off

252 BRITISH DOGS

the better, provided that they are possessed of sufficient discrimina-
tion in using it to prevent their false pointing ; in short, good noses
without good brains are useless.

Next in order must be placed the natural love of hunting, without
which no dog ever attains to perfection ; though with it many
dogs, weak in other points, become, by practice, tolerably useful.
Those that frequently require the words of encouragement, " Hold
up," are very troublesome to break, and when broken often turn
out lazy, or display a lack of energy that is painful to witness. From
their nervousness and want of heart they are unable to use to
advantage any other good qualities they may possess.

It is a lively, high spirited, kindly dispositioned dog that is
wanted — one with plenty of pluck, and yet not headstrong or
reckless. Many dogs from their self-will, although possessing
other admirable qualities, become very difficult to manage, and
nothing but regular and hard work will keep them under control.
Such dogs are never wholly reliable, and this is especially felt when
using them in braces. A good dog that is trying to do his best
may be tempted into doing wrong by the provocation received
from his reckless companion.

Many otherwise good dogs turn out useless because of their
defective temper; and, therefore, it is an important matter to get
hold of a good-tempered dog for sporting purposes. In his work
he has so continually to hold in check his natural impulses that,
unless he have a good temper, he is continually forgetting his
previous training. To train a dog that is thoroughly self-willed is,
at best, a tiresome undertaking, and not worth the trouble it entails.
When a dog of this temperament ranges a little farther than usual
from his master, he as a rule gets into trouble by some wilful
fault, and in addition the close attention necessary for working him
destroys half the pleasure the sport should afford.

Dogs with a jealous disposition are very disagreeable. They are
difficult to deal with when worked in braces, because they are not
to be depended upon as " backers," and, when opportunity serves
them, will steal the other dog's point — a most serious fault. ' This
same failing makes them reckless in their range ; for they will
sometimes play at follow-the-hader, instead of taking up an in-
dependent beat, and will always be liable to commit faults (amongst
others, that of "flushing"), not from \vant of nose — but from
giving too much attention to what the other dog is doing, instead
of minding their own work.

To sum up the qualities of a first-rate Pointer : he must have a
good nose, plenty of pace, and a level, sweeping stride that will
enable him to hunt a lot of ground without distressing himself, and
a natural love of hunting, to make him anxious to find game, with
sufficient perseverance to keep him continually on the quest, even

THE POINTER 253

where birds are scarce : he must also have a bright, kindly tempera-
ment, plenty of courage without being headstrong, and must tolerate
a co-worker, despite his desire to undertake all the work : he must
stand correction for a fault, without getting sulky and skulking, being
honest, bold, and dutiful : he must carry his head well up, and never
stoop to ground scent : he must have sufficient brains to make the
best use of the wind in quartering the ground, and must merrily lash
his tail as an earnest of his good intentions. When a sportsman has
succeeded in breeding or obtaining Pointers possessed of the qualities
above enumerated, he will be naturally very reluctant to part with
them.

At the present time it is probable that America possesses quite
as many handsome English Pointers as England ; and several of
the continental countries of Europe show excellent dogs in great
quantities, notably Russia, Belgium, France, Sweden — while Italy,
Spain, Finland, Denmark are not far behind. In fact, the dogs
of some of these countries show a higher degree of average merit
than those of Great Britain ; owing to the foreigners having been
less led away by love of Foxhound type, and their shows occurring
too seldom to make the cultivation of the professional show-dog
a commercial possibility. But it is safe to say that the best-
looking individuals, like the finest workers of all, are still to be
met with in the land of their origin. With trial- workers, however,
certain of the continental countries, notably Belgium and France,
where they run their dogs under precisely similar conditions and
rules, are close on our heels.

It is more difficult to gauge the comparative merit of the
American and Russian trial dogs with ours, as the work required
of them is so different. Indeed, on the vast prairies of the New
World, both judges and breakers are on horseback, and all
methodical quartering of the ground is literally " thrown to the
winds"; while the Russians require the dog to be worked in
thick scrub, where he is lost to sight, and has to return to his
master to "report" a find, instead of remaining firmly at the
point.

CHAPTER XXV
THE ENGLISH SETTER

THE origin of the Setter is involved in hopeless mystery, and it
would not be particularly interesting or of any great importance to
endeavour to penetrate it by giving the various and irreconcilable
opinions of many writers, both ancient and modern, who have given
us their views on the subject. Suffice it to say that the general
opinion that the Setter was the improved and selected offspring of
the Springer Spaniel does not seem as probable as its converse.

There is no doubt but that the Setter was first used for hawking,
and it seems far more probable that a pointing dog; rather than a
flushing one, should have been acceptable for this purpose. Besides,
the word Spaniel, or Spaynel, indicates Spain, as in an old book,
said to be written by a son of Edward III. in 1402, it is stated :
" The nature of him comes from Spain."

What appears most probable is that the Setter is the oldest of
British dogs, that it was probably introduced by the Romans, and
that, when in later times the Spaniel and Pointer were imported
from Spain, crosses between these and the original English dog
produced respectively the more modern Setter and the many
different strains of Spaniels now so well known among us.

Between the old Springer and the modern Setter there is a
strong family likeness, as may be seen by many plates of this dog
published in old books. Setters and Pointers too were of course
broken to the net long before guns were invented. Wood says :
" The first person who broke a setting dog to the net was Dudley,
Duke of Northumberland, in 1535"; and as late as 1818 we hear
of pointing dogs being used for this purpose, and to the writer's
certain knowledge they have been employed by poachers very much
later than that. For this purpose .the Setter appears to have been
preferred to the Pointer on account of his natural crouching attitude.

Perhaps there are very few sportsmen or dog lovers of the
present day who would not agree with the opinion that the Setter
is the most beautiful in appearance, as well as the most affectionate
in disposition, of any sporting dog. Whether the beauty of the
breed, as well as its sterling sporting qualities, has been improved

THE ENGLISH SETTER 255

in the last hundred years is an exceedingly doubtful matter. The
writer inclines to a medium opinion — viz. that a hundred years
ago there were a great many more really handsome dogs than
there are now, and also a great many more really useful and de-
pendable for shooting purposes, but that there are a select few to
be found at the present day vastly superior certainly in beauty,
possibly in working qualities, to their ancestors. His own recollection
of the ancient Setter, which goes back to the year 1853, is that
he distinctly remembers at that time three, if not four, distinctly
different-looking dogs.

There were a great number of Setters in those days, mostly
lemon-and-whites, in the South and West of England — great
upstanding dogs with fine shoulders and hindquarters and exuberant
feather. These may be taken as the pure breed. Again, there was
another sort shorter in the leg, with heads broader and more
massive, and coats inclined to be curly ; these had no doubt been
crossed with the Irish Water Spaniel. There was a third sort, of
which the writer has seen but very few specimens, a short, stout dog
with a short, broad nose, and as slow as a man ; this may be taken
as a recent cross with the Spaniel.

The fourth sort was a small, fine-limbed, beautifully feathered,
straight-coated dog, with a finely cut head, generally black-and-
white. Mr. Hiles, the agent for Lady Bowden, in Herefordshire, had
a strain of these. The writer bought one himself from him early
in the fifties, and he was one of the best in the field he ever saw
and as handsome as a picture.

Now, it is a common idea that there are a great many more
Setters, and Pointers too, in these days than there were fifty years
ago. The writer does not believe a word of it.

There are, we know, in the present day very large kennels of both
breeds, chiefly kept for show and field-trial purposes ; but these
are, after all, few and far between, while now, alas ! even on the
Scotch moors dogs are rarely used, and for partridge shooting we
may almost say never. In the old days every man who shot had
one or two dogs — no one ever shot without them — and some had
fairly large kennels. Not only that fast-declining race the old
English gentleman had his Setters or Pointers or both, but every
sporting farmer likewise.

The writer has a vivid remembrance of a Setter belonging to
a man of this then most worthy class, and with whom as a boy
he had many a good day's sport. The dog was a huge black-and-
white, nearly as big as a Newfoundland, with a massive Pointer
head and a curly coat. He was very slow but exceedingly sure,
and if you gave him plenty of time, he would range every inch
of a field and find everything in it. His master was a fine fellow
of 6ft. 3in., big in proportion, and immensely powerful, he was

256 BRITISH DOGS

celebrated far and wide in the country for his pugilistic proclivities,
and was, moreover, a really wonderful shot.

One day, while out with this man and dog, the writer hit a bird
hard which went on over a small hanging wood and then towered.
On arriving as promptly as possible at the spot, we found it was
a potato garden, in which the occupier was apparently hard at work,

" Did you see that bird fall ? " said Mr. C .

" No, sir ; no bird fell here."

"Ah!" was the reply, with a knowing wink at me. "Here,
then, we'll look for it." And beckoning his dog to the end of
the little field to give him the wind, he gave him a cast straight
across the potato digger.

The old dog threw his head up into the wind, walked a few
yards, and then came to a dead point ten yards from the man.
Mr. C — - walked up calmly, took his coat off, folded it up, and
laid it on the ground.

" Now, then," he said, "give me that bird out of your pocket,
or I'll give you the hiding you ever had in your life."

The man began, " I told ee ," and then, looking up and

observing an ominous turning up of the shirt-sleeves, he took the
bird out of his pocket and handed it over without a word.

" Whatever made you think of that ? " the writer said afterwards.

" Why, because last week old Don did the same thing, only that
time it was at my coat, with a brace of birds in it, that I had put
down on the ground while I walked a bit of standing wheat in
the hot sun."

Now, if we think of the very large number of these sportsmen,
both gentlemen and farmers, who all had dogs, we cannot help
coming to the certain conclusion that Pointers and Setters were far
more numerous in those days than in these ; and besides this, there
can be no doubt whatever that their field qualities were, as a rule,
vastly superior. Men in those days did not keep dogs for show
or for swagger, neither did they keep them for the purpose of
running them once or twice a year against Dick, Tom, and Harry ;
they were not therefore, forsooth, afraid of spoiling them by shooting
to them, as men are now. If they kept a dog, it had to be a good
one to shoot to, or else it would very soon itself be shot.

In the South and West of England no strains, in the writer's
opinion, were kept distinct ; if a man had a bitch good in the field,
he would put her to an equally good dog belonging to some friend
or neighbour, utterly regardless of make or shape : excellence in
the field was the one thing needful. Dozens of names of men
who had kennels like this before the days of dog shows could be
mentioned. The late Mr. Calmady, a well-known sportsman and
M.F.H., of Devon and Cornwall celebrity, had some beautiful
lemon-and-whites. Mr. Webber, a Falmouth tradesman and a good

THE ENGLISH SETTER 257

old-fashioned sportsman, had a breed that he set great store by,
though the specimens thereof were the most uneven that one can
imagine in general form and also in working qualities. The writer
remembers seeing from one litter that this gentleman bred a tall,
long-headed, light, and airy brother, a beautiful goer and very good
in the field, and a thick, cobby, bull-headed sister, as heavy as a
cart-horse and practically useless.

The sporting county of Salop possessed one of the best and
most famous old strains of Setter, that of the well-known baronet
Sir Vincent Corbet, the portraits of many of which still adorn the
walls of the hall at Acton Reynald. These dogs were lemon-and-
white ; and one of them, Slut, became by Sir F. Grahame's Duke
the dam of another Duke, far famed as the ancestor of the best
modem strains of Setter. This strain of Sir V. Corbet's seems
also to have been in the possession of a Shrewsbury tradesman
named Hall, and was crossed in later days with the Marquis of
Anglesea's breed the Beaudesert black-white-and-tan, as well as
with the Grahame as aforesaid.

The Border counties of Cumberland and Westmorland and the
adjacent parts of Scotland boast themselves as having been the
home par excellence of the Setter.

The Duke of Gordon's kennel, well known to fame, consisting
for the most part of the colour black-white-and-tan, was no doubt
the progenitor of a great part of the fashionable blood of both
ancient and modern days, and the Lords Lovat, Seafield, Cawdor,
and Southesk had notable strains. The Marquis of Breadalbane
also had a strain known locally as "blue marbles" and "red
marbles." No doubt all these breeds were at one .time kept very
jealously to themselves ; indeed, as late as 1872 Lord Lovat's was
preserved intact — at all events, was supposed to be ; but a few years
later the specimens had become smaller in size and were evidently
deteriorating.

Most probably these strains were sooner or later mixed together,
and many an offshoot must have come into the possession of local
sportsmen. There was one curious peculiarity observed in many
of these Scotch dogs — under the ordinary coat there was an
underlay er of a sort of soft wool. This most probably originated
from their having been kept for generations in exposed kennels in
the cold north-country winters.

When paying a visit in the sixties to the kennels of the Rev.
T. Pearce (" Idstone ") at Morden, in Dorset, the writer recollects
seeing there some very handsome Setters, black-white-and-tan,
orange-and-white, lemon-and-white ; these, it appears, Mr. Pearce
was accustomed to buy through agents from Scotland at the close of
the grouse season at very low prices, he would then put his "imprim-
atur" on them, and sell them again at high figures. These dogs

17

258 BRITISH DOGS

were far superior in appearance to most of the Setters of the present
day, and were no doubt blends of these old strains. The writer
saw some of them on partridges : they had good noses and style,
but were not well broken.

Again, there seems to have been a distinct strain of Setter in
Wales, though personally the writer has only seen two specimens,
and they were short, cobby things like Spaniels, with long, curly
ears and wavy coats.

And now we come to a very important epoch in dog history,
the period of shows and then of field trials. The first Birmingham
show was held in November, 1859. The entries were very few
and the animals very imperfect. For the first few years the prize
honours were chiefly gained by the Black-and-tans, or so-called
Gordon Setters, and then there suddenly appeared on the scene
a man called Laverack with some specimens of a kennel that
he guaranteed had been bred from two ancestors for forty years,
and these carried all before them.

Mr. Laverack and his Setters have had such a startling effect on
the Setter world that they are worthy of some considerable comment.
The history of Laverack himself is sufficiently interesting.

A native of some Westmorland village, he appears in his youth
to have been a shoemaker's apprentice. Early in life, however,
he came into possession of a legacy bequeathed to him by some
distant relative. On this he appears to have been able to gratify
the exceeding love for sport which was doubtless in his blood from
some remote ancestor. In those days, which would be about 1825,
there was any amount of grouse-shooting to be got for nothing by
any one who was not afraid of roughing it, and Laverack appears to
have led a nomadic life devoted to Setters and shooting for at least
forty years. He was a good sportsman, and undoubtedly a most
marvellous judge of dogs, and for that reason a most successful
breeder of beauty and of some excellence.

It always seemed a great pity that he " gave himself away " to
the public by publishing his miraculous in-and-in pedigrees, which
can be seen in the Kennel Club Stud Book. He probably believed
them to some extent himself, but whether he ever succeeded in
inducing others to do so, with the exception perhaps of a very
few, is far more dubious. To any man of common sense, not
to speak of any practical experience, they are simply an impos-
sibility. One thing is, however, certain, that his talent for selection
enabled him to breed very closely, and so to preserve and increase
the beauty of his type, and that his inherent canniness, as well
as his perfect judgment, enabled him to select occasional fresh
strains of blood, which improved instead of destroying the excellence
of the progeny.

Sometimes also he, in the soothing atmosphere of a winter

THE ENGLISH SETTER 259

evening's fire combined with the seductive effects of some good old
port, disclosed a few faint shadows of his dark secrets. One of
them is here related.

Once on a time there was a tract of country on the Borders
called " the Debatable Land," nominally belonging to the Earls of
Carlisle. Now, this country swarmed with gipsies, and that strange
people had from time immemorial claimed the right to shoot over
this tract at their own sweet will, so on August i2th in each year
they were accustomed to form a band of thirty or more, and with a
large army of Setters, and probably Pointers as well, make a regular
raid on the said moors, and it is not surprising that the keepers
gave them a wide berth.

Well, on one Twelfth, Laverack accompanied this mob, and he
had with him one of his best dogs. Among all the Setters which
were ranging far and wide, Laverack's keen eyes noted one animal,
liver-and-white, which was facile princeps, and beat the whole lot
in both nose and pace, though by no means a good-looking one.
"Well, sir," the old man said, "I hunted up those gipsies.
I found that dog, I bought him, and I bred from him ! "

There is some reason to suspect that in much later times a
judicious cross was effected with the Pointer; but there seems to
be very little doubt at all that the Irish Setter also was called in
to refresh the blood. The writer feels sure that the old man, in
his later days, having sold all his best dogs at temptingly high prices,
was obliged, in order to save his strain from utter extinction, to
resort to some outside agency to preserve it, and there are some
good judges who fancy that they can even now trace some of these
crosses in the world-wide progeny that has resulted from the, in
many cases, injudicious and indiscriminate use of the Laverack
Setter with the old English strains.

Now, it is commonly said among Setter men that Laverack was
a great benefactor to the Setter and the Setter lover. The writer's
opinion is that this idea admits of very grave doubt. One thing
seems certain — viz. that the Laverack and its crosses caused a
great number of men to give up shooting over dogs altogether,
and that for one simple reason only — viz. that they could not break
either the original or its offspring. The ancient Laverack excelled
in beauty, it also had surpassing good field qualities, a very high
head, a wonderful nose, great pace, endurance, pluck, and a
marvellous " sporting instinct." By this last is meant such a love
for game-finding that it would go on for ever, even though never
a bird was shot to it ; but to all these qualities it added an almost
invincible headstrongness and obstinacy, and this rendered it
an impossible object of training to nine men out of ten, of that
day at all events. So things happened thus : every one sought
to cross his breed with a Laverack, of some sort or another, and

260 BRITISH DOGS

everybody did it; and so a headstrong breed arose which no one
could manage, and therefore men went out shooting without their
dogs. The writer recollects Laverack himself being once asked
on the moors with respect to a dog of his, which was endued with
perpetual motion, entire self-hunting, and utter regardlessness of
whistle, " However do you get that dog home at night ? " " Why,
sir, I just wait till he points, and then I put a collar and chain
on him and lead him home."

The writer firmly believes that if Laverack had never existed
we should now have a more even and a far more useful Setter,
and that many more would be used for shooting. The writer,
indeed, had several friends, shooting comrades in those now ancient
days, who discarded dogs simply because they could not manage
them, and when they came to shoot with him and saw a brace of
tremendous rangers put down, who would gallop like lightning,
fall down motionless on point in their wild career, and take a fifty-
acre field in one beat, they could not understand it ; they could
not believe that game was not left behind in those wide quarterings,
and although the dogs might never make a mistake, they got so
nervous they could not shoot, as they always thought the dogs
were going to do some outrageous thing.

Mr. Laverack never called his dogs by his own name — that was the
doing of the British public ; indeed, he never claimed to have
invented his strain, only to have continued it. Here are his own
words, copied from a letter written by himself: "The breed of
Setters that I have found most useful and valuable, combining the
essential qualities of a setting dog — viz. innate point, speed, nose,
method of range or carriage, with powers of endurance — has been
known in the northern counties of Cumberland, Northumberland,
and the southern counties of Scotland as the old original black
or silver grey, and in Scotland as the old blue Beltons. How
they originated I can't say ; but I can state with confidence that
I can trace back this breed for a period of seventy-five years or
more, having had them in my own possession forty years, and the
late Rev. A. Harrison, of Carlisle, from whom I originally obtained
them, had them thirty-five years previously."

The pure Laverack Setter is now as nearly as possible extinct.
Mr. Pilkington, of Sandside, Caithness, had, a few years since, and
probably still has, a kennel of beautiful Setters, mostly blue Beltons,
and these are as good on the moors as they are handsome in the
kennel. Some of these may be pure Laveracks ; at all events, they
are very closely allied to the strain. Mr. Hartley also, a gentleman
residing in Leicestershire, has some fine specimens of the " Pride
of the Border" family of Laveracks, which he has kept intact.
Of course there may be some others.

And now we come to the most celebrated strain of the modern

THE ENGLISH SETTER 261

Setter— indeed, we may safely call it the only English Setter now
existing that deserves the name of a distinct strain. This was
originally evolved, and has been continued up to the present time,
by the judgment and devotion of its founder, Mr. Richard Purcell
Llewellin. Mr. Llewellin, the descendant of a noted old Welsh
sportsman of that name, commenced Setter breeding very soon
after the first inauguration of field trials, nearly forty years ago.
He began with black-and-tans and with some of the old-fashioned
English Setters. He entered these at trials and was badly beaten.
He then purchased some of the finest and best Irish Setters that
could be procured, and with them and their progeny he won ex-
tensively at dog shows and sometimes at trials. Not yet satisfied,
he tried crossing the Irish with the Laverack, and obtained thereby
some exceedingly handsome specimens, which at shows were well-
nigh invincible. Among these he bred a bitch called Flame, a
perfectly formed red-and-white of wonderful quality. This bitch,
it is worthy of note, after being sold by him, became the ancestress
of the fashionable show winners of past and present days, and
perhaps there are very few of these winners now which do not
contain some of her blood.

His experience of the English and Irish cross was that although,
as stated, the progeny was invariably most handsome, yet it did
not possess the sporting instincts and capacities of either parent.
Mr. Llewellin, therefore, made further search for his ideal, and
at last found it.

In 1871 he purchased, at a very high figure, the brace winners
at the Shrewsbury Trials, Dick and Dan. This splendid brace
of dogs was the property of Mr. Statter, Lord Derby's agent, and
had been bred by him by Armstrong's Duke, of Sir V. Corbet's
strain noted above, out of Rhaebe, who was nearly pure Gordon (by-
Gordon I do not mean black-and-tan). Mr. Llewellin discarded
Dick as vastly inferior to his brother Dan, and then crossed Dan
with the best pure Laverack bitches; and thus originated this
celebrated breed, individuals of which speedily eclipsed, both at
shows and trials, every other strain, and which still remains in its
owner's hands, pure, unstained, and as good and handsome as
ever.

Mr. Llewellin's strain embraces and includes all the celebrated
blood of the old kennels that we have noted above, and it has
only been by the most careful and scientific selection, which, of
course, called for a judgment of which few men are possessed,
that he has so notably succeeded. The more perfectly shaped
animals were selected, and this with the greatest rigour, while all
that was at all faulty was discarded. The character also and the
innate proclivities of each individual were most carefully studied,
and the minor faults and infirmities in one individual were corrected

262 BRITISH DOGS

by selecting a mate which, in those special particulars, he considered
calculated to do so. In this manner Mr. Llewellin may be said to
have attained the object for which he had worked for many years —
viz. the combining of great beauty with surpassing field excellence.
And this was abundantly proved by the practical invincibility of
his strain, both in the field and on the show-bench.

Some fine specimens of this strain were exported many years
since to America, where they became very celebrated, and appear
to have entirely regenerated the transatlantic aboriginal. Report
says, however, that in these days "the Llewellin Setter," as bred
by American breeders, has greatly deteriorated. This is not re-
markable, as inbreeding without the most scientific selection must
always be a failure. Some people breed entirely from pedigree,
irrespective of looks and performances, others entirely from looks,
others again entirely from performances. Each of these methods
by itself is suicidal, and must result sooner or later, and generally
sooner, in the utter ruin of any breed.

The Llewellin Setter has been much used for crossing with
other breeds, and would have been more so if individuals had
not been so very hard to procure. Mr. Llewellin has always been
very jealous of his dogs, and on several occasions has refused
sums of four figures for certain individuals. Still, wherever this
blood has been used, as in the kennels of Captain Lonsdale, who
had some good old blood of his own, Colonel Cotes, Mr. Webber,
the well-known Bishops, and others, it has had a marked effect.
The most noteworthy instance of this that the writer can call to
mind was in the case of Mr. Webber, who purchased, many years
ago, a Llewellin puppy at Aldridge's, and mixing the blood with his
own curious breed, produced such a celebrated dog as " Prince W."
In the next generations, however, the principles of selection were
disregarded, and the usual result appeared.

The Llewellin Setter has a peculiar character of its own which
once seen is unmistakable. On more than one occasion the writer
himself has identified individuals where he had no suspicion what-
ever that they could be present. He saw a dog once in the street
of a town in the wilds of British Columbia, and spotted it at once.

The English Setter that one now sees at field trials and
shows has dwindled down to a much smaller size than that of its
progenitors. Mr. Llewellin's strain alone seems to have preserved,
very nearly if not quite, its normal stature. Here are the measure-
ments of a dog and a bitch at present in his possession ; they are
of the same litter, of unstained pedigree, and about four years old ;
both have great beauty and quality, and are perfect in the field.

Dan Wind 'Em. Height at shoulder, 25^111. ; length from tip of
nose to root of tail, 34-in. ; length of head, gin. ; girth of chest,
32|in. ; girth of loin, 24gin.

THE ENGLISH SETTER 263

Ruth Wind 'Em. Height, 235111. ; length, 34in. ; head, Qin. ;
chest, 3o|in. ; loin, 24in.

Just as the appearance of the Llewellin Setter has a peculiar
character, so also have its qualities in the field — there is something
as unmistakable as it is indescribable in the " go " of a pure
Llewellin, and the nose is quite unrivalled. The generality of the
breed have an innate faculty for finding birds at immense distances
and galloping up to them, that the writer has never seen in any
other strain. There is also another peculiarity that he has
never observed elsewhere, and only in a few specimens even of this
famous breed. It is that of " spotting " birds in their range and
leaving them till the next " quarter." The fact is, the nose is so
sensitive that the dog detects the scent of birds an enormous way
off, and its courage, at the same time, is so high that it will not
condescend to go to it as yet. The writer has often watched a dog
of this breed ranging at a terrific pace from hedge to hedge slightly
toss his chin up at right angles to his beat, without pausing,
several times ; on the return range he would come back like a
hurricane, and take up each several point as he came to it, returning
often from the first some yards down wind in order to make the
second, and so on.

The shape and make of a Setter should, as far as the body is
concerned, be as similar as possible to that of a perfectly shaped
hunter— of the long and low type ; a long neck, sloping shoulder,
short back, deep but not broad chest, thighs long from hip to hock,
hocks straight and stifles well bent, pasterns strong and straight, and
loins strong, deep, and wide. The head should be long and fairly
broad. The nose should be large and straight, with a turn if anything
upwards, brown in lemons and black in other colours. The nostrils
should be broad and expanded, the jaws absolutely level, ears set low
and hanging level with the head. The eye should be full, sparkling,
and intelligent, and the colour thereof should be brown. The hare
foot is the more lasting, though it is said that many people prefer
the cat foot. The stern should be of moderate length, carried
straight without a curl, and shaped something like a sabre. The
coat should be fine, silky, soft, and straight. The high carnage of
head, which is one of the most striking attributes of a perfect Setter,
cannot exist without a fine, sloping shoulder.

In selecting a puppy it is important carefully to note all these
points, and with this object in view, the best way is to put the puppy
on a table, and so to get it nearly level with your eye. Over and
above make and shape, it is very important carefully to study dis-
position and temperament. If you are choosing from a litter of from
seven to eight weeks old, it is a good plan to get the puppies all round
you in a kennel, and to observe which takes the most notice of you,
and is the most intelligent and affectionate ; it is also advisable

264 BRITISH DOGS

suddenly to stamp your foot, to light a Vesuvian with a good crack,
to strike an iron-shod stick against a stone floor, or any dodge of
this sort which may give you an idea as to whether there is an inclina-
tion to resent noises, and so to develop into gun-shyness.

As to the breaking, or, rather, as the writer prefers to call it, the
education of the puppy, this should be taken in hand as soon as
your pupil is able to walk. Habits of prompt obedience can then
be cultivated easily. It should be a hard-and-fast rule that the
puppy should never be allowed to roam about by itself, or to go out
with anybody except its master ; above all, it should never be
frightened in any way, it should never be struck with the hand even-,
much less with a whip, for many months, and it should never be
driven into its kennel. If its owner, too, has time and patience, it
may be taught by degrees to point bits of biscuit hidden in long
grass, and all that sort of thing.

Any education which has a tendency to develop brain power
and to cultivate intellect as well as to promote obedience and a
fellow-feeling with its master will prove most valuable, as long as
trick-teaching is not overdone, and above all things as long as no
severity of any sort is practised. A puppy thus brought up will more
than recompense all trouble, when the age for training to game is
reached.

At what age this should commence it is impossible to say. The
general rule would be to begin as soon as the puppy starts to
range freely, but with some young dogs it is necessary to get scent
into their noses before they will begin to range at all ; so that
the age must be left to the intelligence of " the tutor."

Now, this tutor must not be surprised or disappointed if his pupil
runs utterly wild and is apparently unmanageable when first intro-
duced to birds. Very often the puppy which has been highly
educated will be wilder to begin with than a neglected one ; but there
will always be this difference, the educated one will know right from
wrong at the slightest hint from its master, and its disobedience will
soon cease.

Some years since the writer had two beautiful Llewellin puppies
which he had educated most elaborately from their earliest baby-
hood. When they were only about three months old they would
drop well to hand, stay where they were told, follow at heel, come
well to whistle, and obey all orders promptly; at a very early age,
too, they were very high rangers. One day they came for the first
time across a brace of birds. They chased them, one giving tongue,
for a good mile, flying several fences, swimming a small river, and
crossing a railway, and this in spite of all whistles and objurgations.
On their return they were talked to a great deal, and had a few
very mild slaps with the hand. The next day one of them stood
birds well and dropped to wing, and neither was much trouble

THE ENGLISH SETTER

265

afterwards. The reason was, simply, they quite understood what
they had done wrong, and had no desire, that they were unable to
restrain, to displease their master by repeating the offence.

There is plenty of rule-of-thumb dog-breaking done with a thick
whip and a loud voice; but this sort of breaking ruins far more dogs
than it renders useful. There is no science in the world which re-
quires more intellect, judgment, and discrimination than the real
education of sporting dogs.

FIG. 58. — MR. PURCELL LLEWELLIN'S ENGLISH SETTKR DAN.

It is hard to prophesy as to the future of the Setter, but the writer
must confess that he has great misgivings. As long as Setter men
are divided, as now, into two classes — the show-bench men, who are
content with a certain beauty of form which attracts the judge, but
which in many respects is inconsistent with field work, and the
field-trial man, who does not care if his dog is as ugly as a pig as
long as it can win — it is a bad look-out. There are several very large
field-trial kennels in England at the present time, but their owners,

266 BRITISH DOGS

as a rule, do not breed on any system ; far oftener will they
purchase any winner, with little or no regard to looks or pedigree,
and then breed from it with no science or discrimination.

The original object of dog shows — i.e. as far as sporting dogs are
concerned — was of course to promote and preserve in the greatest
possible perfection the properties and attributes, as well as the
form-beauty, of the various breeds used in the field, and for some
years after their first establishment this most laudable and useful
purpose was to a great extent accomplished. At that time, however,
it must be remembered that the animals shown were invariably
used for shooting, and also that the judges were always sportsmen.
It naturally followed, therefore, that although the prize winners were
not necessarily superior in their field work, but sometimes even
inferior to the dogs which were passed over, still, the winners
must have had some merit in their special province, or they would not
have remained in existence. Now all this is changed ; dog shows
have become a medium for money-making, and so the breeding
of sporting dogs (so called) has become a regular business in itself
and entirely divorced from the proper use of the animal.

Where, twenty-five years ago, there was one show, there are now
one hundred ; where three prizes at most were given for one particu-
lar breed, there are now a dozen or more, and the merits of the
winners are thus complicated and lessened. The judges, too, are
not invariably sportsmen ; it is even probable that some of them
have never seen the work of a Setter or a Pointer in their lives.
How, then, is it possible for them to know that that dog of beautiful
quality to which they give a first prize has shoulders so loaded that
he could not gallop for an hour, or quarters so short or so weak
that he could never get to the top of a high hill at all ? There
seems also to be no standard for size, so the Setter gets smaller
every year. Again, how can it be expected that the modern show
Setter can be anything but useless in "the field"? He spends
nearly the whole of his time in a hamper or on a show-bench ; he
is fed on stimulating food, kept in warm kennels, and washed and
brushed and combed and pampered. What chance can he ever
have of cultivating or even preserving the sporting instincts of his
far-away progenitors — far away indeed, for it must be remembered
that this dog showing has been going on now for many canine
generations. Of course it must stand to reason that the dog
should lose altogether the sporting faculties of his forbears ; and
the worst of it is, nobody cares a cent whether he does or not !

The show-bench winner in the seventies and early eighties may
be defined as the most refined member of a family of well-formed
and keen, intelligent working Setters.

Now it presents a type peculiar to itself— a heavier type more
after that of the Clumber Spaniel. It is clean cut and well formed,

THE ENGLISH SETTER

267

in head and ears and throat, and has a good coat. It is, however,
very deficient in hindquarters, and has a dull, apathetic, soft, un-
intelligent air, betokening a want of constitution begotten by the
unnatural existence of shows, instead of the natural and invigorating
life of the moors and fields.

Between the Show and the Field Setter there ought of course
to be no difference ; on the contrary, the show should help the
sportsman to preserve in their fullest perfection the shape, the
make, the attributes which are positively necessary for the proper
performance of the field duties of his canine assistants.

Mr. Llewellin has preserved his peculiar blend of Setter blood

FIG. 59.— MR. PURCELL LLEWELLIN'S ENGLISH SETTER COUNTESS.

during thirty-two years absolutely intact from any outside admixture
whatever ; and we can trace back the pedigrees thereof for more
than a century. He is therefore the only man living at the present
time who can be said to possess a positively pure and unmixed
strain of this beautiful dog.

The illustrations, Figs. 58, 59, and 60, are of great interest ; they
serve as an object-lesson of Mr. Llewellin's work. First we have
Dan. representing one line of his blood — viz. a combination of the
Gordon and Southesk strains ; secondly, Countess, a pure Laverack of
the Dash and Moll family, and perhaps the most beautiful and the
truest-shaped bitch of her day ; thirdly, Countess Bear, by Dan
ex Countess. Here we have the result of the combination of these
two lines ; this animal, which shows the size of the Dan line and

268 BRITISH DOGS

the superb quality of the Laverack, was perhaps the most beautiful
bitch in the world, and equally good in every sterling field quality.
Such were the principal ancestors of the celebrated strain that their
founder named " The Field Trial Setter," but which the American
exporters called many years since "The Llewellin," by which
name it is now known throughout the world.

The writer has always considered the character and disposition of
the Setter to be the most intelligent and affectionate, as well as
the most capable of cultivation, of any of the canine family. At
the same time he must confess that the two cleverest dogs that he
ever possessed were a Retriever and a Fox-terrier ; but these were
exceptional instances of almost more than human sagacity, besides
which neither of them ever (so to speak) left his side by day or
night. With the exception of these two, the Setter bears the
palm from all other dogs he ever owned, and they have been many
and diverse.

This is the more noteworthy because a Setter has not, as a rule,
the chance of so much intimate human companionship as many
other breeds, and it is human companionship most undoubtedly that
is the greatest factor in the cultivation of the brain and the mind
of the dog. One's Retriever is a far more constant and intimate
friend, and Terriers and other house-dogs are far oftener in
one's society. If, then, the Setter, with so many less advantages,
excels these, it naturally follows that his powers in this direction
must be far greater.

Even the most ardent lover of the Pointer would not deny the
superior intelligence and affection of its rival in the field. To
prove this, take one of the best specimens of both breeds that you
can find, and put them together and work them, say, alternately.
The writer had the opportunity of doing this once during two
consecutive seasons. Both dogs were absolutely perfect specimens,
as to working powers, of their respective breeds, both were perfectly
broken, both would go from morning till night, and both did their
work in the same style and form. It may be the Pointer was a
trifle the better " laster," but all the same there was " a something "
about the Setter which was unmistakable. One can only describe
it by saying that the Pointer did his work most thoroughly and
conscientiously because he loved the work, and the Setter because
he not only loved the work, but loved his master, and loved him
so much, too, that he would have died to please him. In comparing
the two breeds an intelligent observer can hardly fail to notice this
sort of thing.

The Pointer is a splendid dog, an admirable, a hard-working
servant ; he will do the practical part of his business as well as the
Setter, it may be better — i.e. if you take all the Pointers in England
against all the Setters. But the Setter is more than a hard-working

THE ENGLISH SETTER

269

servant : he is a devoted, a loving friend, who will go on till he
cannot stand, because he wants to find game, to please himself — yes,
but far more to please you. Of course this is not by any means
the case with every Setter. One comes across many dogs of this
breed, some of them very first class both in the field trial as well
as in the shooting business, that care for nothing but the actual
hunting, that would go with any one who carried a gun, and do
not seemingly have any affection for any person living. Still,
exceptions prove a rule.

FIG. 60. — MR. PURCELL LLEWELLIN'S ENGLISH SETTER COUNTESS BEAR.

A few instances of the sagacity of the Setter are here recorded,
though in some of the cases sagacity is far too low a term.

When the writer was a boy of seventeen, living with a private
tutor, he was the proud possessor of a Pointer, and a fellow-pupil
of a Setter, which latter would always go with him in preference
to his master. One morning in September the writer started early,
about seven o'clock, to beat a rough, distant manor over which he
had the right of shooting, taking the Pointer with him. He had
to walk four miles along the road, and then began to beat straight
ahead. About noon he sat down on the top of a high hill

270 BRITISH DOGS

commanding a full view of the beaten ground, and was regaling
himself with divers sandwiches, when he noticed a black-and-white
dog ranging the exact country he had been carefully beating, and
of course thought at first that it was some rival sportsman who
was ignorantly traversing the same ground. He looked and looked,
but could see no man, and at last it struck him that the dog must
be hunting him. By-and-by, as the dog topped a gate about
half a mile below, the writer recognised the Setter Grouse. It was
a most interesting thing to watch, as from that point he had made
several wide detours in pursuit of marked birds and to beat likely
fields, and so on. When the dog lost his scent he would make a
wide cast like a hound and recover it, and at times, as in ploughed
fields, would plod on the scent at a walk. At last he got into the
big grass field where he was sitting, and with head up and stern
down raced into him.

It appeared afterwards that his master thought that he would go
out for a quiet shoot about noon, and loosed his dog. Grouse never
even looked at him, but taking up the writer's five hours ago trail
on the road, ran it at a great pace until finding him as he has
described. Needless to say, the writer bought the dog and shot
over him many seasons, and a most wonderful animal he turned out.

In woods, as well as in the open, the dog was first rate ; in a
wood he would range right away out of sight, and the writer used
to saunter along at his ease with a very clever Retriever at heel. If
in the course of a few minutes Grouse did not appear on his
return quarter, one whistle would be given, and if he did not
come then, the Retriever was told to find him. She would at once
follow his trail slowly, looking back and waiting for her master at
intervals, till at last she would suddenly back, and there the old boy
would be, standing as stiff as a rock, and by hook or by crook the
two dogs and the man would generally secure the object of attraction.
If, again, one was working a river for water-fowl, the dog would
take the opposite bank, if so directed, and point anything he came
across, waiting until the Retriever swam over to put it up ; he
would never put it up himself or chase it when she did, but sit
down and watch quietly what took place, and after the gun was
loaded and the thing retrieved, he would continue the even tenour
of his way. On several occasions, too, when he saw wild ducks on
the water he would drop and hide himself and leave his master to
stalk them, or, if he thought it could be done, he would make a
circuit as quick as lightning, get in front of the ducks and jump into
the water, barking furiously, and the ducks would thus frequently
come right over the snug place where the writer had concealed
himself when he had noticed the dog's tactics.

Another very clever Setter was owned by the writer when living
in America for a few years. She was given to him as a puppy,

THE ENGLISH SETTER 271

made a great pet of, and was nearly always his constant companion.
Not having another dog, he taught her to retrieve, which she would
do perfectly both by land and water. For the ordinary prairie
chicken and willow grouse work she became very perfect, and was
so untiring that she would frequently accompany him on his rides
of sixty to eighty miles, ranging the prairies for long distances while
his horse pursued his even course along " the trail." The writer
always carried a gun strapped to the saddle in a thick cover, and
his saddle-bags were often full of game when he arrived at his
destination.

One evening he was returning home after a long, wearying ride,
and it was just getting dusk when he missed the dog. He whistled
for some time and was getting uneasy, when she appeared, in a great
hurry. He was riding on, when she ran in front of the horse, and
stood pointing dead at him. He pulled up and said, " What's up, old
girl ? Go on and tell me." She raced back in great glee, and, pointing
at intervals to let him keep up, went back along the trail for a quarter
of a mile, and then going into some bush on the right, stood like a
statue. He was off in a moment, got a right and left at a lot of
chickens, marked the rest down, luckily on the road home, and
got six more of them to single points. Ever after that she never
failed to carry out the plan that she had invented and had found
so successful. She would range away a mile or more out of sight
as her master was travelling, suddenly appear, in a great hurry, and
then lead him back to some game she had found and left in order
to fetch him. She would do more than this. Prairie chicken very
frequently lie in belts of a willow called cotton-wood, and it is very
difficult, if one is alone, to get a shot at them. This dog, after making
a point in a place of this sort, would turn round, sit down, and look
at her master ; having thus indicated what to expect, she would
make a wide circuit in the wood and get in front of the birds, which
usually run away from a dog, quietly and calmly like turkeys, she
would head them, "round them up "when they required it, and,
pointing and drawing, would drive them quietly out exactly to the
spot where her master was concealed. She very often got the whole
lot thus into the open, and then would stand and look round for
him ; thus, of course, it was easy to get one's shot and very often to
mark the covey down again. It did not, however, much matter about
this latter, as if she once knew the direction which birds had taken,
she was bound to find them again if you would let her, as she would
go on hunting for miles in wide circles till she did.

She got cleverer and cleverer at this game as time went on,
until at last she became the most " killing " dog to shoot to that
it was possible to have.

The following incident in her career corroborated to a great
extent a favourite theory that the writer has long held — viz. that

272 BRITISH DOGS

when a dog's intellect is cultivated, he is fully capable, if no obstacle
is put in his way, of the further cultivation of it himself almost to
any extent.

One day the writer was out shooting with this bitch, accompanied
by one friend, in a very hard frost. There was hardly any scent of
course, but she managed, with very great caution, to find several
grouse at short distances. We had just arrived at the corner of a
copse of willows, at the bottom of which was a river. Belle,
who was soberly trotting a few yards in front of us, suddenly
stopped, pointed for a second towards the wood, then looked round,
and scurried away down the outside as fast as she could go.
Without a word being spoken, we drew behind a tree and waited.
We saw the bitch disappear in the wood close to the river, and then
there was silence for a few minutes. Of course we thought that she
was after her old dodge of driving grouse to the gun. By-and-by
there was a mighty crashing in the interior of the copse, accom-
panied, to our utter bewilderment, by a furious barking, and then
within five yards of us there emerged two deer, with Belle close
behind them. We were, alas ! only charged with shot, so we contented
ourselves with shooting at one only, and our four barrels stopped
him in a few hundred yards.

Here is another instance of intelligent reasoning. The writer
was shooting alone with a Setter and a Retriever on a Cornish
moor, when a woodcock rose in a bit of brush. It was an awkward
shot between the trees, and he went on apparently unhurt. Now,
there was a narrow belt of thin wood on the left hand and a marsh
below, and the Setter took the two in her range. The writer noticed
that she stopped for a moment at one place in the brushwood,
but thought nothing of it. A couple of hundred yards or so farther
she pointed a snipe, which was killed. As the Retriever was coming
up with it, the Setter looked at the writer from her down charge
with a most quizzical gaze, and then got up and ran back as hard
as she could pelt. The old Retriever, standing still with the snipe
in her mouth, looked at her with wonder. Away she went out
of sight, and in a few seconds came tearing back, spit a wood-
cock out at the writer's feet with awful disgust, and then went on
hunting. There seems to be no doubt that, seeing the Retriever
bring the snipe made her think she ought to have done the
same with the dead thing she had seen and left back in the
brush, and that she at once proceeded to atone for the omission.

The following shows also a natural reasoning power in a Setter,
even when it had not been cultivated. He was a Llewellin, and
good, though not nearly as good as the generality of that strain — in
fact, his education had been neglected : he had just been " broken,"
and nothing more. He did not seem to have any " gumption "
about anything, would go down wind just as fast as up, and of course

THE ENGLISH SETTER 273

put up birds by the score. Whenever therefore the writer went into
a field down wind, he always took him up till he got the full breeze
in his face. This was done for a few days, and the dog improved
very much. One afternoon, having to beat a very long, narrow
piece of roots, the writer would not take the trouble of going to the
end, but went in down wind and let the dog go. He immediately
went to the hedge and along it to the top of the field, and then
beat it in perfect form back up wind, and after that he never
failed to do the same thing.

As showing what extraordinary noses some of these Llewellins
have, here are two instances of two different dogs, both on
grouse. The first was a puppy in his first season, a tremendous
galloper and carrying a very high head. The writer was beating a
gently sloping open moor, on the left were three or four large hillocks,
and on these and their surroundings the heather had been burned.
The dog was ranging well ahead of the gun and taking quarters of
about half a mile in length, when suddenly throwing up his head
higher than one would have thought any dog could get it, he raced
to the top of one of these bare hillocks and there stood like a tower.
In front of him there was bare, burnt ground for at least a hundred
yards. " Hare gone away, sur," said the keeper. " Hare be
blowed ! " was the writer's reply. Walking up to the dog, he drew
him on and'on and on, no tracks or signs of grouse being visible.
Now he becomes perfectly rigid, and up gets a covey of about
thirty under his nose. The keeper stepped the distance to where
the dog first stood on the hillock, and it was 4oiyds. The birds,
of course, might have run, but they certainly did not run those first
hundred yards of bare ground, and the rest was very thick heather.

The second instance was also with a young dog, who had been
well shot over for the first month on a Scotch moor. Grouse were
now few and wild, and the writer wanted to get some photos of two
of the dogs on point. A gun was carried just to encourage them.
By-and-by one of them comes to a fine point, and (we had had a
very long walk to get it) he was photographed in due form. Now,
it was rather a mean thing to do, but we wanted to save time, so
a lead was put on the pointing dog, and the other behind him was
enlarged. This also was a particularly good-nosed dog. He
galloped on into the wind and never made a sign; after giving him
several casts, he was taken up and the first again enlarged. Once
more he at once made the point, and putting a handkerchief down
to mark the place, the writer drew him on for io3yds., where lay a
grouse stone dead and nearly cold that had been killed by a hawk.

There are some Setters, too, that have the extraordinary faculty
of going up to game in a field without beating any other part of
the said field. The most remarkable instance of this seen by the
writer was as follows : We had been shooting a wild manor where

18

274 BRITISH DOGS

birds were very scarce, and had beaten a certain turnip-field with
good cover twice already, and killed several things in it. Immedi-
ately after leaving this field for the second time three single birds
were marked back into it. The Llewellin bitch the writer was
working was a well-known clipper, and it was not worth while to go
to the end of the field to get the wind, so he let her go clean down
wind. She went straight to the end of the field, threw up her head,
galloped a hundred yards or so, and dropped. That was bird No. i.
Then in a straight line to the second and in like manner to the third.
All three having been slain, she took one sniff of the wind, and then
sauntered calmly up a drill and lay down to await us at the
gate.

A whole volume might be filled with anecdotes such as these
as to the intelligence, the genius, and general character of the
Setter.

What a pity it seems that it is considered better " form " now-
adays to stand shivering in a butt or under a hedge and slaying
hecatombs of driven game than to watch the surpassing genius of
the dog, exercised for our sake to provide us with real, genuine
sport. Ah ! " the old order " has passed away, never to return.
"Sic transit gloria mundi!"

CHAPTER XXVI

THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON)
SETTER

WHETHER the dog under consideration should be called the Black-
and-tan or the . Gordon Setter is a subject open to controversy ;
but of one thing there is no doubt, as the authentic records of
breeders prove, that many of the best modern Black-and-tan Setters
have a large commixture of that Gordon Castle blood which became
in the early part of last century so famous as to stamp the varietal
name of Gordon Setters on its possessors.

Whether the original colour was black-and-tan or black, white, and
tan, is doubtful, and the question has been debated at great length
in the Field and other periodicals, and it would be futile and quite
impossible in such a brief monograph of this breed to reopen the
question. Suffice it that the balance of opinion seems to favour the
statement that the black, white, and tan was more greatly in evidence
at this early date when the general body of sportsmen began to take
more practical interest and greater care in the breeding of those
animals which ministered to their sport.

Every practical breeder is well aware that, given a parti-coloured
race to begin with, it is easy by elimination to produce what he
wishes, not in colour only but also in structural change. Fashion
has its cycles in dogs as in everything else, and in those early
days, as it is now, it was not a difficult matter for one strong breeder
to produce his own ideal, and by perseverance to induce many
followers and believers. In this way one can explain how our
numerous varieties of dogs have originated, and in our exhibitions
of dogs at the present day we have examples of the original
breed diverging in type and outward appearance to such an extent
that none but an expert could possibly associate these various
varieties with a common ancestor, and that of a comparatively
recent date.

Admitting that the Black-and-tan Setter had a common
ancestor with the English and Irish Setters, most probably from
a setting Spaniel, as our earliest authorities seem unanimously
to assert (Daniel, in his " Rural Sports " quotes from a document

276 BRITISH DOGS

dated 1685 such an instance, and history also records that Dudley,
Duke of Northumberland, systematically broke in setting dogs in
1385), does it not therefore, in the light of our greater knowledge,
seem an easy transition to have produced our present Setter without
having had recourse to the many mythical crosses that many writers
in their ingenuity have ascribed to them, in their anxiety to account
for the particular type as seen in the Black-and-tan Setter? Does
it not seem exceedingly probable that, by selecting a long-legged
Spaniel, a very easy step in the production of a Setter has been
gained ? When, too, one sees the present type of exhibition Spaniel,
and how by following this process to what an extreme lowness in
leg and length of body, etc., has been carried, cannot one easily
follow a graduation towards the other extreme ? Is it necessary,
therefore, to believe that the peculiar points of the Black-and-tan
Setter have been produced by crossing with the numerous other
varieties of Hound, Collie, Bloodhound, etc. ? Undoubtedly the
necessary touch of romance in the history of the breed is supplied,
if we accept the story of the poaching Collie at Gordon Castle,
and to which many of the undoubted good qualities of this breed
are ascribed. Are we to accept the theory of the Bloodhound
cross, because of the pronounced "haw" in the eye of this
Setter and the high occipital protuberance, both of which in our
present animals are not so marked as they were twenty years ago,
and happily the former feature is now rarely noticeable ? How often
was this peculiarity of the orbit evident in our best specimens of
Sussex and Clumber Spaniel, and yet there was no suggestion of
Bloodhound cross promulgated in their case ! In the same way, to
explain the characteristic colour of this breed we have had many
advocates that it was obtained from the Collie aforesaid or the
Bloodhound.

The late Rev. T. Pearce states that 1820 was the period when
this breed was brought into special prominence at Gordon Castle.
One cannot forget that the Irish Setter, or at any rate dogs of
that colour, as a distinct breed have been longer in existence ; and
coming down to more recent times, we have trustworthy evidence of
a fresh introduction of Irish blood to produce the rich mahogany
tan which is a special feature of the Black-and-tan Setter at the
present time. To give an instance of this, when exhibitions were
not the colossal ventures that they are now, and when all the varieties
of Setters had to compete together, a noted breeder of the Black-and-
tan, the late Mr. Binnie Bishopriggs, exhibited a Black-and-tan bitch,
that was awarded a second prize, being beaten by an Irish Setter.
In those days the tan markings were undoubtedly of a lighter shade,
and the rich deep colour of the Irish dog attracted the attention of this
noted breeder, and suggested the wish that if he could obtain such
beautiful tan with the deep glossy black, a more handsome animal

THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON) SETTER 277

would be the result. The experiment was tried, and some notable
winners were produced. In the early days of exhibitions un-
doubtedly a number of Black, white, and tan Setters appeared in
the ring; but the force of public opinion, whether from the novelty
or otherwise, gradually asserted itself in favour of the Black-and-tan,
and the tricoloured dogs disappeared.

At the first dog show, held at Newcastle in June, 1859, Mr. J.
Jobling's Dandy, a Black-and-tan, was successful in a class open
to the varieties of Setter, and in the following November, at
Birmingham, Mr. Burdett's Brougham gained the award. At those
early exhibitions and before the varieties were classified, the Black-
and-tan Setters were very prominent in the prize list, so much so
that the admirers of the other varieties induced the management to
provide separate classes.

It was indeed a misfortune that breeding should have
banished the tricoloured dogs, because, apart from the question of
whether this was the original colour in the locality whence this
particular animal sprang, there can be no difference of opinion as
to their beauty and even advantages from a working point of view.
It would not be a difficult matter to resuscita'e this charming
combination of colour, since all breeders know that numbers of
puppies in every litter of Black-and-tan s exhibit white markings to
a more or less extent, possibly an additional proof of the prominence
given to this colour in the early days of the breed. The hope expressed
in the First Edition of this work that classes would be provided for
such at our exhibitions has unfortunately not been fulfilled.

The effect of such exhibitions on this particular variety of Setter
has undoubtedly been most beneficial, as it has on all our sporting
dogs. Many will cavil at this statement, perhaps, and point to a
particular example of a decided loss in stamina, in olfactory power,
or general unsuitability for their work. While this is true of some
breeds, it cannot be admitted in the case of Pointers or Setters, and
more particularly in the case of Black-and-tan Setters. If one
were to place side by side the handsome, racy-looking dogs of this
breed which now adorn our show benches and those of even twenty
years ago, an unprejudiced observer would admit the improvement.
Even in the early eighties one frequently saw in the prize lists a
number of heavy-headed dogs, with light eyes showing excess of
haw, angular cranium, neck " throaty " and short, loaded shoulders,
long backs with want of depth at the back ribs, with a curly coat,
and a general appearance of Spaniel all over. What have we now
by contrast ? An upstanding, racy-looking dog, with full, intelligent
brown eyes, a longer head but " sweeter," smaller ears low set
on a finely rounded cranium, longer neck fitted on to " hunting "
shoulders, with the scapula close together and high in contrast
to the low, round, heavy shoulders of the older type, chest deeper,

278 BRITISH DOGS

and though not so round perhaps as formerly, yet well carried back,
giving plenty of room for the lungs. Nor does one see now the long,
slack-loined animals deficient in back rib and diagnostic of non-stay-
ing powers. In quarters, too, as a rule, an improvement is noticeable —
short stifles and long pasterns with the consequent " cowhock " is
unknown, but instead the long stifles with plenty of thigh muscles
set on short pasterns and firm, compact feet. Will any one deny
that these are not better animals with greater capacity for endurance
than their ancestors ? In those early days, about the middle of last
century, much credit is due to Mr. Brown (of Melton Mowbray), Mr.
Burdett (Birmingham), Rev. T. Pearce (of Morden), and Mr. Calver
(Norfolk). Kent, exhibited by Sir S. Hoare at the Ashburnham
Hall in 1863, and afterwards by the Rev. T. Pearce (" Idstone "), was
a noted dog in his day. Several of his progeny were very successful,
and many dogs of the present day have some of this blood.

In field trials about this time Black-and-tan Setters did more
than hold their own, but owing to not perhaps advancing with the
times so quickly as the other varieties, they were not so prominent
towards the end of the century in these competitions. Writers of
this period complain of the heavy shoulders and want of staying
power of the Black-and-tans — faults which certainly have been
eradicated in our dogs of the present day.

The late Mr. Binnie Bishopriggs was a prominent exhibitor at the
leading shows for many years till the late seventies, followed by Mr.
Montague Macdonald (St. Martins), whose Champion Young Jock
and Dash III. were noted prize winners in the seventies and early
eighties. The former was an exceedingly fine performer in the field,
with marvellous staying powers, and his blood gave great character to
his descendants. At the sale of Mr. Macdonald's dogs Young Jock
became the property of Mr. Robert Reid (Lochwinnoch), while
Dash III. was purchased by Mr. Chapman (Glenboig), both of whom
were already known as admirers of the Gay Gordons. Mr. Gibb
(Merkland, Aberdeen) was also a frequent exhibitor at this time.

Many existing kennels of Black-and-tan trace back to old Gordon
Castle blood. This is true in the case of the " Rum " kennel,
belonging to Sir George Bullough. Forty years ago the late Mr.
John Bullough had a brace of Black, white, and tans, Pink and
Duchess, and from these are descended the present famous kennels,
which have been so successful of recent years at our leading ex-
hibitions. Redruth Colonel (7236) is a direct descendant of
Duchess, and is a splendid example of our present-day type of
" Gordon." Mr. Henry Achworth, head gamekeeper to Sir George
Bullough, is a firm believer in the Black-and-tans, and finds them
eminently suitable for the kind of work they require.

No article on this breed would be complete without special
reference to that famous owner and breeder Mr. Robert Chapman

THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON) SETTER 279

(Glenboig), who for twenty-five years has had an extensive kennel
containing as many as sixty and more Black-and-tan Setters. His
first brace were Grouse, brother of Young Jock, and Sally, sister
of Champion Lome. During these years and continued to the
present day Mr. Chapman's success as an exhibitor of this breed
has been unparalleled in the canine world. Among many winners
we would select Champion Heather Grouse as the finest specimen
of a Black-and-tan Setter that has ever been exhibited, with
Champion Heather Nap a good second, and among bitches
Champion Kate IV. and Champion Heather Blossom. A large

FIG. 61.— THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON) SETTER.

number from this kennel have been excellent dogs in the field,
and Mr. Chapman, who has also an extended experience of other
breeds, " has rarely owned a Gordon which wasn't a good worker,"
and says "the average of working ability in this variety is higher
than in any other." He also thinks " that the breed has improved
during this period as a whole," but "that at the present time we
have not so many of outstanding merit." Mr. Chapman has
exported many fine specimens to Australia, New Zealand, France,
Austria, and Norway.

In addition to the Glenboig and Rum Kennels, the Black-and-
tan Setters are exclusively used at Meggernie Castle, Glenlyon
(trustees of the late Mr. Bullough), at Garth Castle (Sir Donald

280 BRITISH DOGS

Currie's), at Cluny (Sir Reginald Cathcart's) ; and amongst others
who own or have owned kennels of this breed might be included
Lord Lovat, Lord Panmure, the Marquis of Huntly, Lord
Saltoun, and Sir James Elphinstone, who could trace the origin
of their dogs also to the Gordon Castle strain. Among frequent
exhibitors we find Sir George Bullough, Mr. Robert Chapman,
Mr. Gibb, Mr. Baillie, Mr. J. C. Hignett (one of whose dogs
illustrates the variety), Dr. Charles Reid, in the North ; and in the
South, Sir Humphrey de Trafford, Mr. Lee Bulled, Mr. Jacobs,
Mr. Emery, Mr. Manning, Colonel Le Gendre Starkie, Messrs.
Greenbank, Mr. J. R. Tatham, and Mr. Edwin Bishop.

Till recent years breeders in Scotland preferred a deeper tan in
their dogs, and this was quite marked in the important exhibitions
at Kennel Club shows and Birmingham, where the Northern and
Southern kennels opposed each other. At the present time the
difference is not so marked, but Northern experts claim that the
Southern dogs are still " wanting in quality.7'

The following are the description and points of the Gordon
Setter as adopted by its club, and as these have been issued by
a body of prominent breeders, they ought to carry considerable
weight. While agreeing with the opinion that the original colour
was black, white, and tan, they appear to err in publishing in such
the opinion of Dr. Walsh (" Stonehenge ") as to the origin of the
breed — viz. " that he is a compound of Collie, Bloodhound, and
English or Irish Setter." In the absence of all proof for such a
statement, surely this was unnecessary. " In the best Gordons we
almost invariably find the leading features of the Collie, the Blood-
hound, and the Setter, and perhaps in about equal proportions, giving
what we call the type." While this may have been true even twenty
years ago, it certainly cannot apply to the breed at the present time.
Though the head is perhaps heavier by a trifle than in the English
or Irish varieties and deeper in both cranium and muzzle, still, it
is not that of a Bloodhound. " Many Gordons show slight * haw '
and * dewlap ' ; a proper development of these is probably the true
type." The writer cannot agree to this statement, as both of these
defects have disappeared from our best kennels, and indeed this
also applies to the length of flag, heavy body, especially in the
shoulders, and other defects in dogs of last century. Undoubtedly
the type more closely resembles the English Setter than formerly,
with some minor differences, especially in head, as already mentioned.
Breeders have tried to eradicate acknowledged defects in this breed
with marked success.

There seems to be little authentic information as to the Gordon Setter.
Authorities, however, agree that originally the colour was black, white, and tan. . . .
Of late years no doubt the breed has been tampered with for show purposes,
and crosses, more particularly with the Irish Setter, with the idea of improving

THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON) SETTER 281

the colour, have been resorted to, to the detriment of the dog for both show-bench
and field purposes. Probably the pale buff in the place of the tan, frequently
verging on stone colour, and the diffusion over the body, instead of being
developed on the recognised points, is mainly due to this cause ; if so, it will
require careful breeding through many generations to eradicate. . . .

The head of the Gordon Setter is much heavier than that of the English
Setter ; broad at the top between the ears, the skull being slightly rounded, the
occiput well developed, and the depth from the occiput to the bottom of the
lower jaw much greater than in the English Setter. The width between
the eyes should perhaps not be too great, speaking with caution. .The nose
should I e moderately long and broad across the top, giving room for ihe nerves
of scent (in fact, the opposite to snipiness), the nostrils well distended, making this
the widest part of the nose. The shape of the under jaw is perhaps a matter of
fancy : Old Kent had a very heavy muzzle and under jaw, with remarkably bright
and penetrating eyes ; in these his likeness has been transmitted to many of his
descendants in a remarkable degree. Many Gordon Setters show slight "haw"
and "dewlap" ; a proper development of these is probably the true type. The
ears vary considerably, some being long, silky, and hanging close to the face ;
others are much shorter. These are also matters of fancy, and therefore of minor
importance. The body of the Gordon Setter is also heavier than that of the
English Setter, but may be judged on the same lines. The tail is often long,
giving a bad carriage ; this does not interfere with good work. The great beauty
of this dog is his lovely colour, and as this in perfection is in no way antagonistic
to his working qualities, great prominence should be given to it in judging.
Formerly, without doubt, the prevailing colours were black, white, and tan. The
black should be a jet, not brown or rusty ; the tan should be a rich dark
mahogany, and should be exhibited on the inside of the thighs, showing down
the front of the stifle to the ground, and on the forelegs to the knees. The muzzle
also should be tan, the spots over the eyes well defined, not blurred, and on the
points of the shoulders also. Blurring and diffusion over the belly and other parts
of the dog probably indicate contamination with other blood. It is of the highest
importance, if we are to get back the real hunting qualities of this breed and
the show qualities also, that purity of blood should be the chief aim in breeding.
A first cross may sometimes appear to answer, but succeeding generations will
certainly show the cross, and will deteriorate in all the qualities we prize.

A splendid intelligence, fine scenting powers, and great endurance are the
main characteristics of the Gordon Setter. If purity of blood is maintained, we
may not only recover the qualities that some fear we have partly lost, but also
develop their natural powers to an extent hitherto unknown. A well-formed
head is of the first importance if we are to develop and maintain that intelligence
which is the great charm and usefulness of the dog.

SCALE OF POINTS

Head and Neck ... ... ... ... ... 35

Shoulders and Chest ... ... ... ... ... 12

Loin and Quarter ... ... ... ... ... 12

Feet and Legs ... .. ... ... ... ... 16

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Coat, Feather, and Quality ... ... ... ... 10

Tail ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Total ... ... ... 100

Some years ago one met with odd specimens of this breed
characterised by an extremely short flag, a short, straight neck, high

282 BRITISH DOGS

withers, and rather drooping quarters. They had a great reputation
as working dogs, and undoubtedly possessed great staying powers.
A number of these were observed in America, where the Black-
and-tan Setter was a great favourite, and is deservedly so at the
present time. In France and Belgium this variety is even more
popular than on this side.

While this variety probably owes much to the Red Setter,
and we have a number of examples of this introduction — as
Moll IV., bred by a Champion Irish Setter out of a Black-and-tan
bitch — still, those who have tried it in recent years find it difficult
to produce the desired result, usually getting the progeny all black
with an odd red one. Mr. Purcell Llewellin has crossed with the
Laverack, producing a beautiful orange Belton.

This handsome Setter will always have his admirers, and the
success of Stylish Ranger in recent field trials may probably induce
others to compete more frequently with the English and Irish
varieties, and possibly repeat the success gained by this breed in the
early sixties. Stylish Ranger was bred by Mr. Chapman, and is
by Heather Crack out of Fairy, and trained by his owner, Mr. Isaac
Sharpe (Keith, N.B.). In the opinion of the latter, " If you get the
right breed of Gordon, I think they are the best of all Setters ; but
I don't like them too heavy nor with thick shoulders. Most of the
puppies quarter their ground naturally, and point first time they go
on the moor, and I think they are more easily trained than any
other breed of Setter. I have had Gordons for twenty-five years,
and I very seldom get a waster." Heather Crack, the sire of Stylish
Ranger, was a frequent winner on the bench, which is another link in
support of our belief that our sporting dogs, or at least our Setters,
have not been ruined by " benching " them.

Many good sportsmen who have had experience of this variety
believe that they are hardier and have greater stamina than any
other breed of sporting dog, and on a bad scenting day they
certainly often excel in " picking up a scent." They are invaluable
at finding wounded game, and, possibly owing to their fondness for
dropping their nose, have had some detractors. Again, it has been
asserted that they are hard to train and are difficult to control.
Undoubtedly the Gordon is a bold dog, of high courage, and of a
lively temperament, and while there may be instances of dogs
impatient of control, still the average of this variety is a very high
one, and, to again quote from those gentlemen whose names have
been already mentioned in this article, " they don't often have a
bad Gordon."

In the selection of a puppy of this breed the colour is naturally
of the first importance, because, no matter how handsome he may
be in other respects, the loss of the characteristic markings will
deprive the puppy of the greater part of. his beauty. Luckily for

THE BLACK-AND-TAN (OR GORDON) SETTER 283

the novice, this is evident even at birth, and one finds one or two
far above their fellows in the richness of their tan. Many of the
puppies are almost black, while others have a considerable amount
of white on the breast and feet. Occasionally you may find that
the majority of the puppies have good black-and-tan markings, but
this is very rare. For this reason the selection is much less difficult
than in other varieties.

Of further assistance at this early age is the curious and
interesting fact that the best and largest puppies are almost in-
variably the best black-and-tan, and if the novice, in making his
selection at perhaps six weeks or so, when the puppies are fit
to be weaned, is able to secure the biggest puppy with the biggest
head, the richest tan, and no white markings, then he has made
an auspicious start. Many puppies exhibit a small quantity of
white on the chest, but if small in amount, this is nearly always
invisible when the coat grows. If two puppies were of equal merit
as to size and colour, then the final choice should be given to
that with the highest skull and occiput ; and if further discrimination
is necessary, the size and position of the ears may assist, giving
preference to the puppy with small ears springing low from the
head.

At three months and later the same remarks will assist the
novice in his choice. Colour will again first catch his eye, but he
will be able to examine other points. The puppies are now able
to run about, and whether for sport or exhibition he must pay
particular attention to the legs and feet. This and the following
six weeks is the critical time for most puppies, as at this period
most go wrong in their legs. At no price should he accept one that
has crooked fore legs, is out at elbows, or knuckles over at the
pasterns. Of course a small proportion of these may improve at this
early age, and the defect would be fatal if present at six months old.
This also applies to the feet. You want a firm, compact foot with
well-arched toes and good pads. Even at this stage the novice will
notice the difference in the feet of the various puppies. The head
too now changes much, and some indication is obtained whether
the skull proper is going to be high and round or low and flat,
and the muzzle will also be getting longer in proportion. The
permanent colour of the eye will now be seen, and this is an important
point in all sporting dogs. As in the horse, it is an indication of
the character and temperament.

What the novice should look for is a full, dark, hazel eye, avoiding
a small eye, particularly if light yellow. Though many good working
dogs have this defect, as a general rule they are wild, harem-
scarem creatures, much more difficult to train and more difficult
to control after. A puppy with a short tail is more likely to carry
it well than if longer, and less liable to twist or curl it when fully

284 BRITISH DOGS

developed. All these remarks will apply to the puppy till he is
six months old. By this time one can determine still better what
he is fit for — his size, his legs, his colour and character have
advanced. One can now criticise his movements. Turn the puppies
out into a field or a paddock, and scrutinise them carefully at play.
Note carefully if the puppy you fancy gallops well and carries his
head well up ; see that he has a firm back over the loins and that
his short ribs come well back, because he won't stay well if he is
very weak in these points.

As a general rule it is a heavy shoulder with wide chest
in front and " elbows" which cause a dog to "labour." If,
further, he has long, well-bent stifles, and is short from the hock
to the ground, then he will swing over the moor as he ought.
Above all, choose a bright, lively puppy who is always "on the
move," if you intend him for work. If intending to exhibit, make
a point of attending some of the leading exhibitions during the
judging, and when possible get some of the well-known breeders
to give their opinions on the various exhibits.

In course of time the novice will be able to picture in his mind
an ideal dog of this particular breed, and by this standard measure
all others. If, also, he has facilities for training a dog which
he has bred himself, he will find a satisfaction indeed — an additional
reward, far exceeding his original pleasure in the sport alone.

CHAPTER XXVII
THE IRISH SETTER

" A VETERAN Sportsman," author of " A Correct Delineation of
the Canine Race," writing in 1803, says: " The sporting gentle-
men of Ireland are more partial to Setters than Pointers, and
probably they are better adapted to that country. Setters, it is
presumed, cover more ground than Pointers, are not so liable to
be footsore, and can bear the changes of weather much better than
the latter, which they term the Smooth Spaniel, The fields in
many parts of Ireland are large, very rugged, and stony ; the rains
sudden, sharp, severe, and driving. Setters, therefore, particularly
suit the country they go over; to this may be added the grouse-
shooting, which is excellent, and it is a universally received
opinion that this variety of dog only is equal to the fatigues of it."

The writer above quoted does not -attempt any description of the
Setter in use in Ireland in his sporting days, nor does he dwell on
the dog's points, after the manner of our modern dog-show critics;
but, instead, he gives briefly the fact that the dog selected by Irish
sportsmen was one especially adapted to the circumstances of the
country and climate in which he had to work — a most important
fact which dog-show promoters, judges, and others cannot have
too often brought under their notice, for there is undoubtedly an
evil tendency in our dog-show system to forget the fitness of the
dog for his work which should exist, and indeed should be made
a sine qua non, and to exalt far above their legitimate value points
of beauty and arbitrary standards of perfection, giving undue weight
to matters of comparatively little moment, such as the existence of
a few dozen white hairs more or less, the colour of the eye, and
the precise carriage of the tail to a line minutely described and
insisted upon. Most unquestionably, beauty and utility may be
combined, and it is this combination all true sportsmen and lovers
of the breed should strive for, as, unfortunately, the tendency of
the day is to attach more importance to bench winnings than to
field performances. Great care should therefore be exercised that
desirable characteristics are not sacrificed to fancy standards and
fads of show judges.

Although, under the management of the Kennel Club, dog shows

286 BRITISH DOGS

have much improved, so far as Irish Setters are concerned they
are not an unmixed blessing, and championships are much too
easily secured, with the result that the shooting man who wants
to breed is quite bewildered, and probably ends by crossing with
the nearest dog whose field performance he knows, but whose
pedigree may be anything. To make dog shows really useful for
improving the breed, championship wins should not be given to
dogs who had not distinguished themselves at field trials. The
result certainly would be fewer champions (an undoubted blessing
to any one who knows some of the champions of the present day),
a tendency on the part of owners of good-looking dogs to have
them trained for competition at field trials, with the consequent
weeding out of worthless ones, and the perpetuation of the qualities
supposed to be sought for — good looks combined with good work.

The origin of the. Irish Setter is apparently unknown, and any
description of points is of comparatively recent date, while the
representations in old sporting books are quite unreliable, if their
worth is measured by similar engravings of animals whose appear-
ance is known not to have changed. It is consequently impossible
to know if the type was at all permanent or fixed until sixty or
seventy years ago, although unquestionably an Irish Setter of some
sort was bred and used on the Irish mountains and bogs, and
highly valued for his hardy constitution and great endurance, his
fine nose, keenness in hunting, and width of range — all most neces-
sary qualifications where game is none too plentiful.

That an undeniable type is not even yet established can hardly
be questioned, as probably no two show judges, if asked to give
the name of the most typical dog of the day, would give the same
answer; while the general diversity of opinion has brought from
exhibitors the frequent remark that they don't know what to breed
up to. Although it may with truth be asserted that a really good
Pointer or an English Setter will beat the average Irish Setter at his
own work and on his own ground, the same is equally true of a
really good Irish Setter as regards the average English Setter or
Pointer ; but taking the average of all breeds, for his own work and
on his own ground nothing can beat the Irishman. To prove that
this is no extravagant statement one has only to examine the records
of the Irish field trials during the last ten or fifteen years, where
the red dog, pitted against all comers, has over and over again proved
his worth.

The " Veteran Sportsman," as shown by recent facts, was there-
fore not far astray, and it is certain that the dog long ago selected
by the Irish gentlemen was the one best adapted for their country ;
but there is undoubted danger of deterioration of the breed if some
restriction as to championship wins at ordinary shows, as before indi-
cated, be not made, as it is the general public, who know little about

THE IRISH SETTER 287

shooting or field work, who do most of the breeding, and whose bench
wins and dogs are therefore more widely known and referred to.

With regard to the appearance of the Irish Setter, the Red Setter
Club has published a description, by which it holds these dogs should
be judged, the various points being set out as follows : —

Head.- Should be long and lean. The skull oval (from ear to ear), having
plenty of brain room, and with well-defined occipital protuberance. Brows
raised, showing stop. The muzzle moderately deep, and fairly square at end.
From the stop to the point of the nose should be long, the nostrils wide, and the
jaws of nearly equal length, flews not to be pendulous The colour of the nose
dark mahogany or dark walnut, and that of the eyes (which ought not to be too
large) rich hazel or brown. The ears to be of moderate size, fine in texture, set
on low, well back, and hanging in a neat fold close to head.

Neck. — Should be moderately long, very muscular, but not too thick, slightly
arched, free from all tendency to throatiness.

Body. —Should be long. Shoulders fine at the points, deep, and sloping well
back. The chest as deep as possible, rather narrow in front. The ribs well
sprung, leaving plenty of lung room. Loins muscular and slightly arched. The
hindquarters wide and powerful.

Legs and Feet. —The hind legs from hip to hock should be long and muscular ;
from hock to heel, short and strong. The stifle and hock joints well bent, and
not inclined either in or out. The fore legs should be straight and sinewy,
having plenty of bone, with elbows free, well let down, and, like the hocks, not
inclined either in or out. The feet small, very firm ; toes strong, close together
and arched.

Tail. — Should be of moderate length, set on rather low, strong at root, and
tapering to a fine point ; to be carried as nearly as possible on a level with or
below the back.

Coat. — On the head, front of legs, and tips of ears, should be short and fine ;
but on all other parts of the body and legs it ought to be of moderate length,
flat, and as free as possible from curl or waves.

Feathering. — The feather on the upper portion of the ears should be long and
silky ; on the back of the fore and hind legs long and fine ; a fair amount of hair
on the belly, forming a nice fringe, which may extend on chest and throat. Feet
to be well feathered between toes. Tail to have a nice fringe of moderately long
hair, decreasing in length as it approaches the point. All feathering to be as
straight and as flat as possible.

Colour and Markings. — The colour should be a rich golden chestnut, with no
trace whatever of black ; white on chest, throat, or toes, or a small star on the
forehead, or a narrow streak or blaze on the nose or face not to disqualify

STANDARD OF POINTS

Head ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Eyes ... ... ... ... ... ... 6

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 4

Neck ... ... ... ... ... 4

Body ... ... ... ... ... ... 20

Hind Legs and Feet ... ,. ... ... ... 10

Fore Legs and Feet ... ... ... .. 10

Tail 4

Coat and Feather ... ... ... ... ... 10

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 8

Size, Style, and General Appearance ... ... .,. 14

Total ... ... 100

288 BRITISH DOGS

There is little to take exception to in this description, but the
proportion of marks allotted to various points might with advantage
be altered. For instance, 24 per cent, is allotted for head and
neck, while only 20 per cent, goes to legs and feet, a surely more
important matter in an animal wanted above all things to go. The
fourteen points allowed for size, style, and general appearance might
well be increased to 'twenty, this being the indefinable something,
the combination of all the parts into a typical whole, whose ultimate
result is the perfect Irish Setter — a form once seen not easily for-
gotten. Even the trained eye, however, is frequently led astray
from the true form by the undeniably handsome animals exhibited
at most shows ; but from the show standpoint alone, it would be
better if judges relied more on the above description than on the
experience gained from observation of recent winners, who in many
cases have departed sadly from a better type.

Perhaps in no individual points is this departure more accentu-
ated than in the head and colour. The head and muzzle should
be long and clean, carrying a certain amount of squareness right to
the nostril, giving a general idea of size without heaviness. The
colour should be exactly as in the Club's description, " A rich golden
chestnut, with no trace whatever of black " ; yet hardly one of the
present-day celebrities conform to these two simple but indisputable
points of an Irish Setter. The frequent bench wins and consequent
publicity of the late Major Jameson's Ponto led many people to
breed from him, and the curious black tinge in his coat and that
of his progeny, which for years in England appeared to be con-
sidered the proper thing, and even still is written up by some
reporters of dog shows, has left a stain which is not yet eradicated.
Indeed, this dull dark mahogany-red is a colour which never appears
in a litter of pure-bred Irish Setters, although in almost every litter
one, if not more, will have coats too light in colour, while it is said
that occasionally a pure black pup appears.

It will be observed that the above description is that of the Irish
Red Setter ; but there is also another Irish Setter, red and white, of
which now there are but few kennels left, those of the Marquis of
Conyngham and Captain Stewart being best known. These dogs
are highly spoken of by their breeders, who state that they have all
the characteristics of the red dog, with the additional advantage of
being more readily distinguishable on the moor. At Strabane Show
a special class was formerly provided for them, and a very sporting
dog they looked ; but they are now seldom seen at any show, and
have never been represented at a field trial. The present red dog
is in all probability the specialised descendant of the red-and-white.
Even now few litters are born that will not have one or two among
them with more white than would comply with the standard of the
Red Setter Club, and one can easily imagine that with indiscriminate

THE IRISH SETTER 289

breeding, or at least selection, it would not be difficult, were it
desirable, to again establish a Red-and-white Setter as a distinct
breed.

For some reason or other not now to be ascertained, Red and
Red-and-white Setters were cultivated at an early day in Ireland ;
but how, whether by some cross between the setting dog and
another breed or by selection, cannot be absolutely determined.
The latter is the more probable means by which the breed became
established. Red or liver is a common colour in the Spaniel, and
it varies very much in shade ; and as the Spaniel is the breed the

FIG. 62. — THE IRISH RED SETTER CHAMPION GARRYOWEN.

Setter was made from, selection — and possibly both climate and
breeding influences — first affected, and afterwards fixed, the hue.

The history of the race cannot be a very long one, but the life
of the dog is short, and his powers of reproduction are great ; so that
it is only necessary to suppose the existence of one or more dogs
of a deep red colour, distinguished by superior excellence, to see
a reasonable foundation of the breed. The best dogs would un-
doubtedly be selected by sportsmen for the stud ; and the accident
of the best at any one period in the early history of the breed being
red would cause that colour to rapidly stamp itself on a large
preponderance of the progeny, and soon the colour would become

290 BRITISH DOGS

an accepted indication of high breeding, and a sign of probable
excellence.

"Idstone," who was a great admirer of the Irish Setter, says,
writing in 1872: "They have been jealously protected from any
mongrel crosses for many years by their native breeders." On the
other hand, Mr. Edward Laverack, writing in the same year, says :
" So highly do I value the true blood belonging to the Irish, that
I have visited Ireland four times for the express purpose of ascertain-
ing where the true blood was to be found, with a view to crossing
them with my Beltons. I very much regret to say that, after all
my trouble and efforts, I found that this magnificent old breed
has degenerated, owing to the carelessness and negligence of the
Irish in not having kept it pure."

Mr. Laverack must have been singularly unfortunate, for certainly
the " magnificent old breed" has been kept practically pure, though
not so detailed in tabulated pedigrees, which were not a requisite
of dog-breeding success in pre-show days. The excessive value
placed on pedigrees now may easily lead to degeneration, if not
corrected by other and yet more weighty considerations. The
wiry form, the endurance, coupled with general smartness and stout-
ness of constitution, which have hitherto characterised the Irish
Setter, and so largely contributed to make it a favourite with
sportsmen, may be easily lost by a blind confidence in pedigree and
the honours of championship in the show-ring.

That " blood will tell " is, however, undeniable, and most of our
present-day winners, like those of the past, owe much of their
excellence to the old kennels, wherein stud books were rarely kept.
The blood of the celebrated Palmerston is strong in many of our
best dogs to-day, and perhaps the most typical, and certainly the
most beautiful, of his numerous progeny was the late Mr. J. J.
Giltrap's Champion Garryowen (Fig. 62), whose pedigree is given to
show what a short distance even the most celebrated dogs go back.

f Grouse (Evans of Dungannon)
fOld Shot ..A
Palmerston...-! [juno

[Kate (no ascertained pedigree)

(1,728)
Garryowen
(8,262)

(York (Major Smith's)

Belle I ( Grouse ...{Shot (Sire of Palmerston)

[Bella ...J

[Kate I.

For the uses to which he is generally put the Irish Setter is
admirably adapted. On the mountains where grouse are scarce,
and unfortunately getting scarcer yearly, his speed and persistent

THE IRISH SETTER 291

keenness lead him to cover an immense amount of ground, where
the slower and more mechanical Pointer would fall far short of his
number of finds at the end of a day's work.

An amusing confirmation of this occurred at the field trials
in Ireland several years ago. The Irish Setter Puppy and All-
aged Stakes were first run off, and occupied three whole days,
when on the fourth day the All Comers Stakes were opened.
The first brace put down were very fine and celebrated Pointers,
who quartered their ground in good style, but in rather limited
beats. A well-known writer on sporting dogs happened to be
present in his capacity as reporter, and remarked, with a sigh
of relief : " Now that is what I call proper going. My eyes
are sore watching those red devils like flashes of lightning over
the mountains for the past three days." The Pointers were taken
up after an extended trial, in which they found once.

Again, on snipe the Irish Setter is perfectly at home, and it
is really wonderful to see the dog, who a moment before was
galloping at full speed over the moor, when he comes to a marsh
or a patch of likely rushes, slow down and adopt a pace more
like a cat creeping on a mouse than anything else, and when
this has been thoroughly searched, resume, no doubt what to some
would appear, his wild career over the heather.

The " Veteran Sportsman " quoted at the beginning of this
article goes on to say, comparing the Irish Setter with the Pointer,
that " they are certainly more difficult to break, and when broke
are most apt to run wild and unsteady if not frequently hunted."
This was written a hundred years ago, and has become a sort of
stereotyped opinion of the character of the dog, for which probably
his environment was more to blame than his temperament. Most
certainly, if not hunted regularly and with due attention to 'the
correction of faults, the same remark is applicable to all breeds.
All sportsmen and writers on sporting dogs are well aware that
one day's careless handling may undo the training of months;
and, for some inexplicable reason, Irish gamekeepers are notoriously
bad breakers and handlers. Now, if to bad handling be added
scarcity of birds, and consequently fewer opportunities of teaching
and fixing the lessons taught, an explanation at once appears of
the very few really highly trained dogs seen, which would reasonably
enough give rise to the idea that they were apt to run wild and
unsteady if not frequently hunted.

With proper preliminary handling when young, chiefly for dis-
cipline, a well-bred Irish Setter, after three or four days on a moun-
tain, will have learned his work so well as to be entitled to his
place with the regular team ; and after a couple of seasons appears
to know when he is out with the gun for business or out on a
walk for pleasure, in the latter case frequently transgressing the

292 BRITISH DOGS

most ordinary rules, but with the gun settling down to his work
at once, as if he had never known what it was to go wrong.

Although there are unquestionably many first-rate dogs in
Ireland who have never appeared at field trials, still, on their
public form they are judged, and among those who have been
most successful may be mentioned Mr. J. G. Hawkes (though his
dogs of recent years do not come up to the form of his famous
Signal and Miss Signal), Major Milner (with such dogs as Spalpeen,
Airnie, etc.), Mr. \V. Hill Cooper (with Wrestler, Isinglass, and
others) ; while Mr. G. H. Cheetham's wonderful little bitch Honey-
suckle, and Mr. Mclvor's Ballycolman with his two sons Strabane
Pam and Ranger, as being the most recent field winners, must
not be forgotten. The blood of that celebrated dog Major
Hutchinson's Bob told on Mr. Hawkes's kennels when at their
best. Mr. Hill Cooper's dogs run up through such well-known
ones as Muskerry, Champions Hector and Kate to Palmerston
on both sides ; and Major Milner on the one side traces from the
same ancestor, with another good one in Cocksure on the other ;
while Ballycolman, through his sire Champion Donal MacSwine,
traces from Champions Garryowen and Palmerston, and that truly
remarkable bitch of her day Mac's Little Nell.

This is but another example of the potency of blood, as every one
of these dogs, on one side at least, and some of them, such as
Isinglass and Ballycolman, with several crosses, trace to Palmerston.
He was indeed a king among kings, and living, as he did, to
almost twice the usual span of a Setter's existence, it is perhaps
hardly to be wondered at that his blood is rarely wanting in any
of the best bench or field dogs of the day.

Champion Donal MacSwine (36,240), the dog illustrated at
Fig. 63, is a good representative of the Irish Red Setter. Although
he was never sent to compete at field trials, yet he is an excellent
worker, despite his weight of years. Every August he accompanies
the writer to his shoot on the mountains, and he can do a day's work
that will compare favourably with that put in by the younger ones.
He first came out on the show- bench in 1893, when he competed
successfully as a puppy at the Dublin Show. From that time
onward to 1899 he continued his winning career, placing to his
owner's credit firsts at all the more important shows, including
Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Armagh, Dublin, Strabane,
and Belfast, amongst others; while he also secured winning brackets
in Scotland. Donal MacSwine is by Garryowen Junior (24,599) ^Y
the famous Garryowen (8,262) out of Mac's Little Nell (19,714);
and his dam is Jiel MacSwine (31,320) by Major-General out of
Norah. He thus combines some of the best blood extant.

The best time for breeding is in the spring. If the pups are
born in May, the mother will be quite ready for the moor in August,

THE IRISH SETTER

293

while the pups will be sufficiently grown and strong to stand the
ensuing winter's cold, and be ready for the following summer for
the necessary hand-training preparatory to their actual entry on
birds in August, when they may be worked daily for a few hours
without injury.

Selection of the pups is a difficult matter, but dogs are so prolific
that, with a good strain to start from, perseverance and a hard
heart are all that is requisite to secure a good field dog and bench
winner before many seasons are over. The real sportsman should,

FIG. 63. — MR. J. H. SWINEY'S IRISH SETTER CHAMPION DONAL MACSWINE.

however, be ruthless in destroying, no matter how handsome, the
dog that shows want of stamina, keenness, speed, nose, or other
qualities requisite for perfect field work. When the pups are able
to get about, they should have ample room to play, a small well-
fenced paddock, if possible, with a dry and comfortable kennel to
retire to at night or if wet, answering this purpose admirably.
With this exercise their feet and legs are properly formed, and
their muscles developed. When about four months old they
might be more confined, but taken out for regular exercise on a
mountain or in the fields, and put under some discipline, but not
in any way to restrain their running, which in this way they take

294 BRITISH DOGS

up much more readily than if allowed their freedom about a place
all day. Their feeding should be regular and varied, without too
much meat, at three months old getting four meals daily, which
should be gradually reduced to two meals at nine months. With
clean, dry, roomy kennels, proper feeding, and exercise, the breeder
will be spared many of the ills which so often fall on those who
attempt too much, with but too little knowledge.

For the bench, given the possession of a handsome animal, no
special advice is necessary further than to keep the dog in
health by the above means. If in proper health, the coat will have
a fine gloss and lie, which may be somewhat improved by regular
grooming with comb, brush, and chamois. Dogs should not be
shown when out of coat or condition, which happens at least once
yearly to every dog. It also tends to success if a Setter be trained
to show himself properly, though this is frequently very difficult,
and sometimes impossible to do.

Let the showman, however, remember that he is no true lover
of the breed if he is content to rest on his bench laurels ; but
he will gain the respect of every sportsman if he has his dog properly
broken, and regularly shot over, and, if possible, tested at field
trials, where, if successful, he will increase the value of his animal
tenfold, and at the same time have the satisfaction of knowing
that he has done all he could to crystallise the qualities for
which, after all, the breed exists— namely, bringing game to his
master's bag.

CHAPTER XXVIII
THE SPANIELS

IN considering the following descriptions of the principal varieties
among British Spaniels, it must be borne in mind that, with the
possible exception of the Clumber, they are all ramifications from
the same stem. So close, indeed, is the kinship between them
that they can be interbred with advantage to preserve vigour of
constitution without jeopardizing the various types. An illustration
of this is the crossing of the English with the Welsh Springer :
those puppies that are liver-and-white or black-and-white follow the
shape of the English breed, while the red-and-whites present the
undiminished type of the Welsh dog.

The same phenomenon has been noticed among Setters. In the
same litter the blue-mottled pups will be found of one type, roughly
resembling that of the English Springer, while the shorter-eared
orange-and-whites have more affinity with his Cambrian cousin.
This seems to confirm the notion of Elaine (1839) that the red-
and-white Setters and Springers were originally distinct from the
Spaniels of other colours, though themselves, of course, from the
same stock.

There are several sub-varieties of the great Spaniel family that
are not described in these pages, because, though capable of culture,
they are at present too restricted in numbers, and not sufficiently
defined, to merit special classification.

THE CLUMBER

The Clumber is the aristocrat of the Spaniel family : in comparison
with him his modern Black brother of the benches is a mere
upstart, and the Irish Water Spaniel as an unkempt kerne to a
polished gentleman. The Sussex cannot compare with him in
dignity of demeanour ; and the busy little Cocker, taking though
he be, is commonplace by the side of the Clumber, whose manners,
solemn and deliberate, are stamped with that repose which the
least imaginative may easily conceive to rest on the consciousness
of noble lineage.

How the variety of Spaniel under consideration came into being

296 BRITISH DOGS

is uncertain, but that the characteristics he presents have for several
generations of men been preserved by in-and-in breeding, appears
pretty certain; !and for long the breed was confined to the New-
castle family, from one of whose seats it takes its name.

The origin of this dog, so distinct in type from other
Spaniels, is a puzzle that, in the absence of all record, appears in-
soluble. His long barrel, short legs, and rather inactive formation
separate him not only from the sprightly Cocker, but also from
all other varieties of the Spaniel family ; in fact, his massive head,
large, truncated muzzle, and deep eyes, sometimes showing the
haw, almost suggest a cross with a short-legged hound ; but this
his characteristic of being mute in questing seems to contradict.
One plausible theory is that the introduction of French Bassets
to the Clumber kennels and their intermixture with the original
red-and-white Spaniel, now called the Welsh Springer, may have
been responsible for his production, and for endowing him with many
of the peculiar features that distinguish him from other breeds of
Spaniels. Daniel states that the breed was introduced into this
country by a Duke of Newcastle, who obtained it from the
Due de Nouailles. This tends to assign the date of its importation
to the latter half of the eighteenth century, and rather supports
the idea of that Basset cross which the form of the Clumber so
strongly suggests.

This Spaniel, if pure-bred, invariably hunts mute, and is an
excellent, docile worker, with a wonderful nose. But he is rather soft
in his disposition, and apt to tire when used in rougher covers
than those of his native Sherwood, where there is not much
undergrowth except bracken. He makes a tender retriever, and is
easily broken to this business ; in fact, whatever his duties, he will
perform them in honest fashion, with a plodding, conscientious
patience. Many Clumbers prove excellent water dogs, although that
is not their profession ; and, well entered, they prove equally useful
and steady on snipe, pheasants, or rabbits. In packs they combine
splendidly, showing less jealousy and disposition to copy than many
breeds ; and even to the single-dog sportsman the Clumber proves
a useful, trustworthy companion.

The strain was for long highly prized by several large landowners
in whose kennels it came to be established ; of these, the principal
were the Dukes of Newcastle, Norfolk, and Portland, Earls Spencer
and Manvers, Lord Arundell of Wardour, and Mr. Foljambe of
Osberton. Mr. Foljambe's name, indeed, is intimately associated
with the pedigrees of the best show specimens.

Mr. R. S. Holford, in the earlier days of dog shows, exhibited
some grand Clumbers. The Arkwrights, also, of Sutton Scarsdale
and of Willersley, were enthusiastic breeders, and many examples
from the Sutton kennels were formerly shown with success.

THE SPANIELS 297

Mr. James Farrow, who has paid very close attention to the
breed as exhibited in the show-ring, has written the following
account : —

"Better specimens of this beautiful and very useful variety of
Spaniel existed ten or fifteen years ago than we have to-day. I
know of no Clumber Spaniel now being exhibited showing so
distinctly the head properties — so much valued by Clumber breeders
— as did Nabob, a Clumber that did a lot of prize winning about
the year 1872, exhibited by Mr. P. Bullock, and bred by Mr.
Foljambe, a name often found connected with many of our best
Clumbers. Beau was another good Clumber, bred by Mr. J.
Douglas, of Clumber, and exhibited by Mr. Fletcher. At the
Kennel Club Shows in 1874 and 1875 Beau was often placed over
Nabob, but, although a good dog, he was certainly not equal to
Nabob. Another good Clumber, and a great prize winner— a better
dog than anything now being exhibited — was Trusty, bred by Earl
Spencer, and exhibited for years by Mr. H. B. Spurgin, Northampton.
About the year 1872 the Rev. T. Marshall exhibited, at several
shows held in the East of England, a grand Clumber dog, named
Bruce. Very little was seen of this Clumber at exhibitions ; had
he been in some hands, however, this dog would have made a
name in the Clumber world. Another good Clumber, and bred
from some of Mr. Foljambe's dogs, was Rock, bred by Mr. Parlett,
who, although not a heavy prize winner, was fairly successful at
exhibitions. He was, perhaps, a little short in body, and a little too
long on his legs, but a good Clumber nevertheless ; and I have
seen him placed over what I take to-day to be the best Clumber
now being exhibited — I refer to Psycho, a heavy prize winner, and
first in the Challenge Class at the Kennel Club's Show in January,
1887.

In 1885 I was very much afraid we were about to lose, or give
up, in the head properties of the Clumber, some of our oldest
acknowledged points. Boss III., a Clumber bred and exhibited
by Mr. J. Allen, Ampthill, was, in 1885, awarded, and by some of
our oldest Spaniel judges, first prize in the Challenge Class at both
the Kennei Club's winter and summer exhibitions ; and at Warwick,
in the Challenge Class, he was placed over Psycho by our old,
recognised Spaniel judges, the Rev. A. L. Willet and Major Willet.
Now, there is just as much difference between the head of the
Clumber and the head of the ordinary Field or Springer Spaniel as
there is- between black and white ; and Boss III.'s head is certainly
more of the ordinary Field Spaniel type than that of a Clumber, and
that simply at once destroys the Clumber expression.

At the winter show of the Kennel Club in 1886 Boss III.
once more met Psycho, and Boss III. was put back and Psycho

298 BRITISH DOGS

again brought to the front. I acted as judge on that occasion, and
I put Boss III. back simply because of his want of Clumber ex-
pression, or, in other words, because his is not a Clumber's head.
In the descriptive particulars of the Clumber Spaniel, in the standard
of points and description of the different varieties of Spaniels just
published by the Spaniel Club, the head of the Clumber is very
fairly handled, and reads as follows : * Large, square, and massive,
flat on top, ending in a peak at occiput, round above eyes, with a
deep stop ; muzzle heavy and freckled, lips of upper jaw slightly
overhung ; skin under eyes dropping, and showing haw.'

I hope our Spaniel judges in future will go for this class of
head, and thus save the expression of this beautiful Spaniel from
being something between those of the ordinary Field Spaniel and
the Clumber. A friend informed me, after judging of Spaniels at
the Birmingham Show of 1886, that the judges, the Rev. A.
L. Willet and Major Willet, told him they would no longer
recognise the long, Field Spaniel character of Clumber head.
This fact, with the description issued by the Spaniel Club, should,
and I hope will, destroy the fear I had in 1885 about the head of
the Clumber of the future. Two of the best Clumbers now being
exhibited are Mr. Holmes's (Lancaster) Tower and Mr. J. A. Parlett's
(Edgware Road) Trust. Referring to Trust reminds me of another
point in which we have lost ground of late years in our Clumber,
and that is colour. Trust certainly has little colour ; nevertheless,
what there is is nearly a liver colour — a most objectionable colour
for a Clumber. Trust is, however, not alone, for very many of the
Clumbers now being exhibited are far too dark in the colour of
their markings, and judges will do well to make a stand against this.

The colour of the Clumber is very important, and I regret to
see that the Spaniel Club, in describing the colour, have certainly
not handled this point so clearly and strongly as I think they ought
to have done.

The Club's description is as follows : ' Plain white, with lemon
markings; orange permissible, but not so desirable; slight head
markings with white body preferred.' Now, in judging to this
description, unless the work is placed in most careful hands, we
shall see the colour of our Clumbers gradually become too dark a
shade of lemon. I would have added to this description of colour
issued by the Spaniel Club the following : ' A decided liver-coloured
marking to be a disqualification.'"

Mr. Farrow's notes, though they appeared nearly fifteen years
ago, are of such interest that they are worthy of reproduction
to-day, although they have been written from a purely show-ring
point of view.

But since the last Edition of this book, Working Trials for

THE SPANIELS 299

Spaniels have been instituted by the Sporting Spaniel Society,
whose example has been duly followed by the Spaniel Club, so
that a new era may be said to have commenced for all the Land
Spaniels — a much-needed reformation for the show-spaniel world.

This seems to be the most appropriate place for an account of
the origin and methods of these trials, as at the beginning Clumbers
carried off the lion's share of the prizes, although it must be con-
fessed the competitors were more distinguished for Clumber pedigree
than for actual type.

Every sportsman must regard trials as of the highest importance
to the welfare of all breeds of working dogs, as they are the only pro-
tection against the incursions of Fancy. Not that Spaniel trials, any
more than Pointer and Setter trials, will ever indicate unerringly the
best dog — they are not, and cannot be, sufficiently protracted for
that ; but the winners at them are always well-broken, capable
working-dogs, and that is exactly what we, under the glamour of
the show-ring, were forgetting that Spaniels were ever meant to be !

The writer is proud to say that he himself was responsible
for starting these trials ; and they take their origin from his visit
to Mr. Isaac Sharpe about five years ago, when he was in search
of a Spaniel for his own use. Mr. Sharpe had at that time eight
or nine very useful ones ; and it was while selecting from these, and
lamenting with their owner the general decadence of the race, that
the idea was conceived. It was quickly embodied in rules which
are practically unaltered up to the present ; and was enthusiastically
adopted by the Sporting Spaniel Club, since renamed Sporting
Spaniel Society, which had been shortly before instituted to recall
public attention, if possible, to the work of Spaniels, and to the
physical conformation necessary for it.

It is encouraging that the Spaniel Club should have very sensibly
imitated the trials of the Sporting Spaniel Society, and if only it
persevere with them, its types must right themselves in the end ;
for even the obstacles interposed by • pride or vested interests
must eventually crumble when attacked by practical proof.

Here follow the trial rules of the Sporting Spaniel Society,
as far as they relate to the running of the dogs. From them it
can be perceived by sportsmen how easy it is to win a prize, if
they have an obedient, sensible, close-working Spaniel. The know-
ledge that no special training is required should induce many more
owners to compete at these trials, or, at any rate, to give them
hearty support.

i. — In Single Stakes for Spaniels, after the order of running has been decided
by lot, each dog shall be, when practicable, worked in such order by its owner or
his nominee. At the end of the first round the judges will call up, at their own
discretion, any dogs they require further, and run them as they choose. The
judges will, except in a case of undoubted lack of merit, try each Spaniel for at

300 BRITISH DOGS

least fifteen minutes in the first round ; but they can, if they think fit, carry on the
trial of two dogs simultaneously, not requiring them to take notice of each other,
nor ordering down together two dogs worked by the same person. All shooting
will be done by guns appointed by the Committee.

2. — In Brace and Team Stakes the order of running in the first round shall
be decided by lot, and the dogs composing a brace or team must belong to the
same owner. No dog shall form part of more than one brace or team at the same
meeting, and only one man at a time shall work any brace or team.

3.— In all Stakes the Spaniels shall be regularly shot over in the customary
sporting manner, and may be worked up and down wind, and on feather and fur.

4. — In all Stakes the principal points to be considered by the judges are
scenting power, keenness, perseverance, obedience, freedom from chase, style,
method of beating, and hunting to the gun— whether in cover, hedgerow, or the
open. In Single Stakes, besides, the Spaniels are expected to retrieve at
command from land or water as required — tenderly, quickly, and right up to
the hand ; and any additional excellence, such as dropping to hand and shot,
standing to their game and flushing it at command, etc., will be taken into
account ; while in Brace or Team Stakes they ought to drop to shot, and beat
their ground harmoniously together. In all Stakes for Puppies under twelve
months, the retrieving of fur shall be optional ; and in Non-retrieving Stakes,
if a dog retrieves wounded or dead game, it shall be reckoned a serious fault
against him.

The first trials were held at Sutton Scarsdale in January, 1899 ;
and the work, for a beginning, was very good — a Cocker, some
Clumbers, and a Sussex, besides other Springers, all distinguishing
themselves. Since then progress every year has been evidenced
in the breaking of the Spaniels ; but, in spite of this, at the last
meeting (1901) two breakers, novices at trials, appeared and carried
off some of the best prizes.

These Spaniel articles are written from the point of view of a
sportsman, because Spaniels were invented by such, and were
originally kept for work with the net, with the falcon, with the
cross-bow, and with the gun, and are still used by hundreds with
the last-named weapon. We must, for the same reasons, resist
the handing over of these, the most generally useful of the gundogs,
to the non-sporting community for fancy-toy purposes. When
practicable, the points of each variety are quoted from the descriptions
of the Sporting Spaniel Society, which advocates that all Spaniels
shall be considered by Rule of Gun. This Society declares in
its Preface that it exists for the purpose of recalling attention to
the working points of Spaniels, which have been neglected in favour
of fancy points brought latterly into fashion by dog shows and
" fancier " judges ; that its members are resolved to breed Spaniels
strictly on sporting lines, and to judge them by a similar standard ;
that in Spaniels the ornamental and the useful types were originally
one and inseparable ; that it is strenuously opposed to the modern
exaggeration of certain points, alike on aesthetic and utilitarian
grounds ; and that, the ideal Spaniel, like the ideal of all other
sporting dogs, being the one with no faults and no exaggerations —

THE SPANIELS 301

with his beauties lying right in the centre of his possibilities — if
any point be disproportionate, it is a defect, a blot on his symmetry.

It also pronounces that the foreign blood — whether of Hound,
Dachshund, or Terrier — which has been introduced into many
modern strains, is fatal to the true Spaniel quality in both work and
appearance ; and that the first of these crosses may be detected by
the dog's voice being too frequent and deep in tone, the second by
his crooked legs, and the third by his hard mouth, while a wild and
disobedient nature will result from any of the three.

It proceeds to postulate a low carriage of tail as a proof of pure
Spaniel descent. This is indeed an essential characteristic, for in
any gundog an erect tail is a sure sign of mongrelism. In fact, the

FIG. 64. — MR. F. WINTON SMITH'S CLUMBER SPANIEL CHAMPION

BliECHGROVE DON ALLY.

term cocktailed was formerly considered so expressive that its use
became general as a synonym for underbred in descriptions of
horses — and even of men.

Here is the description of the Clumber Spaniel published by
the Sporting Spaniel Society : —

The Clumber is the longest, lowest, and largest of the Spaniels. He was
bred chiefly for battue-shooting, to work in a pack the forest-coverts of the
Midlands, where the undergrowth is not thick. He is admirably adapted for
work of this kind by the excellence of his nose, his slowness and docility. He
is always mute.

Skull. — Large, massive, and broad on top, with decided occiput, heavy brows,
and deep stop.

Jaws. — Of medium length, square, with flews well developed.

Eyes. — Orange-brown, rather sunken, and showing the haw slightly.

Ears. — Large and vine-leaf shaped, carried slightly forward, the hair on
them straight.

302

BRITISH DOGS

Neck. — Thick and powerful, well feathered underneath.
Shoulders. — Strong, sloping, and muscular.

Fore Legs. — Heavy boned and short, inclining inwards very slightly at the
knee-joint, with plenty of feather.

Body. — Long, strong, and barrel-like, with great ribs.

Loin. — Straight, broad, and long, well let down in flank.

Hindquarters. — Very powerful and muscular, the stifles rather straight.

Feet. — Large, round, and hairy, the knuckle not very prominent.

Stern. — Set low, well feathered, and carried about level with the back.

Coat. — Abundant, thick, soft, and straight.

Colour. — Creamy- white with lemon markings, orange markings not so typical ;

FIG. 65. — MR. F. WINTON SMITH'S CLUMBER SPANIEL CHAMPION
BEECHGROVE BEE.

generally marked on skull and freckled on muzzle, the nostrils flesh-coloured, and
the body nearly white.

General Appearance. — A long, low, massive dog, with a thoughtful expression.
Weight of dogs from 55lb. to 65lb., of bitches from 45lb. to 55lb.

Fig. 64 illustrates Mr. F. Winton Smith's Clumber Champion
Beechgrove Donally, a dog that has remained practically unbeaten
in the show-ring : several of his offspring have performed creditably
at the trials. Fig. 65 shows another of Mr. Winton Smith's
famous Clumbers, Champion Beechgrove Bee, a bitch that has won
the rare distinction of a title gained at trials alone ; for she has
never been exhibited.

THE SPANIELS 303

THE SUSSEX

In the last Edition of "British Dogs," the article on Sussex
Spaniels commenced with a question as to whether this variety had
become extinct ! This question, at that time asked satirically, could
not be, at any rate as regards the Rosehill strain, answered to-day
with an unqualified negative. For, sad though it is to have to
write such words, the fancy Sussex of to-day is only fit — for a dog
show ; and though possibly he may still claim to be Sussex, the
Spaniel — i.e. the working — element exists in him no longer. It is
safe to say that the only good workers of the present day are of
very mixed descent ; but whether the fresh blood will be successful
in electrifying the breed into new life, depends on whether a band
of practical sportsmen will take the necessary trouble. As this is
more than doubtful, we must prepare to look upon this grand old
breed as moribund, especially as the Sussex, when young, is as
delicate to rear as the Clumber himself.

Personally, the writer has refreshed his strain with much outside
blood of other liver-coloured Springers, and by this he has restored
its excellent working properties ; but he has failed so far in grafting
a vigorous constitution on to the old characteristics.

No doubt the so-called Rosehill breed of self-coloured golden
livers was much in-bred before leaving its birthplace, on account
of the colour being purely the whim of its founder and his followers.
In Sussex, before the Rosehill, there had been for generations a breed
of Spaniels which were chiefly liver-and-white. " A Quartogenarian,"
writing to the Sporting Magazine in November, 1833, mentions
" the large brown-and-white Springer, chiefly in use in the large,
wet, clayey woodland coverts in Sussex, Kent, etc."

Indeed, in a heavily wooded county like Sussex, it seems surprising
that this whole liver should ever have been seriously cultivated by
sportsmen, as such a colour is the most unsuited of all for woodland
shooting, being nearly invisible in dark places, and at all times
presenting a perilous resemblance to that of the hare. The writer
always uses one of these Spaniels when he is on the prowl after
duck and snipe, and he has found none other so useful for this sport,
on account of this very unobtrusiveness of tint.

Although "Castra," who wrote the article for the first Edition
of " British Dogs," quotes Youatt as if that author had written of
Sussex Spaniels, Youatt's language hardly justifies this interpretation ;
for it evidently refers to the Spaniel breed generally, and not to
any one of its modern subdivisions. Youatt says : " The Spaniel
is evidently the parent of the Newfoundland dog and the Setter;
while the Retriever, the Poodle, the Bernardine, the Esquimaux,
the Siberian, and the Greenland dogs, the shepherd and drover's
dog, and every variety distinguished for intelligence and fidelity,

304 BRITISH DOGS

have more or less of his blood in them." Whatever we may think
of this theory (and its improbability is patent), its author does
not refer to a golden-liver coloured dog, for he proceeds imme-
diately to describe this parent of such markedly opposite varieties
as "varying in colour, but most commonly white, with brown or
black patches."

The only reference of Youatt to the Sussex, by name, occurs
in his description of the Springer, where he says: "The largest
and best breed of Springers is said to be in Sussex, and is much
esteemed in the wealds of that county."

" Castra " was a gentleman who, years ago, took an enthusiastic
interest in the true Sussex Spaniel, and did much to save it from
being annihilated by absorption into more modern strains. Not
only was he a successful breeder and exhibitor, but, at the present
day, many winning dogs of this variety are descended from his
kennels.

It is a pity that we do not possess some reasoned expression of
"Castra's " own opinion of the breed, based on his long experience,
and that we have to content ourselves with the following brief and
inconclusive observations : " This variety of Spaniel is one of the
oldest known breeds of English sporting dogs, and is probably the
one from which the Setter has been produced, by the simple
process of selection. Such appears to be the opinion of ' Idstone,'
and such was the opinion of the king of Setter breeders, the late
Mr. Laverack, who went so far as to admit that, in breeding the
animals for which he became so justly famous, he always aimed
at producing an enlarged Spaniel, and maintained that the formation
of a pure Sussex Spaniel was perfection for the purposes of
endurance."

It is evident that no weighty argument is here advanced for the
theory that the Sussex is the variety of Spaniel from which the Setter
has been produced, to counterbalance its inherent unlikelihood and
the numerous facts and opinions of authoritative writers that may
be arrayed against it.

Although known among sportsmen of the county, and to some
beyond it, " Stonehenge " was the first minutely to describe the Sussex
Spaniel in his book " The Dog in Health and Disease." He says :
"The Sussex is a distinct and a very old-established breed. He
divides the honours of old family with the Clumber, and he always
has been, and always will be, in demand." The present state of
what, in the circumstances, may be not inaptly called the Sussex
Fancy, shows how unsafe it is to prophesy anything about sporting
dogs when they are bred for the bench and not for work : at the
present time the Sussex is certainly not in the demand he was
years ago.

" Stonehenge," in his work published 1857, selected a brace of

THE SPANIELS 305

the Rosehill Spaniels as representing the true type of the Sussex.
These were bred by Mr. A. E. Fuller, of Rosehill, Brightling, Sussex,
and descended from the celebrated stock of Mr. Moneypenny, of
Rolvenden : one of the brace, named George, " Stonehenge "
retained in his later works, because he so perfectly represented
the breed. This George is undeniably typical and workmanlike ;
but he does not resemble in the slightest the pudding-headed, dis-
torted cripples of the present show-ring.

Lord Tredegar, in Monmouthshire, has an old painting of some
Sussex Spaniels, the breed of which he still possesses. It dates
from about 1820, at which time these Spaniels were acquired by
the grandfather of the present peer. In the picture there are about
a dozen dogs, all typical in their sturdy, yet active build, and all
of a uniform, dark liver-colour, with an occasional white chest or
foot : they are gathered round a gamekeeper in the characteristic
dress of the period.

Writing in 1872, "Idstone" declared the Sussex to be nearly, if
not quite, extinct. He also makes a statement regarding them that
is not supported by any other authority — namely, that " these dogs
were as silent as Clumbers ; but, as a rule, they would fling their
tongue under strong excitement, and especially on view, unless they
were broken to drop to game." The full and bell-like note of the
Sussex has usually been considered a special characteristic, and
as distinguishing that breed from mute-working Spaniels.

The Rosehill strain was in great force at our shows for a number
of years, Mr. T. B. Bowers, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Saxby, and a few
others, doing much to popularise the variety by the excellent
specimens bred and exhibited by them.

Mr. Jacobs, who was a large breeder of Spaniels, crossed the
Sussex and the Black Spaniel ; his object being, as he stated, "to
improve the type of both. I wanted to get more bone, longer body,
and shorter legs in the Blacks, and longer heads in the Sussex."
Neither his object nor his method was commendable, and the desire
for " more bone, etc.," is an unwholesome craze of the modern
"fancier.

Here is the description of the Sussex Spaniel, published by the
Sporting Spaniel Society : —

The Sussex is by no means so slow and heavy as the Clumber — he is higher
on the leg and shorter in the body ; still, he is a weighty Spaniel. He is adapted
for moderately thick covert and moderately hard work. Intelligent, docile, and
keen of nose, he is not signalised either by his build or by his colour as suitable
for work in dense undergrowth. On a hot scent he should throw his tongue and
have a pleasant note ; some good dogs will inform their master the kind of game
they are questing by a variation of tone.

Skull. — Massive and heavy, with the forehead projecting over the eye.

Jaws. — Longish and square, with flews fairly developed, the nostrils large.
" Eyes. — Hazel coloured, large and soft, not showing the haw.

2O

3o6 BRITISH DOGS

Ears. — Large and well furnished with silky hair, narrow where they issue
from the head, but broader at the tips ; should be rather low set on.

Neck. — Strong and muscular, crest a little arched.

Shoulders. — Strong, sloping, and muscular.

Fore Legs. — Strong, straight, and fairly short, with plenty of feather down
to the foot.

Body. — Long and round, with chest deep and ample.

Loin. — Very strong, without slackness, straight and broad, well let down
in flank.

Hindquarters. — Very muscular, not too much sickled ; hocks well let down.

Feet. — Round, well arched, and hairy.

Stern. — Set low, with a downward action, and well feathered. A low carriage
of the tail is a mark of purity of blood.

Coat.— Straight or slightly wavy, thick, soft, and abundant.

Colour. — Deep golden-liver, by no means gingery ; nostrils liver-coloured.

FIG. 66.— SUSSEX SPANIEL MOSES.

General Appearance.— A sedate and thoughtful dog when at rest, but full
of life and activity when at work. Weight of dogs from 4olb. to 45lb., of
bitches from 35lb. to 4olb.

There is one point calling for observation in the description
issued by the Spaniel Club, in contradistinction to the Sporting
Spaniel Society — namely, that the colour of this dog should " vary and
go darker when the dog is kept out of Sussex, especially in those
parts where the climate and soil differ materially from those of
Sussex." Presumably the Club based this statement on facts within
its observation ; but the theory that the slight variations of soil and
climate in our counties are able to influence the colour of this dog, is
certainly startling, and we may well ask for proof before accepting
such an astonishing declaration. Do the soil and climate of Sussex
affect the colour of its cattle, sheep, rabbits, and hares? These
are under the same climatic influence, and more directly supported

THE SPANIELS 307

by the soil. Or does the Club contend that there is something
peculiar in the nature of the Sussex Spaniel which, acted upon
by the soil and atmosphere of Sussex, produces a golden-liver shade
in the hair?

Doubtless those who are responsible for this mare's-nest have
observed changes in the colour of Sussex Spaniels when in other
parts of the country, but their deductions therefrom seem ridicu-
lous ; and to establish them they must, among other things, show
that these dogs never vary in colour in their native county, which
would be a fact as marvellous as their theory of climatic influence.

Fig. 66 represents the Sussex Spaniel Moses, a dog that has
never been exhibited. He is descended from the Bridford and
Rosehill strains, and is a remarkable instance of reversion to type.

THE ENGLISH SPRINGER

This good old English name has been recently revived by the
Kennel Club to designate the old-fashioned, medium-legged Spaniels
of all colours that are neither Clumber nor Sussex Spaniels, and to
distinguish between them and the short-legged variety, which is for
the future to be classed under the (appropriately modern) title of
Field Spaniel. The title in full description of the subject of this
section would be : English Springer, except Clumber Sussex and
Field.

" Stonehenge," in his " Manual of British Rural Sports " (i 85 8), calls
all large Springers that are not Clumber or Sussex, Norfolk Spaniels ;
but this appellation, after serious consideration, the Kennel Club has
finally rejected, because of the prevalent belief, deeply rooted though
fallacious, that the Norfolk Spaniel was always liver-and-white in
colour. The epithet of Norfolk was derived from a Duke of that
cognomen, who established an improved breed of sporting Spaniel,
and has nothing to do with the county — in fact, it was probably
at first interchangeable with Sussex, the native home of the Duke
in question.

We find in Harewood's "Dictionary of Sport" (1835), on Page
318, the following clear definitions: — "The true English Springer
differs but little in figure from the Setter, except in size, being
nearly two-fifths less in height and strength than the Setter;
delicately formed, ears long, soft, and pliable, coat waving and silky,
the tail somewhat bushy and pendulous, and always in motion when
actively employed. The Cocker, though of the same race, is smaller
than the Springer. It has also a shorter and more compact form,
a rounder head, shorter nose, ears long, the limbs strong and short,
the coat more inclined to curl than the Springer's, and longer,
particularly in the tail, which is generally truncated." And again,
on page 314 : — "The Spaniel (Cam's extrarius)" says the author of

308 BRITISH DOGS

"British Field Sports," "is a dog of high antiquity, and has ever
been applied to his present purposes, namely, those of finding and
bringing game when killed to his master, whether by land or water."
Taplin, in the "Sportsman's Cabinet" (1803), insists, also, upon
the similarity in type of the Setter (or Setting-Spaniel) and the
Springer (or Springing-Spaniel), so that Mr. Harewood's ideas in
J835, were by no means newfangled.

These Spaniels were originally brought over from France some
hundreds of years ago, for Caius in 1576 treats of them at some
length and with evident knowledge, although Edmund de Langley
(1341-1402) and Juliana Berners (1486) apparently borrowed from
foreign sources their allusions to a dog known to them by repute
alone.

In the British Museum there is a collection of sporting engravings,
dated 1551, after Jean de Tournes. One of these represents a French
Spaniel, or Barbet, retrieving a duck, and the dog is much of the same
type as Shirley in the illustration at Fig. 67. But, after all, the
main interest about the English Springer lies in his being to-day
the most generally useful gundog in Britain. Unique in his adapta-
bility, in his sunny disposition, and in his everlasting energy, no sort
of work can spoil him, if he be treated with ordinary care. He is
a sturdy dog of perfect symmetry, capable of overtaking a running
cock pheasant and retrieving it at the gallop. His size varies much.
The writer has seen good ones as small as 3olb. and as big as
6olb. ; but through them all the same characteristics have run —
power without lumber, gentleness without fear.

Years ago some feeble folk, certainly not practical sportsmen,
became alarmed at the swiftness latent in the Springer : because
" he could an' he would " travel much faster than human beings,
they fancied that he might some day run riot with impunity. These
worthies, therefore, devised the egregious plan, only worthy of a
Gilbertian opera, of shortening the dog's legs to vanishing point, so
that he might not be able to elude them ! In their haste to realise
their dreams, they had recourse to crosses with Dachshunds and
Bassets, which are among the most headstrong of dogs : the result
was a Spaniel (?) too slow to do his work, too obstinate to do his
master's bidding.

Soon, however, the English Springer proper will be restored
again to his high place among the Spaniels, thanks to the action of
the Sporting Spaniel Society, and the lessons to be learned at their
trials.

To assist in overcoming this dread lest the physical powers of
a symmetrical Springer may run away with his mental ballast, a
little advice on the choice of a pup, and his education, will not
be out of place ; and what is sauce for the Springer is sauce also
for the rest of the family of Land Spaniels.

THE SPANIELS 309

First ascertain that the youngsters are bred from working parents ;
and then proceed to a minute examination of their heads. Choose
that one which has a round prominent forehead, a well-developed
occiput, and wide nostrils. He must also have a round, soft eye,
with a mobile pupil in it; and remember that a good nose and
good sense never yet existed in a gundog that had a narrow skull !
The pup must, also, keep a rnerry tail, but till the feather develop
upon it, he will probably carry it rather too gaily.

In the education of your puppy, you must ignore that rotten
old proverb that counsels plentiful beatings for Spaniel, Wife, and
Walnut-tree, and must rely, instead, on firmness, consistency, and

FIG. 67.— MR. R. H. BETTS'S ENGLISH SPRINGER SHIRLEY.

the use of the trash-cord, a thin rope trailing behind, which may be
long or short as occasion requires. To a Spaniel's character in-
cessant thrashings are fatal, as under such treatment he becomes
either cowed or case-hardened, according to his individual tempera-
ment— but never broken. You must, however, make constant use
of the trash-cord, that potent instrument by which, as Floyd dis-
covered in the beginning of last century, all dogs may be broken ;
" it will never fail to daunt the most resolute, and may be so gently
used as not to overawe the most timid."

You must never allow a fault to pass unrebuked, be it ever so
trifling or seemingly excusable. To train a dog properly a man must
be always attentively on the watch to nip crime in the bud ; and it
is the want of this faculty in would-be breakers that is accountable

310 BRITISH DOGS

for so many failures, while the possessors of it are succeeding
without apparent trouble, or even method.

Let your words of command be few in number, widely differing
in sound, and invariable: "Heel," "Down," "Bring it," and "Hi
lost," are sufficient burdens for the memory of any puppy.

After the pupil has arrived at answering his name and the
whistle, which preliminaries you can teach him at his meal-times,
make him understand that he must walk to heel at command.
This is easily accomplished, during a few saunters along an enclosed
footpath, by tapping his nose sharply with a cut-whip, whenever
it is poked into view, and by accompanying these reminders with
repetitions of the word Heel.

Next follows the crisis of his education, the learning to drop
smartly at signal and to remain down until bidden to rise.
For this important lesson, you must employ a long cord securely
fastened to a peg in the ground, to which centre you must drag
him back every time that he gets up without permission. When
he is perfected in dropping to hand, and to the word Down^ you
can try if he will retrieve some light, soft article like a glove, always
giving him a piece of sweet biscuit in exchange, when he returns
the glove to your hand. If he will not take to other missives,
procure the dried-up corpse of some small bird, and place it where
he will be sure to find it of himself. He will certainly pick it
up, so you must be ready to call him to you and to give him a
tempting morsel in exchange. At once throw the bird away again
as far as you can, exclaiming "Bring it" and encourage him to
repeat his performance, which will soon extend to the retrieving
of a glove. But as soon as he will carry readily, discontinue the
practice, until it is wanted for business, as before its association
with the gun there is always a danger of the dog getting tired of it.

After this teach your dog to quarter to your hand. This may
be done by yourself running with him backward and forward up-wind
over a field where you know there is no game, as all these
preliminaries are better taught far from extraneous excitements.

His actual introduction to sport, when he is thoroughly grounded,
should take place gradually and as follows.

At first let the youngster, trailing after him a long cord, remain,
Retriever-like, at the heel cf his master, who can wear a light cut-
whip attached to his left wrist without interfering with accuracy of
aim. The sight of this instrument dangling in front of him at the
time of the shot will act on the dog as a powerful deterrent from
breaking heel. When practicable, it is even better to initiate him
at a drive, sitting by his master, with the end of his long cord
securely pegged down.

When the puppy is quite steady at heel, he should be en-
couraged to hunt close in front of his master, taking his ground

THE SPANIELS 311

in fan-shaped sections ; but for a considerable time he should
not be allowed to retrieve a rabbit or too many dead birds, until
he has learnt to track a wounded partridge through turnips
peopled by ground-game. He must never search for a fallen bird
till ordered, nor chase one that he has sprung, even for one yard,
as these faults will spoil many an otherwise possible shot.

Some men, indeed, there are who from the beginning train
their pups — and train them well— on rabbits, but unless you are
sure of being one of the Elect, do not attempt this method !

On the other hand the talk about the difficulty of training
Spaniels is palpably false, since so many of them manage to become
tolerably broken dogs— in spite of the hindrance of their (so-called)
breakers.

J
FIG. 68.— MR. H. JONES'S ENGLISH SPRINGER BITCH FANSOME.

All the preliminary course, which is by far the most important,
may be efficiently taught in your own house and garden ; and
the training of the volatile Cocker (provided he be free from Beagle
cross) only differs from that of the sedate Clumber in the length
and application of the trash-cord !

The mouth of a puppy can often be "softened" by squeezing
his lips over his teeth, and so giving him pain, whenever he has
been too intimate with his bird.

Breaking for trials is precisely the same as breaking for your
own shooting — nothing extra, nothing occult, is required ; but you
must of course for either purpose encourage a quick return when
retrieving.

The breaking of pups destined to work in teams is precisely

312 BRITISH DOGS

similar to the above, excepting that the lesson in retrieving is
omitted.

The Society has not yet officially promulgated a description
of the English Springer, but it cannot differ greatly from the
following :—

Skull. — Long and slightly arched on top, fairly broad, with a stop, and
well-developed temples.

Jaws. — Long and broad, not snipy, with plenty of thin lip.

Eyes. — Medium size, not too full, but bright and intelligent, of a rich brown.

Ears. — Long, low set, and lobular in shape.

Neck. — Long, strong, and slightly arched.

Shoulders. — Long and sloping.

Fore Legs. — Of a fair moderate length, strong boned and straight.

Body. — Strong, with well-sprung ribs, good girth, and chest deep and fairly
broad.

Loin. — Rather long, strong, and slightly arched.

Hindquarters. — Very muscular, hocks well let down, stifles moderately bent
and not twisted inwards or outwards,

P\ ef. — Rather large, round, and hairy.

Stern. — Low carried, not above the level of the back.

Coat. — Thick, firm, and smooth or slightly wavy ; it must not be too long.
The feathering must be moderate on the ears, and scanty, but continued down
the legs to the heel.

Colour. — Black, liver, yellow, as self-colours, and pied or mottled with white,
or tan, or both.

General Appearance. — An active, compact dog, upstanding, but by no means
stilty. His height at shoulder should about equal his length from the top of
the withers to the root of the tail.

Fig. 67 illustrates the English Springer dog Shirley, belonging
to Mr. R. H. Betts. This typical dog has never been exhibited, but
he is a wonder at all kinds of work. The appearance of his head is
an index to his sagacity, and his style of hunting is characterised
by the lowly carried, vibrating tail of his race ; while Fig. 68 shows
Mr. H. Jones's Fansome, a splendid bitch that won first prize at the
Crystal Palace, 1902. In her picture can be studied the ideal
proportions of an English Springer — the union of strength and
activity.

THE WELSH SPRINGER

The elevation of this Spaniel to the dignity of a class to himself
in the Kennel Club Stud Book was announced in 1902, in the
same honour-list as that of his relative the English Springer.

The chief differences of the Welsh Springer from the English
dog are found in his more restricted size, in the shape of his ear,
and in his colour being invariable.

No Welshman would deny that, in former days, breeds of red-
and-white Spaniels were existent in several parts of England as well
as in Wales. Symonds> for example, mentions them in Suffolk in

THE SPANIELS 313

the eighteenth century ; and the picture of the Spaniels belonging to
a gentleman (a dweller, however, on the Welsh border) who died in
the middle of the eighteenth century, bears eloquent testimony that
the red-and-white Spaniels of that period were of the same type as
those of to-day, and gives them an authentic record in antecedence
of the Clumber.

But the English red-and-white breeds have died out long ago;
and South Wales seems to be the only region that has cherished and
preserved them to the present day, which fact goes far to justify the
claim of their fellow-countrymen that these Spaniels shall be for the
luture called Welsh, and that all red-and-white Springers shall appear
at trials and exhibitions under this title. Anyhow, the antiquity of
the Welsh Spaniels is proved by " A Quartogenarian " in his letter
(Nov. 1833) to the "Sporting Magazine," in which, referring to a
" yellow-and-white " Spaniel, that had been given to Mr. Prowse
Jones by an Officer, he adds "who got it somewhere about Brecon
of what was then there termed the old Welsh breed."

The enemies of this most sporting gundog seem to think it an
almost conclusive argument against him that, till lately, he was
unknown in the show-ring, and, indeed, outside his own " sphere
of influence " ; whereas the preservation of his type is due to his
having thus escaped the attention of "fanciers."

As workers these Spaniels have no superiors ; and the methodical
quartering, so merrily and so steadily executed by a team of four of
them at the 1901 trials, delighted every one.

To Mr. Williams, of Ynisygerwn, the writer is indebted for the
following notes, which are a supplement to the description of this
variety, promulgated by a committee of the Welsh members of the
Sporting Spaniel Society : —

" The Welsh * Spaniel,' or ' Springer,' is also known and referred
to in Wales as a * Starter.' He is of a very ancient and pure origin,
and is a distinct variety, which has been bred and preserved purely
for working purposes. The show-bench has therefore in no way
affected him, and he retains his beauty and his working properties.
The true original colour is red-and-white (of varying shades). The
standard of points adopted for this variety of Spaniel by the Kennel
Club is as follows : —

Skull. — Fairly long and fairly broad, -slightly rounded, with a stop at the
eyes.

Jaws. — Medium length, narrow (when looked at downwards), straight, fairly
square, the nostrils well developed, and flesh-coloured or dark. A short, chubby
head is objectionable.

Eyes. — Hazel or dark brown, medium size, intelligent, not prominent, not
sunken nor showing haw.

Ears, — Comparatively small, covered with feather not longer than the ear,
set moderately low and hanging close to the cheeks.

Neck. — Strong, muscular, clean in throat.

314

BRITISH DOGS

Shotdders. — Long and sloping.

Fore Legs. — Medium length, straight, good bone, moderately feathered.

Body. - Strong, fairly deep, not long, well-sprung ribs. Length of body
should be proportionate to that of leg.

Loin. — Muscular and strong, slightly arched, well coupled up and knit
together.

Hindqtiarters and Legs. — Strong; hocks well let down; stifles moderately
bent (not twisted in or out), not feathered below the hock on the leg.

Feet. — Round, with thick pads.

Stern. — Low, never carried above the level of the back, feathered, and
with a lively motion.

Coat. — Straight or flat, and thick.

FG. 69. — MR. A. T. WILLIAMS'S WELSH SPRINGER CORRIN.

Colour. — Red- or orange-and- white (red preferable).

General Appearance. — Symmetrical, compact, strong, merry, active, not stilly,
built for endurance and activity.

Weight.— Between 3olb. and 42lb.

The nostril is either flesh-colour or black. The ear is rather
small, and differs from that of all other varieties, and is suitable
for contending with thorns, gorse, etc. This Spaniel is very active,
strong, and high-couraged. Probably this is the oldest breed of
Spaniel in the kingdom. Pictures of him date back some hundreds
of years, and several ancient writers also refer to him, some of them
describing the dog as ' the old Welsh breed.'

Certain families in Wales have shot over this Spaniel con-
tinuously for upwards of the last hundred years and still do so —

THE SPANIELS 315

indeed, much of their sport is dependent upon this excellent worker.
The ground to be worked includes some of the roughest character,
with dense cover, which necessitates an active, persevering, strong,
high-couraged dog that will face anything. He must also be able
to work all day, and day after day. When this Spaniel was brought
out at the field trials of the Sporting Spaniel Society, his working
qualities immediately placed him in a high position.

There is also in Wales the smaller-sized red-and-white Spaniel
known as the 'Welsh Cocker.'"

The illustration of the Welsh Springer (Fig. 69) includes two
positions of Mr. Williams's Corrin, a dog that has never been beaten
in the show-ring since that memorable Birmingham Show (1899)
when, amid the hysterical plaints of the showmen and execrations
"long and low," classes for working-type Spaniels were initiated.
Corrin is also a rare worker, but he was too old at the time of their
institution to acquire sufficient polish for the trials.

THE FIELD SPANIEL

This variety of the Spaniel, born of the dog shows, has achieved
great prominence since their establishment, the principal breeders
and exhibitors in the earlier exhibition days having been Mr.
Burdett, of Birmingham ; Mr. Jones, of Oscott, near Birmingham ;
Mr. Phineas Bullock, of Bilston, Staffordshire ; and Dr. Boulton,
of Beverley, in Yorkshire ; and the strains of these gentlemen's
kennels have since spread into the hands of a considerable number
of exhibitors and others throughout the country. The general
appearance is that of a long, low-set dog, legginess being looked
on as a great fault.

Dr. W. W. Boulton, of Beverley, author, conjointly with
Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier, of a pamphlet on " Breeding for Colour,"
set himself the task of producing a strain of jet-black Spaniels, in
which that colour should be so firmly established as to be always
reproduced in the puppies, generation after generation. How well
he succeeded is seen in the family of Spaniels recognised as the
Beverley strain, which was kept up, after Dr. Boulton ceased to be
a breeder, by Mr. A. H. Easten, of Hull, and later by Mr.
W. R. Brydon, of Buxton.

Many of the Beverley and other strains of Black Spaniels
furnished both large-sized Field Spaniels and also small Black
Cockers ; but the formation of the Field Spaniel by no means
gives that activity which should characterise the Cocker.

Of course this Spaniel, quaintness and sortiness being his
principal charms, is at a great disadvantage where the undergrowth

3i 6 BRITISH DOGS

is thick or the ground rough ; and he is precluded by his shape
from doing much retrieving of dead game, while a strong-running
bird will naturally escape from him. He would be greatly improved,
from the sporting point of view, if he were bred with a powerful,
arched loin ; but this at present is forbidden by Fashion. Those
specimens that have very long, flat loins, crooked, unsound limbs,
and superabundance of feather are, of course, remote from the
province of the sportsman.

If many of the show strains are not saturated with Basset or
Dachshund blood, not only does their appearance but also their
demeanour belie them, as in many cases sunken, blood-shot eyes,
narrow, peaked skulls, crooked legs, splay feet, and gay tails are
accompanied by such stubborn disobedience as demands a servant
with a hunting-whip to circumvent ; they are inclined, also, to
throw their tongues without reason, and to babble in anything
but a Spaniel key.

Field Spaniels can have but little chance at trials in competition
with the longer-legged breeds, and in the writer's opinion they
should have a stake exclusively for them, so that they might gain
efficiency at work, and not drift into the condition of being mere
curiosities.

Concerning this variety the opinion of Mr. Farrow is certainly
of interest, from his experience as a breeder and judge ; as, also,
he has associated himself with the exhibition of Spaniels almost
from the commencement of shows, his reminiscences of winners
will always command attention. It is only wisdom, therefore, to
append his remarks on the early show specimens of the breed,
as written for the last Edition of " British Dogs" about fifteen years
ago:—

"The Black Spaniel, or perhaps I should say the black variety
of Springer, is, if one may judge from the entries at our dog shows,
the most popular, and is a very useful dog for general work in
the field, but certainly no more so than some of the other varieties
of Spaniels. Some sportsmen object to his colour for field work.
I must say, however, that I have never found any difficulty in
this, and I think a Black Spaniel is every bit as easily seen when
at work as a Sussex or a liver-coloured one ; indeed, I give the
black colour the preference. In head properties the Black Spaniel
of to-day, in my opinion, has much deteriorated, when compared
with the Black Spaniel of some dozen years ago. The head of so
many of those now seen is a something between the Sussex head
and the beautiful head of the Black Spaniel of years ago, being too
heavy in one part or the other, too wide and short in many
instances, coarse, and, indeed, not the quality in head throughout
as of old. If, for instance, asked now to name a Spaniel with the

THE SPANIELS 317

head and expression or character of Nellie or Flirt, two Black
Spaniels bred by Mr. Bullock, and exhibited so successfully about
a dozen or fifteen years since, I certainly could not do so. In fact,
we have, in our black-coloured Springer, lost the beautiful head of
old, and it is a question with me if the gentlemen who have only
taken an interest in Spaniels, say, during the last four or five years
will ever know what it was like ; for to explain (so as to be perfectly
understood) the heads of such Spaniels, for instance, as the two
mentioned is an impossibility. This change in the head of our
Black Springer, in my opinion, has been brought about to a very
great extent by the using to our Black Spaniel bitches, directly and
indirectly, such grand dogs as the Sussex Champions Buckingham
(4,400) Batchelor (6,287), Rover III. (5,249), and others. The loss
of head by this cause has, however, improved other important points
in the variety of Spaniel in question> notably bone and straightness
of coat, and perhaps, to a certain extent, shortness of leg. In body,
speaking generally, I do not think our Black Spaniels are so good
as twelve or fifteen years ago. We have so many now that are
tucked or cut up under the loin, without a good middle, which is a
bad fault in a Spaniel. In the action or carriage of the stern we
have not improved. I, however, do not think we have deteriorated
in this respect much, as from some cause or the other twelve years
ago down to the present date certainly 50 per cent, of our exhibition
Spaniels have not the correct carriage or action of stern. It is a
great pity, for a Spaniel with his tail put on and stuck up like a Fox-
terrier's, however good in all other respects, is a bad one, the
beautiful outline of the Spaniel being simply destroyed by this
fault. It is a fact, I believe, that more Black are registered than
any other variety of Spaniel. This being so, it is somewhat strange
how few good ones are produced : and to-day, judging from the
results of recent exhibitions, Solus, a dog whelped in July, 1880, is
still at the top of the tree in the dogs, and Squaw, a bitch whelped
in April, 1879, is the best in the bitches ; and if these two old
Spaniels can be kept in form, they look like still winning. Solus
improved somewhat late in life, and he has done and looked
better in Mr. Royle's kennel than in that of his breeder, Mr.
Schofield. At Warwick this year (1887) Mr. Jacobs brought out
a very nice young dog, Newton Abbot Shah, whelped February,
1886, and I think I may mention my own young dog, Gipping
Sam, whelped March, 1886. These two young dogs are certainly
above the average, and I have seen nothing from Mr. Jacobs's
kennel so good since the Crystal Palace Show in June, 1870, when
that gentleman brought out Kaffir (10,452) and Zulu (10,459).
Gipping Sam is, I think, the best large Black Spaniel I ever bred,
and in the opinion of more than one of our very oldest Spaniel
breeders and exhibitors Sam is the best Black Spaniel dog seen for

3i8 BRITISH DOGS

many years. The best young Spaniel in the bitch division is,
perhaps, Cloisonne, whelped in 1885, and bred by an old Spaniel
breeder, Mr. Dexter. She, however, was easily beaten at Warwick
this year by Squaw. Mr. Bryden brought out a nice young bitch,
and which he was very unfortunate to lose so early, in Beverley
Domino, whelped July, 1885. Tn's bitch was considerably above
the average, and must have done a lot of winning had she lived.
She beat Cloisonne, under Mr. Shirley, at the Kennel Club's
Summer Show last year (1886). Kingston Jet, whelped May, 1885,
bred and owned by Mr. Fred Smith, is a useful young bitch ; and
the same may be said of Staley Belle, whelped July, 1885, bred by
Mr. Bryden, and now owned by Mr. W. Dyson. Gipping Floss,
whelped November, 1885, and bred by Mr. P. P. Phelps — present
owner of the small Black Spaniel Champion Miss Obo, bred by
myself, and selected and drawn by Mr. R. H. Moore, the Strand,
at the request of the Kennel Club, for an illustration for the
Kennel Gazette — is a Black Spaniel possessing extra Spaniel quality.
She is, however, a little undersized. I bought her off her dam,
Coy (15,840). Coy died a young bitch — a great pity, as she was
the best Black Spaniel ever sent out from the famous Northampton
kennel of Spaniels owned by Mr. H. B. Spurgin. The three young
bitches I have named — i.e. Kingston Jet, Staley Belle, and Gipping
Floss— although above the average, must have some luck if either
of them win the title of champion.

Mr. T. Jacobs, of Newton Abbot, who owns a large kennel of
Spaniels, must be held responsible for the crossing of the Sussex
and Black Spaniel in the winning show-dogs of to-day to a greater
extent than any other breeder, and he states his reasons for doing
so in the following terms, communicated to me: 'I crossed the
Sussex and Black Spaniel, thinking to improve the type of both.
I wanted more bone, longer body, and shorter legs in the Black
variety, and longer heads in the Sussex.' Mr. Jacobs is of opinion
that there are no real Sussex Spaniels now existing worth notice,
and he contends that the name Sussex should be dropped, and
classes for liver-coloured Spaniels take their place ; for he holds
that all Sussex pedigrees and blood have been lost in the crosses
that have produced the present golden-liver-coloured show dogs,
which he considers far better in shape, longer in head, and better —
because straighter — in leg, than the Sussex shown during the palmy
days of this breed at our exhibitions. I am glad to give Mr. Jacobs's
views, although I cannot adopt them."

Here is a description of the Field Spaniel, adapted from that
of the Sporting Spaniel Society :—

Skull.— Long, not too wide, and well chiselled, projecting in a well-defined
manner at the eyebrows, having the occipital bone developed.

THE SPANIELS

Jaws. — Long and rather narrow, but square, the muzzle straight, not " Roman,"
with nostrils full and open.

Eyes.- -Rather large and bright, not sunken, nor prominent, nor showing haw.

Ears. — Almond-shaped, set on low, longish, pendulous, fine, and well
feathered.

Neck. — Long, strong, and muscular, with no loose skin.

Sfoulders.—LoBg, sloping, and well knit.

Fore Legs. — Short and straight, strong and flat in bone, well fringed.

Body. — Capacious, rounded, and well sprung, the back ribs being carried well
into the loin, chest deep and wide.

Loin. — Of good length, straight or very slightly arched.

Hindquarters — Wide and very muscular, stifle moderately bent.

Feet. — Round, hairy, hard and thick soles.

FIG. 70.— MR. ISAAC SHARPE'S FIELD SPANIEL STYLISH GIRL.

Stern. — Low set and not carried above the level of the back, ever in motion
at a look or a word, well feathered.

Coat. — Flat or slightly waved, free from curl, soft, thick, and silky, of fair
length and (except the feathering) lying close to the body ; the feather, which
serves as a fringing, not to be too thick.

Colour. — Either glossy black, liver- roan-and-tan, liver- white-and-tan, black-
white-and-tan, liver-and-roan, black-and-roan, liver-and-white, black-and-white,
liver-and-tan, or black-and-tan. The colour of the eyes depends on the colour
of the coat, but it must always appear dark and rich ; the same rule applies
to the nostrils.

Fig. 70 is an illustration of a Field Spaniel, a black bitch,
Stylish Girl, belonging to Mr. Isaac Sharpe. This bitch, in addition
to the pictorial advantages of a typical head, legs straight though
short, and body free from exaggeration, is the only Field Spaniel
that has run well at the trials.

320 BRITISH DOGS

THE COCKER SPANIEL

Small-sized Spaniels, weighing from 2olb., or even less, to 2515.,
and of all colours, are still pretty numerous throughout the country,
and many of them are as good as they are handsome. These,
the Cockers of the different families, are among the most in-
telligent, vivacious, and beautiful of the canine races. They
can creep and crawl, push and scramble, almost anywhere ; and,
when they are allowed to retrieve, it is wonderful what heavy burdens
they manage to carry, an attribute of their perfect shape, whip-cord
muscles, and big hearts. The writer has seen one carrying a
hare that was half his own weight. They are never more in their
element than when rattling the rabbits out of thick gorse-covers,
of flushing woodcocks from a tangled hill-side. From this bird,
indeed, is their title of Cocker derived ; so indispensable, in shooting
the long-bills, were their services considered by our ancestors.

And nowadays, on a crisp morning of late autumn, there is
no better sport than to repair with a team of good Cockers to
some suitable spot that abounds with high banks and almost
impenetrable thickets, listening for their shrill voices when game
is stirred, and taking snap-shots when you find a chance.

These little Spaniels are quite indefatigable in their exertions,
and if ever one be found to slacken at all in his efforts or to appear
tired, there is good reason to "suspect his get."

High spirits are innate in all true Cockers, but these are not
accompanied by a headstrong temper, and no dog is more easily
disciplined by judicious treatment. At the first trials ever held,
a very typical liver-and-white Cocker bitch easily won the first
prize. After that event her breaker sold her for a large price, and
she disappeared from public life. The other day the writer saw
her again quite by chance, and he was interested to learn that
her new owner is as enthusiastic about her virtues to-day as we
aft were nearly five years ago.

There are several varieties of the Cocker, each belonging to
a different district of Great Britain. For instance, in Devonshire
the Cocker is often a 3olb. dog, and is rather sturdier in build,
as well as bigger, than his cousin of the Midlands, which greatly
resembles an English Springer in miniature, though not quite so
heavy in lip and ear, and a trifle shorter in the back. The writer
can just remember a family of liver-roans in Derbyshire, very small
but built on the lines of an English Setter (the Setting-Spaniel).
They were certainly lovely, and at home rather languishing in their
manner. But show them a gun, and they were ablaze in a moment,
and at work no cover was rough enough to daunt them.

The Welsh Cocker is, similarly, a modified miniature of the
Welsh Springer. Judges at shows, therefore, ought to judge the

THE SPANIELS 321

little red-and-whites by a standard differing slightly from that of
their English rivals.

In America (Massachusetts) they must also have some purely
bred Cockers, full of quality, judging from a photograph of a group
of eleven that the writer saw recently, and he was very much
interested to read in the description of these that the Americans
have detected, and dread as much as we do, the Beagle cross in
the Cocker.

Nothing can be more fatal than this taint both to true Spaniel
work and to true Spaniel beauty : it should be eradicated at any
cost. In the appearance, as a rule, it may be recognised by
the thin feather of the fore leg not being continued to the heel,
by smoothness below the hock, by the round cat-foot, by the gaily
carried tail, and by a " beagley " shape of head and eye. At work,
of course, it can be readily detected, but then it is sometimes an
inconveniently late discovery !

Here is the description of the Cocker Spaniel, published by
the Sporting Spaniel Society: —

Skull. — Fairly long, having full temples and the forehead raised.

Jaws. — Of medium length and rather pointed, without too much lip ; the
nostrils well developed.

Eyes. — Rather dark and mild, must not be sunken nor show haw.

Ears. — Medium sized, broad rather than long, set on low, and thickly but
not cumbrously coated with hair.

Neck. — Long, clean, arched, and muscular.

Shoulders. — Long, fine, and sloping.

Fore Legs. — Straight, substantial, oval in bone, and about as long as an
old-fashioned Fox-terrier. The bone not at all clumsy, the pasterns rather
long and springy, not too much feather.

Body. — Well developed, but not too wide in rib, well let down in chest.

Loin. — Muscular and slightly arched.

Hindquarters. — Very strong, with well-bent stifles (neither turned in nor
out), the hocks near the ground.

Feet. — Thickly padded, with arched toes of a fair length.

Stern.— Set on with an inclination downwards, and perpetually vibrating with
a restless, quivering movement peculiar to this breed.

Coat. — Smooth or slightly wavy, very dense but not very long.

Colour. — Black, black-and-tan, liver, lemon, or red, conjointly with white or as
self colours. A mixture of white, however, is desirable, as being more easily
seen by the shooters in cover. The correct shade for the eyes varies according
to the colour of the coat.

THE IRISH WATER SPANIEL

Probably no one has ever ventured to call the subject of this
article handsome. For this lack of praise those who have been
most prominent as exhibitors of Irish Spaniels are chiefly responsible,
for it has till lately been a constant practice to show them with
portions of the previous season's coat sticking in uncarded locks
among the new hair, which has given the dog somewhat the

21

322 BRITISH DOGS

appearance of an old ewe whose fleece has escaped the last year's
shearing. Why it should be thought desirable to have lumps of dead
hair mixed with the growing coat is not obvious. The practice has
nothing to commend it, and it must have been a hindrance to the
advance of the breed in popular favour, for it gives a ragged, dis-
reputable appearance to the dog, and the rusty lumps of dead hair
render him malodorous as well as unsightly.

It has been suggested that the decline of the wildfowler's art has
to do with the scanty number of Irish Spaniels now met with ; but
there are probably now more wildfowl shooters than ever there were.
The fact is, most of these men are content with a dog of any
kind that will do the work required, and cannot afford or do not
care to give the high and quite artificial prices asked for dogs
, of show renown, or those bred from such. In addition to which,
the sporting reputation of the Irish Water Spaniel is at present,
rightly or wrongly, under a cloud. Most of the practical sports-
men of to-day will laugh at the mere suggestion of their taking
to this dog for work, and many will at once commence to preach
about his hardness of mouth, and the absence in him of the
natural instinct and intelligence possessed by others of his tribe.
The writer regards this antipathy as mainly arising from prejudice;
he himself knew an Irish Spaniel bitch, owned by a personal friend,
which was a very fair worker, and certainly was perfectly tender in
the mouth. Still, the breed, much to the detriment of its sporting
value, has unfortunately fallen into the clutches of the fancier, who
naturally could not resist a dog with such contradictory fascinations
as a whip-tail and a topknot !

Now, therefore, or never is the opportunity for the Irish Spaniel
Club to disprove these ill-defined but prevalent suspicions of their
favourites, by holding those trials, rumours of which have already
been too long floating about ! Now is the right time for showing
the sporting world that the Irish Spaniel is still capable of doing
his work ! Trials for Water Spaniels might require some ingenuity
to design, but the difficulties are not so serious as those that have
been overcome in the case of Retriever trials ; and one such trial,
successfully carried out, would do more to popularise and resuscitate
the breed than the best of " special classifications " at the dog
shows with challenge cups and championships galore.

Mr. J. S. Skidmore, once at the head of successful breeders
of this variety, and whose opinion is well entitled to respect, con-
tributed to the First Edition of this work the following remarks on
the breed, which are fair, free, and full, with just the right flavour
of favouritism towards a dog he had made his special hobby : —

" To a sportsman of limited means, or one who has not accom-
modation to keep a team, the Irish Water Spaniel is the most useful

THE SPANIELS 323

dog he can have, inasmuch as he can be made to perform the
duties of Pointer, Setter, Retriever, and Spaniel ; but, as his name
implies, he is peculiarly fitted by temperament and by a water-
resisting coat for the arduous duties required by a sportsman whose
proclivities lie in the direction of wildfowl shooting. In this branch
of sporting these dogs have no equal, being able to stand any
amount of hardship ; this, combined with an indomitable spirit,
leads them into deeds of daring from which many dogs would
shrink. Many are the feats recorded of their pluck, sagacity, and
intelligence. To a well-bred and trained specimen no sea is too
rough, no pier too high, and no water too cold — even if they have
to break the ice at every step they are not daunted, and day after
day they will follow up such work, being of the ' cut-and-come-
again ' sort. As companions for a lady or a gentleman they have no
equal, whilst a well-behaved dog of the breed is worth a whole
kennel of toys to the children : he will allow the little ones to pull
him about by the ears, will roll over and over with them, fetch their
balls as often as thrown for him, and act as their guard in times
of danger.

When I first commenced to keep Irish Water Spaniels, many
years ago, there were three strains, or rather varieties. One was
known as the Tweed Spaniel, having its origin in the neighbourhood
of the river of that name. They were very light liver colour, so
close in curl as to give me the idea that they had originally been a
cross from a smooth-haired dog ; they were long in tail, ears heavy
in flesh and hard like a Hound's, but only slightly feathered ; fore
legs feathered behind, hind legs smooth ; head conical ; lips more
pendulous than McCarthy's strain. The one I owned, which was
considered to be one of the best of them, I bred from twice, and in
each litter several of the puppies were liver-and-tan, being tanned
from the knees downward, and under the tail. I came to the
conclusion that she, at any rate, had been crossed with the Blood-
hound.

In Ireland, too, there exist two totally distinct varieties, which
are now known as the North and the McCarthy strains. The
former are in appearance like a third-rate specimen of their southern
relation, but are generally much smaller, have less feathering on
legs, ears, and head, often a feathered tail, and oftener still are
inclined to be crooked on their fore legs. The M'Carthy strain are
very much more aristocratic-looking animals than either of the afore-
mentioned, and are now found in greater perfection on this side the
Channel than on their native soil. Captain E. Montresor, the Rev.
A. L. Willett, Mr. Robson, and the writer, are the oldest English
breeders ; and in later years Mr. Lindoe and the Rev. W. J. Mellor
went into the breed for a short time. Mr. Engelbach and Lieut-
Colonel Verner should also be classed amongst the older breeders.

324 BRITISH DOGS

I have derived benefit from crossing with the strains both of Mr.
Engelbach and of the late Sir Wm. Verner, and also from that of Mr.
W. S. Tollemache, who, for a period of over thirty years, kept the breed
in its purity ; and, although he never exhibited them, Mr. Tollemache
has owned some of the finest dogs of the breed it has ever been my
lot to look upon. Mr. Morton, of Ballymena, Ireland, has for a
long time been foremost in this breed in his own country, and he
is the most formidable opponent I have had to meet at our shows.
We have rung the changes repeatedly in crossing, to our mutual
advantage.

It has been argued that the Irish Water Spaniel is too im-
petuous and hard-mouthed to be worth much as a field dog. To
this I must say that the dogs which have caused this remark to be
applied to the whole breed have either been crossbred animals, or
else have had a defective education. With true-bred dogs the
reverse is the case, they being tender-mouthed enough to please
the most fastidious ; and if they are taken in hand young enough,
and trained properly, the libel will die out. When Blarney was a
puppy, I had her and her brother Fudge (who died of distemper),
and I trained them to retrieve by means of a tame pigeon, which,
from some cause or other, could only fly a short distance. I used
to put it in my pocket when I took the puppies out for a run, and
for a period of at least three months they each retrieved it some
dozen times nearly every day, without injuring the pigeon in the
least. I have seen one of them (the dog, I think) so afraid of
harming it as to take hold of it by the wing and fairly lead it to me.
Can any other breed of retriever beat that for tender mouths ?
Their dam, Juno, was also as tender-mouthed and as clever a
retriever as any sportsman could wish to be master of; but I will
freely admit that some of the breed have been made hard-mouthed,
and so also have hundreds of Retrievers, from the same cause.
The Irish Water Spaniel, as every one knows who has owned one,
is never satisfied unless he is doing something to please his master ;
for this reason he is kept as a companion, and taught to carry a
stick, fetch stones, balls, etc. This kind of education it is which
causes them to be hard-mouthed, especially if this is done before
they have been taught to retrieve game. They are high-couraged,
like the Irish Setter, and, like them also, when well broken cannot
be beaten.

There is considerable diversity of opinion as to their points for
exhibition purposes ; and since Mr. McCarthy brought them to what
he considered perfection, there has been a great confusion, brought
about by judges (who have never been breeders) giving prizes to a
class of dog that was far from correct. For instance, Mr. McCarthy,
in his description in the Field in 1859, says the head should be
capacious, forehead prominent, whilst his dogs, and the dogs of his

THE SPANIELS 325

day, were all square in the muzzle. A dog with a head of this
description would be ignored nowadays ; but I am by no means
disposed to say that the snipe-nosed ones, which certain of our
judges go in for, are correct — it is the fashion to call a weak, bitch-
faced dog, 'full of quality.' This so-called quality in the Irish
Water Spaniel cannot be got without a corresponding loss of bone
and, in my opinion, constitution.

The head, from the apex to the eye, is large and capacious,
giving the appearance of being short, which is by no means the case,
only appearing so from its being so heavily furnished with topknot ;
the dog, which looks long as a puppy, loses it as he gets older.
The topknot is one of the chief characteristics of the breed, and it
does not arrive at perfection, as a rule, until the dog attains the age
of about two and a half years ; it should not grow straight across the
face to between the eyes, like a wig, but from the front edges of the
ears should form two sides of a triangle, meeting in a point between
the eyes. The head should be well covered with this topknot, the
hair of which should be, in a dog in full coat, 4in. or more long,
the forelocks hanging gracefully down the face ; but I very much
admire the topknot when about half grown, and when standing
straight up all over the head, giving the dog a wild appearance.

The face is long, and is the most remarkable feature of the breed
to my mind, being, in a good specimen, quite smooth, the hair no
longer than that upon a smooth Terrier ; this short hair should
extend to the cheeks. I know of no other dog which carries the
same quantity of hair on its head, legs, and ears, that has not also
a rough face ; and however remote may be the cross of Poodle or
Russian Retriever, it will show itself upon the face and cheeks as
moustachios and whiskers. This is a point which judges should
specially make a note of. I have named it to several, who all have
made light of it ; not so, however, with Mr. M'Carthy and other
breeders. The nose is large, and with a slight squareness of muzzle.
The eyes, too, I have never seen taken into account by any judge,
and yet it is the eye that gives character to the face ; this should
be a deep, rich brown, which in the dark or shade is beautiful — not
to be described, but seen. A light yellow or gooseberry eye is my
detestation, and is always accompanied by a coat which, before
moulting time, assumes a very light sandy hue; whilst the dark-
eyed ones are many shades darker at the same period of coating.

The ears are about i8in. long in the flesh, lobe-shaped, not
pointed, and, when well furnished with hair, should be from 26in.
to 3oin. from tip to tip, when measured across the head. Old
Doctor measured, when he won the last time at the Crystal
Palace, 31 in.

The chest should be deep, and the ribs well sprung, so that
the body appears round rather than deep. The shoulders are

326 BRITISH DOGS

inclined to be a bit thick, as the dog all over should appear
cobby.

The back and quarters are as strong as those of a waggon-
horse.

The legs should be straight, with good feet, well clothed with
hair, both over and between the toes ; the fore legs are heavily
feathered at the sides and behind, with a curled or rough appear-
ance in front. The hind legs are smooth in front, from the hocks
downwards, whilst it is essential that they should be feathered
behind down to the foot. In crossing with certain breeds, such as
the Retriever, this is one of the first points lost.

The tail is, like the face, a sure indication of the breeding ;
and, at the risk of repeating myself, I assert that no other breed of
dog exists with a smooth tail which carries as much hair elsewhere
as does the Irish Spaniel. These characteristics — viz. tail, face, and
topknot — stamp him, in my opinion, as the purest of pure-bred dogs.
The tail is shorter than in most other dogs, thick at the root, and
tapering to a sting at the point. For about 3in. from the body it
is covered with small curls, the remaining portion being smooth.

The coat should consist of innumerable hard, short curls, free
from woolliness. These curls get felted, or daggled, before moulting
time. A woolly coat shows the Poodle cross, which may also be
detected in the head. A silky coat, with an inclination to waviness
instead of curl, indicates a cross with Land Spaniel or Setter ; this
cross also shows itself in the quality of the leg-feather. The colour
is that dark shade of liver called puce, having a rich plum-coloured
hue when seen in the sun. The best-coloured dog of the breed I
ever saw was my old Champion Duck, when she was in the prime
of life. A patch or star of white is often seen on the chest, and
should not be regarded as fatal to a dog's winning, as it is met with
in the best strains ; in fact, in a litter of puppies, if there is one with
more white on than the rest, it, as a rule, is the largest. Whether
white is a sign of strength or not I am not prepared to say.

In respect to symmetry — by which I mean the general appear-
ance of the dog, his carriage, style, etc. — he should be judged as
you would judge a cob. Many of the dogs of the present day are
too leggy. A leggy Spaniel, of any breed, I dislike. The best dogs
we have seen of late years of this breed have been : Doctor and
Rake, bred by Mr. Robson, Hull ; Pilot and Sailor, breeder Rev.
A. L. Willett ; Blarneystone and Chance, bred by Mr. Salisbury ;
Mr. P. J. D. Lindoe's Blarney, Mr. Engelbach's Pat, Mr. Fletcher's
Young Doctor, Mr. Morton's Paddy and Shamrock, Mr. C. Pilgrim's
Barney, and Bridget and Patsey, all bred by myself."

The Irish Water Spaniel, like many another breed, doubtless
originally resulted from a cross, although it seems impossible to

THE SPANIELS

327

trace his history farther back than McCarthy's strain, no information
apparently being available earlier than the last forty or fifty years ;
and it is very doubtful if the Irish Water Spaniels of even that
period much resembled those of to-day.

Their pedigrees that are registered show, by the scantiness of
detail, that little care was taken in the compiling of such records
before dog shows were instituted. Even Mr. M'Carthy, who is
so constantly referred to in terms almost suggestive of the idea

FIG. 71.— MR. J. W. JELLY DUDLEY'S IRISH WATER SPANIEL SHAMUS O'FLYNN.

that he originated the breed, was silent as to their origin and
genealogy ; and, indeed, he says nothing of the pedigree of his own
famous dog Boatswain, contenting himself with saying that " the
true breed has become very scarce " — a phrase used so often, and
in reference to so many breeds, that the general public might be
excused for suspecting that in reality there exists no longer a " true
breed " of any dog at all.

There is a point on which Mr. Skidmore lays great stress —
namely, the smooth tail ; but Colonel Hutchinson, in his work

328 BRITISH DOGS

" Training Dogs," depicts the Irish Water Spaniel with a tail as
bushy or well fringed as a Setter.

Mr. Skidmore is also emphatic about the necessity of the eye
being "a deep, rich brown," and he expresses his horror of a
" gooseberry " eye ; and yet an eminent modern authority is found
to advocate this yellow tint under the title of a " sparrow-hawk "
eye— certainly an unfortunate simile, as the hawk is the exemplar
of wildness and ferocity. The writer is surprised that no mention
is made, either by Mr. Skidmore or by any of the other authorities,
of the characteristic gait of the Irish Water Spaniel, a sort of
lounging swing or slight roll, which he shares not only with other
aquatic dogs, but also with the men claimed by the same element.

Here is the description of the Irish Water Spaniel published by
the Sporting Spaniel Society : —

Skull. — Rather capacious, forehead prominent.

Jaws. — Of medium length, and square, with a fair lip.

Eyes. — Medium sized, by no means prominent, of a clear brown shade.

Ears. — Set low, long, and well feathered, measuring from 24in. to 26in.
from tip to tip.

Neck. — Of good length and muscular.

Shoulders. — Strong, but lengthy and sloping.

Fore Legs. — Rather long, big boned, and straight, covered with little ringlets.

Body. — Strong and well ribbed, chest deep and moderately broad.

Loin. — Rather long, strong, and slightly arched.

Hindquarters. — Long and muscular, the stifle moderately bent.

Feet. — Large, round, and hairy.

Stern. — Thick at the root and tapering to a fine point, shortish, carried quite
stiff and straight. It should be covered with short smooth hair, for while no
approach to feather underneath is tolerable, it must not owe its whip-like appear-
ance to congenital eczema.

Coat. — Oily, and on the body composed of small, crisp curls. On the head a
well-marked topknot of long ringlets, commencing at the occiput and coming
down in a peak on the forehead, leaving the face smooth.

Colour. — A pure deep liver without any white.

Fig. 71 shows Mr. J. W. Jelly Dudley's Shamus O'Flynn, a
beautiful specimen that looks capable of undertaking all the duties
of his race.

THE ENGLISH WATER SPANIEL

In the Kennel Club Stud Book will be found some meagre lists
of Spaniels classed as "Water Spaniels other than Irish."

What strange varieties this classification was meant to include,
and why the Irish Water Spaniel should be distinguished by
a class to itself, whilst a much older breed, the English Water
Spaniel, is ignored, seem questions unanswerable. It will not
be denied that the English Water Spaniel is at least historically older

THE SPANIELS 329

than the Irish, as every writer on dogs from the sixteenth century
to the present date has referred to the English breed, and more
or less minutely described it.

Dr. Caius (1576) sketches the Water Spaniel as follows : " That
kind of dog whose service is required in fowling upon the water,
partly through a natural towardness, and partly by a diligent teaching,
is endued with that property. This sort is somewhat big, and of
a measurable greatness, having long, rough, and curled hair,
not obtained by extraordinary trades, but given by Nature's
appointment."

In the "Gentleman's Recreation " (1686) a very similar descrip-
tion occurs. In the "Sportsman's Cabinet" (1802) he is stated to
have " the hair long and naturally curled, not loose and shaggy,"
and the engraving which accompanies the article — from a drawing
by Reinagle, engraved by Scott — represents a medium-sized liver-
and-white curly-coated Spaniel, with the legs feathered but not
frizzled. The woodcut in Youatt's " Book on the Dog " represents
the same type ; and in his first work on the dog " Stonehenge "
copied this from Youatt's book, and did not hesitate, in addition,
to formulate the points of the "Old English Water Spaniel." It
is, therefore, somewhat astonishing to find him saying in his most
recent work, " I do not pretend to be able to settle the points of
the breed."

It is true that Youatt says : " The Water Spaniel was originally
from Spain, but the pure breed has been lost, and the present dog
is probably descended from the large water dog and the English
Setter " ; but whilst all seem to agree that the whole Spaniel family
came originally from Spain, no one has ever contended that they
exist to-day as first imported, without alteration by selection, or
commixture with allied varieties.

The writer believes that the breed is not yet extinct but that
scattered throughout England, principally in the Eastern counties,
there are still specimens of the Old English Water Spaniel, and
that it would be possible, with the amount of encouragement
to breeding that is in the power of the Kennel Club to give, to
revive and perpetuate the variety.

At present, however, from long-continued neglect, most of the
specimens in evidence are either foundlings or reversions that have
cropped up in families of Land Spaniels. Indeed, it is probable
that Sir Thomas Boughey, of Aqualate, possesses the sole remaining
strain of these dogs. His Spaniels are an heirloom in the family ;
but, in defiance of the ordinary law, they have ever been distinguished
by topknots.

The duties of a Water Spaniel require that he should be under
the most perfect command- — obedient to a sign ; for silence in fresh-
water shooting is absolutely necessary for success, waterfowl of all

330 BRITISH DOGS

kinds being peculiarly wary and timid. The dog should even be
taught to slip into the water noiselessly, and not with a rush and
plunge, if the bag is to be well filled ; he must quest assiduously
and in silence, keeping well within range and working to signal ;
and he must be a thorough retriever, as bold and persevering as
obedient.

Two sizes are referred to in the old books ; but for the fresh-
water fowler a large dog is not required, and one weighing from
3olb. to 4olb. will work, more advantageously than a big one,
the sedges, reeds, osiers, "etc., that fringe river, pool, and loch.

These are the points of the English Water Spaniel : —

General Appearance, — Strong, compact, of medium size, leggy by comparison
with the Clumber, Sussex, or Field Spaniel, and showing much greater activity.

Htad. — Rather long; the brow apparent, but not very great; jaws fairly
long, and slightly, but not too much, pointed ; the whole face and skull to the
occiput covered with short smooth hair, and no forelock as in the Irish Water
Spaniel.

Eyes. — Fairly full but not watery, clear, brown-coloured, with intelligent,
beseeching expression.

Ears. — Long, rather broad, soft, pendulous, and thickly covered with curly
hair of greater length than on body.

Neck. — Short, thick, and muscular.

Chest. — Capacious, the barrel stout, and the shoulders wide and strong,

Loins. — Strong, the buttocks square, and the thighs muscular.

Legs. — Rather long, straight, strong of bone, and well clothed with muscle ;
and \\iQfeet a good size, rather spreading, without being absolutely splay-footed.

Coat. — Over the whole upper part of the body and sides thick and closely curled,
flatter on the belly and the front of the legs, which should, however, be well
clad at the back with feathery curls. The prevailing colour is liver-and-white, but
whole liver, black, and black-and-white are also described by some writers.

Tail. — Is usually docked, rather thick, and covered with curls.

There is nothing to alter in the foregoing admirable description,
which appeared in the First Edition of this work. The following
remarks, which occur in the last Edition, shall also be left intact : —

" The Kennel Club Stud Book has only increased its list in the
class for Water Spaniels other than Irish by fourteen in twelve years.
This does not seem a very creditable performance on the part of
a body of men possessing the great power and influence of the
Kennel Club, the avowed object of which is the encouragement
and improvement of every breed of dog. The reason is not far to
seek. But surely a dog club occupying the position of a national
institution, whether self-assumed or not, ought to encourage the
indigenous and long-established breeds of dogs of Britain ; and the
Water Spaniel has a title to be included in the list superior to many
that are made much of whilst it is neglected.

For many years the dogs awarded prizes as Water Spaniels
at our shows have been Spaniels with coats almost as flat as that

THE SPANIELS 331

of a Clumber, but with a bit of longish hair about the top of the
skull. This was, perhaps, the reason why ' Idstone ' wrote : ' English
Water Spaniels are simply crosses and modifications of the Irish
race. In many cases they are imperfect examples of that for which
Mr. M'Carthy and Captain Montresor are celebrated — neither
better nor worse.' If ' Idstone ' meant that the dogs to which he
and other judges had given prizes were such as he describes in
the above quotation, the writer is prepared to endorse his words.
He must, however, add that * Idstone,' for a man of considerable
learning and wide experience, was apt to adopt narrow and superficial
views, and he was prone to dogmatise, as dog judges are very apt
to do. Clearly, if the dog was a cross or a modification of another
breed, and not what he was called, he should not be recognised
by his pretensions ; but ' Idstone ' begs this question, for there
is no reasonable assumption that English sporting writers during
centuries, who described the English Water Spaniel, were writing
of that of which they knew nothing. There is no evidence that
the Irish Water Spaniel had any existence as a distinct breed so
recently even as the early decades of the present century; yet it
is on the supposition that the Irish Water Spaniel is an older variety
than the English Water Spaniel that ' Idstone's ' whole argument
rests."

Taking the principal writers from the beginning of last century
we find that they mostly mention two varieties of dog used in wild-
fowling, the larger of which they call the Water Dog, the smaller
the Water Spaniel. Both of these are described as curly-haired,
and various theories of their production from crosses with other
breeds have been more or less plausibly suggested ; it is, however,
hardly necessary to father the looks of either of them on any out-
side cross.

Our sporting forefathers were practical men, and showed that
they were so in their selection of dogs suited to the work to be
done ; and although it is true they held peculiar notions as to the
relations between the colour of the coat and the courage of the
beast, such time-honoured superstitions are far less ridiculous than
the freaks of modern fancy laid down by self-elected lawgivers —
such as, for instance, that an Irish Water Spaniel must have the stern,
or caudal vertebra covered with skin only and as innocent of
hirsute adornment as a mop-handle !

It is probable that a large and a small Water Spaniel, or Water
Dog, would naturally result from the different requirements of
sportsmen. He who frequented the sea-coast would require a
bigger and stronger dog than the inlander who found his quarry in
marshes, rivers, and sedgy ponds. Shakespeare's Water-rug was
probably a Water Spaniel, which he used in hunting the water-

332 BRITISH DOGS

fowl on the Avon and the tributary streams about Wootton-Wawen
and Henley-in-Arden, as no doubt did also the poet of field sports,
Somerville, in that charming part of Warwickshire where he lived,
wrote, and now lies buried.

Here is the description of the English Water Spaniel, published
by the Sporting Spaniel Society : —

Skull. — Long, straightish, and rather narrow.

Jaws. — Long and rather pointed, without superfluous lip.

Eyts. — Small, dark, and intelligent.

Ears. — Of medium length, set on forward, and thickly coated.

Neck. — Strong, and of fair length.

Shoulders. — Somewhat low and broad.

Fore Legs. — Long and strong, with bone of great size.

Body.— Large, round, and barrel-like ; back ribs well developed ; chest deep
and broad.

Loin. — Strong and very slightly arched.

Hindquarters. — Long and muscular, the stifle well bent. The croup rising
towards the stern, combined with the low shoulder, gives the dog the appearance
of standing higher behind than in front.

Feet. — Large, strong, and well-spread, thickly clothed with hair, especially
between the pads.

Stern. — Carried a little above the level of the back, but by no means highly.

Coat. — Oily, and composed of thick, crisp curls, no topknot, and the curl
should end at the occiput, leaving the face quite smooth and lean-looking. Ears
and stern thickly covered with ringlets.

Colour. — Liver-and- white, self-coloured liver, or liver-roan-and-white, with
usually a blaze up the face.

CHAPTER XXIX
THE RETRIEVERS

No breed of latter days has sprung into greater favour than that
of the Flat-coated Retriever ; but whereas he has improved in both
quality and quantity, his Curly-coated cousin has sunk in disfavour,
despite the efforts of the devoted band who formed themselves
into a club for his development and maintenance — an advantage (?)
which the flat-coated variety has never fully enjoyed, although in
the year 1900 a subsidiary society was formed for its benefit,
which society was affiliated to the Gun-dog League; but no
great encouragement has been offered by this body, with the
exception of the institution of Retriever trials in connection with
those periodically held for Pointers, Setters, and Spaniels.

That the Curly-coated Retriever is doomed to practical ex-
tinction is a notable and an undeniable fact, which must be
put down to the inevitable law of the survival of the fittest.

For every Curly-coated dog (speaking of the recognised show
type) used in the field, or exhibited on the bench, there are now
a score, at least, of Flat-coats. The origin of the latter variety
is not very remote, and is by no means difficult to fathom. It
may be taken that the Labrador dog and the old English black
Setter are the tap-roots from which it has generated and developed.
Sometimes the cross of the Gordon, and even the Irish, Setter
has been resorted to, as evidenced by the throw-back of red- or
liver-coloured puppies, and others showing a sprinkling of brindle
on the legs, muzzle, and thighs, whilst the tan eye-spot not
infrequently displays itself. It may be that in the earlier days
of the nineteenth century Retrievers closely resembling the modern
finished article were to be met with ; but it was not until the days
of Mr. Gorse, Mr. Thorpe-Bartram, and Mr. S. E. Shirley were
reached, that a uniform and recognised type was arrived at ; and
to the champions of the show-bench belonging to these gentlemen,
our present-day representatives, almost without exception, trace their
lineage.

Adonis, Merlin, Sailor, and Ben were amongst the earliest
patriarchs to claim recognition. The last named was the sire of

334 BRITISH DOGS

Champion Zelstone, who was without doubt the bed-rock of the
breed. Contemporary with him was Mr. Shirley's Champion Thorn,
and the concentration of the blood produced Champion Moonstone,
(possibly the most perfect Retriever of all time, and assuredly of
his day). He sired Champion Blackthorn, sire of Black Paint,
dam of Black Drake, sire of Champion Wimpole Peter, sire of
Paul of Riverside.

In a collateral line Champion Darenth (Hopeful — Donna) is
another notable landmark, for he is responsible in the direct line
for many of the highest-class specimens of later days — such a
line, for instance, as his son Black Cloth, sire of Black Drake,
the latter by far the most notable dog of modern times, for his
stock have won and are still winning (1902) more prizes than that
of all the other dogs of the last decade put together.

As the writer had the honour of breeding and owning Black
Drake throughout the whole of his career at stud, on the show-bench,
and in the field, he is naturally diffident in singing his praises ;
but the position of the dog in the Stud Book is unique, and the
influence that his blood must have on the Retriever of the future
is so obvious that he may be excused for giving a brief biography
of so remarkable a Retriever. His sire was Black Cloth, by
Champion Darenth — Black Skirt by Champion Blackthorn — Mavis ;
Blackthorn by Champion Moonstone — Champion Sloe; Cham-
pion Sloe by Champion Thorn — Lady in Black. His dam, Black
Paint, was own sister to Black Skirt ; hence it will be seen how
closely inbred he was with the Zelstone strain, and that of Mr.
Solly, which had its chief origin in Mr. Corse's Sailor. But this
is blood that apparently stands any amount of inbreeding ; for,
even when recrossed, there is no evidence of a general or of a
constitutional weakness. On the contrary, the show and stud dogs
of the day, who represent what is practically a family party, are
a particularly robust and hardy lot. But a time must inevitably
arrive when a distinct outcross will have to be resorted to ; and as
it is hardly likely that a ready-made Retriever of sufficient quality
will be found who does not trace back on either side to one of
the tap-roots enumerated above, it is obvious that recourse must
be had to the primary elements of the modern Retriever's entity.

Of late years the Labrador has grown in favour, and though
the writer has no personal experience of his merits, there are
knowledgable sportsmen who swear by him, by reason of his
alleged possession of all the virtues which a Retriever should possess.
Many of these dogs have been carefully bred and the strains jealously
guarded; but to the writer's eyes they appear, for the most part,
rather coarse and cloddy ; so that the element of the Setter becomes
a necessity, if the quality of the modern Retriever is to be main-
tained. But first get your black Setter — no easy matter forsooth ;

THE RETRIEVERS

335

though the cross of the red Irish Setter with the Labrador would
probably produce a fair percentage of blacks. These could be
crossed in with a high-quality, show, Flat-coated Retriever, and thus
a fresh current of blood would be introduced, which not only would
check the tendency to excessive inbreeding, but would probably
increase the powers of scent, and induce that steadiness which,
it must be regretfully admitted, is often sadly wanting in our
modern dogs ; for they are high-couraged creatures, and somewhat
impatient of restraint.

FIG. 72. — MR. HARDING Cox's FLAT-COATED RETRIEVER BLACK DRAKE.

To revert to Black Drake (Fig. 72). His early show career was
anything but brilliant, for he was a leggy, backward puppy that
did not appear to full advantage until he was over two years old,
and he was quite eclipsed by his litter-sister Black Hen. As a
youngster he had a grand head, but it suddenly grew coarse, and
then, later on, again fined down, until there was little fault to find.
He won innumerable prizes, and beat most of the champions of the
day, securing two challenge prizes himself, and just missing the
full championship title, owing to an extraordinary oversight on
the part of a judge. But it was as a stud dog that his achieve-

336 BRITISH DOGS

ments are worthy of historical record. In his early days he naturally
had but few chances, and it was not until his son Wimpole Peter
burst upon an admiring Fancy that breeders began to patronise
the sire ; but from that time he never looked back. His career
was as short as it was brilliant, for he succumbed to gastritis at the
comparatively early age of five years.

A very long list of winners by Black Drake may be quoted,
and instances have more than once arisen where every prize-winner
in half a dozen classes has been his child or grandchild. Amongst
the most notable of his winners are Champion Wimpole Peter,
Champion Black Queen (Fig. 73), Champion Bring ?Em, Champion
Black Squirrel, Black Cherry, Black Maple, Colwyn Clytie, Black
Pride, Black Squall, Black Quail, Black Amazon, Luton Melody,
Ivy of Batsford, etc., etc. ; whilst the big winners Champion Black
Quilt and Black Charm claim him as grandsire.

Amongst modern sires Champion Darenth is worthy of more
than passing mention, although his average does not approach that
of Black Drake ; for the former's career at the stud was much more
protracted than that of his grandsire. Champion Darenth begat
a host of winners, including Champion Blizzard, Lustre, Champion
Darwen, Black Cloth (sire of Black Drake), and last, but not least,
the beautiful Champion Horton Rector, who himself has made a
grand start at the stud as sire of Champion Black Quilt, Horton
Fern, Oracle, etc.

It is a somewhat notable fact that for every first-class dog
seen of late years there have been at least three first-class
bitches, and it would seem that the latter are, as a rule, blessed
with superior constitutions. The consideration of this fact opens
up a very pretty complication of the question of inbreeding. The
last years of the past century saw a very serious preponderance of
bitches, and although the dogs have increased since the beginning
of the twentieth century, the balance is by no means level.

The writer's personal experience is that the death-rate from
distemper is fifty per cent, higher in the case of dogs than in that
of bitches, especially where the disease has attacked puppies ex-
ceeding nine months in age ; an observation that has been noted,
but not accounted for, by other devotees of the breed.

The utility of dog shows as a means of maintaining and
improving purity of type in the canine race, without impairing utility,
has often been called in question, and really the spurious evolution
that has taken place in some breeds, notably in Fox-terriers and Bull-
dogs, is greatly to be deplored. It is a case of cause and effect,
induced by the exaggeration of type, and the sacrifice of a well-
balanced and symmetrical whole, to the undue and excessive
development of some special " fancy " point. For instance, the
craze for exceedingly narrow chests in Fox-terriers has evolved this

THE RETRIEVERS

337

supposed desideratum at the expense of depth and strength of
rib, and consequently of power of loin and quarters. One seldom
sees a well-ribbed, square-quartered Fox-terrier nowadays. Again,
it was laid down that Bulldogs should be more powerful in front
of the saddle than behind it, and that the shoulders should be
loose, and the elbows well turned out. Harping on this string,
fanciers have produced a result of which they have no reason to
be proud; for what do we too often find? Weak, ricketty legs,
foundered chests, and wasted loins ; rendering what should be a

FIG. 73.— MR. HARDING Cox's RETRIEVER CHAMPION BLACK QUEEN.

powerful, active dog, a monstrosity and a cripple. Such examples
could be amplified ad infinitum.

Far be it from the writer to maintain that dog shows have, in
the aggregate, failed to advance the objects for which they were
initiated. On the contrary, the unbiassed and unprejudiced eye
cannot fail to see in all directions, signs of a great advance as
regards the levelling of type and the elimination of mongrels and
wastrels; whilst the British public has had its innate love of the
dog cultured and expanded to such an extent that where formerly
few had an expert knowledge on canine subjects, it is now a rare
thing to find any one who does not know, or who thinks he does
not know, all about them. For the harmless hobby of dog-breeding

22

338 BRITISH DOGS

and dog-showing has advanced with giant strides ; and this is
particularly noticeable as regards the fair sex, who seem to have
taken to the task with that thoroughness and (temporary) ardour
which are its distinguishing virtue in all its undertakings.

As regards the exaggeration of type which the writer has so
strongly deprecated, it may be that the legion of specialist clubs
which have sprung, mushroom-like, into existence (and the cry is
" Still they come ! ") of late years are unwittingly the cause of this
hydra-headed evil. It is true they one and all draw up an elaborate
scale of points for general guidance ; but the average and aggregate
of these points are nearly always ignored by the so-called specialist
club judges. The fact is that not one man or woman in a
hundred is born with the true critical faculty; consequently these
would-be wearers of the ermine are quite unable to sum up the
balance of physical conformation, but persist on exercising their
personal fads. One goes for colour, another for head, a third for
legs and feet, and so on, and they look no further. A good dog
is thrown out because it does not hold one ear in the approved
fashion ; a cripple or a monstrosity is honoured with a challenge
prize because it has " such a grand head."

All this may seem a digression ; but it is worth growling
about, and leads up to the satisfactory fact that the Flat-coated
Retriever, never having been god-sired by a specialist society,
has not suffered in this direction, and, whilst maintaining a
sound, symmetrical type, has steadily improved in quality and
quantity; so that in this year of grace (1902) no breed is
more level, and few more popular. At the leading shows, given
a judge in whom the body of the exhibitors have confidence, and
also a liberal classification, well-filled classes of high quality are
a certainty. On the other hand, at minor shows, where an "all-
round" judge has to deal with this variety, some of the most
powerful Retriever owners hold aloof. This is a great mistake,
for amongst the most popular and knowledgable " all-rounders "
are men who know their Retriever quite as well as the so-called
specialist. The writer never hesitated to submit his Retrievers to
the judgment of such as Messrs. Marples, Gresham, and Astley,
and has found little to cavil at in their decisions, whether they
were favourable to himself or the reverse. On the other hand, he
has known many cases where " experts" in Retriever lore and
breeding, but novices in the judicial ring, have completely lost
their heads when faced by a large and level class, and have in
consequence committed the most obvious errors of judgment.

Amongst the most prominent Retriever judges of the day may
be quoted Messrs. S. E. Shirley, E. Allen Shuter, G. R. Davies,
C. Phillips, H. R. Cooke, C. J. G. Hulkes, W. Arkwright, and
Colonel Comwall-Legh. The first and last named are amongst the

THE RETRIEVERS 339

earliest and most influential patrons of the breed ; in fact, no
more enthusiastic Retriever breeder has existed than the Squire
of Ettington. It was at the feet of this Gamaliel that the writer
sat, and from him that he obtained the nucleus of a strain which,
without flattery, may be said to have fairly held its own in the struggle
for supremacy. Mr. Shirley is a sound judge of almost any breed
of dog, and therefore can hardly be termed a specialist ; though
naturally enough his knowledge of Retrievers should exceed that
of any judge past or present, seeing that he has bred more winners
than any other. Amongst his most notable winners may be
mentioned Champions Thorn, Dusk, Moonstone, True, Think,
Heedful, Hopeful, Wiseacre, Rightaway, and a host of others.
Of these, Moonstone stands out a pillar of the Stud Book, and a
landmark in the writer's memory, as a dog of exceptional merit,
and to whom he is proud to think he awarded the first notch in
the tally of his fame.

Of late years Mr. Shirley's success as a breeder and an exhibitor
of Flat-coated Retrievers has sadly fallen off. It had dawned
upon him that an outcross was a pressing necessity, and he
largely used Rightaway, who had some mysterious alien strain
in his pedigree. This was a good-looking dog of considerable
quality, though some judges would not stand him at any price.
Personally, the writer considers that the introduction of his blood
has not proved an unmixed blessing, either to his owner or to
Retriever breeders at large. Mr. Shirley has a good dog in his
favourite Dare, and lately he exhibited two very nice specimens
in Dargai and Woodchat, the latter a most promising youngster
that unfortunately yielded to the Reaper before he had time to
make his mark.

The genial master of High Legh Hall (Colonel Cornwall-Legh)
has always had good Retrievers, and no better judge of the breed
exists, though he can seldom be persuaded to officiate. Champions
Miner L, Miner III., Kite, and Twidle were all good ones, and,
if memory serves me aright, Champion Taut originally hailed
from High Legh.

Mr. Allen Shuter is a most painstaking and expert judge, but
he is ruthless in carpeting an exhibit that shows one of the failings
(" bad set of ears " and " too strong in skull " are his pet aversions)
which he considers fatal. Mr. Shuter never shows a bad Retriever,
thus proving himself that rara avis a good "home-judge." On
the other hand, he has produced some " toppers." Amongst these
rare old Champion Darenth is the bright particular star. His
success both at the stud and on the show-bench was phenomenal,
and he was a perfect workman. Mr. Shuter had the luck to breed
a son of the old dog that bids fair to emulate his sire's deeds in
all directions ; of course I allude to Champion Horton Rector.

340 BRITISH DOGS

Mr. Reginald Cooke's success as a breeder has not been so
marked as it should have been, having regard to his pluck and
enterprise as an exhibitor, and seeing that he always will have the
best, regardless of cost. At times his kennel has been un-
approachable, and gems of the first water filled it. The Champions
Worsley Bess (the best bitch the writer ever remembers to have
seen), Wimpole Peter (ditto, dog), Black Quilt, and Dido of
Swynnerton are a quartet to be proud of indeed, and the time is
ripe when he can at last point to something " extra special " of his
own breeding. Wave of Riverside was good, but Paul of Riverside
is better, as he ought to be, seeing that he is the son of the two
most perfect Retrievers of all time — Champions Wimpole Peter and
Worsley Bess.

Mr. Hulkes has had many good winners, but the best of them,
Pettings Mallard, for some unknown reason, failed to make the
mark as a stud dog, that might have been expected, having regard
to his figure and breeding.

Lord Redesdale (erstwhile Mr. A. B. Freeman Mitford, C.B.)
is very fond of a good Retriever, and has been worthily represented
on the show-bench from time to time. His sheet-anchor was
Champion Boreas of Batsford, a dog very hard to beat, and one
with as great a reputation in the field as on the show-bench. Here
again is, so far, a comparative failure at the stud ; for, with the
exception of Black Charm, the writer can recall no really high-class
offspring of this grand dog.

Mr. G. R. Davies, of Hartford, Cheshire, used to keep a large
kennel, and was very successful at one time, his stud dog Duke III.
begetting for him some very good-class stock, whilst those who
purchased his Retrievers at his annual sale were loud in praise
of the strain, from a sportsman's point of view.

The name of Retriever exhibitors is legion, and it is only
possible to mention a few of the most prominent of the present, while
Messrs. Thorpe-Bartram, Gorse, and E. G. Farquharson occur as
stalwarts of the past, though perhaps one ought not to include the first
named in that category, as he still occasionally sends a useful one to
the show-ring. And what can the writer say of himself? His services
as a judge have been in fair request, and he is credibly informed
that, as a rule, his decisions have given fair satisfaction. It is
impossible to please every one, but at least he is always prepared
to give a reason for his awards, and, if needs be, to argue it out.
His system is a simple one to adopt, but difficult of successful
accomplishment. It aims at arriving at the aggregate of the dog's
merit : firstly considered point by point, and lastly by "the
altogether," or relative value of general quality, outline, and
symmetry.

The origin of the writer's strain arose from Champion Sloe

THE RETRIEVERS 341

(purchased from Mr. Shirley). He mated her with the incomparable
Champion Moonstone, and the result was Champion Blackthorn,
sire of Black Paint, dam of Black Drake, sire of Champion Black
Queen, dam of Champion Black Quilt, sire of — well ! let us hope
something good. These, with their sons and daughters, sisters,
brothers, cousins, and aunts, have filled the writer's list of wins to
a very satisfactory tune, and he believes he holds the record sale
price for both dogs and bitches — viz. Champion Black Quilt (to
Mr. Cooke), .£200, and Champion Black Queen (to Lord Redes-
dale), 145 guineas.

The points of the Retriever have been carefully described by
many expert writers, and an elaborate scale has been drawn up
for the guidance of both the novice and the would-be judge ; but,
as has already been pointed out, the crying evil of the day is that
the due proportions or value of these points are generally ignored,
and the verdict is often arrived at in view of the preponderating
excellence of some single point ; or a dog is completely discomfited
on account of some failing, which, were the scale adhered to, would
only penalise him three or four notches. The writer's own version
of what an ideal Flat-coated Retriever should be, and also a new
scale of points, are here set forth.

Taking a mature dog of the largest size advisable — i.e. about
24in. at the shoulder — the head measurement should be approxi-
mately as follows : —

Head. — The head should be long and powerful. When held between the hands,
and looked down upon it should present the appearance of a perfect wedge or
V with the apex cut off. The skull should be flat and moderately broad. A
skull as narrow as the muzzle in front of the eyes is a very bad fault ; so also
is any domed appearance, or the conical formation of the occiput, as seen in
the Setter. The sides of the head should be quite flush ; any thickness or pro-
truding of the cheek-bones is highly detrimental. The muzzle should be long
and strong; not tapering, but clean at its extremity, and free from " lippiness."
The jaws must be quite level and the teeth strong and white, the nose broad,
and the nostrils free and open.

From occiput to interior corner of eye ... ... ... 7 in.

From interior corner of eye to tip of nose ... ... ... 4 ,,

Across skull, from set-on of one ear to the set-on of the other ... 7 ,,
Total length of head, from occiput to tip of nose ... ... II ,,

It will thus be seen that the breadth of skull should equal its length.

The Ear should be V-shaped, but rounded at the extremity. It
should be set on the side of the head, about 4in. from the exterior corner of
the eye, which measurement equals the length of muzzle. The "set-on" must
not be on a level with the base of the skull or occiput, neither must it be low,
as seen in the Spaniel. When extended, the tip of the ear should just reach
the exterior corner of the eye. Most dogs of the day have a tendency to larger
ears, and a slight prolongation beyond the eye is not very prejudicial ; but
an unduly large ear is detrimental to general quality. In nearly all the
Retrievers of the day it will be found that the ear is covered at the base with
long strands of hair, which do not add to its beauty, and consequently it is
the practice to remove these blemishes. According to the Kennel Club Rules,

342 BRITISH DOGS

plucking out the old or dead hair with finger and thumb, is the only legitimate
practice ; but the writer will defy any one to trim a Flat-coated Retriever's ear
in this way. How, then, is it done?

About the Eye of the Retriever there is not a consensus of opinion. Some
hold that it cannot be too dark or too small. Personally, the writer is at
issue with both these dictums, and if he be Sir Oracle, he hereby declares that
the eye should be dark brown, and that a sloe-black eye is almost as objection-
able as a yellow one. He also opines that a small, deep-set eye is altogether
un-Retriever like. It should be of moderate size, neither deep-set nor peduncu-
lated ; it should, in expression, beam with intelligence and benevolence. The
lips should be tight, and the flews well braced up.

Neck and Shoulders. — The head should be well set on to a strong, muscular
neck of good length, round, and showing graceful, curving lines to the shoulder,
which should be long, sloping, and flush with the ribs. The points of the shoulder-
blades should lie close together at the juncture of the neck. The surest way of
detecting bad shoulders is to find these two points set wide apart.

Fore Legs and Feet. — These properties are of th'e utmost importance, for it is
on his "understandings" that a Retriever has to do the most arduous portion
of his work. A writer in one of the "doggy" papers once sagely asked, "If
a Retriever is good in his work, what does it matter if his legs are crooked, as
long as they carry him ? " Yes, my friend, all very well for that particular dog ;
but go on breeding from such, and you will find, in the course of time, that with
crooked legs will be evolved bad shoulders, weak backs, and wasted loins. No ;
a Retriever's legs must be as straight as a Foxhound's, with sufficient bone
carried right down to the feet. " Sufficient" bone is written advisedly, because
the craze for very heavy bone, alike as regards Retrievers and Hounds, often
results in general coarseness. The bone of a highly bred dog of great quality
often appears lighter than that of a coarser animal ; but if, after death, the two
are examined, the coarse bone will be found porous and soft, whilst that of the
"quality" dog partakes of the nature of ivory, and reproduced in his progeny
would be capable of twice the wear and tear of the other. The feet should be
moderately large and round, the toes well arched and closely knit. The soles
or pads should be very hard, dense, and impervious to cuts and blisters.

Chest) Ribs, Couplings^ Loins , and Back. — The chest should not be too wide,
but should be very deep, with plenty of heart-room. The ribs should be only slightly
sprung behind the shoulder, where they should be quite flat, so that the elbow,
in action, works like the cock of a gun. A round or barrel rib, despite what may
be said, is a distinct detriment. Many dogs have been decried as flat-sided
whose conformation was, in reality, all that could be desired. A very deep-
chested dog cannot be barrel-ribbed, and a deep chest is far more desirable than
a shallow, round one. You never find a real stayer in man, horse, or dog that
is not deep-chested and more or less flat-sided. Again, a great deal is made of
a dog being "coupled right up" ; and "too long in the couplings" is a parrot
cry that has kept many a good animal out of the first flight. A dog who is really
too long cast, and is, in consequence, lanky and weak, is most certainly not to
be encouraged ; it will often be that a very deep-chested dog appears too
long from the back rib to the stifle : but if the tape be used, and it is found that
the height at the shoulder equals the length from point of shoulder to set-on of
stern, then it is clear that the lines of symmetry are right, and that the super-
excellence of chest and shoulders require scope in the couplings. A dog with
a very deep chest and long, oblique shoulders would, if his couplings were
too well ribbed up, lack liberty— a fault all too common in certain strains.
The ba k should be broad and strong from end to end, showing a most
graceful outline when viewed in connection with head, neck, and stern. Many
Retrievers exhibit a weakness or " wedginess" behind the saddle, and this fault
becomes particularly obvious directly they begin to lack condition from overwork,

THE RETRIEVERS 343

over-showing, or general delicacy of constitution. This is one of the hereditary
blots on the Darenth escutcheon, and is to be observed in his son Champion
Horton Rector and his grandson Champion Black Quilt. The loins of the
Retriever should be broad, strong, muscular, and gently arched.

Hind Legs, Thighs, Stifles, and Hocks.— The thighs should be full of muscle,
and large, with the second thighs well developed. The stifles should be long
and fairly bent, but not to the extent that is seen in some other breeds. The
hocks should be well bent, with good bone, and when the dog is standing square,
should be plumb straight. Sickle-hocks are most objectionable, and cow-hocks
— i.e. the points turned inward, and the feet, in consequence, turned outward —
are even more so. Really first-rate hocks are, unfortunately, a rarity ; but lately
matters have improved in this respect.

Stern. — A typical stern, properly carried, is also a comparative rarity. It
should be well feathered underneath, gently curving at the set-on to the spine,
but otherwise quite straight. A pot-hook tail — that is to say, one that curves
into a hook or a ring at its extremity — is one of the worst faults that a Retriever
can exhibit ; in fact, such an eye-sore ought almost to amount to a disquali-
fying point. A stern set on too high, or too low, is also most detrimental
to symmetry, giving respectively a Terrier-like or a goose-rumped appearance.
It should be of moderate length ; the tip, when pulled down, should just reach
half-way between the cap of the hock and the ground. When the dog is still,
the stern should hang straight down ; when excited or moving, it should be
waved on a level with the back. In the case of a dog, especially one that has
been used at the stud, the judge must not pay too much attention to the
elevation of the flag, when the animal is in contact with other competitors.
The best of them will "give himself away" under the circumstances. A
little patience will always enable him (the judge) to see if the dog carries his
stern correctly under normal conditions.

Coat. — The coat should be absolutely flat (a slight wave on the flanks is
often observable, and is of no great importance). It should be dense and glossy,
with a strong undergrowth of still finer hair. It should be of moderate length,
and for the most part even ; but a longer, denser mass, almost amounting to
an incipient mane, on the neck, is typical of the breed, though somewhat
detrimental to quality.

General Appearance and Symmetry. — When the expert judge of a Retriever
enters the ring, his practised eye wanders around, and is attracted by the
general outline and symmetry of certain competitors. In nine cases out of
ten, first impressions turn out to be correct (except where some disqualifying
fault is subsequently detected), and the general appearance of the competitor
is usually found to be the sum of his perfections or otherwise. In general
appearance, the Flat-coated Retriever stands out a strong, symmetrical animal,
built on perfectly balanced lines of artistic beauty — in fact, a perfect gentleman,
and one of the noblest examples of the noblest animal with which humanity
has to deal.

Action and Character. — It is hardly conceivable that a judge, after summing
up the merits and demerits of the competitors, should proceed to make his
awards without putting them through their paces, so that he may appraise their
movement and detect any lameness, stiffness, or slovenly action. And yet, over
and over again, this grave omission may be seen in evidence, and passed without
comment by exhibitors and reporters. Breeders of to-day are wont to deplore
the fact that good, level action is not as universal as it should be ; the action
of the quarters, and especially of hocks, is rarely perfect, and it behoves judges
to pay particular attention to these defects. In their slow paces, many Retrievers
have a rolling gait, which suggests weakness ; but when pace is accelerated,
this often disappears, and it is found that, after all, the dog is a really good
mover. Every competitor whose conformation is otherwise up to the standard

344 BRITISH DOGS

of merit should invariably be tested at the walk, the trot, and the gallop. It
is seldom that judging-rings are provided which give sufficient scope for
exhaustive and really satisfactory tests of this kind ; but a judge should never
neglect them, even if he has to take the select coterie outside the barriers.

An absolutely perfect Retriever, or dog of any other breed for that matter, is
chimerical ; but if one could " piece-up " from the champions of the new century,
an ideal could easily be manufactured : given the head, ears, eyes, legs, and feet
of Champion Black Quilt, or his sire Champion Horton Rector ; the neck,
shoulders, coat, and deep chest of Black Charm ; the back, loins, stern, and
general symmetry and character of Champion Wimpole Peter, with Quilt again
coming in to supply hocks, size, and substance, and, in the writer's opinion, it
would take a very hypercritical eye to detect a failing.

As to the comparative value of "points," the subjoined scale is offered by
the writer for what it is worth : —

SCALE OF POINTS

General Appearance

Outline, Quality, Character, and Symmetry ... ... 15

Action, including Carriage of Stern ... ... ... 10

Head Properties

Skull ... ... ... ... 5

Jaw, Mouth, and Nose ... ... ... ... 5

Eyes 5

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Body

Neck, Shoulders, Chest, and Ribs ... ... ... 10

Fore Legs and feet ... ... ... ... ... 10

Loins, Quarters, and Couplings ... ... ... 10

Hind Legs and Feet, Thighs and Hocks ... ... 10

Stern ,.. ... ... ... ... ... 5

Coat ... ... ... ... ... 10

Total points in all ... ... ... ico

The following disqualifying points are debatable, and it is only when the
faults appear to a glaring and uncompromising extent that a judge is justified in
altogether ignoring an otherwise high class animal : —

1. A very light yellow eye.

2. A coat waved or curled on neck and back.

(Not so long ago this breed was yclept "Wavy-coated Retrievers," and later
on " Flat or Wavy-coated Retrievers." But " fancy" dictated that the " wave "
should be severely discouraged ; consequently judges began to pass over specimens
with this variety of jacket, in favour of those who could show a perfectly flat
coat, with the result that nowadays classes are provided for "Flat-coated" and
"Curly-coated" Retrievers only; and a competitor that cannot display the
orthodox coat has no earthly chance of success. Albeit the wave is constantly
recrudescent, even in the best strains.)

3. A badly undershot jaw or badly cankered teeth.

4. A distinctly curled or pot-hooked stern.

5. Pronounced stiffness, lameness, or inability to move at walk, trot, or gallop,

Of dogs of the last decade there are many who are worthy of
special mention in this chapter as being far above the average,
and as near perfection as the skill of the breeder can produce.

THE RETRIEVERS 345

Such as Champions Uarenth, Horton Rector, Black Quilt,
Wimpole Peter, Boreas of Batsford, and Pettings Mallard are
worthy of special mention, and they one and all had the
reputation of being most brilliant workers ; whilst Paul of River-
side and Black Charm are youngsters that should obtain champion-
ship honours in the near future. Amongst stud dogs, Black Drake
and Darenth stand out alone.

As already remarked, good bitches have been far more in
evidence of late years than good dogs ; but amongst a galaxy of
beauty, Champion Worsley Bess, Champion Black Queen, Champion
Bring 'Em, Champion Black Squirrel, Champion Dido of Swynnerton,
Champion Kite, Champion Twiddle, Horton Fern, Colwyn Clytic,
Black Adder, and Pettings Ruth are, or were, exceptionally beautiful
specimens. Of these Champion Worsley Bess is dam of Paul of
Riverside, whilst Champion Black Queen is dam of Champion
Black Quilt.

THE CURLY-COATED RETRIEVER

As remarked at the beginning of this chapter, the Curly-coated
Retriever is not nearly so popular as his Flat-coated relative, and,
in the writer's opinion, the genuine show article is not in general use
with the gun. Nevertheless, he is a striking-looking member of
the canine race, and though quantity is wanting, quality is well
represented amongst the select few.

There seems to be a prevailing impression that the average dis-
position of the Curly-coated Retriever (Fig. 74) is not as sweet and
benevolent as that of the more popular dog, and that he is less
tractable. The writer's only experience of these animals is in the
show-ring, and he confesses that he has always found the exhibits mild
and friendly enough. Probably the real reason of their unpopularity
lies in the fact that they are more or less a " fancy " breed, and that
their beautiful astrachan coats, which constitute by far the most
important item in the scale, require a deal of keeping in order
and expert manipulation. Mr. S. Darbey used to be facile pri nceps
as a breeder and an exhibitor. His Tiverton Beauties had a wonder-
ful success in their own classes, and generally managed to squelch
opposition, when opposed to even the very best Flat-coated specimens;
whilst one or other of them often annexed special prizes for "the
best dog or bitch in the show," or " the best sporting team."
Messrs. Mason and Wood, too, have been very faithful to the breed,
and have shown many specimens of the highest merit ; but the
writer thinks that they have a leaning towards the other variety,
as they have taken to showing a good one now and then. The
same remark applies to Mr. Duerdin Dutton, who, once one of

346

BRITISH DOGS

the most enthusiastic supporters of the Astrachans, has now signified
his intention of abandoning them in favour of the Flat-coats.

Mr. C. Flowitt owns perhaps the best specimen of the new
century— Champion Belle Vue Nina to wit. She is almost per-
fection, and it was a great fight when she met Champion Black
Quilt (who had just beaten Champion VVimpole Peter) for the
National Challenge Bowl at the Birmingham Show, 1901. The
respective judges could not agree, and a referee had to be called
in, who, after much demur, gave the award to the flat-coated dog.

The points of conformation of the Curly-coated Retriever are,
or should be, identical with those of the Flat-coat ; but several
variations are generally observable. The head is somewhat different
in type and expression, it being more wedge-like, and the muzzle
not so deep. As a rule, they have the advantage in showing a
flatter skull, and nearly all of them have gootf dark eyes, generally
a size smaller than those of the Flat-coat. They are apt to be
more sprung in rib, hence their shoulders are heavier and less
oblique, and they are wider in the chest ; but better feet, legs,
and hocks are found, on the average, than amongst the other variety,
a remark which also applies to sterns.

The following scale indicates the relative value of points : —

Coat ...

General Outline, Quality, and Symmetry

Head Properties

Feet and Legs

Neck, Shoulders, Chest, and Ribs

Back and Quarters

Hind Legs, Thighs, Hocks, and Feet

Stern

Action and Character ...

Total

25
10
10

IO
10
IO
IO

5

IO
ICO

It will be seen that a very large proportion of marks is allowed
for coat, the excellence of which is, after all, a sine qua non in
would-be prize winners of this variety. It should be a mass of
even, short, tight curls extending all over the body as far as the
base of the skull, where they suddenly cease, leaving the skull itself
and the face covered with short fine hair which often shows a
slight but crisp wave. There is feather neither on the legs nor
on the stern, the latter being round and "roped" with the same
astrachan curls.

In the last years of the nineteenth century a few enthusiasts
banded themselves into a club for the encouragement of the breed ;
but their well-meant efforts have met with but slight success, if
regard is had to the number of specimens exhibited, for, outside
their own ranks, the dog-loving public and the ever-fickle Fancy

THE RETRIEVERS

347

have refused to boom the breed, and its splendid isolation remains
as of yore.

As to the origin of the Curly-coated Retriever, the writer would
be sorry to lay down the law ; but he has a shrewd idea that the
Poodle and the Irish Water-Spaniel had a look in somewhere, and

it may have had its origin in the alliance of such with a Flat-coated
Retriever or a Labrador. This is rank heresy in the ears of
votaries of the breed, of course ; for these enthusiasts claim that the
Curly-coated variety existed in approximately its present type when
yet the germs of the modern Flat-coated Retriever were reposing in
the entity of the Setter and the Newfoundland or the Labrador. But

348 BRITISH DOGS

"he laughs best who laughs last," and for the time being, at any
rate, that smile is on the side of the far more numerous body who
swear by the Flat-coat.

So far the question of colour in the Retriever has not been
alluded to, the writer having purposely left it to the last. It goes
without saying that black is the orthodox pattern which is almost
universal ; moreover, there seems to be a prevailing idea that any
other colour is taboo. It may be that some Retriever experts
hold to this doctrine ; but personally, the writer is altogether at
variance with such views, and red, liver-coloured, or even fawn dogs,
if of sufficient high standard of excellence in points of conformity
and action, would stand as good a chance under his aegis as a
black ; but he would draw the line at a parti-coloured dog — a line
of action that would doubtless be endorsed by his confreres of the
ring, and by readers and exhibitors at large.

It is certain that a really good liver-coloured or red dog — i.e. the
colour of an Irish Setter — would be met with acclamation ; but,
strange to say, that although a goodly number of puppies of these
colours are born, of the very choicest strains, we have yet to see
a mature specimen that approaches the standard of the black
champions. One of the strains that is apt to break out in this
direction is that in which the name of Champion Taut appears
in the lineal pedigree ; but it is difficult to trace the why and the
wherefore of this phenomenon, for apparently this sire traces back
to the same tap-roots from which spring a race in which a
" coloured " Retriever is a far greater rarity. The writer has bred
dozens of these puppies, but he has never reared one that he
considered up to the standard of first-class show form. On one
or two occasions he has seen fawn or cream-coloured specimens,
and he has been given to understand that these have their origin in
a " throw-back " to an ancient strain which is, or was, in the possession
of the Dukes of Leeds. The question of white markings on a
black dog is quite a different matter, and here the boycott has been
promptly applied. A small bunch of white hairs on the chest, or
the same distributed singly on the coat and stern, is no great
detriment ; but a distinct white patch, white toes or feet, should
constitute a disqualifying blemish. These remarks apply to both
Flat- and Curly-coated Retrievers alike. At the end of the century
a few of the leading breeders were anxious to see if an entry of red
dogs could be gathered together, and one of these enthusiasts
guaranteed classes at the Crystal Palace (Kennel Club Show) for
such ; but the result hardly justified the experiment, as the writer
believes only one specimen was forthcoming, and that of very
moderate quality.

THE RETRIEVERS 349

ON TRAINING AND BREAKING

Although this chapter professes to be a monograph, it hardly
comes within the writer's province to enter into the question of
rearing and keeping Retrievers, as the best methods are identical
with such as should be adopted in the case of any sporting dog.
Suffice it to say that those who wish to breed and keep a fairly
large team of dogs should not attempt to rear all their puppies at
home ; they should follow the example of Masters of Hounds, and
billet them, or most of them, out " at walk " with neighbouring
farmers, tradesmen, and cottagers, and allow them to remain, if
possible, until they have passed through the distemper ordeal.
Taking one class of puppy-walker with another, the writer must
award the palm to butchers, or such of the fraternity who obviously
take more than a casual interest in their charges ; at any rate, the
fact remains that two-thirds of his prize winners have spent their
early days at the abattoir. In order to induce a special interest,
the writer has been in the habit of offering bonuses — over and
above the stipulated charges for keep — for walkers who send in their
puppies in fine health and condition. Furthermore, they receive
an extra bonus the first time that their quondam charge gains a
first prize. Such a system works admirably, and it is astounding
how keen these good people become. They often attend shows
and identify the success of their bantlings with themselves. When
the youngsters are called in from walk, distemper is almost certain
to break out amongst those that have not already had it ; so that
the kennelman should be fully prepared to combat the fell fiend.
Without wishing to enter upon a dissertation on distemper, it may
be instructive to give what the writer, in a somewhat extended
experience, has found to be the elements of successful treatment : —

1. Give as little medicine as possible.

2. Keep in an even temperature.

3. Feed constantly with small amounts of nourishment at a time
— Bovril, Brand's or Valentine's Extract, beef-tea, boiled milk, etc.,
and later on with fish (carefully " boned ") and wholemeal bread ;
but avoid all other solid foods and meat.

4. When the temperature rises above 102° Fahr., give a febrifuge
— phenacitin is the best.

5. When there is any sign of pulmonary trouble, wrap the chest
and ribs tightly with flannel on which raw turpentine has been
sprinkled ; or rub the skin with dry mustard powder and wrap
around with flannel. Avoid, like poison, all wet bandages. Some-
times it is the custom to soak the flannel bandages in hot water,
and then sprinkle the turpentine ; but this is a grave error : it
makes the patient's bedding damp, and when the effect of the

350 BRITISH DOGS

turpentine has worn off, a chilly reaction sets in, which is nearly
always fatal.

6. When there is a copious discharge from the nostrils and
eyes, bathe with a weak solution of Condy's Fluid, and carefully
dry with a soft towel.

To sum up : give constant liquid nourishment ; keep carefully
from any suggestion of dampness, and in an even temperature.
Above all, never despair, for the very worst cases often take a
sudden turn for the better; on the other hand, relapses are of
frequent occurrence. So that vigilance must never be relaxed
until the patient is restored to perfect health.

The early training of a young Retriever is a matter of the greatest
importance : a false or tactless move may mar the prospects of
the most promising puppy, whilst the clever seizing of an oppor-
tunity may make him. In nine cases out of ten, those that are
bred from orthodox strains are natural retrievers, have tender
mouths, and good noses, and it really only remains for the breaker
to " steady " them ; but this is where the chief difficulty lies, for
these carefully bred creatures are excessively keen and high-
couraged, and will take many a " hiding " before they refrain from
running in directly they see game floored. It is a grave mistake
to throw things for young puppies to retrieve ; it is this practice
that is mainly responsible for the unsteadiness which is so hard
to correct. When a youngster has been thus taught to fetch and
carry, his natural impulse is to rush in, and lift a bird directly he
sees it touch the ground, and he will do this in the case of game
that alights after having been flushed, even when not hit, or not
even fired at, for the eyesight of a Retriever is very keen, and he
seldom fails to note or mark down his bird. The puppy should be
induced to carry in his mouth soft articles, such as tobacco pouches,
bundles of feathers, etc., and any attempt to bite or mouth his
burden should be at once kindly but firmly checked. He should
be induced to relinquish his hold directly the word " Dead " is
spoken. Then the dummy should be placed on the ground, and
the pupil taken a few yards away and sent to pick it up. The
distance may be gradually increased, until the dog will take any
reasonable journey to retrieve the object. Next the article may
be thrown, and the puppy carefully checked from starting, until he
receives the command " Seek dead," or " Hie lost." As soon
as proficiency and tractability are fully established in this direction,
our youngster may be entered to living flesh. Take a pinioned
pigeon and put it in the dog's mouth, keeping a vigilant look-out that
he carries it tenderly and without mouthing it. Next take a pigeon
whose wings have been clipped, but not sufficiently to prevent it
from fluttering to the ground from a height without violent impact.
Take your pupil up one side of a hedge, and send your man with

THE RETRIEVERS 351

the pigeon on the other. At a given signal the bird is tossed over,
and flutters to the ground. Restrain your puppy for a few minutes,
then send him to retrieve. When this is invariably done to your
satisfaction, you can take out your gun, and fire a shot at the
celestial vault at the moment that the harmless, necessary pigeon
is precipitated into the atmosphere by your trusty varlet. And here
let it be stated that although a gun-shy Retriever of the best blood
is a great rarity, it sometimes happens that a puppy that has been
shouted at, and harried at his walk until his nerves are completely
unstrung, when he hears for the first time the unexpected
report of a gun within a few yards of his head, will turn tail and
make such tracks that you cannot see him for dust. This terror
may eternally haunt him, and render him useless for the purpose for
which he is required. To obviate such a calamity, it is an excellent
plan to announce the kennel dinner-hour by the discharge of a
blank cartridge, with the same signal for the bi-diurnal exercise time.
If this plan is adopted, it is any reasonable odds that your youngster
will stand fire when first he hears it in connection with his educa-
tion. In an incredibly short space of time he associates the sound
with sport and his congenial duties. Then the difficulty is, not to
prevent him from bolting, but to check his eagerness to run in
and secure the victim. At every shot that is fired he should be
made to drop, and if he will not do so voluntarily, he must be
pushed or thrown down gently.

It may be urged that the use of a live pigeon as an object of
instruction is a piece of unnecessary cruelty ; but this need not be
so. In the first place, before any puppy is set this task, the
breaker must be convinced that he is absolutely tender-mouthed,
and if he makes any attempt to bite or otherwise injure the bird,
he must be set back, and made to carry hedgehog skins and
other inanimate objects that will work mechanical retaliation if he
gives his jaws and teeth too much play. Nor must he again tackle
a live bird until he can carry a hen's egg without breaking it.

All this requires patience ; but the man who is not blessed with
patience must never expect to excel as a dog-breaker.

Your puppy, being well grounded and approaching maturity,
can now be entered to game that is actually shot. The writer has
generally made a commencement with pigeons from a trap. When
you can walk up to the mark, and " down " a double-rise, whilst your
Retriever drops to your feet at the fall of the traps and rise, and
does not offer to stir until he receives the word of command, but
subsequently brings both birds tenderly to hand ; then he has only
that to learn which a naturally keen nose and practical experience
with a variety of game can give him. And here we must take leave
of him, for the rest is entirely a matter of detail, which can only be
dealt with by the study of the individuality of each dog, the fostering

352 BRITISH DOGS

of all that is good, and the firm correction of all that is bad and
wilful.

Sometimes it happens that everything that can be done in
the shape of kindly persuasion is of no avail, and a dog is so
obstinate and so headstrong that severe measures have to be
resorted to. We all know the old proverb, "Spare the rod and
spoil the child," though many of us have protested loudly against
its exemplification when levelled against our own youthful persons ;
but as some children are spoilt by corporal punishment, the
moral welfare of others thrive thereon ; so it is with the Retriever.
All that we can say is, do not thrash your dog until all other
methods have failed ; but on the principle of " a stitch in time
saves nine," when you do administer the whip, lay it on with
a will, so that the memory of the infliction becomes an abiding
and restraining terror. Some Retrievers are so high-spirited and
headstrong that they deliberately risk a "hiding," rather than
forego the joy of running in and chasing fur. If such a dog
persistently elects "to do his bit, and take his hit," it may even
be necessary to see how he likes a charge of No. 8 shot at
sixty yards ! This is a last resource, and should only be practised
as such: but it is marvellously successful in most cases, though
always attended with more or less danger.

Another somewhat questionable method of steadying a head-
strong dog is to peg him down with a long cord, and liberate
a bird or a rabbit; when this is shot, the dog rushes in, comes
to the length of his tether, and is violently precipitated tail over
tip. He soon gets tired of this, unless he breaks his neck, and
therein lies the danger.

It is debatable whether or not the Retriever proper — i.e.
one absolutely steady without slip, for battue-shooting — should be
allowed to retrieve fur at all. If once a keen and high-spirited
dog has been permitted to go for a wounded hare or rabbit,
he enjoys the game so well that he constantly breaks in when
he sees Brer Rabbit stricken, and as often as not will totally
neglect feather, in favour of fur. The writer has seen such an one
retrieving a winged cock-pheasant as proud as you please, drop
it to chase a passing hare with a broken hind leg. Of course the
pheasant ran off, but the hare was retrieved, and this misguided
dog expected to be eulogised for his cleverness. Alas ! he was
disappointed !

Again, the retrieving of fur is apt to make a dog hard-mouthed.
A wounded hare kicking a dog's face for all he is worth, is apt
to engender reprisals, and crack go the ribs of the hapless rodent.
To break to fur a dog who has a rooted predilection for that
form of sport, many methods have been devised, including those
Which have been alluded to above ; but the oddest scheme the

THE RETRIEVERS 353

writer ever heard of was that evolved by an ingenious enthusiast,
who took his dog to a rabbit-warren and encouraged him to chase
to his heart's content. When he showed signs of waning en-
thusiasm and increasing asphyxiation, his owner spurred, or rather
kicked, him on to renewed efforts to capture the impossible coney,
until at last exhausted nature gave way, and the poor dog " cried
a go." According to this up-to-date breaker, chasing fur was an
amusement henceforth entirely obliterated from his pupil's schedule
of accomplishments.

So far the Retriever has been dealt with in relation to what
are supposed to be his orthodox, but somewhat monotonous,
duties. For the writer's part, if breaking a dog to his own hand,
he would be less rigorous and exacting as regards the question
of absolute steadiness. Almost from the commencement of his
shooting days he has had a line of faithful helpmates that
have had to fulfil the role, not only of the Retriever proper, but
also that of Setter, Spaniel, and Sleuth-hound. His Retrievers have
to find game, flush it, and retrieve it promptly to hand ; nor is
he so very particular if they make a start on the last-named
mission before receiving the word of command. When one is
on a tarn or a snipe-bog, it is as well that one's dog should be
off the mark pretty quickly, if he is to successfully retrieve a winged
duck, or a snipe that falls fifty yards out in the water, beyond
the rushes. Furthermore, the writer fears that he has caused thrills
of horror in many a pheasant-slayer's heart when he has sent his
best Retriever into a furze-brake to make the rabbits scuttle.
For all that, he is always ready to back himself to go out, single-
handed, on a moor with one dog, and that dog a Flat-coated
Retriever, and bring home a bigger and more varied bag than any-
one else with one dog of any other breed; especially if there is
any wild-fowl work to be done ; for the dogs of the Blackthorn,
Darenth, Zelstone, and Black Drake strain are, almost without ex-
ception, particularly brilliant at water. To see them work for
snipe or duck is a revelation to those who have been accustomed
to view a Retriever by the light of the broken-spirited porters who
steadily collect game after a battue or drive.

If, perchance, the writer is so ill-advised as to let off at a
hare that is beyond certain killing distance, and the poor brute
makes off with a shattered hind leg, or vitals penetrated by only
a pellet or two, he does not hesitate to send his dusky henchman
on the war trail, chancing whether the dog will, in consequence,
run in at the next hare that springs, or not.

The fact that Retrievers are only presumed to exist for the
purpose of fetching and carrying is responsible for another fact —
viz. that our sporting American cousins ignore the breed
altogether, and no efforts on our part have ever succeeded in

23

354 BRITISH DOGS

popularising the breed over the Herring Pond. They logically
ask, "Say, what do we want with Retrievers? All our Pointers and
Setters are taught the job." But if it could be impressed upon
them that a Retriever of the right sort will also do any kind of
work that is asked of him, America might be the richer for one
of the handsomest, cleverest, and most docile of the canine species.

At the beginning of the chapter allusion was made to one of
the silliest cants of the day, which is in vogue with a certain
class of sportsman who abhors anything to do with dog shows.
He will tell you that show dogs are useless for work, and that
you are to recommend him to a thick-headed, yellow-eyed, bow-
legged keeper's slave, if you want work. This is all nonsense ; and
though " Handsome is as handsome does " may be a trite enough
saying, there is no possible reason why a thing of beauty should not
be a joy for ever. It is true that there are some dogs and bitches
whose time is so called upon in maintaining their reputation on the
show-bench that they may never have been broken at all, or, if so,
have not had the opportunity of fully displaying their excellence in
the field ; but take our present-day champions of the show-bench
seriatim, it will be found that five out of six are particularly clever
and steady workers. The writer can vouch for the skill of such dogs
as Blackthorn, Black Cloth, Black Drake, Black Charm, and Black
Quilt (a direct line) ; whilst Wimpole Peter, Darenth, Horton
Rector, and Boreas of Batsford have reputations as workers that
cannot be challenged.

In buying a dog with such a reputation, one is apt to court
momentary disappointment, for it very frequently happens that he
will take all sorts of liberties, and for a time, 'at least, refuse to work
to a new hand ; but sometimes the boot is on the other leg — a
change of masters will engender a change of manners, and a hitherto
untractable animal will come to hand in an almost miraculous
manner.

The writer was once called upon to arbitrate between two
gentlemen of the highest position and integrity. One had sold a
Retriever to the other, describing him as perfectly broken and
excellent in his work. The purchaser took him home, and after
a while tried him, when, he alleged, he was unsteady, disobedient,
and terribly hard-mouthed — in fact, useless; consequently he de-
manded a return of the purchase-money. The vendor stoutly
maintained the dog's excellence, and the matter was by mutual
consent submitted to arbitration. The purchaser sent the dog to
the writer. He tried him exhaustively, found him as near perfection
as a Retriever could be, and gave his arbitrament accordingly, much
to the surprise of the purchaser. Again, a draft of the writer's
own dogs was disposed of at the Barbican ; amongst them a bitch
whom he had always found to possess a peculiarly tender mouth,

THE RETRIEVERS 355

and a young dog whom he was obliged to describe as "rather
hard-mouthed." They were both purchased by personal friends.
He who had become owner of the bitch wished to return her at the
end of three months, as he alleged she was so hard-mouthed that
she bit everything to pieces; whilst the purchaser of the erstwhile

"stone-breaker" wrote me: "Why did you describe Black

as hard-mouthed ? He has an exceptionally tender mouth ! "

This is one of those things which no " feller " can understand.
But given everything in, those who are contemplating the taking up
of one breed as a hobby should not hesitate to decide on the Flat-
coated Retriever. He is handsome, clever, faithful, and affec-
tionate; he breeds truer to the standard type than almost any
other variety of dog ; he can be taught almost anything ; and
combines the best qualities of a sportsman's helpmate and a
man's most cherished companion.

CHAPTER XXX
THE LABRADOR

WE are so accustomed to regard only the more ornamental varieties
of dogs, and perhaps chiefly those to be seen at shows, that there
still are breeds which are as caviare to the multitude. The
Labrador is one of these. This fact is to be regretted, because
the Labrador dog is one of the finest of workers known to sports-
men, and as hardy and persevering as are the inhabitants of the
country that gave him birth. Occasionally in newspapers dealing
with kennel matters there is a passing reference to the breed, as
well as in some of the more modern works. Nevertheless, consider-
ing the splendid working qualities, and the exceptional perform-
ances of the breed during the last three-quarters of a century, it
is somewhat remarkable, to say the least, that those gentlemen
who are so enthusiastic over a good working dog should remain
more or less apathetic over the Labrador. It is true, there are some
gentlemen in this country who have championed the cause of,
and taken a keen interest in, the breed ; but as compared with the
vast number interested in the more popular Retriever, they are so
few as practically to be lost sight of.

The Labrador is no new breed. It was introduced as long ago
as the thirties, when it was brought hither in some of the
vessels that at the time traded between the Labrador country and
Poole, in Dorsetshire. Among its earliest patrons were the Earl of
Malmesbury, the late Duke of Buccleuch, the Earl of Home, and
Lord John Scott. As the merits of the dog as a sporting animal
got noised abroad, this list of patrons was increased by the names of
the Duke of Hamilton, the Earl of Verulam, Lord Wimborne,
Sir Frederick Graham, Mr. Montague Guest, Mr. Arthur Wood,
the present writer, and others. It has, however, at no time of its
existence been what may be termed popular, the reason for this
being the scarcity of the breed.

A great deal of misconception with regard to the modern Labrador
has arisen. It is asserted that, owing to the difficulty experienced
in keeping the breed pure in this country, an outcross is frequently

THE LABRADOR

357

resorted to. This is erroneous. For a very long time it has been
the endeavour of Labrador breeders of any standing to keep out of
their kennels any flat-coated cross, as such, in their opinion, tends
to the production of a " soft " article. Moreover, they regard the
present-day dog as a lineal descendant of those first used for sport-
ing purposes by the Earl of Malmesbury.

- That the dogs of to-day differ somewhat in conformation from
those earlier ones of which we have heard admits of very little

FIG. 75.— THE HON. A. HOLLAND-HIBBERT'S LABRADOR SENTRY.

doubt j yet such differences are merely Time modifications that must
exist in any variety kept for a specific purpose over a long period.
There are some present-day breeders (the Duke of Buccleuch, who
is the owner of the finest kennel of Labradors, being one of them)
who incline to the belief that the old-time Labrador was heavier
than his modern counterpart, and that he had smaller ears. The
writer is of opinion that the modern dog is rather longer in the
leg and narrower in the head than the first imported ones, al-
though two pure-bred specimens he himself imported ten years
ago were practically identical in type with the English Labradors

358 BRITISH DOGS

of to-day. About the size of the ears opinions differ materially,
some asserting that they have got larger, and others that the re-
verse is the case. The writer inclines to the latter belief.

Many old writers upon dogs have confused the Labrador with
the larger and bulkier Newfoundland, and one at least has described
the dog as the Lesser Newfoundland. Colonel Hawker distinguished
between the two ; whereas Mr. Charles St. John, though apparently
referring to the smaller animal, dubbed it a Newfoundland. Colonel
Hawker describes the original Labrador as oftener black than any
other colour, and scarcely larger than a Pointer. Further, he states
that the dog was made rather long in the head and the nose, pretty
deep in chest, very fine in legs, with a short or smooth coat, and
a tail that was not carried as gaily as in the case of the Newfound-
land. Whatever may have been the colour of the dog in the early
days, black prevails in the present-day Labrador, though occasionally
a liver-coloured specimen is born. In an experience as a breeder
extending over seventeen years, the writer has had but one such
coloured pup and has known of two others.

The dogs that were possessed by the Earl of Malmesbury were
described as the best of workers — equally good on the moors, on
partridge, rough turnips, in water, and in the covert. Were any
one to ask the writer if the modern representative of the breed is
possessed of an equally good all-round character, he would unhesi-
tatingly answer in the affirmative. As a water-dog the Labrador has
a splendid reputation : he will remain in the water for a month if
need be, will dive after duck, and it is doubtful if a better breed of
water-dog exists. Again, in endeavouring to institute a comparison
between the Labrador and the ordinary Retriever, all that one can
say is that he compares just as a thorough-bred horse does with a
less well bred one — he is higher couraged. Many writers assert that
the Labrador takes more breaking to begin with, because of his
high courage. This is contrary to experience, which goes to show
that the dog's extra intelligence leads to quicker obedience.

That fine sportsman Colonel Hawker was evidently much im-
pressed with the working capabilities of the old-time dog. He
suggests that his "sense of smell" was highly developed, while
his discrimination of scent was remarkable. Thus the dog would
follow a wounded pheasant through a whole covert full of game, or
a pinioned wildfowl through a furze-brake or a warren of rabbits.
Laudatory as this character of the Labrador of sixty years ago
appears to be, yet such a character might with equal truth be
given to the dog as we know him to-day. The writer's opinion
(and it is one shared by all who own and work these dogs) is that
no known breed of Retriever can equal the Labrador for speed,
nose, and endurance. Their short coats enable them to work on
the hottest day, while in winter weather their coat is too short to

THE LABRADOR 361

be cumbered with frozen snow ; added to which they are high-
couraged and keen. There are, of course, hard-mouthed Labradors
as there are hard-mouthed Retrievers. By many otherwise practical
writers, however, the dog has been stated to possess this fault in a
marked degree. The truth is that he is neither better nor worse
than other breeds in respect of mouth. Every dog that shows great
dash and quickness is apt to be harder-mouthed than the soft
brute that waddles up to his bird and then strolls back at a
trot. For perseverance the Labrador cannot be beaten.

With regard to the education of the Labrador, this is simplicity
itself, and no special expedients are necessary. Once thoroughly
inculcate obedience, and the dog will do the rest himself. A stupid
man will invariably have a stupid dog ; an extra stupid man might
even spoil a Labrador. One of course meets with dogs of every
breed used with the gun that " will run in," " will not come to
call," or "z0/7/not remain at heel." Instinctively one knows that
give the man owning such a specimen any other dog, whose spirit
and dash were not beaten (or bred) out of it, and the same number
of " wills " would crop up.

In height of shoulder the Labrador measures from 2iin. to 22in.,
or a trifle less in the case of bitches ; while an average weight would
be about 6olb. There are two coats — a dense, hard, and water-
resisting outer one, and a soft under one. There must be neither
wave nor curl. Unfortunately, illustrations of Labradors fail in
rendering accurately the length and texture of coat. To
thoroughly appreciate what the coat is like it must be seen and
felt. The head is long and the skull flat, with ears set on fairly high.
The muzzle is somewhat square ; the eyes should be dark (a light
eye is supposed to be objectionable, though the writer can never
understand why this should be so), set well apart, and small. The
neck is strong, and the chest is of medium depth. The fore legs are
straight, with compact, roundish feet. The hindquarters are muscular,
with the thighs well let down. The tail is otter-like and without
fringe, with a straight carriage.

The accompanying illustrations (Figs. 75 and 76) will give a fairly
accurate idea of the Labrador. In conclusion, those who favour the
breed claim for Labrador dogs that they are quicker in finding, and
quicker in retrieving than other breeds, that they possess a keener
sense of smell, are more persevering and determined, and less
susceptible to the extremes of heat and cold than other Retrievers,
and, lastly, that they are very much better tempered.

CHAPTER XXXI
NORTHERN DOGS

MOST of the dogs of the Northern regions resemble the Esquimaux
in many respects, all having the pointed muzzle and prick ears, and
most of them the same carriage of tail, but none have quite the
same wolf-like expression or the peculiar coat. So great, however,
is the resemblance in some cases that it is difficult for those without
experience to know the difference, and several cases have come under
the writer's notice in which Norwegian and Swedish dogs have
been offered for sale as Esquimaux, the owners quite believing that
they were such. In one instance it was not until the owner of the
dog and the gentleman from whom he purchased it saw an
Esquimaux and a Norwegian dog side by side that they were con-
vinced they were wrong in describing the dog as one of the former
breed.

The Esquimaux is found over a wide geographical range, but
although specimens from different parts differ from one another, they
all present certain general and prominent features. That these dogs
are closely related to the wolf admits of no doubt ; in fact, so much
are they alike in general appearance that, when seen at a distance,
it is difficult to distinguish the one from the other, The chief
difference between the two is in the carriage of the tail : in the
dog it is carried over the back, which is not the case with the wolf.

There are few handsomer dogs than the Esquimaux, and none
of greater utility to their owners than are these dogs in their native
parts. Without them life in the Arctic regions would be impossible,
the natives being entirely dependent upon them for the means
of travelling from one part to another. Long journeys over the
ice-bound districts are accomplished in heavily laden sledges
drawn by these dogs ; they are yoked by means of a single trace,
composed of a long thin thong of seal or walrus hide, to the sledge,
which is formed of boards lashed together. The trace is passed
round the body, over the shoulders, and under the fore legs. A
dog of superior intelligence is selected as the leader of the team,
and so much depends upon this dog that no pains are spared in

NORTHERN DOGS 363

his education. Four Esquimaux will draw 3oolb. to 4oolb. a
distance of thirty miles or more a day on a good track, although
a team frequently consists of as many as twelve dogs. The team
is guided solely by the use of the whip, which has a lash of
several yards long and a handle of about i8in. Considerable
proficiency in the use of the whip must be acquired before attempt-
ing a journey, otherwise disastrous consequences are likely to result.
The driver must be able to hit any one dog in the team, which,
as may be supposed, requires considerable practice, and then
recover the lash without its getting entangled among the dogs and
their traces ; this it is very apt to do. These dogs have been
known to travel a hundred miles a day without showing undue
fatigue. Their food consists of frozen fish, but they are by no
means particular, and will devour almost anything that comes in
their way. In addition to being hardly worked and half starved,
they are too frequently cruelly treated by their owners, it being
no uncommon occurrence for them to be beaten about the head
with a hammer or any article at hand until they are actually stunned.

In an interesting account of some of the superstitions respecting
the dog given by the Rev. J. Gardner, he says that, according to
Arctic navigators, the dog is looked upon by the Esquimaux as the
father of the human family. He further mentions a strange notion
prevailing among the Greenlanders that an eclipse is caused by
the sun being pursued by his brother the moon. Accordingly,
when the phenomenon takes place, the women take the dogs by
the ears, believing that as these animals existed before man was
created, they must have a more certain presentiment of the future
than he has, and therefore if they do not cry when their ears are
pulled, it is an infallible sign that the world is about to be destroyed.
The Esquimaux dog in its natural state does not bark, but utters
a howl much resembling the wolf. Dogs bred and reared in this
country in some cases acquire this characteristic of civilisation.

The following are the points which should be aimed at by any
one attempting to breed these dogs. The head should be as wolf-
like as possible, with the same pointed muzzle and, more or less,
the oblique eye, which gives the dog a treacherous appearance ;
ears small, rounded, erect, and pointed forward ; neck short, thick,
and chest deep ; body long ; legs well made, without feather ; feet
round ; tail very bushy, and carried curled over the back. The
coat is peculiar, being dense and thick and standing out from the
body, and is stiff on the outside like bristles, especially so along
the back, whilst the undercoat is a soft wool much resembling
down, and admirably adapted to keep out the cold and wet. The
colour varies considerably, sometimes being pure white, sometimes
a silvery grey, as well as black and other colours. The average
height is 22in. to 24in., those that are reared where fish is plentiful

364 BRITISH DOGS

making larger dogs than those bred farther away where food is
scarcer.

The great difficulty in obtaining specimens of this breed, more
especially bitches, will always be an impediment to those desirous of
breeding these dogs in this country. Experience seems to prove
that the bitches do not go the normal time with young, but whelp
at the expiration of sixty days as a rule. They are capital mothers,
but should not be interfered with, as they are sometimes apt to eat
their puppies if they are not left alone. The writer, not being aware
of this fact, lost in this way one of the first litters he bred ; and
on another occasion, thinking that no harm would arise in ascer-
taining how many puppies there were in a litter whelped some days
previously, he was unwise enough to count them, and was much
disappointed to find, shortly afterwards, that a portion of the litter
had mysteriously disappeared. The puppies are no trouble to rear
so long as they do not contract distemper, which too often proves
fatal, in spite of any amount of care. No special feeding is required,
but fish is a favourite food. These dogs live to a good age in this
country, Seymos Franklin, the specimen in the Natural History
Department of the British Museum, being twelve years old at the
time of her death.

Differences of opinion have been expressed as to the temper and
disposition of these dogs. In the last Edition of this book Mr.
Temple wrote : " I have never owned one, dog or bitch, that when
loose would not go for the first living thing it could see, be it dog,
pig, chicken, horse, or cow. They are awful fighters, and it is rough
on the dog they get hold of." This is so utterly opposed to the
experience of the writer and others who have kept and bred these
dogs in this country, that one can only conclude that Mr. Temple
was singularly unfortunate in the specimens he owned or in his
treatment of them. That there are bad-tempered and quarrelsome
Esquimaux, as is the case in every other breed of dog, no one will
attempt to deny ; and that, when half starved and cruelly treated by
their hard task-masters, as is too frequently the case, they should be
little better than half-tamed animals can hardly surprise any one.
The Esquimaux well cared for and properly treated is, however, a
very different animal, and is extremely affectionate and a nice com-
panion. Garry, a pure white dog that won many prizes in former
years, is described as being quite tame, following his master closely
through the streets without chain or muzzle, and as being very
tractable and docile. Mr. Brough, in writing of Myouk, a well-
known dog in his time, said : " Mrs. Brough takes Myouk out fre-
quently, both riding and driving. He is much bolder than when we
first had him, and follows perfectly in crowded streets or elsewhere,
and is quite as handy and obedient as any dog we have — more so than
most. We never have to speak twice to him. He is most affectionate,

NORTHERN DOGS

365

and often goes with Mrs. Brough to feed the fowls, and sits there whilst
they are feeding all round him without taking any notice of them.
If a strange dog threatens him, he neither seems aggressive nor timid,
and it never comes to a fight. I take him out to exercise on the
sands every morning with about ten couples of Bloodhounds, young
and old. He is, I think, more generally admired than any dog we
have, although the Bloodhounds, Deerhound, and Chinese get a good
share of attention. Myouk is very hardy, and although we have
taken him long distances when much younger than now, I never saw

FIG. 77.— THE ESQUIMAUX MYOUK.

him appear really tired. I think you could hardly get to the bottom
of him."

Myouk (Fig. 77), as will be seen by his pedigree, was much inbred
to Sir John Franklin, unquestionably one of the best Esquimaux
ever exhibited. Sir John Franklin was said to have been one of
the dogs brought over in the Pandora by Sir Allen Young, but
whether this is really the case is doubtful, although there can be
little question that he was not bred in this country. He would
follow through the crowded streets of London, and never attempted
to interfere with anything ; it was, too, a daily occurrence for him to
be loose with a dozen or more Esquimaux and the same number of
Mastiffs and other dogs, and no trouble ever occurred, and he travelled

366 BRITISH DOGS

MYOUK.
1

OSCAR FRANKLIN.

1

1
SALLY FRANKLIN.

Sir John Franklin Lady Franklin,
(imported).

Chimmo. Griselda Franklin
(imported).

Sir John Franklin. Zoe.

I |
Sir John Franklin. Lady Franklin.

A black-and-white Esquimaux dog, the
property of the Zoological Society.

hundreds of miles to shows loose in the same compartment with the
Mastiff Cardinal. These dogs become greatly attached to their
owners, and are frequently of a very jealous disposition.

Garry, the dog referred to above, was of a different type from
many other Esquimaux that have been exhibited. He was some-
times called a North American Wolfdog, and was said to be a cross
between a wolf and an Esquimaux bitch. It is a perfectly well-
known fact that the wolf and dog will breed freely together, and
the late Mr. Bartlett, of the Zoological Gardens, told the writer
that the offspring will continue to breed — a fact that has been
doubted by some.

Mr. C. E. Fryer wrote of Garry in the first Edition of this book :
" The Indians take great pride in rearing a pure white Wolfdog,
and when they manage to secure one they have a feast in his honour,
called the ' Feast of the White Dog.' Garry is said to be the
produce of an Esquimaux bitch crossed nine times by a prairie
wolf. The Indians chain up the Esquimaux mothers in the
neighbourhood of the wolves, to whose kind attentions they leave
them. The dog Garry has travelled many thousand miles over the
snow, drawing a sleigh, and is quite tame, following his master
closely through the streets without chain or muzzle. Sometimes he
is treated to this latter sign of ' civilisation,' under which he is very
patient, though he continually endeavours to free himself from it.
His food is plain dog biscuit, which he eats without complaint,
though at first he eat raw meat ravenously. His master, however,
finding his blood was getting too hot, gradually reduced him to one
meal per day of dog biscuits. He is very tractable and docile,
and but for his enormous size would not give any idea of ferocity.
His eyes are very small, and of a pale yellow colour. The long,
thick tail, the pointed head, and short, pointed ears, seem un-
mistakably to show the wolf-blood in him, and his general appearance
shows his descent. His mouth would easily take in a man's leg,

NORTHERN DOGS 367

and his teeth are a caution to dentists. His owner tells me that the
dog does not bark, but utters a low growl when enraged, and at night
howls piteously."

The Norwegian and Swedish dogs are very much alike, both
having larger and more pointed ears than the Esquimaux, which
they frequently throw back, which is not the case with the
Esquimaux. The coat is very thick and lies close to the body.
The Swedish Elkhunds (Fig. 78) are used for hunting the elk, keeping
them at bay until their owners are able to reach the spot. Both
these dogs are very handsome and make good companions, showing

FIG. 78.— THE SWEDISH ELKHUND.

an amount of intelligence not to be surpassed by any of our own
breeds of dogs. It is easier to obtain specimens of these dogs than
of the Esquimaux, and they are therefore much more frequently to be
seen at shows than the latter ; but the trouble and expense of import-
ing dogs under the existing quarantine regulations are likely to
militate against the success of breeders in this country, as in all
probability inbreeding will have to be largely resorted to, which
cannot but prove detrimental in course of time.

Shows have familiarised the present generation of dog-lovers
with many varieties that a few decades ago were known scarcely by
name to the average Britisher. To-day, in fact, we have in our
midst canine representatives of countries that, to even the most

368 BRITISH DOGS

ardent globe-trotter, were a terra incognita. The Arctic dogs them-
selves form a most interesting group. Though the Esquimaux was
the first to become at all common, it looks as if the Samoyede
(pronounced Samo-yad) Sledge-dog will outstrip him in the race
for popularity. This latter variety, associated with those hardy
dwellers in North-East Russia and Western Siberia, has evidently
come to stay, and those enthusiasts in this country who first espoused
the cause of this sturdy denizen of the far North have just reason
to be proud of the headway the variety has made. At the head of
the list of those who have interested themselves stand His Majesty
the King and his esteemed Consort, the latter of whom has accepted
from Mrs. Kilburn Scott a typical white puppy. Her Majesty's
Samoyede dog Jacko has been shown with much success. Then,
too, we have the Hon. Mrs. Maclaren Morrison (a lady who probably
has done more for the introduction of little-known breeds in this
country than any one living), Lady Sitwell, Mrs. Everitt Everitt,
Mrs. White (Guernsey), and Mrs. Kilburn Scott (Farningham).

In this country the Samoyede dog is of course kept purely as
a companion, and a delightful companion he is too, and one as full of
intelligence as his most expressive eyes denote. In its native land
the dog is employed as a draught-animal, harnessed to a sledge, or
it may be as a tower of boats, or yet again as a protector of the
tents (ehooms) from wolves and bears, or to " round up " the herds
of reindeer in much the same way as a Sheepdog works a flock of
sheep in this country. In the sledges from six to a dozen are
harnessed, the driver relying upon the leaders, his voice, and a
long pole, to safely guide them in their rapid progress over the
limitless tundras. Their strength is remarkable, and their powers
of endurance and pluck are no less surprising. This is abundantly
testified by those who have lived in the countries, as well as by
those famous explorers who have utilised the Samoyede dogs on
their expeditions to the far North. In Russian literature the
Samoyede dog is often referred to ; while the praise accorded the
dogs by Nansen, Jackson, and others, who used them for the arduous
duties incidental to their expeditions, is unstinted. In Nansen's
great work, "Farthest North," the Samoyede dog figures largely,
and that famous explorer recounts with a vividness and a realism
many incidents that tend to show of what material the Samoyede
dog is composed.

In one passage in his book Nansen thus describes the dogs used
in his expedition : " Many of them appeared to be well-bred animals,
long-haired, snow-white, with up-standing ears and pointed muzzles.
With their gentle, good-natured, good-looking faces they at once
ingratiated themselves in our affections. Some of them more
resembled a fox, and had shorter coats ; while others were black or
spotted." Mr. Trevor-Battye, in " Icebound on Kolguev," gives

NORTHERN DOGS 369

much interesting information about the breed and the Samoyede
people.

It has been said that many of these Northern dogs do not boast
the most amiable of tempers. Whatever may be said in this respect
of their allies from Greenland and the New World, it cannot be said
of the Samoyede dog, as known in this country, where he has been
proved as docile and tractable as any of the varieties of dogs known
as domesticated. Mr. Ernest Kilburn Scott, who brought his brown
Samoyede Sabarka from Archangel so long ago as 1889, gives the

FIG. 79. — SAMOYEDE DOG.

variety a first-rate character on the score of amiability, when fed
and treated after the manner of domestic dogs generally. He, how-
ever, admits that when in their own very trying climate, and being
fed upon a constant flesh and a fish diet, the dogs are inclined to be
quarrelsome amongst themselves.

White is the colour most admired in this country, as also in their
native home, and many fine specimens have from time to time been
bred or imported. Judges are unanimous in their praise of the snow-
white Baldo, the property of Mr. Pearce Couch, of Penzance, as the
most typical yet introduced. In a breed renowned for intelligence,
he was particularly clever at tricks. Other famous whites are Queen

24

370 BRITISH DOGS

Alexandra's dogs (already alluded to), Mrs. E. Kilburn Scott's
Perlene, the same lady's Nansen (Fig. 79), Lady Sit well's Must, the
Hon. Mrs. Maclaren Morrison's Snowdrop, and Mrs. Koetlitz's Kvik.

Brown, or rather red-brown, is another much admired colour;
while blacks and other colours are not unknown. The Hon. Mrs.
Maclaren Morrison has some beautiful browns. In their native
country these coloured dogs for work are perhaps more highly
esteemed than the whites.

The shoulder height of the male Samoyede dog is some 2oin.
or 2iin , the female being a little smaller. The head is of the usual
foxy type peculiar to the group, the ears being wide apart and
carried erect. The back is short, with the brush curled well over.
The coat is dense and weather-resisting, being prolonged in the neck
vicinity into a beautiful frill of fine texture. The fore legs are
straight and powerful, the feet are large, and slightly turned out.

The variety has bred freely enough in this country, and the
puppies are most interesting and beautiful little creatures. As is the
case with other erect-eared varieties, the puppies when born have
the ears down, and it is not until some months have elapsed that the
correct ear-carriage is assumed. Those on the look-out for a breed
that, while possessing all those characteristics that go to endear them
to the dog-loving section of the community, yet possesses character-
istics somewhat out of the common, could hardly do better than give
a trial to the Samoyede dog. They are particularly charming and
safe as ladies' and children's pets, and, besides, are exceedingly
healthy and make reliable house guards.

Mr. Kilburn Scott furnishes the following additional interesting
particulars : —

"It is not generally known that it is the Samoyede dog, and
not the Esquimaux, that has been exclusively used on the recent
Polar expeditions, and it is the faithful, untiring work of this plucky
breed which has been so largely responsible for enabling explorers
to map out the frozen North and South Polar regions.

The temperament of the Samoyede dog is very even, and he
makes a perfect house dog, whilst at the same time exercising a
most remarkable instinct in nosing out and showing his disapproval
of undesirable people, tramps, etc.

People often ask about the white colour, apparently thinking
that the dogs are difficult to keep clean. This is entirely a mistake,
as the hair stands out straight from the body, and does not lay
down as with a Collie, and it has therefore not anything like the
same tendency to get dirty. We, at any rate, never wash our dogs,
and they are always clean. An occasional brushing is all they
require.

A frequent question is whether the dogs are safe with little

NORTHERN DOGS

children. I can assure you they are./ I have always found our
dogs the best of friends with our children, and they enjoy romping
together. One of their favourite games is " hunt the slipper," and
it is most amusing to watch the dog seek the slipper and run off
with it.

A very great point in their favour is the freedom from disease.
They do not appear to be subject to distemper as are other dogs.
I think possibly this is partly due to the healthy, free, open-air life
they live on the limitless tundras of Northern Russia. During my
visit to Archangel I did not hear of a single case of distemper.

*'
Mr

FIG. 80.— LAPLAND DOG.

I may mention that the native Samoyede takes a deep personal
interest in his dogs, and makes great pets of them. I saw the dogs
running in and out of their chooms, or tents, playing with the
children, and I did not find it at all easy to buy them. A trained
sledge dog, in particular, is worth a great deal to his master.

Her Majesty the Queen has been a great admirer of the
Samoyede dog for many years, and her dog Jacko is one of the
finest ever imported. I may mention that the beautiful white
Samoyede Perlene, owned by Mrs. Scott, is descended on both sides
from dogs used on the Jackson-Harmsworth expedition.

37*

BRITISH DOGS

Having been practically the first to bring these dogs over to
this country, I naturally take a very great interest in the breed, and
it is especially pleasing to see them becoming such a favourite
breed. They are certainly unique in beauty and intelligence."

The dogs of Lapland and of Iceland (Figs. 80 and 81) are somewhat
smaller than the Esquimaux, especially the latter. In other respects
they resemble the other dogs of the Northern parts. In Finland
there appears to be a breed resembling the Australian Dingo, but
much more domesticated. Some of these dogs are remarkable

FIG. 81.— ICELAND DOGS.

ratters. Speaking generally of the various breeds of Arctic dogs,
they are very attractive in appearance, and would well repay more
attention being given to them. It is of course a question whether
the extraordinary dense coat required to protect these dogs during
the severe winters they have to encounter in their native parts can
be preserved in the warmer climate of this country. The writer's
experience in breeding Esquimaux, which extends over a period of
more than twenty years, is that with judicious breeding the coat does
not deteriorate, many of the dogs bred here comparing very favour-
ably in this respect with imported specimens.

CHAPTER XXXII
THE DINGO

THE Dingo — the native dog of Australia — is becoming scarcer year
by year. A dog of this breed without any admixture of Collie or
other blood is far more difficult to obtain than was the case a few
years ago. A pure Dingo, or Warragal, as it is called by the natives,
is only now to be met with in the far interior of Australia, although
there are a number of crossbred dogs that resemble the native dog
so closely as to render it very difficult, in many cases, to tell the
difference.

These dogs are a source of great loss and annoyance to sheep-
farmers, not only on account of the number of sheep that they actually
kill, but also on account of the number that they injure. A couple
of these dogs will kill as many as a dozen sheep in a night, and
seriously injure three or four times that number. It is not therefore
surprising that strenuous efforts have been made to rid the country
of them, large numbers having been poisoned by strychnine ; also
other means of destroying them have also been resorted to.

The Dingo stands about 22in. high, and has abroad, flat forehead,
rather large pricked ears, pointed muzzle, and dark eye ; the teeth
are level and much larger than is the case in other dogs of greater
size ; the tail is bushy and carried low, or slightly elevated when the
dog is running.- The colour of full-grown dogs is red, sometimes
slightly tinged with black, with white feet and tip to tail ; but the
puppies when whelped are black, or very nearly so. They are
extremely active dogs, and far more resemble a wild animal than
any other kind of dog.

The domestication of a Dingo brought direct from the bush
would be a difficult matter, although it would be possible to a certain
extent in the case of puppies bred and reared in this country ; but
even under these circumstances it would probably be some genera-
tions before their destructive nature could be bred out and they
could be trusted about the place loose, more especially in the
neighbourhood of poultry. The writer has never known a Dingo to
attack any one, but great care should be exercised in handling them,
even by those known to them, as they will turn round and snap in

374

BRITISH DOGS

an instant, and a bite from one of these dogs is a serious matter and
leaves a nasty wound. The writer has at various times owned
several of these dogs and has never been bitten by one ; but those
who have been injudicious enough to ignore the notice exhibited
at most shows cautioning visitors against touching any of the dogs,
and have interfered with a Dingo, have not always been so fortunate,
and have had good cause to regret their folly.

Of the Dingos that have been exhibited, Captain Burton (13,315)
a frequent winner about sixteen years since, was unquestionably one
of the best. Like many wild animals in confinement, this dog would
continue to walk round in a circle for hours together; it was for this

FIG. 82. — MR. H. BROOKE'S DINGO MYALL.

reason that he was exhibited loose in an iron cage, as if chained
up the chain soon became twisted. In later years Myall (41,736)
(Fig. 82) has successfully represented the breed on the show-bench.
Previous to either of these dogs Lupus was a frequent winner under
different judges. The high carriage of tail was a fault in this dog
apparent to any one ; in addition to this the writer, who owned Lupus
for some years, always considered that there was something about
the dog not altogether characteristic of the breed, although it would
have been very difficult to define exactly what this was. He had no
suspicion at the time that the dog, although bred in this country,
was not a pure-bred Dingo, as was represented to be the case when

THE DINGO 375

he became possessed of it. It was not until some time after the
dog had been given away and he was exhibited by his new owner
that the writer noticed for the first time one or two small black spots
at the root of the tongue. This clearly showed that there was
Chinese or Chow-Chow blood in the dog, which readily accounted
for the high carriage of tail, as well as for other faults not so easily
discernible.

The Dingo does not bark, but is capable of making noise enough
to be heard for some distance round. It will easily be gathered
from what has been said that a dog of this breed can hardly be con-
sidered a desirable house-dog, however interesting one may prove to
those having suitable accommodation for keeping such dogs

CHAPTER XXXIII
THE DALMATIAN

THE origin of the Dalmatian is not quite as obscure as that of
many other breeds. There appears to be no valid reason to reject
the origin suggested by his name, and, with no arguments against
it that bear investigation, and suggestions to the contrary appearing
to be mere fancies unsupported by proof, it is reasonable to assume
that he is a native of Dalmatia, on the eastern shores of the Gulf
of Venice, where, we have been assured, by some of the older
writers on dogs, this variety has been domesticated for at least
two hundred years. Such a good authority as " Stonehenge " treats
this dog as a Pointer ; and although it is probable that Dr. Caius
may have referred to the Dalmatian when he mentions " a newe
kind of dogge, brought out of Fraunce, and they be speckled all
over with white and black," the suggestion is strengthened by the
probabilities of the case, our intercourse with France, in peace or
war, having been constant, and the introduction of dogs from France
frequent. On what authority Youatt called him the Great Danish
dog is not clear, as the Great Dane is a much larger variety, and
in many respects different from our Carriage dog ; and his claim
to be a Bengalese Harrier seems to rest on the single fact that a
spotted dog, resembling our modern Dalmatian, was once brought
from Bengal to Spain. That he originally came from Dalmatia
his name indicates, and this view seems strengthened by the recorded
fact that, for some two centuries, he has been one of the sporting
dogs of Italy, a country so near to his reputed native home that
we can easily imagine his being familiarised there long before he
reached this dog-loving isle. It is impossible with accuracy to
determine when the Dalmatian first became known in England.
He was a favourite with the wealthy in the last century, and, far
into the present, continued to be considered an absolutely indis-
pensable appendage to the elaborately magnificent equipage and
stable establishments of the great, to which his highly ornamental
appearance added distinction, and his natural habits and love for the
horse so well fitted him. A very popular name for the Dalmatian
is Plum-pudding Dog.

THE DALMATIAN 377

Bewick gives an engraving of one so perfect in the clearly defined
and perfectly arranged spots, that there is not the least doubt art
improved on Nature, just as Mr. Baker, in " Dogs of the British
Islands," made Captain's spots so very much more distinct, with
his pencil, than Dame Nature has, with hers. Either of these
engravings might, however, be taken as a model to breed up to as
regards colour and markings.

It has been assumed that the Dalmatian possesses an instinctive
fondness for the horse ; but this alone was not the cause of his
being attached to the carriage and stable. More likely was it that
his ornamental qualities and his powers of endurance to run at a
high rate of speed along the hard high-roads for long distances
were the attractions to owners of equipages, and that his liking for
horses, and all connected with them, has been fostered by habit,
and is now inherited.

"Idstone" says he never knew a dog of the breed that did
not readily take to following horse and conveyance, and the writer's
experience has been the same, he having possessed many of prize
blood that showed marked propensity to follow a carriage, even
when not reared among horses. It appears to be a predominating
trait in the character of the breed — in fact, their delight. No matter
at what hour, a Dalmatian is always ready for the turn out, and
does not seem to care how long the run may be ; and many a time
has the writer had two or three of them following his trap, on pitch-
dark nights, over rough country roads, without making a mistake.

Some Dalmatians keep close under the carriage in running, so
much so that they appear as though chained to the axle ; but
others, indeed most of them, when fresh and full of life, gallop
in front or at the side, showing much dignity as the forerunner
of the carriage, and pleasure in association with it. At other times
they run close to the horses' heels, but do not snap at them or
jump up, barking, in front of their noses, as dogs of other breeds
are apt to do under similar circumstances.

As already said, in the early part of the century the Dalmatian
wa.s more generally kept than he is now as a part of the stable
establishment ; and then — and, indeed, within the memory of persons
still living — his ears were cropped short, often to a level with the
head. Twenty years ago there was evidence that this very hand-
some appendage to the carriage was slowly regaining its popularity.
Now there seems more probability of that occurring, for the breed
is being much encouraged at shows, as breeds are that are supported
by special clubs.

For the information of those readers who have not bred
Dalmatians, it may be said that they are always born pure, or
nearly pure, white in colour, and the spots do not usually develop
for some months afterwards. The writer's experience is, that those

378 BRITISH DOGS

specimens which are slowest in producing their spots turn out best,
as the others are often too dark, or too crowded in their markings,
and do not make up so well

In the matter of grooming, a light brushing with a dandy-brush,
going over them afterwards with a hound-glove and chamois leather,
is all that is required ; but, of course, if the coat is very soiled or
discoloured, washing may be necessary, when it is best to put them
into a loose box, or some such place, with plenty of clean straw, till
quite dry. As a general rule, it is not advisable to buy a Dalmatian
puppy under six months old, on account of the difficulty about
the markings ; but if such should be done, then, in a breed where
size and bone are of such importance, choose the biggest in the
litter, if it promises to have a well-shaped head and body and
straight limbs.

Perhaps some anecdotes illustrating the fondness of these dogs
for horses and carriages with which they were familiar may be
interesting to some readers. The first is related by the well-known
naturalist, Jesse.

" The late Mr. Thomas Walker, of Manchester, was the owner of
a Dalmatian dog, accustomed to live in the stables with his horses,
and to lie in the stall with one in particular, to which he was much
attached. The groom who looked after the horses had orders to
go on an errand to Stockport, about seven miles' distance, and he
rode the horse above mentioned — the favourite companion of the
dog — leaving the dog in the stable for fear of his being lost on
the road. After the man on horseback had been gone about an
hour some one, going into the stable, let the dog out, and he set
off at once after his comrade. The groom had finished his business,
and was just leaving Stockport for his return journey, when he was
much surprised to meet the dog coming at a great pace down the
hill into the town, and he seemed rejoiced to meet his friend and
companion the horse."

From [an old newspaper is taken the following account of a
dog long known as the Brighton Coach-dog : —

" For a long period a Dalmatian dog accompanied the only
coach which, in 1851, ran between Brighton and London. He
belonged to the ostler at the Newcastle Place stables, Edgware Road.
He went to the yard when quite young, and the ostler took care
of him. Being always amongst horses, he was never happy unless
with them, at home or travelling about. His chief delight was to
travel up and down with the Brighton coach. He has been known
this last spring to travel for eight successive days to and from
Brighton, Sunday intervening.

The distance from London to Brighton by way of Henfield,
Horsham, Dorking, and Leatherhead, the road which the ' Age '

THE DALMATIAN 379

coach travelled, was seventy-four miles. It was with great difficulty
he could be kept on the coach, always choosing to run by the side
of it ; and it was his being placed on the top of the coach, from
feelings of humanity on the part of Clarke, the coachman, which
cost him his life.

On one occasion the guard placed the dog inside the coach, where
there was no passenger, but in a few minutes he was surprised to
see him running beside it, having jumped through the glass window.
During the early part of the summer he went with a strange coach
to Tunbridge Wells. Not liking his berth, he did not return to
London with the same conveyance, but found his way across country
to Brighton, and went up to London with his favourite coach and
horses.

He was well known to many on the road from London to
Brighton, and in some places on the journey met with hospitable
friends.

Clarke informs us that he would kill a goose in his travels by
the roadside, throw it over his back, like a fox, and run for miles ;
and Clarke had offered a wager that he would accompany the coach
between London and Brighton daily for a month, Sundays excepted,
and kill a goose by the roadside each day of his travels, provided
birds were put within his reach.

On June 24th, 1851, he was placed on the back of the coach,
when he jumped off at Henfield, and fell between the wheels,
one of which passed over his neck and killed him. He was just
five years old. His skin is preserved, and has been stuffed. The
' Brighton Coach-dog ' is still to be seen, in the attitude of life,
in the bar of a tavern in the Edgware Road, London."

The following story, related by Dibdin in his " Tour through
England," shows how a Dalmatian was cured of a troublesome
habit :—

One summer he took with him on his wanderings through
Cumberland and Scotland a Dalmatian, whose great delight was
to chase the sheep, even to the summits of the most rugged steeps.
In one of his gambols a black lamb took a fancy to her spotted
playfellow. The dog never attempted to injure it, but seemed rather
astonished at the lamb's growing familiarity, for it commenced to
paw and play with him. At length the shepherd's boy appeared,
and a long chase ensued, the boy wishing to reclaim the lamb to
its fold, and the creature being as fully determined not to be parted
from the dog. Towards the close of day, however, the lamb was
firmly secured, but never again did the Dalmatian follow sheep ; for,
as Dibdin adds in his quaint way, " the unexpected offer of amity to
the Dalmatian seemed ever after to operate as a friendly admonition."

The Messrs. Hale, of Brierly Hill and Burton-on-Trent, were

38o

BRITISH DOGS

the principal winners at early shows, and Mr. Rowland Davies, of
Swan Village, West Bromwich, owned some good ones that won at
Birmingham and London ; and then followed Mr. R. J. LI. Price's
Crib, bred by Mr. Rowland Hale, that took all before him until, in
his declining years, he had to give way to Mr. Fawdry's celebrated
Captain — a dog considered by some the best coloured of the
breed ever seen. Other judges thought Dr. James's Spotted Dick,
though not so good in contrast of colour, was superior in formation.
Since the foregoing, some of the best specimens that can be

FIG. 83.— MR. NEWBY-WILSON'S BLACK-SPOTTED DALMATIAN CHAMPION

MOUJIK.

called to mind have been Mr. Fawdry's Treasure and Leaho ; Mr.
Newby-Wilson's Acrobat, Berolina, Coming Still, Moujik (Fig. 83)
(all champions), and Chance ; Mr. Mercer's Charles Dickens ; Mr.
Foster's Flirt ; Mrs. H. Carthew's Rugby Beauty ; the writer's
Lurth, Leah, Leof, Lizette, and Lieutenant ; Mrs. Bedwell's
Rugby Bridget and Rugby Bath Brick; Dr. Wheeler O'Bryen's
Florrie (all black spotted) ; Mr. Newby-Wilson's Prince IV. ;
Mr. Herman's Fauntleroy ; Mr. Droesse's Doncaster Beauty (the
best three liver-spotted specimens seen for very many years, and
all champions, who had to win these honours almost always
in competition .in classes with mixed colours), and Dr. Wheeler

THE DALMATIAN

381

O'Bryen's Melton (Fig. 84). Dalmatians are not often very high
priced, the largest sums paid for them being £120 for Champion
Acrobat, and £40 for Champion Doncaster Beauty, but the
generality do not exceed ,£25. The writer had about ^50 for
his Lurth and Lizette when they were exported to India some
years since.

The Dalmatian has been accused of concentrating all his
affection on the horse, and showing none to his master. This is,
however, an unjust charge. Dalmatians, like all other dogs, are
very much what they are made, and if the owner forgets that the

FIG. 84.— DR. WHEELER O'BRYEN'S LIVER-SPOTTED DALMATIAN MELTON.

Dalmatian is an animal appreciative of caresses and kindness, and
treats him merely as an ornament to his establishment, he cannot
reasonably complain if the dog bestows his affections on his fellow-
occupant of the stable ; and strong are the friendships sometimes
seen to exist between this dog and the horse.

The Dalmatian, when made a companion, is faithful and
affectionate, if less demonstrative than some breeds, and therefore
may be recommended to the cyclist. As to whether Dalmatians
show the same pleasure in accompanying a cycle as a carriage, the
writer is unable to speak ; but if they did not at once take to the
iron steed, they could very soon be brought to do so, and the cycling

382 BRITISH DOGS

tourist would, in this dog, have a highly ornamental adjunct to his
travelling equipage, a pleasant companion, and a good guard of his
property. The word cyclist has been purposely used, as no breed of
dog should be expected to keep pace with the " scorchers " often
seen tearing along ; but for those on bicycles, travelling at a moderate
rate of speed, or those on tricycles, Dalmatians would make useful
and agreeable companions, and that they are very keen as watch-
dogs has been proved by long experience.

The Dalmatian is still used in some Continental countries as a
Pointer, and of his innate capacity to fill that position if his powers
were developed by training there can be no doubt ; but as he is
seldom so used here, has been treated in this chapter merely as an
ornamental and companion dog.

The illustrations to this article are Moujik, black spotted, a
sire of Champion Acrobat and winner of many prizes all over the
country, and Dr. Wheeler O'Bryen's Melton, liver spotted, a well-
marked young dog of much promise, but who has not yet been
often seen at the shows.

The following is the description of the Dalmatian as laid down
by the Dalmatian Club. It may be observed that thirty points are
allowed for markings and colour. Evidently the Club intend that
Dalmatians shall be fairly well marked and typical.

The Dalmatian in many respects much resembles the Pointer, more especially
in size, build, and outline, though the markings peculiar to this breed are a very
important feature and very highly valued.

In General A ppeirance the Dalmatian should represent a strong, muscular, and
active dog, symmetrical in outline, free from coarseness and lumber, capable
cf great endurance, combined with, a fair amount of speed.

The Head should be of fair length, the skull flat, rather broad between the
ears and moderately well defined at the temples— i.e. exhibiting a moderate
amount of " stop," and not in one straight line from the nose to the occiput bone,
as required in a Bull-terrier. It should be entirely free from wrinkle.

The Muzzle should be long and powerful, the lips clean, fitting the jaws
moderately close.

The Eyes should be set moderately well apart and of medium size, round,
bright, and sparkling, with an intelligent expression, their colour greatly depending
on the markings of the dog : in the black -spotted variety the eyes should be
dark (black or brown) ; in the liver-spotted variety they should be light
(yellow or light brown). The rim round the eyes in the black-spotted variety
should be black ; brown in the liver-spotted variety ; never flesh-coloured in either.

The Ears should be set on rather high, of moderate size, rather wide at the base,
tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head, be thin
and fine in texture, and always spotted, the more profusely the better.

The Nose in the black-spotted variety should always be black ; in the liver-
spotted variety always brown.

Neck and Shoulders. — The neck should be fairly long, nicely arched, light
and tapering, and entirely free from throatiness. The shoulders should be
moderately oblique, clean, and muscular, denoting speed.

Body, Back, Chest, and Loins.— The chest should not be too wide, but very deep
and capacious ; ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel-hoops

THE DALMATIAN 383

(which would indicate want of speed) ; the back powerful ; loin strong, muscular,
and slightly arched.

Legs and Feet are of great importance. The fore legs should be perfectly
straight, strong, and heavy in bone ; elbows close to the body ; fore feet round,
compact, and well arched ; toes cat-footed, and round, tough, elastic pads. In
the hind legs the muscles should be clean, though well denned, the hocks well
let down.

Nails. — In the black-spotted variety, black and white ; in the liver-spotted
variety, brown and white.

The Tail should not be too long, but should be strong at the insertion,
gradually tapering towards the end, and free from coarseness. It should not be
inserted too low down, but carried with a slight curve upwards, and never curled.
It should be spotted, the more profusely the better.

The Coat should be short, hard, dense, and fine, sleek and glossy in appearance,
but neither woolly nor silky.

Colour and Markings. — These are most important points. The ground-colour
in both varieties should be pure white, very decided and not intermixed. The
colour of the spots in the black-spotted variety should be black, the deeper and
richer the black the better ; in the liver-spotted variety they should be brown.
The spots should not intermingle, but be as round and well defined as possible,
the more distinct the better ; in size they should vary from that of a sixpence to
that of a florin. The spots on the head, face, ears, legs, tail, and extremities
should be smaller than those on the body.

Size. — Dogs, 55lb.*; bitches, 35lb.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Head and Eyes ... ... ... ... ... 10

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... 15

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Coat ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Neck and Shoulders ... ... ... ... ... 10

Body, Back, Chest, and Loins ... ... ... ... 10

Colour and Markings ... ... ... ...• 30

Tail ... ... ... ... 5

Size, Symmetry, etc. ... ... ... ... ... 10

Total 100

CHAPTER XXXIV
THE BULLDOG

ALTHOUGH in many respects the Bulldog and the Mastiff of to-day
are so widely different, there are many who believe that both breeds
are from the same common stock. The late Mr. Hugh Dalziel was
one of these. He said the very name Bulldog is comparatively
modern, and its application to ancient breeds seems rather to
jump with the desires and predilections of those who do so, than
to be warranted by historic facts, or sound deduction from such
facts. Neither de Langley, Juliana Berners, nor Dr. Caius, mentions
a breed of dog by the name of Bulldogs ; and we have to come
to quite recent times for the name. The fact appears to be that
this small Mastiff came to be known as the Bulldog because of his
vocation ; just as we find Spaniels named Cockers from their use
in woodcock shooting, and as Caius describes other Spaniels as dogs
for the partridge, dogs for the duck, etc., entirely because of their
adaptability, from size and other features, for the special work.

The Bulldog was, doubtless, a draft from the Mastiff, and, being
selected for special work and bred for special requirements, gradually
assumed characteristics so well defined as to make a clear distinction
between him and the parent stock. This difference would be the
more marked and rapid, seeing that his congeners were also undergoing
modification in a divergent, if not an absolutely different, direction ;
and hence we have, at the present day, two varieties, of common
parentage, so widely different as the modern Bulldog and Mastiff are.

Another theory put forward with regard to the origin of the
variety is that it was descended from the Spanish Bulldog — a dog
that Mr. Adcock familiarised us with some years ago. Somehow
the Bulldog has got so indissolubly linked with this country that
the very close association may in itself have been sufficient to lend
a certain amount of colour to the purely British origin of the
Bulldog.

Anyhow, the Bulldog of to-day is an entirely different animal,
both physically and mentally, from the Bulldog of fifty years ago.
Then he was a leggy, terrier-like, active brute, in whom the fighting
instinct was a chief and carefully fostered characteristic. Now

THE BULLDOG 385

he is a low-fronted, cloddy, and compact dog, with nothing of the
Terrier in his appearance, quiet, gentle, and docile in his demeanour,
very slow to anger, yet when aroused not a whit the inferior of his
ancestors, in courage and endurance.

Mr. Crafer thus wrote of bull-baiting in the First Edition of this
work : —

" Baiting the bear and the bull was undoubtedly a very ancient
pastime, and was patronised by persons of both sexes of the highest
rank, as recorded in cases where King Henry II., Queen Mary,
Princess Elizabeth, etc., were interested spectators.

The bull being very different in its mode of combat from other
animals, caused bull-baiting to become a distinct sport, for which a
distinct class of dog was exclusively kept. One author says : ' The
Bulldog exhibits that adaptation to the uses to which he is rendered
subservient which we see in every race of dogs ; and we have only
to suppose the peculiar characters of the animal, called forth from
generation to generation by selection, to be assured that a true
breed would be formed. This has been so in a remarkable degree
in the case of the Bulldog. After the wild oxen of the woods were
destroyed, the practice was introduced, so early as the reign of
King John, of baiting the domesticated bull and other animals, and
thus the breed of dogs suited to this end was preserved, nay,
cultivated, with increased care, up to our own times,7 centuries
after his larger and coarser brother ' Allan vautre, kept only to bait
the bear and wild boar/ had become extinct on account of the
cessation of its employment. The introduction of the sport referred
to is thus given in the ' Survey of Stamford ' : ' William, Earl
Warren, lord of this town in the time of King John (A.D. 1199 to
1216), standing upon the castle walls of Stamford, saw two bulls
fighting for a cow in the meadow till all the butchers' dogs, great
and small, pursued one of the bulls (being maddened with noise
and multitude) clean through the town. This sight so pleased the
said earl that he gave all those meadows (called the Castle Meadows)
where first the bull-duel began for a common to the butchers of the
town, after the first grass was eaten, on condition they find a mad
bull the day six weeks before Christmas Day for the continuance of
that sport every year.'

A yet ignobler band is guarded round
With dogs of war— the bull their prize ;
And now he bellows, humbled to the ground,
And now they sprawl in howlings to the skies.

Now bull ! now dogge ! 'loo, Paris, loo !
The bull has the game : 'ware horns, ho !

In bull-baiting the object the dog was required to effect was

25

386 BRITISH DOGS

that termed ' pinning and holding,' which was to seize the bull by
the muzzle ' and not leave it ' ; the bull's nose being his most
tender part, he was, when seized by it, rendered helpless. The bull
in fighting naturally lowers his head to use his horns, and was often
provided with a hole in which to bury his nose ; some veterans
(' game ' bulls), not so indulged, would scrape one for themselves.
It was therefore necessary for the dog to keep his own head close
to the ground, or, as it was termed, to ' play low ' ; the larger dogs
were obliged to crawl on their bellies to avoid being above the bull's
horns ; hence the smallest dog of the kind capable of accomplishing
the object required was selected, it being useless to sacrifice large
dogs when smaller and more active, though equally courageous,
animals answered the purpose better. The dog found to be the best
suited to the requirements, and actually used by our ancestors until
the cessation of bull-baiting, was from 1401. to i8in. high, weighing
4olb. or 5olb., very broad, muscular, and compact, as shown in pic-
tures still extant, notably in an engraving dated 1734, from a picture
by Morland, of three Bulldogs of exactly the same type as that of
the purest bred dogs of the present day — Crib and Rosa (1817),
Lucy (1834)— 'Mr. Howard and his Pets,' 'The Bull Loose,
and others.

On the suppression of bull-baiting by Act of Parliament in
the early part of the last century, the Bulldog lost its peculiar
occupation, but was preserved from extinction in the families of
some of its admirers, and bred in all its purity."

For a man or a woman the Bulldog as we know him to-day is
an ideal companion. His size is not obtrusive, as with St. Bernards,
Great Danes, and Newfoundlands, nor is he noisily inclined, as are
the various types of Terriers. Cleanliness can easily be inculcated
into his mind. Furthermore, he is to be trusted with children,
and, if healthy, is as active a little dog as any of his weight in the
land, and equal to any walk that his master can perform.

On account of its evil associations in the dark days, the Bulldog
was for a long time under a cloud so far as popularity was concerned
and it was not until the fanciers of the early sixties seriously took
it in hand that it emerged therefrom. The emergence, however,
was gradual, and many years elapsed before the breed was raised
to anything like the status that it has enjoyed in latter years. At
first its patrons were largely of the middle and working classes, and
to these pioneers really belong the credit for making the breed.
Exhibitions and the spirit of friendly rivalry they engendered soon
began to tell, although many of the sharp practices that almost
invariably follow in the train of an enhanced market value were
prevalent to a marked degree. Gradually the breed got into better
hands, and the notorious and sometimes cruel practices that were

THE BULLDOG 387

resorted to in order to deceive the unwary were reduced to a
minimum. To-day the Bulldog enjoys a popularity undreamt of
by the old-time fancier, and prices that in the sixties would have
been laughed to scorn, had they been suggested as within the range
of probability, have been touched. Nor in these days, as in times
gone by, is the breed kept solely by men : women have espoused
its cause with a zeal that would have done credit to the most
enthusiastic of its early supporters, and they have, moreover, met
with a considerable share of success.

Of the pioneers of the breed as a show dog mentioned must
be made of Mr. Jacob Lamphier (whose King Dick is regarded,
and rightfully, as one of the chief pillars of the Stud Book), Mr. F.
Lamphier, Mr. Tom Turton, Mr. G. W. Richards, Mr. Rockstro,
Mr. J. W. Berrie, Mr. S. Wickens. Later came Mr. Robert Fulton
(whose name perhaps is more familiar now as a pigeon breeder),
Mr. James Hinks, Mr. C. H. Layton, Mr. Jack Henshall, Mr. Bill
George, Mr. F. Redmond, Mr. S. E. Shirley, Mr. Rust, Mr. D. S.
Oliver, Mr. Harding Cox, Mr. E. W. Jaquet, Mr. W. H. Ford,
Mr. S. Woodiwiss, Mr. W. H. Sprague, Mr. Jack Ellis, Mr. George
Raper, Mr. Beresford Hope, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Cyril Jackson,
Mr. Pybus Sellon, Mr. W. J. Pegg, Mr. C. S. Chaundler, Mr.
R. G. S. Mann, and a host of others. To enumerate all those who
have played their parts in the regeneration of the breed would
occupy too great a space, particularly as such information is acces-
sible in a permanent form in the very excellent Stud Books
associated with the names of Messrs. Bowers and Jackson, in the
Kennel Club Stud Books, and in the monumental monograph of
the breed written by Mr. Edgar Farman. Similarly, no good
"purpose would be served by referring by name to the dogs that
in their different periods flourished as typical representatives.

In connection with the Bulldog, the old print of Crib and Rosa
is so often spoken of that brief reference to it is called for, more
especially as until the last few years it was allowed to stand in the
descriptions of the breed. The dogs depicted in the print were
in their day supposed to embody all that was typical. Now, however
representative the two famous Bulldogs were in the day when
Mr. Sam Wickens (" Philo Kuon") drew up his description, they
certainly cannot truthfully be regarded as typical of the Bulldog
of the last few decades.

As to whether the fancier has improved the breed constitutionally
is a moot point. Type has certainly been made more uniform ;
but this in many cases has been at the expense of other qualities.
The Bulldog of old was a far more active dog than his modern
prototype, and no one who witnessed the ten-mile walking match in
which the very typical Dockleaf and King Orry figured is likely to for-
get the fiasco in which it ended so far as the former was concerned.

388 BRITISH DOGS

Once it was thought that when the law stepped in and put an
end to dog-fighting and bull-baiting and the other innocent amuse-
ments of our forefathers, the breed of Bulldogs would speedily
become extinct, and so, as a matter of fact, the fighting type of dog
did, but his descendant (whom some are pleased to call degenerate)
is now one of the most popular dogs of the day, and his popularity
is on the increase.

The novice who sets out to buy a Bulldog for the first time
in his life has a difficult task before him. From a show point of
view, no breed is so prolific in " wasters," and in no breed are really
excellent specimens so scarce. If the novice desires to possess
a dog, let him buy one at a comparatively early age — from six to
ten months. He should look out for a big-skulled youngster with
plenty of bone, a short back, a straight or cranked tail, carried
straight downwards, a wide, massive chest, supported on sturdy,
straight legs. On no account must the fore legs be bandy, as he may
imagine they should be. The hindquarters, compared with the
massive front of the dog, should be fine, or slightly made, so that
the body, seen from above, bears a distinct resemblance to a pear.

In the head lies most of a Bulldog's strongest points. First,
the skull should be exceedingly large in comparison with the size
of his body, it should be flat above the temples ; the eyes, large,
round, and very dark in colour, showing none of the whites when
the dog is looking straight forward. The nose, which should be
black and large, is set back, well " on top " rather than in front of
the face: this, by fanciers, is called "lay-back" ; a dog deficient in
lay-back is called " down-faced," which means that there is too great
a distance from the tip of the nose to the " stop," or deep indenta-
tion in the skull between the eyes. The under-jaw must project
well in advance of the upper, so that the dog is considerably under-
shot— this, in fanciers' parlance, is the "turn up," which is one of
the most important of the many necessary characteristics. A dog
with a poor, receding under jaw is "froggy," or "frog-faced." The
teeth should be strong and even, and, says the standard of^the
Bulldog Club, " must be completely covered by the flews, or chop,
when the mouth is closed " ; but with all deference to the compilers
of this standard, the exhibition of the canine teeth is no serious
fault ; some prefer that they should be visible, and it certainly gives
a more formidable and characteristic appearance to the dog. The
ears are of the utmost importance, though the large increase in
bad-eared dogs proves that proper attention is not being paid to
this very necessary point. The ear must be fine in texture, very
small, and of the shape known as " rose." Bat or tulip — that is,
upstanding — ears and buttoned ears are serious objections.

As a guide to the novice, Fig. 85 is given. It shows all the head
points that a good Bulldog cannot possess. One ear is shown of

THE BULLDOG 389

the bat shape, the other buttoned ; the nose is too long (or down-
faced), and the under-jaw weak and receding (froggy). The eyes
show too much of the white, and the face is tight-skinned and with-
out wrinkle.

No dog is more deceptive than the Bulldog. His strong, muscular,
heavy-boned frame and sturdy appearance suggest a dog of almost
unlimited powers of endurance, and it is hard to realise that he is
one of the most delicate of all the canine creation. His poor
constitution is entirely due to the inbreeding that has been practised
for generations. The purpose of this has been to secure and
perpetuate certain desirable points, otherwise impossible to establish
permanently. And the points have been secured, but at the cost
of a delicate and degenerate constitution.

There was nothing delicate about the old-fashioned fighting dog

) 7*>a.t ec.r.

FIG. 85.— HEAD OF BULLDOG, SHOWING UNDESIRABLE POINTS.

— no one cared for his points so long as he was courageous and
full of fire and go. In those days the breeder's object was to mate
a fighting dog to a fighting bitch, and the result was a progeny
remarkable for toughness and hardiness. But nowadays the Bull-
dog must be almost as carefully guarded and protected from the
weather as the most delicate and pampered Toy. The tub and
wisp of straw is no home for him ; a Terrier can live and thrive
and bring up families in such a home, but not so the Bulldog. His
house must be carefully planned, well made, of stout material able
to resist the weather ; he must never be exposed to the dangers
arising from damp and insanitary conditions. He must have air
without draughts, and sunshine without heat, for heat is his worst
enemy, and more fatal to him even than cold and wet.

Many kennels have been designed and placed on the market,

39°

BRITISH DOGS

and the man whose purse will allow him cannot do better than
write to one or other of the many kennel appliance manufacturers
for a price-list, and make his purchase, secure in the knowledge that
he is buying the best thing possible and getting good value for
his money. But there are many who are compelled to seek some
cheaper substitute, and there is no reason why a thoroughly practical
and useful kennel of fair dimensions should not be made for a little
more than a sovereign by a man capable of the simpler branches
of carpentry. Despite all that has been said against it, a wood
flooring is infinitely preferable to one of concrete, provided the
wooden floors are easily removable for cleansing.

Fig. 86 shows the front and end elevation of the kennel and
run, Fig. 87 the ground-plan, and Fig. 88 gives a view of the interior
of the kennel. It will be seen that the kennel consists of two

FIG. 86. — FRONT AND END ELEVATION OF BULLDOG KENNEL.

distinct compartments— an inner one, in which the bed is placed,
and an outer one, open at the front, for use as a run. A small trap-
door with a sliding panel allows the ,dog to pass from the inner to
the outer run. His bed, placed at the back of the kennel, is well
out of the reach of draughts, and the window in the door must
be sufficiently large to lighten the inner compartment thoroughly
in the day-time. The floors are made of |in. planed boards,
neatly joined, and with no crevices for dirt to accumulate in. The
floor of the outer run is made in three pieces, each 2ft. wide
by 4ft. long, the floor of the inner compartment in two pieces,
each i5in. wide by 4ft long. When in position the ends rest
upon the lower framing of the kennel, and as the sections are
not large they can be easily lifted and carried out through the
doorways. The floors need not be removed for cleaning purposes
more than once a fortnight if they are kept covered with a liberal
sprinkling of sawdust, which must be swept out every day and fresh

THE BULLDOG

thrown down. The sleeping-place is constructed by simply sliding
a 6in. wide board, across the inner compartment, i8in. from the
back of the kennel, as shown in Fig. 88, and in the space thus
formed clean, dry straw is placed.

All the inner walls should be limewashed periodically, and if

..... EioKtFccC six. inches----

Door.

6'

TftAP

i.

JiooV

FIG. 87.— GROUND PLAN OF BULLDOG KENNEL.

a good handful of salt is added -to the bucket of limewash, it will
prevent it from flaking, or rubbing off on the clothes and hands.
The same salted limewash is capable of withstanding the weather
for a considerable time, and if the roof of the kennel is treated with
it during the hot summer months, the white surface will reflect the

FIG. 88. — VIEW OF INTERIOR OF BULLDOG KENNEL.

hot sunrays, and the kennel will be kept at a far lower temperature
than if the roof were coloured or dark.

The ground on which the kennel stands should be prepared
by making a surface of cinders, brick-ballast, coke-breeze, or some
similar and suitable material, which must be well rammed or rolled
down to make a hard, level surface. Aspect is a very important

392 BRITISH DOGS

consideration. Let the kennel stand facing the south, south-west,
or west, not to the north or east, if the dog's life is valued.

Should an amateur carpenter attempt to make the kennel
described, he may possibly experience some difficulty in obtaining
the iron railing for the front of the run. If this be the case, stout
galvanised wire netting (sheep netting) may be substituted, but
it must be carefully put on, with its edges sandwiched between a
batten of wood and the frame of the kennel, and it must be the
very stoutest gauge procurable, or it will not last long.

Two or three good coats of oil paint, or a coating of Stockholm
tar (not gas-tar), will protect the outer walls from the weather,
and a fresh coat should be laid on at least once a year. Ventilation

FIG. 89.— HEAD OF CHAMPION BOOMERANG.

must on no account be forgotten. If the trap is kept closed at night,
there must be some holes in the sliding panel, and there must also
be ventilation holes above the doorway, or in some other convenient
place near the roof.

The dog owner who is ambitious of becoming a successful
breeder must carefully study all the various points of the dog
he fancies, and, by judicious mating, seek to improve upon the bad
or weak points possessed by the dam, by securing as a mate
a dog who excels and whose ancestors have excelled in those
particular points. This is the rule of successful breeding in brief,
and while it applies to all other breeds, it certainly applies with
much force to the successful breeding of Bulldogs.

The portraits that illustrate these pages are of three Bulldog

THE BULLDOG

393

celebrities of recent days. It is a difficult task to decide to which
dog belongs the honour of being the most typical specimen. On
this subject opinions are divided. Some, the writer included, give
the pride of place to Champion Boomerang (Fig. 89), with his
magnificent head qualities ; others set Champion Rodney Stone

FIG. 90.— BULLDOG CHAMPION RODNEY STONE.

(Fig. 90) in a still higher niche ; but it must be admitted that
whichever of these two dogs was really the better, there was so little
to choose between them that either would serve for the model that
all would-be breeders should study and endeavour by judicious
mating to reproduce. Whether he will be successful or no is

394 BRITISH DOGS

another matter, but the object-lesson he will have learned will do
him no harm.

Champion Boomerang, who has been dead some years, was a
son of King Orry, and was owned by a well-known North-country
fancier, Mr. Luke Crabtree. Champion Rodney Stone, who is
at the moment of writing living, expatriated from his country, in
America, was bred by Mr. Walter JefTeries, of London, by whom the
dog was sold for the record price of ;£i,ooo. Katapult (Fig. 91),
late the property of Mr. George Murrell, was a son of Boomerang,
but he never achieved anything like the success on the show-bench
associated with his sire, though he himself sired another dog that
gained many championship honours — Champion Prince Albert, now
in the possession of Mr. Crabtree.

There are some eight or ten " strains " of Bulldogs, each strain
having for its founder some well-known dog, not necessarily a big
prize winner, but rather one who has achieved fame through his
progeny. The best known and most frequently met with of
these strains are the Aston Lion, the Bedgebury Lion, the
Don Salano, the King Orry, the Donax, and the Stockwell, all
of which take their names from the dogs that founded them.
There were many other strains, but these have become merged in
the present-day ones named, as in time the breeding together of
some of the above strains will in turn produce fresh ones.

Though to the average man a Bulldog is merely a Bulldog,
the experienced fancier can detect certain characteristics which
enable him to tell, almost at a glance, the strain from which the
dog is bred. Some of these strains are far more characteristic
than others. The King Orry bred dog, for instance, is generally
unmistakable, if he is a good specimen of his breed, so too is the
Aston Lion bred dog. The former is usually very strong in head
properties, and possesses good ears ; the latter excels in body
properties, his ears are rather inclined to be heavy, and in turn-
up or under-jaw he is very uncertain. Thus it behoves the owner
of a bitch he is wishful to breed from first to determine in which
points she is weakest, and then to select for her a mate possessing
good points to counteract her bad ones, and not only that, but
to endeavour to find a dog that not only possesses them himself,
but is bred from a strain noted for strength in these particular
points. As an illustration : for a bitch deficient in most of the
head qualities and possessing bad ears, a good-headed dog with
good ears must be chosen, and if he is of the King Orry strain —
that is to say, if the name King Orry appears once or even twice
or three times in his pedigree — the puppies, or at any rate a large
proportion of them, will be born with good ears, inherited from their
sire and from their ancestors on the sire's side.

Haphazard breeding very rarely proves successful. It is a mistake

THE BULLDOG 395

to select a mate for one's bitch simply because the dog belongs to
a friend or lives in the immediate neighbourhood, for it is probable
that he will not suit the bitch at all, and the resulting puppies will
prove wasters.

For information as to the care and treatment of the bitch in
whelp a perusal of " Popular Dog Keeping is recommended.*

Bull bitches are notoriously poor mothers, and very few are
capable of rearing all their own puppies, so that the services of a
foster-mother should be secured in anticipation of the birth of the
puppies. The foster may be a half-bred Terrier, Collie, or some

FIG. 91.— BULLDOG KATAPULT.

similar dog, and she should be due to whelp a couple or three days
before the Bull bitch. It matters little of what breed she is, so long
as she is clean, healthy, and has an abundant supply of milk, and
as cross-bred bitches generally prove the best mothers, one should
be bought or hired for the purpose.

The puppies should be left with the dam or foster for six
weeks, but during the last two weeks of this period the mother's
milk should be supplemented with some light and suitable food,
which can be given as soon as the puppies have learned to lap,

* "Popular Dog Keeping," by J. Maxtee (London : L. Upcott Gill).

396 ' BRITISH DOGS

For this purpose there is no food, in the writer's opinion, to be
compared with that manufactured for human youngsters by Messrs.
Mellin. It should be prepared in exactly the same way as for
a child, and the puppies will take it greedily and thrive upon it
amazingly. It may also be administered with good results for some
considerable time after weaning.

As great strength of bone is greatly to be desired in Bulldogs,
the puppies should be fed with a view to its increasing and
strengthening in bone. Oatmeal is a bone-forming food of some
value, but chemical analysis proves that its value as a bone food
is not so great as is popularly supposed. If given to puppies, it
must be thoroughly well cooked in the form of porridge, with a little
milk. Thorough cooking is also essential in the case of rice or.
any other grain, for if given in a half-cooked state the effect is
irritating upon the tender stomachs of the puppies, and purging
results.

A little finely shredded raw meat given occasionally is beneficial ;
stale brown bread soaked in good gravy, or a reliable puppy-meal
with gravy, should form the staple food of the puppies, and now and
again a little finely ground bone meal should be added to the food
for the sake of its value as a bone strengthener and former, and
if any puppy should be particularly weak in bone or be rickety,
a little of Parrish's Chemical Food should be given it every day.

The motto for puppy feeding must be " A little and often " : six
or eight times a day is not too often to feed freshly weaned puppies.
The first meal should be as early as possible in the morning, and
the last should be given the last thing at night. Good food, warm
housing (but not coddling), and exercise in plenty are the three
essentials for rearing strong and healthy Bulldogs. Puppies should
be allowed all the liberty possible, and the more they have of it
the better and the stronger they will be.

The Toy Bulldog has not been dealt with here. It will form
the subject of another chapter.

The following description of the pure-bred Old English Bulldog
has been compiled and adopted by the Bulldog Club (1875) as
the correct standard type of excellence in the breed, after carefully
comparing all obtainable opinions.

In forming a judgment on any specimen of the breed, the general
appearance — which is the first impression the dog makes as a whole
on the eye of the judge — should be first considered. Secondly
should be noticed its size, shape, and make, or rather its proportions
in the relation they bear to each other. (No point should be so
much in excess of the others as to destroy the general symmetry,
or make the dog appear deformed, or interfere with its powers of
motion, etc.) Thirdly, his style, carriage, gait, temper, and his
several points should be considered separately in detail, as follows,

THE BULLDOG 397

due allowance being made for the bitch, which is not so grand or
as well developed as the dog : —

The General Appearance of the Bulldog is that of a smooth-coated, thick- set
dog, rather low in stature, but broad, powerful, and compact. Its head should be
strikingly massive, and large in proportion to the dog's size ; its face extremely
short ; its muzzle very broad, blunt, and inclined upwards ; its body short and
well knit, the limbs stout and muscular ; its hindquarters very high and strong,
but rather lightly made in comparison with its heavily made foreparts. The dog
conveys an impression of determination, strength, and activity, similar to that
suggested by the appearance of a thick-set Ayrshire or Highland bull.

The Skull should be very large— the larger the better — and in circumference
should measure (round in front of the ears) at least the height of the dog at the
shoulders. Viewed from the front, it should appear very high from the corner
of the lower jaw to the apex of the skull, and also very broad and square. The
cheeks should be well rounded and extend sideways beyond the eyes. Viewed at
the side, the head should appear very high, and very short from its back to the
point of the nose.

The Forehead should be flat, neither prominent nor overhanging the face ; and
the skin upon it and about the head very loose, hanging in large wrinkles.

The Temples, or frontal bones, should be very prominent, broad, square, and
high, causing a deep and wide groove between the eyes. This indentation is
termed the " stop," and should be both broad and deep, and extend up the
middle of the forehead, dividing the head vertically, being traceable at the top
of the skull.

The Eyes, seen from the front, should be situated low down in the skull,
as far from the ears as possible. Their corners should be in a straight line at
right angles with the stop, and quite in front with the head. They should be
wide apart as possible, provided their outer corners are within the outline of the
cheeks. They should be quite round in shape, of moderate size, neither sunken
nor prominent, and in colour should be very dark — almost, if not quite, black,
showing no white when looking directly forward.

The Ears should be set high in the head — i.e. the front inner edge of each
ear should (as viewed from the front) join the outline of the skull at the top corner
of such outline, so as to place them as wide apart and as high and as far from
the eyes as possible. In size they should be small and thin. The shape termed
"rose ear" is the most correct. The "rose ear" folds inward at its back, the
upper or front edge curving over outwards and backwards, showing part of the
inside of the burr.

The Face, measured from the front of the cheekbone to the nose, should
be as short as possible, and its skin should be deeply and closely wrinkled.

The Muzzle should be short, broad, turned upwards, and very deep from
the corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth.

The Nose should be large, broad, and black ; its top should be deeply set
back, almost between the eyes. The distance from the inner corner of the eye
(or from the centre of the stop between the eyes) to the extreme tip of the nose
should not exceed the length from the tip of the nose to the edge of the under
lip. The Nostrils should be large, wide, and black, with a well-defined straight
line between them.

The Flews, called the " chop," should be thick, broad, pendent, and very
deep, hanging completely over the lower jaw at the sides (not in front). They
should join the under lip in front, and quite cover the teeth, which should not
be seen when the mouth is closed.

The Jaw should be broad, massive, and square, the canine teeth, or tusks,
wide apart. The lower jaw should project considerably in front of the upper,

398 BRITISH DOGS

and turn up. It should be broad and square, and have the six small front teeth
between the canines in an even row. The teeth should be large and strong.

The Neck should be moderate in length (rather short than long), very thick,
deep, and strong. It should be well arched at the back, with much loose, thick,
and wrinkled skin about the throat, forming a dewlap on each side, from the
lower jaw to the chest. The Chest should be very wide laterally, round, prominent,
and deep, making the dog appear very broad and short-legged in front.

The Shoulders should be broad, slanting, and deep, very powerful and
muscular.

The Brisket should be capacious, round, and very deep from the top of
the shoulders to its lowest part where it joins the chest, and be well let down
between the fore legs. It should be large in diameter, and round behind the
fore legs (not flat-sided, the ribs being well rounded). The body should be well
ribbed up behind, with the belly tucked up, and not pendulous.

The Back should be short and strong, very broad at the shoulder, and com-
paratively narrow at the loins. There should be a slight fall to the back close
behind the shoulders (its lowest part), whence the spine should rise to the loins
(the top of which should be higher than the top of the shoulders), thence curving
again more suddenly to the tail, forming an arch — a distinctive characteristic of
the breed — termed "roach-back," or more correctly "wheel-back."

The Tail, termed the "stern," should be set on low, jut out rather
straight, and then turn downwards, the end pointing horizontally. It should
be quite round in its own length, smooth, and devoid of fringe or coarse hair.
It should be moderate in length — rather short than long — thick at the root, and
tapering quickly to a fine point. It should have a downward carriage (not
having a decided upward curve at the end or being screwed or deformed), and
the dog should, from its shape, not be able to raise it over its back.

The Fore Legs should be very stout and strong, set wide apart, thick,
muscular, and straight, with well-developed calves, presenting a rather bowed
outline, but the bones of the legs should be large and straight, not bandy or
curved. They should be rather short in proportion to the hind legs, but not so
short as to make the back appear long or detract from the dog's activity, and so
cripple him. The elbows should be low, and stand well away from the ribs.
The ankles, or pasterns, should be short, straight, and strong. The fore feet
should be straight, and turn very slightly outward, of medium size, and
moderately round. The toes should be compact and thick, being well split up,
making the knuckles prominent and high.

The Hind Legs should be large and muscular, and longer in proportion
than the fore legs, so as to elevate the loins. The hocks should be slightly bent
and well let down, so as to be long and muscular from the loins to the point of
the hock. The lower part of the leg should be short, straight, and strong. The
stifles should be round, and turned slightly outwards away from the body. The
hocks are thereby made to approach each other, and the hind feet to turn
outwards. The latter, like the fore feet, should be round and compact, with the
toes well split up and the knuckles prominent. From his formation the dog has
a peculiar, heavy, and constrained gait, appearing to walk with short, quick steps
on the tip of his toes, his hind feet not being lifted high, but appearing to skim
the ground, and running with the right shoulder rather advanced, similar to the
manner of a horse in cantering.

Size. — The most desirable size for the Bulldog is about 5olb.

The Coat should be fine in texture, short, close, and smooth (hard only
from its shortness and closeness, not wiry). Its colour should be whole or smut
(that is, a whole colour with a black mask or muzzle). The colour should be
brilliant and pure of its sort. The colours in their order of merit, if bright and
pure, are, first, whole colours and smuts — viz. brindles, reds, white, with their
varieties, as whole fawns, fallows, etc. ; second, pied and mixed colours.

THE BULLDOG 399

The following 100 points show the relative value of the properties mentioned
in the foregoing Standard Description : —

Mouth ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Width and squareness of Jaw ... ... ... 2

Projection and upward turn of Lower Jaw ... ... 2

Size and condition of Teeth ... ... .. I

Chop ... ... ... ... *-. ... 5

Breadth ... ... ... ... ... 2

Depth .. ... ... 2

Complete covering of Front Teeth ... ... ... I

Face ... ... ... ... -. ... 5

Shortness

Breadth

Depth ...

Shape and upward turn of Muzzle ...

Wrinkles

Stop

Depth ... ... ... ... 2

Breadth ... ... . . ... 2

Extent ... ... ... ... i

Skull

Size ... ... ... ... 5

Height ... ... ... ... I

Breadth and squareness ... ... ... ... 3

Shape ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

Wrinkles ... ... ... ... ... 4

Eyes

Position ... ... ... ... - . 2

Size ...

Shape ...

Colour ...
Ears

Position

Shape ...

Size

Thinness
Chest and Neck

Length

Thickness

Arch ...

Dewlap

Width, depth, and roundness of Chest ... ... I

Shoulders ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Size ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

Breadth ... ... ... ... ... 2

Muscle ... ... ... ... ... ... i

Body 5

Depth and thickness of Brisket ... ... ... 2

Capacity and roundness of Ribs ... ... ... 3

Back Roach ... ... ... ... ... 5

Shortness ... ... ... ... ... 2

Width of Shoulders ... i

Shape, strength, and arch at Loin ... ... ... 2

400 BRITISH DOGS

Fore Legs ...

...

5

Stoutness

\\

Shortness

i

Development

i

Feet

ij

Hind Legs ...

5

Stoutness .».

i

Length ...

i

Shape and Development ...

2

Feet ...

I

Size

...

5

Coat

...

5

Tail

...

5

General Appearance ... ...

...

10

Total ... ... ... ... ioo

CHAPTER XXXV
THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

OF comparatively recent introduction from abroad, the Dogue de
Bordeaux, or Dogue of the South of France, as it is more familiarly
called, is one of the few varieties that have not taken a hold in this
country. Any popularity that it might have attained was endangered
at the outset by the edict that went forth against cropping. Indeed,
those who championed its cause here suggest that it was the abolition
of cropping that was mainly responsible for its fate here.

Apart from the cropping, which militated undoubtedly against
the Dogue's popularity here, there were other factors that contributed
to the same end. It was a dog with a "past," and, for that
matter, a " present." The Dogue de Bordeaux was and is a fighting
breed purely and simply, and if there is anything that is repulsive
to English dog-lovers, it is the knowledge that by encouraging such a
breed they are giving a direct incentive to those degraded forms
of " sport " that once obtained here, but are now happily relegated to
the limbo of forgotten cruelties. On the Continent it is customary
to pit the Dogue against all sorts of animals, including the bear
and the wolf, as well as against it own kind. Then, again, by
no stretch of the imagination can the Dogue de Bordeaux be
described as anything but decidedly forbidding in appearance ; and
it was the combination of circumstances enumerated rather than
cropping alone that prevented the variety from obtaining any
hold here.

The chances are that had the Dogue been free from taint as a
fighting animal, it might have survived the cropping, just as the
Great Dane and many other breeds that at one time were similarly
treated continue to flourish. As a personal protector for keeper
or night watchman, or anyone whose business took him in
doubtful "country," the variety might in time even have ousted the
the Bull-Mastiff, and more especially as the watch-dog of antiquity,
the Mastiff, has so deteriorated physically and numerically as to be
numbered amongst decadent varieties.

From a glance at the illustration (Fig. 92) it would not require

26

402 BRITISH DOGS

a very fertile imagination to conjure up the elements from which
this formidable-looking dog was evolved. However, breeding, as it
does, true to type, it is as much entitled to be considered a variety
as many another now accorded such rank. Not so heavy as the
Mastiff or the Great Dane, it is more powerful than either, while
its activity is wonderful.

Several fanciers here took up the breed with enthusiasm, classes
were provided for it, and in 1897 a club for its encouragement
was formed, mainly through the instrumentality ,of Mr. H. C. Brooke,
who not only acted as Hon. Secretary, but also was jointly responsible
with M. Megnin for the description published below. Despite the
temporary enthusiasm which was aroused, the breed, so far as
England is concerned, is practically non-existent. The Dogue de
Bordeaux is thus described by Mr. H. C. Brooke, to whom belongs
the honour of breeding the first litter in England : —

"The general appearance of the Dogue de Bordeaux is that of
a smooth-coated dog very powerful in build, somewhat low in stature,
massive, broad, and muscular. The head is enormous, and its size,
in proportion to the size of the dog, should be greater than in any
other breed of dog. The skull must be very long and broad, high,
square in appearance ; a rounded or a cocoanut skull is a fault.
The muzzle is very broad, deep, and powerful. The face, measured
from eye to nose, should be short, but not too short — 2|in. to 3in.
would be about the correct length for a full-grown Dogue ; if short-
ness be too much insisted upon, the power of jaw would suffer.
The cheek-bumps are highly developed. The underjaw should
project slightly, about half an inch in front of the upper, and be
turned up ; but this formation should be almost concealed by the
pendulous lips. The teeth are enormous. The eyes are small
(a full or a goggle eye is a great fault), wide apart, deep set, light
in colour, and very penetrating in expression. A deep furrow
extends from between the eyes up the middle of the forehead.
The-flews, or chops, are pendulous, thick, and broad. The nose is
very large and wide, set slightly back, with large nostrils. The ears,
when uncropped, should be small and fine in texture, a fine rose
ear being preferable to a heavy ear lying flat to the cheek. As
these dogs have always been cropped, however, no attention has
been paid to this property, so that too much stress must not at
present be laid on the carriage of ear. The whole of the skull,
face, and muzzle should be covered with ropes of loose skin lying
in symmetrical wrinkles. The neck should be very thick and
powerful, well arched, and the skin of the neck very loose, forming
a dewlap on each side of the throat, from the angle of the jaws to
the chest. The shoulders are strong, broad, and muscular. The
chest is very wide, deep, and of great circumference. The back
is short and straight, of great breadth at the shoulders ; a hollow

FIG. 92. — MR. H. C. BROOKE'S DOGUE DE BORDEAUX SANS PEUR.

THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX 405

back is very detrimental, though frequently met with in old dogs
which have had to undergo severe strains in the arena. The brisket
is round and deep, of great diameter ; and the ribs are well sprung,
and any appearance of flat-sidedness should be avoided. The body
behind ribs is well tucked up. The hindquarters should not have
the pear-shaped appearance sought for in the Bulldog, but be very
strong and powerful. It must not be forgotten that the Dogue
is essentially a gladiator, and even at the present day is constantly
pitted against the bear, the bull, and other animals, besides against
members of its own tribe. A Dogue whose hindquarters were not
very strong would be heavily handicapped in the arena; nor does
the reason exist that originally made the light hindquarters desirable
in the Bulldog. The forelegs should be very thick, strong, and
muscular, rather short than long, with enormous bone. The
pasterns should be straight and strong, and the fore feet round,
very strong, and well knuckled up. The hind legs should be strong
and muscular, with the feet round, large, and well knuckled up.
A cow-hocked formation is undesirable. The tail should be set on
low, be thick at the root, of moderate length, and not carried high.
It must not have a ' brush,' or a fringe of coarse hair on the
underside.

The most desirable colour for the Dogue is a reddish -fawn, with
red mask ; nose of a reddish-brown colour. Next to this, in order of
merit, red, with red mask ; then all fawn, with black nose, but no
mask ; lastly, fawn or red, with black mask and black nose.
Brindle, black, or pied should absolutely disqualify, as these colours
are only met with in cross-bred specimens. It was hoped that
in time, by careful selection in breeding, the black mask would
be totally eliminated, and that all Dogues would have red masks,
as was formerly the case. The best weight for a Dogue is about
i2olb. for males, and icolb. for females."

CHAPTER XXXVI
THE BULL-TERRIER

FEW breeds of British dogs have passed through more troublous times
than the Bull-terrier, whose advancement in public favour has been
delayed by unknown circumstances. Indeed, it may almost be said
that had not the faithful few who have championed its cause
through thick and thin possessed a good deal of the indomitable
pluck associated with the variety, it would long since have succumbed.
In the first place, it must be remembered that the breed has had to
live down a very evil reputation — a relic of those days when rat-pit
competitions, dog-fights, and badger-baits were common, and regarded
as sport not only by the low and the degraded, but by those, for
instance, whose higher education was being cared for by their Alma
Mater. What Oxford sporting undergrad. of half a century or so ago
had not heard of Luker's Bull-terriers, or Brakespeare's tubbed
badger that had to run the gauntlet of every Bull and other Terrier
with sufficient pluck to " face the music " and whose owner could rake
up the necessary piece of silver for the "entry"? Or, again, what
undergrad. of that period having what was then considered as the
true sporting tendencies had not heard of the famous exploits of
the riverside Bull-terrier Salter's Dan, a big white-and-fawn, that
was about as keen as mustard and a terror on rats and such-like
vermin provided by the St. Aldate's and other purveyors for the
delectation of undergrads. who "fancied their dogs a bit"? Still
more degrading and cruel were the dog-fights that took place in
many parts of the country between matched Bull-terriers.

Then followed a somewhat better time for the Bull-terrier —
namely, the dog-show era, when the fallow smut, the brindle, and even
the patched dog gradually gave way to the smart, white, active dog
that we know to-day. The evolution of the all-white dog with his
lengthier head and generally smarter framework we owe to the late
Mr. James Hinks, of Birmingham, whose sons still maintain the
repute for the breed that their father had gained. The troubles of
the Bull-terrier fancier did not, however, end with the dawning
of the dog-show era and the necessarily considerable increase in the
number of fanciers that followed. Being a fighting dog, the ears of

THE BULL-TERRIER 407

the Bull-terrier were subjected to cropping — a process of mutilation
that was performed at such a period and in such a way as to be
alike brutal and inhuman. This process was continued until com-
paratively recent times (1895), when it received its death-blow from
the Kennel Club. Never by any stretch of the imagination to be
called a popular dog, the cropping prohibition tended to make it
still less in favour for a few years. However, on every hand now
there are signs, and unmistakable ones, that the breed has taken
a new lease of life. This is evidenced by the greater number of
followers and by the real demand for first-class specimens at
remunerative prices. This is matter for congratulation, for as a
house-dog and companion a really well-trained Bull-terrier takes
a lot of beating; while as a personal guard there is no breed
anything approaching it in size that can compare with it.

The Bull-terrier is one of the comparatively few varieties about
whose origin there is no mystery. He is mainly Bulldog and Terrier,
and it is quite easy to see how, given one of the " patched " dogs that
found favour with Bull-terrier fanciers in the old days, and crossing
it judiciously with the White English Terrier, Mr. James Hinks
succeeded in producing the milk-white variety that we know to-day,
and that is more popular in America than with us, despite the fact
that our cousins on the other side of the Atlantic have also a Boston
Terrier that those who have seen it and are well capable of forming
an opinion declare is nothing more nor less than the old fighting
Bull-terrier with perhaps slight modifications. In speaking of the
constituents from which the Bull-terrier was evolved, only the chief
ones have been specifically mentioned — Bulldog and Terrier. Yet
there can be little doubt that some of the larger specimens, at any
rate, show unmistakable Pointer and Dalmatian blood ; while others,
again, partake of the Greyhound or the Whippet — and even up to
the present day "whippety" is a common expression amongst
Bull-terrier breeders for specimens showing affinity to the last-
named varieties.

Badger-baiting was common in London about the beginning of
the last century, and led up to such disgraceful scenes by drawing
the riff-raff of the town together, that the magistrates exerted their
power to put an end to the business. This baiting, or drawing, of
the badger was a mere worrying of the poor beast in a confined
space, and under conditions essentially unfair to him, with dog after
dog, until he was torn and exhausted, and was a totally different
thing from hunting the badger in his native stronghold.

It may be noted that these degrading practices followed the
suppression of bull-baiting in the ring, and naturally so ; for the
authorities, in suppressing a practice the public had used as an
amusement for centuries, failed to provide opportunities for pleasures
of a higher and more rational order, " People mutht be amuthed,"

408 BRITISH DOGS

as the lisping showman in "Hard Times," sapiently observed; and
the powers that be in this country have scarcely even yet realised
the important fact.

Badger-hunting is quite entitled to be called legitimate sport. It
is best conducted at night by the light of the moon, when the object
is to bag the badger. Late in the evening the badger, which is of
retiring and secluded habits, leaves his home to hunt for provender,
and in his absence a sack is placed in the entrance to his earth, the
mouth kept open by means of a withy bent into a circular form.
The dogs are then sent to scour the country round, with the conse-
quence of alarming the badger, which, seeking safety in his strong-
hold, finds himself trapped at the entrance, the bag being speedily
closed, with the "grey" inside, by the party who have been waiting
his return.

Terriers are used in digging out badgers, being sent to earth after
them, where the dog, if an adept at his work, keeps on baying the
badger, thus intimating the position of the quarry to the diggers,
who, with ears to the ground, constantly listen that they may know
from the sounds where dog and badger have shifted to. It is no
easy task for the dog; for the badger, provident against dangers,
constructs his earthworks on scientific principles, and has chamber
after chamber into which he can retire as he is fought — first out of
one and then another. These earths are often constructed among
roots of aged trees, and in rocky ground, which makes it difficult for
dog and digger combined to dislodge him ; and when in light, sandy
soil, the badger, borson, bawsind, grey, or brock — for by all these
names is he designated— is said to be able to dig his way into new
ground as fast as two men with spades can clear the earth to follow
him. There is no better dog for badger-hunting than a Bull-terrier,
if well entered.

The Bull-teriier, as a breed, seems to have been established
towards the end ov the eighteenth century. Taplin says : " Terriers
have, by the lower classes, for the purpose of badger-baiting, been
bred in-and-in with the Bulldog, which has enlarged them and
increased their natural ferocity."

Although descended from the dogs referred to, our modern Bull-
terrier is much changed for the better, in both appearance and
manners. Dog-shows have undoubtedly done much to make the
breed respectable, and the well-built, strong, yet active, pure white
Terrier, with black eyes and nose, is quite a gentlemanly fellow by
comparison with the limping, pied or brindle-and-white, blear-eyed,
and face-scarred companions of the Bill Sykes of a past generation.

Mr. W. J. Tredinnick, well known at one time as a breeder of
these Terriers, says : " The Bull-terrier, like all other breeds of dogs,
has been greatly improved in general appearance, since dog shows
have become so general, for now, instead of having a variety of types.

THE BULL-TERRIER 409

colours, and sizes, some of which were far from prepossessing in
appearance, we have one recognised type and colour, which has
found favour with many gentlemen who would never think of pos-
sessing a specimen of the smut, brindle, or patched varieties. The
late James Hinks, Birmingham, will long be remembered as one who
did more than any other individual to improve the Bull-terrier,
and many of our best specimens bear testimony to that fact, as
they date from his strain. There are two strains that breeders go
back to for pedigree— one known as that of a celebrity called
Madman, and the other Old Victor, both of which passed through
the hands of the late Mr. Hinks ; but the latter is the fashionable
blood of the day."

Although there is a big substratum of truth underlying what Mr.
Tredinnick says above, yet the writer is of opinion that classes might
very well be provided for " Bull-terriers Other than White," so long
as the dogs were typical of the variety. At the present day, however,
it is the opinion of the best judges of the variety that if the United
Kingdom could be scoured, it would not be possible to find half
a dozen Bull-terriers other than white (marked white ones are of
course excepted, as there are plenty of those) up to show form.

In reference to colour, it may be observed that the rule to exclude
all but white dogs from the prize list has not been absolute. For
instance, Young Victor, the son of Old Victor, and the champion dog
of his day, had a brindle-marked cheek, and was known as the
" patched dog " and the " marked-eyed dog " ; and since his time a
similarly marked and excellent Bull-terrier, owned by Mr. Battersby,
of Durham, and also named Victor, has won many prizes at North-
country shows. Young Victor, the patched dog, was maliciously
poisoned at Hull Show, 1877, where he had taken first prize. Other
patched dogs that have received awards might also be mentioned.

The pedigrees of Bull-terriers are a subject of confusion which
even a Highland seer might be pardoned for failing to unravel.
The pedigree of the champion dog Como (K.S.C.B. 19,314) is given
simply to point out how meaningless and misleading it is : —

f Old Victor

COMO

(19,314)

(Mrs. J. Wright's)

Lucy

(Hinks's)

[Old Prince

[MAGGIE MAY J (Hinks's> m. ,
(10,829) |Rit |D

410 BRITISH DOGS

We have Hinks's Dutch (13,813), a bow-legged dog, that was not
entered in the Kennel Club Stud Book until he was about six years
old, and had won, through his progeny, the prize as best stud dog of
his breed, at Aston Show, 1883. The Kennel Club Stud Book gives
the age of Dutch as about six years, and his sire as Old Victor.
Now, the Old Victor of the Stud Book is No. 2,791, and he died in
1872, six years before Dutch was whelped. The dam of Dutch is,
on the same authority, stated to be Hartley's Champion Countess.
If this is the bitch entered 6,600 in the Stud Book in Mr. Hartley's
name, she was whelped 1874, and is, as given in the table, by
Young Gambter out of Old Daisy. Now, there are three bitches
named Daisy, all Hinks's property, and bred by him — K.C.S.B.
2,801, 2,802, and 2,803 — a^ whelped in 1866, and out of Old Daisy;
and it is highly improbable that the same Old Daisy had a litter in
1866 and another in 1874. Moreover, Daisy (2,801) is said to be
by Turk (2,782), and the date of that dog's birth is stated to be
1866, the same year as that of his daughter Daisy — not impossible,
but most improbable. Then Daisy (2,802), whelped 1868, is said to
be by Hinks's Madman, and that dog is in the Kennel Club Stud
Book 2,740, whelped in 1862, and a i5lb. dog, and he had for his
great-granddam Old Daisy.

The names Madman, Victor, Prince, Puss, Daisy, occur very
often ; and as the pedigrees of Bull-terriers are given in the
Kennel Club Stud Book, it is often quite impossible to identify
the dogs — and, in fact, instead of the clearness and certainty essential
to the value of a pedigree, we have a mass of statements alike
confusing and contradictory. For the past ten or twelve years
breeders of repute have been more particular, and pedigrees are
now fairly well kept.

Maggie May's sire may be Hinks's Prince (2,760), a dog that
used to be shown as White Prince, and under that name was
disqualified at Northampton, as having been castrated, by the
late Mr. John Walker and the late Mr. Edward Sandell, as judges — a
decision which was confirmed on reference to the veterinary surgeon.
The late Mr. Hugh Dalziel believed the sire of Maggie May to
be the same dog, as he well remembered, as representative of
The Field, protesting in that paper against the decision of the
gentlemen named, because a minute examination made him certain
there was no scar, as there must have been had the operation
taken place.

Against the late James Hinks (one of the most straightforward
of men) undoubtedly lies a just cause for complaint, for to his
carelessness is due, to a considerable extent, the confusion that exists
regarding pedigrees.

In the descriptive points of the breed as drawn up by the
Bull-terrier Club it may be thought that a very wide margin as regards

THE BULL-TERRIER 411

weight is allowed — i5lb. to 5olb. The latter some think far too
heavy, as the majority of those dogs belonging to the heavy-weight
brigade seem to lack type, sacrificed doubtless by the effort to
obtain size. The Club, however, made the minimum i5lb. so as
to draw a distinctive line for the "Toys." For some years now
the bulk of the specimens at shows have varied between about
25lb. and 5olb. or a little heavier. And though the margin is very
wide, it seems to have been brought about by accident rather than
by design, owing to the fact that individual specimens of the same
litter vary to this extent. The i61b. or 2olb. Bull-terriers are
practically extinct nowadays, and the 25lb. specimens are not much
better. It is several years since a good class of " under 3olb." has
been seen at any shows ; indeed, this class has practically been
dropped from the classification of show schedules owing to lack
of support.

Mr. Tredinnick many years ago wrote upon the weight question
and his remarks thereon may be well worth reiterating at the
present moment : —

" Breeders should not go too much for great weight in the
large-sized specimen. I consider 45lb. quite large enough for
any specimen, especially for exhibition purposes, as when we get
above that weight we lose more important details, such as formation
of skull, tightness of lip, straight legs, and symmetry — points which
should not be sacrificed to get weight. The best sizes for exhibition
purposes are i61b., 2olb., 25lb., and as near to 45lb. as can be.
I do not mean to say that a pound or two either way in the
large-sized specimens would be objectionable ; but the nearer they
can be bred to the weights named, the better chance of their
success upon the show-bench."

Since cropping was abolished the Bull-terrier Club has worked
very hard to settle satisfactorily the "great ear question," and
with more or less success ; but the ideal ear has yet to be
produced. Their efforts have chiefly been directed towards getting
the ears as small as possible. It does not matter whether the
ears are carried erect or semi-erect, so long as they are small.
The " drop " ear does not meet with the approval of Bull-terrier
fanciers : it gives the dog a bad expression ; but neither this nor
any other carriage disqualifies. For show purposes a powerful
muzzle and face " well filled up " under the eyes are essential,
as the natural ears throw weakness in these points into great
prominence.

In selecting a young Bull-terrier, particular attention should
be paid to the head. One with a short thick head or showing
any tendency to cheekiness is to be avoided. Still, in some strains
it is a singular fact that the heads of young puppies are of the
" apple " variety. On no less an authority than that of Mr. Pegg

4i2 BRITISH DOGS

the writer has it that the little marked bitch Champion Woodcote
Pride, when a young puppy, developed such a plain and ugly
head that her breeder was several times on the point of drowning
her ; in fact, the bitch was only saved by the intervention of his
wife. Afterwards the head grew into the ordinary type, and when
full grown there never was a Bull-terrier bitch with a better-shaped
head. The head should be level and the eyes small and dark
(light eyes are a great fault) ; the fore legs should be straight and
the body short. Though in the adult a curl in the tail is a fault,
yet young puppies not over teething carry their tails indifferently,
and this point need not be too seriously considered in an otherwise
promising specimen. As is well known, it was at one time the
custom to shave the ears and fine the tails of show Bull-terriers,
and this mild form of trimming was allowed by the Kennel Club ;
but it has since been abolished.

One often sees the character of the Bull-terrier assailed, and
this no doubt has in the past acted prejudicially against the breed.
In a thirty years' experience with the breed the writer has never
fallen across a better breed of game dog that at the same time
was capable of a greater degree of affection. With children he
has found them perfectly reliable, though he has kept alike the
" business " kind and the show-bench modifications of them.
That the Bull-terrier will fight, and to the bitter end, if provoked,
is perfectly true ; but to say that he is, as a breed, of a quarrelsome
disposition is a libel. Once a Bull-terrier does really get hold,
he is a most tenacious animal, and neither sticks nor kicks nor
the usual dodges for separating fighting dogs seem to avail. Some
Bull-terriers, despite their scanty coat, make very good water-
dogs, while as house-dogs they excel. When cropping was rife,
a goodly number of deaf dogs were met with ; and it was thought
this was a result of unduly exposing a part of a very delicate
structure. Other white domestic animals are, however, often
deaf — cats, for instance ; and Bull-terriers of to-day are frequently
deaf.

Some few years ago the Bull-terrier Club made a praiseworthy
attempt to produce a pocket edition of the larger animal ; but to
judge by the comparatively few and indifferent specimens met with,
not much success attended their efforts. This is to be regretted,
as now that cropping is a thing of the past, a hardy little dog on the
lines of the Bull-terrier ought certainly to find a place. Still, the
fact remains the Club's efforts were a failure, as they could not
get hold of any specimens of the correct type. All the so-called
Toy Bull-terriers had apple heads, goggle eyes, and " beaks " like
parrots, and altogether were abominations to anyone familiar with
a typical Bull-terrier. The writer, in the course of a fairly long
experience, can only call to mind two Toy Bull-terriers that were

THE BULL-TERRIER

passable, and, writing from memory, these, in his opinion, might
just as well have been small White English Terriers.

Below is given a description of the Bull-terrier as furnished by
the Bull-terrier Club : —

General Appearance. — The general appearance of the Bull-terrier is that of a
symmetrical animal, and the embodiment of agility, grace, elegance, and deter-
mination.

Head. — The head should be long, flat, and wide between the ears, tapering to

FIG. 93.— MR. H. E. MONK'S BULL-TERRIER BLOOMSBURY BURGE.

the nose, without cheek-muscles. There should be a slight indentation down the
face, without a "stop" between the eyes. The jaws should be long and very
powerful, with a large black nose and open nostrils. The eyes should be small
and very black, almond shape preferred. The lips should meet as tightly as
possible, without a fold. The teeth should be regular in shape and should meet
exactly ; any deviation, such as a pig-jaw, or being under-hung, is a great fault.

Neck. — The neck should be long and slightly arched, nicely set into the
shoulders, tapering to the head without any loose skin, as found in the Bulldog.

Shoulders. — The shoulders should be strong, muscular, and slanting ; the chest
wide and deep, with ribs well rounded.

Back. — This should be short and muscular, but not out of proportion to the
general contour of the animal.

Legs. — The forelegs should be perfectly straight, with well-developed muscles ;

414 BRITISH DOGS

not out "at shoulder," but set on the racing lines, and very strong at the pastern
joints. The hind legs are long and, in proportion to the fore legs, muscular, with
good, strong, straight hocks, well let down near the ground.

Feet. — These should resemble more closely those of a cat than a hare.

Colour. — Should be white.

Coat. — Short, close, and stiff to the touch, with a fine gloss.

Tail. — This should be short in proportion to the size of the dog, set on very
low down, thick where it joins the body, and tapering. It should be carried at
an angle of about 45 degrees, without curl, and never over the back.

Weight. — From I5lb. to 5olb.

To fit the present-day Bull-terrier for the show in the future will
not entail quite as much time as was necessary in the ear-shaving
and tail-fining days. As, however, he is a muscular dog, good
hand-rubbing with plenty of exercise is advisable. The gloss upon
the coat, too, may best be acquired in this way, providing the dog
be healthy. The washing should take place on the eve of the
show, and the dog must then be turned into a well-ventilated
kennel plentifully supplied with clean straw. The use of artificial
coat whiteners has grown out of a perfectly legitimate practice.
When an owner has carefully washed a white dog that he has
taken to a show, it is most annoying to find that in transit the animal
has soiled his coat. The quickest way to get him clean is to
rub on some French chalk and brush it off again. The practice
that obtains with some breeeders of smothering their dogs with
white powder is a senseless one, and it does no good in any way.

Of those breeders at present before the public who have done
great service in endeavouring to popularise this game British dog,
Mr. F. Hinks, Mr. H. E. Monk (one of whose dogs is illustrated at
Fig. 93), and Mr. W. J. Pegg, may especially be named. The last-
named breeder, however, has of recent years given up his very strong
kennel of old loves in favour of Bulldogs, though he continues to
exercise a desirable watching brief over the Bull-terrier. In the past
we have had the late Mr. Alf. George, Mr. J. Oswell, Messrs. Lea,
Mr. J, W. Gibson, Mr. Hartley, Mr. B. Garside, Messrs. Marriott
and Green, and many others whose names the Stud Books will
reveal.

Besides the parent'Society, the Bull-terrier Club, there are the
Northern Bull-terrier Club and the Birkenhead and Liverpool Bull-
terrier Club.

CHAPTER XXXVII
THE AIREDALE TERRIER

AT the earlier dog shows, and, indeed, until the publication of the
article by the late Mr. Hugh Dalziel on this breed that first
appeared in the Country, and subsequently in the First Edition of
this work, this dog was seldom seen, except at Yorkshire and a few
Lancashire shows. For all that the dog was kept by the sporting
working classes long ere it became a show-bench variety. In the
catalogues of early exhibitions he appeared under the name or title
of "The Broken-haired or Working Terrier," and sometimes as
" The Waterside Terrier," by which latter name he was best known
in his native dales. Mr. Dalziel suggested that the name Bingley
Terrier would be more distinctive and applicable, inasmuch as
Bingley seemed to be the district around which this Terrier was to
be met with in the greatest numbers. Several correspondents who
were breeders and exhibitors suggested to him that Airedale better
represented the home of this Terrier, and this was adopted, and the
name Airedale Terrier has attached to the breed ever since. Next
to the Fox-terrier and the Irish Terrier, it is the most popular of all
the important Terrier group in this country, while in America and
on the Continent it has also taken a strong hold. So far as America
is concerned, so great is the favour in which the Airedale Terrier is
held that some of our best dogs have been sold for exportation
thither at big prices. Mr. Foxhall Keene, so well known in sporting
circles, has been a liberal patron ; while another enthusiastic fancier
on the other side is Mr. Qldham, a gentleman who gave over ^600-
for a trio that included the famous Clonmel Marvel.

In the early shows at which the Airedale Terrier was found he
was not the smart-looking animal that he is to-day, nor was there
the same uniformity of type ; indeed, the variability shown was very
marked until the breeding of the dog was seriously taken in hand.
Of late years this Terrier has advanced to the front rank of popular
dogs with rapid strides ; while besides the great all-round improve-
ment noted above in respect of the breed as a whole, other changes
have been brought about in eyes, ears, and coat still more recently.

4i6 BRITISH DOGS

Light eyes, once a bugbear of the Airedale Terrier breeder, have
almost disappeared, as has also the need for the extensive trimming
on neck and jaws.

" Waterside Terrier " was, no doubt, an applicable name to this
at that time rough-and-tumble dog, who is equally happy wet or dry,
and is especially useful, by reason of his strength and his hardihood,
to work in and about the rapid streams of hilly Yorkshire. It had
the disadvantage, however, of being too general in its application,
as being descriptive of work also done by other quite distinct
varieties of Terriers.

The Airedale Terrier (Fig. 94) gives one the impression of being

pIG> 94. — MR. W. H. JOHNSON'S AIREDALE TERRIER BRIARWOOD.

a sort of giant relation of the Dandie Dinmont and the Bedlington,
with more than a dash of Otterhound in his composition. That he
has a lot of hound blood in him, whether the infusion be recent or
remote, there can be no doubt, and this was particularly noticeable
in the dogs that one met with even ten years or so ago : the
breeder, however, has changed all that, and it is the exception rather
than the rule to meet with a big-eared specimen in the present day.
This Terrier is considerably larger than his near relatives, ranging
from 4olb. to 45lb., very strongly built, the ribs rounder, and the
haunches wider and more muscular than the Bedlington, and he is
much longer in the leg, and, consequently, proportionately shorter in
the body, than the Dandie ; he is, like the latter, very strong in the

THE AIREDALE TERRIER 417

jaw, and the whole head is large ; the ears fall close to the cheeks,
rather wider and shorter for the size of the dog than in either of the
other two breeds ; the neck is rather strong than neat ; the whole
body stout and compact, and good muscular shoulders, over useful,
straight, strong legs and good feet. The hindquarters are firm and
square, finished off by a thick, rather coarse tail, docked to about half
or a little more. The coat is a right useful one, short, and broken,
much harder to the feel than it looks, being a good mixture of hard
and soft hair, and, in fact, just the coat to get dry after an immer-
sion with a few good shakes and a roll in the grass ; the prevailing
colour is grizzle of various shades, with tan, variously distributed,
but showing a saddle back with tan legs, tan about face, etc.

Here it may be stated that the Old English Terrier, that at one
time was provided with a classification by the Kennel Club but now
deprived of varietal rank, was correctly either an Airedale Terrier
or a Welsh Terrier. The Kennel Club is, therefore, to be con-
gratulated in no longer bolstering up a breed that had no dis-
tinguishing characteristic to entitle it to the dignification of a
variety.

Novices called upon to make a selection of a young puppy and
knowing only the adult dog would doubtless be surprised to find
an animal more resembling the smooth-coated Black-and-tan Terrier
than the hard, wiry coat of the mature Airedale Terrier. Alike,
therefore, as regards coat-colour and texture the young Airedale Terrier
has to undergo a gradual but complete change after about the fourth
month. As a rule, the darker the puppies the greater the promise
for a good adult coat ; while in addition the novice should look for
a puppy with a small ear, straight, well-boned fore legs, and dark
eyes.

Airedale Terriers are generally good-tempered dogs, bold and
resolute in work, very hardy — the day never being too wet, too cold,
or too long if there is sport ; and whether for rat or otter, duck or
waterhen, they are equally good, eager at questing, and as game as
obedient. For size there is only one other Terrier to compare with
this variety — the Bull-terrier ; but whereas the latter is an excellent
guard to person and property, by reason of his scanty coat he can-
not perform with indifference the outdoor offices in all weathers that
the Airedale Terrier can.

On the other hand, " Stonehenge " was informed by gentlemen
who had purchased Airedales in considerable numbers on the strength
of newspaper reports as to their excellence, that the breed was worth-
less, wanting in gameness, and, in fact, such arrant cowards that the
Airedale Terrier was pronounced a failure. The truth will be found
to lie between the two extremes of unmeasured praise and wholesale
condemnation. Naturally there are bright and dull specimens in all
breeds.

27

418 BRITISH DOGS

The name Terrier, applied to the Airedale, is admittedly a
stretching of the term far beyond its original meaning, for this dog
is generally too big for the work associated with the group; but
when it was mooted that the word Terrier should be omitted, there
was so much objection shown by the " Fancy " that the Kennel Club
did not deem it politic to make the alteration suggested. As a
water-dog there is only one other variety of Terrier that can be
mentioned with him — the Bedlington Terrier.

Of present-day breeders, some of the strongest kennels are those
of Mr. G. H. Elder (whose prefix of Tone is so familiar) ; Mr.
Clarkson, Mr. Sachse, Messrs. Bromhead and Sharpe, Messrs. Mills
and Buckley. A few years back Mr. C. J. Whittaker, Mr. E. N.
Deakin, Mr. H. M. Bryans, Mr. W. Tatham, Mr. Maud Barrett,
Mr. Bairstow, and Mr. J. B. Holland, with a few others, were to
the fore.

The following is the description of the Airedale Terrier as agreed
upon by the Airedale Terrier Club :—

. — Long, with flat skull, not too broad between the ears and narrowing
slightly to the eyes, free from wrinkle. Stop hardly visible, and cheeks free from
fulness. Jaws deep and powerful, well filled up before the eyes ; lips tight. Ears
V-shaped, with a side carriage, small, but not out of proportion to the size of the
dog. The nose is black. The eyes are small, and dark in colour, not prominent,
but full of Terrier expression. The teeth are strong and level.

Neck. — Should be of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening
towards the shoulders, and free from throat iness.

Shoulders and Chest. — Shoulders long, and sloping well into the back ;
shoulder-blades flat. Chest deep, but not broad.

Body. — Back short, strong, and straight. Ribs well sprung.

Hindquarters. — Strong and muscular, with no droop. Hocks well let down.
The tail is set on high, and carried gaily, but not curled over the back.

Legs and Feet. — Legs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone. Feet small and
round, with a good depth of pad.

Coat. — Hard and wiry, and not so long as to appear ragged ; it should also be
straight and close, covering the dog well all over the body and legs.

Colour. — The head and ears, with the exception of dark markings on each
side of the skull, should be tan, the ears being of a darker shade than the rest.
The legs up to the thighs and elbows are also tan. The body is black or dark
grizzle.

Size. — Dogs, 4olb. to 45lb. ; bitches slightly less.

It is the unanimous opinion of the Club that the size of the Airedale Terrier as
given in the above standard is one of, if not the most, important characteristics of
the breed. All judges who shall henceforth adjudicate on the merits of the
Airedale Terrier shall consider under-sized specimens of the breed severely
handicapped when competing with dogs of the standard weight. And that any
of the Club's judges who, in the opinion of the Committee, shall give prizes or
otherwise push to the front dogs of a small type, shall be at once struck off from
the list of specialist judges.

No scale of points has been issued by the Airedale Terrier Club.

CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE FOXTERRIER

IF the Fox-terrier is not the most popular of all breeds, at any rate
he occupies a very exalted position in the hearts of the dog-loving
public ; while equally certain is it that he embodies most of those
qualities that go to make up an ideal Terrier. There are, however,
individuals who, in their over-zealousness for the breed whose cause
they have espoused, would go, and do go, a step farther, and assert
that he is the only true Terrier. Still other admirers are there who,
while they are ready to recognise that there may be other breeds
with some slight claim to the name and qualities of a Terrier, to
compare any one of them with the Fox-terrier is absurd. This
breed-worship is by no means confined to the Fox-terrier fancier,
but applies with almost equal force to the enthusiastic section of
every variety of dog.

There is scarcely any breed whose evolution has been more
hotly discussed than that of the Fox-terrier. Some writers are
inclined to take the whole of the credit for the perfected form of
the dog for the modern fancier ; but the majority appear to think
that half a century or more ago as good dogs were to be found.

Mr. T. H. Scott, who contributed the article on the Fox-terrier
to the First Edition of " British Dogs," and whose opinions are
entitled to great respect, wrote thus in connection with the early
history of the breed : " Among all those who have written on Fox-
terriers of late years, none appears to have been inclined to go to
the root of the matter, and tell us anything of the origin and early
history of this breed. A general idea seems to prevail that Fox-
terriers are a production of modern times, and this idea has, no
doubt, been fostered by the way in which spurious imitations of
them have been from time to time manufactured, and by the
ignorance of judges who have permitted various and very opposite
types to find favour. The Fox-terrier proper is not a modern
breed, and perhaps there were as good dogs fifty years ago as there
are now."

Mr. J. A. Doyle, in his contribution to Vero Shaw's " Book of

420 BRITISH DOGS

the Dog," says : " The antiquity and the precise origin of the modern
Fox-terrier are involved in considerable obscurity."

Both writers just quoted recognise the difficulties in the way of
clearing up the origin of this breed by tracing it to its sources,
knowing that there are missing links in the chain of evidence very
near to the end of it which we now hold.

Though a good many practical writers claim the modern Fox-
terrier as a descendant cf the Hound for the fox and the badger of
Dr. Caius, none insists on direct descent without intermixtures
of blood, but rely on the inference drawn from the fact that,
through all the centuries since Caius, as probably for many more
centuries before his time, the Terrier was used for the same
work ; and it is, and has been, the practice to use the animals we
have suited to our several purposes, whilst ever attempting to
improve them. Such attempts result in some modifications, but
the work of the dog remains the same. The fox and the badger in
their form, nature, and habits being unchanged, the dog used to
follow them into their " terriers " would, of necessity, be kept of
certain character or type, however modified in trivial points.

The word Terrier as applied to dogs is from the French terrier,
out of the Low Latin terrarium, and this again from the Latin terra,
clearly indicating that the dog is one that burrows, or goes to earth
after his quarry. The suitability of the term is also enhanced when
it is recollected that the hole, berry, burrow, or earth of rabbit, fox,
or badger, is also called in French a " terrier." The prefix " fox "
to this particular variety shows him to have been selected from
others as specially suited to bolt that animal.

Dr. Caius disappointingly gives us no description of the Terrier.
He, however, gives us a fair picture of the dog at work. Writing of
Hounds, he sandwiches the Terrier between the Harrier and the
Bloodhound in these words : " Another sorte there is which hunteth
the foxe and the badger or greye onely, whom we call Terrars,
because they (after the manner and custom of ferrets in hunting for
connyes) creepe into the grounde, and by that means make afrayde,
nyppe and byte the foxe and the badger, in such sorte, that eyther
they teare them in pieces with theyre teeth, beying in the bosome of
the earth, or else hayle and pull them perforce out of their lurking
angles, dark dongeons, and close caves, or, at the least, through
conceived feare, drive them out of their hollow harbours, insomuch
that they are compelled to prepare speedy flight, and being desirous
of the next (albeit not the safest) refuge, are otherwise taken and
intrapped with snares and nettes layde over holes to the same
purpose."

It is to be regretted that Dr. Caius did not write a description of
these Terriers. There were, however, several writers about dogs
contemporary with Caius, or very near his time, among them being

THE FOX-TERRIER 421

De Fouilloux, Stevens, and Liebault — all French authors— and
Turberville, Surflet, Goodge, and other English writers dealing more
or less with dogs, who have, partially at least, made up for this
omission. The works of De Fouilloux, a contemporary writer with
Stevens, a physician of Paris, are not well known. Liebault, also,
a doctor of medicine, simply edited and added to Dr. Stevens's
" Maison Rustique," but added nothing that concerns us here.
Surflet, another physician, translated Dr. Stevens's book.

Taking the description of the Fox-terrier of that date, as given
by Stevens through Surflet, and comparing it with that given by
Turberville, there is an agreement in the main, jyet with such
difference as to make it clear that they did not copy the one from
the other, and possibly that Turberville, the earlier translator, did
not even consult Stevens, although that author's date would have
enabled him to do so. As Turberville admits having taken his matter
from various authors, and as his contemporaries and he agree in
substance, it seems as if all of them (including De Fouilloux) had
taken their matter to a great extent from still older writers, with all
too slight, and most certainly with too indefinite, acknowledgment.
Finger-posts to indicate the way to these older writers are, however,
wanting. It would serve no good purpose to traverse the well-
trodden ground dealing with the ancient history of the Fox-terrier,
and covering the time when Dr. Stevens wrote the work above
named to that when Sydenham Edwards issued his " Cynographia
Britannica " in 1800, or Samuel Howitt "The British Sportsman"
in 1812. Those desirous of doing so should consult "The Fox-
terrier Monograph," published by Mr. L. Upcott Gill, or " The
Fox-terrier," issued by Mr. Horace Cox.

In Samuel Hewitt's " The British Sportsman " is a collection of
seventy coloured plates, published in 1812. No. 40 represents a
Terrier with a rat in his mouth ; the dog is a black-and-tan, with
natural prick ears and a rather short, neat, apparently undocked tail,
thicker at the setting-on than is seen on our show specimens, and
tapering to a fine point. The three Terriers drawn by Reinagle,
and engraved by Scott for "The Sportsman's Cabinet," are all
stouter made than that drawn by Howitt. Of the three, one is
disappearing into a fox or a badger earth ; another is represented as
dark in colour, with white neck and feet ; and the third is white,
with what the modern Terrier advertiser would call an " evenly
marked black-and-tan head, with spot at setting-on of stern." The
bitch represented was, however, yellow-pied. The two seen appear
to have natural prick ears ; and if the tail is docked at all, but
few joints could have been removed. The coat would appear to
be one in length between that of our modern Smooth and Wire-
haired Fox-terriers.

The last years of the eighteenth and the first of the nineteenth

422 BRITISH DOGS

century would appear to be the time when the Fox-terrier, with
considerable resemblance to his successor of the present day, first
began to be kept as an ornament and for pleasure, as well as for
sporting purposes. It was, consequently, a necessity of the case
that, being advanced to a closer intimacy with man, more regard
would be paid to his external appearance. "The Sportsman's
Cabinet" tells us that, uby the prevalence of fashion, they were
bred of all colours " ; and, further, that it was " the white-pied
bitch " we have just noticed as one of the three in the plate that was
the dam of the " wonderful progeny," her litter of seven puppies
having sold at the Running Horse livery stables, Piccadilly, for one-
and-tiventy. guineas — a very high price at that time ; and of them
Taplin wrote : " These are as true a breed of the small sort as any
in England." It would be exceedingly interesting could the puppies
referred to be traced, and to know if they were bred from, and
the strain preserved in tolerable purity. One looks in vain for
records throwing light on the subject, but the fact of calling atten-
tion to the matter may yet bring information to those interested.
There appears to be no accessible records from which to trace the
history of the Hound-marked variety that ultimately gained the
ascendancy it now holds ; but the above fact proves that it was at
least coming into fashion close on a century ago.

As already noted, Mr. T. H. Scott is of opinion that the
Fox-terrier is not a modern dog ; and the evidence from writers,
down to the first decade of last century, confirms that. Mr. Scott
ventures to assert that there were as good dogs fifty years ago as
there are now ; and if by good is meant capacity for the work
required of them, there can be no doubt about it. It has been seen
that, even earlier, the form and the colour were approached in the
fashionable strain; and Mr. Scott, writing in 1876, tells us he was
assured of the pure breeding of some of our most valued existing
strains for forty years, thus taking us back almost within a decade
of Lawrence.

Before leaving this portion of a very interesting subject, some
further evidence might be adduced that there existed rather more
than thirty years ago Fox-terriers which for work generally were
superior to their modern relatives as seen upon the show-bench.
Moreover, as the statements about to be quoted emanated from a
prominent member of the Kennel Club, an erstwhile successful
breeder and exhibitor of the variety, and one, too, frequently called
upon to adjudicate upon the breed, his pronouncement certainly
carries weight. The writer refers to Mr. Harding Cox, whose very
able letter to the Field in April, 1897, under the heading of " A
Danger to Dogs," is worthy of the consideration of the practical
breeder of to-day. Fox-terriers were not the only breed scheduled
on the occasion, but it was the variety which more than any other

THE FOX-TERRIER 423

came in for his condemnation. He said : " In the early seventies
there was a reaction against the cloddy or cob-built Terrier — the
1 brick with the four corners knocked off,' as it was facetiously called.
This was, as is usual with reactions of all kinds, carried to extremes.
The fiat went forth that Fox-terriers were to have narrow chests
and oblique shoulders. Good ! But what was and is the con-
sequence? We now have dogs so narrow in front, so oblique in
shoulder, that as a natural result they have flat sides, weak back
ribs, long couplings, wedge-like and feeble quarters, with enough
daylight under them to absorb a Norwegian summer. This is not
the first time I have fallen foul of those misguided enthusiasts whose
ambition it is to breed Terriers to live with Hounds. I have no
hesitation in positively stating that no Fox-terrier that ever was
bred could live with any decent pack of Foxhounds when really
carrying a head. When Hounds are dragging along on a cold scent,
or flashing down wind, friend Jack may be all there, but he will
soon be left behind when heads go up and sterns down. On the
other hand, the stout-built little Terrier of the days of yore is always
quick enough to follow on, and when Pug is marked to ground, will
generally appear on the scene, whilst Hounds and followers are
taking a breather, and before pollice inverto is the master's sign.
Again, I claim that for purposes of going to ground, and staying
there as long as required, I would back a 'well-balanced, sturdy
Terrier with good chest and ribs against any of the leggy, narrow,
and ' spiry' dogs of the show-bench of to-day."

Now, as Mr. Harding Cox is writing of the Fox-terrier existing
at a period nearly contemporary with that when Mr. Scott penned
his lines, it renders the former's contribution all the more interesting.
The latter has already stated that probably the dog, fifty years
prior to 1876, was the equal of the Terrier of that time. The
ground, therefore, of the last century, so far as the dog under
discussion is concerned, is exceedingly well covered.

Again, Mr. Harding Cox, writing elsewhere, says in connection
with the Fox-terrier that " narrow chests have been obtained at the
expense of depth and strength of rib, and consequently power of
loin and quarters. One nowadays seldom sees a well-ribbed,
square-quartered Fox-terrier.1' That a great many of our Fox-terriers
are weak behind and cow-hocked may be proved by impartially
judging the material that any good show affords ; and such weakness
is particularly noticeable when the dog is moving.

There is yet another Fox-terrier enthusiast whose practical
experience of a dog as a workman was, perhaps, second to none,
the Rev. John Russell, the founder of a very notable strain of Wire-
haired Fox-terriers. His dogs were, however, kept for a specific
purpose — namely, as assistants to Hounds — and were entered only
at fox. The author of the admirable memoir of the sporting parson

424 BRITISH DOGS

describes them as being " as steady from riot as the staunchest
of his Hounds, so that running together with them, and never passing
over an earth without drawing it, they gave a fox, whether above
ground or below it, but a poor chance of not being found by one
or the other." Two things are fairly evident — that they excelled
in the particular work which Russell required of them, and that,
while being essentially workmen, they would not, judging from
the descriptions furnished of them, have disgraced the show-bench

FIG. 95. — A MODERN CHAMPION SMOOTH-HAIRED FOX-TERRIER,
MR. C. HOULKER'S ADAM BEDE.

even of the present day. Below is a word-picture of the famous
bitch Trump, who laid the foundation of a strain whose doughty
deeds in the hunting-field even Time is hardly likely to efface.
Purchased of a milkman in the vicinity of Oxford, she was the
parson's ideal of a Fox-terrier, and lived to bring him fame alike in
this country and abroad. The writer has many times endeavoured
to learn something as to the ancestors of this famous bitch, and
has prosecuted enquiries in many directions. Though he has
succeeded in tracing the name of the man from whom Russell
purchased her, not even the oldest inhabitant seems to remember

THE FOX-TERRIER

425

anything beyond the fact that he had a certain local renown for
his dogs.

Trump is described by the author of the book referred to as
being white, " with just a patch of dark tan over each eye and ear ;
while a similar dot, not larger than a penny piece, marks the root
of the tail. The coat, which is thick, close, and a trifle wiry, is
calculated to protect the body from wet and cold, but has no affinity
with the long, rough jacket of a Scotch Terrier. The legs are as

FIG. 96. — A MODERN CHAMPION WIRE-HAIRED FOX-TERRIER,
MR. W. HOWARD SWINGLER'S BARKBY BEN.

straight as arrows, the feet perfect, the loins and conformation of
the whole frame indicative of hardihood and endurance, while the
size and height of the animal may be compared to that of a full-
grown vixen fox."

Russell lived to see what may be termed the canonisation of
the Terrier he loved so well ; but he apparently had little sympathy
with the modern production as exemplified at dog shows. Indeed,
when speaking to a friend, who was inspecting an exhibition of
Fox-terriers for which 150 entries had been received, he said :
" I seldom or ever see a real Fox-terrier nowadays. They have

426 BRITISH DOGS

so intermingled strange blood with the real article that if he were
not informed it would puzzle Professor Bell to discover to what race
the so-called Fox-terrier himself belongs."

Except in the matter of coat, the two varieties of the Fox-terrier
differ little, if at all, though the Smooth-haired (Fig. 95) is decidedly
more popular than its Wire-haired relative (Fig. 96), at any rate as a
show-dog and general companion. For sporting purposes the latter
is usually preferred to the former. The partiality exhibited by some
sportsmen for the Wire-haired is not, as is popularly supposed, due to
the dog's superior stamina or pluck, but to the coat alone ; indeed,
the two varieties are sometimes judiciously blended by breeders for
the purpose of improving jackets generally. Every one who has kept
working Terriers, and is fairly observant, can hardly fail to be aware
of the advantages that a good water- and cold-resisting coat possesses
over one inferior in this respect, when the dogs are called upon to
perform arduous duties under varying climatic conditions and
exceptional circumstances. In the one case the dogs can work for
hours exposed to wet or cold ; in the other, be they ever so game
by nature, they suffer considerably, as they can neither throw off the
water nor are their coats thick enough to enable them to withstand
the exposure to which, in pursuit of their game, they are subject.
It may be simply as aids to the gun ; or, on the other hand, it may
be as assistants to Hounds in the hunting of fox or otter.

By nature our hardier Terriers have been provided with a
jacket to suitably equip them for the duties they are from time to
time called upon to perform. Man, in his wisdom, frequently en-
deavours to improve upon Nature in the matter of coat, in order
to give, according to his ideas, a smarter appearance to this or that
variety, and the result is that those which grow heavy coats are
" stripped " of their jackets before they can be shown with any hope
of success upon the exhibition bench. The Bedlington Terrier is a
case in point. To be in so-called show condition this game terrier
must be deprived of its natural coat, or a very large proportion of it.
And so it is with many other breeds, including Fox-terriers.

In fact, trimming in the past has been very largely responsible
for the inferior position the Wire-haired Terrier occupied as com-
pared with the Smooth. The ruling of the Kennel Club in respect
thereto, and the endeavours made by the Fancy to eliminate certain
undesirable characteristics by breeding, have tended to restore some
of the lost confidence of the dog-loving public in the breed. For
all that, the work of the so-called " moulting room " is still too much
in evidence, and the skilful hair-dresser is very largely responsible
for the position in the prize list many dogs even at the present day
occupy. Combined with trimming, there is the difficulty experienced
in breeding really good specimens of the Wire-haired Terrier, and
these together have worked against its popularity. Despite what

THE FOX-TERRIER 427

has been said, the Wire-haired Fox-terrier is more popular to-day
as a show dog than at any previous period in its career.

It must not be forgotten in estimating the degree of popularity
attained by the two breeds that the Smooth-haired had a consider-
able start of the Wire-haired. The former was receiving a liberal
classification at shows a decade before a similar privilege was
accorded the latter, which was usually to be found, when exhibited
at all, amongst a very miscellaneous collection. The stud books
and old show reports unmistakably prove this; while, if further
evidence is required as to the popularity of the two, this is furnished
by the prices realised. The Smooth, even in the comparatively
early days of shows, commanded good prices, while the Wire-haired
scarcely realised more shillings than the other did pounds, and was
even regarded by some as but a fitting companion for the itinerant
rat-catcher. Having received the hall-mark of varietal rank, it was
not even accurately located in the list of breeds, being classified as
a non-sporting dog. From our own personal knowledge of the
breed, and from what we have gleaned from old-time fanciers, it
was a sporting dog, if nothing else ! To-day the Wire-haired variety
occupies a very different position, is quite as much esteemed by
those best capable of forming an opinion of its merits, and equally
as valuable as the Smooth. No better evidence of the latter can
be cited than the purchase by an American fancier of the best two
specimens of the breed known to fanciers of the present generation
—Go Bang and Meersbrook Bristles — for the enormous sum of
^500 each.

THE SMOOTH-HAIRED VARIETY

Passing on to the consideration of the historical part of this
popular dog, we cannot, on the whole, have a better instructor than
Mr. Scott, who contributed the article upon the subject to the
First Edition of "British Dogs." Though many years have now
elapsed since the lines were penned, the facts were in the main
so carefully compiled that nothing practically has been added since
by the modern historian to throw new light upon the period covered
by " Peeping Tom." We, therefore, retain the text of his article,
with a few minor modifications. It is as follows : —

" Some of us will, I dare say, remember the old Black-and-
tan English Terrier — not in any way resembling the whip-tailed,
smooth-coated, and pencil-toed Black-and-tan of the present day,
but a dog of very similar appearance to the Old Jock and Old Trap
type of Fox-terriers.

My father has at present in his possession a painting of a
noted Terrier that belonged to his grandfather. This dog was

428 BRITISH DOGS

a black-and-tan— that is to say, black, with a considerable quantity
of light tan, and white breast. He, upon one occasion, went to
ground in Newburgh Park, and stayed several hours, until dug
out, when it was found that he was engaged with two large badgers ;
and though fearfully cut up, he showed no signs of giving in. This
dog had good drop ears, and in all other respects, except colour,
would have held his own on a show-bench at the present day.

I believe there is no doubt that there was an equally old
breed of white English Terriers of the same character, and it was
by crossing these two sorts that the colour of our modern Kennel
Terriers was produced. The black-and-tan was, from its colour,
difficult to keep in view, and mixed colour looked more uniform
with the Hounds.

However, even to the present day, or at least till very recently,
the Duke of Beaufort has kept up a breed of black-and-tan Fox-
terriers, and excellent dogs they are.

Treadwell, the Huntsman of the Old Berkshire, has had several
good Terriers — notably Tip — and these were descended from a
black-and-tan dog he had with the Cottesmore twenty-five years ago,
called Charley. This dog was bred by Mr. Cauverley, of Greetham,
near Oakham, whose family has had the breed for a century. Some
years ago I was at the Old Berkshire Kennels, and saw Treadwell's
Terriers. They were a hardy, useful sort, weighing from lolb.
to i61b.

Old Trap was descended from a black-and-tan breed, and
I believe Old Jock was also. These dogs were thoroughly genuine
Terriers, and their blood at the present day asserts itself in many
of the best prize winners we have. Unfortunately, owing to the
want of authentic pedigree registries and the not very scrupulous
consciences of certain dealers and breeders, Old Jock and Old Trap
have been made responsible for a great deal of stock with which
in reality they had no connection. Old Jock was bred by Captain
Percy Williams, and was by his Jock out of Grove Pepper.

This brings me to a consideration of the Grove Terriers,
which, in the hands of Jack Morgan, soon attained to the greatest
fame. It may, indeed, be questioned if, at the present day, we
have a better bitch than old Grove Nettle. I may also direct
attention to another Terrier, not so generally known, that was
bred by Jack Morgan, when Huntsman to Lord Galway. That was
Trimmer, better known as Cooper's Trimmer, and he achieved
lasting fame as being the sire of Belvoir Joe. Of the Belvoir
Terriers, however, I shall have something more to say.

Of the same breed as the Grove are the Terriers which Ben
Morgan introduced into Lord Middleton's kennels; and though
their lot did not fall in early days among the show world, they were
none the less good-looking and thoroughly up to their work. I well

THE FOX-TERRIER 429

remember Nettle of this breed : she was the granddam of Belvoir
Joe, and a thorough Terrier, quite up to show form. Another of
the same strain was Old Vic, whose daughter Vic, by Old Tartar,
produced Jester II. The two Vies for many seasons did excellent
service with the Hounds.

Another very old breed, not generally known to fame, was
many years in the hands of the late Mr. F. Bell, of The Hall,
Thirsk. Some eighteen years ago two of his Terriers distinguished
themselves greatly in an otter-hunt that took place in the Colbeck —
one of the tributaries of the Swale. Twig, one of these dogs, several
times bolted the otter, and was the first to tackle him on crossing a
shoal. For this he nearly lost his life, as he was found to be bitten
through one of the veins in his neck, and nearly bled to death.
The sister of this dog — a bitch, called Venom — won one of the
first prizes that were ever offered for Fox-terriers. This was at
Yarmouth. Twig was an exceedingly good-looking dog, showing no
Bull, and as good as most of the present winners. He was marked
with black and grey tan on the head. I am sorry to say, however,
that Mr. Bell's breed has become well-nigh extinct.

Mr. Bovver, of Oswaldkirk, has long been the possessor of
Terriers that have often become notorious for doughty deeds ; and
people still tell the story of Old Jim, who worried a very large and
savage monkey that belonged to Sir George Wombwell. The dog
was only eleven months old, and had previously been considerably
bullied by the monkey. At last, upon the eventful day, he was
observed to go towards the monkey's yard, look enquiringly around
— doubtless to see if any one was near — and then he went in. Some
time afterwards the brewer, who had seen him enter the yard and
not return, went to look after him, and found the monkey dead,
while the dog was so punished he could not move.

Mr. Bower's breed has been extensively used in kennels in the
North of England ; but I have little doubt that there is a cross of
Bull in it.

Mr. H. Gibson has long been well known as a breeder of first-
class Fox-terriers, and he has, in fact, owned them for above thirty
years. The first he ever possessed was a bitch bred at Hams Hall,
in Warwickshire, by a gamekeeper named Massey. This bitch
killed a favourite cat belonging to the present Mr. Adderley's mother,
and so had to be got rid of. Massey consequently sold the bitch to
a barber named Collins, of Coleshill, who went to the school where
Mr. Gibson, then was, and sold the Terrier to him for all the money
his schooboy purse contained — £3. Mr. Gibson now says he
wishes he could find a few like her at .£100 each. Her name was
Fly. Mr. Gibson also tells me that in those days there were many
good Fox-terriers to be found, and that gamekeepers used them
instead of Spaniels. They were valued at 2os. to 405-. each. The

430 BRITISH DOGS

Atherstone, the South Warwickshire (in Vyner's time), and the Bel-
voir (in Goosey's day) had plenty such as you can hardly find now.

From the Belvoir Kennels thirty-five years ago Sir Thomas
Whichcote got Old Tyrant, and he was of a sort that never has
been surpassed. This breed was kept very select, and among other
direct descendants of it I may mention Belvoir Venom, who was
bred by Goodall, at Aswarby, in 1860. He now has a dog and
bitch out of her by Belvoir Joe. They are eight years old, and are
probably the best-bred Terriers at present in existence. Their
names are Viper and Violet. Venom passed into the hands of
Mr. Wootton when she was over twelve years of age, and he had
unprecedented success in breeding many pups from such an
old bitch.

I think few will differ from me when I say that the Grove and
Belvoir have taken more pride in their breed of Terriers than any
other pack, and have crossed them as carefully as they did their
Hounds. I will first make a few remarks on the Belvoir Terriers ;
and, as Belvoir Joe is the best known to breeders of the present
day, I will give his pedigree, which can be traced back for upwards
of forty years. Belvoir Joe was bred by W. Cooper, a late Hunts-
man to the Belvoir, and was by his Trimmer out of Trinket — a
grand-looking bitch, and one that would take a lot of getting over
by the best of the present time ; Trinket was by the Belvoir earth-
stopper's Trap out of Ben Morgan's Nettle ; Trimmer, from the
Grove, was by a favourite dog of the late Sir Richard Sutton's out
of a bitch belonging to Tom Day, late Huntsman to the Quorn.
Ben Morgan was Huntsman to Lord Middleton, and he got Nettle
from his brother at the Grove. I have seen Nettle ; she was a very
good-looking Terrier, rather heavily marked with black and tan ;
she got a prize or two at the early Yorkshire shows. The Belvoir
earth-stopper's Trap was by the late Will Goodall's Doc, bred by a
late Huntsman called Rose ; and Goodall always declared that.Doc
was the only dog he ever had or knew that could draw a fox out of
the main earths near Belvoir Castle.

Cooper took great pains in keeping the breed pure during his
time at Belvoir, and got several of the old black-and-tan sort,
mentioned before, from Mr. William Singleton, of Caythorpe, near
Grantham, a noted breeder of them, and he kept them free from
Bull for over forty years. This strengthens my belief that the
white-black-and-tan Terrier of the present day is, or should be,
descended from the old black-and-tan. I cannot trace the present
breed of Belvoir Terriers farther back than Tom Goosey's day, over
forty years ago ; his Tyrant was a noted dog, and he afterwards
became the property of Sir Thomas Whichcote, who has kept the
breed pure up to the present day. Sir Thomas bred the celebrated
Belvoir Venom from this strain when young Goodall was with him,

THE FOX-TERRIER 431

and there are three Terriers still in existence by Belvoir Joe out
of Belvoir Venom, two of which belong to Will Goodall, of the
Pytchley, named Viper and Violet, the other being the property of
Cooper, called Grip. These, it is needless to say, I look upon as
the best-bred Terriers now living, and their blood is invaluable
to all lovers of the pure Kennel Terrier.

Jack Morgan has been, I believe, chiefly instrumental in
bringing the Grove Terriers to the perfection they attained, for it
is beyond dispute that the Grove have turned out two as good as,
or better than, anything of the present day. These are Old Jock
and Grove Nettle. Jock was out of Grove Pepper, by a black-and-
tanned dog, Captain Percy William's Jock ; but I do not quite know
the correct pedigree of Nettle. I believe she was by a dog belong-
ing to Mr. J. B. Hodgson, M.F.H., out of Gimlet, by old Grove
Tartar out of Rose, by Grove Trickster, out of Nettle, by a Grove
dog out of Mr. Foljambe's old Cambridge Vic. There was a Nettle
bred as above, and she is either Grove Nettle or Ben Morgan's
Nettle. I see, however, in the Kennel Club Stud Book that Grove
Nettle is said to be by Merry's Grove Tartar out of Rev. W.
Handley's Sting. I have omitted to state that J. Morgan's Spit and
Topper were good dogs, and the sires of good ones.

The Quorn have never been famed for their Terriers, although
I believe Mr. Musters had Ragman and Fussey when Master, and
Mr. Murchison had a nice bitch named Psyche from those kennels,
who won a prize, beating that miserable specimen Bellona. Mr.
Murchison put Psyche to Old Jock, and Mr. Allison got one of
the pups, which I have seen ; it was a rare sort, and perfection
for its work. Fan, also from the Quorn, bred the prize dog
Pantaloon ; she was a very beautifully made bitch, with .excellent
coat. Terriers are never used in a galloping country like the Quorn,
except in cub-hunting time, when Tom Firr takes out a couple,
descended from the present prize strains, and I believe they do
their work well when needed. The Duke of Grafton always had
a good Terrier, and Crab, a noted dog some years ago, was by
Belvoir Joe out of a bitch of his.

Ben Morgan, when with Lord Middleton, got together a good
team of Terriers, chiefly from his brother, and they won a prize
or two in Yorkshire. Will Thompson, the earth-stopper, has kept
up the breed, and bred Jester II. from Vic, a direct descendant
of the old breed. The York and Ainsty had a good lot in the
time of old Will Danby, but since he left they have been crossed
with Bull.

Having reviewed the most noted breeds of pure Kennel Terriers,
let us consider how many dogs there are available for stud purposes
possessing the pure blood in their pedigree, unalloyed by the
objectionable strains of Beagle and Italian Greyhound. The Foiler

432 BRITISH DOGS

blood is good, and I should not object to breed from his son
Flinger, out of Brockenhurst Nettle, by Hornet out of Cottingham
Nettle. Reflections have lately been cast on the breeding of
Cottingham Nettle; but, whether the pedigree given with her is
correct or not, she looks a well-bred Terrier, and I have no doubt
she is one. She is also the dam, granddam, and great-granddam
of winners ; and I like the heading of her son Jester, by Old Jock.
Jester II. is, in my opinion, second to nothing but Viper and Grip
for good Kennel blood ; he is by Old Jester out of Vic, by Old
Tartar out of Old Vic, a daughter of Old Nettle. Another good-
bred dog is Beppo (late Viper), by Belgrave Joe out of Vixen, by
Terry's Trapper out of Vene, by Old Trap; and Mr. Gibson's
Brockenhurst Joe, by Belgrave Joe out of Tricksey, by Chance,
will do, as will Turk, for although there is a doubt about his
breeding, he undoubtedly gets good stock, and he is also the
grandsire of winners. I would much sooner breed from a dog
with an unauthenticated pedigree that gets good stock, and is also
the grandsire of good ones, than from such animals as Diver, Draco,
Brick, Bitters, or Trimmer. Diver was by a Bull-terrier ; Draco
was, I have heard, by a Carriage Dog ; Brick was nearly related to
a Beagle; Bitter's dam has no pedigree, and he has got no good
stock ; and Trimmer's sire (Rap) was undershot, and his dam had
prick ears. Some of my readers will, no doubt, say there are the
Champions Buffet and Nimrod, and their sire Buffer. Buffet must
have had a lot of chances, and has got nothing worthy of notice,
with the exception of the second-prize dog at Nottingham, and he
had the same fault as most of the Buffer breed— viz. heavy ears
hung helplessly down by the side of the head ; and I think that,
with hardly an exception, the two worst dogs at Nottingham were
by Nimrod — they had ears that would have suited a Foxhound,
and they were out of different bitches. Buffer, although he has
got two exceedingly good ones, is the sire of some of the worst I
ever saw — one, own brother to Speculation, weighs about 3olb.,
and has immense ears.

I will now give my opinion as to how a first-class Fox-terrier should
be made. The head should be of fair length, not too long, but in
proportion to the size of the dog. The jaw should be muscular,
and the muzzle not too fine ; and, of course, the nose should be
black. The ears should be small, not very thin, and dropping
forward, so as to keep out the dirt. The eye must be small, rather
sunken, and dark, a prominent eye being objectionable, as showing
Bull. The neck should be of fair length, lean and muscular ; the
shoulders long, fine, and sloping ; and the chest deep and rather
narrow ; the back short and strong ; and the loin slightly arched
and full of muscle. A very important part is the legs. The
fore legs must be straight and strong in bone, and the feet small,

THE FOX-TERRIER 433

round, and arched, with a good thick sole. This is of much
importance, as a dog with a thin sole soon gets footsore. The
thighs, of course, should be muscular, and the hocks straight and well
let down. The tail should be strong, and set on rather high ; and
the coat hard and abundant, but close and smooth. The carriage of
a good Terrier should be gay and lively, and the expression of the
face intelligent and good-tempered. There is one thing I want
particularly to impress on readers, and that is that a Fox-terrier
should in no way resemble 'a brick with the corners knocked off'
or * a Shorthorn ' — a simile that has frequently been used by more
than one writer on Fox-terriers. Could any one imagine an animal
whose formation is less adapted for speed and endurance than
a Shorthorn, unless a brick could be endowed with life ? If a
Fox-terrier's build had been likened to a Foxhound or a good hunter,
I would have agreed ; but a Shorthorn or a brick, never ! "

Those who would like to further peep into the family history
of the old Kennel Terriers, which Mr. Scott has so ably written
about, will find plenty of information in the "Fox-terrier Stud
Book," five vols. of which were edited by the late Mr. Hugh Dalziel,
and published by Mr. L. Upcott Gill ; while others have been
produced under the direction of the Fox-terrier Club.

As we have it on the high authority of " The Sportsman's
Cabinet" that at the beginning of last century the proprietors of
Foxhounds were exceedingly nice in their selection of Terriers,
and equally emulous upon the superiority of their qualifications,
and as the desire to possess specimens of the best breeding had
then taken hold of the upper classes, the moulding of the Fox-
terrier into his present form may be said to have begun with the
century.

The lost, or rather the unwoven, threads of Terrier genealogy
have, in the preceding passages, been in part taken up by Mr. Scott
from traditional lore, and in the same way those with an intimate
knowledge of the past history of other of our hound kennels might
throw light on the evolution of the modern Smooth Fox-terrier.

Mr. J. A. Doyle, whose knowledge of Fox-terriers and ability
as a judge stand high, has followed in the lines adopted by Mr.
Scott, whose lead he acknowledges in his contribution to Mr.
Vero Shaw's " Book of the Dog."

Mr. Doyle refers to the early history of this dog, and in doing
so he has fallen into several errors more or less material. He
states that Colonel Thornton was a sportsman of the last half of
the eighteenth century, and quotes an opinion that from his bitch
Patch most of the white Terriers of the country were descended.
Colonel Thornton was still an active sportsman in the first decade
of the last century, alike in hunting, coursing, and other fields of

28

434 BRITISH DOGS

sport ; and, in fact, when, in 1802, he was winning glory among the
followers of the leash, and his letters to the Earl of Darlington were
in the Press, pure white Terriers were already specially recognised as
one of the colours approved by Fashion. That Colonel Thornton
had a partiality for the white variety seems probable, for in describing
a fox-hunt in the Forete Verte he says : " My Terrier, a beautiful
white dog, was also lost." Mr. Doyle is also in error in making
the author of " The Sportsman's Cabinet " say that the Wire-haired
Terrier was larger than the Smooth variety.

Most practical fanciers will endorse the views expressed by Mr.
Scott and Mr. Doyle, that the best Terriers we now have are those
possessing in greatest purity the blood of the Kennel Terrier of the
early part of last century, for emulation in breeding for beauty of
form and colour had been then well established, and has undoubtedly
gone steadily on ever since. It is only because so much curiosity
has been expressed as to the kind of dogs from which these Kennel
Terriers were originally drawn that an endeavour has been made
to throw any light possible on the subject.

In regard to what may be called the immediate and known
roots from which our present-day Fox-terriers have sprung,
personal memory of some, and knowledge gleaned from the older
fanciers, come to our assistance. Mr. Doyle, frorn personal know-
ledge, describes the Cheshire and Shropshire strains, most notable
of which he considers was that of Mr. Domeville Pool, a strain
bred for pluck, and to match as a pack ; from these came the
Terriers of Mr. Stevenson, of Chester, well known some thirty odd
years ago, and of this kennel most notable was Tartar, sire of
Tyke and Trumps.

Mr. Doyle next endorses the opinions expressed in what he
justly calls the admirable account given by " Peeping Tom " of the
Belvoir and Grove strains. Old Trap, although destitute of a
recorded pedigree, receives Mr. Doyle's strong praise, on the ground
of the famous Terriers that trace back to him. Of this celebrated
dog the Kennel Club Stud Book says : " He was believed to
have some black-and-tan blood in him. Mr. German Hopkins,
in an article on Fox-terriers, stated that Trap was a black-and-
tan dog ; but Mr. S. W. Smith, whose knowledge of the early
Fox-terriers is extensive, was informed by Colonel Arkwright, of
the Oakley, who owned Old Trap, that the dog was by a grand
Kennel Terrier out of a handsome black-and-tan bitch owned by
a villager living near the Kennels. The late Mr. Luke Turner,
however, always had his doubts about Old Trap's pedigree, and
believed the dog to have been sired by Tip, owned by a Leicester
miller, Hitchcock by name. On the same authority we have it
that the dog was noted for his courage, and that all the keepers
in the vicinity bred to this dog. He believed that Arkwright's

THE FOX-TERRIER 435

coachman or keeper put a bitch to him, and Old Trap resulted ;
he also remembers seeing about Leicester lots of Terriers with the
distinctive type of head characteristic of Hitchcock's dog's progeny."
As, however, an endeavour is made in the Fox-terrier Stud Book to
make the descent of our present dogs clearer than can well be done
by running comment, we need quote no further.

Passing from the necessarily brief account of the history of
the variety, we come to the consideration of the dog as we find
him at the present day. And in doing so we take in the standard
which the Fox-terrier Club has laid down. Such standards are,
of course, excellent guides, but they must not be taken too literally.
The fact is, in every case they are more or less idealised, and
the fancier who expects to find a dog agreeing absolutely in every
detail is certain to be disappointed. Approximately, of course,
all standards are reached, but perfection has yet to be attained
by any breed. Considerable care has been taken from time to
time by the Fox-terrier Club in respect of its standard, to render
it free from what may be termed technicalities and the jargon of
the kennel. There are, however, one or two points which to novices
may require further explanation than can be expected in a standard
proper, and these^we propose to notice as we proceed.

Head. — The skull should be flat and moderately narrow ; broader between
the ears, and gradually decreasing in width to the eyes. Not much "stop"
should be apparent ; but there should be more dip in the profile, between the
forehead and top jaw, than is seen in the case of a Greyhound. The ears should
be V-shaped, and rather small ; of moderate thickness, and dropping forward
closely to the cheek, not hanging by the side of the head, like a Foxhound's.
The jaw should be strong and muscular, but not too full in the cheek ; it should
be of fair punishing length, but not so as in any way to resemble the Greyhound's
or modern English Terrier's. There should not be much falling away below the
eyes ; this part of the head should, however, be moderately chiselled out, so as
not to go down in a straight slope like a wedge. The nose, towards which the
muzzle must slightly taper, should be black. The eyes should be dark-rimmed,
small, and rather deep set ; full of fire and life. The teeth should be level and
strong.

Length of head is esteemed so highly in the Fox-terrier
that some may wonder that no mention of it is made by the Club
in dealing with the head. The reason is pretty obvious to the
fancier. The point must not be considered alone ; it is, or should
be, a relative one. It would not do for the Club to set down an
arbitrary length of head for the fancier to breed to. Such would
only lead him astray ; for in his endeavours to produce the extra
long head he would most certainly produce an unsymmetrical whole,
or maybe a head altogether lacking in shapeliness. Nevertheless,
there is a tendency on the part of faddist judges to favour an extra
long head, at the expense of more desirable all-round qualities.
The craze for a long head, however, is no modern innovation, but
dates back at least to the days of Old Trap.

436 BRITISH DOGS

Next as to " stop." This is one of those technical terms that
may be found puzzling to the beginner, and may therefore be briefly
explained for his benefit. It is a perfectly legitimate zoological
expression, and is in reference to the depression or indentation
(found in many breeds, but most pronounced in Bulldogs, Pugs,
and Toy Spaniels) between the skull and the bones of the nose.
As the description suggests, in the case of the Fox-terrier it should
be slight, yet it is astonishing what a difference to the appearance
of a dog even the amount of " stop " allowed makes. To fully
realise this one has but to mentally compare a dog with the
regulation amount of stop with one having a practically level head.
The much-coveted expression in the case of the latter is lost.

Ears are now and again found which are highly suggestive of
the Beagle cross resorted to in order to stamp certain characters
in the dog. The novice must therefore be on his guard against
heavy and badly carried ears. They should be disposed with the
tips pointing to the eyes, and not "hanging by the side of the
head, like a Foxhound's." Again, it must be borne in mind that
tulip, prick, or rose ears absolutely disqualify. That Fox-terriers
do occasionally crop up with prick ears is not to be wondered at,
however, when the ear-carriage of their remote ancestors is con-
sidered. While ears must not be heavy and thick, the other extreme
must be guarded against, and the happy medium, if possible, struck.
Here it may be well to state that in estimating the chances of
puppies of good lineage at an early age, too much attention must
not be paid to ear-carriage. Young puppies when teething frequently
carry their ears irregularly, and until that process is complete, a
slightly unorthodox carriage need not .detract from a puppy's merits.
Teething, it must be remembered, causes considerable systemic
disturbance.

The Fox-terrier Club recognises, and with reason, only a black
nose. For all that, one should not too hastily discard a puppy
with such a defect, if otherwise typical, as such may be regarded as
purely accidental and not inherent. More than one cherry-nosed
specimen has been used for breeding, and their blood permeates
the veins of some of the fashionable Fox-terriers of the present day.

As will be seen by referring to the Fox-terrier Club's description,
some considerable stress is laid upon the eyes being dark-rimmed,
small, and deeply set. With regard to the first two it may be said
that red-rimmed, small-eyed Fox-terriers have an objectionable
Bull-terrier cast even when they otherwise very closely approach
the standard. Now and again such specimens are seen upon the
show-bench and amongst the prize winners. A few years ago a
fashionable dog (for which a large sum had been paid by a lady
fancier) was sadly handicapped for his extremely small eyes. Light
eyes are, of course, very objectionable ; the colour to be desired is a

THE FOX-TERRIER 437

dark hazel. In addition to the eyes being deeply set, it might also be
suggested that they be not too widely apart, and of an almond shape.
A dog with eyes such as the combination suggested above could
give would undoubtedly possess a great deal of that expressiveness
somewhat difficult to define, but which it is the aim of every Fox-
terrier breeder to produce.

Lastly, as to the mouth. A level mouth should be a sine qua
non, and an undershot dog, or one that is much overshot, should
be disqualified. The term undershot, it may be explained for the
novice's benefit, is applied to dogs whose lower jaw projects beyond
the upper one ; and overshot when the reverse obtains. White
teeth should be found, and young dogs at any rate should be
penalised for not possessing them.

Neck should be clean and muscular, without throatiness, of fair length, and
gradually widening to the shoulders.

Shoulders should be fine at the points, long, and sloping. The chest deep,
and not broad.

Back should be short, straight, and strong, with no appearance of slackness
behind the shoulders ; the loin broad, powerful, and very slightly arched. The
dog should be well ribbed up with deep back ribs and should not be flat-sided.

Hindquarters should be strong and muscular, quite free from droop or
crouch ; the thighs long and powerful ; hocks near the ground, the dog standing
well up on them like a Foxhound, without much bend in the stifles.

Stern should be set on rather high, and carried gaily ; but not over the back,
or curled. It should be of good strength, anything approaching a pipe-stopper
tail being especially objectionable.

A "pipe-stopper tail" is as inelegant as it must be to the
majority obscure. Nowadays it is the fashion to allow a much
longer stern than was the case years ago, and it is an improvement,
providing the set-on be accurate, as it gives the dog, a far smarter
appearance.

Legs, viewed in any direction, must be straight, showing little or no appearance
of ankle in front. They should be large in bone throughout, the elbows working
freely just clear of the side. Both fore and hind legs should be carried straight
forward in travelling, the stifles not turning outwards. The feet should be round,
compact, and not too large ; the toes moderately arched, and turned neither in
nor out. There should be no dew-claws behind.

" The legs, viewed in any direction, must be straight, showing
little or no appearance of ankle in front." From the context the
fore legs are evidently here referred to. Though the writer is not of
those who think that the average Fox-terriers of to-day are one
whit behind the old-time Kennel Terriers as regards pluck, yet he
is of those who think that by breeding the former so long upon the
leg much of their utility has been sacrificed. It is quite impossible
for a big, long-legged dog to negotiate small drains, and plenty of
instances have occurred where such an animal has been " stuck up "
in an attempt to do so.

438 BRITISH DOGS

The Coat should be smooth, but hard, dense, and abundant.
Colour. — White should predominate. Brindle, red, or liver markings are
objectionable. Otherwise this point is of little or no importance.

Colour is frequently a puzzle to the beginner, who is usually in
doubt as to how far a judge's opinion would be influenced thereby.
Generally the most taking-looking dog as regards colour is the
one with a black-and-tan marked head and a white body. Yet the
only time when colour would be seriously considered is when, say,
two or three dogs of very equal merit were left in a competition.
Suppose say that one all white, a heavily patched dog, and a
black-and-tan headed one are so evenly matched as regards Fox-
terrier points that colour alone can decide the question. In such
a case the judge would doubtless decide in favour of the last named.
A black-and-tan marked dog has a more business-like look than an
all white one ; but this, of course, is an individual opinion. The
objection to brindle markings are readily accounted for, as they
betoken a remote cross.

Symmetry, Size, and Character. — The dog must present a generally gay,
lively, and active appearance. Bone and strength in a small compass are
essentials ; but this must not be taken to mean that a Fox-terrier should be
"cloggy," or in any way coarse. Speed and endurance must be looked to as
well as power, and the symmetry of the Foxhound taken as a model. The
Terrier, like the Hound, must on no account be leggy ; neither must he be too
short in the leg. He should stand like a cleverly made hunter — covering a lot of
ground, yet with a short back, as before stated. He will thus attain the highest
degree of propelling power, together with the greatest length of stride that is
compatible with the length of his body. Weight is not a certain criterion of a
Terrier's fitness for his work. General shape, size, and contour are the main
points ; and if a dog can gallop and stay, and follow his fox, it matters little what
his weight is to a pound or so, though, roughly speaking, it may be said that he
should not scale over 2olb. in show condition.

Since that good all-round dog-judge and sportsman Mr. S. E.
Shirley, at the Fox-terrier Club's Show at Cheltenham, in 1901,
showed a marked partiality for a smaller type of dog, size, always
more or less a vexed question, has been continuously exercising the
minds of the leading lights in the Fox-terrier Fancy. The writer
is of opinion that the average show Fox-terrier is far too large and too
leggy to figure as a workman. To strike the happy medium is not
perhaps so easy as it seems. If, however, an attempt were made
to breed a Fox-terrier that, while it did not scale above i61b. or
i81b., yet had plenty of bone and the requisite gameness, the
difficulty that at present exists with the large dog of not being able
to take a small covered drain would be non-existent. No one, of
course, would advocate the very small Fox-terrier, which} is just as
objectionable as the big leggy dogs, with their abnormally narrow
skulls and Whippet-like fronts.

In adopting a standard of excellence, the Club obeyed a law of
necessity. In such breeds as Greyhounds, the standard of excel-

THE FOX-TERRIER 439

lence is judged from a performance in the course ; and how such
practical standard keeps a breed true to its original is seen in the
result, for, the animal pursued, and the laws and circumstances
regulating the course, having remained unchanged, the Greyhound
of to-day corresponds to the description written of him nearly 2,000
years ago. In competitive exhibitions the dogs are placed in order
of merit according to the opinions and judgment and, it may even
be, the prejudices of the individual judge. The wisdom, therefore,
of the Fox-terrier Club in setting up a standard by which varying
estimates of the merits of dogs may be dispassionately gauged is
apparent.

The position of the Club, it may be taken, was that they accepted
the Fox-terrier inherited from their predecessors, in his general
characteristics, and framed a standard to which they wished him to
be bred, and which should ensure a greater degree of uniformity in
general appearance, including enhanced beauty and more style, as
modern taste recognises those qualities.

Some years ago those two famous breeders Mr. F. Redmond
and Mr. A. H. Clarke competed against each other with a team
of half a dozen, submitting them to the judgment of Mr. J. A. Doyle,
who valued each dog's merits on the point system. The competition
did not deal with the general merits of the dogs, but only with
certain special points — viz. neck, shoulders, and fore legs, which had
formed a subject of discussion. Whatever the result arrived at
in the particular case quoted, the practicability of judging dogs by
the point system is open to question ; indeed, the writer believes
it to-be quite unworkable.

Breeders of Smooth Fox-terriers have been legion, and the
number of them in whose kennels have been produced specimens of
the very first order is so great that it may seem invidious to select
any for special mention. Making full allowance for the greater oppor-
tunities possessed by them to appear prominently in the list of
successful Fox-terrier breeders, it must still be conceded that their
dogs give a just claim to that position to the following, among
others that might be named : Messrs. T. Wootton, J. H. Murchison,
J. T. Carver, F. J. Astbury, S. Castle, F. Powell, L. P. C. Astley,
J. J. Pirn, F. Burbidge, T. Bassett, A. H. Clarke, J. B. Dale, J. A.
Doyle, the Hon. T. W. Fitzwilliam, Messrs. G. Raper, F. Redmond,
D. H. Owen, E. M. Southwell, C. E. Longmore, Captain Keene,
Messrs. Rawdon Lee, J. C. Tinne, Luke Turner, R. and C. G. Vicary,
Major How, the Rev. T. W. de Castro, the Rev. C. T. Fisher, the
Rev. T. O'Grady, Mr. C. Houlker, etc.

The blood of the older champions is to be found now combined
in various degrees. The subject of pedigrees, however, is an ex-
ceedingly difficult one to deal with. It is to be feared that, respecting
some of the most noted " pillars of the stud " — to appropriate a

440

BRITISH DOGS

happy phrase of Mr. George Lowe's — statements have been made
on doubtful authority, and have gained currency.

In regard to Old Jock, a breeder of large knowledge and experience
says that this dog's pedigree is wrongly given in the Kennel Club
Stud Book, and that Old Jock was whelped in the Quorn Kennels.

There is another pedigree of the first importance to draw
attention to. Belvoir Joe (not the Belvoir Joe of the Kennel Club
Stud Book — most unfortunate of registrations — but the sire of Belgrave
Joe, whose dam was Branson's White Vic) has been a stumbling-
block to many. The union of Belvoir Joe with White Vic has resulted
so far in giving us a vast number of the best Fox-terriers we have.

The pedigree of White Vic, made illustrious by her progeny,
has often been attacked by those who, were credited with drawing
on their imagination for facts ; it was published for the first time in
this work, but was furnished by the late Mr. Luke Turner, a
gentleman to whose kennels so many of our champion Terriers and
their relations trace their origin. As this work is not only for the
initiated in the mysteries of kennel-lore but for novices, to whom
pedigrees are often "confusion worse confounded," two short
pedigrees are here given, to prevent error from sameness of names
where the dogs they apply to are entirely distinct.

Ruler

(Moore's)

(Bred by Mr. Hedge, living

TARTAR , near Mansfield, and passed at

(Branson's) his sale into the possession of

Mr. Moore, Appleby Hall.)

WHITE VIC ..
(Bred by John
Branson. )

Vic

(Branson's)
(White, with black
markings)

Fairy

(Head's, huntsman at Don-
nington Park)

C Twister

(Branson's)

(Tan head, white body)
(This dog afterwards went to
the Quorn Kennels, in old
Lord Stamford's time. He
sired Old White Tartar, who
was stolen from Loughborough.
The dam of Old White Tartar
was a white Bull and Terrier
bitch.)

Vic

(Branson's)

(White)

(Branson obtained this bitch

from Peach, keeper to Sir

Gilbert Heathcote, afterwards

Lord Aveland.)

THE FOX-TERRIER

441

/'Jock

oid rock

J (P. Williams')

(558)

V. Grove Pepper

(P. Williams' or

' JESTER I

J. Morgan's)

(4,849)

fTyrant

(617)

.Cottingham Nettle-] (Lloyd Edwards')

JESTER II
(4,850)

I Vic

(Mr. W. Allison's ;

also owned by Bill

Thompson, Lord
Middleton's Earth-
stopper, and by Noah
Hook, keeper to Sir
G. O. Wombwell.
Bred by Bill Thomp-
son.)

[Old Tartar

,VIC J (592)

(Lord Middle-
ton's) Ivic
(Lampleigh's)

IC\f tVia et»-oir> nf

fViper
I (Weaver's)

1 Touch
(D. Poole's)

man to Lord Middleton, and Jack
Morgan, Huntsman to the Grove.)

If the reader will hark back a little, he will see that Mr. T.
H. Scott, in giving the pedigree of Jester II., refers to a Tartar,
and also to a Vic, the daughter of another Vic. Now, White Vic,
dam of Belgrave Joe, was daughter of a bitch named Vic and a
sire named Tartar. These names represent dogs of different families,
and to make the matter quite clear, we have given above the
pedigrees of Jester II. and Branson's Vic, commonly referred to
as White Vic.

Subjoined are some interesting particulars of four dogs of the
late Mr. Luke Turner's celebrated kennels. The information re-
specting so famous a sire as Belgrave Joe is especially interesting : —

Belgrave Joe (born July 3ist, 1868; died January I3th, 1888): Weight,
I7£lb. ; height at shoulder, I7in. ; length of head, 7|in. ; length of nose, 3f in. ;
length from chest to hindquarters, I7in. Colour : marked tan head, body white.

Olive : Weight, i61b. (when first brought out) ; height at shoulder, i6in. ;
length of head, 7jin. ; length of nose, 3f in. ; length from chest to hindquarters.

Spice : Weight, i6|lb. ; height at shoulder, i6£in. ; length of head, 6|in. ;
length of nose, 3|in. ; length from chest to hindquarters, i6|in.

Delta\ Weight, 15!!} ; height at shoulder, I5|in. ; length of head, 6f in. ;
length of nose, 3|in. ; length from chest to hindquarters, I5|in.

THE WIRE-HAIRED FOX-TERRIER

Much that has been quoted and written on the Smooth-haired
Fox-terrier equally applies to the Wire-haired variety. It seems to
be pretty clear that when the Fox or Kennel Terrier came to

442 BRITISH DOGS

be bred with more respect to complement externe the taste and
fashion that dictated such a course also gave preference to, and
exalted above his fellows, the smooth-coated, straight-legged
and white-pied dog. Mr. Allison instinctively sees and seizes the
main point when, referring to the authorities he had quoted, he says,
in his contribution to the First Edition of " British Dogs " : " We
may see that Smooth and Wire-haired Fox-terriers existed con-
temporaneously in those days, and that the word Terrier is not
applied to any dog except those fitted for hunting and going to
ground." He then proceeds :—

"The modern Manchester Terrier and \Vhite English Terrier
could not possibly be classed in such a category ; while, as to the
black-and-tan colour of the last century and beginning of this, it was
quite different from that of the so-called Manchester Terrier : that is
to say, the tan was lighter and more abundant— such things as
pencilled toes, thumb marks, etc., being altogether absent — while
the shape and character of the dog were those of the modern Fox-
terrier, as may be evidenced by old pictures, and by the breed
which the Duke of Beaufort, Treadwell, and others preserved until
quite recently. Now, having premised that Wire-haired Terriers
have, or ought to have, as good antecedents as their smooth
brethren, it behoves us to look at them as they are, and we shall
find that, while the smooth sort have for many years excited the
greatest interest, the rough one has languished in comparative
obscurity. Nay, at some shows he has even been relegated to the
ranks of the ' Non-sporting Dogs ' ; while the Kennel Club actually
made a retrograde movement, at their show in 1879, by removing
the Wire-haired division from the arbitrament of the Fox-terrier
judges.

All this is a base libel on the breed. A good Wire-haired
Terrier is one of the most sporting of all dogs — ready for anything ;
and though the writer of this has given more attention to the
smooth kind, he would be the last to deny that, unless the smooth
dog is of good and pure strain, with plenty of coat, the rough one is
the better sportsman of the two.

It is, no doubt, a fact that any breed of dogs that is vastly in
fashion runs a great danger : so many specimens become valuable
merely for their show qualifications that would otherwise have been
knocked on the head as rank curs — or, at least, never have been
bred from. But, as it is, the unreasoning public breed indis-
criminately from prize winners ; and, besides that, certain sharp
customers are for ever at work manufacturing what they consider
better sorts than the real article. Is it said a Terrier's head should
be long ?— they go for assistance to the Greyhound ; he should
have lots of bone ? — they obtain it from the Beagle ; and so on.

THE FOX-TERRIER 443

Thus it is that a great number of our Smooth Fox-terriers are
irritating brutes, without any idea of their work, or of hunting, which
is a great point ; for a Terrier who is not a keen hunter, and does
not lash an ever-busy stern, either along a hedgerow or in cover, is
not the right sort at all ; while if he will give tongue on a scent, so
much the better.

Avoiding, however, the mongrelised smooth dog, and sticking
to good old strains, we should say there is not twopence to choose
between the Smooth and the Wire-haired for work. It is submitted
that a close, dense, smooth coat will always turn wet better than one
that is broken. On this point ' Stonehenge ' says : * The Fox-terrier
Club description does not sufficiently, I think, insist on the thick
and soft undercoat, which should always be regarded as of great
importance in resisting wet and cold. An open long coat is even
worse than a thick short one for this purpose, as it admits the wet to
the skin and keeps it there, whereas the short coat speedily dries.'
There is no doubt this undercoat is of great importance, but even
when it exists in perfection, the divisions among the longer hair
must allow a more ready access for rain and wet in the interstices
than would be the case with a smooth dog, whose thick, dense coat
lies flat and close together.

The Wire-haired Terrier, from the absence of those causes
that have so damaged the Smooth race, has preserved in obscurity
all the true working capacity of the tribe, for a very simple reason —
that, as a rule, he has been bred solely for work. There can be no
doubt that in point of quality he is considerably behind the Smooth-
haired ; indeed, what would have happened to the race had not
Kendal's Old Tip come to the rescue and got some really good-
looking ones — such as Mr. Carrick's Venture, Mr. Shirley's Tip,
Mr. Hayward Field's Tussle, and others — it is impossible to say.

The north countrymen have paid much greater attention to
the breed than the south, and it was there that Kendal's Tip did
good service with the Sinnington for some years. Mr. Carrick, of
Carlisle, has always a few good ones, which he uses with the Otter-
hounds, and several of them, such as Vixen and Venture, have
been very successful at shows. The late Charles Kirby, of Malton,
owned some excellent Terriers, chiefly from strains possessed by
. the Rev. C. Legard. Among these was Sam (who afterwards
belonged to the writer), as game a dog as ever walked, but short of
coat. He won a prize or two, and was worried in the kennels.
His blood proved very valuable, and may be met with in such
dogs as Mr. L. Hogg's Topper, and several others, such as Sting
(K.C.S.B. 5,629). Among others of Kirby's was Vic (K.C.S.B.
6,7 12), a beautiful bitch, by Captain Skipworth's Tartar out of Venom,
by Lord Milton's Sam out of Rev. C. Legard's Miss ; and there was
also Tip, now called Tussle, a rare little dog, one of the few Wire-

444 BRITISH DOGS

haired Terrier dogs of the present day that is just the right size — lor
be it remembered that the Wire-haired Terrier has for a long time
been the companion of rabbit- and rat-catchers, so that his size has
been permitted to increase in a way to unfit him for his Iegitimat3
purpose. Mr. Colling, of Marske-by-the-Sea, is never without a
good dog or bitch of the sort, and from his Patch, who hailed from
the Hurworth Kennels, he bred Motley, a smooth dog, by Old
Jester, who won several prizes in a good company. Mr. A. H.
Easten has been very successful with several of his, of whom Tip,
by Old Venture, did great things in his day ; and we have the north
country further strengthened now by Mr. Petler, of York, having
purchased Gorse, who is without doubt the best show dog of the
day — albeit, by no means perfect.

The bitches, strangely enough, seem to be considerably in
advance of the dogs in show properties ; and probably no one has
brought out so many good ones as Mr. G. F. Richardson, who
carried all before him with Bramble, Birch, and Bristles — the last
two being now the property of Mr. Shirley, who should be able to
breed something good from them with his well-known dog Spike.

Mr. A. FitzRoy may be mentioned as one who has exhibited
Terriers of this breed with success, his Madge and Minx being very
good samples. Then, of course, there has always been something
out of the common hailing from Nottingham, either from Mr.
Wootton's, Mr. Terry's, or Mr. Hulse's kennels. The Rev. J.
Russell, who is certainly the father of Fox-terrier breeders, tells us
that he has bred his dogs since 1815, and their pedigree has been
kept quite pure, except that he once admitted an admixture of
Old Jock — a high compliment to the old dog.

The points of the Wire-haired Fox-terrier are precisely the
same as those of the Smooth one, with the exception of the coat,
which should be broken. The harder and more wiry the texture of
the coat is, the better. On no account should the dog look or feel
woolly, and there should be no silky hair about the poll or else-
where. The coat should not be too long, so as not to give the dog
a shaggy appearance, but, at the same time, it should show a marked
and distinct difference all over from the Smooth variety. This is
the Fox-terrier Club's description of the coat, and I have nothing
to add to it, except perhaps ' Stonehenge's ' remark about the
necessity for plenty of undercoat. The great thing is to get Wire-
haired Terriers small enough, for they offend more in this respect at
present than do the Smooth ones. We must remember, however,
that mere weight does not constitute size, and that show condition
means at least i|lb. more than working condition. It must also be
remembered that a somewhat oversized Terrier can oftentimes be
of service, while he is able to get along when the small one
must be led or carried. I have seen a dog running with the

THE FOX-TERRIER

445

Cleveland hounds that would certainly weigh close on iQlb., and he
was generally able to do all that was required, while he could
really make his way unaided either with or on the line of the
hounds."

Since the above was written the Wire-haired Terrier has taken
his proper place at our exhibitions alongside his Smooth-haired
brother, and in stud books and elsewhere is treated as a legitimate
member of the family to which by all natural rights he belongs.
The variety has grown greatly in number, and there is also a
uniformity in size and character which distinguishes the classes
now exhibited from those of a decade or so ago.

The pedigree of Jack's Veto, given below, contains much of
the acknowledged best blood authenticated by published record.
Mr. Corner was for many years a successful breeder of Wire-haired
Terriers, and, as is seen in this pedigree, he has introduced blood
from the noted kennels of Mr. Carrick, of Carlisle, into his own.

N

w

c/5

u

/JACK FROST
(14,893)

(Old Jester |Pincer
(19,226)! Fan

'Tart

^ Venom
(Rickaby's) j
iMeg

\ Tulip

/Joker
\Flurry

Teazle. (Tester | Pincher

(9,975) I Wasp \Fan

(Old Jester TPincher
(19,226) (Fan

ViDA

Vin
(Pear

09,439) man's)

(12,461) j

Patch

(Buffet
} Millie

f Turk I. .../Plot
(Tutin's) ISly

Vora ...
(12,487)

, Nelly III. -
(Carrick's)

(Nottingham
Nemp ... I Star

(Carrick'S> I Phantom

fSpike (late
Thorn)

Nelly II. Uell (by
(Carrick's) Old Ven-
ture)

446 BRITISH DOGS

The following is the scale of points adopted for the Wire-haired
section as drawn up by the Fox-terrier Club :—

Head and Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15

Neck 5

Shoulders and Chest ... ... ... ... ... ... 15

Back and Loin ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Hindquarters ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Stern ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... 20

Coat 10

Symmetry, Size, and Character ... ... .. ... 15

Total 100

Disqualifying Points

In either the Smooth or the Wire-haired variety the following defects should
disqualify :

Nose, white, cherry, or spotted to a considerable extent with either of these
colours.

Ears, prick, tulip or rose.

Mouth much undershot or much overshot.

Besides the breeders already named, there are numbers of others
who have identified themselves with the Wire-haired Fox-terrier,
and have helped to place it in the prominent position among our
domestic dogs that it now occupies. Foremost amongst the earlier
ones are Mr. A. Maxwell, Mr. Carrick, and Mr. T. Wootton. Later
came Mr. F. Hayward Field, Mr. Harding Cox, Mr. Rawdon Lee,
Mr. C. McNeil, Mr. C. W. Wharton, Mr. F. Baguley, Mr. P. Reid,
Mr. E. Welburn, Mr. C. Bartle, Mr. R. Philipson, Mr. D. Graham,
Mr. Thurnall, Mr. A. Mutter, Mr. L. Hogg, Mr. A. E. Clear,
Sir Humphry de Trafford, Mr. S. Hill, and Mr. G. Raper. The
last two will be remembered particularly for the two famous dogs
Meersbrook Bristles and Go Bang, both of which went to America
for the large sums already referred to. His Majesty the King has
bred a very good Fox-terrier bitch that has been exhibited with
success. Lord Lonsdale spent a big sum in forming a strong
kennel, but he was far from successful. Nor must the ladies be
forgotten. The most successful breeder and exhibitor so far has
been Her Grace the Duchess of Newcastle.

Although it is not as a general rule advisable for an absolute
novice to purchase puppies when very young, yet there may come
a time when it may be necessary for him to make a selection from
a litter. Some hints, therefore, on the points to look for in an
undeveloped animal may be helpful. At one time all sorts of
notions were prevalent as to what were desirable characteristics in
a pure-bred puppy. Even at the present day one of the commonest
survives in the black roof to the mouth test.

THE FOX-TERRIER 447

A very usual time for a selection to be called for, in the case
of novices, is when the puppies are fit to be taken away from the
mother, though it must be stated that breeders of really good stock
wait until some months have elapsed before hastily discarding any
puppy. By the age of six months, however, the owner should be
able with a fair amount of accuracy to judge as to the individual
merits of his young stock. Those who breed large numbers of
Fox-terriers generally put out the puppies to walk with some re-
sponsible person, paying them a small fee for the trouble, and
encouragement-money should an individual develop into a really
first-class specimen. First as to the head : this should give promise
of being of a good length, the eyes should be dark, and the ears
of medium length. Later it must be remembered that the ears
may look out of proportion to the head, yet ultimately the dog
may " finish " properly. The reason of this is that the ears may
be more developed than the head ; in fact, they may cease to
grow while the head continues to lengthen. This is not at all an
uncommon experience. From the outset the fore legs should be
straight and the feet compact ; there should also be indications of
plenty of bone. Shortness of body is another point that must
be taken into consideration. Coat, too, is important : this must not
be heavy on very young puppies, but // must be of good' texture.
It becomes harder after the puppy-moult, which takes place at
various ages, but usually between ten and twelve months. From
the first, however, there must be the promise of a hard jacket. Too
much notice must not be taken of the ear-carriage of very young
puppies, as they frequently carry their ears indifferently while
teething.

Many inquiries should be made of the seller, and the buyer
should be very particular as to pedigree and any family defects.
These of course should be made before and not after the purchase,
as seems to be the general rule with novices. If the bitch comes
from stock that throws progeny with notoriously heavy coats, or
is inclined to be rickety (a veterinary surgeon could determine
this), or if she has any other weakness likely to be transmissible
to her offspring, she is best avoided.

To purchase from a breeder of repute will be found a far more
satisfactory plan for a beginner to adopt than to be tempted with
a " sure winner " at a ridiculously low sum. The prospective
purchaser should never be deluded into thinking that a first-rate
dog is to be obtained for the modest " fiver," or a "flyer" at double
that figure. Sixty years ago such sums perhaps represented the
market value of such animals ; but different times different prices,
and to-day — very occasionally, it is true — dogs may be picked up
in remote districts where dog shows have not penetrated, or where
dog clubs and the fanciers' press have yet to make their influence

448 BRITISH DOGS

felt ; but these are mere accidental purchases, and fall only to the
cutest of the Fancy. For all this it is quite possible, even in these
enlightened days, for an owner to possess an animal of quite
exceptional merit, and yet not be aware of the fact, at any rate
for a long time. A noteworthy instance of this occurred at the
Manchester Show of 1896, when a ten-year-old Wire-haired Fox-
terrier literally swept the board under such an efficient judge as
Mr. Maxwell. The dog in question was Jackson, owned by Mr. S.
Morgan, who was quite ignorant of the fact that he possessed such
a prize until Mr. Tom Ashton enlightened him on the subject.
The dog was all white, and was entered without any pedigree.
Even at the advanced age given the dog was in an extraordinarily
well-preserved state ; he possessed an excellent front, good legs and
feet, a capital coat, a nice head with level mouth and first-class
teeth, and of course the much-prized Terrier character. This case
is worthy of being recorded, as it is unique in the annals of
dog-showing for a dog's light to be hidden under the proverbial
bushel until ten years old, and then for him suddenly to leap
into fame.

Trimming is more in vogue with the Wire-haired than the
Smooth-haired variety, and by many is regarded as a legitimate form
of show preparation ; but by the Kennel Club it is constituted faking.
However, the operation may be so deftly performed as to defy
detection. Cutting and singeing of the coat would be readily
discovered, as there are many tell-tale marks on a coat so treated,
but not so trimming. In the case of dogs which are exhibited now
and then, the operation only has to be conducted a sufficiently long
time before the show for the coat to present but a normal appearance.
Of course, all dogs do not require an equal amount of trimming :
it differs with the individual. The novice should see such dogs
"before" and "after "the moulting-room to thoroughly appreciate
the difference in appearance. In the case of dogs that go the
round of shows, and which grow an objectionable coat, these are
constantly being touched up — almost every day, in fact — the trimming
being on the little-and-often principle. To trim a Terrier of any
kind is not easy. The operator requires an eye for symmetry, and
a knowledge of what to leave alone. In front of the eye requires
very special manipulation, as by removing too much hair the
" devil-may-care " look that a typical Wire-haired Fox-terrier has
would be wanting. The muzzle by over-trimming may be made
to look snipy, which is certainly not desirable ; whereas by having
the short hair left there, and this combed the wrong way of the
wool, the appearance of a dog with a tendency to snipiness would
be vastly improved. It is, however, by breeding, and not by
trimming and coat-hardening solutions, that the ideal coat should
be produced, and until this fact is fully recognised the Fox-terrier

THE FOX-TERRIER 449

as a variety is sure to suffer. Just as the open-coated Smooths have
been improved by a judicious blend of the Wires, so have the latter
by an equally judicious cross of the former, by mating, say, a
sparsely clad dog of the one to a Smooth bitch that came of a stock
excelling in coat.

Though these remarks on trimming have been principally
directed against the Wire-haired Fox-terrier, yet it must not be
inferred that the Smooth-haired is absolutely free from the stigma
that attaches to its relative. Of late years a more weather-resisting
jacket has been called for, as well as one sufficiently long to
counteract the White English Terrier-like effect a short coat
undoubtedly gives. To obtain this a cross with the Wire-haired
dog has sometimes been employed, and though the texture and
length of the jacket have been improved, there has frequently been
too much of it. The trimmer knows how to get rid of it, and how
to produce, by the date of the show, a jacket of the accepted type.
If only a dozen fashionable Fox-terriers could be kept under strict
supervision for three months, and only legitimate grooming (including,
of course, the removal of dead hair) employed, what a revelation
there would be ! Although too much washing is not good for the
Fox-terrier, be he Smooth-haired or Wire-haired, yet that some
cleansing is necessary before shows will be generally acknowledged.
All sorts of coat improvers have been introduced, from those that
contain alum to the dry-cleansing ones that are little more than
baked flour. As a matter of fact, nothing is better than washing
with a suitable soap the night prior to the show, using a soap that
contains as little alkali as possible.

There is no need to dilate upon the companionable qualities of
a variety so universally known as the Fox-terrier, or to refer to
the many ways in which he may be utilised as a " sporting " dog.
Those who are desirous of knowing this will find the subject fully
dealt with in the two works upon the variety referred to else-
where.

To breed Fox-terriers (or indeed any other variety of first-class
stock successfully) is by no means an easy task. The most successful,
taken generally, are those who have thoroughly grasped the principles
that underlie the science. It is not sufficient to own a first-class
bitch and to mate her with a first-class dog excelling where she
fails. Rather should she be mated to a dog that not only himself
scores where she is deficient, but whose ancestors have also similarly
been noted for such qualities. The laws of heredity and of pre-
potency must be considered by the intelligent breeder, and the man
or the woman who attempts to set up a kennel of dogs on a mere
rule of thumb principle is sure to come to grief.

There is no breed of dog that is so well looked after in the
matter of clubs as the Fox-terrier, as there is no breed with which

29

450 BRITISH DOGS

it is possible for an individual to win so much money in competitions.
The beginner, if he be well advised, will join one or other of them.
The parent society is, of course, the Fox-terrier Club, founded as
long ago as 1876 ; but there are others in Scotland, Ireland, and
elsewhere. They are the Fylde, the Isle of Wight and New Forest,
the London, the Midland, the Scottish, the Irish, the North of
England, and the Oxford. Moreover, it is the only breed that has
a journal entirely devoted to its interests.

CHAPTER XXXIX
THE SCOTTISH TERRIER

SCOTLAND is prolific in Terriers, and for the most part these are
long-backed and short-legged dogs. Such are the Dandie Dinmont,
the Skye, and the Aberdeen Terriers, the last now merged in the
class recognised at our shows as the Scottish, or Scotch, Terrier ; but
the old hard and short-haired "Terry" of the West of Scotland
was much nearer in shape to a modern Fox-terrier, though with a
shorter and rounder head, the colour of his hard, wiry coat mostly
sandy, the face free from long hair, although some show a beard,
and the small ears carried in most instances semi-erect, in some
pricked.

The descriptions given by Youatt, Richardson, and " Stonehenge "
are in practical agreement, and apply to the kind of Terrier spoken
of. There has, however, been of late years a rearrangement of
classes of Terriers, and it is with those now recognised by the several
clubs and show authorities that we have to deal.

The dogs now recognised as Scotch Terriers are closely allied
to the Skye Terrier, and by a number of gentlemen of Skye and
the South-west Highlands were at one time called Skye Terriers.
It was suggested that, as they presented sufficiently distinctive
characteristics, they might form a separate class at our shows, under
the name of Highland Terriers. The idea, but not the name, was
adopted ; indeed, the name has given rise to some discussion.
Cairn Terrier was suggested, but not generally adopted; they have-
also been called the " Die-hards."

" Whinstone " insisted on the breed being called the Scottish
Terrier. Under the words "Scots" and "Scottish" Dr. Ogilvie
refers those who consult this dictionary to " Scotch," which, he
says, " is the established word." As long as we get Scotch collops
from Scotch bullocks, and Scotch whiskey from Scotch barley, to
aid the digestion of the collops, we may surely have Scotch Terriers ;
and, at all events, the Terrier under any name will bite as sore.

Mr. J. Gordon Murray, in the First Edition of " British Dogs,"
described three strains of these Terriers, according to the localities

452 BRITISH DOGS

in which they were reared, and, as will be seen, differing only in
minor points. Of these he says : —

"The Mogstad Skyes were of a dark greyish colour, with wiry
hair from 3in. to 3^in. long, with body low but long, and measuring
well in girth ; legs stout and short, and well provided with very
strong claws ; the greater part prick-eared, and all of them excellent
workers.

The Drynocks are another very splendid breed of the original
pure Skyes, closely resembling the common Scotch seal in colour,
short, wiry hair, with body of a medium size, a good deal like the
Mogstads, and all of them first-rate workers.

The Camusennaries are another famous breed of the very real
and pure Skye Terriers, and derive their name from a wild and
mountainous tract of land in Skye, extending from Coirnisk on
the west to the Spar Cave on the east. The breed was originally
reared there by a Lieut. Macmillan, long passed away ; the whole
of them short, wiry-haired, like the afore-named breeds ; colour
almost always dark all over, middle part of hair in many instances
grey, but again dark next the skin, no white on feet or chest ; a
thin, medium-sized prick ear, and very pointed ; and in every third
or fourth litter a reddish-yellow one."

Among Scottish fanciers Captain Mackie did a great deal towards
improving the breed, though his first love was for a dog of a type
not now recognised — namely, the long, low, bat-eared Skye form.
He was a man of remarkable force and energy, and, as is often
the case with such men, of a singularly frank and generous dis-
position. On the subject of this Terrier he was an enthusiast, and
undertook voyages among the Hebrides, and long and arduous
journeys through the Western Highlands, collecting information,
and purchasing the best specimens of the breed procurable, from
the oldest known strains. The story of at least one of these journeys
of discovery is excellently told in the " Dogs of Scotland," to which
we refer readers for details. The result was that Captain Mackie
soon got together a kennel of these Highland Terriers of
acknowledged superiority.

As companion dogs of the Terrier group, the Scottish Terriers
possess qualities that recommend them to many. They are hardy
and plucky, will stand any weather, and are good for any amount
of sport. Disposed to be impetuous and self-willed, they often
require more than ordinary care in training ; but that is well repaid,
for the material is good to work upon. Another advantage to many
people is that — the coat being of a length and quality that does not
long hold wet and dirt — these dogs may be allowed a place on the
hearth-rug or the door-mat ; and those who want a dog, of whatever

THE SCOTTISH TERRIER 453

breed, to be really obedient, lovable, and well-behaved, cannot have
the animal too much with them.

With regard to the popularity of the Scottish Terrier (Fig. 97)
in this country, no better proof can be adduced than that
afforded by the entries at shows of the present day, or by the
number of registrations that are recorded at the Kennel Club. One
has but to carry one's mind back twenty years to fully recognise the
headway the compact little Terrier has made in the Fancy. Though
in this respect, of course, not to be compared with the Fox-terrier
and one or two other breeds that might be instanced, yet he has
made a bold bid for the favour of the dog-fancying public, and the
measure of success attained could hardly have been anticipated by

•B

FIG. 97.— MRS. HANNAY'S SCOTTISH TERRIER CHAMPION VILLAIN.

even the dog's warmest admirers. As indicating the possibilities
there are in breeding the Scottish Terrier, it is worthy of record that
at least ^250 has been paid for a first-class specimen.

To what, then, it may be asked, is this popularity due ? Mainly,
it may be said, to the exertions of a few ardent souls, foremost
among whom were Mr. J. A. Adamson and Mr. H. J. Ludlow,
both of whom were breeding, showing, and winning prizes a quarter
of a century ago, and working with a will to make known, by every
legitimate means, the game and hardy Terrier whose cause they had
espoused. Later on we find Mr. Ludlow, in conjunction with
Messrs. Blomfield, Hammond, and Spelman, rendering still further
service to the breed by bestirring themselves to establish a Club,
which was accomplished in 1887, and now lives and flourishes

454 BRITISH DOGS

exceedingly. It was about this time that Scotchmen woke up to
the fact that there was money in the breed, and that, moreover, they
were passionately fond of their native Terrier. Whether this is so
or not matters but little ; for henceforth the admirers of the Scottish
Terrier steadily increased, until it now boasts a strong phalanx of
supporters on both sides of the Border, while even across St.
George's its merits have duly been recognised.

Even at this lapse of time Mr. Ludlow as a breeder and an
exhibitor stands pre-eminent. To him belongs the credit of not
only having bred a host of champions, but also more winners than
any half a dozen living fanciers — a record that will not be readily
effaced.

To refer to all the owners entitled to be placed on the scroll of
fame during the past twenty years would serve no good purpose.
All that is called for is the enumeration of a few of the more
noteworthy during that period, which is perhaps the most important
in the history of the breed, as it has witnessed the gradual rise
of the dog into favour, to the detriment, undoubtedly, of its near
relatives the Skye Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, both
of which it has easily outdistanced in the race.

First and foremost there have been Mr. H. J. Ludlow, Mr.
J. D. McColl, Mr. J. F. Alexander, Mr. R. H. Blain, Mr. W. W.
Spelman, Mr. J. Nuttall, Mr. C. H. Wood, Mr. C. B. Allen, Mr.
G. H. Stephens, Mr. W. McLeod, Captain Wetherall, Mr. Robt.
Chapman, Messrs. Astley and Aston, Mr. P. Taylor, Mr. A. Kinnear,
Mr. J. N. Reynard, Mr. A. MacBrayne, Mr. D. J. Thomson Gray,
Mr. A. M'Kerrow, and Mr. H. Panmure Gordon. Even of this
restricted list many, alas ! are not now with us.

Of the names just mentioned there is none that was more
enthusiastic over the Scottish Terrier than the late Mr. D. J.
Thomson Gray, a thoroughly practical fancier, keen critic, fair-
minded man, and a ready writer. Some seven or eight years ago
he contributed to the columns of The Bazaar a splendid series of
papers upon the "Terriers of Scotland," and neither before nor
since has anything more genuinely interesting in connection with
dogs or truer to life been published in that journal. Writing of
the Scottish Terrier, he says : —

" Few there be that know anything about dogs that do not
recognise the perky little chap called the Scottish Terrier. He
is by no means an old resident south of the Tweed ; for it
is only some twenty years since he was introduced to the southern
dog-public. But from time immemorial the breed has existed
in the Highlands and islands of Scotland, the daily companion
of the fox-hunter, a solitary individual quite distinct and far
removed from your English fox-hunter. The Highland fox-

THE SCOTTISH TERRIER 455

hunter lives in a small thatched sheiling, often remote from
civilisation, his sole companions being a variety of Hound and a
brace or two of Scottish Terriers. With an old gun his tout ensemble
is complete. The Terriers oust the fox from the cairns (a collection
of stones), and the old man polishes him off with his musket. If he
misses or only wounds Reynard, the Hound is laid on, and finishes
the job. But sometimes Reynard is able to baffle the old man
with his Terriers, Hound, and gun, and escape scot free.

In temperament the Scottish Terrier somewhat resembles the
English Fox-terrier. I say English Fox-terrier for, I may here
explain that the Scottish Terrier in his native glen is called a Fox-
terrier. Both breeds are of active habits, and are, as working dogs,
used for the same purposes.

As behoves a resident in a cold and damp climate, ' Scottie ' is
clothed with a more rugged and more closely built coat, and his
build and general appearance are more allied to the workman than
the swell. All the same, Scottie is a gay fellow when he is properly
dressed up — not faked — and he is ready at any time to fight for his
place. One thing observable in these Terriers is that they are not
quarrelsome among themselves. They are very easily kept under
control, much more so than the Dandie, but they are not wanting
in 'go.' For workmen these Terriers must be small, some of them
being little over half the size of the ordinary show dog. Weedy ?
No ; far from it. The wee dog has a big heart, and it is not size that
gives pluck ; moreover, the dog is not wanted to worry, but to bolt
the fox or otter, as the case may be, by continual snapping at him
and making him ' flit.' He must, however, have sufficient pluck to
stick to his game until he bolts ; otherwise he is useless. Unless
Scottish Terriers are small they are of no use to oust foxes from
the hill cairns, or otters from the rocks on the seashore or river-bank.
Those who have followed the fox know how small a hole he will
pass through, and unless the Terriers are small, they cannot reach
him. As it is some of them get jammed in the rocks by dis-
lodging stones in scraping to get at the fox, and never come
out again.

The working Scottish Terrier is a good water-dog, and it is a
pretty sight to see three or four lay hold of an otter in the water,
although it is a very risky business. For hunting in broom and whin
(furze) he is well adapted, as he makes things lively for bunny.
He gives tongue when hunting, and is sometimes very noisy when
game is in sight. Scottie likes to amuse himself by hunting up and
killing rats ; but he is at all times a companion and a ' friend in
need ' to the country gentleman or the rural dweller.

In the Highlands the principal colours are red and dark brindles.
Sometimes fawns of different shades turn up ; but white specimens
are only to be found at Poltalloch, where they are bred and carefully

456 BRITISH DOGS

preserved. A good many of the fox-hunter's dogs are coloured like
their Deerhounds — a tawny brown — with often a white paw and
sometimes a whole white leg. This no doubt arises from careless
breeding.

Fanciers of recent years have tried to alter the original type of
Terrier, by trying to engraft on a short, cobby body a long, senseless-
looking head, to get which they had to breed dogs almost, if not
quite, twice the size of the original, and to alter the formation of the
head. That great Scotsman Thomas Carlyle said of Lord Ashley,
'Very straight between the eyes — a bad form of physiognomy.'
Yes, bad, I would say, whether in man or in dog. This straight-
face craze began in Black-and-tan Terriers, extended to Fox-
terriers, is seen in Bedlington Terriers, is now contaminating the
Collie, and is threatening our national Scottish Terrier. Coats are
also getting softer and more woolly in texture, as they are inclined
to do when the dog is kept in the house as a pet, and not exposed
daily to the elements. There is also a tendency in some strains to
grow a long coat, which the 'improver' shortens by removing the
hair by a process known as ' trimming.' Such coats have always
a soft, furry feel, reminding one of a cat's coat instead of a
pig's, the bristles which resemble the true coat of the Scottish
Terrier."

Mr. Thomson Gray, in the above, drew no fancy picture of the
game little dog he loved so well, and in every word that he wrote,
whether praise or blame, was prompted by one idea — the mainten-
ance of the working type of dog rather than the setting up of a
fashionable beauty. The trimming to which attention is directed
prevails and has prevailed for many years to an extent unknown
outside the fanciers' circle. Mr. Ludlow, however, in his review of
the Scottish Terrier in the Kennel Gazette for February, 1900, was
most severe on the practice of trimming, which he condemned in
no measured terms, and pointed out the danger to the breed that
is run thereby. As Mr. Ludlow very truly says, there is nothing
to prevent the painstaking exhibitor making the best of his Terrier,
and if it stops at removing the "frill" and taking out all the dead
coat, no great harm is done. But does it stop there ? Personally,
he believes that in very many cases it stops nowhere until every bit
of long coat has been pulled out, the sides of the head have been
trimmed down pretty well to the bare skin ; and, in fact, until the
animal has been thoroughly transmogrified. He then proceeds to
state that if it comes to a matter of skilful barbering, the novice will
have no chance, and, as in the case of Bedlingtons, and to a less
degree in Dandie Uinmont Terriers, the Scottish Terrier will be
left in the hands of the few who have the ability and will take the
trouble to catch the judge's eye, to the possible disadvantage of a

THE SCOTTISH TERRIER 457

far better Terrier badly shown. Since Mr. Ludlow's words appeared
in print there has been a marked improvement in the direction of
coats, and doubtless with the .new regulations of the Kennel Club
in respect of trimming the practice will eventually cease. That
it is unfair to novices goes without saying ; while that it is a most
stupid and unnatural practice calculated to injure rather than
improve the individual is also equally true. The remedy for long
and woolly coats is a simple one, and lies in the hands of the
breeder, and this is the only " improvement " that should be
allowed by the powers that be. There can be no denying that the
breeder has genuinely improved " Scottie " with respect to his front.
Time was when his fore legs were not considered typical unless they

FIG. 98. — DR. FLAXMAN'S WHITE SCOTTISH TERRIER PITTENWEEM KING

KONG.

were crooked. He has changed all that, and nowadays a crooked-
fronted dog would not be tolerated in the show-ring. Why, there-
fore, should one be whose coat is only of the requisite length when
it is made so artificially ?

With Scottish Terriers, as with all other breeds, nature is
occasionally sportive, and we therefore come across, now and again,
colours that, according to our somewhat restricted views, may be
considered " foreign " to the breed. It is now very well known
that white Scottish Terriers have been produced, and that these have
found more or less favour. Indeed, Dr. Flaxman, of Pittenweem,
Fife, has for some considerable time now familiarised frequenters
of the larger exhibitions with these colour-sports. One of these
dogs is illustrated at Fig. 98. The colour is usually a creamy-white.
The late Captain Keene was one of the first to place these

458 BRITISH DOGS

white Scottish Terriers before the public, and a few years ago a
puppy out of White Heather by a dog of his known as White
Victor and bred by Mrs. Keene was shown by Lady Forbes, and
was "in the money." White Heather was the product of dark
parents, and so also were some of the best specimens of Dr.
Flaxman. These whites are, of course, judged upon the lines of
their darker relatives. One difficulty with the white productions
was in the nose-colour. The early specimens were flesh-coloured
as to nose ; but this has apparently now been got over, as the noses
of those white Scottish Terriers shown by Dr. Flaxman have
jet-black noses.

These white Scottish Terriers are by novices frequently con-
fused with the Roseneath Terrier, which is a grey or a fawn, some-
times with black points, and to which Mr. Thomson Gray alludes
above though not by that name ; it is a very different-looking type
of dog from the Scottish Terrier. It is found in all its purity
at Poltalloch, Lochgilpead, Argyll, where Colonel Malcolm is very
proud of this strain of Terrier, and is nothing like the Scottish Terrier
as known to the show-bench, but is a modern representative of the
dog that Mr. Thomson Gray refers to as the old Skye, or West
Highland, Terrier. They are small dogs suited for the work that
they are called on to perform — to oust the foxes from the positions
that Mr. Thomson Gray so well and faithfully describes. In appear-
ance it more closely approximates to a Skye Terrier, though not to
the dog that we are accustomed to see at shows, such a dog, alike
on account of its size and its length of jacket, being quite unsuited
for serious work. Mr. J. C. Macdona, who a few years ago attempted
to revive the Roseneath Terrier by providing classes at Cruft's Show,
has kept the breed ; while the late Queen also possessed a brace,
one of which came from the Duke of Argyll's kennel, and the
other from Donald Ferguson, the Lochgilpead fox-hunter.

So many novices are called upon to make a selection of a puppy
practically from the nest that a hint on what to avoid may be useful.
First as to the head : there must from the first be indicated the
slightly domed skull ; while the colour of the eyes and their shape
are all-important. A typical " Scottie " should have an almond-
shaped, dark hazel eye, a light, round, prominent eye being very
objectionable, and a puppy possessing such should be avoided.
Straight fore legs should be combined with promise of plenty of
bone ; those light in bone or crooked in leg are objectionable. Ear-
carriage cannot be determined with certainty until after teething ;
but ear-placement can. In a puppy over teething see that the mouth
is a good one ; for a typical healthy specimen should possess a
beautiful set of white teeth, and any premature decay noticeable
in the permanent teeth should not be lightly passed over. A bad
mouth is a serious blemish, whether in a show specimen or only

THE SCOTTISH TERRIER 459

in a companion dog. A few white hairs on the chest in the puppy
coat generally moult out; but not so a white patch in the adult.
The writer is averse to the kind of fore face in the adult that gives
one the idea of a square muzzle ; it is a modern innovation and
contrary to the description issued by the Clubs.

So far as specialist Clubs are concerned, the Scottish Terrier
is well provided, there being no less than four — the Scottish Terrier
Club (England), founded in 1887 ; the Scottish Terrier Club
(Scotland), founded a year later ; the Northern Scottish Terrier Club,
and the London Scottish Terrier Club, both founded in 1902.

Below is given the description of the Scottish Terrier as drawn
up by the Scottish Terrier Club (England) : —

/.— Proportionately long, slightly domed, and covered with short, hard
hair, about fin. long, or less. It should not be quite flat, as there should be a
sort of stop, or drop, between the eyes.

Muzzle. — Very powerful, and gradually tapering towards the nose, which
should always be black, and of a good size. The jaw should be perfectly level,
and the teeth square, though the nose projects somewhat over the mouth, which
gives the impression of the upper jaw being longer than the lower one.

Eyes. — A dark brown or hazel colour ; small, piercing, very bright, and
rather sunken.

Ears. — Very small, prick or half-prick (the former is preferable), but never
drop. They should also be sharp-pointed, and the hair on them should not be
long, but velvety, and they should not be cut. The ears should be free from any
fringe at the top.

A'eck. — Short, thick, and muscular ; strongly set on sloping shoulders.

Chest. — Broad in comparison to the size of the dog, and proportionately deep.

Body. — Of moderate length, but not so long as a Skye's, and rather flat-sided ;
well ribbed up, and exceedingly strong in hindquarters.

Legs and Feet. — Both fore and hind legs should be short, and very heavy in
bone, the former being straight, and well set on under the body, as the Scotch
Terrier should not be " out at elbows." The hocks should be bent, and the
thighs very muscular ; and the feet strong, small, and thickly covered with short
hair, the fore feet being larger than the hind ones.

The Tail which is never cut, should be about 7in. long, carried with a slight
bend, and often gaily.

The Coat should be rather short (about 2in.), intensely hard and wiry in
texture, and very dense all over the body.

Size. — From I5lb. to 2olb. ; the best weight being as near as possible about
i8lb. for dogs and i61b. for bitches, when in condition for work.

Colours. — Steel or iron-grey, black -brindle, grey-brindle, black, sandy, and
wheaten. White markings are objectionable, and can only be allowed on the
chest and to a small exent.

General Appearance. — The face should wear a very sharp, bright, and active
expression, and the head should be carried up. The dog (owing to the shortness
of his coat) should appear to be higher on the leg than he really is ; but, at the
same time, he should look compact, and possessed of great muscle in his hind-
quarters. In fact, a Scotch Terrier, though essentially a Terrier, cannot be too
powerfully put together, and should be from gin. to I2in. in height.

SPECIAL FAULTS

Ahtzzle.— Either under- or over-hung.
Eyes. — Large or light-coloured.

460 BRITISH DOGS

Ears. — Large, round at the points, or drop. It is also a fault if they are too
heavily covered with hair.

Legs. — Bent, or slightly bent at elbows.

Coat. — Any silkiness, wave, or tendency to curl is a serious blemish, as is also
an open coat.

Size. — Specimens over 2olb. should not be encouraged.

SCALE OF POINTS

Skull ;i

Muzzle ... ... ... ... ... ... 7f

Eyes 5^

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Neck ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Chest ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Body... ... ... ... 15

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Tail . . ... ... ... ... ... ... 2|

Coat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15^

Size ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 2;j

General Appearance ... ... ... ... ... 10

Total .. 100

CHAPTER XL
THE IRISH TERRIER

IT is certain that during the past two decades no breed of dog has
attained greater popularity than the Irish Terrier, and a visit to
any of our leading shows will be convincing proof of this, for in
point of number he only plays second fiddle to his white relation
the Fox-terrier, which has been a general favourite in England
for generations past. The reason is not far to seek. Is it not
a firm of soap-makers who say of their soap, " Once used, always
used " ? Surely it would be difficult to find more appropriate words
for the Irish Terrier. His genial disposition, all round merit for
sport, racy outline, eyes that are teeming with kindness and in-
telligence peeping from underneath his shaggy old eyebrows, and
a pin-wire, rusty horseshoe-coloured jacket that covers one of the
biggest hearts that ever beat in a canine body, must command
admiration from all who love a truly good, high-couraged Terrier.

It is a circumstance much to be regretted that the true origin
of this grand Terrier has never come to light, and at this distant
date in all probability it never will. We can therefore only accept
the gleanings of those who have used their best efforts to solve
the problem.

Mr. G. R. Krehl, the English Vice-President of the Irish Terrier
Club, who has done so much this side of St. George's Channel
to popularise Irish Terriers, in writing for Mr. Vero Shaw's book
thus speaks of the breed : —

"The Irish Terrier is a true and distinct breed indigenous
to Ireland, and no man can trace its origin, which is lost in
antiquity. Mr. Ridgway, of Waterford, whose name is familiar
in Irish Terrier circles from having drawn up the first code of
points, states that they have been known to Ireland as long as
that country has been an island, added to which there is the fact
that there exist old manuscripts in Irish mentioning the breed
at a very remote period. In old pictures representing scenes
of Irish life an Irish Terrier or two are often to be descried.

462 BRITISH DOGS

Ballymena and County Wicklow may almost claim to be the birth-
place of the breed. Most of the best specimens hail from Ballymena
and the neighbourhood, where Mr. Thomas Erwin, of Irish Setter
fame, boasts an extensive experience of this breed, and has always
kept a few of the right old working sort for sporting purposes ; and
in County Wicklow, Mr. Merry says, it is well known that the
pure breed of Irish Terriers has been carefully kept distinct and
highly prized for more than a century. Mr. E. F. Despard, whose
name is well known in Irish Terrier circles as a very successful
breeder and exhibitor, claims an acquaintance of over forty years
with the breed. Mr. George Jamison, too, has known and kept
them many years, and up till a little while ago had won more
prizes than all the rest of the breeders put together. These proofs
of the age of the breed are mentioned to show those who have
lately come to admire them that it is not a made-up, composite,
or mushroom breed. They are part of Ireland's national economy,
and are worthily embodied in the sportsman's toast : ' Irish women,
Irish horses, and Irish dogs' (which means, Irish Terriers, Irish
Setters, and Irish Spaniels).

One's first acquaintance with the Irish Terrier is apt to be
disappointing (except to a really doggy terrier man). It may be
because there is no meretricious flash about them; but there is
that about them which you learn to like ; they grow upon you.
They supply the want so often expressed for a smart-looking dog
with something in him. There is that about their rough-and-ready
appearance that can only be described as genuine Terrier (or
more emphatically Tarrier) character. They are facile princeps
the sportsman's Terrier, and having never yet been made Fashion's
darlings, they retain in all its purity their instinctive love of hard
work. Their characters do not suit them for ladies' pets, but
render them the best dogs out for the man that loves his gun and
quiet sport."

At a later date Mr. Hugh Dalziel, writing of the breed, dis-
credits its existence something over thirty years ago, and referring
to Mr. Ridgway's letter anent the age and purity of the breed
at a very remote date, says : " Surely man never yet ' grounded his
faith ' on a more slender basis." The patriarch Job, in an old
manuscript written in a language older than Irish, refers to the
" dogs of his flock " ; so when his descendants take to Sheepdog
showing, they may "ground their faith" in the antiquity and
purity of their Collies by Mr. Ridgway's example, and with as
much logical and historical support.

Mr. Dalziel further adds that it is not usual to speak of a
date only a score or so of years back as "antiquity," but that is
really the date when the origin of the Irish Terrier is lost and

THE IRISH TERRIER 463

found, and by way of winding up says : " When we consider how
much we owe to the Irish in dogs, the Wolfhound, the Greyhound,
the Spaniel, the Setter, we may readily, and without strain of faith,
believe that such a sporting race kept a ' breed of Terriers also,'
but to ask us to believe that the show dogs of the present day
are purely descended from the Terriers of the ' Long-boat ' men
is rather too much."

This is quoted to show the difference in opinion that exists
as to the real origin of the Irish Terrier.

Probably the show specimens of the present day are not abso-
lutely pure descendants of the Irish Terrier as known in Ireland
forty years ago ; but there is certainly a big percentage of that
blood in their composition, and were proof of this required, it
could be forthcoming over and over again. Mr. Dalziel was
doubtless actuated by the purest motives in all that he said ;
but had he dived deeper into the subject, he certainly would
have found that the breed did exist in Ireland years and numbers
of years prior to its advent on the show-bench in either that country
or our own, and might then have deemed it prudent to be less
caustic in his remarks, and not quite so hard on a breed that so
many have come to admire, and which without flattery may be
considered one of the best of present-day Terriers.

The writer holds no brief for Mr. Krehl or any one else, but he
must say, in fairness to those who have expressed opinions adverse
to those of Mr. Hugh Dalziel, that he has at some considerable
trouble made personal inquiries in almost every part of the land
of the shamrock, from Londonderry in the north to Limerick and
Waterford in the south, and from Dublin in the east to Galway
in the west, and has it on unimpeachable authority that the
breed has been well known and kept in various parts of Ireland
as long as the oldest living man can remember. A personal friend
of the writer in County Wicklow, whose veracity may be vouched
for, told him many years ago that he had kept the breed for
upwards of thirty years. And this is typical of many assurances
from men whose statements are beyond suspicion, which might
reasonably be accepted as sufficient proof that the Irish Terrier is
not quite of the mushroom-like growth that Mr. Dalziel would have
us believe.

Although good specimens were known in Ireland long before
dog shows were in existence, it must not be taken for granted
that collectively they were of the high class we are so accustomed
to see now. A change has naturally come about with this, as
with many other breeds that have been carefully bred for ex-
hibition for thirty years. They were rather a scratch lot, or perhaps
more correctly described as bad specimens of the present type.
They were dogs that in many cases were light in colour, and had

464 BRITISH DOGS

coats sufficiently long to kink or curl, that were woolly in texture,
while they varied in weight from between i61b. to 4olb. This
can readily be understood when it is remembered that there were
no shows or other inducements to improve the breed. So long
as Pat would catch a rabbit, retrieve a wounded bird, watch the
house at night, and give any intruding tyke (be he little or big)
a rough ten minutes if required, he answered all practical
purposes for his owner.

Irish Terriers were first exhibited at Dublin in 1873, and the
breed's subsequent successful career is almost wholly due to the
zeal and energy of the pioneers, Messrs. Morton, Erwin, Ridgway,
Montgomery, Jamison, Corbie Smith, Dr. Marks, Dr. Carey (the
present Hon. Sec. of the Irish Terrier Club), Mr. G. R. Krehl,
Mr. W. Graham, and a few others. These gentlemen had the
uphill part of the business to do in bringing the breed to the
front. Many were the ideas and opinions at that date as to what
was a typical Irish Terrier. Consequently at shows where the breed
was represented, one saw a very mixed lot. And the judging,
too, was most erratic. First one dog would get the premier award,
then another, and eventually both were headed by a specimen
that had no right to be in the class. This naturally caused the
greatest dissatisfaction to exhibitors, and finally in 1879 resulted
in a club being formed, and a description of the breed drawn up.
Later on specialist judges were appointed, and this did wonders
in healing the breach brought about by previous bad judging, and
cemented the bonds of friendship between the English and the
Irish contingents.

From that time the popularity of the breed was assured, and
was not long in reaching its zenith. Having a standard to breed
to, the merest novice had a guide, and a direct incentive to try
his luck, and at the present time the chance of a really good
dog af any show being left in the cold is reduced to a minimum.
The Irish Terrier has not had the benefit of a pretty face and
genteel appearance to help him, but has won his way to the fore
on sterling merit.

It is pleasing to record that our beloved King Edward VII.,
who, as every one knows, is one of the finest sportsmen in the
world, has added an Irish Terrier to his famous kennels. This
augurs well for the breed, and as an Englishman is nothing if not
fashionable and patriotic, we may in the near future reasonably
expect to find many more of his Majesty's loyal subjects going
in for a " Dare-devil."

Mr. Vero Shaw in his book says that at Belfast, in June, 1878,
Mr. Despard's Tanner (afterwards first, Birmingham), took first,
second going to old Sport, and third to Mr. W. Graham's Sporter.
In bitches Kate was first and Moya Doolan second. At New-

THE IRISH TERRIER 465

townards, in September the same year, the opinions of experts were
encouraging. The eye had not the same chance of being offended at
shows as in former years, the majority of the weeds having disap-
peared. Mr. Graham won, with Sporter, the champion cup for best
dog or bitch exhibited. In open dogs Parnell and Tanner II.
were first and second respectively. In the bitches Moya Doolan
beat Colleen Dhas.

At Birmingham, in December, 1878, Tanner was first and
Fly second. Fly had no right to her place, and it was characteristic
of the judging that Spuds was quite passed over.

In December, 1878, at the Alexandra Palace, Fly (the second-
prize winner at Birmingham) was first, and Spuds second, Paddy II.
commended, and Moya Doolan not noticed. This erratic judging
caused the dissatisfaction already alluded to, and at the Irish
Kennel Club Show in April, 1879, at Dublin, Spuds and Moya
Doolan were first and second in champion class. Tanner II. and
Paddy II. were respectively first and second in open dogs; and
Sting, still a puppy, made her first appearance, and won in open
bitches, beating Rags and Kathleen. Gaelic was very highly com-
mended, this being his first appearance. At the Alexandra Palace
in July, 1879, Gaelic was put over Sporter and Erin, and a new
bitch over Moya Doolan.

It was about this time that Mr. G. R. Krehl put his heart and
soul into the Fancy, and this gentleman can honestly claim to have
been instrumental in starting the breed in this country. By his
purchase of Belle, Splinter, Sporter, Pagan II., and other good
dogs, he founded a famous kennel, and a glance at the pedigree of
many of the best dogs of the present day will reveal the fact that
they contain not a little of the blood of his famous dogs. In the
writer's humble opinion Pagan II. was a little too much of the
horse-chestnut colour, but in every other respect he was absolutely
the best Irishman he had seen up to that time, and he always
regretted not using him to his bitch Grovelands Moya, to be referred
to later on as having killed a hedgehog smothered with cayenne.
This was a cropped bitch, a trifle light in colour, but a rare sort,
and was one of a brace purchased in County Wicklow by Mr.
Wickens, of Hurst, for .£70. This was the time when she was
second to Pagan at the Henley Show, and when Mr. Barnett's Bogie
Rattler was a puppy, and exhibited for the first time.

Mr. Barnett and his famous dogs are too well known to need
mentioning here, except to say that he has been one of the most
successful breeders, exhibitors, and judges in England for nearly
twenty years. The writer always thought Mr. Barnett's Bachelor was
lucky to become a champion, as there was not enough daylight
under his body. The writer does like to see an Irish Terrier up on
his legs, but not stilty, and, if he is not mistaken, he has seen far

30

466 BRITISH DOGS

more typical Irish Terriers in Mr. Barnett's kennels than Champion
Bachelor.

At the Crystal Palace, 1884, Mr. Graham won first' in open dogs
with his home-bred Garryford (14,578), by Garryowen ex Peggy by
Killiney Boy ex Champion Erin; Messrs. Carey's Mogul (13,844)
was second, and Carrick third. Mr. Graham also took first in
bitches with Gaily (13,309), bred by Mr. Gourley, Mr. Greaves's Glory
(13,558) being second, a bitch that had previously won a first at
Strabane and champion prize at Portadown, and also got first in the
champion class at the Crystal Palace the following year.

It was at the Kennel Club Show at the Crystal Palace, January,
1884, that the quartet Playboy, Poppy, Champion Pagan II., and
Champion Kitty met in the champion class. The first-named three
were litter brothers and sister — truly a remarkable litter. Poppy won,
and also accounted for the silver medal for the best Irish Terrier
in the show, leaving Playboy to do battle later, which he did by
winning first Belfast, first and cup Alexandra Palace, first Dublin,
first Darlington, first challenge class at the Royal Aquarium
Show 1886 — in fact, beat about everything he met.

A nice bitch out this year was Mr. Greaves's Extreme Carelessness
by Sport ex Vic, and beyond being a little smutty in colour she
was hard to beat. She won first in the Challenge Class at the
Kennel Club Show at the Crystal Palace in January, 1887, as well
as first at the Ranelagh Club grounds later, beating Champion
Poppy and Bumptious Biddy. The B's were busy this year. The
names of all Mr. Barnett's dogs, it will be noticed, commence with
the letter B, and now we find Mr. Graham following suit with the
prefix " Breda," and Mr. Backhouse with the prefix "Bumptious."

At the Kennel Club Show at the Crystal Palace, January, 1887,
Mr. Barnett's Champion Bachelor won first in the challenge class
for dogs, the silver medal for the best uncropped dog, and the
special for the best uncropped dog or bitch. He was similarly
successful at the Kennel Club Show in February, 1888, winning
silver medal for the best Irish Terrier in the show. This dog
did a lot at stud, and altogether must have been profitable to his
owner. He was by Bogie Rattler ex Biddy III., his grandsire
being Playboy and granddam Fury, a bitch that, the writer
believes, Mr. Krehl purchased from Mr. Despard. Bogie Rattler
and Biddy III. were purchased by Mr. Barnett from Mr. Krehl as
puppies. It falls to the lot of only a very few breeders to be as
fortunate as Mr. Barnett in breeding a champion at the first
attempt.

Mr. Graham again came to the front in 1889 by breeding one
of the best in Breda Mixer by Irish Ambassador ex Breda Vixen,
winning prizes galore and soon becoming a champion. This dog
did a lot of good to "the breed at stud, siring many winners,

THE IRISH TERRIER 467

including the invincible Champion Bolton Woods Mixer, out of
Saskatchewan, the property of Mr. G. W. Cragg. Bolton Woods
Mixer has probably sired more winners and won more prizes for
his present owner, Mr. Sam Wilson, than any Irish Terrier that ever
lived, and such a little gold-mine must this Terrier have been that
he has been facetiously called by some " Daily Bread."

Mr. Graham sold Breda Mixer to Mr. A. E. Clear, who passed
him on to the Rev. D. F. Wright, his present owner. The old
dog, in addition to being very game, was a splendid companion, and
quite one of the rev. gentleman's family.

Bolton Woods Mixer was born February i2th, 1895, which is
getting down to a comparatively recent date, and space will not
permit of many other good dogs living being mentioned, and were it
otherwise no practical good would accrue, as all Irish Terriers of
note whelped subsequent to date named are too well known to
be referred to here. The writer may, however, be pardoned for
harking back to name that nice brace of Terriers, the property of
Mrs. Butcher, Bawnboy and Ted Malone, the former by Champion
Brickbat ex Lotion and the latter by Champion Daniel II. ex
Lotion, both bred by that lady, who, with her dog Still Another, won
the first Breeders' Cup outright and many other valuable prizes.

Mr. F. Wheatley's bitch Lewisham Banshee, also a daughter
of Daniel II., well merited Mr. L. C. P. Astley's description of
her — " A very sweet bitch, hard in coat, and good in body, legs, and
feet " ; also her many firsts under Messrs. Raper, Gresham, etc.
She was a little dark in ear, but the best-coated bitch the writer
ever saw.

Mr. F. Butler's Odiham Bridget, a '92 bitch by Odiham Pat ex
Gyp, was a winner of several firsts and specials under Dr. Carey, and
but for an accident to her thigh would have been a hard nut to crack.

Constitutionally, the Irish Terrier is as hard as a pebble from
puppyhood to old age, which renders him one of the easiest to
breed. Nothing seems to trouble him so long as there is a bone
in the cupboard, and he is as happy on a straw bed in a kennel
as reposing on a down cushion in a drawing-room, and a more
reliable dog with children cannot be found. As a companion he
is hard to beat — a genial, rollicking, good-natured chap, who does
not mind waiting outside for an hour or two for his master, even
if it does rain or snow. The day is never too cold and the drain
never too wet or long if there is a quarry at the other end. He
is always a faithful " pal," never surly or snappish, and will take
any amount of banter from other dogs before cutting up rusty ;
but if he happens to drop across a quarrelsome tyke that positively
will not take no for an answer, you will see him stand as firm
as a rock, with every muscle set ready for action, a slight pucker
in the top lip showing a rat-trap-like set of ivory white teeth, which

468 BRITISH DOGS

is a plain indication that he means business, whilst his bright,
intelligent, hazel eyes flash expressive of the popular saying " Let
'em all come," and the gintleman who is bold enough to tread
on the tail av his coat will have a warm time, and will not miss
the first opportunity of clearing off with a lasting recollection of
" Irish hot." He has been truly designated the Bull-terrier of
the sister isle, and it is not too much to say he has few equals
and no superior in point of pluck, if the English Bull-terrier be
excepted.

In the early eighties Mr. Frank Butler, of Irish Terrier fame,
and the writer had been out ferreting rats. On returning home
an old cropped Irish Terrier bitch belonging to the writer had
killed a hedgehog, which it was subsequently ascertained had been
nicely dusted with cayenne, tied up in an old handkerchief, and
put on a seat as a "plant" to win ten shillings from the landlord
of the inn at which we called, who had a Bull- and Fox-terrier
that he said would kill hedgehogs. The owner of the hedgehog
said, "I'll give 'e a suverin for the Tarrier, mister," which, needless
to say, was not accepted.

Without a good dog as guard, you may have all your locks,
bolts, and bars to keep Bill Sykes out of your house should you leave
it unattended, and then he will manage to pay you a visit. If you
will only leave Paddy at home in charge, with access to every room,
you need have little fear that your temporary absence from the
house means losing your plate or any other valuables, for the wily
Irishman is like the proverbial weasel, never asleep, and his keen
nose and quick ear will not fail to detect a strange footstep, even
if the would-be visitor is wearing the regulation silent shoes. And
his angry bark will be quite enough to keep the intruder on the
other side of the door. Nothing upsets the calculations of these
gentry so much as a sharp Terrier. One might also feel perfectly
safe on a lonely walk, night or day, with Pat as a companion. A
well-trained Terrier will keep close to heel at night, and when
strange footsteps are approaching you will hear him give vent
to a suppressed growl, and if occasion arose you may rely on his
cleaning his teeth on your adversary's trousers and pinching his
calf in a way that would be anything but pleasant.

Only recently an Irish Terrier belonging to a labouring man
showed the writer a very nice set of teeth through his inadvertently
going too near his master's dinner-basket and an old overcoat
he was guarding with a zeal it was a treat to see.

A true " Dare-devil " is obviously a workman, and as a sportsman
he can give any other Terrier a start and a beating. He takes to
all kinds of sport as naturally as possible, and it only requires two
or three lessons with an adult dog when ferreting for a puppy
to understand the game and kill rats as fast as you please. The

THE IRISH TERRIER 469

wiry jacket, hardy constitution, indomitable pluck, and fine stamina,
enable an Irish Terrier to work almost any other dog to a standstill,
and, what is more, when he sees the gun or the ferret-box the next
morning, he is ready and eager for the second edition.

The writer once visited a farm by invitation for an hour's sport
killing rats. A friend was having a barley rick threshed, and when
the bottom, or bedding, was reached the rats tumbled out thick
and fast, and it was a pretty sight to see a brace cf Irish Terriers
and an old Sheepdog literally slaughter them. One of the Terriers
poked his head into the short straw and brushwood upon which
the rick had stood, and seemed to kill the rats two at a time.
The trio were not long in accounting for 137. An Irish Terrier
has such a punishing jaw, and puts so much dash into killing
rats, that one sometimes thinks that they are out of place, and
that such sport should be relegated to smaller breeds, for he not
only kills them but smashes them with the same apparent ease as
one could smash eggs with a mallet.

Without question, rabbiting is the kind of sport that the Irish
Terrier excels at — the right dog in the right place, so to speak.
A model Irish Terrier is a miniature Irish Wolfhound with a
yellow-red coat, and consequently, being built on these racy lines,
he is by nature specially adapted for rabbiting in every way.

When ferreting a burrow, a well-trained Irish Terrier will sit
on the top, and he seems to know instinctively from which hole the
rabbit is likely to come, and if the man with the gun fails to
grass his bunny, the Irishman, at a given signal, is after him like
a shot from a gun, and if the rabbit has no cover inside of two
hundred yards, you may count him in your bag. The writer has
repeatedly seen a Terrier of this breed catch rabbits in this distance
on their own ground, and it is generally believed that a rabbit
when he gets out of his form runs as fast as a hare for the first
two hundred yards, and except the Bedlington Terrier no other
breed of Terrier can equal the Irish Terrier for speed.

It is very regrettable that this good quality should be the reason
for the dog being used for rabbit-coursing, a pastime much in vogue.
No true sportsman would, however, care to be seen at one of these
exhibitions, which are as cruel as they are disgusting. A rabbit
is probably the most meek-hearted of any wild animal, and so
timid and frightened is it when turned down in a strange place
after spending a night in a sack or a box, or perhaps sent some
miles by train, that he reminds one of a frog when he sees a
snake after him. A Terrier weighing 14.15. can catch a turned-
down rabbit with ease ; but let that same dog turn one up from
his natural lair, and he simply would not see which way the
rabbit went.

The Irish Terrier, too, has an excellent nose, and it is seldoni

470 BRITISH DOGS

indeed that he makes a mistake. If he stands to a hole, you may
be sure there is a rabbit there. He will, too, mark the exact
spot where a ferret is laid up with a rabbit. With a knowing
turn of the head, first one side, then another, to try and catch the
least sound, he will raise himself and pounce down on his fore
feet, as if to say, " Here they are ! " and after perhaps half an hour's
hard work with a spade, you will find that Pat has told the truth.
The Irish Terrier is very fond of the water, and will work a sedge-
bed for duck or moorhen as well as a Spaniel.

A friend of the writer in Hampshire regularly shoots over a
brace of Irish Terriers, and it is a treat to see them work — quarter
a field like a Setter, hunt hedgerow or gorse, however thick, and
retrieve to hand fur or feather as tenderly as a well-broken Retriever.
In fact, if well broken, you cannot put them out of place at any
kind of sport.

The Irish Terrier is much too long in the legs, and not in
any way suitable for going to earth for fox or badger ; such sport
must be left to smaller breeds — the Fox-terrier, Dandie, and others.
But above ground, no matter what the vermin, he can and will
give a good account of himself — that is, so far as drawing a
badger from a tub is concerned. A better test to try a Terrier's
pluck is to turn upside-down a large wooden trough about loft,
long and having one end knocked out. Let the badger go to
the far end, and if you have a Terrier that will fetch him out, no
matter to what breed he belongs, you have a gem of the first
water. The writer knew a Bull-terrier bitch that would do this ;
but after having one of her legs broken from the bite of a badger,
she went more cautiously to work, and it looked comical to see
her tuck her front legs under her body when going to one to
avoid punishment.

When a person talks of a Terrier killing a badger, you may be
sure that he is talking without knowledge— it's all moonshine.
The writer has seen a good deal of badgers, and been to many
a badger dig in the Tidworth country with the late Assheton
Smith and Lord Broughton's keepers. Jack Fricker the Huntsman,
and Billy Brice, First Whip, always put in an appearance, and
brought some of the very gamest Fox-terriers that could be found
— dogs that would go to earth and stay there till dug out hours
after. A captured badger turned down in the open would easily
run away with three of these Terriers hanging to him. The
punishment that a badger can inflict on a dog when in his natural
earth is truly terrible, and the Terrier that can kill one in such
has yet to be evolved.

Mr. Erwin, speaking of Irish Terriers, says they have the
peculiarity of often appearing shy and timid, but their true nature
soon flashes out on occasion. Some of the pluckiest I have owned

THE IRISH TERRIER 471

had this peculiarity — Tanner, Sporter, Banshee, Belle, etc. This is
certainly characteristic of the breed, and one not infrequently hears
from those not thoroughly acquainted with it the remark, Are they
shy ? As a breed the Irish Terrier is not shy — he is naturally
reticent, and to demonstrate this just show one a rat in a cage, and
you will see him immediately stiffen, his tail assume a perpendicular
position, his eyes flash, and woe-betide the rodent when he emerges
from captivity. No, there is nothing shy about the Irish Terrier ;
only warm his blood to the proper temperature, and fear or timidity
is absolutely unknown to him*

Those who have had years of experience with this breed need
no teaching, but a few hints on breeding, general management, etc.,
may be of use to the less initiated. Irish Terriers are so hardy in
constitution that no special care is required in breeding, such as
one would have to give to Yorkshire Terriers, Black-and-tans, Toy
Spaniels, and other tender varieties. Good quarters, plenty of
outdoor exercise, and a good wholesome diet of cooked food are
the principal requirements to ensure getting healthy stock.

The modus operandi of a novice is too frequently to purchase
from some unscrupulous person a snipy-faced, weedy little bitch, or
a big, ungainly, flaxen-coated specimen of very doubtful blood, that
bears no affinity to an Irish Terrier, except perhaps in colour, and
then plank down his money for the service of a stud dog of totally
different outline and character, in the full expectation that the
mating will strike the happy medium in the size and quality of the
progeny, simply because the sire is a good dog. This is diametric-
ally opposed to the laws of practical breeding, and only brings sad
disappointment to the experimenter, wastes his time and money,
and stocks the country with mongrels that should never see the
light of day.

Beginners in the Fancy would act much more wisely by going
to a breeder of repute, and purchase of him a bitch of pure blood,
for as the old axiom says, " Blood will tell." This need not be
an expensive deal, for most breeders occasionally have surplus
stock of this sex that they are glad to dispose of at a moderate
price, when not quite good enough for the show-bench. Next a
stud dog should be selected that excels and whose ancestors have
excelled in the qualities in which the bitch is deficient, and if
the advice of a practical man can be obtained to assist in the
selection, so much the better. March is the best month in the
year to breed puppies, so that they can have at least six months to
grow before the cold weather sets in. Of course they may be bred
at other times, but autumn-bred puppies seldom do so well as those
bred in the spring. Care should be taken in the early stage of
gestation to see that the bitch is thoroughly clear of internal
parasites ; if this is not done, in all probability they will be transmitted

472 BRITISH DOGS

to the young, and a big risk is run of losing the lot. Without doubt
parasites in puppies kill at least three times as many as distemper,
or any other malady, and experience teaches that it is the chief
thing to fear in breeding almost any kind of dog. It cannot there-
fore be too strongly pointed out that it is absolutely necessary to
take Time by the forelock in this respect.

A suitable place should be selected for the bitch a fortnight
prior to the eventful day, so that she may thoroughly settle down.
It should be a place that is moderately warm and free from damp
or draught, and a bed of soft oat straw should be provided. Her
diet prior to whelping should consist of a liberal allowance of cooked
food such as oatmeal, vegetables, and biscuits soaked in the liquor
from boiled sheeps' heads, etc., twice daily, the biggest meal to be
given at night.

For two or three days after the birth of the pups the bitch
should have soft warm food and a small midday meal. A day or
two later this may be supplemented with some finely chopped meat
until the puppies are weaned. A little fresh raw meat is beneficial
for a bitch that has a nest of hungry youngsters almost continually
sucking her, and, for choice, grass-fed sheeps' paunches unwashed,
finely cut up. It is easy to digest, and the undigested portions of
herbage it contains (of which dogs are very fond) cools the blood
and acts as a mild aperient. The puppies should be docked when
a week old, and they should be allowed to remain with the dam
until they are at least six or seven weeks old, when the bitch usually
tires of them somewhat, and they will be best separated, and the
puppies put into a kennel by themselves, or else sent out to
" walk."

On no account should a growing puppy be tied up. If this is
done, crooked legs are inevitable, the elbows stand out, and the dog
is practically ruined. Such a deformity would certainly be of no
use for exhibition or sale. In the absence of plenty of kennel room
and unlimited exercising-ground, the best thing to do with puppies
as soon as they begin to eat well is to put them out to " walk " — one
here and another there — with people in the country willing to take
them for a trifling amount per week. They are usually well looked
after, get a varied diet of plain cooked food, plenty of exercise, and
stand a far better chance of developing their sense of smell than
when shut up in town. When six months old they should begin
to get shapely, and be fit to do a little on the show-bench or in the
field. There is, however, always more or less risk in exhibiting very
young puppies.

There is no fixed rule for preparing an Irish Terrier for show ;
everything depends upon the individual. Whereas one is always as fit
as the proverbial fiddle, another takes a good deal of getting ready,
by virtue of having too much coat ; others there are who by nature

THE IRISH TERRIER 473

never get enough, and are consequently no good for exhibition.
Although coat is not everything, even on the back of an Irish
Terrier, it is a big item in the programme of his success or otherwise,
and therefore a thing to be carefully studied. He would be a
foolish man who would select a pony from a Welsh drove and send
him to a show ungroomed and unkempt ; and precisely the same
remarks apply not only to Irish Terriers, but to any other dog kept
for exhibition. Any attempt at clipping or singeing a dog's coat
is termed " faking." It is a useless and a foolish practice, and
renders the operator liable to be suspended from exhibiting for a
year or more, if detected by the judge or by the critical public.

Only fair and legitimate dressing is permissible, and as this
is not always an easy matter to determine, beginners who aspire
to dog showing should attend shows where the particular breed
in which they are interested is well represented and carefully note
the condition of body and coat of the best dogs. By this means
they will learn a good deal from the older hands, and gradually get
to know how to complete the toilet. A little practice is worth a
lot of theory, and a few lessons by way of ocular demonstration
will teach those who are desirous of learning more than any amount
of reading upon the subject. In fact, it is practically impossible
to teach any one from books how to put down an Irish Terrier or,
indeed, any other Terrier in first-class form. Experience is the great
teacher, and it must be bought.

To select puppies from the nest is by no means the easy matter
that a novice might suppose, and so great is the change in colour
and general appearance of puppies of this breed that more than
once the writer has known a good judge quite at sea with regard
to this choice. It is far wiser to leave the selection, if possible, until
after the puppies have shed their milk teeth and are approaching
six months old ; at that time one has a much better chance of
forming an opinion as to whether the dog is likely to turn out a
good one or otherwise. In the event of having to make a choice
from a nest of Irish Terrier puppies at, say, a month or five weeks
old, always pick those with small eyes, a good big head, flat skull,
plenty of bone, and front legs that have the appearance of being
enlarged at the joints. The colour at this age should be as follows :
head and legs a nice yellow-red ; the chest, neck, and under-part
of the body lighter, almost fawn-colour, and black hair nearly the
whole width and the entire length of back from shoulder to tail.
This gradually comes out, and puppies of this breed may be
expected to present a somewhat ragged appearance until they are
six or seven months old, and often do not get a correct colour
until a year old. The writer will not readily forget the look of
disappointment on the face of a friend who once asked him to
have a look at a litter. They were the first he had bred, and were

474 BRITISH DOGS

a very level lot, but the breeder had quite made up his mind
to find them when only a few days old as perfect in colour as
the parents. Some like an Irish Terrier that is deep red in colour,
but the majority prefer a nice bright yellow-red, which is the
correct one. Good results may be obtained in breeding by occasion-
ally using a dark red, short-coated bitch, providing, of course, the
bitch is pure bred, and it is by no means uncommon to get such
in a litter.

It is a pleasure to notice at recent shows a big falling off of
the red Fox-terrier type, which was so plentiful a few years ago.
Nothing has done this variety more harm than the few persistent
faddists in breeding these dwarf specimens, and those who have
the welfare of the breed at heart will act wisely in giving them
a wide berth, as they are uncharacteristic and useless for the
purposes for which a good Irish Terrier is justly noted.

It will be observed that the Irish Terrier Club's standard is
24lb. for dogs and 22lb. for bitches ; but it is a well-known fact in
Irish Terrier circles that many of the best specimens are consider-
ably in excess of this weight. At the Dublin Show in April, 1900,
the Irish members of the Irish Terrier Club unanimously passed
a resolution, that no club special should be awarded to any dog
exceeding 261b. or bitch exceeding 24lb., leaving the onus of proving
the weight on the objector, the resolution to be subject to the
approval and confirmation of the next General Meeting. When the
General Meeting subsequently took place at Bristol, the resolution
was very wisely rejected by a large majority. It is easy to perceive
the bad feeling that might have been caused had this resolution been
finally passed. At shows when club specials were given some jealous
exhibitors would most certainly have objected to other exhibitors'
dogs, and perhaps the grandest living specimen might have been
objected to and been compelled to take second place to a very inferior
one, simply because he happened to be an ounce or two in excess
of 261b. Besides, weight is not a criterion of size. There are
plenty of Terriers that from general appearance one would think
heavier than others, but put them on the scales and you will
probably find it the other way about.

An eminent authority once said of the breed, when writing of
Champion Brickbat (who, by the way, won the Sixty Guineas
Challenge Cup twelve times in succession), he could always forgive
size for quality ; and this good old dog in his prime probably
weighed at least 3lb. in excess of that given by the Irish Terrier
Club as the standard weight — namely, 24lb. There is forgiveness
for having an Irish Terrier slightly on the big side, providing he
is symmetrically built, but there is none for having him small and
toyish.

Dr, Carey, too, once said (and we need no better authority) :

THE IRISH TERRIER 475

"I fear some of our English friends are rather inclined to like a
type of Irish Terrier that we Irish do not consider quite the correct
one — I mean the small, short-backed dog, with not enough coat,
and lacking to a great extent the ' racing build.' I have no hesita-
tion in saying, if this idea is persisted in, we shall have breeders
breeding for Fashion, and Fashion's sake, rather than the correct
and recognised type."

It was a humane feeling that prompted the Kennel Club to
abolish cropping, or, rather, to exclude dogs so mutilated from shows
held under its Rules. It was the first nail driven into the coffin of
a senseless and cruel prac^ce, now happily relegated to the limbo

FIG. 99.— MR. C. J. BARNETT'S IRISH TERRIER CHAMPION
BREDA MUDDLER.

of forgotten absurdities. Fancy a cropped Terrier poking his head
into a rabbit's hole ; he would be certain to get his ears full of sand
and dirt. Again, in working gorse, hedgerows, or long grass in
wet weather, his poor ears would be sure to get full of water, when
ear canker and premature deafness would probably result. The
flaps of the ears act as natural protectors for such delicate
structures, and in the past the removal of portions of the ears has
ruined many a good dog. The cropping was not usually done until
the dogs were a year old, and the pain the poor brutes had to
endure, until the ears had healed, may be better imagined than
described.

Some years ago nearly all the Irish Terriers one saw in Ireland
had their ears cut off. They could hardly be described as cropped,

476 BRITISH DOGS

as they were not evenly cut to a point to improve appearance, but
simply cut straight off about fin. from the head. The writer, of
course, is not speaking of exhibition dogs, but those one saw
running about the streets in towns in the South of Ireland. It is
not so now, for it is quite the exception to see dogs in the
Emerald Isle so mutilated.

Since writing this article, the Irish Terrier world is poorer by
the death of Mr. William Graham, of Belfast, or, as he was more
generally known, Billy Graham, sometimes called "The Irish
Ambassador." Billy was small of stature, but mighty in his ideas
of Irish Terriers, witty, a rale Irishman, and had nothing to learn
about the breed. One of his last gooadogs was Champion Breda
Muddler (Fig. 99), so named on account of a muddle that was made
in his purchase from a ten-pound selling class at the Crystal Palace.
The exact price he paid for him the writer cannot remember : it
was somewhere about ,£20, and it was money well invested, as in
addition to being a big prize winner himself the dog sired several
champions.

The following are the scale of points and description of the
true Irish Terrier, as drawn up by the Irish Terrier Club : —

Head. — Long ; skull flat, and rather narrow between ears, getting slightly
narrower towards the eye ; free from wrinkles ; stop hardly visible except in profile.
The jaw must be strong and muscular, but not too full in the cheek, and of a good
punishing length. There should be a slight falling away below the eye, so as not
to have a Greyhound appearance. Hair on face of same description as on body,
but short (about £in. long), in appearance almost smooth and straight ; a slight
beard is the only longish hair (and it is only long in comparison with the rest)
that is permissible, and that is characteristic.

J^eeth. — Should be strong and level.

Lips. — Not so tight as a Bull-terrier's, but well fitting, showing through the
hair their black lining.

Nose. — Must be black.

Eyes. — A dark hazel colour, small, not prominent, and full of life, fire, and
intelligence.

Ears. — Small and V-shaped, of moderate thickness, set well on the head, and
dropping forward closely to the cheek. The ear must be free of fringe, and the
hair thereon shorter and darker in colour than the body.

Neck. — Should be of a fair length and gradually widening towards the shoulders,
well carried, and free from throatiness. There is generally a slight sort of frill
visible at each side of the neck, running nearly to the corner of the ear.

Shoulders and Chest. — Shoulders must be fine, long, and sloping well into the
back ; the chest deep and muscular, but neither full nor wide.

Back and Loin. — Body moderately long ; back should be strong and straight,
with no appearance of slackness behind the shoulders ; the loin broad and
powerful and slightly arched ; ribs fairly sprung, rather deep than round, and
well ribbed back.

.Hindq^^arlers. — Should be strong and muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks
near the ground, stifles moderately bent.

Stern. — Generally docked ; should be free of fringe or feather, but well
covered with rough hair, set on pretty high, carried gaily, but not over tjie back
or curled,

THE IRISH TERRIER

477

Feet and Legs. — Feet should be strong, tolerably round, and moderately small ;
toes arched, and neither turned out nor in ; black toe nails most desirable. Legs
moderately long, well set from the shoulders, perfectly straight, with plenty of
bone and muscle ; the elbows working freely clear of the sides ; pasterns short and
straight, hardly noticeable. Both fore and hind legs should be moved straight
forward when travelling, the stifles not turned outwards, the legs free from feather,
and covered, like the head, with as hard a texture of coat as body, but not so long.

Coat. — Hard and wiry, free from softness or silkiness, not so long as to hide
the outlines of the body, particularly in the hindquarters, straight and flat, no
shagginess, and free from lock or curl.

Colour. — Should be "whole coloured," the most preferable being bright red,
red, wheaten, or yellow red. White sometimes appears on chest and feet ; it is
more objectionable on the latter than on the chest, as a speck of white on chest
is frequently to be seen in all self-coloured breeds.

Size and Symmetry. — The most desirable weight in show condition is, for a
dog 24lb., and for a bitch 22lb. The dog must present an active, lively, lithe,
and wiry appearance ; lots of substance, at the same time free from clumsiness,
as speed and endurance, as well as power, are very essential. They must be
neither "cloddy nor cobby," but should be framed on the "lines of speed,"
showing a graceful "racing outline."

Temperament. — Dogs that are very game are usually surly or snappish. The
Irish Terrier as a breed is an exception, being remarkably good tempered, notably
so with mankind, it being admitted, however, that he is perhaps a little too ready
to resent interference on the part of other dogs. There is a heedless, reckless pluck
about the Irish Terrier which is characteristic, and, coupled with the headlong
dash, blind to all consequences, with which he rushes at his adversary, has earned
for the breed the proud epithet of "The Dare-devils." When "off duty" they
are characterised by a quiet, caress-inviting appearance, and when one sees them
endearingly, timidly pushing their heads into their master's hands, it is difficult to
realise that on occasions, at the " set on," they can prove they have the courage of
a lion, and will fight unto the last breath in their bodies. They develop an extra-
ordinary devotion for their masters, and have been known to track them almost
incredible distances.

SCALE OF POINTS

POSITIVE POINTS

Head, Ears, and Expression ... 20

Legs and Feet ... . 15

Neck ... ... ... 5

Shoulders and Chest ... ... 10

Back and Loin ... ... 5

Hindquarters and Stern ... 10

Coat ... ... ... 15

Colour ... ... ... 10

Size and Symmetry ... ... 10

Total ,. 100

NEGATIVE POINTS

White Nails, Toes, and Feet, minus 10
Much White on Chest 10

Dark Shadings on Face
Mouth Undershot or Cankered
Coat Shaggy, Curly, or Soft
Uneven in colour .

5
10

10

5

•Total ... 50

CHAPTER XLI
THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER

HAD not Sir Walter Scott written " Guy Mannering," there would
never have been a breed of dogs named Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
He, therefore, must be credited with being the author of the
name of a Terrier that had existed long before, and not of
the breed. Had the great novelist given us a description of the
Terrier of the time when he created Dandie Dinmont as a character,
what a lot of petty cavillings it would have saved ! That Sir Walter
Scott himself possessed a brace of these Terriers admits of no doubt,
as in one of his Notes he says : " The race of Pepper and Mustard
are in the highest estimation at the present day, not only for vermin-
killing, but for intelligence and fidelity. Those who, like the author,
possess a brace of them, consider them as very desirable companions."
Elsewhere, too, there is ample evidence to show that these Terriers
were hard biters, capable of tackling the fiercest ground vermin.

Enthusiasts in the past have claimed too much for the dog —
idealised him, in fact ; and strong desire has created good qualities
as inherent and never wanting in the breed, but which are not
always found. It is a mistake to claim for every Dandie Dinmont
Terrier all the best attributes of his family. As a variety there is no
dog gamer, and with gameness he generally possesses considerable
intelligence and tractability ; but every fancier has known Dandie
Dinmont Terriers of the bluest blood that were worth very little,
although, speaking broadly, as a Terrier he is unexcelled. A good
specimen has all the courage and perseverance of the Bull-terrier,
and is under far better control, and, in comparison with his cousin
the Bedlington, his temper alone gives him the palm.

A point much insisted on by some of the most ardent admirers
of the breed is absolute purity of descent from Dandie Dinmont's
dogs. There is abundance of proof that the very great bulk of
our Dandie Dinmont Terriers have at least a large proportion of the
blood of Mr. Davidson's Terriers in them ; but to suppose that they
have been kept absolutely free from crosses, whether occurring by
accident or design, is to take up with the improbable.

A gentleman who, when a boy, was on the most intimate terms

THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER 479

with Hugh Purvis, one of the few who had dogs direct from
Charlieshope, and assisted in keeping up the old breed, wrote to
the late Mr. Hugh Dalziel that Purvis more than once used a brindled
Bull-terrier to his Uandie Dinmont Terrier bitches.

In speaking of dogs, the term " purity " must be used with
limitation ; there is no breed which we can prove to be absolutely
purely bred for any great length of time. What we term pure breeds
have been brought to their present state of high development by
careful selection and judicious crossings; and it should be quite
sufficient for us to know that there are hundreds of the variety now
living that are to all intents and purposes pure bred, in so far as
they have at least more or less of the blood of Dandie Dininont's
Mustards and Peppers, and have the recognised characteristics of
the breed so fixed in themselves as to be depended on to reproduce
the same with almost absolute faithfulness.

At the date when the First Edition of this work was issued,
nearly all published facts relating to the history of the breed had
appeared in contributions to the controversies on the subject raised
from time to time in newspapers, and notably in the Field and
the Country. Since that date Mr. Charles Cook has produced his
monograph " The Dandie Dinmont Terrier : Its History and
Characteristics," in which the subject, in all its phases, is compre-
hensively and lucidly treated. Mr. Cook had the advantage of
consulting the kennel registry and other papers of the late Mr. E.
Bradshaw Smith, of Blackwood House, Ecclefechan, who was a
breeder of these Terriers for over forty years, and did more,
probably, than any other man to preserve the breed pure as it came
from James Davidson, of Hindlee, popularly ascribed to be the
original of Sir Walter Scott's Dandie Dinmont, of Charlieshope.
Sir Walter Scott himself, however, tells us in his Notes to " Guy
Mannering " that the character of Dandie Dinmont was drawn from
no individual. A dozen, at least, of stout Liddesdale yeomen with
whom he had been acquainted, and whose hospitality he had shared
in his rambles through that wild country, at a time when it was
totally inaccessible, save in the manner described by the author, might
lay claim to be the prototype of the rough but faithful, hospitable,
and generous farmer. Hindlee, it may be stated, was a wild farm
situate on the very edge of the Teviotdale Mountains, and border-
ing close on Liddesdale. As Mr. E. B. Smith took up the breed
within twenty years of the death of Mr. Davidson, whose Terriers
the novel of " Guy Mannering " had made famous, he would have
no difficulty in obtaining pure descendants of the original Peppers
and Mustards to form the foundations of his kennels.

The class of Terrier kept by Davidson was common to the
Border districts, and was in the hands of some families of the
nomadic gipsies, famous among them being the Allans of Holystone,

480 BRITISH DOGS

near Rothbury. One of these, known as "Piper" Allan, born at
Bellingham, Northumberland, in 1704, was celebrated for his Terriers;
and Mr. Cook, who thoroughly investigated the matter, seems to
establish, without much doubt, that these were the source, or one
of the main sources, of the Terriers we now call Dandie Dinmonts.

Mr. Cook suggests, as a plausible theory, that the gipsy tribes
had brought with them from the Continent, on first settling in
Britain, foreign Terriers of the Dachshund type. This theory might
account for the size and shape of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier ; but
a perusal of the older sporting writers will show that the theory
is not needed. We find the short or crooked-legged, rough-haired
Terrier described by many of them, and in such terms that it needs
no stretch of imagination to conceive those animals to be the
progenitors of the present Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Mr. J. C. Macdona, M.P., was the first to give publicity to the
following — if authentic — unquestionably important document, which
he met with in researches he made, some thirty years ago, into the
early history of the breed. It is described as being in the hand-
writing of James Davidson, with his initials attached, written on old,
hand-made letter-paper, yellow with years, and bearing all the
evidences of being genuine. The memorandum was originally sent
by Mr. Davidson to the Hon. George H. Bailie, of Mellerstain, and
is as follows : —

1800.

Tuggin, from A. Armstrong, reddish and wiry.
Tarr, reddish and wiry-haired ; a bitch.
Pepper, shaggy and light, Dr. Brown, of Bonjedward.
The race of Dandies are bred from the two last.

J. D.

Mr. Cook had an opportunity of critically examining the original
document above quoted, and points out discrepancies. One of
these is that the date is not 1800, as given by Mr. Macdona, but
1890. As we have here two readings, and as that suggests want of
clearness in the written figure, both may be wrong, and 1820 be the
date really meant to be expressed. That 1800 must be wrong is
evident, for the term " Dandie Dinmont " had not then been
coined ; and 1890 must be a clerical error. Mr. Cook further com-
pared the handwriting, in legal documents, of Mr. Davidson with the
writing in the pedigree paper referred to, and pronounces them to
be widely dissimilar, the writing on the latter being " bold, business-
like, and free," whereas Davidson wrote even his own name in such
a cramped manner as might naturally be expected from a sheep-
farmer of that period.

Mr. Davidson died in the early part of the year 1820, six years
after the publication of " Guy Mannering," and his love for dogs and

THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER 48i

for the chase was strong even in his last moments, for, sore stricken
as he was, at the sound of the voices of Mr. Baillie's Foxhounds, did
he not get out of bed and with difficulty reach the window, and take,
as it were, a fond, last look of the scenes he loved so well ? Might
not the document be written by someone interested in the breed,
and the initials "J. D." obtained, as Mr. Davidson's signature and
verification of it, during his last illness ?

Mr. Cook says that "between the dates [1814 and 1820] his
[Davidson's] race of Terriers were generically called ' Peppers ' and
' Mustards,' and not Dandies." Mr. Cook advances no proof in
support of this, and the probabilities are against it. Sir Walter Scott
has himself quoted Mr. Davidson to the effect that Sir Walter had
not written about him more than about his neighbours, but about
his dogs. The fact is clear enough : the name Dandie Dinmont was
given to Davidson as soon as " Guy Mannering " became popular,
and it is practically certain that the name would, at the same time,
be given to his Terriers. This is, in fact, proved by a gentleman
writing from personal knowledge. Mr. James Scott, of Newstead,
who contributed much useful information respecting the breed in,
the correspondence on the subject in the Field some years back,
speaking from a personal acquaintance of " Dandie Dinmont "
and his dogs, says he had two varieties of Terriers, one large and
leggy, the other short on the fore leg and small, and that it was only
the latter that Davidson would allow to be called Dandie Dinmont
Terriers. It has since been assumed that these smaller Terriers
were the produce of the two dogs, Pepper and Tarr, given to him
by Dr. Brown, of Bonjedward. When Sir Walter Scott made
Davidson's Pepper and Mustard Terriers famous, there was at once,
it may fairly be assumed, a pretty general desire to possess the
breed, and it is hardly likely the demand would or could be supplied
from this single pair. As Pepper and Tarr must have had relations
more or less close in consanguinity, these would probably be used
to swell the family circle of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. In
support of the supposition that we have living specimens directly
descended from Pepper and Tarr without admixture of blood more
or less foreign, we must be quite sure that Dandie Dinmont himself
stuck rigidly to the Pepper and Tarr blood. But what proof have
we that the dogs distributed by him throughout the country were by
their several owners bred to others of the same blood ? Is it not
reasonable to suppose that the produce of a Terrier bitch of another
strain, sent to a dog known to be from Hindlee, would be called
Dandie Dinmont Terriers, or of Dandie Dinmont's strain, just as,
before the advent of dog shows, and the care which has of late years
been bestowed on pedigrees, a sportsman who had bred from a
Pointer dog of Earl Sefton's would describe the produce as of the
Sefton strain ?

31

482 BRITISH DOGS

Much more has been done to secure to us the correct article to-
day by those breeders who, some of them having personal knowledge
of Davidson's own dogs, stuck as close as they could breed to the
type, and selected on occasion, even without a knowledge of its
pedigree, a dog that bore the family character, than by others who
lay too much stress on pedigrees which cannot be proved with any
degree of certainty. Take, for instance, the well-known Shamrock.
His pedigree in the Kennel Club Stud Book gives his dam as Vic,
bred by Mr. W. Johnstone, by a dog of good blood belonging to an
officer at the Purshill Barracks. Here we have, in one of the best-
known and best dogs of his day, a break in the pedigree before we
go back two generations. No doubt Mr. Johnstone felt satisfied he
was using a dog of good blood because he possessed the character-
istics of a good Dandie Dinmont Terrier, but there is no proof
that he was of pure breed ; and so we find breaks in the chain
between every existing dog and those two given to Dandie Dinmont
by Dr. Brown of Bonjedward.

It would be useless to recapitulate the names of all of the
earlier breeders who followed the originator of this strain. The Hon.
G. H. Baillie, of Mellerstain ; the Home, of Carolside ; the Duke
of Buccleuch ; the Kyles, of Braidlee ; John Stoddart, of Selkirk ;
D. McDougal, of Cessford ; F. Somner, of Kelso ; Hugh Purves, of
Leaderfoot; Dr. Grant, of Hawick; Lord Polwarth ; Ned Dunn, of
Whitelee ; Nicol Milne, of Faldonside (owner of Old Jock and Jenny) ;
James Scott, of Newstead ; and many others, contemporaries of, or
following close after, Davidson, had all a share in making the dog
what he now is. Above all, there was the late Mr. E. Bradshaw
Smith, of Blackwoodhouse, Ecclefechan. Lovers of the Dandie
Dinmont Terrier are also greatly indebted to Miss Mathers, Dr.
William Brown, James Paterson (of Old Miss fame), James Hamilton,
and J. B. Richardson, of Dumfries, a gentleman unexcelled as a
judge and breeder of this variety, and to whose enthusiasm and
industry admirers of the breed are indebted for much interesting
information on the subject.

Following on these came a host of breeders and exhibitors whose
names may be learnt from the records of the Kennel Club Stud
Book. There are, however, a few names that stand out con-
spicuously. Such are the brothers Scott, whose dog Peachem
was in his time one of the finest Dandie Dinmont Terriers that
ever graced a show-bench. As shows increased, so did the number
of breeders, and some very strong kennels were founded. The Rev.
(now Mr.) J. C. Macdona was one of the early fanciers, while Mr.
J. H. Murchison, Mr. W. Carrick, the Earl of Antrim, Mr. E. W.
Blagg, Mr. G. Houliston, Mr. G. A. B. Leatham, Mrs. Peel Hewitt
(one of whose dogs we illustrate), and the Rev. S. Tiddemann were
all strong supporters of the breed that Scott had immortalised.

THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER

483

Just as there were enthusiasts in the cause of the variety
in the days of old, so are there in the present day. Anyone doubt-
ing the popularity of the modern Dandie Dinmont Terrier has but
to note the well-filled classes that are found at the larger shows ;
added to which there is a steady and an increasing demand for good
young stock. A decade or less ago the Mustards were more popular
than the Peppers ; but to-day the reverse is the case. Despite its
popularity, however, the variety is passing through some of those
troublous times peculiar to every popular breed. One outcry of the
present-day fancier is against the increasing weight of the show Dandie
Dinmont Terrier ; while another is that type is being sacrificed.
That certain of the show dogs are on the heavy side admits of no

FIG. zoo.— MRS. PEEL HEWITT'S DANDIE DINMONT TOMMY ATKINS.

doubt ; but inasmuch as many of them score where the lighter ones
fail, it would be a good plan to take a hint from Mr. Cook's delight-
ful monograph, for he specifically indicates how, in breeding, the
big specimens might be utilised — namely, in imparting substance
and bone to the little ones, which are often deficient therein, as in
other points. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was, in the first place,
purely a working dog, and for the work he was called upon to
perform he must necessarily have been some seven or eight pounds
lighter than some of the show dogs of to-day. Like many another
Terrier that has become fashionable, he is too valuable to be
allowed to work, and such work as he was noted for in his own
country is now performed by a near and little-known relative the
Border Terrier, dealt with elsewhere.

484 BRITISH DOGS

Again, a point that the present-day fancier seems to be losing
sight of is the characteristic and beautifully arched body of this
Terrier. If those who are interested in the breed will but take the
trouble to carefully scan many of the dogs seen on the show-bench
to-day, they will find that the arch exists, but in the wrong place.
It cannot be too emphatically laid down that the Dandie Dinmont
Terrier's arch should be over the loins, instead of, as it not
infrequently is, in the centre of the back, where it betokens weak-
ness— a fault that is also strongly indicated in those weedy, perfectly
straight-backed specimens that by courtesy are known as Dandie
Dinmont Terriers.

In the past the trimming and touching up of the Dandie Dinmont
Terrier have been notorious, the head and face in particular coming
in for their share of the hairdresser's misdirected art. The fact is
that many have done with finger and thumb what should have been
done by selection and breeding. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Club has now risen to the occasion by refusing to countenance the
wholesale plucking of head and body that once obtained. No
doubt the decadence of its very near relative the Bedlington Terrier,
owing to the amount of trimming thought necessary, has acted as a
warning.

Apart from those who might require the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
as a show dog, there is a very big public that love dogs for the
sake of their companionship and the deeds that they can perform.
To such may be commended a perusal of the following lines that were
specially contributed to The Bazaar by the late Mr. Thomson Gray.

Starting with the assertion that for the one-dog man or the
all-round sportsman there is no Terrier that excels or even equals
the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, which he characterises as the wise old
man of the Terrier group, he says : —

" A quaint dog is the Dandie. About his origin I am not
going to say anything here. That he differs from all and every
other breed of Terrier in many essential points is apparent, and
his compound outward form is just in keeping with his compound
accomplishments. I had one who for fifteen years was my only
canine companion : he followed me everywhere but to the kirk
on Sunday, and would have gone there also had he been allowed,
and I am sure behaved as well as any there.

See the Dandie as he lies there on the rug, with the cat in
his ' oxter ' — a harmless, sleepy, very dull-looking dog. The head
is raised, and a low growl is heard, and as the head comes round
we see the dark hazel eye is lighted up, and we now hear footsteps
approaching the door. The dog is now on his feet, and we see
a heavy-boned, long-bodied dog, with an arched loin not unlike
that seen in a ferret. His legs are firmly planted on the ground,

THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER 485

his big, heavy-looking head is raised, and he emits a deep bark,
which grows louder and louder as the footsteps approach, until the
door is opened and a friend announced ; then the tail gets a wag,
and he resumes his place on the rug.

There is no better watch-dog than a Dandie, and he will not
be quieted with fine words and bonny phrases. The Dandie is
a dog that does not take up with everybody. He has his friends,
and he sticks to them. He is of a ' dour ' nature, slow to rouse, but
when once roused, a veritable Bulldog. When two fall out in a
kennel, one has always to succumb. They may die ; but they
will not give in.

As rat-hunters Dandies are very efficient, and no rat has a
chance once the Terrier gets hold of him, no matter where it is.
They are excellent rabbit -dogs, not too fast and not too noisy,
though they have the bad habit of breaking all the bones of any
rabbit that they capture. They are not difficult to train to retrieve,
but I have always found them very hard in the mouth. They are
excellent all-round dogs for the single sportsman, and may be used
for almost any sport ; their nose is so good and their pertinacity
in following up a scent extraordinary.

Dandies are far from being quarrelsome, and can be taken
anywhere. They will not interfere with another dog, and will not
try to pick quarrels. * Defence, not defiance,' is their motto.
Unlike their cousins the Bedlingtons, they are easily kept under
control, and have such an amount of sense as to know what to
worry and what to leave alone. Though not quarrelsome, as
already stated, yet he does enjoy a fight, once he is in it."

Such is Mr. Thomson Gray's vivid word-picture of the Dandie
Dinmont as a companion and worker, and no more faithful picture
could be presented. With regard to the faults seen in the dog of
to-day, Mr. Thomson Gray says those mostly seen are " flat skulls,
small eyes, big ears, weak jaws, and plain bodies. The first and
most important point in this Terrier is the head, which must be
large and full, the skull domed as true as a ball on the top, the
eyes very large, placed wide apart, of a dark hazel colour. The
beautiful ridge of black hair that surrounded the eyelashes of
the older Dandies is somewhat rare. The shaving of the hair from
the ridge of the nose and below and around the eyes to make
them appear large, is objectionable. Many of the large ears do not
taper sharply enough to the point, and are often destitute of hair,
which spoils an otherwise good dog. The beautiful fringe of silky,
light-coloured hair which hangs from the tip of the ear is a beauty-
point often removed by the ignorant faker. There is some bother
with young Dandies to get their ears to hang properly, many of
them having ears that double over ; but patience and a little

486 BRITISH DOGS

manipulation with finger and thumb, which is legitimate, will bring
them all right. The fore legs are short, with great bone, and should
be as straight as possible. Many otherwise good dogs fail here,
having legs as crooked as a Basset-hound. Weak ankles are too
common. Dogs with faulty fronts have often good-shaped bodies,
as the drop at shoulders caused by the bad fore legs gives that
rise or arch that is so much desired but seldom seen. The coat
is a mixed one, but some of our best Dandies have a covering more
approaching a hard than a mixed coat. Soft, woolly coats are
objectionable, and lead to a lot of trimming."

The following description of the general appearance and special
points of this dog were drawn up by Mr. Hugh Dalziel for the last
Edition of this work, and are so applicable to the dog of to-day
that they are retained in their entirety : —

In forming an opinion of a dog's merits, the general appearance (by which is
meant the impression which a dog makes, as a whole, on ,the eye of the judge)
should be first considered. Secondly should be noticed the dog's size, shape,
and make — i.e. its proportions in the relation they bear to each other; no point
should be so much in excess of the others as to destroy the general symmetry,
and cause the dog to appear deformed or interfere with its usefulness in the
occupations for which it is specially adapted. Thirdly, the dog's style, carriage,
gait, temperament, and each of its other points, should be considered separately.

General Appearance. — The general appearance of the Dandie Dinmont
Terrier is that of a rough-coated, thickset dog, very low on its legs, and having
a body very flexible and long in proportion to its height, but broad, deep-chested,
and compact. The head very large, with broad and well-domed skull, covered
with light-coloured hair of a softer and silkier texture than that on the body.
This hairy scalp very often gives the head an appearance of being disproportionate
to the body, when such is not actually the case. Jaws long and slightly tapering
to the nose, which must be large and always black ; covered with shorter and
slightly harder hair than on the body. Neck thick and muscular ; shoulders low,
and back slightly curved down behind them, with a corresponding arch of the
loins, which are broad and strong. Ears pendulous, and bearing low. Legs
short, and very muscular. The Dandie carries in his countenance the appearance
of great determination, strength, and activity, with a constant and vigilant eager-
ness to be busy. In brief, he is an embodiment of docility, courage, strength,
intelligence, and alertness.

Head. — The head should be large, and rather heavy-looking in proportion to
the dog's size. Skull broad between the ears, with a very gradual and slight
taper towards the eyes. It should be long from back to front, with high forehead
and cranium conical and well domed, measuring about the same from the point
of the eye to back of skull as it does between the base of ears, and round the
largest part about a third more than the dog's height at the shoulder. The head
should always be covered with soft, silky hair, not curled, but slightly wavy, and
not confined to a mere top-knot ; it is also of a much lighter colour than that on
the body. The cheeks, starting from the ears, proportionately broad with the
skull, should, without any unsightly bulge, taper very gradually towards the
muzzle, the muscles showing extraordinary development, more especially those
that move the lower jaw. The head of the bitch, as in nearly every other breed
of dogs, is comparatively smaller, and lighter in proportion, than that of the dog.

Muzzle. — The muzzle should be long, deep, and very powerful, very slightly
tapering to the nose, which should be large, well formed, well spread over the

THE DAND1E DIN MONT TERRIER 487

muzzle, and always black. The muzzle should measure, from the corner of the
eye to the tip of the nose, about 3'm. in length, or in proportion to length of skull
as three is to five, and round close in front of the eyes about two and a half to
three times its length. The muzzle should be thinly covered with short and
hardish hair of rather darker colour than on the body ; the top of muzzle should
be nearly bare for about an inch from the black part of the nose, coming to a
point towards the eye. A foxy or snipy muzzle is very objectionable. The jaws
should be long and powerful, with very strong teeth, perfectly level in front, the
canines fitting well into each other, so as to give the greatest available holding
and punishing power. A pig-jawed or an undershot mouth is very objectionable,
though, as it occurs in the purest strains, it cannot be altogether considered a dis-
qualification. The mouth should be very large, and the roof of it very dark,
almost always black.

Eyes. — The eyes should be wide apart, large, round, moderately full, very
clear, bright, and expressive of great intelligence, set low, and well in front
of forehead ; colour, a rich brown or hazel, yellowness being a great fault.
Frequently there is a dark ring round the eye, the hair of which is rather short
and of a downy nature. This dark shade, together with that (already referred
to) down the centre of the nose, contrasts beautifully with the bright silvery
top-knot, and imparts to the breed that gipsy and game appearance which is
an essential characteristic of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Ears. — The ears should be large and pendulous, from 3|in. to 4in. long,
set far apart, well back, and rather low on the skull, hanging close to the
cheeks, like a hound's, but a little more pointed or almond-shaped — i.e. broad
at the base, and tapering to a small, rounded point. The taper should be
all, or nearly all, on the back edge, the front edge hanging nearly straight
down from its junction with the head to the tip. They ought to show a
little shoulder at the base, which causes the tips of the ears to point a little
forwards towards the jaw. They should be moderately thick and leathery, and
covered with a short, soft, darker and brighter sort of hair than on the body,
having a smooth, velvety appearance, showing no lint or silky hair, excepting
in some cases a thin feather of lighter hair starting about an inch or so from
the tip, and of the same colour and texture as the top-knot ; this gives the top
of the ear the appearance of a distinct point.

Neck. — The neck should be rather short, and very muscular, well developed,
and strong, showing great power by being well set into the shoulder. The
length of neck should average about one-third of its girth.

Body. — The body should be very long and flexible, measuring, from top of
shoulders to root of tail, about an inch or two over one and a half times the
height of dog at shoulder. Chest well developed and broad, with brisket round
and deep, being well let down between the fore leg-. The back should be
rather low at the shoulders, and slightly curved down behind them, with a
corresponding arch, the rise commencing about 2in. behind the shoulder-blade ;
over the loins, which should be higher than the shoulders, broad and strong,
with a slight gradual droop from the top of loins to root of tail. Ribs well
sprung and rounded, back and front, forming a good barrel. Both sides of
spine should be well supplied with muscle ; in fact, every part of the dog seems
to be abundantly supplied with muscle, giving it great compactness.

Tail. — The tail (or stern) should be in length a little less than the height
of the dog at the shoulder. It should be set on at the bottom of a gentle slope,
about 2in. from top of loins, being rather thick at the root, getting very slightly
thicker for about 4in., then tapering off to a fine point. It should be covered
on the upper side with wiry hair, of darker colour and stronger nature than
that on the body, while the under side is lighter and less wiry, with a little nice
light feather, commencing about 2in. from root, and from lin. to 2in. long,
getting shorter as it nears the tip, which is pointed. It should be carried gaily,

488 BRITISH DOGS

or hound-like, slightly curved upward, but not directly curled over the back.
N.B. — When not excited, nearly in a horizontal line, but otherwise hound-like.

Legs. — The fbre legs should be very short in proportion to the dog's size,
very stout, and set wide apart, thick, and straight, with immense muscular
development in the fore arm ; this, with the ankles being very slightly turned
inwards, makes the dog appear somewhat bandy-legged, but the leg bones
themselves should be stout and straight, and not curved. The feet should be
well framed and broad, but not flat, standing firm, and well under the chest,
with very little or no feather on the legs. Hind legs thick and strong, longer
than the fore legs, well spread, with a good bend in the hocks, the muscles of
the thighs being very thick and well developed. The feet are much smaller,
with no feather or dew-claws ; the toes rather short, forming rather a round than
a hare-foot ; the claws black, and very strong. White claws, however, should
not be a disqualification.

ff eight and Weight. — Height, from Sin. to I2in. at top of shoulder, but never
above I2in., even for a dog. Weight, of dogs, from i61b. to 24lb. ; of bitches,
from I4lb. to 2olb. The most desirable weights are 2olb. for dogs and i61b.
for bitches, but 24lb. dogs are very useful to give bone, rnuscle, and stamina to
the produce of the smaller ones.

Coat and Coloiir. — The coat is a very important feature. The hair (about 2in.
long) along the top of the neck and upper part of the body should be a mixture
of about two-thirds rather hard (but not wiry) with one-third soft, linty (not
silky) hair, which gives a sort of crisp feeling to the hand, and constitutes what
old John Stoddart used to term " a pily coat." It becomes lighter in colour and
finer in texture as it nears the lower part of the body and legs. The head is
covered with hair of a longer, lighter, and much more silky texture, giving it
a silvery appearance, but not so long as to hang completely over the eyes, like
a Skye or a Poodle. The lighter in colour and softer, the better. The colour
is either mustard or pepper, and their mixtures. Mustard is a reddish or sandy
brown of various shades. Pepper is a bluish grey, either dark in shade, ranging
from a dark bluish black to slaty grey, or even a much paler or silvery grey ;
sometimes a combination of both, in which case the back is grey, while the legs,
inside of ears, chest, and under side of tail are mustard, verging on a pale red
or fawn colour. No other colours admitted, and any white, even on chest, is
considered objectionable.

In the excellent advice given by the late Mr. Thomson Gray,
and printed elsewhere, the novice will find described most of the
faults that he must avoid in either purchasing or breeding. Little
therefore remains to be said. The silky top-knot that is considered
so characteristic of the modern dog has been condemned by the
older admirers of sporting Terriers as a useless sort of appendage
to a dog that at one time had to face any kind of vermin. Some-
times the two colours of the Dandie are combined, and needless
to say that such specimens are useless for exhibition. Dogs showing
such a colour combination are known as " Saddlebacks." Mr. Cook
states that when two or three years old the " Saddleback" some-
times turns into a spurious " Mustard," the Pepper " Saddle "
gradually dying out." In the puppy stage Dandie Dinmont Terriers
differ materially from the adult. The Peppers are born black, often
with a white patch on chest, that remains, and sometimes with tan
legs. When born black, the tan on the legs soon asserts itself. At

THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER 489

first the coat is short and smooth, but gradually it changes and
becomes harder. Mustards are born rather lighter than Peppers,
but they also have a good deal of black hair. In fact, those having
much black down the back generally turn out the best for colour.
Mr. Charles Cook in his excellent monograph thus writes of the
Mustards as puppies. They are "whelped practically all tan colour
(some being darker and others lighter in shade), there being little
difference noticeable between the body colour and that on the legs
excepting that the hairs on the back and tail are usually more or
less tipped with black. The ears, tail, and muzzle in Mustard pups
are also often quite black, and if with this the crown of the head
is a deep golden colour the pup will usually grow into a fine
Mustard." Attention has already been directed to light-eyed
specimens. This, of course, applies to adults. When born, Dandie
Dinmont Terriers have blue-grey eyes. These, however, gradually
change, and the darker they become the better. Then, the top-
knot is not in evidence for many months, and cases are on record
where this coveted crown has not been produced until three years
had elapsed.

To keep the Dandie Dinmont Terrier in good coat when required
simply as a companion and sporting dog is no great task ; but
in the past to " prepare " him for the show-bench has been quite
a different matter. Being low upon the leg and carrying a fairly
good coat, naturally the Dandie Dinmont Terrier licks up a lot
of mud in dirty weather ; but he is so smart a little fellow indoors
that no one who really loves dogs should begrudge the time that
the extra attention to his coat on such an occasion involves.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is not lacking in Clubs to watch
over its interests, no less than four being in existence in the
United Kingdom. The parent society, however, is the Dandie
Dinmont Terrier Club, founded as long ago as November 17, 1875,
thus being the oldest specialist dog club in existence. The late
Mr. Hugh Dalziel was its first Secretary.

CHAPTER XLII
THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER

As far back as 1826 Coquetdale was, and had long been, one of
the homes of the old rough Terriers from which have sprung the
two closely related varieties now famous as the Bedlington and the
Dandie Dinmont. This is so well established that the Bedlington
might appropriately have been named the Coquetdale Terrier. The
sportsmen of what we may for brevity and comprehensiveness call
the Border dales appear to have stuck tenaciously to the blood
of their ancient race of Terriers, the deviations from the original
form being pretty clearly accounted for.

The Dandie Dinmont would seem to be nearer to the original
in shape and size, the higher and lighter build of the Bedlington
probably arising, as suggested farther on, by a cross with the Bull-
terrier. The famous engraver Bewick, whose first work was
published at Newcastle- on-Tyne — originally the great home of the
Bedlington — knew nothing of a Terrier of that name. Bewick's
woodcut of a Terrier shows a heavy, coarse, unshapely dog, with
rather short and thick legs, the fore ones heavily feathered ; a
rough, bearded muzzle, prick ears, and coarse tail, curved over
back ; but his description of the Terriers is identical with that of
Daniel and other writers.

From the strong, short-legged, rough Terrier it is probable that
we got the Dandies and Bedlingtons, the outcome as we now see it
being due to different grafts on to the original, and to modifications
natural to selections in breeding since the two varieties became
finally recognised as distinct.

It is the opinion of some of the oldest breeders of Bedlingtons
that these Terriers were at one time very much shorter in the leg
and stouter in body than they are now ; and this is very probable,
for we must remember that even the name Bedlington, like that of
Dandie Dinmont, as applied to a race of Terriers, is quite modern,
the latter dating, from the time of Sir Walter Scott. Again in the
old days the Bedlington was not used for racing purposes as it is
now, and therefore the need for a speedy dog did not exist.

The Bedlington Terrier had a hard struggle to obtain from dog

THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER 491

show committees that recognition to which he is so well entitled.
He has, however, now gained his true position among modern
Terriers, and many schedules provide classes for the breed.

As will be seen from the statements of the writers quoted, the
Bedlington Terrier has long been considered a distinct breed, the
stock from which the modern specimens have sprung having been
peculiar to the district for at least thirty years before the name
Bedlington was applied to them, the first dog so called being Mr.
Ainsley's Young Piper, whelped about the year 1825. Such original
stock may be regarded as a branch of the Rough Terrier family,
recognised by all of our old sporting writers as common to England ;
although it is probable that the result of the comparative isolation
secured to the dog by his domicile in the Border dales was to
create well-recognised family characters, of a general nature common
to all in the district, and pretty clearly separating them from other
coexisting strains of Terriers bred in other and widely removed
parts of the country.

As showing the character of what may well be termed one of the
ancestors of the Bedlington Terriers of the present day, the following
extract from a letter written by Mr. Joseph Ainsley, which appeared
in a sporting paper in 1870, may be of interest : —

" With regard to the doings of Piper, it would take a volume to
contain them ; but I may mention that he was set on a badger at
eight months old, and from that time until he was fourteen years
old was 'constantly at work, more or less, with badgers, foxes,
foul marts, otters, and other vermin. He drew a badger after he
was fourteen years old, when he was toothless and nearly blind,
after several other Terriers failed."

The following, which appeared in the Newcastle Chronicle,
July 24th, 1872, gives a fair statement of facts respecting this breed,
and is valuable as embodying the opinions of the late Mr. Thomas
John Pickett, well known to exhibitors generally under his sobriquet
of the Duke of Bedlington — a title earned by his great success
as a breeder and an exhibitor of these Terriers. The writer in
the Chronicle says : —

"Of the breed of dogs for which this locality is noted, none
has caused so much controversy as the Bedlington Terrier, which
is, I believe, the last new-comer amongst recognised breeds
exhibited at the shows. Indeed, a furious controversy has been
raging as to whether the strain is deserving of recognition as a
fixed and well-defined breed at all, and some of our South-country
friends have made fun of the question ' What is a Bedlington
Terrier ? ' To this query the best answer that can be given is that
furnished by perhaps the most successful exhibitor of the present
day, Thomas John Pickett, of Grey Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,

492 BRITISH DOGS

who says : * The Bedlington is a light-made, wiry dog, with a
bright, alert bearing, and whose cut and demeanour are indicative
of fire and resolution. The head should be high and rather narrow,
and when looked at from behind should be almost wedge-shaped ;
it should be surmounted with a fine silky tuft, usually nearly white
in colour, and the ears and tail should, in the blue sort, be of a
much darker shade of colour than the body. The eyes should be
small and a little sunken, dark in colour in the blue variety, but
lighter in the liver-coloured specimens, and the jaw long, quickly
tapering, and muscular. The ears should be long, should hang
close to the cheek, and should be slightly feathered at the tip, whilst
the neck should be long and muscular, and should rise well away
from widely set shoulder blades. The legs should be rather high,
and should be straight, hard, and sinewy. The body should be
compact and well formed. The tail should be small, from Sin.
to i2in. long, and slightly feathered. The coat should be rather
wiry, and the colour blue-black, sandy, or liver. The dark blue dogs
should have black noses ; the liver or sandy are most approved
of with flesh or cherry-coloured noses, but I would not object to a
sandy dog with a black nose if from the blue strain.'

Although the Bedlington Terrier is only a new-comer, I think
he has a great future before him with regard to popularity and
esteem. The breed can well afford to depend upon its merits to
push its way to the front, and the more well-bred specimens get
spread about, in the greater demand will the dog most assuredly be.
The Bedlington I look upon as a farmer's friend and country
gentleman's companion. No breed of Terrier can compare with
him for stamina, fire, courage, and resolution. He will knock about
all day with his master, busy as a bee at foxes, rabbits, or otters ;
and at night, when any other sort of dog would be stiff, sore, and
utterly jaded, he will turn up bright as a new shilling, and ready
for any game going. He takes to the water readily, has a capital
nose, is most intelligent and lively, and, as I have said, as a
rough and ready friend about the fields and woods he has no equal.

Despite the vast body of evidence adduced to clear up the
question of the origin of this cross, I hold that the matter may yet
be regarded as by no means satisfactorily determined. I have seen
pedigrees of crack dogs of the breed extending over a period of
one hundred years, but then one has no means of knowing what
the dog was like whose name we see figuring as having lived in the
last century. No doubt some famous dogs of the breed of old
Northumberland Terriers were long ago located about Thropton,
Rothbury, Felton, and Alnwick, and it is not at all unlikely that
the Staffordshire nailmakers, who some eighty or ninety years ago
were brought from the South and employed at Bedlington, crossed
the pure-bred native Terrier with some of the stock they brought

THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER 493

with them, having, probably, fighting purposes in view. But it
does not matter how this clever and undoubtedly useful race has
been produced ; it is sufficient to know that we have it, and that
it is as permanent and breeds as truly as any other cross we know
of. At the same time, if the Staffordshire nailmakers made the
cross with the intention of breeding a fighting animal, they failed,
so far as raising an antagonist to the Bull-terrier is concerned.
The Bedlington is as tenacious, as resolute, and as indifferent to
rough usage as the professional gladiator he was pitted against ; but
he lacks the formidable jaw and the immense power of the Bull-
terrier, and the combat is emphatically no part of his business.

The first show of Bedlingtons I can call to mind was got up
by Henry Wardle, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a good judge, and an
ardent admirer of the canine species. That show took place on
April 1 2th, 1870, and the first prize was won by Thomas John
Pickett, with Tip, a thorough game one, but I thought he had a
dash of Bull in him. I would like to do justice to the ability and
care displayed in those earlier show days of the Bedlington by
Thomas Thompson, of Wideopen, and Joseph Ainsley, of Bedling-
ton, who stood foremost as reliable judges of the strain, and as
acknowledged depositories of almost all that was known concerning
it, but I have not space at command to enter into the intricacies
of pedigrees, and I must hasten on to mention two or three of the
most famous prize-takers of the race. Mr. Pickett, who has bred
Bedlingtons since 1844, nad three champions, often since referred
to by breeders, namely, Tear ;Em, Tyne, and Tyneside, all
descended from Thomas Thompson's strain, and inheriting pedigrees
of portentous length. Tyne was first shown at the Crystal Palace
show in 1870, and went thence to Birmingham, where she was
again not noticed ; she was then sent to Manchester, but, from some
mistake of the railway servants, was never taken out of her hamper.
At Liverpool, to which show she was sent on, a similar mistake
occurred ; but the committee of the show, becoming aware of the
fact, sent Mr. Pickett a special prize. Despite this series of rebuffs,
Mr. Pickett forwarded Tyne to the Glasgow show, when the judges
pronounced her not to be a Bedlington at all. The Scotsman of
March 2nd, 1872, however, in its notice of the show, remarked that
she was by a very long way the best in the class in which she was
exhibited. This was a case of doctors differing with a vengeance ;
and Tyne managed to stultify the Glasgow decision by making a
round of brilliant victories at York, Kendal, Bedlington, Blaydon,
Seaton Burn, and other district shows, and won twice at Durham —
viz. in 1870 and 1871 — finally visiting the great Crystal Palace
exhibition of 1872, and taking first prize in her class, which the
Times of June 2nd, 1872, described as the best collection of
Bedlingtons ever exhibited at any show. Tear 'Em was the hero

494 BRITISH DOGS

of the original show at Bedlington in 1870, where, in a class of
fifty-two competitors — a number seldom exceeded since, though on
one of the occasions the late Colonel Cowen judged this breed
at Birmingham he had an entry of over seventy — he was awarded
first prize. Tyneside, a beautiful blue bitch, faultless in shape,
coat, and colour, was placed first in a class of twenty-five at
Bedlington in 1871; but in the Bedlington show of 1872 this
distinguished branch of the family obtained its greatest triumph—
Tyne (own sister to Tear 'Em) being placed first, with Tear 'Em
second, and Tyneside third, in a class of twenty-three entries.
Tyneside was inbred to a most curious extent, the name of Hutchin-
son's Tip occurring no less than five times in the course of her
pedigree, while on the part of both sire and dam she is descended
from such grand dogs as Bagille's Piper, Thompson's Jean, Burn's
Twig, Jos. Shevill's Jean, Thompson's Boa Alley Tip, and Bagille's
Nimble, etc. The dimensions of Tyneside were as follow : From
lugs to tip of nose, Sin. ; length of tail, n|in. ; length of lugs,
5|in., breadth (tapering off in a filbert shape), 3in. ; height from
the claw to the shoulder blade, i4|in. ; weight, 2olb. ; size round
the chest, iQ^in. ; and forearm, 7gin. So much for the Bedlingtons,
and I may mention that most of them known to me are terribly
inbred, and that the usual consequences often follow ; also that many
of them exhale an odour which, to say the least of it, is peculiar."

However much inbred the originals of the present strain of
Bedlingtons may have been, there is now no need for its con-
tinuance to the extent of producing a weakened vitality in the
produce.

The following quotations from a letter on the subject by Mr.
W. J. Uonkin, at one time secretary of the Bedlington Terrier
Club, is in some points confirmatory of the above, and throws some
additional light on the history of the breed. He says :—

" During the first quarter of the nineteenth century Mr. Edward
Donkin, of Flotterton — still dear to the old sportsmen of Coquet-
side by the familiar sobriquet of ' Hunting Ned ' — hunted a pack
of Foxhounds well known in the Roth bury district. At that time
he possessed two very celebrated kennel Terriers, called Peachum
and Pincher. A colony of sporting nailers from Staffordshire then
flourished at Bedlington (a village situated about twelve miles north
from Newcastle) ; they were noted for their plucky breed of Terriers.
But reform was at hand, and the old favourites were obliged to
make way for new blood. To Joseph Ainsley, a mason by trade,
belongs this honour. He purchased a dog named Peachum from
Mr. Cowen, of Rock Law, and the result of a union of this
dog with Mr. Christopher Dixon's Phoebe, of Longhorsley, was
Piper, belonging to James Anderson, of Rothbury Forest. Piper

THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER 495

was a dog of slender build, about 1510. high, and i5lb. weight.
He was of a liver colour, the hair being a sort of hard, woolly
lint ; his ears were large, hung close to his cheeks, and were slightly
feathered at the tip. In the year 1820 Mr. Howe, of Alnwick,
visited a friend at Bedlington, and brought with him a Terrier
bitch named Phoebe, which he left with Mr. Edward Coates of
the Vicarage. Phcebe belonged to Mr, Andrew Riddle, of Framling-
ton, who subsequently made a present of her to Ainsley ; but
from the fact of her home being at the Vicarage, she was generally
known as Coates's Phcebe. Her colour was black, with sort of
branded legs, and she had a light-coloured tuft of hair on her
head. She was about i3in. high, and weighed i/jlb. In 1825
she was mated with Anderson's Piper, and the fruit of this union
was the Bedlington Terrier in question, Mr. Ainsley being the
first to claim that title for his dog Piper.

The Bedlington Terrier is fast, and whether on land or water
is equally at home. He is wiry, enduring, and in courage equal
to the Bulldog, encountering otter, fox, or badger with the greatest
determination."

The same writer, in common with most fanciers of the breed,
claims for them a pedigree going back to 1792 ; but it is quite
clear from the above statement that an admixture of Terrier blood
from Staffordshire was introduced, and the colour of the Alnwick
bitch bred from by Ainsley goes to show she was not, in that
point at least, what we recognise a Bedlington to be. The evidence,
written and traditional, is, however, conclusive that a Terrier of
a distinct type had, prior to that, been recognised as peculiar
to the district, and the infusion of a strain of foreign blood, although
it might modify, would probably not greatly alter the original type.

In respect of the character of the Bedlington, it may be said
that he is somewhat self-willed, remarkably lively, with plenty of
"go," capital at vermin, showing plenty of courage and bottom,
receiving punishment in silence, and returning it with interest ;
he possesses a style quite his own, and is stamped with character,
which removes him from any suspicion of mongrelism. As already
noted, he is a first-class water dog, and most intelligent, obedient,
and useful as guard and companion.

The following description was formulated by the old Bedlington
Terrier Club, which ceased to exist some years since. It must,
however, be said that the comparison of the Bedlington's head to
that of a ferret is neither a correct nor a happy one.

Head. — The head rather resembles that of a ferret, and though wedge-shaped,
like most Terriers, should be shorter in the skull and longer in the jaw, and
narrow or lean muzzled ; it should have a narrow, high skull, coned or peaked
at the occiput, and tapering away sharply to the nose.

496 BRITISH DOGS

Ears. — They should be filbert-shaped, lie close to the cheek, and be set
on low like a Dandie, thus leaving the head clear and flat, and they should
be feathered at the tips.

Eyes. — In blue, or blue and tan, the eyes have an amber shade ; in livers, etc.,
it is much lighter, and is commonly called the " hazel eye." It should be small,
well sunk into the head, and placed very close together ; very piercing when
roused.

Jaw and Teeth. — The jaw should be long, lean, and powerful. Most of
these dogs are a little "shot" at the upper jaw, and are often termed "pig-
jawed." Many prefer what is called "pincer-jaw" — that is, the teeth should
meet evenly together — but it is not very often they are found so. The teeth should
be large, regular, and white.

Nose. — The nose, or nostrils, should be large, and stand out prominently from
the jaw. Blues or blue and tans have black noses ; and livers *nd sandies xed
or flesh-coloured noses.

Neck and Shoulders. — The neck is long and muscular, rising gradually from
the shoulders to the head. The shoulder is flat and light, and set much like the
Greyhound's. The height at the shoulder is less than at the haunch. More
or less this is the case with all dogs, but is very pronounced with this breed,
especially in bitches.

Body, Ribs, Back, Loins, Quarters, and Chest. —A moderately long body,
rather flat ribs, short straight back, slightly arched, tight, and muscular loins,
just a little "tucked up" in the flank, fully developed quarters, widish and
deep chest, the whole showing a fine muscular development.

Legs and Feet. — Legs perfectly straight and moderately long ; the feet
should be rather large — that is a distinguishing mark of the breed ; long claws
are also admired.

Coat. — This is the principal point on which fanciers differ ; some prefer a
hard, wiry coat, but the proper hair of these dogs is linty or woolly, with a very
slight sprinkling of wire hairs, and this is still the fancy of the majority of North-
country breeders.

Colour. — The original colours of this breed of dogs were blue and tan,
liver, and sandy, and these are still the favourite colours of the old breeders.
The tan of these dogs is of a pale colour, and differs greatly from the tan of the
Black-and-tan English Terriers ; and the blues should be a proper blue linty, not
nearly black, which is sometimes seen now. In all colours the crown of the
head should be linty or nearly white, otherwise white is objectionable.

Tail. — The tail should be of moderate length (Sin. to loin.), either straight
or slightly curved, carried low, and feathered underneath. The tail should by
no means be curled or carried high on to the back.

Weight. — The weight of these dogs varies greatly, but the average is from
i81b. to 23lb., or at ^the outside about 25lb.

The present Bedlington Terrier Club has issued an altered
descriptive standard, as given below, but it cannot be regarded
as a model of lucidity. A descriptive standard of excellence adopted
and published by a club should largely aim at instructing the
ignorant, as well as furnishing a criterion by which to test the
merits of the dog described ; but that many fall far short of this
is very well known.

Skull. — Narrow, but deep and rounded; high at occiput, and covered with
a nice silky tuft or top-knot.

[aw.— Long, tapering, sharp, and muscular ; as little stop as possible between

THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER 497

the eyes, so as to 'form nearly a line from the nose-end along the joint of the skull
to the occiput. The lips close-fitting, and no flew.

Eyes. — Should be small and well sunk into the head. The blues should have
a dark eye; the blue-and-tan ditto, with amber shade; livers, sandies, etc., a
light brown eye.

Nose, — Large, well angled. Blues and blue-and-tans should have black noses ;
livers and sandies flesh-coloured noses.

Teeth. — Level, or pincer-jawed.

Ears. — Moderately large, carried well forward, flat to the cheek, thinly
covered and tipped with fine silky hair ; they should be filbert-shaped.

Legs. — Of moderate length, not wide apart, straight and square set and
with good-sized feet, which are rather long.

Tail. — Thick at root, tapering to a point, slightly feathered on lower side,
9in. to nin. long, and scimitar-shaped.

Neck and Shoulders. — Neck long, deep at base, rising well from shoulders,
which should be flat.

Body. — Long and well proportioned, flat ribbed and deep ; not wide in chest ;
back slightly arched, well ribbed up, with light quarters.

Coat. — Hard, with close bottom, and not lying flat to the sides.

Colour. — Dark blue, blue and tan, liver, liver and tan, sandy, sandy and tan.

Height. — About I5in. to i6in.

General Appearance. — A lightly made-up, lathy dog, but not shelly.

Weight. — Dogs, about 24lb. ; bitches, about 22lb.

Amongst the pillars of the Stud Book must be classed Sentinel
(K.C.S.B. 16,047), bred by Mr. John Cornforth, of Leiston, Suffolk,
and afterwards owned by Mr. W. S. Jackson, of Upper Canada
College, Toronto. Sentinel won a considerable number of prizes
in this country, and added to his laurels both in Canada and in
the United States. The pedigree of Sentinel runs into that of
Ask Tm II., through Mr. T. J. Pickett's Tear 'Em and Tyne, and
also through Mr. Snowball's Boxer. Indeed, this variety has for
so many generations been bred pure that it is doubtful whether
there are many dogs of any note living that cannot be traced back
to the same old stock ; although, in too many instances, links in
the chain of evidence are lost or twisted, and give rise to much
discussion, with rather fruitless results. Another of Mr. Cornforth's
dogs was Newcastle Lad, and probably one of the best he ever
owned.

As in all breeds, we find a few years completely changes the
name-list of famous winners, and, although more slowly, the owners
of famous kennels. Mr. A. N. Dodd, Mr. J. A. Baty, and others,
have given up breeding to any great extent. In the capacity of
judge the late Lieut.-Colonel Cowen long headed the list. Mr. John
Cornforth was in the van of breeders, and Mr. A. E. James; of
Stonehouse, Devon, was in the same category. Mr. W. E. Alcock,
Hon. Sec. to the Club, had one of the largest and best kennels;
while Mr. C. T. Maling, jun., made an already strong kennel
formidable by purchasing Mr. J. A. Baty's dogs. In Scotland
Mr. Donald Ross, Glasgow, and Mr. J. Smith, Montrose, were

32

498 BRITISH DOGS

the chief breeders. Near London Messrs. Simmonds and Duffitt,
of Lower Norwood, and Mr. Lambert, of Stratford, had repre-
sentative kennels. In fact, so popular did the Bedlington Terrier
become that he had enthusiastic admirers everywhere, although
naturally the variety has always been found in greatest abundance
in the northern districts. Bedlingtons have never been much kept
in the Midlands, South, or West of England, but some years since
they had some zealous supporters in South Wales, and the classes
for them at the Welsh shows have usually filled well, Mr. Fred
Roberts, of Cardiff, being a keen fancier of the variety.

At present there seems to be a revival of interest in this variety
that has not been apparent for some years. It is not that the
dog has fallen into disfavour with the actual breeders and fanciers,
but either the classes or the judges have not been satisfactory, or
the question of what trimming is allowable has been an obstacle,
resulting in a marked decrease of entries at most of the shows.

As one long and deeply interested, as breeder, exhibitor, and
judge, in the Dandie Dinmont, which is usually considered a blood-
relation of the Bedlington Terrier, the writer can from experience
state that while it does not do to show either of these varieties
without plenty of grooming, both are greatly overdone. Instances
of it are abundant, and although every fancier worthy of the name
loves to see any kind of dog turned out in good form, yet there
are several varieties that often suffer from the excessive zeal of
their owners or their attendants, and Bedlingtons are certainly
amongst them. It is a practice very commonly indulged in to
pluck the hair from the face and muzzle. Dogs thus trimmed
look cleaner and longer in the jaw ; this is so commonly done
that it has been accepted by judges as a matter of course, but
it is better to discountenance "faking," even in its mildest forms,
and a trimmed dog should be penalised. The tail and topknot
also often come in for a share of the " faker's " art.

The writer has been much struck with the small entries of
Bedlingtons at such shows as the Kennel Club, Birmingham, and
Cruft's, where at one time they were features of the Terrier section,
and workmanlike-looking animals, shown for the most part in natural
condition, giving full play to that -rough-and-ready, gipsy-like style
so valued by their early admirers. Of late years the coat has
greatly suffered from the excessive toilet attentions of some of the
dog's admirers. This is rather a delicate subject, but, as a well-
wisher to the variety, the writer would like to see more of the old
enthusiasm revived, and more ardent fanciers come forward to help
a breed the exhibitors of which for some years past have been
very few in number.

The best entry at a large show of late years, at any rate in
the Midlands or South, was at the Royal Agricultural Hall in 1901,

THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER

499

when there were nearly forty, and even there most of the prizes
were taken by the inmates of one kennel. This, however pleasing
it may be to the fancier in question, is not good for the breed.
Amongst the best of the dogs noticed of late are Breakwater
Squire, Jethart Jim, Breakwater Terror, and Beaconsfield Temporise,
and of bitches, Champion Breakwater Girl, Beaconsfield Turquoise,
Bellerby Maid, Beaconsfield Tedious, and Miss Oliver (the last
named, a well-shaped, typical specimen, winner of many prizes for
her owner, Mr. Harold Warne, is selected to illustrate this variety),
(Fig. 101), all of whom possess style and quality, and are fair
representatives of the breed.

FIG. 101. — MR. HAROLD WARNE' s BEDLINGTON TERRIER Miss OLIVER.

The Bedlington is one of the breeds that has the credit, and
rightly, of being what is known as a dainty feeder. This must
be borne in mind by the owner keeping the dog for show. It is
also a breed that is not easily selected when young, as it is not
until the dog is practically adult that the characteristic topknot is
produced. Still, from the first the narrow, domed skull should be
in evidence ; while straight fore legs and flat ribs should characterise
a puppy even if but a few months old. As stated elsewhere, the
Bedlington is one of the best of water dogs. He is also one of
the fastest and smartest of the whole Terrier group, thereby suited
to either sport or companionship. He is, however, inclined to be
quarrelsome.

500 BRITISH DOGS

A brief recent description is as follows : —

Skull. — Narrow and domed, adorned with a silky top-knot.
Jaws.— Extremely punishing and the lips tight.

Nose. — Large, and either black or flesh-coloured, according to the shade
of the coat.

Eyes. — Small, and rather deeply sunken, their colour following that of the
body.

j&Vzr-y.— Filbert-shaped, fine, tipped with soft hair, and carried flat to the
sides of the head.

Neck. — Long, and shoulders sloping.

Body. — Rather narrow at the chest, but deep at this point ; the ribs flat,
slightly arched at the loins, which should be powerful.

Fore Legs. — Straight ; feet of fair size.

Hindquarters.— Graceful-looking and not too heavy.

Tail. — Tapering neatly from the root, and scimitar shaped.

Oa/.— Hard, and close below, of the texture known as "linty"; colours,
blue, liver, sandy, or any of the above mixed with tan of a light shade.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Head, including shape and top-knot ... ... ... 20

Muzzle and Jaws ... ... ... ... ... 10

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Neck and Chest ... ... ... ... ... 5

Body, Arched Loins, and Ribs ... ... ... ... 20

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ••• 10

Coat ... ... ... ... 15

General appearance ... ...IS

Total ... ... ... ioo

CHAPTER XLIII
THE SKYE TERRIER

DISCUSSIONS concerning Skye Terriers have been numerous in the
past, the most notable being that of twenty years ago, which dragged
its slow length through the columns of the Country for many
months, and was repeated ad nauseam in several other journals.
In the first Edition of this work were given the views of the
contending parties at considerable length. It is unnecessary to do
so now, for the description as originally drawn up by the Skye
Terrier Club is acknowledged by the Fancy generally.

The dog Gareloch, that was put forth to represent the Roseneath
type, was not so long in proportion to height as the prick-eared
Monarch, which was chosen to represent the generally accepted
type. Gareloch was also, apparently, much shorter in coat. These,
and softness in the texture of coat, were the main points that the
advocates of the Roseneath strain contended the Monarch type
were wrong in. These gentlemen asserted that the dogs that won
at English shows were in length of body out of just proportion to
height ; that the coat was of a " soft, silky, and also a Berlin-wool
texture," and that it was in length from Sin. to i2in. Such statements
were inaccurate. Eventually the advocates of the Roseneath type
of dog drew up a description (and it duly received a number of
signatures), as a kind of protest against the description furnished
by the Skye Terrier Club. When, however, the two came to be
seriously compared there was little that was not common to both.

There are some fanciers who hold that the Skye Terrier is a
comparatively modern production, and that the Scottish Terrier is
the oldest of Scotland's Terriers ; while there are others who assert
that the long-haired dog suggested by Caius in his "English
Dogges," is a Skye Terrier, although it was described by that
author as an Iseland Dog. Mr. Hugh Dalziel was of opinion that
there have been kept, parallel with each other, two strains of these
Terriers — one of the Otter type (a Scottish Terrier pure and simple,
if we judge it by the modern acceptation), bred for work only, and
the other more for its beauty and as a house-dog. There is

502 BRITISH DOGS

nothing, said Mr. Dalziel, to astonish us in long-haired and com-
paratively short-haired dogs, related to each other, existing side by
side, and the more each was bred within itself, the further would
be the removal from each other in all points of difference. The
Rough and the Smooth Collies furnish an instance in point.

Another supporter of the theory that the Skye Terrier was the
Iseland Dog of Dr. Caius was Mr. John Flinn, who thus deals with
the subject in the last Edition of this work : —

" Early writers on natural history have not left sufficient material
to enable us to arrive at the origin of the different breeds of Terriers
native to this country, consequently we are left to conjecture what it
may have been; and this is all the more unsatisfactory when we
consider, as Darwin says, that ' a breed, like a dialect of a language,
can hardly be said to have a definite origin.' Some theorists assert
that the Skye Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont are both descended
from the original Scotch Terrier ; but as the first named appears to
have existed as a distinct breed as early as there is any mention of
the Scotch Terrier, it would be difficult to prove this assertion.
The first mention made of the Scotch Terrier is by the Bishop of
Ross, who wrote in the latter half of the sixteenth century, but his
description is too meagre to furnish data on which to base any
argument as to its affinity to the other breeds. He says : ' There
is also another kind of scenting dog of low height, indeed, but of
bulkier body, which, creeping into subterraneous burrows, routs out
foxes, badgers, martens, and wild cats from their lurking-places and
dens. Then, if he at any time finds the passage too narrow, opens
himself a way with his feet, and that with so great labour that he
frequently perishes through his own exertions.'

No subsequent writer, until comparatively recent times, de-
scribes the Scotch Terrier with any minuteness ; but Caius, who
wrote his work on ' Englishe Dogges ' a few years before the Bishop
of Ross, mentions Iseland ' dogges,' which, there can be little
doubt, were of the same breed as afterwards came to be known by
the name of Skye Terriers. They were fashionable in his time as
lap-dogs, and were ' brought out of barbarous borders from the
uttermost countryes Northwards,' etc. ; and ' they,' he says, ' by
reason of the length of their heare, make show neither of face nor
body, and yet these Curres, forsooth, because they are so straunge,
are greatly set by, esteemed, taken up, and made of, in room of the
Spaniell gentle, or comforter.' It would be vain to conjecture
whence this * straunge ' animal came, or when it first found a home
in the western islands, but it seems certain that it was there three
centuries ago. Once there, everything was favourable for its
preservation as, or development into, a distinct breed. The sea
forms a natural barrier which would prevent contamination, and the

THE SKYE TERRIER 503

only influences likely to effect any change in the characteristics of
the dog would be food, climate, and selection, unless other dogs
were brought to the island.

An incident did happen in 1588, as we are told on the
authority of the Rev. (now Mr.) J. Gumming Macdona, in Webb's
* Book on the Dog,' by which a foreign blood was introduced
amongst them. He informs us that the late Lady Macdonald, of
Armadale Castle, was possessed of an extraordinary handsome
strain of Skye Terrier, which was descended from a cross of some
Spanish white dogs that were wrecked on the island at the time
when the Spanish Armada lost so many ships on the western
coast. So far as this particular strain is concerned, great care
appears to have been taken to keep it pure and distinct from the
breed common in the island ; however, other dogs may have found
their way to Skye in a similar manner, although there is no record
of the fact. At the time when Professor Low wrote, the distinctive
features of the Skye Terrier were well marked. He says : ' The
Terriers of the western islands of Scotland have long, lank hair,
almost trailing to the ground.' There could not be a happier
description than this. There is no ambiguity about the length of
the coat, and the word ' lank ' conveys the idea that it lay straight
and free, and therefore could not be soft or silky in texture. The
coat Professor Low described so many years ago as a feature of the
Terriers of the western islands— he does not call them Skyes, as
probably they were not generally known by that name then — has
always been, and is still, considered the proper coat of the true
Skye Terrier. He also mentions a Terrier peculiar to the Central
Highlands, and describes it as rough, shaggy, and not unlike the
older Deerhounds in general form. Richardson likewise mentions
this dog, and says it is commonly called the Highland Terrier. A
gentleman of high standing in the medical profession in Edinburgh,
and whose name is well known in literature, informs me that he
remembers seeing Terriers in the island of Skye resembling
'miniature Deerhounds.'

The fact that Terriers similar to those of the Central Highlands,
but probably with a slight admixture of Skye blood in them, were
also bred in the island of Mull, seems to have caused confusion in
the minds of a few people as to what really is a Skye Terrier. The
name Skye Terrier is of comparatively recent application, and it was
applied to the Terriers of the western islands of Scotland, which
were covered with long, lank hair, almost trailing to the ground.
Richardson describes the Skye as long in the body, low on the leg,
and covered with very long hair ; and he says the name was given
' from its being found in greatest perfection in the western isles of
Scotland, and the island of Skye in particular.' Any other name
might have been given to this breed of Terrier, and had it been

504 -BRITISH DOGS

known by a different one it would be absurd to think of changing it
now. The dog for which the name has lately been claimed, if not
the Highland Terrier itself, appears to be closely related to it, and
its being bred in Skye can change it into a Skye Terrier in no other
sense than it would change a Dandie Dinmont into a Skye Terrier
if it were bred there.

The researches of naturalists prove that the covering of
animals adapts itself to the climate in which they are placed. Many
examples might be given to show that the coat Nature provides for
quadrupeds which have to endure cold and wet resembles that of
the Skye Terrier in having an outer covering of hair and an inner
coat of short wool. The Collie may be taken as one. There is no
dog in this country so much exposed during all weathers as the
Scotch Sheepdog, and his coat, like that of the Skye, is a combination
of hard and soft hair. However great the advantage of the outer
coat may be in throwing off the rain and sleet, unless the dog were
also provided with the inner coat, which not only excludes the wet,
but keeps him warm, he would be unable to withstand the rigorous
climate of the Scotch Highlands. The swine native to the northern
parts of Scotland were covered with short wool, and the sheep of
Shetland and Iceland had, in addition to their wool, an outer
covering of hair.

How long Nature might take to change the coat of any
animal it is impossible to say, but in the case of the Skye Terrier
there was at least three centuries during which the process of
adaptation to climate might be going on. That it would require
such a length of time is not likely. The fact that the descendants
of dogs brought from Skye about forty years ago, aad which have
all along been carefully housed and fed, continue to exhibit the
same peculiarity of coat, shows that it does not change readily, and
that the adaptation must have been completed long before these
dogs left the island, else the hereditary influences could not be so
great. Martin, Pennant, Macculloch, and others, who wrote of the
Hebrides, inform us that the houses of the inhabitants were of the
rudest description in their time ; and where men are themselves
badly housed it is not likely they would pay much attention to the
kennels of their dogs. That Skyes were left a good deal to their
own resources at one period of their history some of their habits
sufficiently prove.

A gentleman who wrote about forty years ago says of them :
' The Terriers which I have had of this breed show some curious
habits, unlike most other dogs. I have observed that, when young,
they frequently make a kind of seat under a bush or hedge, where
they will sit for hours together, crouched like a wild animal. Un-
like most other dogs, too, they will eat (though not driven by hunger)
almost anything that is given them, such as raw eggs, the bones and

THE SKYE TERRIER 505

meat of wild ducks or wood-pigeons, and other birds, that every
other kind of dog, however hungry, rejects with disgust. In fact,
in many particulars their habits resemble those of wild animals ;
they always are excellent swimmers, taking the water quietly and
fearlessly when very young.' It is only in young animals that the
habits of remote ancestors can be seen. Training speedily obliterates
all trace of them.

It is seldom they quarrel amongst themselves ; however, if they
do begin, they fight viciously, and take every opportunity of having
a new settlement of their differences. Two of unequal weight
sometimes fall out, and the weaker, instead of acknowledging defeat,
requires upon every fresh occasion to have it demonstrated that he
is not the better dog of the two. To all vermin they are deter-
mined enemies, but when attacking the larger sorts they do so with
generalship ; yet a bite from the adversary often makes them forget
their tactics, and when they do close they can both give and take
as much punishment as any dog of their weight. They are keen
hunters, have good scent, and are fond of the gun. Their speed is
not great, but they stick to a scent most pertinaciously, and will
follow a wounded animal for miles.

For all purposes for which the Terriers are used they are of
service. As house-dogs they have much to recommend them. They
are watchful to a fault ; and they require less exercise to keep them
in health than almost any other Terrier. When kept as house-dogs
merely, it is of little consequence what weight they are ; but when
required to go to ground, they must neither be big in size nor too
light in weight. There has been much difference of opinion ex-
pressed as to what should be considered the proper weight of a
Skye Terrier. The claim has frequently been made on behalf of
the Dandie that there is no Terrier so game as he is. This claim
may or may not be a just one ; but it does seem very strange, if it
is just, that the Dandie Dinmont Club should consider 2olb. not
too heavy for a Dandie, and professed judges of the breed outside
the Club should think an additional half-stone not too heavy
to exclude from the prize list ; while men who at least pretend
to know about Skyes maintain that dogs of this breed should
not exceed i4lb., and that preference should be given to even
lighter weights. Both breeds are used for the same kind of
work, and surely it is too much to expect a i4lb. Skye to be
successful in doing what it requires a 24-lb. Dandie to accomplish,
especially when the latter is the 'gamest of all Terriers.' Fox-
terriers are not considered too large at 2olb., and as a Skye has
the advantage of two or three pounds in shape, breeders cannot be
called unreasonable if they limit themselves to that weight. It does
not follow that, because a Skye weighs 2olb., he must necessarily be
of large size. Bone and mu.scle weigh well, and if he has plenty

5o6 BRITISH DOGS

of these, properly put together, he will look smaller than an ill-made
dog four or five pounds lighter. This holds true, to a certain extent,
with all breeds.

Speed is not so much necessary with the Skye as strength. The
chief end of his existence is to go to ground, and power to grapple
with his subterranean foe is the first consideration. That power
must, however, be in a body small enough to enable him to reach
the enemy in its stronghold ; and it follows that the particular build
or shape by which the greatest amount of strength can most easily
get into a small hole is the shape best suited for the purpose. All
animals intended by Nature to hunt their prey in holes — such as the
weasel, stoat, marten, etc. — are very long in the body and short on
the leg, and it is safe to assume that this form is the most suitable
for that purpose. The Skye is the longest and lowest of all Terriers,
and is therefore better adapted to do the work of a Terrier than any
other. The proportion of length to height, even in the longest Skye,
falls far short of what it is in animals of the weasel kind ; yet objec-
tions are sometimes made to the Skye because of the shortness of
his legs. The advantage in going to ground which a short-legged
dog has over a longer-legged one must be apparent to every one, as
the former can do his work in a natural position, while the latter
must crouch, and so lose power. Again, if there is burrowing to do,
the short-legged one has also the advantage of the other, as it is
impossible to use long legs properly in a hole. The shortest-legged
of all burrowing animals is the mole, and it is credited with being
able to make a new hole for itself in less time than any other
animal can.

In general appearance the Skye Terrier is a long, low dog, with
a large head, a very long, flat-lying, straight coat, and a sharp,
intelligent look. The head is long from the occipital bone to the
eyes, it is also broad, and has the appearance of being broader
above the eyes than between the ears. This is owing to the position
of the ears, which are set on high. The skull is flat, not domed like
that of the Dandie. The muzzle is long and broad, the jaws are
strong, and the teeth very large. It is a much greater objection
to the mouth of a Skye to be undershot than overshot.

The perfect mouth is, of course, level, or, as many breeders
prefer to have it, with the upper teeth fitting closely over the under
ones. The eyes are dark brown or hazel in colour, of medium size,
and are not prominent. There should not be much falling away
under the eye ; and there is almost no hollow or stop between the
forehead and the muzzle. The ears should not be large, and, if
pendent, should hang straight down, and lie close to the side of the
head ; if erect, they should be set on high, and carried without any
outward inclination. The hair on the ear should hang gracefully
down, and mingle with that on the cheek, which should also be

THE SKYE TERRIER

5°7

plentiful. The long hair on the face and ears has been called
superfluous, but if those who think it so had ever seen one protected
in this way go to ground in a sandy bank, they would be satisfied
of its great advantage to the dog in keeping the sand out of his eyes
and ears. The neck is long, slightly crested, and very muscular.
The shoulders and fore legs feel as if they had been intended for a
much larger dog. The chest is deep and somewhat wide, but not
too much so. The back is very long, and nearly level. Breeders
have a great abhorrence of a roach — or, as they call it, a ' Dandie '

FIG. 102.— THE SKYE TERRIER WOLVERLEY DUCHESS.

— back. The ribs are well sprung, the barrel round and well ribbed
home. No Skye Terrier should be flat-sided or tucked up in the
flank. The loins are broad, and, like the quarters, well clothed with
muscle. The thighs are strong and well developed, the second
thighs prominent, and reaching almost to the hock. Allowance is
sometimes made for the fore legs being a little bandy, but they
certainly ought to be straight. The elbows and stifles should not
incline either inwards or outwards, as the Skye should stand as
fair and square on his legs as a Foxhound, and both the fore and
hind feet should always point straight in front. The tail should
be carried low, with a very slight curve. When the dog is not

5o8 BRITISH DOGS

excited, the proper position of the tail is a little below the level of
his back. The feather of it should be long but thin. The coat,
which has been already referred to, is composed of two distinct
qualities or kinds of hair — an under coat of short, soft, woolly hair,
and an outer coat, which is long and hard in texture. It should lie
close to the dog, and be free from either wave or curl. A soft-
coated dog looks larger than he really is. One of the best ways of
judging a Skye is to wet him, and if he is made as he ought to be,
and has a correct coat upon him, he will look nearly as large when
wet as when dry, whereas if he wants substance, or has a bunchy or
soft coat, he will not appear half the size.

The usual colours of Skyes are a slate-blue, and all the inter-
mediate shades between light silver-grey and black. Fawns still
crop up occasionally, but as they are not general favourites, they are
gradually becoming scarcer. Whatever the colour of the dog, the
muzzle, ears, and tip of tail should be black, and the head and legs
should always be as dark as the body. A lightish grey, with black
points, is, perhaps, the colour most fancied by the public, but
breeders prefer the darker colours, as there is a tendency with
Skyes to throw stock lighter than themselves."

Before giving the points of the modern SkyeTerrier (Fig. 102),
we may very well glance at what the late Mr. Thomson Gray had to
say in an article that he contributed upon the breed in 1895 :—

" As its name implies, the Skye Terrier is a native of our western
islands, although it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a dog
of the type of, say, Champion Laird Duncan in any part of the island.
The Terrier of the island to which the term Skye is applied in the
same way as we might call a Dandie Dinmont Terrier a Border
Terrier, as he is most plentiful there, is the Scottish Terrier, and a
dog something between a Scottish and a Skye, with sometimes prick
and sometimes drop ears. These (what are called working Skyes)
are much smaller than the show Skye, which would be of no use for
the work to which these dogs are put on the island — hunting the
fox from the cairns. Besides being smaller, they have a shorter and
harder coat, are not so long in body or so level in the back — they
being somewhat arched over the loin — as our best show dogs, but
otherwise there is very little difference. Any difference there may
be is chiefly in size and length of coat. The usual show-goer, who
knows little of such dogs and their work, would call them * weedy.'
By and-by it will be very difficult to tell what is the genuine article
in any breed of dog, as all are more or less changing—' improving,'
it is popularly termed.

In all our other varieties of domestic animals we have been
changing their outward forms, and improving the breed ; but in sorqe

YHE SKYE TERRIER $09

breeds of dogs I think we are, to use the favourite expression, im-
proving them in the wrong direction. Those who keep animals for
their utility and not for their beauty study their requirements. So
it is that we find in the island of Skye a different dog from that on
the mainland, where the dogs are kept as pets. Scottish Terriers are
called Skye Terriers in many parts of the island, and it might be
said with some show of reason that they were the original Terriers
of the island.

Much confusion has been caused by the nomenclature adopted
by the different families, who, when selling or giving away dogs,
used the name of the strain instead of that of the breed, and it was
difficult for those who did not know the breeds to say whether they
had a Scottish Terrier or a Skye Terrier. Here, as in most other
things, it was the least informed that made the most noise, and a
man who gets a dog from the island, and is told that it is the pure
article, will pose as an authority upon the breed, although it might
turn out that the specimen he had got was a mongrel. If those
who denounce the Skye Terrier wish to convince the public that
there is another dog that has a better right to the name, why not get
a class for working Skye Terriers ?

We are assured that foreign blood has been infused into the
show breed, and that such dogs have been contaminated somewhere ;
but what the infusion has been I have never seen stated. I do not
think that any cross was required to bring out the points of the
present show dog ; nor, in my opinion, has there been any admixture
of foreign blood. Statements of the kind unsupported by proof are
of no value. The long-haired dog is no new creation, for Johannis
Caius, in his book published in 1576, mentions a breed 'which by
reason of the length of their heare, make showe neither of face nor
of body,' which might be the ancestors of our show Skye Terrier.
But for the sake of argument, suppose we allow that the present
show dog is a usurper so far as the name is concerned, that cannot
affect it as a breed, which, it will be agreed, is now well known and
thoroughly established, and which under any other name would
bite as quick.

I am of the opinion, and I have been all along, that the show
Skye fanciers laid themselves open to censure when they claimed for
their dog the title of a working dog. He is nothing of the kind,
and never was. He may be, and no doubt is, capable of hunting
and killing vermin ; but he has never been kept for that purpose.
As well might we say that the Collie, because he may be taught to
point and to carry, is a field dog.

Skye Terriers as pets and companions are everything that one
could wish in a dog. They are not over-demonstrative, are peace-
ably inclined, and where a few are kept together, they do not
fight and destroy each other. They are more inclined to snap and

5io BRITISH DOGS

snarl than to bite intentionally, I presume from fright, as, owing to
the hair obstructing their vision, they often do not see an object
until it touches them.

Those who keep Skye Terriers for show and wish to win have
to give the dogs' coats unremitting attention. The coat must be
combed and brushed every day, the oftener the better, and no
parasites must be allowed to lodge therein, or the dog will destroy
his coat by scratching himself. To prevent this the feet are encased
in chamois leather bags. I do not know if such a proceeding can
be called cruel; but it cannot be a very pleasant experience for the
dog who finds himself itching to be unable to scratch the affected
part. I do not approve of washing dogs, and in the case of Skye
Terriers it tends to soften the coat. It may be necessary sometimes
to wash a dog ; but the less often it is done, the better ; and if the
coat is well groomed each day it should not require washing.

Skye Terriers make excellent house-dogs, and do not give off
the offensive smell that many other long-coated dogs do. They will
thrive with little exercise — but that should be given wherever
possible — if not overfed or restricted to a luxurious dietary.

The favourite colour of late years has been iron-grey of a dark
shade ; but of all the colours I admire a deep fawn, and if with
black points all the better. I prefer the body all of one colour and
not mixed with dark hairs, as is often found in the working breed."

From what has been stated by Mr. Thomson Gray, as well as by
other writers in the same field, there is very little room for doubt
that the Skye Terrier, as we n6w know it, is a modern production.
Years of inactivity, coupled with the greater attention the coat has
received in the way of grooming, and the general improvement as
regards its housing, have modified considerably the coat that stood
the working animal in such stead. In fact, from being a rough-and-
ready sort of Terrier (as he doubtless was in the days of Dugald
Ferguson the fox-hunter and George Clark), he has become one of
Fashion's darlings — an interesting and companionable pet-dog, but
useless for the work associated with his remote ancestors. Clark, it
will be remembered, was the Duke of Argyll's head game-keeper
at Mull, and he it was who afterwards, 'popularly, at any rate, had
the credit for preserving the strain of Skye Terrier associated with
Roseneath, and referred to in more detail under the Scottish Terrier.

Even as long ago as 1837 the Skye Terrier was a popular
variety with ladies, and Lady Fanny Cowper is said to have owned
a beautiful specimen at that time. Lady Macdonald, of Armadale
Castle, Skye, had a famous strain of this Terrier ; and, coming to
recent days, perhaps the finest kennel of Skye Terriers as known
upon the show-bench belonged to a lady — Mrs. W. J. Hughes (one
of whose famous dogs is illustrated at Fig. 102); while Mrs. M.

THE SKYE TERRIER 511

Tottie was at one time a prominent breeder. In the early days of
dog shows Mr. James Pratt was a power in the Skye Terrier fancy ;
while the Rev. T. Nolan and the late Mr. Dobbie were very
successful alike as breeders and exhibitors.

Skye Terriers as puppies are born black and occasionally
grizzly grey about the face. Until the puppy is some nine or ten
weeks old the hair is smooth, after which it gradually lengthens and
sticks straight out, finally forming the jacket described at some
length by the Skye Terrier Club of Scotland. In choosing a
young puppy the novice should select one that promises to have
a long body, a wide and flat skull, dark eyes, and straight, well-
boned fore legs.

In the matter of specialist clubs the Skye Terrier is well
represented by the Skye Terrier and Clydesdale Terrier Club (with
which Sir Claud Alexander is identified), and the Skye Terrier
Club of Scotland. The description of the breed that follows was
drawn up by the latter body, and is upon lines that at once appeal
to the practical breeder : —

Head. — Long, with powerful jaws and incisive teeth closing level, or upper
just fitting over under. Skull wide at front of brow, narrowing between ears,
and tapering gradually towards muzzle, with little falling in between or behind
the eyes. Eyes hazel, medium size, close set. Muzzle always black.

Ears (prick or pendent). — When prick, not large, erect at outer edges, and
slanting towards each other at inner, from peak to skull. When pendent, larger,
hanging straight, lying flat, and close at front.

Body. — Pre-eminently long and low. Shoulders broad, chest deep, ribs well
sprung and oval shaped, giving flattish appearance to sides. Hindquarters and
flank full and well developed. Back level and slightly declining from top of
hip joint to shoulders. Neck long and gently crested.

Tail. — When hanging, upper half perpendicular, under half thrown backwards
in a curve. When raised, a prolongation of the incline of the back, and not
rising higher nor curling up.

Legs. — Short, straight, and muscular. No dew claws. Feet large and
pointing forward.

Coat (double). — An under, short, close, soft, and woolly. An over, long,
— averaging 5^in. — hard, straight, flat, and free from crisp or curl. Hair on
head shorter, softer, and veiling forehead and eyes ; on ears, overhanging
inside, falling down and mingling with side locks, not heavily, but surrounding
the ear like a fringe, and allowing its shape to appear. Tail also gracefully
feathered.

Colour (any variety). — Dark or light blue or grey, or fawn with black points.
Shade of head and legs approximating that of body.

STANDARD

i.— AVERAGE MEASURE

Dog. — Height, at shoulder, Qin.

Length, back of skull to root of tail, 22|in.
,, muzzle to back o£ skull, 8|in.
,, root of tail to tip joint, Qin.
Total length, 4oin.

BRITISH DOGS

Bitch. Half an inch lower, and 2^in. shorter than dog, all parts propor-
tional ; thus, body 2iin., head 8in., and tail 8^in. ; total, 37^in.

2. — AVERAGE WEIGHT

Dog, i8lb. ; bitch, i61b.

No dog should be over 2olb. nor under i61b. ; and no bitch should be over
i81b. nor under I4lb.

3. — POINTS, WITH VALUE

( Height, with fio inches high . . . -5]

1. Size. 4 Length and -! 9 ,, ,, . . -. . ioii5

{ Proportions, { 8| ,, ,, . . . 15]

Scale for bitches Jin. lower throughout.

„ , /Skull and Eyes . IO

2. Head. {Jaws and T/etb 5

3. Ears. Carriage, with Shape, Size, and Feather . . 10

„, /Back and Neck

4. Body. |ChestandRibs

5. 7"ail. Carriage and Feather ..... 10

( Straightness and Shortness . . . • 5 )

\Strenlth 5/10

( Hardness 10 j

7. Coat. \ Lankness . . . . . ... .5 J-2O

I Length 5j

8. Colour and Condition ....... 5

Total 100

4. — JUDICIAL AWARDS

1. Over extreme weight to be handicapped 5 per Ib. of excess.

2. Over- or under-shot mouth to disqualify.

3. Doctored ears or tail to disqualify.

4. No extra value for greater length of coat than 5§m-

fNot to be commended under a total of 60.
Not to be highly commended under a total of 65.

WNot to be very highly commended under a total of 70.
No specials to be given under a total of 75.

1

l.

CHAPTER XLIV
THE CLYDESDALE (OR PAISLEY) TERRIER

OUTSIDE the somewhat restricted range of the dog Fancy, com-
paratively few people have any idea of the general appearance of
this essentially Scottish variety. It is true that at the larger shows
in England classes are sometimes provided for the breed; but
Paisley is the centre of the Clydesdale Fancy, and thither we must
journey if we would find real enthusiasts in this silky-coated
Terrier.

The Clydesdale Terrier is a fancier's dog, a sport from the Skye
Terrier stock ; but whether a product of natural adaptation to
changed conditions, or the result of the introduction of blood of
an allied variety, cannot with certainty be said. The Terrier whose
cause the Clydesdale Terrier Club has espoused corresponds more
closely in most points with the Skye Terrier than many of the dogs
formerly exhibited as Paisley Terriers and Glasgow Fancy Skye
Terriers did. Twenty-five years ago Terriers under the last two
names were frequently seen at shows in the West of Scotland, and
were sometimes shown in Skye Terrier classes ; they differed from
each other considerably in size and shape, many being much shorter
in body than is now recognised as characteristic of this variety.

Since dog shows became fashionable, there has been a growing
tendency to subdivision of varieties, and nowhere has this been
more strongly evinced and acted upon than in the Terriers. It
has also been fashionable to give the segment, when separated from
the parent stock, a name marking it as peculiar to a nationality,
principality, or locality. In many cases the appellation has been
arbitrarily bestowed, the sub-variety not specially belonging to the
place its name implies. These names, however, being distinctive,
are convenient, and no harm is done, except when the admirers
of such breeds, in their enthusiasm, offend by too roughly jostling
truth through claiming too much.

The Skye and Clydesdale are variations from a common stock, but
considerably modified in appearance by the treatment they receive
in the process of rearing and constant attention to their toilets.

The Clydesdale Terrier of to-day corresponds in size with the

33

514 BRITISH DOGS

Skye Terrier. Although some admirers of the Clydesdale Terrier
claim for him hardiness and fitness for Terrier work ; but it is evident
that a dog with a coat that looks like silk is simply a toy.

The late Mr. Thomson Gray, the greatest authority at the time
upon the Terriers of Scotland, thus wrote of the Paisley, or Clydes-
dale, Terrier: —

" Paisley Terriers are not so large as the average show Skye,
which they much resemble. The non-dog-fancier would say that
they were Skyes with a fine coat ; but a discerning eye would see
that they were a more compact dog, rather higher on the leg, shorter
in the back, and with a greater wealth of hair of a delicate shade,
and very profuse ear-feather (Fig. 103). At home— that is, in Paisley
• — they are spoken of as ' Silkies,' to distinguish them from the Skye
Terrier. At Martin's early shows in Glasgow these dogs were
exhibited as Skyes, and often won prizes as such. But the Skye
men would not have it : war was declared, and the poor Silky, with
its wee army of supporters, had to surrender, and retire to that
town of thread on the banks of the Cart, where it lived in obscurity
until about the year 1885, when Mr. John King, Mr. J. B. Morison,
the writer, and a few more, interested themselves in the breed,
got classes for it, and set it on its legs again.

Evil times again fell upon poor Silky. There was a revolution
and a civil war. A new club was started called the Clydesdale
Terrier Club, and each had its supporters ; but the old adage, that
a house divided against itself cannot stand, came true, and the
poor Silky, driven from pillar to post, ceased to interest any but
those few enthusiasts in Paisley who may be said to have manu-
factured the breed.

That injudicious mating of Skye Terriers or some accidental
cross with a mongrel produced a pretty-coloured, soft-haired Terrier
is perhaps the nearest approach to the truth with regard to the
manner in which the Clydesdale Terrier originated, but at best
it is only conjecture. That the Paisley Terrier is no new breed,
we know, and from it was produced the Yorkshire Terrier, a dog
that was not so many years ago known as a Scotch Terrier, and
is so described by Dr. Gordon Stables in the first edition of the
'Practical Kennel Guide.'

For those who want a fancy dog for a pet and who like something
more substantial than a toy, I can recommend the Clydesdale Terrier.
They are pretty dogs to look at, and they are dogs that will repay
any little attention given to them. Like all long-coated dogs, they
require a certain amount of washing and grooming to keep them in
good order ; but any one with a real love for his pets could never
grudge them such attention. They require the same kind of
treatment as a Yorkshire Terrier, which, from whatever cause, has

THE CLYDESDALE (OR PAISLEY) TERRIER 515

always had a limited number of admirers. The coat of a Clydesdale
Terrier in texture resembles that of a Yorkshire Terrier in being
long, soft, fine, straight, and free from wave or curl. The hair
parts down the back and hangs straight, almost touching the
ground. The colour is various shades of blue — a fine, clear, dark

blue being considered perfection. As a rule the colour is inclined
to run light, and in a purely fancy Terrier I do not see why it should
not be pure white. Sometimes a yellow tinge will be noticed on
the hair about the head, and especially in those of a lighter colour.
The hair on the ears, head, and face is long and very profuse ;
this is characteristic of the breed. The eyes are completely obscured
with hair, and the ears, which are large and prick, have a very

516 BRITISH DOGS

heavy fringe ; this is another important point. The tail is carried
gaily, but not over the back or in a curl — the more it is in line
with the body, the better.

In character Clydesdale Terriers are generally good-natured,
and like to be petted; they are lively house-dogs, cleanly in their
habits, and show any amount of intelligence. The wonder is that
English fanciers have never taken up the breed. They are as show
dogs far superior to many other breeds, and for a lady no better
pet or companion could be found."

The following are the description of and points for judging the
Clydesdale Terrier, as adopted by the Skye and Clydesdale Terrier
Club :—

General Appearance. — A long, low, level dog with heavily fringed, erect ears,
and a long coat like the finest silk or spun glass, which hangs quite straight and
evenly down each side, a parting extending from the nose to the root of the tail.

Head. — Fairly long, skull flat, and very narrow between the ears, gradually
widening towards the eyes and tapering very slightly to the nose, which must
be black. The jaws strong and the teeth level.

Eyes. — Medium in size, dark in colour, not prominent, but having a sharp,
Terrier-like expression. Eyelids black.

Ears.— Small, set very high on the top of the head, carried perfectly erect,
and covered with long, silky hair, hanging in a heavy fringe down the sides of
the head.

Body. — Long, deep in chest, well ribbed up, the back being perfectly level.

Tail. — Perfectly straight, carried almost level with the back, and heavily
feathered.

Legs. — As short and straight as possible, well set under the body, and entirely
covered with silky hair. Feet round and cat-like.

Coat.— As long and straight as possible, free from all trace of curl or waviness ;
very glossy and silky in texture, with an entire absence of undercoat.

Colour. — A level bright steel blue, extending from the back of the head to
the root of the tail, and on no account intermingled with any fawn, light, or
dark hairs. The head, legs, and feet should be a clear, bright, golden tan, free
from grey, sooty, or dark hairs. The tail should be very dark blue or black.

SCALE OF POINTS

Texture of Coat 25

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 25

Head ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Tail 10

Body... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 10

Total .. 100

CHAPTER XLV
THE WELSH TERRIER

ALTHOUGH to many readers it may not be known, it is nevertheless
a fact that our Welsh neighbours are very keen dog-fanciers. The
writer, having both shown and judged on many occasions in the
Principality, can truthfully say that he does not remember anywhere
to have seen such excitement and enthusiasm as at some of the
Welsh shows. Nor do they allow their enthusiasm to run riot
when they claim this dog as of Wales originally ; for notwithstanding
the fact that some of the most noteworthy specimens have been
bred in England, there are fanciers who remember them in the
Principality long ere they were taken up here.

It will be well within the memory of many of the older fanciers
when classes were first provided for the national Terrier of Wales
at some of the shows. It was somewhere about 1884, as none of
them are registered in the Kennel Club Stud Books until Vol. XIIL,
published in 1886, and that contains those registered in 1885.
They were but six in number. Many hundreds have appeared in
subsequent volumes, and there are few varieties of the great Terrier
family that have made such advances in uniformity of type and
quality since that period.

The Welsh Terrier may be said to have a good deal of the
general appearance of a Wire-haired Fox-terrier, but is rather shorter
and broader in head, with small drop ears, and in colour almost
invariably shades of black or dark grizzle on head and the upper
parts of body and tail, with the muzzle, chest, rest of the body, legs,
and feet marked with tan, more or less hound-like in shade.

Welsh Terriers make bright, cheerful companions and sharp house-
dogs, and they are able and willing to do any work required of them
as Terriers, being very active and fond of sport. Their size and
character make them suitable for house, stable, or kennel, and they
deservedly enjoy a great deal of popularity both in and out of their
native land.

Amongst early supporters of the variety may be mentioned
Mr. C. H. Beck (Macclesfield), Mr. F. H. Field (Oxford), Mr. W.
A. Drew and Colonel Savage (both of Bangor), Messrs. E. Buckley,

BRITISH DOGS

W. C. Roberts, W. E. Alcock, F. H. Colmore, A. E. Clear, W. C.
Whiskin, the late Dr. Edwardes-Ker, Colonel Platt, Major Johnston,
and Messrs. M. C. Ashwin, Maxwell, W. Tatham, E. Powell, jun.,
the late J. Parry Thomas, E. Wynn, VV. E. Sandars, W. A. Newbald,
Morton Campbell, W. H. Buller, and L. O'Malley. Other supporters
have been Mr. W. J. M. Herbert, of Cardiff, who has brought out
many good specimens and often judged this variety, and last, but
not least by a long way, Mr. W. S. Glynn, who has probably at
the present time the best existing kennel of the variety, as well as
the best ever seen in the possession of one owner. On several

FIG. 104. — MR. W. S. GLYNN'S WELSH TERRIER CHAMPION
BRYNHIR BALLAD.

occasions both single specimens and teams of his have held their
own, not only in competition with other varieties of the Terrier
family, but even against all other varieties of non-sporting dogs, at
some of the largest shows in the Kingdom. Mr. Glynn has also the
additional satisfaction of being the breeder of many of the greatest
prize winners in his kennel.

By the courtesy of his owner, the writer has been fortunate in
obtaining a capital portrait of Champion Brynhir Ballad — thought,
by many judges, to be the best specimen of the variety ever
exhibited — as an illustration of the breed (Fig. 104).

At one time small-sized Airedale Terriers, Old English Terriers,

THE WELSH TERRIER 519

and Welsh Terriers were all shown together, and sometimes in each
Other's classes ; but the Welsh Terrier Club, formed some years
since for the protection of the interests of the variety, took steps to
prevent such being done in the future. They would not allow any
specimen to be shown as a Welsh Terrier unless it was registered as
such at the Kennel Club, and disqualified any that had been also
shown in Airedale or Old English Terrier classes.

There is no manner of doubt that these Terriers are now being
produced, even in type, with good heads, bodies, coats, and legs,
and though many of them fail in what may be termed roundness of
feet, with the class of fanciers who are espousing their cause from
pure love of the breed, there is little fear but that this defect will
be remedied as soon as possible.

There is another point that the Welsh Terrier fancier needs to
keep in mind — the question of size. There is a tendency, and a
growing one, to breed the dog considerably heavier than the
maximum allowed by the standard. Unless, therefore, something
be done by the practical dog-breeder to reduce the size, a 25lb. or
even a 3olb. Terrier instead of a 2olb. will be the order of the day.
Then, again, in respect of coat-colour, the lightest tan-coloured
specimens should be gradually weeded out, and strains that are
known to produce such or the more objectionable fawns should not
be used by the breeder.

In selecting a puppy, say, of six months old, the question of coat-
colour should be carefully considered. The head should be long
and lean, the eye dark, while the ears should be set on high, small,
and if possible not so rounded as at present. Ears have been
vastly improved in the Airedale Terrier, and what is possible with
that variety is also possible with the Welsh Terrier.

The description of the variety, as given by the Welsh Terrier
Club, is as follows : —

Head. — The skull should be flat, and rather wider between the ears than the
Wire-haired Fox-terrier. The jaw should be powerful, clean cut, rather deeper,
and more punishing, giving the head a more masculine appearance than that
usually seen on a Fox-terrier. Stop not too defined, fair length from stop to end
of nose, the latter being of a black colour.

Ears. — The ear should be V-shaped, small, not too thin, set on fairly high,
carried forward and close to the cheek.

Eyes. — The eye should be small, not being too deeply set in or protruding out
of skull, of a dark hazel colour, expressive and indicating abundant pluck.

Neck. — The neck should be of moderate length and thickness, slightly arched,
and sloping gracefully into the shoulders.

Body. — The back should be short and well ribbed-up, the loin strong, good
depth, and moderate width of chest. The shoulders should be long, sloping, and
well set back. The hindquarters should be strong, thighs muscular and of good
length, with the hocks moderately straight, well let down, and fair amount of
bone. The stern should be set on moderately high, but not too gaily carried.

Legs and Feet. — The legs should be straight and muscular, possessing fair

520 BRITISH DOGS

amount of bone, with upright and powerful pasterns. The feet should be small,
round, and cat-like.

Coat. — The coat should be wiry, hard, very close and abundant.

Colour. — The colour should be black-and-tan, or black-grizzle-and-tan, free
from black pencilling on toes.

Size. — The height at shoulder should be I5in. for dogs, bitches proportionately
less. Twenty pounds shall be considered a fair average weight in working
condition, but this may vary a pound or so either way.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Head ... ... ... ... ... ... 20

Ears and Eyes ... ... ... ... ... 10

Neck and Shoulders ... ... ... ... ... 5

Body, Ribs, and Hindquarters ... ... ... ... 15

Coat ... ... ... ... ... ... 25

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... 10

Tail and Carriage of Same ... ... ... ... 5

General Appearance ... ... ... ... ... 10

Total 100

CHAPTER XLVI
THE BORDER TERRIER

WHEN law and order were established on the Borders, the warlike
and thieving instincts of its inhabitants found vent in fox-hunting,
brock-hunting, etc. As the Cheviot Hills abound in craggy holes
and wet moss-runners, good hardy Terriers were an absolute
necessity, and the result was the creation of two now extremely
different varietiesof dog— the Border Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont
—though both originated in the same place. The latter, brought
into prominence by Sir Walter Scott, became a fashionable pet, got
into the hands of fanciers, and is now often useless for sporting
purposes. The former were bred by the old Border yeomen and
shepherds (who all kept their hounds or hound) purely for work.
Nothing was used for breeding purposes that would not go to ground
and face the hardest bitten fox in existence, and the Border Terriers
have retained to a great extent the original characteristics of the late
Ned Dunn's and Yeddie Jackson's dogs.

They stand about i4in. high, are narrow in front, not more than
i5in. round the girth, and weigh about i5lb.* They have hard coats,
smooth or broken (the former is preferable), as the case may be. In
colour they are red or grey brindled, or with dark blue body and
tan legs. Occasionally odd liver-coloured ones are found, but the
first named is the favourite colour. The head is considerably
shorter than and not so strong as that of the Fox-terrier, and the
ears are half-pricked. As Border Terriers are wanted to bolt, not to
worry, foxes, their jaws do not require the strength of the Fox-terrier.
Bitches ought not to average more than i4lb. weight, and dogs i61b.
to i81b. The colour of the nose should be black or flesh-coloured.
The tail should be undocked.

Nose (or scenting qualities) is one of the strongest attributes of
the Border Terriers, and a really good dog can tell by merely hunt-
ing round the strongest earth whether or not there is a fox at home.
Several have been known that would not go to ground unless there
was a fox at home, and some of the brightest ornaments of the breed
have never been known to make a mistake in this connection.

* Weight, height, and girth measurement are the averages for dogs and bitches,

522 BRITISH DOGS

It is nothing out of the common for a Border Terrier to go down
a rent in a rock after a fox, and be unable to climb back, neces-
sitating continued digging or quarrying for three or four days. Of
course many are never seen again. Whether they venture farther
than the fox and fall down some slit, or whether both are lost, it is
impossible to say.

To face the moss-holes (long runners of water) formed at the
bottom of the mosses and often a quarter of a mile long, hard coats
are a necessity. Many of even the very hardiest die of starvation
after coming out of these holes, and before they can be carried to
the shelter and warmth of the nearest fireside, which may be five
or six miles distant, so sparsely populated is that part of the Border-
land.

Border Terriers are often left in an earth at a fox many miles
from home, but are generally found to have returned next morning,
though sometimes they do not arrive for several days, and then
are frequently badly bitten.

As stated, the Border Terrier has a good nose, is a keen holer,
and he will go to ground in places that almost any other Terrier
would not look at. He can follow a horse over the roughest ground
of his native country, and yet he is small enough to follow a fox
through any rocky earth. He can stand wet and cold as well as
any breed, and better than most, is very sharp at rats and other
vermin, and at the same time is a sensible, affectionate, and cleanly
companion.

With regard to the dogs shown in the illustration (Fig. 105), Flint,
the dog on the right, was whelped in 1894. He was by Mr. Jacob
Robson's (Byrness) Rock out of Mr. Tom Robson's (Bridgeford) Rat.
Fury, the bitch on the left, whelped in 1898, was by Flint out of the
good old bitch Vene. Of Flint Mr. Dodd thus writes : —

" Flint was lost one January during severe weather, along with a
young dog by him. They went off rabbiting on their own account,
and were never seen or heard of again ; they must have got into
some strong fox-earth and been unable to get out again. Friends
and others searched the whole district for them. Fancying that bark-
ing was heard in one hole, willing helpers set to work digging, and
after working a few hours and getting the hole fairly opened out, it
was found that there was room for a man to creep in thirty or forty
yards ; but the hole was too narrow to proceed farther. The task
was given up as hopeless, and whether the dogs were in the hole
or not remains a mystery. On the following day, however, when
out with hounds and again looking for them, a fox was found by
the same hole very badly bitten, and nearly dead.

Flint was a marvellous working Terrier. He had a splendid nose,
and was never beaten to find his fox in either crag or moss-hole.

THE BORDER TERRIER

523

Though not often asked to go to ground during the last year or
two of his life, he was always ready if wanted. On one occasion
hounds marked a fox in a hole ; a Terrier was put in, and
bolted one, and after a short run killed. We then went to draw
another covert, passing within about 3ooyds. of the hole. After
drawing the covert blank, Flint was missed, and it was thought that
he would have gone back to the hole. We hurried back, but met
him on the way, and at once his face showed that he had been at a
fox. Hounds struck a line down to the burn below, but could not
make it out any farther ; and we could not understand it till a
shepherd's wife living close by came running to us, and said that

FIG. 105.— MR. J. T. DODD'S BORDER TERRIERS FLINT AND FURY.

Flint had bolted another fox from the hole after we had passed,
ran him down into the burn, and caught and worried him in a deep
pool, and that she had the fox in the house. On another occasion
he bolted a fox from a very strong hole near Deadwater Station, that
hounds ran into almost at once, and on examination it was found
that both the fox's eyes were out. The fox was a fine dog, weighing
i81b. Hounds marked another in a hole a few hundred yards away,
and Flint was put in again ; but the fox would not bolt, so we set
to work digging — or you might call it quarrying. When we got to
the fox, it was found that he was worried (another splendid dog,

lb.)

Many other instances of Flint's abilities as a workman might be

524 BRITISH DOGS

quoted, but these are enough to show what he was. He won more
prizes than any Border Terrier has ever done, was a capital dog with
the gun, and a splendid companion.

Fury was a very nice bitch, and the few times that she was tried
worked very well ; but as the man who reared her for me always
kept her, she did not get many opportunities. She bred some very
good pups, and one young dog from her was first at Jedburgh and
second at Newcastleton Shows in 1902."

CHAPTER XLVII
THE BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER

AMONG the numerous varieties of Terriers now recognised and classi-
fied, the Black-and-tan is one of many altogether unfitted for the
work which gave the generic name to the whole family ; for after the
refining processes to which this variety has been subjected by
breeders for exhibition, it would make but a poor figure at under-
ground work. The legs and feet are too slender and elegant for
digging, and the thin, satin-like coat is not the sort of covering in
which to face wet grass and dank underwoods.

While speaking of the coats of Terriers, a rather curious suppo-
sition of Youatt's should be noticed. He says : " The Rough Terrier
possibly obtained his shaggy coat from the Cur, and the Smooth
Terrier may derive his from the Hound.1' The Cur he elsewhere
describes as a cross between the Sheepdog and the Terrier. But
there are rough-coated as well as smooth-coated Hounds, and the
Terrier was placed by Caius among the Hounds — between the
Harrier and the Bloodhound, in fact — and he states him to be the
"smallest of the kind called Sagax." Now, if there always have
been Hounds both smooth and rough, it is surely quite as likely
that there have always been Smooth and Rough Terriers ; and
reasons have been given for considering that Youatt's description
and his opinion of the origin of Curs are erroneous.

Caius says nothing about the length of coat or the colour of
Terriers. Daniels, in his " Rural Sports," makes special mention of
the elegant and sprightly Smooth-coated Terrier, black in body, and
tanned on the legs ; and in Foxhound kennels of the early part of
the last century Terriers of all colours were kept — red ones, brindled,
brown pied, white pied, pure white, and black with tanned faces,
flank, feet, and legs, and all of these were kept for work, not for show
— work requiring the strength, fortitude, ardour, and indomitable
pluck of a genuine Terrier, for a working Terrier worthy of the name
should be as hard as nails, active as a cat, and lively as a cricket.

The old style of Black-and-tan Terrier was stronger than, but
not so elegantly built as, his modern representative, and the stouter-
limbed, broader-chested, thicker-headed, and coarser-coated dog

526 BRITISH DOGS

that illustrates the original form from which our show dog has sprung
is occasionally still to be met with. Dog shows have, no doubt, had
much to do with transforming the rather cloddy Black-and-tan of
former years into the graceful and refined animal now to be seen on
the show bench. Noted among breeders who have had a large
share in producing this "dog of the day " was Mr. Sam Handley,
who in the earlier years of dog shows successfully exhibited, and
became generally recognised as the greatest authority and most
expert judge of this breed, some of the best dogs exhibited tracing
back to his strain. That a. cross has been resorted to in bringing
about this change is more than probable ; the great length of head, the
tendency to show a tucked-up flank, and a something in the general
contour, gives one the impression that Greyhound blood is in the
breed ; and if so it was probably obtained through the Whippet. Some
specimens show the wheel back of the Italian Greyhound, a very
decided fault in a Terrier of any breed. In the Black-and-tan the
skull is certainly much narrower in proportion to length and to the
size of the dog than in the Greyhound, and rumour says this end has
been obtained by continued compression with wet bandages during
puppyhood.

With improved elegance of form was introduced gradually a finer
coat, and richer and more decided contrast in the colours ; and
when Nature had not been so kind as was desired in this respect,
it was no uncommon thing, a few years back, for some of the votaries
of the breed to assist her. Staining, dyeing, and painting are not now
so commonly resorted to as was the case in former days, when the
preparation of these Terriers for the show-bench was quite an art.
To such an extent was this preparation carried out and condoned by
judges that a dog shown in its natural condition had little chance of
success. Careful breeding has done much towards bringing these
dogs to perfection, but the more stringent regulations of the Kennel
Club as to legitimate preparation for the show-bench and the enforce-
ment of penalties where an infringement of these regulations is dis-
covered may account for the diminution in the number of cases
in which "faking" (which cannot be too severely censured), is
resorted to.

Although the modern Black-and-tan Terrier is unfitted for the
hard, rough work at which his progenitor was an adept, it must not
be inferred that he is a useless dog ; on the contrary, he is game
enough and death to vermin as all the Terrier family are, but he is
simply not fitted to stand rough weather. He is also a remarkably
active and cheerful companion, and makes a first-rate house-dog,
being generally quite free from any objectionable smell, and does
not harbour fleas, or carry dirt on wet days into the house, as
• rough-coated dogs do.

The Black-and-tan is frequently called the Manchester Terrier,

THE BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER

527

and for many years it was so designated by the Kennel Club in their
Stud Book ; but for some time past this definition has been dropped,
and the breed now appears under the heading of Black-and-tan
Terriers. This is as it should be, as this dog is really an old English
Terrier ; and although, at one time, many of the principal breeders
and exhibitors resided in Manchester and the surrounding district,
numbers of these Terriers are bred in other parts of the country.

There is probably no dog so difficult to breed in anything like
perfection as the Black-and-tan Terrier (Fig. 106), for in addition to all
the points required in other breeds, colour and correct markings are

FIG. 106. — MRS. F. M. HIGGS'S BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER BAGATELLE.

essential qualifications. The black should be intense and jet-like,
the tan a rich, warm mahogany, the two colours where they meet
being distinctly defined — not running into each other. Occasionally,
but very rarely, a blue-and-tan puppy will be found in a litter.
These are, of course, useless for show purposes, but should not be
too readily discarded by the breeder, as they evidently come from
an old strain of Terrier, and will be frequently found to be excep-
tionally good in markings and all other points, except being blue
instead of black, and the puppies bred from them are, as a rule, of
the orthodox colour. On the head, the tan runs along each jaw,
running down almost to the throat ; a small bright spot of tan appears
on the cheek, and another above the eye, each clearly surrounded

528 BRITISH DOGS

with black, and well defined ; the inside of the ears is slightly
tanned. There should be spots of tan on each side of the breast.
The fore legs are tanned up to the knee ; feet tanned, but the
knuckles should have a clear black line, called the u pencil mark,"
up their ridge ; and in the centre of the tan, midway between the
foot and the knee, there must be a black spot, called the " thumb
mark," and the denser the black and the clearer in its outline the
more it is valued. The inside of the hind legs is tanned, and also
the under side of the tail ; but tan on the thighs and outside, where
it is often to be found, producing the appearance called " bronzed,"
is very objectionable. The vent has also a tan spot, but it should
be no larger than can be well covered by the tail when pressed
down on it. A point on which great stress was laid until recently
was the cutting of the ears, and unless this was what was called
artistically done, there was no chance of an otherwise first-rate dog
winning. This custom of cropping Terriers' ears was strongly
deprecated by the late Mr. Dalziel and others, and no valid argument
in its favour could be offered by the supporters of the practice. It
entailed great cruelty on the dog, for in addition to the pain inflicted
by the actual cropping, much suffering was caused by the after-
manipulation of the ears, which frequently continued for many weeks,
in order to insure the ears being carried as Fashion dictated. Prizes
were from time to time offered for the best dogs with uncut ears, but
it too frequently happened that a dog having successfully competed
for these prizes was taken home and cropped, so that the object of
those offering them was not attained. The Kennel Club was for
many years urged by those who were desirous of seeing this practice
discontinued to take steps to put down cropping, but it was not until
1898 that a rule was introduced prohibiting any dog cropped after
a certain date from competing for prizes at shows held under the
Club's rules. Naturally, as no attention had been paid to the shape
of the ear for so many years — cropping rendering this unnecessary —
breeders have found much difficulty in breeding the ear now required ;
but this is a difficulty which has to a great extent been got over, and
one that will be altogether surmounted in course of time.

The subject of the illustration (Fig. 106) was only seven months
old when the photograph was taken, and consequently was not
" made up," the dog, therefore, appears longer in the body than a
Black-and-tan Terrier should.

The following is the Black-and-tan Terrier Club's description of
the variety; but the writer does not agree with the definition
given of the correct ears in Toys. He considers that the Toy
Terrier should be as nearly as possible a fac-simile in miniature of
the large Terrier, and that the drop ear is desirable in both,
although it is very difficult to obtain a neat drop ear in the Toy
variety.

THE BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER 529

Head. — Long, flat, and narrow, level and wedge-shaped, without showing
cheek muscles ; well filled up under the eyes, with tapering, tightly lipped jaws
and level teeth.

Eyes. — Very small, sparkling, and dark, set fairly close together, and oblong
in shape.

Nose. — Black.

Ears. — The correct carriage of the ears is a debatable point since cropping
has been abolished. Probably in the large breed the drop ear is correct, but for
Toys either erect or semi-erect carriage of the ear is most desirable.

Neck and Shoulders. — The neck should be fairly long, and tapering from the
shoulders to the head, with sloping shoulders, the neck being free from throatiness,
and slightly arched at the occiput.

Chest. — Narrow but deep.

Body.— Moderately short and curving upwards at the loin ; ribs well sprung,
back slightly arched at the loin and falling again at the joining of the tail to the
same height as the shoulders.

Legs, — Must be quite straight, set on well under the dog, and of fair length.

Feet.— More inclined to be cat- than hare-footed.

Tail. — Moderate length, and set on where the arch of the back ends ; thick
where it joins the body, tapering to a point, and not carried higher than the back.

Coat. — Close, smooth, short, and glossy.

Colour. — Jet black and rich mahogany tan, distributed over the body as
follows : On the head the muzzle is tanned to the nose, which, with the nasal
bone, is jet black ; there is also a bright spot on each cheek, and above each eye,
the under jaw and throat are tanned, and the hair inside the ear is of the same
colour ; the fore legs tanned up to the knee, with black lines (pencil marks) up
each toe, and a black mark (thumb mark) above the foot ; inside the hind legs
tanned, but divided with black at the hock joint ; and under the tail also tanned ;
and so is the vent, but only sufficiently to be easily covered by the tail ; also
slightly tanned on each side of chest. Tan outside of hind legs— commonly called
breeching — is a serious defect. In all cases the black should not run into the
tan, or vice versa, but the division between the two colours should be well defined.

General Appearance. — A Terrier, calculated to take his own part in the rat
pit, and not of the Whippet type.

Weight. — For Toys, not exceeding 7lb ; for the large breed, from i61b. to
2olb. is most desirable.

34

CHAPTER XLVIII
THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER

LIKE many other breeds, the White English Terrier has undergone
considerable modification since public dog shows came into being.
How the modern dog of that name was manufactured one cannot
with certainty say. Mr. Fred White, of Clapham, Mr. James
Roocroft, Mr. Peter Swindells, and a few other Lancashire fanciers
could throw light on the subject; but possibly a small dash of a
light-bodied and rather weedy Fox-terrier, and a strong dash of
Bull-terrier and Whippet, were some of the ingredients used.

In the early days of exhibitions the White English Terrier was
a comparatively thick-headed and a heavier made dog than its
modern prototype. The Lancashire breeders appear to have taken
the Black-and-tan Terrier as their model, and moulded the White
Terrier to his form : it was a good line to take, and the idea has
been worked out with considerable success, although in many
specimens we are still unpleasantly reminded of the Italian Grey-
hound in the mincing gait, the wheel back, and the hooped tail,
that detract from the Terrier character of specimens possessing
them.

Among the old show celebrities Mr. Walker's (of Bolton) Old
Tim stood high, winning at all the principal shows, and siring many
good ones, some of his own name ; whilst a host of others were
called after him, for, in nomenclature, dog-fanciers are often
imitative. Gem, by Old Tim out of Swindell's Empress, was
another great success in the ring; and his son Joe, out of Pink,
was, like his sire and dam, a great prize-winner — indeed, when the
three last named were in one kennel and at their best, they were
invincible. When they went off from their best form, Roocroft's
(afterwards Mr. Alfred Benjamin's) Sylph and her son Silvio, by Joe,
held supreme sway ; and Mr. Mather's Vril and his Snow also
succeeded in taking premier honours at many shows. These may
all be said to be of the same blood, being more or less related ;
and close inbreeding will still be of advantage in fixing the type it
has been the desire to establish.

THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER 531

Of course, in breeding-in a selection of the fittest must be
made, for it is one of the facts connected therewith which should
never be lost sight of, that there is a strong tendency in nature
to reproduce individual characteristics as well as the features
common to the family. It will also be admitted that the closer
dogs can be bred without loss of vitality, the better, when the
desire is to preserve type ; for in-and-in breeding is the best
safeguard against throwing back to any one of, it may be, the
somewhat discordant elements out of which the breed was originally
formed.

As to points, with the exception of colour, the White English

FIG. 107. — THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER.

Terrier (Fig. 107) may be judged by those of the Black-and-tan
Terrier. The colour should be pure white, the eye small, rather oval
shaped, and black, the nose black, the head well balanced, level,
and gradually tapering. The ears used to be always cropped, which
was a great pity, for some of these dogs have naturally pretty drop
ears, thin and neat. Smartness of build, a close, dense, but smooth
coat, and what is known as a " Terrier expression," are desiderata.
As already said, the wheel back and hooped tail, inherited from no
very remote ancestor, are very objectionable, and are generally
accompanied by a soft, "unvarmint" look.

This variety does not gain in popularity, nor do the numbers
exhibited increase, the present-day specimens showing little im-

532 BRITISH DOGS

provement on their predecessors of the last twenty years. Cropping
probably in the past prevented this smart-looking Terrier from
having more admirers, and that was also responsible for the
number of deaf specimens one met with — a defect that is not
altogether eliminated from the modern dog. Yet another cause
working against the popularity of the breed was the amount of
fining that the tails received and the general touching-up necessary
before a dog was considered in good condition for the judging-ring.

Mr. Yardley, of Birmingham, was for years known as a successful
breeder of these Terriers, and his Spring (K.C.S.B. 8,717), although
not so great a prize-winner as many others, proved most valuable
at the stud, and a good number of the best now living are descended
from him. Spring was by a dog of the same name, an own brother
to Bill (K.C.S.B. 2,719), and therefore a small Bull-terrier. Spring's
dam was by Joe out of Mystery.

Of younger sires, Mr. Tonk's Prince Bismarck, by Mr. Willet's
Prince out of his Lady, proved very successful, many winners
appearing among his progeny, the best of which was probably Mr.
Heelis's Chessetfs Model (K.C.S.B. 21,407).

Dog shows have increased in Scotland very much of late
years, and White English Terriers are now encouraged there.
Amongst the most constant breeders and exhibitors of this variety
of late years have been Mr. W. Ballantyne (whose Champion Queen,
now seven years old, is still amongst the winners), Mr. J. H. Walsh
(who has shown many good specimens), Mr. James Cheadle (whose
Champion Lady Superior has taken numerous prizes at the best
shows), Miss Creswell, Mr. Samuel Hawkins, Mrs. A. Stafford, and
Mr. Roger Hughes.

Some years since, when the lighter weight Bull-terriers were
more popular than they are now, they were undoubtedly extensively
crossed with White English Terriers to get down their size, and
some the writer has had and many he has seen had some of
the Bull-terrier blood in them. This could be traced in their skulls
showing rather more fulness than the breed should possess, and in
their more warlike dispositions. A good specimen of the White
English Terrier is quite an aristocrat amongst Terriers — a high-class,
superior type of dog, fit company for any one.

In selecting, take care that the colour is absolutely pure white,
refusing any marked specimen, however slight. The skull should
be narrow, long, level, and wedge-shaped, and any tendency to
apple-head or a Bull-terrier-like head should not be lightly passed
over. Small dark eyes, straight fore legs, and small V-shaped
ears are also points to look for, though the last named in the case
of a puppy not over teething troubles should not be too seriously
considered, as young animals not infrequently carry their ears in-
differently at such times.

THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER 533

The following is a description of the breed as now constituted : —

Head. — Long and narrow, flat from the back of the skull to the nose, and
with no bumps at sides or cheeks.

Muzzle. — Long and tapering, but not weak.

/aws. — Strong, teeth close-fitting and even, with no lippiness.

Eyes. — Small, oval shaped, bright in expression, and dark, nearly black, in
colour.

Nose. — Well defined, quite black, and of moderate size.

Ears. — Small, fine in texture, V-shaped, and hanging close to the head.

Neck. — Light and graceful, rather long, slightly arched.

Shoiilders. — Sloping ; chest rather narrow, but deep.

Body. — A little arched, with good back ribs.

Fore Legs. —Quite straight, with well-arched toes and black nails.

Hindquarters. — Strong and powerful, with hocks well let down.

Tail. — Very fine, and carried almost straight or with a slight curve, but never
curled over the back.

Coat. — Short, fine, and glossy.

Colour. — Pure white.

Weight. — Should not exceed 2olb., even less is desirable.

General Appearance. — That of a well-bred and high-class, smart and neat-
looking dog, well suited for a companion or a house -guard.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Head, including Jaws ... ... ... ... ... 20

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Eyes 5

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Body and Quarters ... ... ... ... ... 10

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 20

Tail ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

General appearance (including size) and action ... ... 20

Total . ioo

CHAPTER XLIX
THE POODLE

FOR this variety one is certainly entitled to claim ancient lineage,
as on very early monuments and inscriptions dogs more or less
resembling Poodles in appearance have been found. We know
that in France and Germany, for ages, Poodles have been kept
as companions and used for sporting purposes, and in many old
prints and pictures of people and scenery in France Poodles have
been depicted as the national dogs, in the same way as we see the
Bulldog shown in pictures of Englishmen.

Irrespective of coats or colours, there are at least three sizes of
Poodles : the large, which may scale up to yolb. in weight ; the
medium-sized, varying between i5lb. and solb ; and the small,
running from 4lb. or 5lb. to gib. or lolb. The large and the small
are almost invariably either black or white in colour, most of the
off colours being amongst those of the medium sizes.

The majority of those Poodles seen in this country had their
origin on the Continent of Europe, where they may still be found
in France, Germany, Italy, and Russia. Nearly all the Blacks used
to be called Russian Poodles ; but the writer has seen more of the
larger-sized specimens in Germany than anywhere else, and he is
aware that many of the best shown here have been imported from
that country. Poodles used to be favourite canine companions of
the students of the German universities, where many dogs worthy
of exhibition at our best shows might be seen accompanying them.

That this breed has made rapid strides during the last twenty-
five years is proved not only by the numbers seen during our walks
abroad, but by the greatly increased entries at any shows where the
classification and judges are acceptable to the many owners of these
sagacious animals.

In most of the books on dogs written within the last century,
although the authors hold many different views respecting minor
matters, they seem unanimous in their opinions that the old Large
Water-dog was one of the ancestors of the large-sized Poodle of the
present day; indeed, Youatt (who wrote about sixty years ago)

THE POODLE 535

went so far as to give a picture of the old Water-dog as a Poodle
proper. They also agree that the Small Water-dog was one of the
progenitors of the smaller Poodles.

Though the writer is disposed to concur in this opinion, yet, at
this length of time, it is not possible to decide what other variety of
dog was used to produce the Poodles now seen, for it must be
admitted that although he had some family connection with the
modern Curly-coated Retriever and the Irish Water-spaniel, as well
as the Poodle, the old Large Water-dog mentioned and drawn by
early writers was much shorter and thicker in head and muzzle.
In fact, he was a coarser and heavier dog altogether, and he was
never clipped, trimmed, or made a pet of, as are his modern
prototypes.

In a rough and general way Poodles may be divided into three
sections — Corded, Non-corded, and Toys. In the first named
(Fig. 1 08) the coat hangs in long strands, or ringlets, often more than
reaching to the ground, requiring much care and attention to prevent
the matting or felting sure to attend neglect of the necessary grooming.
The Non-corded may be subdivided into Curly and Fluffy. The
former is shown with a quasi-natural coat composed of small curls,
something like those seen on Curly-coated Retrievers and Irish Water
Spaniels, but not usually so tightly curled. The latter is shown with
the hair combed and teased out till little of the curl is apparent,
but the parts unshorn are a mass of soft fluffy hair on head, ears,
shoulders, etc., giving that leonine aspect so much admired by
many fanciers. Toys have come more into vogue of late years, and
with them may be found all the variations of coat named — Corded,
Curly, and Fluffy ; but, as with their larger brethren, the last two are
far more numerous than the first named.

With this chapter is given two typical specimens (Figs. 108 and
109) ; these will convey better ideas of the animals than any detailed
descriptions of them in writing.

In the several varieties of Poodles the colours are numerous,
although when first the writer was asked to judge them at some of
our largest shows whites were in the majority. At present the
preponderance is much in favour of blacks ; but there are also
browns of various shades, blues, greys, reds, as well as parti-
coloured specimens. Amongst those shown with corded coats, the
colours are mostly confined to black and white, any variation from
these being exceedingly rare. The greatest number of those other
than black or white are found amongst the Curlies, Flurries, and
Toys. Many persons interested in the breed consider that black
and white are the only proper Poodle colours. Be this as it may,
many beautiful browns, greys, blues, and reds are occasionally seen.
The parti-coloured ones, on the other hand, have somewhat the
appearance of freaks of nature, and are not so worthy of encourage-

536 BRITISH DOGS

ment as the self-colours, as they seem wanting in type and
character.

By far the greater number of Poodles kept in this country are
treated as pets and companions, and they are, moreover, mostly in
the possession of women. They prove admirable guards, and are
docile, lively, and affectionate companions, with a keen love of
sport, which makes them useful with the gun, particularly at duck-
shooting. They are good swimmers and fond of the water, and
their intelligence will compare favourably with that of any other
variety of dog, the Sheepdog family perhaps coming nearest to them
in this respect. It is this intelligence that makes them so popular

FIG. 108.— CORDED POODLE CHAMPION VLADIMIR.

with those who earn their living by training troupes of performing
dogs. All who have witnessed such entertainments will doubtless
call to mind the many Poodles that they have seen taking part in
them. Probably also they will have noted the eager, delighted
way in which performing Poodles carry out their duties, often
evincing much humour in their work and entering into it with
great zest.

Of course, in an animal like the Poodle, in which art has much
to do in turning it out in show form, a great deal depends on the
skill of the individual person on whom the preparation devolves,
and there are many men, and some women, who are able to put a
high-class finish on the specimens entrusted to them. Sometimes

THE POODLE 537

ornamental devices are clipped in the hair on the back. The
general effect is quaint and peculiar, and the dogs, with their
vivacious cast of countenance, have an irresistibly comical appear-
ance, suggestive of that life and fun characteristic of them.

Although there are many men who devote themselves to the
tonsorial duties in connection with Poodles, there are some ladies
(indeed, some of the most successful breeders and exhibitors of
the present day) who perform all this work for their pets with
their own fair hands, and the honours obtained by their dogs are
sufficient proof of the ability displayed by them in this way. This

FIG. 109. — MRS. L. W. CROUCH'S FLUFFY POODLE L' ENFANT PRODIGUE.

is mentioned to show that there are no insurmountable obstacles
to be overcome by amateurs who have the time and inclination
to devote to the work, and that success is fairly within the reach of
those possessing that infinite capacity for taking pains.

Poodles, as a rule, are good-tempered and warmly attached to
their owners ; they are not fanciful about their food, and willing
to make themselves at home under ordinary circumstances. It is
advisable, where they live in the house, to keep and treat them like
members of the family. When kept in kennels, it should be in
such structures that neither chain nor collar is required, and they
must be properly protected from the weather. Whatever their
colour, they should not be exposed to the sun, which is sure to have

BRITISH DOGS

a prejudicial effect. In the matter of bedding, paper shavings, such as
may be obtained of book-binders or stationers, are the best material,
if kept picked out and not allowed to become hard or matted, as this
is clean, dry stuff, and will not get into the coats like straw which
is only allowable when enclosed in a roughly constructed cushion.
Failing this, use longish straw, without dust or small stuff mixed
with it, or pine shavings. Of course, only in the sleeping-box will
any bedding be required, and this but in the colder months of the
year ; at other times Poodles will be better without it. Poodle
kennels must be always kept scrupulously free from dirt, dust, or
wet, as the dogs' coats take up the smallest particles of such
matters, entailing an immense amount of trouble in getting them
right again.

As regards those Poodles of any colours but white, washing should,
if possible, be dispensed with, as, if the coats are duly brushed
and attended to, they will be better without it ; but the whites will
have to be sometimes washed, and for this purpose a good lather
made with white curd soap, in lukewarm water, with a squeeze
from the blue-bag in it, is as good as anything. The coat should be
afterwards dried with a sheet or towels, and the dog be prevented
from soiling its coat.

In sending any kind of Poodle to shows, roomy hampers or
well-ventilated boxes should be used. Such dogs should never be
sent on the chain, and it is best to tack brown holland or unbleached
calico round the insides and cover of hamper or box, to prevent the
the coats from being soiled.

The following is a description of the Poodle : —

Head. — Long, straight, and fine ; skull rather narrow, and peaked at back,
with very slight " stop " ; jaws long, strong, ancl fine, not full in cheek ;
teeth white and level ; lips black and rather tight- fitting ; gums and roof of
mouth black.

Nose. — Sharp and black, except in brown or red-coloured specimens, when
liver-coloured noses are allowable.

Eyes. — Very dark brown, full of fire and intelligence, nearly almond-shaped,
not staring or prominent.

Ears. — Deep and wide in leather and long in feathering, set on rather low,
and lying close to the sides of the head.

Neck. — Well proportioned, of fair length and strength.

Shoulders. — Strong and muscular, sloping well to back.

Chest. — Deep and moderately wide.

Back. — Short, strong, and slightly curved ; loins broad and muscular ; ribs
well sprung and braced up.

Legs. — Fore legs straight and well set, with plenty of bone and muscle ;
hind legs very muscular and well bent, with hocks well let down.

Feet. — Small, of good shape ; toes well arche,d, with thick, hard pads.

Tail. — Set on high, carried gaily, but never curled or carried over the back.

Coat. — Very profuse, not silky, but of good hard texture. If corded, hanging
in long, tight, even cords or ringlets ; if curly, in strong, short curls, of even

THE POODLE 539

length, without knots or cords ; if fluffy, all the unshorn parts should be combed
or teased out free from all matting, cords, or curls.

Colotirs.— Should be self for preference. Whites and blacks seem the most
popular, but specimens with shades of blue, brown, red, and grey are occasionally
seen, and have classes provided for them at some of the larger shows.

General Appearance is that of a very active, intelligent, elegant-looking dog,
stepping out well, and carrying himself proudly.

The white Poodle should have dark eyes, black or very dark liver-coloured
nose, lips, and toe-nails.

The red or brown Poodle should have dark, amber-coloured eyes, dark liver-
coloured nose, lips, and toe-nails.

The blue or grey Poodle should be as even in colour as possible, and have
dark eyes, lips, and toe-nails.

All the other points of the white, red, brown, blue, or grey Poodles should
be the same as in the perfect black Poodles.

It is strongly recommended by the Poodle Club that only one-third of the
body be clipped or shaved, and that the hair be left on the forehead.

STANDARD OF VALUE OF POINTS

Head and Ears ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 15

Eyes and Expression ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Neck and Shoulders ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Shape of Body, Loins, Back, and Carriage of Stern ... ... 15

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Condition, Bone, and Muscle ... ... ... ... ... 10

Colour and Texture of Coat ... ... ... ... ... 15

General Appearance and Movement ... ... ... ... 15

Total 100

As regards choice of a Poodle, much depends on the individual
taste of the intending buyer, both as to the sort wished for and the
purpose for which it is required. There are few varieties of dogs
which give a wider scope for choice than is afforded by the
Poodle, as they can be had of every size, from quite yolb. to
3lb. or 4lb. in weight, with coats a mass of small, tight curls
almost as close and fine as on Retrievers and Water-spaniels, or
with long, hanging ringlets sweeping the ground as they walk along,
or with all the unshaved parts covered in soft, fluffy hair. The
last named, it may be added, is a manipulated, and not a natural,
condition of the coat. As to which of these varieties should be
decided upon is a matter for the individual.

When the size of the intended purchase is settled, for which
purpose the purchaser should make a point of seeing, if possible,
the parents and grandparents of the puppies, select one with a head
fairly long for its age, and narrow across the skull, with lengthy
ears, fine in texture of skin and hair, and set on low, close fitting to
the sides of head, straight on its legs, muscular in its limbs,
with a short back and gaily carried tail, but not curling over the
back. The eyes should be dark and intelligent-looking, and there

540 BRITISH DOGS

should be a general appearance of brightness and activity. A
better idea could be formed of those from four to six months old
than when younger. Beyond a little trimming of the hair about the
face and feet, it is not advisable to do much actual clipping or
shaving until after the puppy is six months old. An amateur should
not attempt to prepare specimens for show until he or she has
seen the work done by an expert, as more could be learnt in this
way in one hour than from any amount of written directions.

It is thought by some breeders and fanciers that there is but
one sort of coat for all Poodles ; but without going into this question,
the writer is convinced that, although he has known many instances
in which specimens have been successfully exhibited with Corded,
Curly, and Fluffy coats, these are the exceptions rather than the rule.
There are some coats that seem specially to lend themselves to one
or the other of these, so that the best and most effective treatment
of the coats must depend in some measure on the individual
specimen.

In the present day clipping machines have been brought to
such perfection that nearly all the work may be done with one of
them, assisted by a sharp pair of scissors ; but before actual shaving
of any parts with a razor is attempted, an owner should see the
way that it is done by an expert. Of course, the work should
be performed in a warm room, except during summer, and the
subject should be protected from taking cold before being used to
the loss of coat ; this may be done with a coat or jacket made in
the same way as for horses and Greyhounds, to slip over the head,
and secured with a band round the waist, buttoned or tied under-
neath to keep it in place.

It is not necessary to say anything about the amount of clipping
or shaving, as so much depends on the taste of the clipper, the char-
acter of the animal, and its size, that it will not be the same in all
cases. The parts usually left bare are the face, except for a mous-
tache and an " imperial," the chin, and the lower jaws ; the back, from
back of the shoulders to the tail, except some bosses of hair on the
sides of the thighs ; the tail, except two or more circles of hair on
it and at its end ; the legs, with one or more circles of hair round
the ankles and higher up. In a general way also the sides and
belly are clipped clean, giving a leonine character to the whole of
the trimming of the hair.

As regards colour, this opens up a wide question. There are
many beautiful Poodles of all the colours, but speaking from ex-
perience, perhaps the whites are the most difficult to keep in form.
They not only have all the vicissitudes common to the variety,
but are liable to become soiled or tinted in colour, and require
ceaseless attention to keep them up to the mark.

Browns, reds, blues, and greys are all very nice in their way, and

THE POODLE 541

often very beautiful ; they seem particularly suited as companions
and pets for ladies. They are, however, not quite as saleable as
the whites and blacks, as the general public have hardly got used
to them yet as true Poodles colours. They are becoming more
popular every year, and have greatly improved in quality and type
since they were introduced ; but when the classes are for " Poodles,
any variety," they have to put their best feet foremost to be placed
over good specimens either white or black.

Any one with a desire to take up these interesting and highly
intelligent dogs would be well advised to, at any rate, commence
with a black, of course taking care that it is black, and, as be-
fore stated, if possible seeing the parents. Any mixture of other
tints on any part of the coat will greatly depreciate the value of a
specimen from a fancier's point of view. There are even different
shades of black itself; the shade most preferred in Poodles is a
glossy, bright, intense, bluish-black, without any tendency to rustiness,
which is too often seen in some of the coats, and handicap such
specimens in the show-ring.

There is an offshoot of the Poodle that is turned to good account
as a truffle hunter. The actual constituents of the little dog that
one occasionally meets with in truffle "country" are not known ; but
it is fairly safe to say that he partakes largely of Poodle and Terrier.
In weight he is little above that of a decent Fox-terrier, and in
colour variable. Black-and-white, white with liver markings, with
black mouth and lips are the colours most liked. There is little
or no tail. In Wilts, Hants, and Dorset these dogs are oftenest
found ; but the owners are very chary about parting with them, as
they constitute their living. As is well known, from November
onwards to Christmas prices for the underground fungi popularly
called truffles are very high, and given a truffle country — chalky
soil and plenty of oak and beech trees — and a well-trained dog,
success should attend the efforts of the hunter.

As the dogs are often employed upon estates much game
preserved, and early and late, they necessarily have to be carefully
broken as well as trained to their legitimate work, while the owner
must of course be above suspicion. So far these dogs have not
made their appearance at shows ; but they would undoubtedly prove
an interesting exhibit, especially too if they could be shown at work.

To train a dog with a good nose to such work should not be
difficult. The first thing, of course, is to get an obedient dog, and
next to get him to retrieve small objects. This done, accustom
him to the peculiar smell of the fungus, and also to fetch it when
thrown. Next, the truffle should be lightly buried where the dog
cannot see it, and the animal be told to seek. Gradually the dog
will get accustomed to the peculiar scent given off by the truffle,
and will find it when buried. The depth at which the fungus should

542 BRITISH DOGS

be buried will be increased until the dog is able to "point" the
place, at say 4in. to 6in., the latter representing perhaps the
maximum depth at which the esculent would be found growing.
If a young dog could be allowed to work with an expert animal,
of course the lessons would be still more readily imparted. The
truffle hunter proper, once the dog has indicated a place, removes
the fungus by means of a fork.

CHAPTER L
THE CHOW-CHOW AND HAIRLESS DOG

IN China there are several different breeds of dogs showing a
marked contrast to one another. The one that has become
best known and is most commonly to be met with in this country
is that which was, until recently, known as the Edible Dog, but
which has now a separate section in the Kennel Club Stud Book
allotted to it under the definition of Chow-Chow. It is difficult
to say whence this name originated, as the breed is apparently
not known by any such name in its native country, where it is,
however, sometimes called the Wolf-dog, probably on account
of its being used in packs for hunting purposes in the North of
China.

To the casual observer this dog, although larger, somewhat
resembles a coarse or half-bred Pomeranian, but a closer inspection
shows that there are many points in which the two breeds essentially
differ. It is not, however, improbable that the Chow-Chow and
Esquimaux are related, as there are certain characteristics common
to both breeds. Moreover, it has been proved beyond doubt that
typical specimens of either variety can be bred by crossing the
two breeds together.

In these Chinese dogs the forehead is broad, the muzzle pointed,
but not so pointed as in the Esquimaux, the ears are small,
rounded, and carried pricked well forward, the eyes are small and
jet-black, the body is short and compact, the. hocks are straight,
the coat is thick and harsh, with good under-coat, and the tail well
curled. For many years the only recognised colours were a deep
red and a jet-black, but more recently encouragement has been
given to the exhibition, and, as a natural consequence, the breeding,
of any colour. The result is that dogs that. would have had no
chance of winning prizes a few years ago on account of their bad
colour are at the present time able to do so, classes being specially
provided at some shows for dogs of any colour, other than red
or black. No doubt this innovation tends to increase the number
of entries at. shows, and makes the breeding of prize dogs so
much the easier, for every breeder, whatever variety he may be

544 BRITISH DOGS

interested in, knows the difficulty of obtaining correct colour
and markings, where these are characteristics of a breed. The
argument used in favour of providing these classes is that dogs
of all sorts of colour are to be found in China; but the same
argument might be used for encouraging the exhibition of dogs
lacking the principal feature of the breed — a black, or rather a bluish-
black, tongue — because Chinese dogs are to be met with having
red tongues. The King at one time owned a very fine specimen
of a deep red colour, which won several prizes in Foreign classes,
although he had a red tongue ; but this was before Chow-Chows
had classes to themselves, and would afford no excuse for classes
being provided for dogs having this defect It is to be regretted
that of late years there has been a tendency on the part of breeders,
when they have found themselves unable to breed the correct
thing, to urge Committees to provide separate classes for their
dogs, and in many cases Committees, anxious to secure additional
entries, have shown too much readiness to do so.

One of the most typical dogs of this breed that has come under
the writer's notice was a black-and-tan dog, purchased at the Dogs'
Home some years ago, but which was never exhibited on account
of its colour. As there was no means of knowing how the dog
was bred, it is impossible to say whether this colour was the result
of a cross between a black and a red ; but if so, it is contrary to
the usual result of crossing the two colours, as generally the puppies
will be found to partake of one colour or the other. The colour
of the tongue is peculiar to the breed, and the fact of a dog having
a black or partially black tongue would be a sure indication that
there had been at some time a Chow-Chow cross, although the
dog might not resemble the breed in any other respect.

Among the poorer classes of China these dogs are used as an
article of food, and when required for this purpose are fed largely
on rice. We have been informed by a gentleman who resided
many years in Hong Kong that they are eaten when quite young,
and then only the fore feet and paws are used, the black dog
being much preferred. This fact is also mentioned by Archdeacon
Gray in his interesting book on China, wherein we are told that
placards are commonly to be seen over the doors of restaurants
in Canton patronised by mechanics and others, stating that the
flesh of black dogs and cats can be served at a moment's notice.
He also gives a translation of a bill of fare, in which the following
appears : —

Cat's flesh, one basin 10 cents

Black cat's flesh, one small basin ... ... 5 cents

Black dog's grease ... ... I tael 4 cents

Black cat's eyes, one pair ... ... ••• 4 cents.

35

THE CHOW-CHOW AND HAIRLESS DOG 547

These dogs are somewhat peculiar in disposition, and will some-
times take singular likes and dislikes ; they become very attached
to their owners and are fascinating companions, but are somewhat
more quarrelsome than some other varieties of foreign dogs.

The selection of puppies should not take place too early, as at
the time of birth the ears are not erect, but should become so
later on, nor is the tongue black. The latter is red when the
puppies are born, but in course of a short time a spot or two of
black is to be seen which gradually spreads until the whole tongue
is covered. This, however, is not invariably so, as sometimes the
tongue becomes only partially black, and in some cases does not
change at all. In the latter event a dog's chance of winning would,
at the present time, be lost altogether, whilst in the former it
would be very materially diminished. According to the points
of the Chow-Chow Club, a dog that does not carry its tail in the
orthodox way should be disqualified, but it ought to be borne
in mind that dogs that are at all shy will at once drop their tails
when frightened. Although such a defect as the tail not being
carried properly in the ring should unquestionably be taken into
consideration by the judge, it is a mistake that a dog, however
good it may be in all other respects, should be thrown out of
competition altogether solely on account of one fault, and one,
it should be remembered, that the dog may not really possess, as
the bad carriage of the tail may be caused by the strange surround-
ings of the show ring.

Chow VIII. (Fig. 1 10) one of the best dogs of the breed exhibited,
has had a very successful show career, his typical head and deep
red coat leaving nothing to be desired.

There is another variety of these dogs in which the coat is short ;
the head much resembles that of a raccoon, and the skin on the
forehead is slightly wrinkled. In other prick-eared dogs the inside
of the ear is protected by hair, but such is not the case with these
dogs, the ear being as smooth as though it had been shaven.
Several good specimens of this variety have been exhibited in recent
years, but one of the first seen on the show-bench was Chinese
Puzzle, a bitch sent to the Zoological Gardens by some one who
was under the impression that she was a rare wild animal.

The following are the points of the breed as drawn up by the
Chow-Chow Club : —

Head. — Skull flat and broad, with little stop, well filled out under the eyes.

Muzzle. — Moderate in length, and broad from the eyes to the point (not
pointed at the end like a fox).

Nose. — Black, large, and wide (in cream-coloured specimens a pink nose
is allowable).

Tongue. — Black.

Eyes. — Dark and small (in a blue dog light colour is permissible).

Ears. — Small, pointed, and carried stiffly erect. They should be placed well

548

BRITISH DOGS

forward over the eyes, which gives the dog the peculiar characteristic expression
of the breed— namely, a sort of scowl.

Teeth.— Strong and level.

Neck. — Strong, full, set well on the shoulders, and slightly arched.

Shoulders. — Muscular and sloping.

Chest. — Broad and deep.

Back. — Short, straight, and strong.

Loins. — Powerful.

Tail. — Curled tightly over the back.

Fore Legs. — Perfectly straight, of moderate length, and with great bone.

Hind Legs. — Same as fore legs, muscular, and with hocks well let down.

Feet. — Small, round, and cat-like, standing well on the toes.

Coat. — Abundant, dense, straight, rather coarse in texture, with a soft,
woolly undercoat.

Colour. — Whole-coloured black, red, yellow, blue, white, etc., not in patches
(the under part of tail and back of thighs frequently of a lighter colour).

General Appearance. — That of a lively, compact, short-coupled dog, well-knit
in frame, with tail curled well over the back.

Weight.— From 4Olb. to 5olb.

Disqualifying Points. — Drop ears, red tongue, tail not curled over the back,
white spots on the coat, and a red nose, except in yellow or white specimens.

Smooth Chows are judged by the same standard, except that
the coat is smooth.

Small breeds of dogs are also to be met with in China, one some-
what resembling our Pugs, but longer in coat, and another, a breed

of Toy Spaniels ; but as
these are fully dealt with
elsewhere, there only re-
mains to be mentioned the
Crested and Hairless Dogs
of the country (Figs, in
and 112). There can be
no doubt that these dogs are
the same as the African Sand-
dog and the Hairless Dogs
of Mexico and Japan. They
should be entirely without
hair, except in the case of
the Crested Dogs, which
should have a crest of hair
on the top of the head and
also a tuft of hair at the end
of the tail. In the dogs
FIG. in.— CHINESE HAIRLESS DOG that have been exhibited

DR. JAMESON. as African Sand-dogs this

crest appears to be shorter

and much harsher than in the Chinese dogs. The skin should
be bluish in colour, resembling in this respect the colour of an
elephant's hide, although it is frequently mottled, which, however,

THE CHOW-CHOW AND HAIRLESS DOG 549

should not be the case. These Terriers are apple-headed, with
large bat ears, and vary in size from about rolb. up to 2olb. or
25lb. They are very symmetrical, a quality in which most of the
specimens exhibited of late years have been sadly wanting. Care
should be taken by an intending purchaser to satisfy himself that
he is buying a genuine Hairless Dog, and not a Terrier without hair.
Any appearance of tan on the legs and feet would naturally suggest
a cross of Black-and-tan Terrier blood. A singular peculiarity in

FIG. ii2.— CHINESE CRESTED DOG HAIRY KING.

this breed, to which our attention has been called by the eminent
veterinary surgeon Mr. A. J. Sewell, is the teeth of these dogs.
If the mouth is examined, it will be found to resemble that of a pig.
The canine teeth, or tusks, are very much smaller than in other dogs
of a similar size, and stand out on each side of the jaw ; behind
these teeth is a space of about an inch, and then come four molars
only, instead of the usual number. These Hairless Dogs naturally
feel the cold and have to be kept clothed, which frequently causes
considerable irritation to the skin.

CHAPTER LI
THE POMERANIAN

THERE is little doubt that this variety originated in Northern Europe,
and, if it did not actually come from the district associated with
the late Prince Bismarck, and known as Pomerania, that part of
the world has produced several varieties of the canine race with
many of the characteristics of those we know under the above
name.

Although some persons hold the idea that the dogs which have
long been kept in Germany, and there called by the generic term of
Spitz, are distinct from what in this country we know as Pomeranians,
this is not the writer's opinion, which is strengthened by the fact
of his having had before him on many occasions specimens imported
from Germany — in fact, in the early days of shows most of the
best animals of this variety were imported.

It is more than likely that these dogs were not originally kept as
pets, but as utility dogs, either as guards or possibly to assist in the
care of sheep and cattle. Probably, too, they were not of diminu-
tive size. Selection and interbreeding have doubtless produced the
present race of Toys in response to the demand for such. The dogs
the writer remembers seeing in different parts of Germany many
years ago were larger than even the largest of any seen in this
country for a considerable time, although they possessed all the
characteristics of the variety to a marked extent. In fact, for true
type and character the writer has seen more first-class specimens
over i5lb. in weight than he has in any of those strictly classed
as Toys, and nearly all the best-known specimens have passed
through his hands during the last twenty years.

Some old illustrations of what were then called Greenland Dogs,
and that were used in pursuit of the polar bears, the writer has
seen in books upon dogs published more than fifty years ago.
They represented animals of much the same character as Pomeranians,
but they were of the size of small Collies. In all instances the
colour seemed to be pure white, as it was in other books of the
same period in which were shown dogs very similar in appearance

THE POMERANIAN 551

but called Iceland Dogs. All this goes to show that the variety
originally came from the extreme North, and that the present
variations have been produced by mating and selection from
imported specimens.

Although many and great changes have taken place in nearly
every variety of dog since "British Dogs" first appeared in 1880,
there is no variety in which the changes have been so great as in
the Pomeranian, or Spitz Dog. On many occasions, in the seventies
and early eighties, the writer can remember them represented at some
of our largest shows by one or two specimens, often by only one,
and the first time that he judged this variety, for the Kennel Club
at one of their early shows, the entries did not exceed six, whereas
on the last occasion that he officiated for the same club, at the
Crystal Palace, there were something like two hundred entries. This
shows what can be done with one variety in less than twenty-five
years. The value, too, of really good specimens has increased in
even greater proportion. When the First Edition of " British Dogs "
was published, ten pounds would have been thought a very big
price to pay for a Pomeranian of even the highest quality. At the
present time more than a dozen specimens could be named for
which one hundred pounds would be refused by their owners.
Even larger sums have been readily paid for high-class specimens
within the last few years. There are probably fifty owners of
Pomeranians now for every one that existed twenty years ago.

The greatest changes that have taken place in the breed have
been in their size and colour ; for whereas they were formerly
produced in weight ranging from about i5lb. to 25lb. and more,
and all sizes shown together, seldom even divided by sex, now
they have classes for weight, colour, sex, etc., with endless sub-
divisions, into winners, open, limit, novice, maiden, and puppies,
of each sex. And whereas at first the prevailing colour was white,
with a few blacks occasionally seen; now there are black, brown,
fawn, blue, sable, red, orange, and parti-coloured specimens to
be found at most of the shows, and of almost every size, down
to 3lb. in weight. Toys of the variety, if of high quality, seem
to be in constantly increasing demand, and are readily sold at high
figures, so that for some time past they must have been very
remunerative to breeders. In yet another direction is there a
noticeable improvement — namely, in temperament. The old-time
Pomeranian had a rather bad character and was undoubtedly
snappish : shows and a closer association with man have not been
without their good effect upon the Pomeranian in this respect.

Her late Majesty Queen Victoria was a warm supporter of
Pomeranians, and kept a large number of them, as the writer has
reason to know, having had the honour of a special invitation to
visit the Royal kennels at Windsor Castle, and being one of the

552 BRITISH DOGS

few persons before whom any of Her Majesty's dogs came to be judged
on the occasions when they were exhibited at some of the London
shows. Her Majesty did not go in for the largest sizes, nor for the
very small ones. Those in the Royal kennels were mostly what
would be called small medium in size, and of all sorts of colours,
many of them white with markings ; very few were whole- or
self-coloured. One of the few exceptions to this rule was Marco,
Her Majesty's special favourite and companion : he was red,
somewhat of the shade usually associated with Chows.

At the present time Pomeranians are about the most popular
variety coming strictly under the designation of Pet, or Toy, breeds ;
command the largest entries at all the principal shows in the
kingdom, and not undeservedly, for they are very handsome, showy
animals, with much vivacity and intelligence, greatly attached to
their owners, and they make agreeable companions, house dogs,
and pets. It is not advisable to use collars or chains for them,
except for exhibition purposes, as they are likely to wear away the
hair of the mane and frill, which form very ornamental features
of this variety.

In mating for colour, although good whites have sometimes
resulted from other colours, most of the best whites have been
bred from the union of two white parents. Good blacks, blues, as
well as browns, on the other hand, have often been bred from a
black and a brown or blue ; and some of the best browns have been
produced in this way. Of course it is best, when possible, to
ascertain the colours and sizes of the parents of the specimens
intended to be bred from, as Pomeranians very frequently " throw
back " to colours and sizes very different from those of their parents.

It must strongly be urged upon those proposing to take up the
breeding of this popular variety that it is better to breed from
medium-sized bitches, coming from a small strain, using a sire
whose stock is known to be also small, than attempt to breed
from two specimens of diminutive size, as some of the best Toys
the writer has ever seen — and without exaggeration he has had
thousands of the variety before him at one time or the other
— have been produced in the way suggested. Besides, there is
considerably less risk in breeding from the medium-sized bitches
than from tiny Toys, to say nothing of the fact that the litter is
more likely to be reared by the mother.

In the matter of breeding, a little experience and practice are
better than any amount of theory, and there are some black strains
that produce excellent browns and blues, as well as blacks ; and
there are blues and browns capable of bringing out good blacks,
besides many charming shades of their own colours. These things
can only be discovered by actual experience.

In choosing a puppy, more regard should be paid to the shape

THE POMERANIAN 553

of head and body, length of back, set-on, carriage, and size of ears
and tail, than to mere quantity of coat ; but its texture and character
are important, as a soft or silky coat, particularly if lying open,
without much promise of undercoat, is a bad fault, and spoils
many otherwise valuable specimens. Of course, with this, as with
all long-coated dogs, a great deal can be done by careful grooming,
for which a small dandy-brush, or a hair-brush with long, stiffish
bristles, are better than a comb. Brush the hair from the back
of the head straight down the back to the end of the tail, then
straight down each side, chest, legs, and feet, taking care that
no tangle, or matting, can be found in any part ; then lightly
brush the whole of the body coat upwards, the reverse way, when
the dog's natural tendency to shake itself after brushing will cause
the hair to lie in a natural manner.

For any one wishing to take up Pomeranian breeding as a matter
of business, blacks, browns, and blues are the best to go in for.
The aim should be to get them as small as possible, while not
losing the characteristics of the breed. There is evidently room
for small whites, and great success will attend those who can
bring out dogs of that colour of from 4lb. to 5lb. weight. Such
would be beautiful little creatures, and much sought after, provided
they were well proportioned, and pocket editions of their larger
brethren.

Pomeranians are going on well, and breeders need have no
fear about rinding willing purchasers at paying prices for as many
first-class specimens as they can produce. They must, however,
be of high quality, as the great demand of recent years has
brought forward a supply of second and third raters which will
not command high figures or reflect much credit on their breeders.

In general build, and coat more especially, the Pomeranian
should somewhat resemble the rough-coated Collie, with the differ-
ence that the head, which should have a flat skull, should be
shorter, ears smaller and carried perfectly erect, and the tail curled
up from the root, tightly over the side, or lying flat on the back,
and of course very fully furnished with long, straight hair. He
should be a compact, cobby dog, well proportioned in build, with
a short back, standing on straight limbs, and possessing a profuse
coat of long, perfectly straight, glossy hair all over his body, forming
a mane and frill round his neck and chest of longer hair, with
fore legs feathered behind, and thighs heavily coated, but hind legs
not feathered below the knee joint. He should be bright and
intelligent in expression, exhibit much buoyancy and activity in
disposition, and should not exceed 25lb. in weight, smaller speci-
mens being much more valuable. At the larger shows Pomeranians
are generally classified as follow : not exceeding 81b. and over 81b.
in weight.

554

BRITISH DOGS

Colour is a matter of taste. Pomeranians may be procured
pure white, black, brown, blue, sable, red, orange, and shades
and combinations of most of these colours. Just now shades of
brown and blue are most popular, but there are good specimens
to be seen of nearly all the colours above named, and of almost
all sizes, from large medium to the tiniest Toys, so that there is
abundant choice.

The specimens selected for illustrating this chapter (Figs. 113 and
114) have often been before the writer, and taken many prizes.
Park Swell is one of the best of the large-sized whites that have

FIG. 113.— LARGE-SIZED WHITE POMERANIAN PARK SWELL.

been produced within the last ten years. He is a son of Park
Masher, and is much the better of the two, but both are very
typical, and carry excellent coats of pure white and of good texture.
They were first shown by the late Mr. John Duckworth, of Accring-
ton, and sold by him to Mrs. Riley, of Brighton. They were seen
a good deal in the largest shows, and must have taken a great
number of prizes.

Blue Jacket (Fig. 114) belonged to Miss Ives, of Stockport, a
young lady who has made a speciality of this colour, and probably
owns the largest number of winning specimens in the possession of
one owner. He was of medium size, and good, sound, slate-blue

THE POMERANIAN

555

colour, well proportioned, and of excellent type, and a winner of
many prizes in keen competition. Blue Jacket had the credit of
possessing the faculty not only of reproducing his own colour in
his descendants, but of being the sire of many Toys of high quality
when suitably mated.

As already stated, in selecting a puppy, especial attention should
be paid to the head. The fox-like head is correct, and that
combined with a short body and dark eyes. The ears in a
young puppy are not erect, and therefore ear-carriage cannot be
taken into account. At birth the ears of Pomeranian puppies
droop, and it is not until
they are from three to six
months, or even older, that
the erect carriage is assumed.
This is largely influenced by
the teething process, and
puppies that suffer much at
such a period not infrequently
carry their ears irregularly.
In black puppies, as in other
self-colours, it is not unusual
to find a little white on
chest; frequently this is
moulted out with the casting
of the first coat.

The following is the de-
scription of the breed as drawn
up by the Pomeranian Club,
and revised by that body in
1901 : —

FIG. 114. — TOY POMERANIAN BLUE
JACKET.

Appearance. — The Pomeranian
in build and appearance should be
a compact, short-coupled clog, well
knit in frame. His head and face
should be fox-like, with small,

erect ears that appear sensible to every sound ; he should exhibit great intel-
ligence in his expression, docility in his disposition, and activity and buoyancy
in his deportment.

Head. — The head should be somewhat foxy in outline, or wedge-shaped,
the skull being slightly flat (although in the Toy varieties the skull may be
rather rounder), large in proportion to the muzzle, which should finish rather fine
and be free from lippiness. The teeth should be level, and on no account under-
shot. The head in its profile may exhibit a little " stop," which, however, must
not be too pronounced, and the hair on head and face must be smooth or
short-coated.

Eyes. — The eyes should be medium in size, rather oblique in shape, not set
too wide apart, bright and dark in colour, showing great intelligence and
docility of temper. In a white dog black rims round the eyes are preferable.

556 BRITISH DOGS

Ears. — The ears should be small, not set too far apart nor too low down, and
carried perfectly erect, like those of a fox, and, like the head, should be covered
with soft, short hair. No plucking or trimming is allowable.

Nose. — In black, black-and-tan, or white dogs the nose should be black ;
in other coloured Pomeranians it may more often be brown or liver-coloured ;
but in all cases the nose must be self-, not parti-, coloured, and never white.

Neck and Shoulders. — The neck, if anything, should be rather short, well
set on, and lion-like, covered with a profuse mane and frill of long, straight
hair, sweeping from the under jaw and covering the whole of the front part of
the shoulders and chest as well as the top part of the shoulders. The shoulders
must be tolerably clean and laid well back.

Body. — The back must be short and the body compact, being well ribbed
up, and the barrel well rounded. The chest must be fairly deep and not
too wide.

Legs. — The fore legs must be perfectly straight, of medium length, not such
as would be termed either "leggy" or "low on leg," but in due proportion
in length and strength to a well-balanced frame, and the fore legs and thighs
must be well feathered, the feet small and compact in shape. No trimming
is allowable.

Tail.— The tail is a characteristic of the breed, and should be turned
over the back and carried flat, being profusely covered with long, spreading
hair.

Coat. — Properly speaking, there should be two coats, an under- and an over-coat,
the one, a soft, fluffy undercoat, and the other a long, perfectly straight coat,
covering the whole of the body, being very abundant round the neck and
fore part of the shoulders and chest, where it should form a frill of profuse,
standing-off, straight hair, extending over the shoulders as previously described.
The hindquarters, like those of the Collie, should be similarly clad with long
hair or feathering from the top of the rump to the hocks. The hair on the
tail must be, as previously described, profuse, and spreading over the back.

Colotir. — The following colours are admissible : — White, black, blue or grey,
brown, sable or shaded sable (including red, orange, or fawn), and parti-colours.
The whites must be quite free from lemon or any colour, and the blacks, blues,
browns, and sables from any white. A few white hairs in any of the self-
colours shall not absolutely disqualify, but should carry great weight against
a dog. In parti-coloured dogs the colours should be evenly distributed on
the body in patches; a dog with a white foot or a white chest would not be
a parti-coloured. Whole-coloured dogs with a white foot or feet, leg or legs,
are decidedly objectionable, and should be discouraged, and cannot compete
as whole-coloured specimens. In mixed classes — i.e. where whole-coloured
and parti-coloured Pomeranians compete together — the preference should, if in
other points they are equal, be given to the whole-coloured specimens.

N.B. — Where classification by weight is made, the following scale, passed
by the Club as the most suitable division, should be adopted by Show
Committees : —

1. Not exceeding 81b. (Toys).

2. Exceeding 81b.

Where classification by colour is made, the following should be adopted : —

1. Black.

2. White.

3. Brown or Chocolate.

4. Sable and Shaded Sable.

5. Blue or Grey.

6. Any other colour.

THE POMERANIAN 557

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Appearance

... 15

Head...

••• 5

Eyes ...

••• 5

Ears ...

••• 5

Nose ...

••• 5

Neck and Shoulders

••• 5

Body...

... 10

Legs ...

••• 5

Tail ...

... 10

Coat ...

... 25

Colour

... 10

Total ... ... 100

CHAPTER LII
THE SCHIPPERKE

JUST as in England we are mainly indebted to the working classes
for many of our most beautiful Toy dogs (the Yorkshire Terrier, for
instance), as well as for some of our gamest and best all-round
Terriers (the Bedlington Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and
the Irish Terrier, to go no further), so is it with other countries. In-
deed, the subject of the present chaper, though now elevated to the
rank of a fashionable pet-dog, less than twenty years ago was com-
paratively unknown here, and in its native country (Belgium) was
chiefly a barge-dog, employed for the dual purpose of giving the
alarm and of keeping down the rats.

In even casually looking down the list of varieties of dogs
that are given varietal rank in the Kennel Club Stud Book, a
thing that strikes one very forcibly is the very large number of
foreign breeds that have found a permanent home here. More-
over, in this connection it is only fair to state that, however distasteful
foreign productions generally may be to John Bull, the fact remains
that all who would enjoy the uses and companionship of some of
the most desirable of small dogs must pocket their insular
prejudices.

The Schipperke very quickly ingratiated himself with English
dog-lovers, and despite the drawback that docking of a rather severe
form had to be performed on many of the earlier specimens, the
breed, so far as patronage is concerned, has not looked back. So far
the Schipperke has never been extensively boomed, nor has it ever
had a " pat on the back " as a breed from distinguished personages,
that has given a fillip to many another variety. Rather has it had
to rely upon its individual merits than upon any extraneous assist-
ance. Instead of being the favourite of kings and of nobles — like the
Toy Spaniel, for instance — the Schipperke at one time had no more
aristocratic owners than the Belgian barge and canal-boat men, or
it may be of drivers of coaches, carts, and other vehicles. Though
usually chiefly associated with boats, the Schipperke was also
employed as a watch-dog on carts, etc. In fact, in the earlier de-

THE SCHIPPERKE

559

scriptions of the breed that were published by the Brussels Schipperke
Club this was duly set forth, as the following translation will
show :

" This faithful little dog, frequently met with on our barges and
canal-boats, is characterised by great intelligence. By his fidelity,
vigilance, obedience, and good temper with children, his graceful
and elegant shape and carriage, and his perfect cleanliness, he has
become the favourite dog for the house. He has also a great fancy
for the company of horses, and on this account was formerly em-

FIG. 115.— TYPICAL SCHIPPERKES.

ployed as a watch-dog on coaches, diligences, and carts, where, sitting
proud, attentive, and fierce, on the front or highest part of the
vehicle, he seemed more at home than in any other position. He
is a veritable demon at such vermin as mice, rats, etc."

Laudatory generally as this description is, yet it is in the main
truthful, and especially if the little dog be allowed to associate with
really sporting Terriers, when all that is best and brightest is de-
veloped, which is certainly not the case when he is treated simply
as a pampered pet.

Though there are many things which have conduced to place the

560 BRITISH DOGS

Schipperke in the exalted position he now enjoys in the affection of
English dog-lovers, yet the chief are undoubtedly his smart, compact
appearance, his vigilance, alertness, and his general companionable
qualities. In fact, it would be difficult indeed to point to a more
suitable small dog for the house, for the " Schip " has all the best
characteristics of the hardier Terriers, and but few of their faults.
The worst that can be said of the little dog is that his somewhat
harsh " yap-yap" is a bit distracting in a house where " nerves " are
plentiful. No wonder, therefore, that his progress has been rapid,
and that at every show of any importance in this country a classi-
fication for the breed is provided. Added to which there are
two specialist Clubs in this country, each having as its chief
aim the furtherance of the variety ; while Scotland also has its
specialist Club. The English Schipperke Club was founded in
1890, and the St. Hubert Schipperke Club some four years later.
Each club has its description of the breed, differing only in minor
details ; but the St. Hubert Schipperke Club's is based upon the
Belgium Schipperke Club's standard of 1888.

Naturally of a robust constitution, the Schipperke scores con-
siderably over many of the other foriegn breeds that have found
favour here. The variety may truly be described as hard as nails,
and the writer has kept dozens of the breed, treating them in the
matter of exercise just as he did a kennel of mixed Terriers.
Indeed, he has found that in a heather and whin country (an
admittedly trying one for the feet of any dog) the Schipperke has
been quite the equal of the best of the Terriers so far as facing the
country was concerned. Seldom does a dog treated rationally get
sick or sorry ; naturally a dog required for show must lead a more
artificial life, with of course its attendant troubles.

No coddling is necessary with the Schipperke, as may be
imagined from the dog's past Frequently, however, owners in this
country, in mistaken kindness, keep their dogs too much indoors,
feed them on too luxurious a diet, and do not afford them the
amount of exercise so active a dog as the Schipperke requires.
The result of this is skin troubles and other ailments. With the
earlier imported Schipperkes eczema was a very common and
troublesome disease (probably largely the result of inbreeding) ;
but this tendency to eczema has very largely disappeared. Some
seven or eight years ago Mrs. Heard, whose star as a breeder was
at that time in the ascendant, wrote : " Imported Schipperkes very
frequently arrive full of eczema; so that the breed must be pre-
disposed to the complaint (inbreeding, I suppose)." She then goes
on : " My strongest plea for the Schipperke is, Let him be a game and
strong, companionable dog, and prevent him from degenerating into
a lap-dog. The delightful ways and affectionate disposition of
the breed charm all who keep it ; but when brought up hardy,

THE SCHIPPERKE 561

Schipperkes lose none of their virtues — rather, on the other hand,
are they accentuated."

The words of Mrs. Heard are words of wisdom, and if only
those breeders of the Schipperke would cease from coddling, the
constitution, always a hardy one, could be materially strengthened.
The writer breeds a few litters every year, and never provides any
artificial warmth for the dam and her puppies. The kennels are
all outdoor ones.

When the Schipperke was first introduced in this country it was
heralded as a tailless breed. Nothing, however, could be more
erroneous. That some puppies are born tailless is perfectly true ;
but the majority are made so artificially, the docking being best
performed when the puppies are but a few days old. Formerly it
was the practice to remove every vestige of the tail ; now by the
description the " merest stump " is allowed, though the possession
of even the merest stump militates against a dog's chances in the
show-ring. Many docked specimens, too, seem to lack an important
characteristic— the rounded rump that was such a feature of the
old-time dogs. They have, in fact, a straight-backed, Terrier-like
appearance, instead of the guinea-pig-like hindquarters that should
obtain. Then, again, it will be noted that the foxy type of head
that also was a characteristic of the earlier imported Schips is fast
disappearing, together with the dark brown, hazel eye, the tapering,
pointed ear, well-sprung ribs, dense, abundant coats that English
and Belgium standards alike suggest should be found.

As well as the rounded rump, other features that give character
to the Schipperke are the mane (the prolongation and thickening of
the coat in the neck vicinity), and the culotte (thigh-breeching) of
the Belgian fanciers. The mane is seen to the greatest advantage
when the dog is excited, and is far more pronounced in the males
than in the females. Schipperke fanciers that wish to preserve the
mane should not allow their dogs to wear collars longer at a time
than is necessary to accustom them thereto. Nor should the collar
at any time be of the flat kind; the round or rein collar is far
preferable.

Black is the only colour that is allowed in a Schipperke, and now
and then one finds a queer-coloured puppy in a litter — a throw-
back to an ancestor in a country where other colours are common —
or less often a pure white, or a black heavily marked with white.
Puppies with a few white hairs are often met with, and though it
handicaps, does not disqualify a dog. In puppies such white
hairs are sometimes shed at the first moult and not again
renewed.

The head of the Schipperke, it cannot be too well borne in mind,
should be wide and flat, and all puppies and adults showing round
skulls should be carefully avoided, as also should those whose eyes,

36

562 BRITISH DOGS

alike as to colour and shape, do not agree with the description
published below. As, too, it is desirable to make as much possible,
when showing a Schipperke, of the mane and culotte, a little extra
grooming to emphasise these will not be lost. So far as the mane
is concerned, it is well to brush this the reverse way, so that "it
stands well out.

To Mr. G. R. Krehl attaches not a little of the kudos for bring-
ing this active, alert little dog before the notice of the English
dog-loving public, alike by means of his imported specimens and his
contributions upon the breed. Other earlier fanciers and breeders
of the Schipperke that may be named are Mr. W. R. H. Temple,
Mr. E. B. Joachim, Mr. Woodivviss, Messrs. Singer and Hill, Mr.
Bendle Moore, Mr. Fuller, and Mrs. Heard, two of whose dogs
that in the past have gained fame for their owner are illustrated.

The description of the breed that is appended should enable a
novice to judge with a fair amount of accuracy the chief points that
should be found in even a young puppy. As with all erect-eared
varieties, the Schipperke is born with ears down ; but in the most
promising puppies there are soon evidences of the ears being erected.
Until, however, the teething process is over, it is not possible
to say with certainty how this or that ear will be eventually
carried.

The promoters of the St. Hubert Schipperke Club have agreed
to accept in toto the native standard, and for that purpose have
translated the points as published by the Schipperke Club in
Belgium. The original text and sense are strictly adhered to, and
the translation is as close and literal as it is possible to be, consistent
with using terms that are understood by English breeders.

The following is the standard for judging the Belgian Schip-
perke, as translated and drawn up for the St. Hubert Schipperke
Club, together with some " Supplementary Notes " by Mr. G. R.
Krehl :—

DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHIPPERKE

ADOPTED AT A GENERAL MEETING OF THE BELGIAN SCHIPPERKE CLUB,
JUNE igTH, 1888

Character and General Appearance. — The Schipperke is an excellent and faith-
ful little watchdog, who does not readily make friends with strangers. He is very
active, always on the alert, and very courageous in defending objects left in his
charge, but also gentle with children. A characteristic peculiarity of the breed
is their exceeding inquisitiveness and lively interest in everything going on about
them, their excitement b'eing expressed by sharp barks and the bristling mane.
They are game and good vermin dogs.

Colour. — Self-coloured ; black.

Head. — Foxy.

Nose. — Small.

Eye. — Dark brown, small, oval rather than round, neither deep set nor pro-
minent, lively and keen.

THE SCHIPPERKE 563

Ears.— Quite erect, small, triangular, and set on high. Of sufficient substance
that they cannot be folded otherwise than lengthways, and very mobile.

Teeth. — Very white, strong, and quite level.

Neck. — Strong, full, and carried upright.

Shoulders. — Sloping, and with easy action.

Chest. — Broad in front and well let down.

Back. — Straight, but supple.

Loins. — Broad and powerful.

Fore Legs. — Quite straight, fine, and well under the body.

Feet. — Small, round, and well knuckled up, nails straight, strong, and
short.

Thighs. — Powerful, very muscular, and hocks well let down.

Body. — Short and thick set, the ribs well sprung, rather drawn up in loin.

Tail. — Absent.

Coat. — Dense and harsh, smooth on the ears, short on the head, the front of
the fore legs, and the hocks, and also rather short on the body, but profuse round
the neck, commencing from behind the ears, forming a mane and a frill on the
chest. This longer coat looses itself between the fore legs. The back of the
thighs are feathered, forming the " culotte" the fringe of which is turned
inwards.

Weight. — Maximum for the small size, I2lb. ; and for the large size, 2olb.

Faults. — A light-coloured eye. Ears semi-erect, too long or rounded. Head
narrow and elongated, or too short. Coat sparse, wavy, or silky. Absence of the
mane and " culotte" Coat too long, and white spots. Undershot.

RELATIVE VALUE OF POINTS

Head, Nose, Eyes, and Teeth 20

Ears 10

Neck, Shoulders, and Chest ... ... ... ... ... 10

Back and Loins ... ... ... ... ... 5

Fore Legs 5

Hind Legs 5

Feet 5

Hindquarters ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Coat and Colour 30

Total 100

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

A lethargic air is detrimental, as the restless temperament of the
Schipperke contributes greatly to the breed's "character." When
in full coat, the dog should be black entirely, but when it is
changing, the coat will sometimes present a rusty apearance. This
brown tinge, which, under the circumstances, is natural, must not be
confounded with the brindled colour sometimes to be found on
badly bred specimens. When the self-coloured black Schipperke
is "off colour," there is a woolly look about the coat. The mane
(criniere) and thigh-breeching (culotte) are of the greatest importance ;
the first-mentioned imparting a leonine aspect to the little Schipperkes.
This mane is composed of long, harsh hairs growing through an
undercoat so abundant and dense as to support them from the thick
neck — this gives the mane a full appearance. As the Belgian

564 BRITISH DOGS

standard states, the mane should " commence behind the ears,"
and it should finish a little below the shoulder points. On dogs
that have a good mane, such as Champions Hubert and Frans,
and Exter Menne, it is easy to see where the mane stops and the
ordinary body-coat continues ; the mane appearing to fall over the
body-coat. The coat on the back and sides is often not so coarse
in texture as the mane, but it generally becomes a little harsher just
over the hips and on the " breeches." The literal description of
the texture of the coat in the Belgian standard is resistant au toucher,
which may be freely translated " harsh," but it does not mean wiry.
The French expression precludes the hairs being woolly or fluffy,
and if the Belgian breeders had desired to say that they required
more than harshness they had the phrase handy, "poil dur" which
is " hard coat." Therefore, the pin-wire hair, or cocoa-nut matting
texture of coat which is sought after in some Terrier varieties would
not be correct for a Schipperke, whose coat should be, not soft, but
" resistant au toucher" The culotte, or thigh-breeching, is as charac-
teristic and essential as the mane, and the Belgian standard includes
among " faults " the absence of both or either. This question of
coat is deserving of considerable attention, as it is necessary to
avoid the long coat all over the body of the Pomeranian and the
wiry coat of the Welsh Terrier. These are the Scylla and Charybdis
through which the barge dogs have to steer their way, as it would
be equally fatal to be cast on the hard rock of the wire-hair as to
get lost in the Pomeranian whirlpool. If, with the delusive hope of
obtaining the mane, a Pomeranian cross were resorted to, the
experiment would be exposed by the resulting long coat all over the
body, instead of the full mane falling over a short coat on the back.
In the points it will be observed thirty have been allotted to " coat
and colour," these being deemed of equal importance with " head
and ears," and just as distinctive of the breed. Judging by points
should never be adopted, as their only object is to explain to the
novice the relative values. A white spot is included among the
faults, but a few straggling white hairs are tolerable. The one word
"foxy" serves to describe the head, and the skull must be wide
and flat, like other varieties of prick-eared Canidce, such as the Collie,
Pomeranian, Arctic dogs, etc. An undershot jaw is an intolerable
blemish. The word "full" applied to the neck requires it to be
thick and suggestive of virility. The neck of the female is seldom
so full as the male's, nor do the bitches carry as much mane as the
dogs. The back of the Schipperke is described as straight, but it
should round off at the rump, which should be rotund and full,
guinea-pig-like. The continued straight line of a Terrier's back is
not desirable, but it will frequently be found in specimens that have
been docked. The " tailless breed " theory is a myth ; none of the
Canida were originally tailless, but the regular removal of the stern

THE SCHIPPERKE 565

for generations will cause any breed that is so operated upon to give
birth to tailless pups. This has been the case with Schipperkes.
It is said that a docked dog can be told from one that has been
born tailless in this way : when the docked animal is pleased, a
slight movement at the end of the spine where the tail was cut off
is discernible, but the naturally tailless dog sways the whole of its
hindquarters. The Belgian standard requires the legs to be " fine,"
and not have much bone. The bone of a Terrier is only met with
in coarse Schipperkes. As to size, it need only be noted that the
maximum of the small size — viz. i2lb. — is that generally preferred
in England, as well as in Belgium. Further, it is only necessary to
remark that the Schipperke is a dog of quality, of distinct character-
istics, cobby in appearance, not long in the back, nor high on the
leg ; the muzzle must not be weak and thin, nor short and blunt ;
and, finally, he is not a prick-eared, black, wire-haired Terrier.

CHAPTER LIII
THE PUG

IT is not uncommon for people to be misled by sound as to fact.
Quoting from " Hudibras " in confirmation of this statement :

Agrippa kept a Stygian Pug
I'th' garb and habit of a dog,
That was his tutor.

To go from Butler to Gay, we find these lines :

Poor Pug was caught, to town conveyed,
There sold. How envied was his doom,
Made captive in a lady's room !

Howell, writing in 1660, says : " My pretty pug, ma belle,
m'amie" This appears to have been, at the time, a commonly
familiar and endearing form of address.

From the more pleasing poetical allusions and illusions let us
turn to the practical naturalist.

Richardson says : " The Pug is a flat-nosed dog, so called from
its resemblance to a monkey."

Bell, author of "British Quadrupeds," says : "The Pug, which
has somewhat the aspect of the Bulldog, is a small variety with
the same projection of the lower jaw, the same close, short hair,
and similar conformation of body. It is, however, the very reverse
of that savage race in disposition, being remarkably timid, and
though possessing little sagacity, tolerably good-tempered. It is
useless in the field, and kept only as a pet, for which purpose,
however, it is greatly inferior to most other dogs."

Although the word pug originally meant an imp, or little demon,
the name is not applied to the dog in a sinister sense, but with a
kindly feeling, as we playfully call a spirited child a little imp, as
that most kind-hearted of poets, the Ettrick Shepherd, wrote of
his children :

My imps, though hardy, bold, and wild,
As best befits the mountain child.

This point has been dwelt upon because so many present-day
writers have copied " Idstone's " errors.

THE PUG 567

Every writer on Pugs since the issue of " Stonehenge's " work,
in 1859, has informed his readers that twenty, thirty, or fifty years
ago — according to the date of their writing — the Pug dog was
exceedingly scarce, and, indeed, all but lost. There is no need to
lament any such scarcity now. As soon as the tide of fashion
turned and again set in for Pugs, the creation of the supply com-
menced, and now, like so many others, the Pug market is over-
stocked, and everywhere, in town and country, these animals abound.

" Idstone," writing in 1872, hazards the opinion, or, rather,
expresses a doubt, whether we could produce half a dozen specimens
equal to what existed a century ago. " Idstone " apparently under-
valued the Pugs of the day when he penned the remarks quoted ;
and ever since there have been dozens of first-class Pug dogs shown,
and there are and always have been a very much greater number
in private hands which are never exhibited. There are, however,
still too few good ones, an immense quantity of mediocre ones,
and a superabundance of " weeds." The fact is, dog shows have
given a tremendous impetus to breeding. Yet, very few who take
up dog breeding as a sort of " hobby that can be made to pay "
seem to have any idea that there are certain laws of breeding which
must be followed if success is to be attained, and that, together with
the exercise of a grasping spirit, which will turn every pup, however
worthless, into coin of the realm, fills the country with rubbish.
It is quite certain that there are far more puppies of this and other
breeds born than ought to be allowed to live. Many are so weak
in vitality that they are sure, if they live at all, to grow up diseased
and " weedy," and a majority are so wanting in the essential qualities
of the breed that no one with a real desire to improve our dogs
would think of rearing them. But such dogs are reared and bred
from on account of a supposed value attaching to their pedigrees,
and so faults are propagated and intensified.

Much has been written on the origin of the Pug, but all seems
to be merely conjecture. One writer says we first obtained the
Pug from Muscovy, and that he is an undoubted native of that
country ; another, that he is indigenous to Holland ; whilst others
assert the Pug to be a cross between our English Bulldog and the
small Dane.

Dogs of Pug character are widely distributed : a dog nearly
akin to him is met with in China and Japan, he is well known in
Russia, a favourite in Germany, plentiful in Holland and Belgium,
and common enough in France.

From the date of his resuscitation in this country his history
is much clearer, and by the aid of the Stud Books and other
means will be kept so. In "Dogs of the British Islands" "Stone-
henge" states, and no doubt on the best authority, that in the
decade 1840-50, among other breeders who attempted to bring the

568 BRITISH DOGS

Pug up to its former distinguished position in this country, foremost
and most successful was the then Lady Willoughby d'Eresby, who
succeeded, by crossing a dog obtained in Vienna with a bitch of
a strong fawn colour imported from Holland, and afterwards by
carefully selecting from their stock dogs for breeding, in establishing
the once celebrated Willoughby strain. The same excellent authority
states that the pale-coloured Morrison strain is lineally descended
from a stock in the possession of Queen Charlotte, and through
them, no doubt, to inherit the blood of the favourites of King
William III., who, it seems, from historical memoranda, first
established the breed in this country. The late Mr. Morrison, it
is assumed, obtained the breed through the servants of the Royal
household, and by careful breeding established a strain that bears
his name. It appears, therefore, that both the Willoughby and
Morrison strains were strong in Dutch blood, the Morrison being
the more purely Dutch.

No doubt there were many other sources to which the present
race of Pugs is partly due, but it is not now usual to call every fawn
or stone-coloured Pug a Willoughby, and the paler yellowish ones
Morrisons ; the two strains have been frequently united, and in a
class of twenty almost every shade of colour between the two that
mark these strains is met with.

The popularity of the Pug seems to have been at neap tide at
the beginning of last century, if we may judge from the following
remarks of a cynical writer of that period : " Perhaps in the
whole catalogue of the canine species there is not one of less
utility, or possessing less the power of attraction, than the Pug
dog ; applicable to no sport, appropriated to no useful purpose,
susceptible of no predominant passion, and in no way remarkable
for any extra eminence, he is continued from era to era for what
alone he might have been originally intended — the patient follower
of a ruminating philosopher, or the adulating and consolatory
companion of an old maid." With these views and sentiments
Pug-lovers, whether " ruminating philosophers," maids, or matrons,
are not likely to be in sympathy. One would suppose the writer to
have been a cantankerous old bachelor, caring for nothing but his
pipe, his Pointer, and his gun.

In the First Edition of " British Dogs " were quoted the opinions in
detail given by many eminent breeders of that time ; but as since
then the Pug Dog Club has been formed, and has practically
adopted the late Mr. Hugh Dalziel's description (printed below),
although with important omissions, it is needless to repeat the
letters now.

" The general appearance and symmetry of the Pug are decidedly
square and cobby ; a lean, leggy dog and a long-backed, short-legged

THE PUG 569

one are equally out of harmony with the ideal Pug, which, although
not so graceful in contour as the Greyhound and some of the
Terriers, should yet be so well proportioned that each part is, as to
size, in harmony and conformity with every other, and in combination
forming a symmetrical whole. Condition, which materially affects a
dog's chance in the judging-ring, alters the general appearance, and
destroys the symmetry when it represents extreme poverty or
excessive obesity. The Pug is a multum in parvo ; but this con-
densation, if one may use the word, should be shown by compactness
of form, in well-knit proportions, and hardness of developed muscle.

The head should be round and short, the skull well domed and
large, to correspond with the general size — bigness is the better
word — of this delightful little ladies' pet. The muzzle must be short
and square (a pointed muzzle is a serious drawback). The nose is
short, but the Pug is not ' up-faced,' like the Bulldog : his nose
should be decidedly of the snub variety, but not retrousse. The
protrusion of the tongue is a deformity often arising from partial
paralysis of that useful organ, and apt to appear in all short-faced
dogs ; but it should always be looked on as a fault.

The ears should be small, thin, soft, and velvety, and black in
colour. Some are carried flat, and close to the face, called the
' button ear ' ; others have the ears partially thrown back, the edge
again slightly folding forward, and a portion of the interior shown.
This corresponds with a variety of ear of the Bulldog called the
'rose ear.' I prefer the 'rose' to the 'button ' ear in both breeds,
the latter giving a dull, heavy, almost sulky look to the countenance.

The eyes are dark in colour, very large, bold, and prominent,
globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, and very
lustrous, and, when excited, full of fire. There should be no
tendency to water, or weep, as it is called.

It was formerly insisted that there should be a black mole, with
three hairs growing out of it, on each cheek. ' Stonehenge,' in his
valuation of points, gives five for this. ' Idstone ' lays it down as
important, and hundreds have re-echoed the opinion. A mole on
each cheek is not peculiar to Pugs, but will, on examination, be
found in every breed, and is easily enough seen on all smooth-faced
dogs.

The mask is the black colour of the face. The more intense it
is, the better, and it should include the eyes, running in a straight
line across the forehead ; the more sharply defined this mask is,
the better, as the contrast between it and the body colour is thereby
more strongly marked. Separate from the mask is a black patch,
or thumb-mark, and no Pug can be considered absolutely perfect
without it. The loose skin of the head forms into wrinkles, which
alter in depth with the varying emotions of the dog ; when seen at
their greatest, they give a frowning look to the face. The lines of

570 BRITISH DOGS

these wrinkles can be traced when the skin is stretched, or smooth,
by deeper shades of colour.

The trace is a dark line — the blacker the better — running along
the back, right to the end of the tail. It should be clearly defined,
and narrow, gin. to lin. at broadest.

The colour of the pure Morrison was a yellow-fawn, the pure
Willoughby a cool stone or light drab ; but the two strains have
been much interbred, and good Pugs of many various shades are
now met with. What is called the ' apricot fawn ' was in vogue
with many ; but the great consideration is to get the colour — whatever
its shade — decided enough, and with a very pronounced contrast
between it and the black of the mask, trace, and vent. The
commonest fault in colour is smuttiness^ the mask spreading over the
whole head, the trace extending down each side, and the fawn hairs
of the body being more or less shaded with black. A correspondent
informs me that Mr. Beswicke Royd's family, who for many genera-
tions owned a very fine breed of Pugs, now lost, had one pair — the
last — that invariably threw one pure white pup in each litter. The
eminent veterinarian Elaine records a similar instance in a Pug
bitch of his own, which in three consecutive litters had one pure
white pup. A white Pug with good points is a curiosity, and the
production of a strain of them does not seem impossible. Four or
five specimens were benched a few years ago.

A great fault with many Pugs shown now is coarseness of coat.
The coat should be fine, smooth, soft, and glossy. The skin is
extremely loose, and when a handful is taken, the coat, although thus
handled, felt against the grain, should be neither hard nor woolly.

The neck is short, thick, and fleshy, and with the skin loose and
free ; although there is seldom a decided dewlap, still there must be
an abundance of skin, or the head will be void of wrinkles.

The Pug is wide across the chest, wide through the barrel, and
square in the quarters ; the back is fairly broad, and the whole body
stout and thick-set.

The legs must be straight, and well under him, of moderate length.
The dog should stand about i2in. high, and at that height should
weigh about 1510. The legs should be strong, and the feet rather
long, or hare-shaped ; the toes well split up, and the toenails black.

The tail is of great importance. The more tightly and closely
it is curled over the hip, the more is thought of it ; and in a winner
nowadays the double curl is almost indispensable."

The following is the description of points adopted by the Pug
Dog Club:—

Symmetry. — Symmetry and general appearance, decidedly square and cobby.
A lean, leggy Pug and a dog with short legs and a long body are equally
objectionable.

THE PUG 571

Size and Condition. — The Pug should be a mitltum in parvo ; but this conden-
sation (if the word may be used) should be shown by compactness of form, well-
knit proportions, and hardness of developed muscle. Weight to be from I3lb. to
I7lb. (dog or bitch).

Body. — Short and cobby, wide in chest, and well ribbed up.

Legs. — Very strong, straight, of moderate length, and well under.

Feet.— Neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat :
toes well split up, and the nails black.

Muzzle. — Short, blunt, square, but not up-faced.

Head. — Large, massive, round (not apple-headed), with no indentation of the
skull.

Eyes. — Dark in colour, very large, bold, and prominent, globular in shape,
soft and solicitous in express on, very lustrous, and, when excited, full of
fire.

Ears. — Thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There are two kinds — the "rose"
and " button." Preference is given to the latter.

Markings. — Clearly defined. The muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks,
thumb-mark or diamond on forehead, and back trace should be as black as
possible.

Mask. — The mask should be black ; the more intense and well defined it is,
the better.

Wrinkles. — Large and deep.

Trace. — A black line extending from the occiput to the tail.

Tail. — Curled tightly as possible over the hip. The double curl is
perfection.

Coat. — Fine, smooth, soft, short, and glossy ; neither hard nor woolly.

Colour. — Silver or apricot-fawn. Each should be decided, to make the
contrast complete between the colour and the trace and mask.

In respect to size, it will be observed that the Club omits to
note that weight should be relative to height, which is rather
important. The Club has not given the Pug a neck, although that
is* not an unimportant part of the anatomy. In regard to " the
moles on the cheeks," they now receive no consideration in the
scale of points.

It was in the autumn of 1886 that black Pugs were first brought
into notice, a class being given for them at the Maidstone Show,
all the exhibits being from the kennel of the late Lady Brassey.
Two or three of these were compact, good-coated specimens, Jack
Spratt, whose name appears as sire of all the early specimens, being
the largest that was benched. Where Lady Brassey obtained her
first specimen was never then clearly stated ; it was surmised that
she became enamoured of a black Chinese Pug when she visited
that country in her yacht the Sunbeam, and either purchased one, or
mated a fawn female to a Chinese black dog. There is, however,
some reason for thinking that black Pugs in England came from the
fawns of King Duke's strain. Indeed, some breeders profess to
have traced their history back to this dog. If they came from
fawns, it seems just a little remarkable that they bred so true to
colour as early as 1886.

For some years the breed did not gain favour, as there was a

572

BRITISH DOGS

disposition to lankiness of build and weakness in formation of head
and muzzle. By careful mating with good-headed, compactly built
fawns, however, the black variety soon improved, and to-day is in
great demand. Its points are the same as those for fawns (colour
excepted). It must be entirely black, free from white hairs anywhere.
When the coat is about to be shed, it has a disposition to turn rusty
in colour, but this vanishes with the new coat. Fig. 116 illustrates
a present-day champion, and has been kindly lent by the Editor
of the Illustrated Kennel News.

White Pugs did not win any friends when a few of them were

FIG. 116. — BLACK PUG CHAMPION IMPI.

benched some years back. The late Mr. Hugh Dalziel, who
interested himself in this sub-variety, considered they were too light
in build to please connoisseurs ; but this fault might have disappeared
with time, as it did with the black variety. Anyway, we never see
any exhibited now, or hear of them being bred. Rough-coated or
long-haired Pugs are not very numerous, but they have appeared
most frequently in the kennels owned by Mrs. Tulk and Miss
Garniss. Only at intervals do they appear ; and they always come
from the strain owning Moss and Lamb as ancestors. These two
dogs were said to have been " captured " at Pekin well on to fifty
years ago, and it is considered possible they may have had in their

THE PUG 573

veins the blood of a long-coated Chinese dog. Mrs. Tulk has been
successful in also breeding a long-coated black Pug. The tail has
long, straight hair on it, the legs are feathered after the style of a
Toy Spaniel or Pekinese dog, but in build the dog resembles
the smooth-coated Pug as bred in England to-day.

In the breeding of Pugs it is important that the brood bitch
comes from a good strain ; and the mate should be selected chiefly
for his ability to produce the points she is deficient in. Should
she be small in head and narrow in muzzle, it would be well to
select for her a dog getting big skulls and wide jaws, and the
large, open nostrils which are such an improving feature in a Pug,
whether black or fawn. Avoid selecting one whose progeny soon
go grey in muzzle, or whose front legs are not perfectly straight.

When a bitch is in whelp, she should have regular exercise up to
the seventh week, after that only such as she really seems inclined
for, after she has had a short run near home daily ; and her food
should be such qs is likely to keep up her strength without causing
grossness. Clean, fresh water should be provided for her daily.
Puppies should be entirely removed from the mother just before
they are six weeks old, but they may be gradually weaned and
taught to lap at the end of the fourth week. When Pug puppies
are born, their ears are laid back flat from the face, but they
gradually fall into position, and the tip of the ear should be in a
line with the eye.

In selecting a puppy, avoid those who drop down in fore face.
The top of the nostril should be, as near as possible, in a line with
the lower part of the eye. The colour of the ears also should be
well considered, for the light ones do not always become black with
age, although this occasionally happens. Shortness of body, width
of chest, and curl of tail, are all to be desired. In selecting a
female puppy with a view to breeding with her, choose one that is
not very small, and she may be with advantage rather longer in
body than is desirable in a show specimen.

Pugs require comparatively little preparation for the show-bench
compared with other breeds. A warm bath, followed by a nearly
cold rinse, should be given the day before they are to be benched.
When thoroughly dry, the coat may be rubbed with the hand for
some time, or with a silk cloth or a wash-leather, to produce a nice,
glossy appearance ; the first method is usually the more satisfactory.

Pugs, when made a companion of man, show fairly high intel-
ligence : as house-dogs they are ever on the alert, and promptly give
notice of a stranger's approach ; and from their extremely active —
one may say, merry — habits, they are most interesting pets, and well
repay by their gratitude any affection and kindness bestowed on
them. One quality they possess above most breeds, which is a
strong recommendation for them as lap-dogs, and that is their

574 BRITISH DOGS

cleanliness, and freedom from any offensive smell of breath or
skin.

Many ladies, by lavishing mistaken kindness on their Pugs, do
them serious harm. Over-feeding, feeding too often, and on too
rich diet, together with insufficient exercise, cause obesity, with a
host of evils in its train — asthma among others — which make the
dog's life a burden to itself, and a cause of discomfort to the owner.
Nothing does so well for house-dogs as plain biscuits, dry bread,
varied with a few scraps of lean meat from the stock-pot, a little
gravy, and boiled green vegetables — such as cabbage, turnips, and
carrots — and occasionally large rough bones to gnaw and play with,
but smaller ones to crunch and eat very rarely. A little fish, too,
makes a change of diet, and this is desirable in feeding any pet.

CHAPTER LIV
THE MALTESE

ALL English writers upon dogs, new and old, agree in one thing,
and that is, that in centuries long past Malta furnished Toy dogs
for the " dainty dames and mincing mistresses " of both Greece
and Rome. There also appears to be a general agreement that
the Island of Malta is identical with the Melita ascribed by ancient
writers as the home of these pet dogs ; and, further, that we
originally obtained the breed from that place, although some of
them recognise the fact that no proof of the supposition exists.
Dr. Johannes Caius says (writing, be it remarked, of the Toy
Spaniel of his time) : " They are called Meliti, of the Island of
Malta, whence they were brought hither."

Strabo, who was one of the earliest writers to refer specially
to these Toys, does not give Malta as the native place of the
breed, but, on the contrary, writes as follows : " There is a town
in Sicily called Melita, whence are exported many beautiful dogs,
called Canes Melitei. They were the peculiar favourites of the
women ; but now [A.D. 25] there is less account made of these
animals, which are not bigger than common ferrets or weasels ;
yet they are not small in their understanding nor unstable in
their love." Strabo must have been wanting in the organ of
comparativeness, or the weasels of his time were of Brobdingnagian
proportions compared with ours; but the point is, if Melita, in
Sicily, was the birthplace of the so-called Maltese dog, why
ascribe its origin to the Island of Malta?

As stated, practically every English writer seems to have taken
it for granted that the dog we call Maltese originally came from
Malta ; but not one offers the slightest proof in support of the
assumption. It would be needless to go through the works of
these writers seriatim. " Stonehenge," in his earliest work on
the dog, describes the breed as nearly extinct, but, although " scarce,
still to be obtained in Malta." He, however, in the same work
gives an engraving of a dog, as a Maltese, imported from Manilla.
In " The Dogs of the British Islands," still hankering after Malta

576 BRITISH DOGS

as their birthplace, he confesses his inability " to trace any records
of the dog, after many inquiries made amongst residents in Malta."

Whether the dog once known as a Maltese Terrier be a
descendant, more or less pure, from the breed Strabo wrote of, it
is now impossible to say ; but there is one thing of more practical
value, and that is, that the present-day fanciers of the breed should
know the sort of dog referred to by that name ; and in the minds
of breeders, judges, critics, and fanciers, there should be a clearness
of meaning as to the points making up the dog.

In the 1872 edition of his "Dogs of the British Islands,"
" Stonehenge " discards the Manilla dog, and gives his readers
an engraving of Mandeville's Fido, then at the zenith of his fame,
stating the dog's height to be nin. at shoulder with a weight
of 6ilb., whilst from tip to tip of ears the dog is said to have
measured 2iin. — that is, across the head and two ears. In this
edition we are told that the coat "should be long, and fall in
ringlets, the longer the better." In the 1878 edition it is said :
"There is a slight wave, but no absolute curl."

"The eyes" says "Stonehenge," "should not show the weeping
corner incidental to some Toy Spaniels." Inquiry among ex-
hibitors would have shown him that "weeping" is one of the
most tiresome things exhibitors of Maltese have to contend against.
The watery discharge stains the white hair a dirty red.

"The ears" we are told, "are long," which is not the case;
the skin, or flap, of the ear is short, but the hair upon it is long.
Further, "the roof of the mouth is black." As proof of quality
or purity of breed, we might as well consider the colour of his
liver. Finally, " Stonehenge " objects to this dog being called
a Terrier, because " it has none of the properties of the Terrier
tribe," and that "it approaches very closely to the Spaniel." Rather
strange this from the same -pen that wrote: "This beautiful little
dog is a Skye Terrier in miniature." However, the Kennel Club
has decided that the variety shall now be called Maltese, a dictum
that must be accepted by the Fancy.

By what system of selection these dogs have been brought
to their present form it is not possible to say, although it is not
difficult to imagine several ways of arriving at the end which has
been attained.

In the writer's experience, Maltese are remarkable for cleanliness
in their habits and freedom from doggy taint and smell, but of
course they require washing and brushing. The less combing they
have the better, as it is apt to break the coat and pull out the
hair. If a comb be used, it should be a horn one with coarse
teeth, known to the saddlers as mane combs. These might be
applied to the hindquarters and tail. In the opinion of many,
the use of soap is apt to detract from the desired glossiness of the

THE MALTESE 577

coat, and that it should be seldom, if ever, applied. What is
recommended instead is to beat up a couple of eggs in water with
the chill taken off, adding thereto a tinge of washing blue, and to
wash them in this, rinsing out the coat afterwards with lukewarm
water, and thoroughly drying the dog before a fire. It is claimed
for this treatment that it adds to rather than detracts from the
lustre of the coat, and avoids any chance of affecting the eyes,
which in this variety are naturally susceptible to irritation.

The coat, particularly when at all long, should be gone over
every day with a hair brush having moderately long bristles, parting
the hair from between the eyes, the head, and the back, down to the
root of the tail, and brushing it down the sides as straight as possible ;
then the legs and tail should be dealt with. Any matting or tangle
should be carefully avoided.

The writer's wife spent much of her early life in Malta, and
always had some of these little dogs as pets, and her experience is
that they are devotedly attached to their owners, bright, lively
companions, very keen as house' dogs, and possessed of much
intelligence. As one who has kept Terriers for a lifetime, and had
much to do with most known varieties, the writer does not hesitate
to class Maltese amongst the Terriers. One he has at the present
time is a determined opponent of all cats, even those of his house-
hold ; these, however, have become so used to dogs of many kinds
that they are not afraid of any, and treat her attacks with calm
indifference, merely giving her a sound box on the ear when her
attentions are too troublesome.

Among the earliest and most successful of exhibitors of this
variety was Mr. R. Mandeville, who for a considerable time held
undisputed sway. The last time his celebrated Fido competed
was at the Crystal Palace Show, 1878, when the judge placed
him second to Lady Giffard's Hugh, and before Lord Clyde, a
decision which it is stated Mr. Mandeville expressly endorsed.
Hugh and Lord Clyde were brothers, being out of Madge, who
was by Mandeville's Fido ; and their sire, Prince, was by his Old
Fido ; indeed, most of the Maltese Terriers of any note then shown
were, more or less purely, of Mandeville's strain.

Breeders of this variety have been until lately few in number.
Mr. J. Jacobs, Maltese Cottage, Headington Quarry, Oxon, has
been for nearly half a century one of the principal breeders. On
the show-bench the late Lady Giffard's exquisite little pets, Hugh,
Lord Clyde, Rob Roy, Pixie, Mopsey III., Blanche, etc. — each
more charming than the other — usually proved invincible wherever
they were shown, and nearly all of them claimed Mr. Jacobs as
breeder.

Amongst the most successful breeders and exhibitors of later
years have been the late Mrs. Bligh Monck, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs.

37

578

BRITISH DOGS

Milner, Mrs. Langton (with Vee-Vee and others), Miss Harvey,
Mrs. Bear, Mrs. Graves, Mrs. McCarthy (with Champion Prince
Lilywhite II. Major-General Baden-Powell, and many others),
Mrs. Stallibrass (with Santa Klaus, Lady Brass, Queenie Stallie,
Sir George White, and several more), and Mrs. R. H. Horlock.
All these have shown keen interest in the breed, and its position
is certainly more hopeful than it has been for many years.

One of the illustrations to this article is Champion Prince
Lilywhite II. (Fig. 117), the property of Mrs. McCarthy, who has
been for some years a zealous supporter of the variety, and exhibits
at most of the shows in and near London. This dog carries a heavy
coat of good colour and texture, and has a good head, ears, eyes,

FIG. 117. -MALTESE TERRIER PRINCE LILYWHITE II.

nose, and tail — in fact, is altogether a typical specimen. Still, he
would be better if he were a little shorter in back, but at the
present time he can beat a great many more than can beat him.

The other illustration (Fig. 1 18) is of Sir George White, belonging
to Mrs. Stallibrass. He has not been seen a great deal in the show-
rings, but has much in his favour, as he is very pure in colour
and correct in character of coat, with good eyes, nose, a well-
carried tail, and a short back, added to which he is very active and
showy. He has sometimes been shown out of coat, and this
makes him appear slightly leggy and to have high carriage of ears,
but doubtless when in full coat both these points would be
considerably improved.

Diminutiveness in the Maltese, so long as it is not obtained

THE MALTESE 579

at the expense of typical qualities, is much valued ; and it is
probably due to this fact that the delicacy incidental to puppyhood
may be directly attributable. The maximum weight allowed is 81b.
The Maltese is not a variety adapted to a town life, on account of
the great liability of the coat to soil ; nor is it a variety that has
hitherto been kept with any great chance of success on the show-
bench or of profit by the novice. Though it does not require the
amount of care bestowed upon its toilet as does the Yorkshire Terrier,
yet it runs even that variety very close. Beyond the fact that purity
of colour is shown from the first, there are not manifested any of
those earlier indications of promise found in many other Toys as

FIG. 1 18.— MALTESE TERRIER CHAMPION SIR GEORGE WHITE.

young puppies and that are useful as aids to the purchaser when
making a selection from the nest. Interesting and beautiful though
the Maltese undoubtedly is when in show form, it is not a variety
that can be recommended on the score of general utility.

Recently a Club for furthering the interests of this beautiful variety
has been formed and taken up warmly by many of the most ex-
perienced breeders and exhibitors, so that the prospects of the Maltese
are brighter than probably they have ever been. Mrs. Palmer, who
has long been known as an exhibitor of Maltese, is the Hon.
Secretary, and anxious to do all she can to extend the operation of
the Club.

During 1902 for the first -time, at any rate in this country, classes
were provided for " Other than White," and many persons were

580 BRITISH DOGS

surprised to see how many entries came forward. We have so long
associated Maltese with pure white only, that it will take some time,
as it did in the cases of Poodles and Pomeranians, for the public to
appreciate any other shades. Light brown, fawn, and even black —
though as yet the last named has not been shown here — have
already been produced ; while many whites with more or less spots
and markings have appeared in the classes for "Other than White."
It is not unlikely, as these increase in number and variety, and
something like order in classification is evolved, that the Maltese
classes will be of much more importance in the schedules of the
future than they have hitherto been.

It is well within the memory of living exhibitors when there was
but one class and colour associated with the Pomeranians, now one
of the most popular breeds of Toy dogs, and with a very extensive
range of classes for colour, size, and sex. The same, too, may be
said of the Poodles, which began with one class for Whites, and
now are divided into Corded, Curly, and Toys, with any number
of sub-divisions for colour, size, and sex.

Probably old Maltese fanciers will still keep to the orthodox
White, but the writer can testify from ocular demonstration that
very beautiful and typical specimens can be, and are being, produced
in the ranks of " Other than White." Though owning to a preference
for the self-colours, he sees no reason why there should not be a
future for those with markings, where the other points of excellence
are preserved.

The following are the points of the Maltese as laid down by the
Maltese Club :—

I. WHITE

Head.— Should be much like that of a Drop-eared Skye Terrier in miniature,
but rather shorter and thicker in muzzle ; not mean nor snipy.

Ears.— Moderately long, set on rather low, and covered with long silky hair,
mingling with that on neck and shoulders.

Eyes. — Very dark and piercing, bright, and alert in expression.

A/ose. — Pure black and shiny.

Shotilders. — Sloping, and not too wide.

Back. — Short and cobby, rather than lanky in shape.

Legs. — Rather short than long, with fine bone, well feathered throughout.
Legginess is to be avoided. Feet small, and covered with hair.

Tail. — Short, well feathered, particularly towards the end, and gracefully
carried over the back, its end resting on the hindquarters and side.

Coat. — Long, straight, and silky, free from woolliness or curl ; when in form
it should nearly reach the ground at sides ; very profuse on neck, shoulders, and
chest.

Colour. — Should be pure white all over, without shade or tint.

Weight. — Not to exceed I2lb., the smaller the better, other points being
correct.

General Appearance. — That of a bright, sprightly, active dog, of very taking
character.

THE MALTESE 581

II. COLOURED.

The principal points of difference advocated by Mrs. Pryce Hamilton, Comte
Henri de Bylandt, and other authorities, between the white Maltese as known in
England and the coloured variety until recently only seen on the Continent, are :
Weight, which in this variety must not exceed 8|lb. Length of Body, where it is
especially sought to preserve a short back. Colour ; which may be any self-colour or
parti-colours or white with considerable patches of colour, the more colour the
better.

N.B. — This Club considers that all white Maltese with faint patches of lemon
or black on ears are simply mismarked specimens, and eligible only for the White
classes, and to lose marks in same. The Club is informed by Continental
authorities that the coloured Maltese are "the little Lion dogs of Malta,"
properly so designated.

STANDARD OF POINTS

Head ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Eyes and Nose ... ... ... ... 10

Legs and Feet ... . . ... ... . . . 5

Body and Shape . . ... ... ... ... 10

Tail and its Carriage ... ... .. . ... 10

Coat, its Length and Texture ... ... ... ... 20

Colour (if white, pure and without tint) ... ... ... 15

Condition and Appearance ... ... ... ... 10

Size ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Total . loo

CHAPTER LV
THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER

NOWHERE in England are dog shows so popular as in the counties
of Lancaster and York and their immediate borders ; and here
the Yorkshire Terrier, a manufacture of comparatively recent
years, finds its greatest number of admirers. The dog long went
by the name of Rough or Scotch Terrier. To call them Scotch
Terriers was a misnomer, the true Scotch Terrier being a much
rougher, shorter, and harder-coated dog, of greater size and hardi-
ness, and altogether a rough-and-tumble, working vermin-dog, with
no pretensions to the beauty and elegance of the little " Yorkshire
swell." At one time the Kennel Club classed the Yorkshire Terrier
as "Rough- and Broken-coated," Broken-haired Scotch and Yorkshire
Terriers," and still more recently as " Toy Terriers (Rough)." It
was not until 1886 that the name by which they are universally
known received the hall-mark of authority.

That the Yorkshire Terrier should have been called Scotch by
those who, although they may have the credit of producing this dog,
probably did not know of the existence of the real Scotch Terrier as
a breed, suggests that at least a Terrier of Scotland has had some-
thing to do with his manufacture. Mr. Dalziel's theory respecting
the origin of the Yorkshire Terrier was that the dog was what

Gardeners call "a sport" from some lucky combination of one of the
cotch Terriers — either the genuine Skye or the Paisley Terrier — and
one of the old, soft, and longish-coated Black-and-tan English Terriers,
at one time common enough, and probably one of these with a dash
of Maltese blood in it.

However first obtained, we have at least got them now, and most
owners are satisfied if they can claim a strain of the blood of the
famous Huddersfield Ben, who combined in himself the blood of
three illustrious predecessors — Walshaw's Sandy, Ramsden's Bounce,
and Inman's Don — and was bred by Mr. W. Eastwood, of Hudders-
field, more than thirty years ago.

Although the Yorkshire Terrier is essentially a toy dog, many
of them are not wanting in pluck, and some of the breed have proved

THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER 583

good rat-killers. Probably these belonged to a day when diminutive-
ness and length of coat were not the chief characteristics ; for the
older dogs were larger altogether than those of the present day.
Many of them are veritable little spitfires, as sharp as needles, and,
by their alertness, make excellent house-dogs. Those seen at
exhibitions are shown at their very best, and in parade uniform ; for
all that are purely bred do not prove to be fit for competition at a
show. Much depends, too, on the care taken of the dog, and his
preparation for show'; but some well-bred specimens cannot be got
into good coat, are wanting in colour, and always look scrubby and
ragged.

Artificial means are used to encourage and stimulate the growth
of the hair. The four feet are kept encased in boots, made of soft
linen or rag, so that, even should the dog scratch, the claws being
covered, the coat is neither broken nor pulled out. The diet is also
regulated, and the general health carefully guarded, with a view to
obviate heating of the blood and skin disease. Various preparations
are applied to the skin to stimulate the growth of the hair, and
concerning these nostrums much mystery is often affected.
The following will be found a very safe and efficacious preparation :
Olive oil, 3oz. ; castor oil, 3oz. ; palm oil, loz. ; vaseline, loz. ;
tincture of cantharides, idr. ; oil of rosemary, idr. Mix the first
two together, and add the rest while simmering over a fire. Cocoa-
nut oil and paraffin oil in the proportion of two-thirds of the former
to one-third of the latter is also a capital application^ for promoting
growth of hair and rendering the coat soft and silky ; and when the
dog is at home, and in preparation for a show, he may be advan-
tageously dressed with it daily.

It may be well to say, in respect of the liniment for which
a recipe has been given above, that as some dogs are much
tenderer in the skin than others, its effect should be watched,
and if undue irritation is produced by it, it should, for use on
such dogs, be weakened by mixing with it a portion of plain
olive oil ; and the bottle should always be well shaken before
using its contents. Lanolin has also been highly spoken of as a
coat grower. One often sees mercurial preparations suggested as
coat-growers, but constantly used, they are harmful and likely to
salivate the dog on whom they are applied.

When born, Yorkshire Terrier pups are black-and-tan, and a story
is told of a celebrated judge who, having had a bitch about to become
a mother presented to him, when the pups came duly to hand
drowned them " right off," and wrote to his friend that there must
have been some mistake, as the pups were as black-and-tan as
Manchester Terriers !

In regard to the colour of puppies and the change that takes place

584 BRITISH DOGS

in the second coat, a well-known lady fancier (Mrs. Troughear) said
the best puppies to select are those with a loose, open, and perfectly
straight coat, of a glossy black colour, the black extending well down
the legs, and the muzzle and feet slightly tanned. Some puppies
commence to change colour after the third month, but the change is
a very gradual one, and it is not as a rule until they are nearly twelve
months old that the coat increases in length and density. Others do
not develop the desired colour till eighteen months or two years
old ; and the latter keep their colour much longer than those that
change from the puppy colour earlier.

The time to apply the grease is when the coat begins to lengthen
and thicken. It must not be applied too liberally — just a little

FIG. 119. — THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER.

in the palm of the hands will suffice, and in a downward direction.
The moustache and fall must also be treated. If grease were
applied too freely, the coat would probably mat in places, and
the finger and thumb would then have to be carefully used in
order to remedy the condition. To brush or comb a coat in
such a condition would be fatal. The washing (and also the
drying) of Yorkshire Terriers is a big business, and must be under-
taken at least once a week. The coat must not be treated after the
manner adopted when washing the hardier Terriers. The cleansing
process must be carried out with the " lay " of the coat ; and
similarly, too, must the drying, which is largely effected by brushing
and the judicious use of soft, warmed towels. The fall should
be tied up over the head and the body coat over the back. Skin

THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER 585

disease is the great enemy of the Yorkshire Terrier fancier, and
scurf must be guarded against, or it will cause irritation and
scratching. A little minced meat, fowl, or fish freed from bones is
good fare for a Yorkshire Terrier, especially when combined with
stale brown bread, or Toy dog biscuits finely broken and covered
with gravy or broth from a sheep's head. Chopped green vegetables
also tend to keep the blood cool and pure.

Yorkshire Terriers that are not required for show need not
be treated differently from other Toys kept purely as companions.
They may also be allowed to frolic outdoors with canine companions,
a pleasure that is denied the show Yorkshire Terrier. The latter,
in fact, is a glass-case, fine-weather dog, and very artificially treated.
As to whether it is best to keep Yorkshire Terriers upon a bare
floor, upon an enclosed cushion, or in one of the railed-off
kennels, raised a little from the floor, sold by dog-appliance makers,
is a matter of individual opinion. One thing, however, is certain —
they must not be allowed to sleep upon unenclosed bedding
material, or the coat will be spoilt. It will be necessary to carefully
watch such artificially kept dogs to prevent them from soiling
their quarters and spoiling their coats. When, therefore, the
weather is such that it is not possible to allow them outside for
natural purposes, some of the mould as sold for cats, a little sanitary
sawdust, or just a little straw in a corner should be put down
for their convenience.

At one time this handsome-coated little Terrier was the victim
of the cropping fiend ; but this cruel practice no longer obtains.
The dog is, however, one of those that is docked. As a rule, about
half the tail is removed, and if the operation be performed, as it
should be, within a week or a fortnight of birth, it may be removed
by the aid of the thumb-nail only. Dew-claws, if present, should
also be removed.

The crowds of ladies attracted to the range of miniature crystal
and mahogany palaces, where these little beauties luxuriate on
silk and velvet cushions, see little of their make and shape,
concealed as the body is by an abundance of flowing hair, arranged
with all the art of the accomplished perruquier ; and it is quite
amusing to see the amount of preparation these little creatures
undergo before being carried before the judge.

Necessarily, a dog requiring such a lot of attention as the show
Yorkshire Terrier undoubtedly does receives but comparatively
scant patronage from the dog-loving public, although its admirers
are very numerous. Of those who have attained fame in connec-
tion with the variety there are a few names that stand out very
prominently — Mesdames Foster, Troughear, Walton, and Beard.
At one time a dog like the famous Champion Ted, owned by
Mrs. Foster, was considered one of the light-weights of the breed,

586 BRITISH DOGS

scaling as it did some 4|lb. ; but since the days of Ted typical
Yorkshire Terriers have been produced at less than half the
weight. Such midgets, when females, it is hardly necessary to say,
are not used for brood bitches. The risk at whelping-time would
be far too great, considering the prices that first-rate specimens
of the breed realise. Far better is it to use a medium-sized, roomy
bitch of first-class pedigree, coming of a strain renowned for yielding
small Yorkshire Terriers, and to mate her with a suitable small sire.
Below is set out a description of the breed as given by the
Yorkshire Terrier Club : —

General Appearance. — The general appearance should be that of a long-coated
pet-dog, the coat hanging quite straight and evenly down each side, a parting
extending from the nose to the end of the tail. The animal should be very
compact and neat, the carriage being very sprightly. Although the frame is
hidden beneath a mantle of hair, the general outline should be such as to suggest
the existence of a vigorous and well-proportioned body.

Head. — This should be rather small and flat, not too prominent or round
in the skull, nor too long in the muzzle, with a perfectly black nose. The fall
on the head should be very long and of a rich golden tan, deeper in colour at
the sides of the head about the ear roots and on the muzzle, where it should
be very long. The hair on the chest should be a rich bright tan. On no
account must the tan on the head extend on to the neck ; nor must there be
any sooty or dark hairs intermingled with any of the tan.

Eyes. — Medium, dark, and sparkling, having a sharp, intelligent expression,
and placed so as to look directly forward. They should not be prominent,
and the edge of the eyelids should be dark.

Ears. — These should be small, V-shaped, and carried semi-erect or erect,
covered with short hair, the colour being of a deep rich tan.

Mouth. — Perfectly even, with teeth as sound as possible. An animal having
lost any teeth through accident is not a fault, providing the jaws are even.

Body. — Very compact, with a good loin, and level on top of the back.

Coat. — The hair on the body should be as long as possible, and perfectly
straight (not wavy), glossy like silk, and of a fine silky texture. Colour, a
dark steel-blue (not a silver-blue) extending from the occiput to the root of
the tail, and on no account mingled with fawn, bronze, or dark haiis.

Legs.— Quite straight, and well covered with hair of a rich golden tan a few
shades lighter at the ends than at the roots, not extending higher on the fore
legs than the elbow, nor on the hind legs than the stifle.

Feet. — As round as possible, and the toe-nails black.

Tail.— Docked to medium length ; with plenty of hair, darker blue in colour
than the rest of the body, especially at the end of the tail, and carried a little
higher than the level of the back.

Tan. — All tan hair should be darker at the roots than in the middle, shading
to a still lighter tan at the tips.

Weight. — Divided into three classes : 5lb. and under ; 7lb. and under, but
over 5lb. ; and over 7lb.

THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER 587

STANDARD OF POINTS

Quantity and Length of Coat ... ... ... ... ... 15

Quality and Texture of Coat 10

. Richness of Tan on Head and Legs 15

Colour of Hair on Body ... ... ... ... 15

Head 10

Eyes 5

Ears 5

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Tail Carriage 5

Mouth 5

Formation and General Appearance ... ... 10

Total 100

Of recent years there has been introduced a class known as
"Silver" Yorkshire Terriers. As, however, these for the most
part are poor-coloured examples of the true Yorkshire Terrier,
it does not appear compatible with a desire to improve the breed
to encourage them.

CHAPTER LVI
ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS

ENGLISH "Toy Spaniels," as now designated, are the offspring
of royal and aristocratic pets since the time of Henry VIII.,
early in the fifteenth century, and comprise the four well-known
varieties, King Charles, Prince Charles, Ruby, and Blenheim
Spaniels. How long these dainty pets were known in England
before that period is a matter of uncertainty, or from what breed
or primary types they are the lineal descendants history does
not record ; but it is believed that they were imported into Spain
from Japan, and certainly the name " Spaniel," from espagneul,
shows Spanish connection or origin. A comparison of the present
King Charles with the Japanese Spaniel shows much that is
identical in colour, size, and general symmetry, and supports this
theory. If, however, the genealogy of these old-time favourites
is lost in obscurity, and the popular belief be true that it requires
two generations to make a gentleman, then surely these canine
pets, through the course of generations of culture under royal
auspices, are gentle-dogs indeed !

In their different varieties the Toy Spaniels are closely associated
with English history, and figure as the favourites of lord and lady,
of court and monarch, the pets of our stern and manly forefathers,
and the fitting subjects of artist, poet, and biographer.

With regard to the obscurity of their origin, during the reign
of Queen Elizabeth, about 1570, the Spaniels were described at
length by the physician of the Queen, Dr. John Caius, who,
says a well-known authority, clearly connects them with the Maltese
Spaniel (Cam's Melitceus), as the latter then existed, and quotes in
support of this from the works of Dr. Caius. It may, of course,
be that to the Maltese the Toy Spaniel is indebted for its long
coat.

Certainly these doggie favourites had a foremost place in
Queen Elizabeth's time, as well as during subsequent reigns.
So much did they entwine themselves round the hearts of their
various owners, we are informed that even the virtue of healing

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS 589

was attributed to them, for which purpose they were borne in
the bosom of the distressed person, or pressed against the afflicted
part. Be this as it may, it goes to show the estimation in which
they were held, and, after all, it is not unreasonable that the ready
sympathy with which these responsive pets meet our varying
conditions and moods carries it the soothing of devotion, potent
according to the sympathy existing between owner and pet.
Though they are the mere dependants and ornaments of our
idlest hours, many of us can testify to the strong but gentle hold
with which our pet Spaniels possess our affections, and how much
consolation they bring in the hour of sickness or depression.

" I cannot but believe," writes a well-known fancier of these
Toys, "like the Rev. J. G. Wood, Dr. Gordon Stables, and others,
that the higher order of animals have souls, and that their spirits
live. Indeed, I look forward with as much anticipation as the
Indian to his happy hunting-grounds, attended by his horse and
dogs, to myself meeting in another realm the many sinless little
creatures whose bodies lie buried in my garden, and who by
life-long devotion might well shame many members of educated
humanity."

History records that the hapless Queen of Scots was accom-
panied to the scaffold by her little Spaniel, and that while a
fugitive or prisoner at Carisbrook Castle, King Charles was attended
by his favourite Spaniels, with whom he often amused himself; it is
certainly a fact that he was rarely unattended by his four-footed
pets. They were so numerous in his time that they bred in his
bedroom, and over-ran Hampton Court and York Palace — now
Whitehall— to which, according to Pepys's diary, they had free access,
even upon State occasions.

Although harsh censors may declare these facts fitting to a
frivolous age, the popularity of these little animals has ebbed and
flowed ever since, and the Toy Spaniel still maintains his exalted
associations. The aristocrat seems born in each variety — they
cannot be otherwise. Psychologically they are sensitive and
observant, as quickly noticing the difference between poorly clad
and well-to-do people as between people kind and unkind. They
are more at home on the pillow or the counterpane and in the
drawing-room than in the kitchen or the kennel. Their lines have
correspondingly "fallen in pleasant places."

It is interesting to note what vicissitudes of fortune have
attended these little dogs — from being the chosen company of
ye daintie dames and monarchs, they were found, as late as thirty
years ago, bred in the slums of London, and some of the best
specimens now on the show-bench are related to grand-dames
and sires bred and reared in Whitechapel. Many are the ex-
periences old fanciers can tell of visits to underground kitchens

590

BRITISH DOGS

and dark apartments, and discoveries of rare specimens huddled
in corners, or extracted from boxes and cupboards. How these
delicate animals survived under such conditions, or retained their
charming characteristics, is a matter of conjecture.

We must not imagine the Spaniel of former days to be the same
as the present type ; the breed has undergone various changes with
the fashion of the times. He undoubtedly had a much longer nose,
a smaller head, and a coat inclined to be curly. By depriving him

_^____ „ of the long nose his keen

sense of smell and hunting
abilities are exchanged for
traits of gentleness, beauty,
and for profuse coat and
silken feather. Though
opinions differ, and criti-
cisms are severe at the pe-
culiarities developed from
time to time, it is here
purposed impartially to
outline the history of these
breeds, and their charac-
teristics past and present.

THE KING CHARLES
SPANIEL

This variety is perhaps
the oldest and best known
of the Toy Spaniels. We
first hear definitely of it in
the Court of King Charles,
probably about 1630, be-
fore which the different
breeds were only known
as Spaniels ; to this mon-
arch the "King Charles"
is indebted for his royal
title. At the time of Charles II. the King Charles (Fig. 120) may
be said to have reached its zenith of popularity ; it was the
pampered favourite of the King, and the position it held in Court,
to which we have referred, allowed it ready access on all
occasions.

Besides being the oldest, the Royal Spaniel has, through the
different periods of pet-dog history, always had its votaries, and
though the Toy Spaniels are perhaps as plentiful and popular as
they ever were, it is not to be replaced by any others at the present

FIG. 120.— KING CHARLES SPANIEL.

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS

591

day. Possibly the colour of the King Charles rather than its antece-
dents makes it a favourite ; it is certainly less trouble than the lighter
varieties, whose coats require more frequent washing and attention.

There is evidence to show that the King Charles was frequently
black-and-white as well as black-and-tan, but, like other Spaniels,
with a long nose and very long ears. Through the crossing of the
two doubtless the Tricolour has been produced, and other character-
istics changed, notably the loss in length of ear and nose. It is also
believed by some that the bold shape of the present Spaniel has
been assisted by a cross with our more homely Pug. Whether this
be true or not, the characteristics as exhibited in old paintings by
Vandyke, Frith, and Landseer, are frequently black-and-white, a
fact strengthening the theory of their Japanese origin, which perhaps
explains the possession of the bold skull.

THE PRINCE CHARLES, OR TRICOLOUR, SPANIEL

This is a black-white-and-tan Spaniel (Fig. 121), identical in every
respect with the King Charles, though it is not nearly so old a variety,
and was doubtless produced by a cross with the black-and-white and
black-and-tan King
Charles, though now
frequently by a cross
with the Blenheim.
According to present
fancy, the black-and-
white should be well
broken overthe body,
the tan being dis-
tributed about the
face, the same as in
the King Charles,
and lining the ears
and tail. There is
also a white blaze
down the centre of
the forehead, as in FIG. 121.— PRINCE CHARLES SPANIEL

the Blenheim, and

frequently the " spot," though the latter is not imperative. The
old breeders of thirty years ago preferred the Prince Charles with
what was then called a " saddle back," which means a solid black
back, the shape of a saddle ; but the broken markings are now
considered much prettier. The black-white-and-tan was formerly
called the Tricoloured King Charles. Opinion still differs as to
the suitability of the present title, which was chosen upon the for-
mation of the present Toy Spaniel Club.

592

BRITISH DOGS

Nothing in the canine race can exceed the beauty of this breed
when it possesses its natural profusion of coat and feather, with its
rich colours nicely distributed. Indeed, in many respects it is more
attractive from an artistic standpoint, doubtless for which reason
Frith and Landseer chose it for the subjects of their art. Why
this breed has apparently declined in popularity is a matter of
surprise ; but it is believed, now that more encouragement is given
at shows, that it will soon reappear and regain the position it has
temporarily lost.

THE RUBY SPANIEL

Twenty years ago this variety (Fig. 122) was almost unknown,

except as a freak of nature,
when one would occasionally
appear in a litter of pure-
bred black-and-tans. They
a recognised and
breed, and only

FIG. 122.— RUBY SPANIEL.

are now

popular

differ from the King Charles

in colour, which is a bright

golden tan.

It has taken time to
bring this breed to its
present standard, but we now
have many beautiful speci-
mens. There is yet another
offspring from the King
Charles not generally known,
that is the deep chocolate-
or liver-coloured Ruby, with
bright tan markings, as in
the King Charles. This
variety is as handsome as
it is rare, but it is hoped that
in the course of time more
will be developed to form
a class for the show-ring,

and to compete with their
lighter-coloured relatives, each of which appears to act as a setting
to the other.

THE BLENHEIM SPANIEL

This charming Spaniel (Fig. 123) cannot be traced as far back as
the King Charles, but it is believed to have been first imported
from Spain in the reign of Charles II., by John Churchill, the first

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS

593

Duke of Marlborough, since which time the breed has been so
closely associated with that illustrious family as for ever to bear the
name of their home — Blenheim Palace.

The colour of the Blenheim is a pearly white and bright tan.
The original in both type and character was very different from that
of the present day ; indeed, so great is the difference that many
people find it difficult to believe that they are one and the same.
The ears were larger and the coat was wavy, as may be seen by
the pictures of the old masters. The character of the early Spaniel
more nearly resembled that of the miniature Cocker ; indeed, we
are told that a former Duke
of Marlborough used the
Blenheim for hunting pur-
poses.

An old writer referring
to the Blenheim of the
last century, says : " The
smallest Spaniel passing
under the denomination of
Cockers is that peculiar
breed in the possession
and preservation of the
Duke of Marlborough and
his friends ; these are in-
variably red-and-white, with
very long ears, short noses,
and black eyes ; they are
excellent and indefatigable,
being held in great estima-
tion with those sportsmen
who became possessed of
the breed." How far this
breed would suit the sportsman of to-day experience does not
give us an opportunity to say, owing to the changes the Blenheim
has undergone. In the writer's experience he is often a game
little dog, but predominantly a lady's pet.

The following description ancl anecdotes, furnished by the owner
of Bowsie, one of the well-known champions of the past twenty
years, is somewhat typical of the best qualities of the breed : —

" My old favourite would never make friends with any strangers,
unless he considered them drawing-room guests; then he would
don his most gracious airs, poise his head on one side, and put
out his paw to be shaken, at the same time waving his flag in
token of welcome. But woe be unto a back-door intruder if
Bowsie were near, no Bulldog or Mastiff could appear more

38

FIG. 123.— BLENHEIM SPANIEL.

594 BRITISH DOGS

formidable, and many a time some unfortunate tradesman, or tramp,
has rushed away, leaving a pattern of his most important garment
in Mr. Bowsie's teeth.

Bowsie was a most sagacious dog. How dearly he loved a
carriage drive, a railway journey, or a show ! When the show
hampers were brought out he would frisk and bark with delight,
and would quickly open the lid with his tiny nose and paw, and
dive in, defying anyone but his mistress to remove him, and only
then when the assurance was given him that he would start for
the show next day, could he be persuaded to come out to eat.
On one occasion, when we were living in the country, Bowsie
narrowly escaped being taken by express train to London. 1 had
gone to town, and Bowsie, thinking that it was to a show, escaped
from home by jumping from the window of an upper room, where
he had been locked in for safety. He ran to the railway-station,
a distance of half a mile, and dashed into a first-class compartment
of a train in waiting, where he complacently seated himself between
two lady passengers. Fortunately, the station-master, seeing and
recognising my lord, sent him home safely, though crestfallen
and disappointed.

In the matter of food Bowsie was an epicure, and if one of
his favourite dishes was on the table, and likely to be removed
without his being served, he would sit with his back firmly planted
against the door, defying the maid to, pass with the dish, and tear
her apron to ribbons should she dare the attempt. This little dog
always went to bed with one of the children, and passed away
at the age of fifteen, when he was .sleeping in the arms of my
youngest son. Never has there been a truer and more faithful
friend than this animal, and although many years have passed
since his death, I can scarcely keep the tears back as I write
of him."

It is claimed by Mr, J. W. Berrie that "the modern Blenheim,
from a phrenological point of view, possesses properties and organs
more nearly resembling those of the human head than any other
kind of dog. He had Individuality, Eventuality, Comparison, and
Causality very largely developed." The writer is not qualified to
pass judgment upon this as a phrenological delineation, but certainly
the experiences of many owners of the Blenheim and all Toy
Spaniels go to prove that the characteristics enumerated are pre-
dominant in the variety.

The modern Blenheim is undoubtedly made up with the old
Marl borough breed, crossed with the King Charles, by reason of
which we get the short nose, square muzzle, and large, bold skull.
He is very sharp, quick of hearing, full of life and intelligence, and
makes an excellent house-dog. He enjoys long country walks, or a

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS 595

run after a cycle or a carriage, and often exhibits his ancestral traits
in the field.

Owing to the characteristics of the four varieties being so similar,
with the exception of colour, in giving the description they are
treated as one, and, with slight alteration, according to the standard
formulated by the Toy Spaniel Club, which has classified, and
done much to promote the interests of the different varieties of
Toy Spaniels.

/&#,/.— This is the most prominent feature. " It should be well domed, and
in some specimens is absolutely semi-globular, sometimes even extending beyond
the half-circle, and absolutely projecting over the eyes, so as to nearly meet the
upturned nose."

Eyes. — These are set wide apart, with the eyelids square to the line of face —
not oblique, or fox-like. The eyes themselves are large, and so dark "as to be
generally considered black, their enormous pupils, which are absolutely of that
colour, increasing the deception. From their large size there is almost always
a certain amount of weeping shown at the inner angles." This is probably owing
to the amount of light that enters in consequence, though it is said to be due
" to a defect in the lachrymal duct."

Stop, — The " stop," or hollow between the eyes, is well marked, as in the
Bulldog, or even more pronounced, some good specimens exhibiting a hollow deep
enough to bury a small marble.

Nose. — The nose must lie short and well turned up between the eyes, and
without any indication of artificial or unnatural displacement afforded by a
deviation to either side. The colour of the end should be black, and it should
be both deep and wide, with open nostrils.

Jaw. — The lower jaw must be wide between its branches, leaving plenty of
room for the tongue and for the attachment of the lower lips, which should com-
pletely conceal the teeth. It should be turned up, or " finished," so as to allow
of its meeting the end of the upper jaw, turned up in a similar way as above
described. The tongue should on no account protrude.

Ears. — The ears must be long, so as to approach the ground. In an average-
sized dog they measure I5in. to 2oin. from tip to tip, and in some reach
22in., or even more. They should be set low on the head, and be heavily
feathered. In this respect the King Charles is expected to exceed the Blenheim,
and his ears occasionally extend to 24in.

Size. — The most desirable size, according to the Club standard, is determined
by weight, which is "from 7lb. to lolb. " ; but owing to the deceptive appear-
ance of the small, cobby dogs, I2lb. or 13!!). does not mean a large specimen.

Shape. — In compactness of shape these Spaniels almost rival the Pug, but the
length of the coat adds greatly to the apparent bulk, as the body when the coat
is wetted looks small in comparison with that dog. Still, it ought to be decidedly
" cobby," with strong, stout legs, broad back, and wide chest. The symmetry of
the Toy Spaniel is of importance.

Coat.— The coat should be long, silky, soft, and wavy, but not curly. In the
Blenheim there should be a profuse mane, extending well down in front of the
chest ; and the feather should be displayed on the ears and feet, and so long as
to give the latter the appearance of being webbed. It is also well carried up the
back of the legs. In the King Charles the feathering on the ears is very long
and profuse, exceeding that of the Blenheim by an inch or more.

Tail. — This is usually "docked" to the length of "three and a half or four
inches." "The feather should be silky, and about 5in. or 6in. in length, con-
stituting a marked ' flag,' "of a square shape, and not carried above the level
of the back."

596 BRITISH DOGS

Colour. — The King Charles is a rich, glossy black and deep tan ; tan spots
over the eyes and on the cheeks, and the usual marking on the legs are also
required.

The Prince Charles^ or Tricolour, should have the tan of the King Charles
with the markings like the Blenheim in black instead of red, on a pearly-white
ground. The ears and under the tail should also be lined with tan. At present
the Prince Charles requires no " spot," that beauty having been reserved as the
peculiar property of the Blenheim ; but owing to the breed now being produced
by a cross with the Blenheim, it is appearing, and is considered a great
acquisition, and will doubtless shortly be added as one of the " points."

The Rtiby Spaniel is a rich chestnut-red. The presence of a few white hairs
intermixed with the black on the chest of a King Charles, or intermixed with the
red on the chest of a Ruby Spaniel, shall carry great weight against a dog, but
shall not itself actually disqualify ; but a white patch on the chest, or white on
any other part of a King Charles or a Ruby Spaniel, shall be a disqualification.
The colour of the nose to be black.

The Blenheim must on no account be whole-coloured, but should have a
ground of pearly white, with bright rich chestnut or ruby-red markings, evenly
distributed in large patches. The ears should be red, with a blaze of white
extending from the nose to the forehead, and ending in a crescentive curve. In
the centre of this blaze there should be a clear "spot" of red, of the size of a
sixpence.

SCALE OF POINTS

KING CHARLES, PRINCE CHARLES, AND RUBY SPANIELS

Symmetry, Condition, and Size ... ... ... ... 20

Head ... ... ... ... ... ... 15

Stop ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Muzzle ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Eyes ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 15

Coat and Feathering ... ... ... ... ... 15

Colour ...... 10

BLENHEIM

Symmetry, Condition, and Size ... ... ... ... 15

Heal ... ... .. ... ... ... 15

Stop ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Muzzle ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Eyes ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Coat and Feathering ... ... ... ... ... 15

Colour and Markings ... ... ... .. ... 15

Spot ... 5

The full coat of the Toy Spaniel is not attained until the age
of three years, after which it still continues to improve. It is easier
to obtain the various points of excellence in large than in small
specimens. This may appear more ideal than real, and arises
from the larger dogs impressing the superficial observer, who fails

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS 597

to compare justly the several points of each dog relatively with
each other. But the judge would rarely show such incompetence
for office, particularly as the smaller specimens are preferred by
the fancier and command the highest prices.

In breeding Toy Spaniels, much care and patience is needed,
especially for competition in the show-ring. To begin with, the
parents must be carefully selected from the right strains, strong
and healthy, not too fat, small, or inbred, and, as far as possible,
possessing between them all the points essential to make a perfect
specimen. About eighteen months old, or the second season, is
the best time to commence breeding from the female, but many,
if strong and well, may be used the first season. If small progeny
is required, a young mother should be mated to an old but healthy
and vigorous sire, and an old mother to a suitable young dog.

The King Charles must on no account be crossed with a Prince
Charles or a Blenheim, as imperfectly marked animals will be the
result ; but a Ruby may be used with great advantage, giving
brightness and richness to the tan markings, which is one of the
attractions of the black-and-tan. The Blenheim and Prince Charles
may be also crossed with good results, if they are well selected,
as the latter gives a more profuse and richer coat, longer ears,
and shorter face, which are sometimes found deficient in the
Blenheim. These combinations frequently produce litters with
perfect specimens of each, making a charming variety. The Ruby
must be bred from the pure black-and-tan ; the slightest suspicion
of Blenheim or Prince Charles blood results in white markings
appearing on the breast, head, or feet — a fatal blemish for the
show-ring. It strengthens the Ruby to be crossed with the King
Charles, and brightens the tan of the latter.

Highly bred Toy Spaniels are not prolific breeders, especially
if many are kept together. An old breeder says : " From long
experience I have found that when only two or three bitches are
kept, they will produce more puppies than when there are a
dozen, and if my kennels have been overcrowded, which has un-
fortunately been the case, I have had no puppies." Of course, the
hygienic pinciples relating to feeding, sleeping, and exercise vitally
affect the question of breeding.

The time for the arrival of a family is always an anxious one
to the devoted breeder. The mother should have a comfortable
bed, made of thick substance that cannot be easily scraped up.
It should be placed in a box about 2^m. high, with a wide
opening in front so that the mother can enter without jumping.
As the puppies arrive, they should be carefully wrapped up in a
soft piece of warm flannel, and placed in a small basket kept close
at hand. If the mother is restless, and there is a long interval
between the completion of the family, the early arrivals must be

598 BRITISH DOGS

returned to the mother, until she is again unable or too busy to
attend to them. Finally, when all are born, they must have a clean,
warm bed, and the mother be well fed with warm gruel and milk.
If she is a good mother, she will soon be settled with her family
comfortably nestled up to her, after which she will sleep for a
considerable time. A little watching is necessary to see that a stray
pup is not laid upon, and that they all suck properly ; sometimes
weak puppies require to be prompted, especially if the mother is
young and inexperienced.

When three weeks old the puppies may be taught to lap,
commencing with a little warm, slightly sweetened milk and water,
given two or three times a day, the mother being gradually ac-
customed to leave them for longer intervals. After a month has
passed, the puppies may be fed on Mellin's or Ridge's Food, and when
six weeks old they may be quite weaned, and will readily eat
bread and milk, soaked biscuits, etc. ; should they require a special
food, a hard-boiled egg chopped fine with breadcrumbs is excellent.
Some care and discretion is necessary in weaning puppies ; but
perhaps the greatest danger to them is worms, which cause many
deaths. We advise that every puppy, when five or six weeks old,
should be treated for this with medicine which is effective without
being injurious; but at such a tender age great care is necessary
in the selection of remedies. Docking the tails of puppies to the
length of from 3|in. to 4in. should be done within a fortnight
of birth.

In the selection of a puppy for show purposes it is best to
choose that with the largest head. The muzzle should be broad
and much inclined to turn up at the end. With puppies the nose
always appears longer than when full grown, because the frontal
and cranial development matures as they grow older, and causes
a shortening of the face. The puppy with the softest nose develops
the shortest face. This may be easily determined by gently pressing
the nose with the thumb, when it will yield backwards ; the harder
nosed ones offer more resistance to pressure. The markings are
the next consideration : these should be determined according to
the standard of points and general remarks already given. The
largest and darkest eyes, set wide apart, usually grow into the
shortest faces, and the best show dogs. If required for breeding
purposes, the largest and strongest puppies should be selected, and,
if well bred, the markings are of less importance than in those
selected for the show-ring.

When all the difficulties of breeding and rearing the Toy Spaniel
are taken into consideration, together with the rarity of obtaining a
really perfect specimen, it is not surprising that these little pets are
often worth from ,£50 to .£150, and that many of their owners would
not sell them for any money consideration.

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS 599

If a large number of Spaniels are kept, of course they must live
apart from their owners, and suitable kennels are required. These
should be commodious, dry, and well ventilated, and built as far as
possible of sanitary materials, otherwise it is difficult to eradicate
contagious disease if it has once entered.

In rearing Toy Spaniels one cannot be too fastidious; in all
kennel matters cleanliness is most important. Of course, heat is
required in cold weather. In this respect we think that the
regulations usually applied to ourselves are a safe guide. The
general temperature should not fall below 60° Fahr., though, however
cold, there should always be a current of fresh air. Separate
compartments and runs are needed, both indoors and out, if a
number of dogs are kept, so that they can be judiciously separated.
For sleeping-apartments, baskets, boxes, or, better still, the old-
fashioned plain square kennels made of wood, form the simplest
kennels. They should be raised several inches from the floor. In
winter a blanket makes the best bed, in summer some simple
cotton material such as a cot counterpane ; these need to be shaken
and aired daily, and changed every week after the kennel is washed
and dried. Pillows, cushions, down and feather beds are usually
injurious to the long-coated Spaniels, as they quickly become
over-heated.

From a long period of inbreeding, and the unusual development
of the head and nasal organs, the Toy Spaniels are not as robust as
other breeds, yet if brought up under suitable conditions they are
not so delicate as people imagine. If treated as hot-house plants,
their constitutions must suffer. It is impossible to lay down hard-
and-fast rules. If, however, the same care that is given to
children is extended to the Toy Spaniel, judgment will not be
much at fault. " I have found," says an old fancier, " during my
twenty-five years' experience that what would cure my child would
cure my dog."

If our Spaniels are restless, or unquiet at night, it will generally
be found due to some discomfort or oversight — perhaps they have
not been properly exercised, or need water, or a biscuit, though
supper and all food is best eaten outside the kennel ; sometimes
another dog with a quiet and peaceful disposition assists to still
the disturbance and educate its companion. Experience soon
teaches us the needs and dispositions of our family pets and their
many whims and fancies, for their individualities are strikingly
different. Sometimes a particular favourite will only sleep in an
armchair, alone, or perhaps with a bosom companion ; another
will only eat a certain kind of food, and in a favourite corner; some
will never eat on the floor with other dogs, and require to be placed
upon a bench or a chair.

Our Toys are rather inclined to luxuriate in the idleness and

600 BRITISH DOGS

comfort usually at their disposal. But when we are dressed for a
walk and invite them to accompany us they quickly testify to their
fondness for an outing. There are perhaps few prettier sights than
to see a family of these different-coloured Spaniels sporting in
a garden or a meadow, and especially when trained to play with
a ball. Activity of this kind is always beneficial, as they should
never be allowed to get fat, gross, or lazy. A coarse, snuffling
Spaniel is an abomination ; but they must be kept out of the wet,
as their long hair holds the moisture, and damp feet are most
injurious to them.

At some time or other the house Spaniels must be taught
"society manners." This they soon learn with a little indulgence
and training. It is usually best to let them out of doors from three
to four times a day — of course in the early morning, and the last
thing at night before putting them to bed, at other times after the
luncheon hour, and at tea time.

Apart from other dogs, the trouble to which the sensitive
Toy Spaniel is most liable is "eczema." The best preventative
is strict attention to the laws of hygiene. The most effective
treatment for its removal pays equal attention to internal as well as
external requirements. For both purposes the old-fashioned remedy
of sulphur still holds its own.

The food of our Toy Spaniels should be of the very best, given
regularly twice a day to grown dogs, and four or five times to
puppies, according to age. When two or three only are kept scraps
from the table will suffice. A little lean meat chopped very fine,
and mixed with vegetables and breadcrumbs, moistened with gravy,
varied sometimes with plain suet pudding, boiled rice, and of course
pet dog biscuits, which may be given at all times, make an excellent
diet. Occasionally the much-coveted bone may be given, but it
must not be likely to splinter. Pure, fresh drinking-water kept in
porcelain or enamelled dishes should always be within reach.

Our pet dogs run more risk from over-feeding than from neglect.
They are usually too much indulged with rich and highly seasoned
foods, whereas they cannot be fed too plainly ; but once addicted
to an unnatural diet it is difficult to remedy the mistake. Grown
dogs should be fed from small vessels, so that their long ears may
fall over the sides, otherwise they become matted and dirty. Small
enamel dishes are the best, and they are very inexpensive.

To keep the coat of the Toy Spaniel clean and in the best
condition it requires daily brushing and combing. A long,
moderately hard brush, and a strong comb with teeth set wide
apart — such a brush and comb as we use for our own toilet — is
most suitable. Both must be kept scrupulously clean. A small-
wire-tooth comb occasionally passed through the coat, besides
keeping it in good order, also serves to dismiss any unpleasant

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS 60 1

visitors that may venture to intrude. Too frequent combing,
particularly with a small comb, is not recommended, however, as the
coat of the Toy Spaniel is tender, and the comb may rob it of its
glory, but the more it is brushed the glossier and more beautiful
it will become.

A warm bath, in soft rain water if possible, not less than once
in two or three weeks, will usually keep our pets clean and fresh,
and fit for the lap of ye daintiest ladie ; but the bath requires both
care and hard work, because the coat of the Toy Spaniel is long
and fine, and the skin is sensitive and delicate. After the lathering
has been done and the coat well washed — care being taken to keep
the soap out of the ears, eyes, and nose of our pet, to prevent which
it is best to wash the head last — the water should be changed for
the purpose of rinsing out all the remaining soap and dirt ; the
coat then requires first wringing with the hands, and then to be
vigorously rubbed with dry towels, until it is as dry as practicable,
after which the dog should be placed in a blanket, near a fire if
the weather is cold or damp, or in the sunshine in summer time.
Care must be taken to keep the dog out of the cold or draught until
after the coat is dry, and before then it should not be allowed to move
even over an ordinary carpet or floor, as the long coat catches up
all the dust or dirt that may exist. Before the coat is dry it may
be carefully combed and brushed, as it can be more easily dis-
entangled while damp than if left until it is quite dry, and, like the
human hair, will better retain its position afterwards.

If the hair is short or falling out, grooming serves as massage,
causing activity in the cells of the skin and stimulating the growth
of hair. Cocoanut oil or ordinary vaseline may be advantageously
employed, if used moderately and well rubbed in ; but the rubbing
is half the virtue. Of course, in the case of specific disease it is
advisable to secure experienced treatment.

The labour involved in preparing Toy Spaniels for an exhibition
is always tedious, even to the ardent fancier. The special washing,
brushing, and combing, which is so essential, and then the watchful
care required to keep the would-be champions from soiling their
parade coats, always precedes the show-ring, from which cares many
other breeds of dogs are exempt.

Unfortunately, like the rest of the canine race, our highly bred
Spaniels are short lived, and seldom exceed more than fifteen years.
For the brilliancy of their colourings, the variety of their mark-
ings, the amiability and innate refinement of their dispositions, their
sagacity and activity, they may be rightly considered the most
attractive pets, for both palace and home, that it is possible to find.

Since the foregoing article was written there has been a move-
ment among Toy Spaniel fanciers in England and America to consider
the advisability of classing all varieties of Toy Spaniels as one breed,

602 - BRITISH DOGS

under the title of King Charles, only subdividing them by colour.
His Majesty King Edward VII., with his usual interest in such
matters, upon learning this expressed his wish that the historic name
of " King Charles " should be retained, as it appeared threatened
with extinction. There seems a reasonable necessity for the new
classification suggested, as the four varieties are sometimes produced
in one litter, thus showing that they are all one family, and
experienced breeders find that judicious crossing is necessary to
preserve type and colour. Undoubtedly in the olden days the
same varieties existed and all were called Spaniels.

CHAPTER LVII
THE JAPANESE SPANIEL

UNTIL comparatively recent years these beautiful little dogs were
too difficult and expensive to procure and in too few hands for them
to be anything like common or often seen. Indeed, for a long
time they used oftenest to make their appearance in classes for the
small varieties of foreign dogs. Added to this, those imported
were very delicate and difficult to rear, and the mortality amongst
them was considerable. This mortality was also increased by the
amount of inbreeding that was resorted to, and by the craze that
for a while seemed likely to end disastrously for the breed — namely,
the fashion for the infinitely small. Dr. Grindrod at the time wrote
deprecatingly of the practice, and though it still continues, the
constitution has been improved somewhat. It would have been a
fatal mistake to sacrifice everything to diminutiveness, which at one
time was threatened. That the dogs as met with in their native
countries were very small admits of no doubt, as it was the custom
in both China and Japan to carry one of them in the capacious
sleeves ; hence the name of " Sleeve Dogs." The tendency once
was to go for the very small dog qua small, and the result not in-
frequently was the production of " weeds."

The colour of the Japanese Spaniel is usually white with more
or less black markings ; but there are sometimes seen specimens
with yellow or pale tan markings. The black-marked ones are,
however, generally preferred. They are broad in head and muzzle,
with good-sized black nose, and very short face. The large, dark,
lustrous eyes, set wide apart, are full and round in shape. There is a
profuseness of silky coat on neck, chest, body, and hindquarters.
The straight fore legs are set rather wide, and, like the thighs and
hind legs, well feathered. The ears are not so long in leather as
they appear to be, on account of the long feathering on them ; they
are set rather high on the head and hang gracefully down. The
tail should be covered with long hair of the body colours, and be
carried jauntily over the back — resting, in fact, upon it.

Japanese Spaniels (Figs. 124 and 125) have a most fascinating
general appearance of quaintness, perkiness, and dignity, and are

604

BRITISH DOGS

very showy and attractive. When the writer kept them, many years
since, they were nothing like so small as they are now. They may
be obtained well under 5lb. in weight, and are being somewhat ex-
tensively bred in this country, as they are in great demand, and high
prices may be readily obtained for anything like decent specimens.
They are well worth the attention of those willing and able to devote
time and attention to their production, and the use of reliable stud
dogs can now be obtained at moderate fees.

As showing how this variety has grown in favour and popularity,
it may be instanced that at a large show held near London a ftw

years ago, it was to a
Japanese Spaniel belonging
to Mrs. Addis, one of the
warmest supporters of the
variety in England, that the
judges awarded the Rother-
ham Cup, which vessel was
capacious enough to contain
the little winner, as the
11 Champion of Champions "
of the show in question.

At one time the Japa-
nese Spaniel was known as
the Japanese Pug, and it
was under the latter name
that the breed was intro-
duced to show frequenters.
Pug-type is what the majority

FIG. 124.— THE HON. MRS. MACLAREN nf fanciers aim it nrnrlnr
MORRISON'S JAPANESE SPANIEL MOUJII [ Anders aim at produc-

SAMA. ing, though the Japanese

Spaniel should be smaller

and rather finer boned than many Pugs, and of course covered with
the long silky hair. The compact body, smart carriage, small ears,
and cheeky ways of a Pug are equally essential to a good Jap.
Reference was made above to one of Mrs. E. C. Addis's famous
dogs that was awarded the Champion of Champions prize on 1895.
The name of the dog was Dai Butzu II., and though many years
have elapsed since that event, the dog, so far as type is concerned,
is quite one of the best for the young breeder to take as his model
(Fig. 125).

Mrs. Addis says that Japanese Spaniels "require an indoor
kennel room, heated in cold weather, or else to live as pets about
the house. They cannot stand stables or outdoor houses, as English
Toy Spaniels can." A great many puppies fall victims to distemper,
due no doubt to the inherent delicacy of the breed, largely brought
about by the "very small" craze referred to above. The fact is,

THE JAPANESE SPANIEL

605

only the small Japanese Spaniels have any chance of winning on the
show-bench. By this is meant dogs from 4lb. upwards ; those over
7|lb. never get a look in. A Japanese Spaniel as a puppy has
a "fluffier coat than that possessed by an adult, and, curiously enough,
as a rule a puppy is better in points than an adult. Many quite
cobby puppies with short faces develop long backs, long noses, and
become weedy-looking in later life. In choosing a Japanese Spaniel
as a puppy take the cobbiest in shape, with the largest head and
a round skull — that is, prominent, not domed— a very short face,
large eyes, and stylish
carriage, and very light
small bone. It should
be a Pug in miniature,
with abundant coat
and tight tail-carriage.
Markings should be
regular and even, but
otherwise they are a
matter of individual
taste.

Some of the best
known amongst the
exhibitors of Japanese
Spaniels have been the
Hon. Mrs. McLaren
Morrison, Mrs. Addis,
Mrs. G. Lloyd, Miss
M. Serena, Miss Ethel
Clinton, Mrs. Clara
Griffin, Mrs. Harcourt
Clare, the Countess
of Warwick, Mrs.

Samuelson, Mrs. W. Hull, Mrs. Grindrod, Mrs. Wimbush, Mrs.
Rintoul, Mrs. Mclntyre, Mrs. Walter, Mrs. C. Harvey, Mrs. H.
Jones, and Mrs. C. R. Lewis, most of whom are breeders of the
variety also, and the entries at the larger shows are often very
strong and representative, and are sometimes divided into over
ylb. in weight and under ylb.

The washing and preparation incidental to the show-ring have
already been fully dealt with under the English Toy Spaniels. There
is therefore no need for further information here.

The following are the points of the Japanese Spaniel, as drawn
up by the Japanese and Pekinese Spaniel Club :—

General Appearance. — That of a lively, highly bred dog with dainty appear-
ance, smart, compact carriage, and profuse coat. These dogs should be essentially
stylish in movement, lifting the feet high when in motion, carrying the tail (which

FIG. 125. — MRS. ADDIS'S JAPANESE SPANIEL
CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS DAI BUTZU II.

606 BRITISH DOGS

is heavily feathered) proudly curved or plumed over the back. In size they vary
considerably, but the smaller they are the better, provided type and quality are
not sacrificed. When divided by weight, classes should be for under and over
;lb.

Coat. — The coat should be long, profuse, and straight, free from curl or wave,
and not be too flat ; it should have a tendency to stand out, more particularly at
the frill, with profuse feathering on the tail and thighs.

Colour. — The dogs should be either black-and-white or red-and- white — i.e.
parti-coloured. The term red includes all shades of sable, brindle, lemon, and
orange, but the brighter and clearer the red the better. The white should be
clear white, and the colour, whether black or red, should be in evenly distributed
patches over the body, cheek, and ears.

Head. — Should be large for size of dog, with a broad skull — rounded in front ;
eyes large, dark, set far apart ; muzzle very short and wide, and well cushioned —
i.e. the upper lips rounded on each side of the nostrils, which should be large and
black, except in the case of red-and-white dogs, when a brown-coloured nose is
as common as a black one.

Ears. — Should be small, set wide apart, and high on the dog's head, and
carried slightly forward, V-shapeH.

Body. — Should be squarely and compactly built, wide in chest, "cobby "in
shape. The length of the dog's body should be about its height.

Legs and Feet. — The legs should be straight and the bone fine ; the feet should
be long and hare-shaped. The legs should be well feathered to the feet on the
front legs and to the thighs behind. The feet should also be feathered.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Head-
Size 5^1

Shape of Skull ... ... 5!

Shortness of Nose ... ... ... ... 5| 2O

Width of Muzzle ... ... ... ... 5;

Eyes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

P2ars ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Coat and Feathering ... ... ... ... ... 15

Colour and Marking ... ... ... ... ... 10

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Action, Shape, Style, and Carriage of Tail... ... ... 20

Size ... ... ... . ... ... ... ... 10

Total .. 100

CHAPTER LVIII

CHINESE (PEKINESE) SPANIELS AND
PUGS

THERE does not seem to be any valid reason why the first-named
variety should be called Pekinese. A far more appropriate name
would be Chinese Spaniels, as they are by no means confined to
Pekin, but are to be met with in many other parts of that interesting
celestial kingdom. Essentially a pet variety and not extensively
known as yet, the Chinese Spaniel is being taken up warmly by quite
a number of zealous fanciers. It is also included in the Club
recently formed for the benefit of some of the Asiatic toy varieties,
and has received recognition at the hands of the Kennel Club by
the granting of challenge certificates, all of which will tend to bring
it more to the front than heretofore. His Grace the Duke of
Richmond has kept the breed for a long time. Fig. 126 gives readers
a fair notion of the sort of animal that is known under the above
name.

Chinese Spaniels have a little in common, so far as appearance
goes, with a rough-coated Pug, but are very short on the legs. They
have rather sturdy bodies covered with soft fluffy hair ; the fore legs
are slightly and the hind legs profusely feathered, as is the tail, which
is carried curved over the back. The eyes are large, dark, and
brilliant. The colours are usually shades of tawny fawn or drab,
but sometimes dark brown and even black. White markings
do not disqualify, but are very objectionable. Chinese Spaniels
have a comical, self-assertive look about them, quite different from
other varieties. The reason that until lately they have been in very
few hands is no doubt in a great measure due to the difficulty in
obtaining genuine specimens.

At the present time the best-known owners of this variety are
Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, Lady Gooch, the Marquis of
Anglesey, Lord John Hay, Lady A. Gordon Lennox, Mrs. C. Austin,
Mrs. W. Ridler, Mrs. Browning, Mrs. H. B. Samuelson, Mrs. A. C.
Tomkins, and Mrs. Douglas Murray. Quite respectable entries of
Chinese Spaniels are seen at some of the larger shows when the
classification and judge are satisfactory.

6o8

BRITISH DOGS

The Chinese Spaniel is decidedly hardier than the Japanese
Spaniel, and consequently is better able to rough it. This is partly
due to the fact that the Japanese Spaniels are not appreciated unless
small, whereas Chinese Spaniels are often found winning at shows
that turn the scale at i2lb. or more. Chinese Spaniels are much
less trouble to keep than Japanese Spaniels, but the former have
not the dainty charms of the latter.

Chinese ( Pekinese) Spaniels are often confused by novices with
the Japanese Spaniels, from the latter of which they differ in being
larger-bodied, and somewhat of a lion shape, as fanciers term the
heavier front and mane and the falling away behind that should
characterise a good specimen. A comparison of the illustration of

Japanese Spaniel and
that of the Chinese
Spaniel will be sufficient
to show at once the
main points of difference
between the two varie-
ties. In head it will be
seen that the Chinese
Spaniel is very like
his Japanese relative,
though somewhat
coarser and with
larger ears ; while the
front legs are slightly
bowed. Again, the
Chinese Spaniel is in
turn confounded with

the Chinese Pug, a variety somewhat of a rarity in this country, but
abundantly distinct, and not much removed in general appearance
from our own Pugs. In size he is a trifle bigger than the Spaniels
above named ; but he is more thickly set than the Fawn or the
Black Pug, and nothing like so long on the leg.

Below are given the points of the Chinese Spaniel as described
by the Japanese and Pekinese Spaniel Club :—

General Appearance. — That of a quaint and intelligent little dog, rather long
in body, with heavy front chest, and bow legs (i.e. very much out at elbow), the
body falling away lighter behind. The tail should be carried right up in a curve
over the animal's back, but not too tightly curled.

In size these dogs vary very much, but the smaller the better, provided type
and points are not sacrificed. When divided by weight, classes should be for
under lolb. and over lolb.

Legs. — Should be short and rather heavy in bone, but not extravagantly so,
as coarseness is to be avoided in every point ; they should be well out at elbow,
and the feet turned outwards also. Both legs and feet should be feathered.

Head. — Should be of medium size, with broad skull, flat between ears, but

FIG. 126. — MRS. RIDLER'S CHINESE SPANIEL
CHIFU.

CHINESE (PEKINESE) SPANIELS AND PUGS 609

rounded on the forehead ; muzzle very short (not underhung), and very wide.
The face should be wrinkled and nostrils black and full. Eyes large and lustrous ;
ears set high on the head and V-shaped, they should be moderate in size (the tips
never coming below the muzzle), and should be covered with long silky hair,
which extends much below the leather of the ear proper.

Colour. — These dogs should either be red, fawn, sable or brindle, with black
masks, face and ear shadings, or else all black. White patches on feet or chest,
although not a disqualification, should not be encouraged.

Coat. — Should be long, flat, and rather silky except at the frill, where it should
stand out like a lion's mane. The feathering on thighs and tail should be very
profuse, and it is preferable that it should be of a lighter colour than the rest of
Ihe coat.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Head... ... ... ... .. ... ... 10

Nose... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Eyes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Stop ... ... 5

Ears ... ... ... ... 5

Muzzle ... .. ... ... ... ... 5

Mane ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Shape of Body... ... ... ... ... ... IO

Coat and Feathering ... ... ... ... ... 15

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Legs 5

Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Tail ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Size ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 5

Action ... ... ... ... ... .. 5

Total .. 100

39

CHAPTER LIX
THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS

To Belgium the country that gave us the coal-black little Schipperke,
we are indebted for yet another variety of pet-dog in the Griffon
Bruxellois, and one that promises to out-distance in the race for
popularity several other breeds that have been much longer
naturalised here. The actual constituents from which it has been
made are not known, though Continental and English fanciers alike
have given their opinions upon the origin of the breed. Certain it
is that the Griffon Bruxellois approaches the Terriers, and, in the
writer's opinion, partakes somewhat of the Yorkshire Terrier, though
much smaller in the skull and shorter in the face than is associated
with that breed ; added to which he has a protruding chin, a very
harsh coat, and an altogether quaint expression.

Though the breed, so far as this country is concerned, has not
been long with us, it has made rapid headway, and if the " faddists ""
will but keep it of a respectable size and not sacrifice all that is
typical to diminutiveness, we shall have in the breed one of the
most popular of all pet-dogs. Again, it will be a mistake to recognise
as Griffons either the smooth-coated or silky-coated specimens that
are found in litters. If the former, as is supposed, is necessary for
the production of the coats of the Griffon Bruxellois proper, then
for show a classification should be found for them under some
other name than " Griffon," irrespective of what is done in other
countries. As showing the rapid strides that the breed has made
here, it may be instanced that within three years of separate classes
being provided for it at shows, the Kennel Club authorities thought
fit to give it a place in their Stud Book. Two clubs have been formed
to watch over the interests of the breed ; while Mrs. Handley Spicer
has to all intents and purposes published a monograph thereon,

From whatever constituents it was originally evolved, the variety
breeds fairly true to type, though in the same litter coats differ consider-
ably in texture and length. There is, however, one blotch upon its
escutcheon — namely, the practice that now and again is resorted to
in order to give an unorthodox coat the orthodox colour, as was

THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS 611

disclosed in the Law Courts a few years since. The Griffon
Bruxellois is a vivacious, hardy, active animal, and an excellent
breed for those in search of a small dog, and who do not like the
trouble inseparable from such purely pet-dogs as Maltese, Yorkshire,
and Black-and-Tan Terriers (Miniature). On the Continent the
variety is mutilated at both ends — the ears being cut to a point and
the tail docked. The latter obtains here ; but the cropping is dis-
pensed with, and the
ear is a semi-erect one.
As suggested above,
there are short-coated
and long silky-coated
specimens from the
same litter, and not
a little colour-variation
is exhibited. The for-
mer are kept, if other-
wise typical, for coat-
improvers, ^jj

Amongst those
who have gained fame
as breeders and ex-
hibitors may be men-
tioned Mrs. Handley
Spicer (two of whose
dogs are illustrated at jjR-

Fig. 127), Mrs. Mose-
ley, Mrs. H. Levy, the
Hon. Mrs. Maclaren •
Morrison, Mrs. B.
Gill, Mrs. Cochran,
Mrs. Wimbush, Mrs.
E. Baxter Mrs. C. FlG' 127-— MRS. HANDLEY SPICER'S GRIFFON
.i, ,T ' ,,7,' , BRUXELLOIS CHAMPION TOP-O'-THE-TREE AND

Allen, Mrs. Whaley, COPTHORNE PASHA.

Mrs. E, Scott, and

Miss E. Lewis, Miss G. Heworth, Miss Adela Gordon, and Miss
Fielding.

The following description of the Griffon Bruxellois is that of the
Griffon Bruxellois Club : —

General Appearance. — A lady's pet-dog, intelligent, sprightly, robust, of
compact appearance, reminding one of a cob, and captivating the attention by a
quasi-human expression.

Head.— Large and rounded, covered with rather coarse hair, rough, somewhat
longer round the eyes, nose, and cheeks.

Ears. — Semi-erect when not clipped, erect when clipped.

Eyes. — Very large, black, or nearly black, eyelashes long and black, eyelids

612 BRITISH DOGS

often edged with black, eyebrows furnished with hair, leaving the eye perfectly
uncovered.

Nose. — Always black, short, surrounded with hair, converging upwards and
going to meet those that surround the eyes ; the break or stop in the nose is well
pronounced.

Lips.— Edged with black, furnished with a moustache ; a little black in the
moustache is not a fault.

Chin. — Prominent without showing the teeth, and furnished with a small
beard.

Chest.— Rather wide and deep.

Le*. — As straight as possible, of medium length.

Tail. — With an upward carriage, and docked to two-thirds its length.

Colour.— Red.

Texture of Coat,. — Harsh and wiry, rather long and thick.

Weight. — Small dog, male and female, 5lb. maximum; big dogs, gib.
maximum ; large bitches, iclb.

Faults. — Pale eyes ; silky tuft on head ; brown toe-nails ; showing teeth.

Disqualification. — Brown nose ; white marks ; tongue protruding.

No standard of excellence has been published. The following
is therefore suggested by the writer :

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Head 15

Neck and Shoulders . . ... ... ... ... 5

Ears ... ... ... ...- ... ... ... 5

Eyes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Body and Hindquarters ... ... ... ... ... 10

Coat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20

Tail ... ... .. ... .. ... ... 5

Size ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

General Appearance ... ... ... ... ... 10

Total .. 100

CHAPTER LX
THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND

THERE is no more elegantly shaped pet dog than the Italian
Greyhound. The beauty of form and exquisite delicacy of frame
that distinguish a good specimen of this breed, together with
the exceedingly graceful action and attitudes he assumes, attract
the dog-lover and compel his eulogies. This pretty variety is
so delicate in appearance that it seems fitted only to be a pet
and companion for ladies, and as if the peach-bloom of his coat
might be sullied by the rough and clumsy touch of masculine
hands. Liliputian though he is, the Italian Greyhound is quite
an aristocrat amongst dogs. His style of motion shows that he
is no plebeian ; indeed, although his movements are to some
extent a compromise between an affected mincing gait and the
prancing action of a high-spirited horse, of the two styles there is
a tendency to that of the "high-stepper." In play, the Italian
Greyhound is seen to perfection, the graceful attitudes assumed
being very striking. When in repose, this dog has a habit of
crossing the fore legs in a manner observed in few other breeds,
and in running he seems often to step gingerly, and to plait his
legs. This peculiar action is quite a characteristic of the variety.

As the name implies, Italy is the native home of these ex-
quisitely lovely, though frail-looking, little pets. As originally
imported to England, they were larger in size than now bred
here, and were, indeed, occasionally used to course rabbits — a
purpose for which our exhibition specimens are wholly unfitted.
The dogs brought from Italy are also rather large and coarse,
and it is not under the azure skies of their native home that those
dogs have been brought to the greatest perfection, but rather
under clouds of dense London smoke, and amongst the raw,
chilling mists that surround them in their Scottish homes.

As a breeder of Italian Greyhounds for many years, Mr. W.
Bruce, of Falkirk, was by far the most successful, and in his
own hands and those of various other exhibitors his stock supplied
the best of our show specimens and a very large proportion

614

BRITISH DOGS

of the prize-winners. Among these, in years gone by, were Wee
Flower, Crucifix, Rosy Cross, and Bankside Lily. Later came
Bankside Flower, Bankside Daisy, Bankside Beauty, Bankside
Jewel, and many others that may safely be called the nearest
to absolute perfection possible, at any rate at that time.

In " Stonehenge's " original work, "The Dog in Health and
Disease," published 1859, there is given the pedigree of a then
celebrated Italian Greyhound — Mr. Gowan's Billy, considered by
the fanciers of that day as perfect in all points. Billy was an
unusual example of close breeding, his grandsire, g.-g.-s., g.-g.-g.-s.,
g.-g.-g.-g.-s., and g.-g.-g. -g.-g.-s., being the same dog — Mr. Anderton's
Bill, imported from Italy. Mr. Gowan's Billy was a pure black,

a colour very seldom seen in an
exhibited Italian Greyhound.

In the early days of our
public dog shows Mrs. Burke, of
Barrcsbury, London, frequently
took prizes in this class, win-
ning at Birmingham and London
shows, year after year, with Sil-
vey, Silvery, and Sophy. Later
on, and for a number of years,
there was nothing that had a
chance in a show against Mr.
Macdonald's famous little Molly,
a dove-coloured specimen,
diminutive in size, but of ex-
quisite proportions. Molly lived
to the very considerable age of
twelve years, and literally went
to her grave burdened with
honours. Exceptionally good as she was, many specimens shown
by Mr. Bruce have been almost as good as Molly, and it is quite
certain that competitors now are much superior, as a whole, to
those Molly had to meet in her time.

Her late Majesty Queen Victoria was amongst the admirers of
these graceful little dogs, and owned several typical specimens at
one time or another, some of which have been handed down to
posterity by means of the talented brush of the late Sir Edwin
Landseer, R.A.

Amongst others who have been known as exhibitors of good
specimens have been Mr. James Fletcher with Wee Flower;
Mr. W. Macdonald with Duke and Molly (the latter, never
beaten in competition, was certainly the best seen up to that
time, and her owner refused a hundred guineas for her in
1871); Mr. J. J. Pirn with Bismarck; Mrs. Briggs with Venus;

FIG. 128. — Miss MACKENZIE'S ITALIAN
GREYHOUNDS CHAMPION STELLIO
AND VINO.

THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND 615

Mr. J. S. Day with Crucifix, Rosy Cross, and Wee Wee; Mrs.
Bligh Monck with Duke, Duchess, and Jessie ; Mrs. Giltrap
with Countess and Romeo ; Mr. G. Butler with Wykham Duke,
Duchess, Beauty, etc. In later years came Miss Mackenzie (who
has shown a great number of specimens), Mrs. Cottrell-Dormer,
Mr. Hulland, Mrs. Philip Turner (who has taken many prizes
with specimens mostly having the prefix of Larkfield). Lastly
there are Mrs. Scarlett, Mrs. W. Matthews, Mrs. G. Burger, Miss
Bowick, Mrs. G. Raper, and Miss Ada Wood. Wykham Silver
and Contessa, belonging to the last-named, are two of the best
of recent years.

The variety has now the advantage of a club of its own, and
during the last two or three years there has been a marked increase
in the entries at the shows providing classifications and judges
acceptable to the fanciers of this formerly much neglected variety,
so that, although at one time its popularity was at a very low ebb,
it is now in a fair way to recover its prestige.

As anecdotes respecting these dogs are few and far between,
the following, related by Youatt, may be of interest : —

" An Italian Greyhound was such a favourite of the late Frederick
the Great, King of Prussia, that he used to carry it with him on
nearly all occasions. During the Seven Years' War Frederick, being
pursued by a party of Austrian dragoons, was compelled to take
refuge under the dry arch of a bridge while the soldiers passed by.
He bore his favourite in his arms, and had the little animal once
growled or barked, the monarch would have been discovered and
taken prisoner, and the fate of the campaign and of Prussia at once
decided. But the dog lay quite still and quiet, clinging to its
master in fear and trembling, as if conscious of the dangers to
which they were exposed. Thus was the King saved from discovery
— the only instance, perhaps, in the world where the fate of an
empire depended on the bark of a dog ! When, years after, the
little creature died, he was carefully buried in the Palace Gardens
at Berlin the King placing him in the grave with his own hands.
Over his remains there was, soon after, placed an inscription telling
all the world of his devotion and faithfulness."

In a book on dogs, edited by Henry Webb, and published in
1874, the following is given as being related by the lady who acted
so bravely on the occasion in question, and shows that these little
dogs possess more intelligence than they are credited with : —

" A lady whom we met some time since related the following
instance of the devotion and gratitude for kindness shown by one
of this variety. Some years before she was walking by the canal
side in Venice, when a bright, lively little Greyhound, apparently a
young dog, ran by accident against a man, who gave it a brutal

616 BRITISH DOGS

kick, and the poor little animal, partly stunned, rolled into the
water.

Passionately fond of dogs, she was naturally enraged and
grieved at seeing it treated so cruelly, and without hesitation
rushed to the water's edge, endeavouring to reach it, but the eddies
of the stream were taking it farther and farther from the side. She
jumped into the water, which she was told afterwards was twelve
feet deep. She was unable to swim, but having thrown herself
towards the dog, she managed with her right hand to catch him
by the back. They both went under water together, and spectators
seeing her danger, a boat went off to the rescue. When doggie
and his gallant preserver were picked up, the latter was quite in-
sensible.

On consciousness being restored, she discovered that the by-
standers, imagining the dog was hers, had brought him to the
house whither she had been taken. When she was sufficiently
recovered, and was preparing to take her departure, the poor little
waif gave her a piteous look of misery, and seemed to say, ' Do
take me with you,' so she picked it up in her arms, and took it
home. Fido was her constant companion in many a journey by
sea and land, and was always most affectionate.

Some years elapsed, and Fido and his mistress were in Lisbon.
The hour was midnight, and after a long and tedious voyage, occupy-
ing nearly twenty-four hours, they were both sound asleep, Fido lying,
as usual, by his mistress's bedside. She was suddenly roused by finding
him on the bed, scratching the sheets, and crying piteously. She said,
' Be quiet, Fido — be quiet, sir ' ; but it was of no avail — he made more
noise than before. Now thoroughly awakened, his mistress sat up
in bed, and heard, to her horror, loud cries of * Fire ! ' Her room
was filling with smoke, and she sprang from her bed to open the
door. At this instant her window was dashed in, and a man seized
her by the waist, but she rushed backwards, snatched up Fido, and
then both were safely conveyed to the ground by the fire-escape.
She little imagined, when she rescued the dog from a watery grave,
that he would be, in after-years, her preserver from that most fearful
and devouring element, Fire."

The weight of the Italian Greyhound for show purposes should
not exceed iolb., although at the shows now they sometimes
provide classes for those i2lb. and over, and for under i2lb. ; but
the best specimens I have ever seen have been well under iolb.,
and those 2lb. or 3lb. less are preferred.

The greatest defects met with in this breed are button or prick
ears, short neck without arch, Terrier front action (straight leg),
straggling hind action, dirty, smutty colouring, apple-head, too short
a muzzle, legs not straight in front, and weak pasterns or hocks.

THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND 617

Below will be found the points of the Italian Greyhound, as
adopted by the Italian Greyhound Club : —

SkulL — Long, flat, and narrow.

Muzzle. — Very fine ; nose dark in colour.

Ears. — Rose-shaped, placed well back, soft and delicate, and should touch,
or nearly so, behind the head.

Eyes. — Rather large, bright, and full of expression.

Neck. — Long, and gracefully arched.

Shoulders. — Long and sloping.

Chest and Brisket. — Deep and narrow.

Back. — Curved, and drooping at the hindquarters.

Loin. — Well arched and cut up.

Fore Legs. — Straight, well set under the shoulder; fine pasterns, small delicate
bones.

Hind Legs. — Hocks well let down ; thighs muscular.

Feet. — The long " hare's " foot with arch toes, well split up.

Tail. — Rather long, fine, with low carriage.

Coat. — Skin fine and supple ; hair thin, and glossy like satin.

Colour. — Preferably self-coloured. The colour most prized is golden fawn,
but all shades of fawn, red, mouse, blue, cream, and white are recognised, and
blacks, brindles, and pied are considered less. desirable.

Action. — High stepping and free.

Weight. — Two classes of 81b. and under, one over 81b.

General Appearance. — A miniature English Greyhound, more slender in all
proportions, and of ideal elegance and grace in shape, symmetry, and action.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Size ... ... ... ... ... ... "... 20

Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... 25

Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Head ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Neck... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Legs and Feet ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Shoulders ... .. ... ... ... ... 5

Back and Hindquarters ... ... ... ... ... 5

Symmetry ... ... ... ... ... ... 10

Tail ... ... ... ... ... 5

Total ,. 100

CHAPTER LXI
THE TOY BULLDOG

To briefly describe the Toy Bulldog, it is — or should be — a dwarfed
specimen of the British Bulldog, its weight not exceeding 2olb.,
and in type, character, and points an exact reproduction in miniature
of its larger relative ; but, unfortunately for both the writer and
the Toy Bulldog fancy, there are, so far as Toy Bulldogs are
concerned, two Richmonds in the field — the one the dog above
described, the other a French importation which has little in
common with the British Bulldog except its name, and this un-
authorised by the ruling body of English Dogdom, the Kennel
Club. But as there are many fanciers and breeders of the French
Toy Bulldog in this country, the claims of the breed must be
seriously considered.

Its origin, like that of the Bulldog itself, is yet to be satisfactorily
accounted for, though a letter which recently appeared in Our
Dogs may shed some light on the subject. The letter, which is
worthy of the careful attention of those interested in the breed, was
as follows : —

FRENCH BULLDOGS

Sir, — I see in the newspapers (especially Our Dogs} frequent allusions
to the origin of the so-called French Bulldog. I think its origin can
be easily traced, as some years ago I was in that fancy, with many others
in this city (Nottingham), where scores of small Bulldogs were annually
bred. They were fallow-pied, brindle-fawn, brindle-and-white, etc., mostly
with semi-erect ears, from 25lb. to i61b. weight. The principal breeders
were E. King, D. Milward, Baker Read, B. North, etc. The reason so
many got to France was that there was a continual stream of people going
from Nottingham to Calais and St. Quintin, lace-makers, Notts men, many
of them taking a dog back with them. George, of London, came down
periodically buying, also Fagy Joe, Hincks, and others. Public-house
shows were very common. I have a collar now, won at one. On the
introduction of Fox-terriers into prominent notice they seemed to quite
die out, and the dear, good old souls who bred them as well. The very
best small Bulldog we ever bred in Nottingham was bred by D. Milward,
and purchased by E. King. It was bred from brother and sister. Every

THE TOY BULLDOG 619

good dog in the city was descended from it. I don't know if there
is any one else living in Notts who has bred them ; possibly there may
be. — Yours truly, • ,

R. HILL.
PARLIAMENT-STREET, NOTTINGHAM.

Assuming the writer to be correct in his suppositions, and there
is no reason to believe otherwise, it will be seen that the so-called
French Bulldog is a mongrelised and dwarfed member of the
Bulldog family, which, exported to France years ago from England,
has lately been reintroduced into this country, after having been
crossed with the Pug and probably other breeds of which no records
have been kept, or at any rate revealed to English fanciers.

It must, however, be admitted that the bat or tulip ear, which
is one of the characteristic points of this breed, is probably of
English origin ; for as Mr. Hill points out in his letter, those that
were exported to France were mostly possessed of erect ears, a point
which no doubt the French breeders strove to perpetuate and
exaggerate, and which has resulted in the enormous upright ears of
the modern French Bulldog.

In at least one other point the French Bulldog differs from the
English-bred dog. While turn-up of under jaw is a point continu-
ally bred for and much desired by breeders of the British Bulldog,
it is a point in which the French specimen is noticeably deficient,
there being little or no projection of the under jaw ; and in some
cases the French dog is actually overshot. These two points alone
— ears and under jaw — are sufficient to make a considerable difference
in the appearance and type of the English and French-bred dogs, but
there are many other points of dissimilarity, though less marked.
The French dog rarely possesses the shoulders and front with the
depth of brisket, nor the roach or wheel back and the low set-on of
tail, all of which points are characteristic of the English breed. In
short, the so-called French type of Toy Bulldog and the English type
are entirely distinct, and the mating together of these two breeds for
the purpose of producing small specimens is a course which the
writer would strongly urge on breeders not to adopt.

Assuming, as we have the right to assume in view of statements
made by many who are the champions of the French Bulldog cause,
that crossing with other breeds has been resorted to by the French
breeders, it follows that the mating of a small British Bulldog with
a French Toy will result in producing small puppies, no doubt, but
at the expense of their purity of blood.

A writer of considerable experience and of undoubted ability has
recently recommended the crossing of the two breeds, the mating
together of a dog of French parentage with a small bitch of the
English strains, the object to be achieved, diminution in size of the
offspring, contributed by the small French father, and improvement

620 BRITISH DOGS

in ears and under jaw, contributed by the English-bred mother.
This argument is quite easy to follow, but the strong point that is to
be urged against it is the 'introduction of the mongrelised blood of
the French Bulldog and its effect upon the offspring of the union.
The huge and unsightly ears of the French Bulldog and its
lack of under jaw might, and no doubt could, by this crossing be
improved upon in the course of several generations, and the small
size of the French Bulldog would affect a more immediate decrease
in size, and under-weight Toys would be more quickly produced
than if they were bred for step by step, so to speak, the breeder
being satisfied with a slight decrease of weight with each generation
until at last the desired lightness was attained.

FIG. 129.— TULIP-EARED FRENCH, ROSE-EARED ENGLISH, AND BAT-EARED
FRENCH TOY BULLDOGS.

Although the Kennel Club has not at the time of the publication
of this work acknowledged the existence of the French Toy Bulldog
(Fig. 129), either by registering it as a separate breed or by permitting
the official registration of its representative club, " The French Toy
Bulldog Club of England," there are many fanciers and breeders
of this dog in England. The dogs are companionable little animals
and of an affectionate disposition, rather noisily inclined, and quite
in their place as house pets and companions for ladies. They are
practically certain to always command a fair share of popularity,
and possibly in time the Kennel Club may decide to admit them
into the ranks of registered breeds ; but it is to be hoped that they
will not gain their admittance as " Bulldogs," they, having no more
right to the title than has the Orpington hen to the name of
the Dorking from which it was bred.

THE TOY BULLDOG 621

The Toy Bulldog pure and simple is a British Bulldog in minia-
ture, obtained sometimes by a freak of nature and sometimes by
long and persistent breeding, though at present the Fancy is com-
paratively too young for the effects of systematic breeding to be
yet visible. The process of dwarfing anything, whether it be animal
or plant, is bound to be a lengthy one — that is to say, to produce
uniform results — for the writer has already admitted that nature will
occasionally produce a Toy Bulldog of its own accord and without
apparent rhyme or reason.

In a Toy Bulldog should be found all those qualities most
valued in the larger dog — expression, the rose ears, the wide under
jaw, with its upward sweep protruding considerably beyond the
upper jaw, lay-back, a big black nose and well defined stop, depth
of brisket, a good set-on of shoulder, strength of bone, the roach
back and a small tail, straight screw or crank set on low. To obtain
these qualities with diminutive size should be the aim of every
breeder, but the introduction of the French blood will make his
task harder, if not actually impossible.

To attempt at once to breed Toys from one mating of small
specimens of the British Bulldog would be futile and would probably
be followed by disastrous results ; and this brings the writer to a
point which he would urge the breeder to constantly keep in mind,
the natural inclination of all creatures to " throw back."

By " throwing back " is meant the reproduction of young bearing
strong resemblance to some ancestor. In human beings this resem-
blance is sometimes mental and sometimes physical. With dogs
the mental characteristics need here scarcely be taken into account,
but the physical are worthy of all attention.

The tyro, in mating a very small English Bulldog with a very
small bitch of the same breed, would probably expect to produce
small puppies. It is true that his expectations might be realised,
but it is equally true and far more likely that they may not. What
then would be the result ? The small dog and bitch coming from
large stock would in all probability throw back, and big or at any
rate medium-sized puppies would result, with infinite danger to the
mother, who would in all probability succumb to the exertion of
bringing them into the world.

The course, then, to be advised as a first step is the mating of the
very smallest specimen of the true English Bulldog it is possible to
secure with an English Bull bitch of medium size. Mrs. Carlo F. C.
Clarke, in her recent work on Toy Bulldogs, states : " I believe
there is just as much likelihood of getting a Toy puppy from an
English-bred bitch weighing 35lb. as from one weighing say 281b.,
and infinitely less risk of losing the mother."

.The principle to be observed, then, is to look to the sire for
diminution in size. More probably than not, he will throw back

622 BRITISH DOGS

to a previous generation, and beget puppies that will make bigger
dogs than himself; but among the litter there may be at least one
or two sufficiently small to warrant the continuance of the experi-
ment. The dogs from this litter might be mated with bitches of, say,
281b. weight, and a slightly further reduction in the size of the
puppies might be confidently looked for.

To attempt to build up a strain of Toys is practically an im-
possibility when the breeder is possessed of only one bitch.
The equipment of the would-be Toy Bulldog breeder should be,
say, three — more, if possible — bitches weighing from 281b. to 35lb.,
and bred from a stock which has always inclined to smallness.
The three or more bitches might be mated to different stud dogs
of English parentage and of the very lightest weight procurable.
Then from subsequent litters the smallest of the dogs should be
mated with the medium-weight bitches of the other litters, while the
excessively small bitches should on no account be bred from at all.

In the same work referred to Mrs. Clarke recommends the
mating of the smallest English-bred bitches with French dogs, the
idea she has in view being to guard against the probability of
the sire throwing back ; but it must also be borne in mind that the
dam is as likely to throw back as the sire, and the danger to
the bitch is almost as great as if the small English-bred dog was
used. Besides, as has been before stated, the introduction of the
French blood cannot tend to the improvement of the breed, and the
two breeds should be kept entirely apart, or incalculable harm to
the English Toy Bulldog will result.

The Toy Bulldog Club, of which the Hon. Mrs. Bailie, of
Dochfour, is the Honorary Secretary, has adopted the standard of
points as set forth by the Bulldog Club Incorporated, the sole
difference being in the weight : 2olb. is considered by the Toy
Bulldog Club to be the utmost that a Toy Bulldog should weigh.
There will be, of course, many dogs bred that scale a few pounds
or even ounces over this weight ; and while they are practically
useless from a show point of view — except when, as is rarely the
case, classes for the "outcasts," as they are sometimes called, are
provided by show committees, for dogs weighing between 2olb.
and 25lb. — they can, of course, be utilised with advantage to
continue the breeding operations, while as companions and house
pets they will generally find purchasers quickly enough.

To select a puppy from the nest is always a difficult task for
the novice, and even for the fancier of experience, and the selection
is rendered even more difficult when the dogs are of any Toy
breed. Small size will be one of the first points the purchaser
will look for, but he must not confound smallness with weediness !
A weedy puppy is poor in bone, feeble in its actions, and lacking
stamina generally. Such a puppy is not likely to do well — in fact,

THE TOY BULLDOG 623

his early death is almost a certainty ; but should he survive, he
is likely to be only a source of constant trouble, expense, and
disappointment.

The first point the novice must look for is, therefore, health.
A puppy may be small, but may yet have plenty of bone in
proportion to its size ; moreover, its bones should be well covered.
The puppy that displays a healthy appetite for its food, and is
ever ready at meal-time to take his share in all that is going, is
the one to choose. In kennelmen's parlance, he is a " good doer."
He will probably look and be larger than the weed, but his extra
weight is the weight that health gives him, and health before
all must be the amateur's first consideration. Choose, therefore, the
healthiest rather than the very smallest puppy in the litter, though
sometimes the smallest may be as healthy as his brothers and
sisters, and in such a case he naturally is the one to pick.

The other points to be looked for have already been dealt
with. See that the puppy is well supplied with bone, that his
limbs are strong and sturdy, without a suspicion of rickets, and
that his skull is large. In very young puppies the correctly carried
rose ear is seldom or never seen. All puppies' ears are inclined
to button — that is to say, to double and hang forward ; the correctly
carried rose ear is acquired a little later in the puppy's life, and
its acquisition may be considerably helped by a little judicious
moulding, the fingers and thumb being only used, without the
assistance of so-called " ear appliances " or adhesive matter. A
small, fine ear should be looked for in the young puppy, the finer
and smaller the better ; but shape and carriage cannot be expected
at so early an age.

The prominence of the under jaw in young puppies is seldom
noticeable; it will be enough to lift the lips, and when the jaw
is closed to ascertain that the under jaw does protrude more or
less. If the jaws are level, or there is an inclination to be overshot,
the puppy should be discarded, though the slightest inclination
to be undershot may generally be taken as an indication that a
good under jaw will develop later on.

With regard to the tail, the smaller the better. It may be screwed,
cranked, or straight, and should be set on as low as possible. A
long-tailed Bulldog is an eye-sore, whether he be of full size or
a Toy, and oftentimes a long tail detracts from the appearance and
value of an otherwise good specimen.

Generally, the puppy should be thick set, with strongly boned
limbs and big skull, small ears, short tail, very active and playful,
and ready for his food at almost any hour of the day.

The smallest puppy in the litter that comes nearest to answering
to this description is the one to choose, in preference to one that
may perhaps be smaller but which is lacking in that strength

624 BRITISH DOGS

and stamina which is so necessary to help him through all the
ills that will beset him during the months of -his puppyhood.

Toy dogs of any breed are, naturally enough, usually treated as
house pets and companions, but the man who takes up the breeding
of Toy dogs as a serious occupation will find that he will do better
if he accustoms his dogs to an out-door life. Dogs that are allowed
the run of the house, and that are more or less pampered, irregularly
fed, and coddled, are not the likely ones to breed from. Fresh air
and exercise are as beneficial to Toys as to the large breeds ; but
at the same time protection from the most rigorous weather and
biting winds should be provided. A large and airy barn or stable
would be an ideal place in which to place the kennels, at any rate

FIG. 130.— MRS. SCHLAFEKMANN'S TOY BULLDOG LITTLE KNOT.

during the winter months, and in the large sheltered space there
would be ample opportunity for the puppies to exercise themselves
with play, even though easterly winds would be blowing or snow
falling outside.

During the warm summer months the kennels would be well
placed out of doors, faced to the south, and backed, if possible, by
a wall to shield them from northerly and easterly gales. As to
kennel itself, the writer some time ago designed a kennel for Toy
dogs that has been well received, and which he can confidently
recommend for the purpose.

The kennel referred to is of the "lean-to " type, the roof being
of wood covered with tarred felt. The floor is of wood, and
is designed to draw out much in the same manner as do the
floors provided to bird cages. There is also a shutter hinged to

THE TOY BULLDOG 625

the upper part of the kennel, which when let down covers in the
barred or open run, and protects it during bad weather from wind
or driving rain, though a large glass window should be placed in
the shutter. This kennel, which measures yft. in length by 2ft. 6in.
in width, will pass easily through almost any doorway, and may
during the winter be even placed in the dwelling-house if no
suitable out-building is attainable. It is manufactured by Mr.
Calway, of Severn Works, Sharpness, who has placed it on the
market at a moderate price.

The feeding of Toy Bulldogs need not materially differ from
the diet suggested for the larger Bulldogs ; less quantity is naturally
required, but on no account should puppies be under fed or dosed
with gin, as some disreputable breeders do in their ignorant cruelty.
Diminution in size can only be attained by systematic and intelligent-
breeding, and ample time must be allowed for the operation if
uniformity of result is to be attained. The man of impatient
temperament is not the man to breed Toy Bulldogs, unless it be
possible for him to begin where some one else has left off.

Finally, the writer would urge upon the intending breeder the
claims of the miniature British Bulldog, the only true Toy Bulldog,
in preference to the so-called French Bulldog. Sometimes one
hears "the two types" of Toy Bulldogs spoken of; there are no
two types, but one only, and that is the miniature British Bulldog,
of which there are too few specimens at present in existence, the
most perfect in the opinion of the writer being Mrs. Schlafermann's
Little Knot (Fig. 130) and Mr. Jones's Highgate Dot, though
unfortunately both these dogs are a pound or so above the
maximum limit weight of the Toy Bulldog Club.

40

CHAPTER LXII
OTHER DIMINUTIVE TOY DOGS

IT is not the worst feature in human nature that displays itself
in a liking for the little — a disposition to care for and caress the
diminutive. Of course, there are giant minds that find no room
in their affections for trifles, and can stoop to deal with nothing
less than the fundamental laws and colossal forces of Nature ; and
yet of such Thackeray could write :

How very weak the very wise,
How very small the very great are !

The diminutive animal appeals to us for help and protection,
and that touches one of the secret springs of action in the best
side of our nature, and is, probably, the foundation of our liking
for little pets. Indulgence in this natural tendency is excellent
in effect when properly regulated, but when excessive, or unwisely
directed, it is harmful alike to the person and the pet. It is
most to be condemned when wasted on abortive products, the result
of some infraction of Nature's laws.

THE BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER (MINIATURE)

Three decades or so ago, and even less, a large proportion of
the Black-and-tan Toy Terriers (as they were then called) were
of the sort called by "fanciers" "apple-headed 'uns " — that is,
round-skulled, and with prominent foreheads ; and this variety was
supposed to owe these features to a cross with the King Charles
Spaniel. Another variety, finer in the head, and generally showing
the wheel back and tucked-up flank of the Italian Greyhound,
owed its peculiar features to a cross with the last-named dog. Both
of these have now, however, given place to a much neater animal,
showing truer Terrier character — being, in fact, a pocket edition
of the large Black-and-tan Terrier, dwarfed by constant selection of
the smallest and continued in-and-in breeding.

This continued consanguineous breeding is not, however, an
unmixed good, and in some instances appears to have already been

OTHER DIMINUTIVE TOY DOGS 627

carried to the utmost extent it can be with safety, great delicacy
of constitution being one result, and another the loss of hair,
many specimens being almost bare on head, face, and neck ; this
is a great disfigurement, and one that can only be permanently
remedied by judicious breeding.

The points of the Black-and-tan Toy Terrier are the same as
in the larger breed, and to that readers are referred. There is more
difficulty experienced in producing a good animal, well marked, and
rich in colour, of the desired size — weighing from 3lb. to 5lb. at
most — than there is in breeding dogs 2olb. and over.

As these fragile creatures are thin in the skin, and but lightly
covered with hair, they should be kept clothed when out of doors.

The great difficulty breeders find in producing perfect specimens
of this variety is shown by the scarcity of them on the show-bench.
For the last twenty years at least there have usually been one or
two specimens so far superior to the general run that each, while its
turn lasted, took the chief prizes wherever exhibited. Such were
Boulton's Little Wonder, Whitehouse's Little Emily, Howard
Mapplebeck's Belle, Mrs. Foster's Diva, Tom Swinburn's Serpolette,
Alf George's Little Princess, and Mrs. Hamp's Jubilee Wonder (the
last named a perfect specimen), Mrs. Lyne's Sisserietta, and the dogs
associated with the name of Mr. T. Adams, of Oxford.

The Blue (known as the Blue Paul) and the Blue-and-tan are
often by enthusiasts dignified as distinct varieties, but they are not
entitled thereto. They are mere colour " sports," and generally, as far
as type is concerned, inferior to the Black-and-tan. Some years ago
these " sports " were encouraged ; and where Nature had not given
them the requisite colour, this was supplied by Art.

Though it is very desirable to take the greatest care of these some-
what delicate dogs, yet it is not a good plan to coddle them and bring
them up like hot-house plants, any more than it is to allow them out
when cold winds are blowing or during inclement weather generally.
The best coated dogs will usually be found amongst those that
during suitable weather have been kept in a well-ventilated but cosy
out-door kennel. In winter it is safest to keep them indoors, but
not to allow them to snooze away their existence in a basket before
the fire. That the brood bitch and her whelps need special treat-
ment admits of no doubt ; for it would be the height of folly to
allow the delicate young puppies to be exposed to cold blasts of
wind, wet, and snow. For natural purposes it is the fancier's rule
to provide a tray containing peat moss, sanitary sawdust, or the
special mould sold for cats, to which the dam and her puppies
can repair. This has been found to answer well.

As with many other varieties, it is not judicious to attempt to
breed from the small bitches. Far better is it to rely upon a bitch of
medium size (81b. or so) that also comes of a small strain, and utilise

628

BRITISH DOGS

her as a brood bitch, mating her to a dog renowned for siring small
puppies. If the puppies are born in winter, they must be kept in a
fairly warm room, and at night, when the fires are out, the lined basket
or box should be lightly covered. In spring and summer no such
precaution is necessary, and at any rate in sunny, warm weather the
mother and her whelps will be benefited by being kept outside.
With puppies so reared, the tendency to skin disease, so prevalent
with these dogs, is minimised, and the coat is correspondingly im-
proved. Should the coat get bare upon the head, as it often does,
a little vaseline pomade rubbed in after washing the dog with one of
the pet-dog soaps will be beneficial. Teething troubles affect puppies
very much, and the coat and ear-carriage are alike bad. Though in
the big Black-and-tan but one type of ear is acknowledged, with
these pocket editions it is not unusual to find two or three different
kinds— erect, rose, drop. So long as the carriage of either is correct
and the dog be otherwise of good quality, the actual shape of ear
is not of great moment, or at least it does not appear to be. The
dietary of all these Toy dogs must be as varied as possible, and
minced lean meat should be given as a change food.

THE WHITE TOY TERRIER

Occasionally diminutive White Ter-
riers of 3lb. or 4lb. weight turn up at
a show, but do not seem as yet to be
looked on as worthy of distinct classi-
fication. Those usually seen have
been too bullet-headed ; but by close
in-breeding of the now well-established
White English Terrier, a very pretty
class of Toys might be produced, and,
if bred in sufficient numbers, a class
would soon be made for them at our
best shows.

THE CHIHUAHUA DOG

Another atom of dog-flesh now and
again seen at our shows is the Chi-
huahua. Those specimens that we
have seen appeared to differ con-
siderably as to type. According to a
correspondent who wrote about these

dogs in the Field a few years ago, the true Chihuahua " is very
small, has smooth hair of different colours except black (which is
not recognised), a fine nose, large, prominent eyes, slender feet, a

FIG. 131.— CHIHUAHUA DOG.

OTHER DIMINUTIVE TOY DOGS 629

small depression on the skull, and large, erect ears." There are
also long-coated specimens.

At the Kennel Club Show of 1898 one of these scarce (so far
as this country is concerned) little animals was exhibited by Mrs. F.
H. Adams, Arun Bank, Rudgwick, Sussex. Fig. 131 illustrates this
mite. Her owner characterised her as a very lively little pet. Al-
though weighing but 4lb. 2oz., she was very plucky, and had the
temerity to tackle a cat. Chihuahua dogs generally have the repu-
tation of being delicate ; but there was nothing delicate about Mrs.
Adams's bitch at the time she was exhibited. When she first came
into her owner's hands, she was very timid ; but she soon outgrew
this, and would romp about with a handsome Retriever that was ex-
ceedingly kind to his small friend.

THE AFFENPINSCHER

At one time this Monkey Terrier, as it is called by some, was now
and then found at a few of the larger shows. Since the advent
of the Brussels Griffon, however, the Affenpinscher is not as often
seen. To judge by the appearance and monkeyish expression of
these two varieties, one could readily imagine that the former con-
tained a big preponderance of the latter.

The Affenpinscher is an alert, intelligent little dog of some ylb.
to 81b. in weight. It has a round skull well covered with stiff hair,
large, dark, round eyes, black-bordered eyelids, and bushy eyebrows.
As the name denotes, the expression is that of a monkey. The ears
are erect, and on the Continent cut to a point. As in the Brussels
Griffon, there is a prominent chin, with a hair-tuft and a moustache.
Though the lower jaw is a trifle the longer, the teeth must not show.
The body is short and compact ; the fore legs are straight and well
boned • while the round feet are well furnished with hair between the
toes. The colour is different shades of red, as well as grey and
yellowish ; while there is often a black mask. The coat is wiry in
texture. The tail is docked to about two-thirds its length.

THE BUTTERFLY SPANIEL OR SQUIRREL-DOG

In some quarters there is a disposition to popularise this long-
coated toy-dog. It scales somewhat heavier than the Affenpinscher,
and, like that variety, is of Continental origin. The names above
adopted are in reference to two decided characteristics that the dog
possesses. The former is in allusion to the ear-placement and
carriage, which have been fancifully likened to the expanded wings
of a butterfly ; the latter to the tail being carried over the back.
The skull is rounded, with round dark eyes placed somewhat low.
In body the dog is not so compactly built as our English Toy
Spaniels. The coat is a chestnut-brown or a combination of that
colour and white ; while in texture it is soft to the touch. On the
face parts and in front of the legs it is shorter than on the body.

CHAPTER LXIII
THIBETAN DOGS

ELSEWHERE has been figured and described the large Thibet dog
known as the Thibet Mastiff; there is also the huge Thibetan
Sheepdog that Mr. Wilson had some few years since, and exhibited
at the more important shows. The one is but a modification of the
other. Of still more importance than either to English fanciers is
the Lhassa Terrier, an interesting little breed formerly found under
the inappropriate name of Bhuteer Terrier. Lhassa is the chief
home of these Terriers, which by the Fancy in Northern India are
classified as Thibetan. Until Mr. Lionel Jacobs enlightened the
fanciers of this country by means of his very practical contributions
to the Kennel press on the dogs of India, but very little was known
here, and much confusion reigned, especially when, as in the case
of the Lhassa, two distinct types obtain. Though desirable
acquisitions, the true Lhassas are by no means abundant even in
that capital, and are correspondingly expensive.

As stated above, two distinct types of Lhassa exist — one (the
true) approaching the Skye Terrier in character, but with the tail
carried over the back, as is usual with Thibetan dogs, the other
more closely approximating to the Japanese Spaniel. In India,
as here, separate classes for the breed are provided ; but the dogs
there do not appear to grow as much hair upon the face, head, and
ears as do the specimens met with here. This, as Mr. R. T. Clarke
points out in a letter sent to Mr. Lionel Jacobs and by that
gentleman contributed to the Field, is probably the result of greater
attention to the dog's toilet. Mr. Clarke describes the Lhassa as
" very affectionate and attached, and do not thrive unless petted
and taken a good deal of notice of. They are very jealous, and
desperate fighters when their blood is up. When fighting, they are
as determined to kill as any Fox or Irish Terriers, and always
attack at a vulnerable spot."

Mr. Lionel Jacobs, when dealing with the breed in the Kennel
Gazette of 1901, speaks in the highest praise of the bitch Marni,
owned by Colonel Walsh, and compares her in type and general
appearance to Mrs. Maclaren Morrison's Kepvich Tuko, that had

THIBETAN DOGS

631

just won first in the Bhuteer Class at the Crystal Palace. Marni
was very successfully exhibited, and up to the time of her death she
held an unbeaten record. Mr. Lionel Jacobs gives the measurements
of Marni as follow : Length of head, 6|in. ; height at shoulder,
loin. ; length of back, igin. ; length of ear, 2|in. The same
gentleman thus describes the breed in the organ of the Kennel
Club referred to above : —

Head.— Distinctly Terrier-like. Skull narrow, falling away behind the eyes in
a marked degree, not quite flat, but not domed or apple-shaped. Fore face of
fair length, strong in front of the eyes, the nose large, prominent, and pointed,
not depressed ; a square muzzle is objectionable. The stop, size for size, about
that of the Skye Terrier. Mouth quite level, but of the two a slightly over-shot
mouth is preferable to an under-shot one. The teeth are somewhat smaller than
would be expected in a Terrier of the size. In this respect the breed seems to

FIG. 132.— LHASSA TERRIERS INDIA AND PUTIMA.

suffer to an extraordinary degree from cankered teeth. I have never yet seen an
imported specimen with a sound mouth.

Ears. — Set on low, and carried close to the cheeks, similar to the ears of a
drop-eared Skye.

Eyes. — Neither very large and full, nor very small and sunk, dark brown in
colour.

Legs and Feet. — The fore legs should be straight. In all short-legged breeds
there is a tendency to crookedness, but the straighter the legs the better. There
should be good bone. Owing to the heavy coat the legs look, and should look,
very heavy in bone ; but in reality the bone is not heavy. It should be round
and of good strength right down to the toes, the less ankle the better. The
hocks should be particularly well let down. Feet should be round and cat-like,
with good pads.

Body. — There is a tendency in England to look for a level top and a short
back. All the best specimens have a slight arch at the loin, and the back
should not be too short ; it should be considerably longer than the height at
withers (note the measurements given of the bitch Marni). The dog should be
well ribbed-up, with a strong loin, and well-developed quarters and thighs.

632 BRITISH DOGS

Stern. — Should be carried well over the back after the manner of the tail of
the Chow. All Thibetan dogs carry their tails in this way, and a low carriage
of stern is a sign of impure blood.

Coat. — Should be heavy, of good length and very dense. There should be a
strong growth on the skull, falling on both sides. The legs should be well clothed
right down to the toes. On the body the hair should not reach to the ground, as
in a show Yorkshire ; there should be a certain amount of daylight. In general
appearance the hair should convey the idea of being much harder to the eye than
it is to the touch. It should look hard, straight, and strong, when to the touch
it is soft, but not silky. The hair should be straight, with no tendency to curl.

Colour. — Black, dark grizzle, slate, sandy, or an admixture of these colours
with wrhite.

Size. — About loin, or nin. height at shoulder for dogs, and gin. or loin, for
bitches.

Occasionally met with is another dog from the same country,
usually called a Thibetan Spaniel ; but as a matter of fact both
Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Clarke are most emphatic in saying that there
is no Thibet dog with any of the characteristics of the Spaniel as
ordinarily understood.

1 N 13 E X

Aberdeen Terrier, 451. See Scottish

Terrier

AFFENPINSCHER, 629
Afghan Greyhound, 138
African Sand- dogs, 548
Agassoei, 192
Aguara dogs, 147
AIREDALE TERRIER, 415

American popularity, 415

Bingley Terrier, 415

breeders, prominent, 415, 416, 418

Broken-haired Terrier, 415

celebrated specimens, 415, 416

Club, 418

colours, 417

eyes, 416, 417, 418

hardiness, 417

history, 415

hound blood, 416

origin, 415, 416

points, 416, 417, 418

popularity, 415

prices realised, 415

puppy, selecting. 417

size, 416, 418

sporting dog, 417

temperament, 417

"Terrier" somewhat of a mis-
nomer, 418

water-dog, 41 5> 418

Waterside Terrier, 415, 416

Welsh Terrier confused with, 519

Working Terrier, 415
Altcar coursing meeting, 82, 91
Ancestors of the dog, 2
ANCIENT DOGS, i

necessity of, 13
Anubis, God of the Setting Sun, dog

sacred to, 4
Arctic Dogs, 362

Wolf, Grey, 3

Armour-clad war dogs of antiquity, 7

Asiatic Toys, 607

Association of the dog with primeval

man, I
Assyrian hunting dog, 6, 7

monuments, presentments of dogs

on, 6

Atavism (throwing back), 621
Australian Dog, 2, 373. See Dingo

B

Backing, Pointer, 248, 252
Badger-dog, 225, 234, 235
Badgers, baiting, 406, 407

Bedlington Terrier for, 491

Dachshund for, 227, 238

digging out, 408

habits, 238

hunting, 408

Irish Terrier for, 470
Barge-dog, 558
Barking, an acquired habit, 4
Bartlett, Mr. A. D., on origin of

breeds, 3

BARUKHZY AND ALLIED EASTERN
HOUNDS, 138

Afghan Greyhound, 138

Cabul Dog, 138

colours, 140

hunting with, 140

introduction, 138

origin, 138

Persian Greyhound, 140

Rampur Hound, 140

size, 140
BASSET-HOUND, 203

ajambes demi-torses, 203, 206

a jambes droits, 203, 207

ajambes torses, 204, 207

a poil dur, 204

a poil ras, 204

634

INDEX

BASSET-HOUND— contd.

animals hunted by, 205

antiquity, 212, 216

Belgian, 203

Blain, Mr. Fred W., on, 212

breeders, prominent, 210, 214,
216, 220

breeding, 222

celebrated specimens, 210, 214,
216, 217, 218, 219, 223

classes or varieties, 203. 216

Club, 212, 221

colours, 206, 216, 218, 222

Couteulx Hounds, 216

crossbred, 206

Dachs Bracken, 206

Dachshund confused with, 228

Dachshund variety, 206

etymology of word, 203

faults, 222

Fino de Paris, 216, 218

French, 203

Griffon, 216, 219

grooming, 222

Half-rough, 205

history, 203

hunting, 204

inbreeding, 223

intelligence, 208, 214

Lane Hound, 216, 219

Masson, 216

Millais, Mr. E., on, 211, 215, 219

" music," 214

origin, 203

pack, formation of, 213

Pick, Mr. T., on, 214

points, 204, 207, 218, 221

prices realised, 223

puppies, 224

puppy, selecting, 224

Ramono, 217

Rough, 204, 205, 216, 221, 222

sagacity, 208, 214

shooting, excellence foi, 208

size, 204, 207, 222

Smooth, 204, 205, 210, 216, 222

Stud Book, 212

Termino, 216, 218

training, 213

truffle-dog, 209

varieties, 203, 216

" Wildfowler" on, 203
Bawsind, 408
BEAGLE, 192

Agassoei, 192

antiquity, 193

BEAGLE— contd.

Appian on, 192

bedding, 200

breeding, 198

breeding down, 196

Club, 194, 2co

colours, 196

distinct breed, 194

dwarf, 193, 196

exercise, 201

faults, 194, 196

feeding, 201

Glove, 193, 196

grooming, 200

history, 192

kennels, 200

Kerry, 198

Langehren, 192

Master, duties of, 198. 201

Mills, Mr., on, 193

modern v. old-time, 194

"music," 193, 196, 197

origin, 192, 198

pack, purchasing, 199

pack, starting, 198

pedigree, importance of, 199

Pocket, 193, 196, 197

points, 193, 194, 196

puppies, 200

purchasing pack, 199

rabbit-hunting. 197

Rough, 198

selecting, 198

Singing, 193

size, 193, 195, 196, 198

Sleeve, 196

Toy, 196, 197

uses of, 196

Velterer, 192

Wire-haired, 198
Bear-baiting, 385
Bearded Collie, 148. See Collie
BEDLINGTON TERRIER, 490

" Bedlington, Duke of," on, 491

breeders, prominent, 491, 493, 494,

497

celebrated specimens, 491, 493,

494, 497, 498
colours, 492, 495-497, 500
companion, 492
Coquetdale Terrier, 490
Clubs, 494-496
crosses, 495

Donkin, Mr. W. J., on, 494
faking, 498
farmer's dog, 492

INDEX

635

BEDLINGTON TERRIER— contd.

fleetness, 495

history, 490, 491

inbred, 494

judging, erratic, 493

odour exhaled by, 494

origin, 490, 491, 492

Pickett, Mr. Thomas John, on, 491

points, 492, 495, 496, .soo

preparing for show, 498

revival of interest in, 498

shows, early, 493

shows, small entries at, 498

size, 494, 495-497

temperament, 492, 493. 495, 499

top-knot, 492, 496, 500

water-dog, 492, 499
Belgian Griffon, 610. See Griffon
Bruxellois

Schipperke Club, 559, 560, 562
Bengalese Harrier, 376
Bhuteer Terrier, 630. See Lhassa Terrier
Bible, dogs of the, 14
Bingley Terrier, 415. See Airedale

Terrier
Birkenhead and Liverpool Bull-terrier

Club, 414
BLACK-AND-TAN SETTER, 275

American, 282

Belton, 282

breeders, prominent, 276, 278,
279, 282

celebrated specimens, 276, 278,
279, 282

Chapman, Mr. Robert, on, 278, 279

colours, 275, 276, 277, 280, 281, 282

Continental, 282

crosses, 276, 282

dewlap, 280, 281

field trials, 278

Gordon Castle blood, 275

haw, 280, 281

history, 275

Northern v. Southern, 280

origin, 275

points, 277, 280, 282, 283

puppies, 277, 282, 283

puppy, selecting,, 282

scent, 282

shows, early, 277

shows, effects of, 277, 282

temperament, 282

trials, 278
BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER, 525

breeders, prominent, 526, 527

breeding, 527

BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER — contd.

bronzed, 528

celebrated specimen, 527, 528

Club, 528

colours, 526, 527, 529

companion, 526

cropping, prohibition of, 528

crosses, 526

ears, 528, 529

faking, 526

gameness, 526

history, 525

improvement in, 526

Manchester Terrier, 526

modern, 525, 526

old-style, 525

origin, 525

pencil mark, 528

points, 529

" preparation" for show, 526

puppies, 527

shows, effects of, 525, 526

size, 529

skull, compression of, 526

temperament, 526

thumb mark, 528

Toy, 528, 529, 626. See below

tucked-up flank, 526

"wheel-back," 526
BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIER, TOY, 626

" apple-headed 'uns," 626

Blue-and-tan sport, 627

Blue or Blue Paul, 627

breeders, prominent, 627

breeding, 627

celebrated specimens, 627

coat, 627, 628

colour varieties, 627

crosses, 626

delicate constitution, 627

feeding, 628

history, 626

inbreeding, evils of, 626

origin, 626

points, 627

puppies, 628

rearing, 627, 628

scarcity of show specimens, 627

size, 627

BLENHEIM SPANIEL, 592. See also
English Toy Spaniels

celebrated specimen, 592

colours, 593, 596

crosses, 594

head, human resemblance, 594

history, 592

636

INDEX

BLENHEIM SPANIEL— contd.

Marlborough (first Duke of), im-
ported by, 592

modern, 594

old writer on, 593

origin, 592

points, 595, 596

sagacity, 594

sporting dog, 593

"spot," 596

temperament, 593, 594
BLOODHOUND, 67

American slave-hunting, 74

appearance, 80

Association of Breeders, 78, 80

Berners, Juliana, on, 67

Blome on, 68

Brach, Brache. Brachell, Brack,
Braco, or Braque, 71

breeding, 75

Caius on, 68, 70

Canteleu, Count le C. de, on, 69

celebrated specimens, 74, 78

Club, 78, 80

colours, 68, 69, 70, 81

companion, 76

crosses, 69, 74

Cuban, 74

Daniels on, 70

dewlap, 8 1

Draughthound, 68

etymology of word, 68

Flemish, 69

flews, 70, 81

gamekeeping, use in, 73

history, 67

hunting the " clean boot," 76

in-breeding, 75

Lernor, 67

Liam, 68

litters, large, 76

Lymehound, 67, 68

Markham on, 70

origin, 67, 68, 69

peak, occipital, 80

poacher, hunting, 73

points, 80

points, in Markham's time, 70

puppies, 76, 77

puppy, selecting, 76

Raches, 67, 72

runner, safety of, 77

Scott's mention of, 72

Scottish, 71

Shakespeare's mention of, 72

slave-hunting, 74

BLOODHOUND— contd.

Sleuth-hound, 68, 72

superstitions regarding, 75

Talbot-like, 70

temperament, 75

tenth-century, 9

tracking fugitives, 70, 73, 78

training, 76

trials, 76. 78

" trying back," 77

Turberville on, 68, 70

" wrinkle," 81

Xenophon on, 67
Blue-and-tan Terrier, 627. See Black-

and-tan Terrier, Toy
Blue or Blue Paul Terrier, 627. See

Black-and-tan Terrier, Toy
Boarhound, 45, 46 See Great Dane

ancient Roman, 8
Boar-hunting with Basset-hound, 205

with Great Dane, 46
Bobtailed Sheepdog, 162. See Old

English Bobtailed Sheepdog
Bordeaux Dog, 401. See Dogue de

Bordeaux
BORDER TERRIER, 521

breeders, prominent, 522

celebrated specimens, 522, 524

coat, 521, 522

colours, 521

Dodd, Mr., on, 522

foxes, bolting, 521, 522

hardiness, 522

history, 521

origin, 521

scent, 521, 522

size, 521

working, 521, 522
B or son, 408
BORZOI, 129

breeding, 135

celebrated specimens, 129, 131,

133

Club, 129, 133, 136
coat, 134, 136
colours, 134
companion, 129, 130
coursing, 129
exercise, 135
faults, 133, 137
feeding, 135
hardiness, 130
history, 129

measurements, 133, 134, 137
Newcastle's (Duchess of) patronage,

129, 136

INDEX

637

BORZOI— contd.

origin, 129

points, 133, 136

preparation for show, 135

prices realised, 133, 134

puppies, 130

puppy, selecting, 134

Russian Wolfhound, 129

Siberian Wolfhound, 129

size, 133, 137

starting a kennel, 135

temperament, 130

trials, 129
Boston Terrier, 407
Brach, Brache, Brachell, Brack, Braco,

or Braque, 71
Breeds, early Roman classification of,

9

effects of hunting in grouping, 3

Kennel Club's classification, 14

non-sporting, 15

origin of, 2

sporting. 15

" Brighton Coach-dog," 379
British Kennel Association water trials,

61

Britons, dogs of ancient, 9
Brock, 408
Broken-haired or Working Terrier, 415.

See Airedale Terrier
Brussels Griffon, 610. See Griffon
Bruxellois

Schipperke Club, 559, 560
Bull-baiting, Mr. Crafer on, 385
BULLDOG, 384

ancient Roman, 9

"bat ear," 388, 389

bear-baiting, 385

bitches poor mothers, 395

bone, strength of, 396

Bowers & Jackson's (Messrs.)
Stud Books, 387

breeders, prominent, 387, 394

breeding, 392, 394

bull-baiting, 385

"button ear," 388, 389

celebrated specimens, 386, 387,
392, 394

children's dog, 386

"chop," 397

Club, 388, 396

colours, 398

companion, 386

Crafer, Mr., on bull-baiting,

385
Crib, 386, 387

BULLDOG— contd.

delicate constitution, 389
"down-faced," 388, 389
early v. modern, 384, 387
Farman's (Mr. Edward) mono-
graph, 387
faults, 388, 389
feeding, 395, 396
fighting type, 388, 389
foster-mothers for puppies, 395
"froggy" or "frog-faced," 388,

389

head-points, 388, 389, 397
history, 384
illustrations, early, 387
kennels, 389-392
" lay-back," 388
modern v. early, 384. 387
origin, 384
pedigrees, 387
points, 396, 397
popularity, 387, 388
price, record, 394
puppies, 388, 395
puppy, selecting, 388
"roach-back," 398
Roman, 9
Rosa, 386, 387
" rose ear," 388, 397
selecting, 396
shows, effects of, 386
size, 386, 398
Spanish, 384
strains, celebrated, 394
Stud Books, 387
temperament, 386
Toy, 6 1 8. See below
" tulip ear," 388, 389
" turn-up," 388
undershot, 388
walking match, 387
" wheel-back," 398
BULLDOG, TOY, 618

breeders, prominent, 622, 624,

625

breeding, 621, 624, 625
celebrated specimens, 624, 625
Club, 622, 625
ears, 623
feeding, 625
French Bulldog, a mongrel, 618.

See French Bulldog
Hill, Mr. R., on French Bulldogs,

618

history, 618
kennels, 624

638

INDEX

BULLDOG, To\—con/d.

mating, for dwarfs, 621, 622

origin, 6 1 8, 621

pampering, evils of, 624

points, 621, 623

puppy, selecting, 622

" rose ear," 623

size, 618, 622, 625

throwing back, 621

undershot, 623
BULL-MASTIFF, 27
BULL-TERRIER, 406

all-white, evolution of, 406, 407

American popularity, 407

ancient dog resembling, 7

"apple-headed," 411, 412

badger-baiting, 406, 407

badger-hunting, 408

Birkenhead and Liverpool Club,
414

breeders, prominent, 406, 408, 410,

413. 4H

celebrated specimens, 406, 409,
410, 413, 414

Clubs, 412, 413, 414

colours, 406, 407, 409, 414

cropping, 407, 411

crosses, 407, 408

deafness, 412

ears, 411, 412

evil reputation, former, 406

fighting propensities, 406, 412

guard, 407

history, 406

house-dog, 407, 412

modern, 408

Northern Club, 414

origin, 407, 408

Oxford undergraduates' dogs, 406

pedigrees, confusion in, 409

points, 413

popularity, 407

preparing for show, 414

puppy, selecting, 411

shows, effects of, 408

size, 410, 414

temperament, 408, 412

Toy, 411, 412

Tredinnick, Mr. W. J., on, 408,
411

trimming, 412

water-dog, 412

" Whippety," 407

whitening coat, 414
Butcher's dog, 10
BUTTERFLY SPANIEL, 629

Cabul Dog, 138
Cairn Terrier, 451
Caius's classification, 10

work on clogs, 10
Canal-boat dog, 558
"Canidre," Mivart's "Monograph of," 2

wild and domesticated, 2
Cani* familiaris, I

latrans, an ancestor of the domestic
dog, 2, 3

lupus, an ancestor of the domestic
dog, 2

Meliteus, 575

pastoralis, 9

venaticus, 9

villaficus, 9

Canute's (King) forest laws, 192
Carriage-cog, 376. See Dalmatian
Cerberus, Hesiod's, 7
Charles I.'s pets, 10. See King Charles

Spaniel
CHIHUAHUA DOG, 628

celebrated specimen, 628

size, 629

type, difference in, 628
CHINESE DOGS, 543, 607

Chow-chow, 543

Crested, 548, 549

Hairless, 548
CHINESE PUGS, 607

confused with Chinese Spaniels,

608
CHINESE SPANIELS, 607

breeders, prominent, 607

Club, 608

coat, 609

colours, 607, 609

confused with Chinese Pug and
Japanese Spaniel, 608

hardiness, 608

points, 608

size, 608
CHOW-CHOW, 543

celebrated specimens, 544, 545,

547

clashes at shows, 543
Club, 547
colours, 543, 548
ears, 547

Edible Dog, 543, 544
faults, 548
history, 543
King Edward's, 544
origin, 543

INDEX

639

CHOW-CHOW — contd.

points, 543, 547

puppy, selection of, 547

related breeds, 543

Short-coated, 547, 548

size, 548

tail, carriage of, 547, 548

temperament, 547

tongue, colour of, 544, 547

Wolf-dog, 543

CIRCASSIAN ORLOFF WOLFHOUND,
141

colours, 141, 142

measurements, 141
Classics, dogs mentioned in the ancient,

7
Classification by form and development

of ears, 14
Caius's, 10
early Roman, 9
effects of hunting on, 3
foreign dog?, 15
Harting's, Mr. E. L., 14
Kennel Club's, 14
sporting and non-sporting dogs, 14
Climate, coat adapted to, 504
CLUMBER SPANIEL, 295
brace stakes, 300
breeders, prominent, 296, 297,

299, 302
celebrated specimens, 297, 301,

302

cocktailed, 301
colours. 298

compared with other varieties, 295
crosses, 296, 301
Farrow, Mr. James, on, 297
head properties, 297
history, 295
hunting, 296
inbreeding, 296
origin, 295, 296
packs, 296
points, 301
rules for trials, 299
shows, 297, 300
size, 302

tail, low carnage of, 301
team stakes, 300
temperament, 296
trials, 298
water-dog, 296
CLYDESDALE TERRIER, 513
breeders, prominent, 514
Club, 513, 514, 516
coat, 514, 515, 516

CLYDESDALE TERRIER— contd.
colours, 515, 516
companion, 516
crosses, 514

Glasgow Fancy Skye Terrier, 513
Gray, Mr. Thomson, on, 514
grooming, 514
history, 513
origin, 513
Paisley Terrier, 513
points, 516
Silkie, 514
size, 516

Skye confused with, 513, 514
temperament, 514, 516
Yorkshire Terrier derived from,

5H

Coaly, 146

Coat adapted to climate, 504
COCKER SPANIEL, 320

American dogs, 321

" beagley " head and eye, 321

celebrated specimen, 320

colours, 321

crosses, 321

Devonshire, 320

etymology of name, 320

history, 320

judging, 320

points, 321

size, 320

temperament, 320

trials, 320

varieties, 320

voice, 320

Welsh, 315, 320
"Cocktailed," 301
Coll, 146
COLLIE, 145

appearance, 154

Bearded, 148

breeders, prominent, 156

breeding, 150, 159

celebrated specimens, 148, 154,

155, 159

classes at shows, 156

Clubs, 150, 156, 157, 160, 161

coat adapted to climate, 504

" Coll," 146

colours, 157, 159, 161

contour, 154

Dalziel on, 150

darkening of colours with age, 157

degeneration of, as worker, 153

ears, carriage of, in puppies, 157

etymology of word, 146

640

INDEX

pu
Re

COLLIE— contd.

faults, 161

Fingal's dog, 145

frill, 161

Harlequin, 159

Heeler, 159

Highland, 145

history, 145

intelligence, 150, 155

mane, 161

Marled or Marbled, 159

Maries, 160

Megson's, Mr. A. H., 148, 149

Merled (a misnomer), 160

Mirled (a misnomer), 160

nomenclature, 145

origin, 145, 156

points, 157, 1 60

popularity, 147

preparation for show, 158

prices realised, 148

puppies, 157

>uppy, selecting, 157
Lough, 147, 150, 157

sagacity, 150, 155

savageness, a fable, 155

Scotch, 145

Scottish Collie Club, 160

sheepdog, 150, 151

sheep-stealer, 158

show v. working, 150

size, 161

Smooth, 148, 157, 159

Smooth Collie Club, 160, 161

specialist shows, 156

superstitions, 155, 156

treachercusness, a fable, 155

trial course, diagram of, 152

trials, 151

Welsh Heeler, 159

white, 157, 158

working v. show, 150
Coquetdale Terrier, 490
Corded Poodle, 535. See Poodle
" Coupled right up," 342
" Couplings, too long in," 342
Coursing, 82, 96. See also Greyhound
and Whippet

Altcar meeting, 82, 91

Arrian's description of, 83, 85

Borzoi for, 129

celebrated runners, 90, 91

" Courser's Manual," 90

" Coursing Calendar," 91

dog, ancient Grecian, 7

Greyhound for, 82

Coursing — contd.

Greyhound, Italian, for, 613

hares, 82

Italian Greyhound for, 613

kill, the, 84, 85

" law" for the hare, 85

object of the dog, 84

rabbits, 96, 101

requirements for, 84

Turberville on, 85

Waterloo Cup, 91

Whippet for, 96
Couteulx Hound, 216
Coyote, 3

Crested Dog, Chinese, 548, 549
Criminals, tracking, 70, 73, 78
Cropping, abolition of, 45, 50, 377,

407, 475, 528
Cuban Bloodhound, 74
Cur, origin of name, 165
Curly-coated Retriever, 333, 345. Set

Retriever

Curly Poodle, 535. See Poodle
Curtal dog, 166

Cuvier's encomium on the clog, I
Cyclists, dogs to follow, 94., in, 381

D

Dachs Bracken, 206
DACHSHUND, 225

ancient Egyptian dog like, 6

Badger-dog, 225, 234, 235, 238

badger, tackling, 227

Basset-hound confused with, 228

beating out hares, 237

breeders, prominent, 228, 229, 233,

234

Carnegie, Mr. William, on, 234
celebrated specimens, 226, 229,

230, 231

Clubs, 229, 232, 233
colours, 226, 231, 233
companion and guard, 232
crosses, 228
Daxel, 235
deterioration, 230
earliest class for, 228
errors concerning, 225
faults, 230
German, 228
German shows, English dogs at,

229

hedge-popping, 238
history, 225
Hound and Terrier types, 236

INDEX

641

DACHSHUND— contd.

house-guard, 232

Jones, Mr. Harry, on, 228

Kibble-hound, 225

modern, 228, 231

" Moorman ?> on, 234

nonsense written about, 225

origin, 225, 226

pack for badger-hunting, 239

points, 226, 229, 230, 232

popularity, 225

Rough-coated, 232

Sayer, Mr. J. F., on, 230

size, 226, 232, 233, 236

sporting dog, 227, 230, 235

Stud Book, 233

Teckel, 235

Teckel-Klub, 229

temperament, 240

Terrier and Hound types, 236

Terrier, used as, 225, 236, 239

training, 236

Turnspit (a misnomer), 226

" Vert " on, 225

.working, 235
DALMATIAN, 376

Bengalese Harrier, 376

breeders, prominent, 379, 380

" Brighton Coach-dog," 379

carriage-dog, 377, 378

celebrated specimens, 378, 380

Club, 382

colours, 377, 380, 382, 383

companion, 381

cropping, former practice of, 377

cyclist's dog, 381

distances covered by, 378

early writers on, 376, 377

grooming, 378

history, 376

horses, fondness for, 377, 378, 381

mediaeval dog resembling, 9

origin, 376

"Plum-pudding Dog," 376

Pointer, used as, 382

points, 382

prices realised, 381

puppies, 377

puppy, selecting, 378

size, 383

spots, 377, 383

temperament, 378, 379, 381
Dancer, 10
DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER, 478

all-round dog, 484

body, arched, 484

DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER — contd.

breeders, prominent, 479, 482, 483

celebrated specimens, 480, 481, 483

Clubs, 484, 489

colours, 488

companion, 484

Cook, Mr. Charles, on, 479

crosses, 478

Dalziel on, 486

Davidson's (James) record of
origin, 480

ears, manipulating, 485, 486

faking, 484, 485

faults, 485

Gray, Mr. Thomson, on, 484

history, 478, 479

Macdona, Mr. J. C, on, 480

monograph, 479

Mustards, 478, 479, 481, 483, 488

origin, 478, 480

Peppers, 478, 479, 481, 483, 488

points, 486

popularity, 483

preparing for show, 489

puppies, 485, 489

purity of breed, 478, 479

ratting, 485

"saddlebacks," 488

Scott's (Sir W.) dogs, 478

shows, effects of, 483

size, 483, 488

temperament, 478, 484

topknot, 488

variation, 478, 481

Dare-devil, 468, 477. See Irish Terrier
Daxel, 235

Deafness in white animals, 412
Deerhound, Scotch, 115. See Scotch

Deerhound
Deer-hunting, ancient Egyptian, 5

Basset-hound for, 205, 215
Deerstalking, 115, 117, 119
Descent of the dog from wolves, 2
DINGO, 2, 373

celebrated specimens, 374

colours, 373

difficulty of obtaining pure, 373

domestication, 373

noise made by, 375

sheep-killer, 373

size, 373

temperament, 373

Warragal, 373
Docking, 164, 165,

justification of, 165

superstition regarding, 164

41

642

INDEX

DOGUE DE BORDEAUX, 401

appearance, forbidding, 401

Brooke, Mr. H. C., on, 402

Club, 402

colours, 405

cropping, 401, 402

fighting dog, 401, 405

history, 401

introduction, 401

objectionable features, 401

origin, 401

points, 402

size, 405

typical specimen, 403
Domestic dog, origin of, I
Drag-hunting with Beagles, 196
Draughthound, 68
Droppers, 244
Drovers' Dog, 162. See Old English

Bobtailed Sheepdog
Dwarfing process, 621

Early dogs, I

Ears, classification by form and de-
velopment of, 14
Eastern Hounds, 138
Edible Dog, Chinese, 543, 544
Egyptian Hounds, ancient, 5

hunting, ancient, 5

ladies' dogs, ancient, 6

lapdogs, ancient, 6

monuments, presentments of dogs
on, 4

pet dogs, ancient, 6

terrier-like dog, ancient, 5
Elkhund, Swedish, 367
English Pointer, 241. See Pointer

Schipperke Club, 560
ENGLISH SETTER, 254

antiquity, 254

beauty, 254

Belton, blue, 260

blue marbles, 257

breaking, 264

breeders, prominent, 256, 257,
258, 260, 261, 262, 267

celebrated specimens, 256-259, 261,
262, 265, 267, 269, 270

colours, 255, 257, 260, 263

compared with Pointer, 268

crosses, 255, 259, 261

field trials, 258, 261, 265

gipsies' dogs, 259

history, 254

ENGLISH SETTER— contd.

inbreeding, 258

Laverack, 258, 259

Llewellin strain, 260, 264, 265,
267, 269, 273

net, breaking to, 254

numbers of, past and present, 255,
256

origin, 254

points, 263

puppies, 263, 264

puppy, selecting, 263

quartering, 263, 270

red marbles, 257

sagacity, 256, 268, 269, 271

show v. working. 265

size, 262, 263

temperament, 254, 259, 268, 269

training, 264

trials, 258, 261, 265

varieties, 255

working v. show, 265
ENGLISH SPRINGER, 307

breaking, 309, 311

breeders, prominent, 312

celebrated specimens, 308, 309,
3ii, 312

chastisement, 309

crosses, 308

fleetness, 308

history, 307

legs, 'crossing, to shorten, 308

mouth, softening, 311

origin, 308

points, 312

puppy, selecting, 308

quartering, 310

retrieving, 310

size, 308

teams, 311

training, 309, 3 1 1

trash-cord, 309

trials, 311

writers, old, on, 307
English Terrier, Old, 417, 518

Terrier, White, 530. See White

English Terrier

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS, 588. See
also under names of breeds

bedding, 599

Blenheim, 592

breeding, 597

brood bitch, 597

classification as one breed, 601

Club, 591, 594

coat, 595, 596, 600, 601

INDEX

643

ENGLISH TOY SPANIELS— contd.

colours, 596, 508

combing, 600, 60 1

crossing, 597

delicate constitution, 599

docking, 595, 598

ears, 595

eczema, 600

Elizabeth's (Queen), 588

feeding, 598, 600

grooming, 600

hair-stimulants, 601

head, 595, 598, 599

historic pets, 588, 590

house manners, teaching, 600

kennels, 599

King Charles, 589, 590

Mary Queen of Scots' dogs, 589

nose, 590, 595, 598, 599

old v. modern, 590

oldest, 590

origin, 588

over-crowding, 597

over-feeding, 600

points, 595

preparing for show, 60 1

prices realised, 598

Prince Charles, 591

puppies, 598

puppy, selecting, 598

rearing, 599

royalty, pets of, 588, 590

Ruby, 592

short-lived, 601

size, 595, 597

skin disease, 600

slum-bred, 589

small progeny, mating for, 597

sporting dogs, 593

temperament, 589, 599

temperature for rearing, 599

Tricolour, 591

vicissitudes of fortune, 589

washing, 601

weaning, 598

" weeping " eyes, 595

whelping, 597
ENGLISH WATER SPANIEL, 328

coat, 331

colours, 330, 332

early writers on, 329, 331

history, 328

illustrations, old, 329

Kennel Club and, 328, 329, 330

meagre numbers of, 329

origin, 331

ENGLISH WATER SPANIEL— contd.

points, 330, 332

size, 330

tail, 331

topknot, 329

training, 329

Water-rug, Shakespeare's, 331
Epirus, Mastiff of, 8
ESQUIMAUX, 362

brood bitch, 364

Brough, Mr., on, 364

celebrated specimens, 364, 365

colour, 363

crossing, with wolves, 4

difficulty in procuring, 364

driving, 366

food, 363, 364, 366

Fryer, Mr. C. E., on, 366

gestation, period of, 364

Myouk, pedigree of, 366

origin, 3

points, 363

puppies, 364

size, 363

superstitions regarding, 363

temperament, 364, 365

wolf, resemblance to, 362
Exhibitions, effects of, on various
breeds, 336, 337

original objects of, 266

FIELD SPANIEL, 315
Beverley strain, 315
Black, 315, 316
breeders, prominent, 315, 316,

317

celebrated specimens, 317, 319

colours, 315, 316, 319

crosses, 316, 318

deterioration of, 316

Farrow, Mr., on, 316

history, 315

improving, 316

origin, 315

points, 318

shows, effects of, 315

tongue, 316

trials, 316, 320
Fighting dogs, ancient, 7, 9
Finland Dogs, 372
Finj de Paris, 216, 218
Flat-coated Retriever, 333, 341. See

Retriever
Fleethound, 115

644

INDEX

Flemish Hounds, 69
Flint age, dogs in the, I
Fluffy Poodle, 535, 537. See Poodle
Flushing, 252
Foot hound, 192

FOREIGN DOGS. See also under names
of breeds

Kennel Club's classification of, 15

large number of, 558
Fourteenth century, dogs of, 9, 10
Fox and dog, hybrid between ? , 4
FOXHOUND, 176

" blooding," to fox, 182

breeding, 181

cost of packs, 176

drafts, 181

ears, rounding, 180

" entering," 182

"false," 181

fleetness, 178, 180

history, 177

hunt, cost of, 176

Master, duties of, 176, 181

match, historical, 180

" music," 178, 182

origin, 177

packs, cost and number of, 176

packs, maintenance of, 181

points, 178

puppies, 182

puppy walks and shows, 181, 182

rounding ears, 1 80

"self-hunting," 181

show, 1 80

size, 1 80

"skirting," 181

strains, variable, in different
districts, 178

Stud Books, 178

typical, 179, 1 80

uniformity required, 180

Welsh Wire-coated, 182

"wild," 181
Fox-hunting, 176. See Foxhound

Basset-hound for, 205
FOX-TERRIER, 419

Allison, Mr., on, 442

American popularity, 427

antiquity, 419, 420

Belvoir, 430, 434, 440

bitches (Wire-haired), superiority
of, in show properties, 444

black mouth test (supposed), 446

breeders, prominent, 419, 422-425,
427-434, 438, 439, 44i-443>
446

FOX-TERRIER — contd.
breeding, 449
buying puppies, 446
Caius, Dr., on, 420
celebrated specimens, 424, 425,

427-4345 440, 441, 443, 445
Clubs, 438, 439, 444, 449
coat, 426, 438, 444, 447
coat, choice of, 443
coat, trimming, 426, 448, 449
cobby-built v. spiry, 423, 433, 438
colours, 421, 428, 438, 441, 442
companion, 449
Cox, Mr. Harding, on, 422
crosses, 442
disqualifications, 446
Doyle, Mr. J. A., on, 419, 433
early writers on, 421
evolution, 419
faults," 446

French writers on, 421
Fylde Club, 450
Grove, 428, 430, 434
head-points, 435, 442, 446
history, 419, 427, 441
illustrations, early, 421, 427, 442
Irish Club, 450
Isle of Wight and New Forest

Club, 450

kennel Terriers, old, 428-432
legs, 437

London Club, 450
mating, 449
Midland Club, 450
modern, 435
monographs, 421
" moulting-room," 426, 448
North of England Club, 450
Old Berkshire, 428
origin, 419, 434, 441
Oxford Club, 450
pedigrees, 428-433, 439, 445
" pipe-stopper tail," 437
points (Smooth), 432, 435
points (Wire-haired), 444, 446.

447

popularity, 419, 427
preparing for show, 426, 448, 449
prices realised, 422, 427, 447
puppy, selecting, 446
Quorn, 431
Russell's (Rev. John) breed, 423,

444

Scott, Mr. T. H., on, 419, 422,
427

Scottish Club, 450

INDEX

645

FOX-TERRIER— contd.

Scottish Terrier so-called locally,

455

size, 438, 441, 444

Smooth, 427

spiry v. cobby-built, 423, 433, 438

"Sportsman's Cabinet" on, 421,
422

" Stonehenge" on, 443, 444

Stud Books, 433

trimming, 426, 448, 449

washing, 449

Wire-haired. 425, 441

working, choice of, 426
France^ dog of South of, 401
FRENCH BULLDOG, 618

Club, 620

crossing, 619

ears, 619, 620

jaw, 619, 620

mongrel, 619

points, 619

temperament, 620
Fylde Fox-terrier Club, 450

Gallic Greyhound, 7
" Gawcie" tail, 28
Gazehound, 9, 10

German Boarhound, 45. See Great
Dane

Mastiff, 45. See Great Dane
Glasgow Fancy Skye Terrier, 513
Glove Beagle, 193
God Anubis, dog sacred to, 4
Gordon Setter, 275. See Black-and-

tan Setter
GREAT DANE, 45

ancient Assyrian dog like, 6

Boarhound, 45

breeding, 5°

Buffon's classification, 45

carriage dog, 45

celebrated specimens, 46

Club, 50, 53

colours, 55

cow-hocks, 52

crooked legs, 52

cropping abolished, 45, 50

distemper, 52

exercise, 51, 52

feeding, 51

German Boarhound, 45

German Mastiff, 45

Great Dane, 45

GREAT DANE— contd.

hardiness, 49

Harlequin, 45

history, 45

house-dog, 49

hunting, 46, 49

Linnaeus's classification, 45

Mastiff, German, 45

Mastiff, Tiger, 45

modern, 50

nomenclature, 45, 46, 49

points, 53

preparing for exhibition, 52

punishing, 52, 53

puppies, 51

puppy, selecting, 53

retrieving, 49

size, 45, 49, 53

skin diseases, 52

small, 45

sporting dog, 49

strength, 45

temper, 49

Tiger Mastiff, 45

training, 52

water-dog, 49
" Great Danish Dog," 376
Grecian dogs, ancient, 7

hunting dog, 7
Greenland Dogs, 550
Grey Arctic Wolf, 3
" Grey " (badger), 408
GREYHOUND, 82. See also Coursing

Afghan, 138

ancient, 7-9, 82

ancient dog like, 7

Arrian on, 83, 87-89

beam-like back, 90

Berners, Juliana, on, 86

breeding, 93

celebrated specimens, 90, 93

Chaucer's mention of, 84

classes at shows, 93

colours, 90, 93

coursing, 82, 84, 90. See Coursing

crossbred, 94

Egyptian, ancient, 82

exercising, 94

fleetness, 82, 84

Gallic, 7

history, 82

intelligence, 94

Irish, 108, 121

Italian, 613. See Italian Grey-
hound

judging, 86, 93, 94

646

INDEX

GREYHOUND— contd.

Langley, Edmund de, on, 87

Lurcher, 94

Markham on, 84, 87, 88, 89, 90

mediaeval, 9

origin, 82

Persian, 140

points, 83, 87, 92

" poor man'*," 99

provincial exhibitions, 94

puppies, 94

puppy, definition of, 92

puppy, selecting, 94

Roman, 8

Rough, 115

sapling, definition of, 92

Scotch Deerhound so named, 121

Scott's mention of, 84

selecting, 86

sickle-hocked, 90

size, 91

slipping, 85

sporting v show dogs, 93

temperament, 94

training, 92, 94

Griffon Basset-hound, 216, 219
GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS, 610

breeders, prominent, 610, 611

Club?, 610, 611

coat, 610-612

colour, 612

docking, 611

ears, 611

faults, 610, 612

origin, 610

points, 611

popularity, 610

size, 612

temperament, 6n
Grouping. See Classification
Gun-dog League, International, 247,
333

H

Hairless Dog, Chinese, 548, 549
Hare, beating out, by Dachshunds, 237

coursing, 84
Haredog, Indian, 147
Hare-finders, 189
Hare-hunting. See also Coursing

ancient, 188

Basset-hound for, 205

Beagle for, 193

Beckford on, 189

finders, 189

Hare-hunting — contd.

Harrier for, 183, 187

sitting hare, 190

Somerville on, 190

time for, 188

Xenophon on, 188
Hare Indians' dogs, 3
Harlequin Collie, 159

Great Dane, 45
HARRIER, 183

Beckford on, 185, 189

Bengalese, 376

Bexhill pack, 184

breed not distinct from Foxhound,

. I83
Caius on, 184

colours, 184, 1 86

etymology of word, 183

history, 183

Holcombe pack, 184

Lancashire strain, 184

morning-hunting, 188

origin, 183

packs, number of, 186

points, 186

sitting hare, 190

Somerville on, 190

Stud Book, 183
• Welsh, 186

Harting's, Mr. E. L., classification, 14
Hawking party, sixteenth-century, n
Heeler, Welsh, 159
Hesiod's Cerberus, 7
Highland Collie, 145. See Collie

Terrier, 145, 503
History of the dog, i
Hoary Aguara, 147
Homer, dogs of, 7

HOUNDS. See also under names of
breeds

Afghan Greyhound, 138

ancient, I

Assyrian, 6

Barukhzy Hound, 138

Basset-hound, 203

Beagle, 192

Bloodhound, 67

" blooding," to fox, 182

Boarhound, 45

Borzoi, 129

Brach, Brache, Brachell, Brack,
Braco, or Braque, 71

Cabul Dog, 138

Circassian Orloff Wolfhound, 141

Couteulx Hound, 216

Cuban Bloodhound, 74

INDEX

647

HOUNDS — contd.
Dachshund, 225
Dane, Great, 45
Daxel, 235

Deerhound, Scotch, 115
Draughthound, 68
early, I
Eastern, 138
Egyptian, ancient, 5
"entering," 182
"false," 181
Fino de Paris, 216, 218
Fleet-hound, 115
Flemish, 69
foot, 192
Foxhound, 176
Gallic, 7
Gazehound, 9
German Mastiff, 45
Glove Beagle, 193
Great Dane, 45
Grecian, ancient, 7
Greyhound, 82
Greyhound, Afghan, 138
Greyhound, Irish, 121
Greyhound, Italian, 613
Greyhound, Persian, 140
Greyhound, Rough, 115
Griffon Basset-hound, 216, 219
Harrier, 183

Irish Greyhound, 108, 121
Irish Wolfdog, 107
Irish Wolfhound, 104
Italian Greyhound, 613
Kerry Beagle, 198
Kibble-hound, 225
Laches, 67

Lane Hound, 216, 219
Langehren, 192
Lemor, 67
Li am, 68
Lurcher, 94
Lymehound, 67, 68
Lymer, 67
Masson Hound, 216
Mastiff, German, 45
Mastiff, Pyrenean, 143
mediaeval, 10
Northern Hoimd, .1 1 5
Otter-hound, 170
Persian Greyhound, 140
Peterborough Show, 180, 183
pre-mediseval, 9

puppy walks and show?, 181, 182
Pyrenean Mastiff, 143
Pyrenean Sheepdog, 143

HOUNDS— contd.

Pyrenean Wolfhound, 143

Rache, 72

Rampur Hound, 140

Roman, ancient, 8

Rough Beagle, 198

Rough Greyhound, 115

Russian Wolfhound, 129

St. Hubert, 69

Scotch Deerhound, 115

"self-hunting," 181

Sheepdog, Pyrenean, 143

show at Peterborough, 180, 183

Siberian Wolfhound, 129

Singing Beagle, 193

sixteenth-century, 10, n

"skirting," 181

Sleuth-hound, 68, 72

Southern Hound, 170

Staghound, 115

Talbot, 192

Talbot-like, 70

Teckel, 235

Termino Hound, 216, 218

Tiger Mastiff, 45

Welsh Harrier, 186

Welsh, Wire-coated, 182

"wild," 181.

Wire-coated Welsh, 182

Wire-haired Beagle, 198

Wolfdog, Irish, 107

Wolfhound, Circassian Orloff, 141

Wolfhound, Irish, 104

Wolfhound, Pyrenean, 143

Wolfhound, Russian, 129

Wolfhound, Siberian, 129
House-cur, Welsh, 165
House-dogs, ancient Roman, 9

tenth-century, 9

Hunting. See also under the different
breeds

ancient Egyptian, 5

ancient Roman, 9

deer, 115, 117, 119

effects of, in grouping breeds, 3

foxes, 176

hares, Dachshunds for beating out,

237

Roman, 9

sixteenth-century, n
wolves, 1 06, 205

Iceland Dogs, 372, 551
Indian Haredog, 147

648

INDEX

International Gun-dog League, 247, 333
Irish dogs, 462, 463

Fox-terrier Club, 450

Greyhound, 108, 121
IRISH SETTER, 285

breaking, 291, 293

breeders, prominent, 288, 290,
292, 293

breeding, 292

celebrated specimens, 288-290,
292, 293

Club, 288

colour, 287, 288, 289

field trials, 291, 292

history, 285, 289

Laverack, Mr. Edward, on, 290

origin, 286

points, 287

preparation for show, 294

puppies, 292

puppy, selecting, 293

Red Setter, 285, 287

show v. working, 285

shows, effects of, 285

training, 291, 293

trials, 291, 292

type not established, 286

" Veteran Sportsman " on, 285,
286, 291

working v. show, 285
IRISH TERRIER, 461

antiquity, 461, 462

badger-drawing, 470

breeders, prominent, 462, 463,
4.65, 476

breeding, 471, 474

buying, 471

Carey, Dr., on, 474

celebrated specimens, 464, 474, 476

Club, 461, 464, 474, 476

colours, 463, 473, 477

companion, 467

cropping, 475

Dalziel on, 462

" Dare-devil," 468, 477

dressing coat, 473

faults, 477

feeding, 472

flee tn ess, 469

Fox-terrier type, 474

hardiness, 467

history, 461

house-dog, 468

judging, erratic, 464, 465

Krehl, Mr. G. R., on, 461

management, 471

IRISH TERRIER — contd.

modern v. early dogs, 463

origin, 461

pluck, 468

points, 476

popularity, 461, 464

preparing for show, 472

prices realised, 465, 476

puppies, 472

puppy, selecting, 473

purchasing, 471

rabbiting, 469

ratting, 469

shooting-dog, 470

size, 464, 474, 477

sterling qualities of, 461, 462,
464, 467

temperament, 467, 470, 477

timidity, seeming, 470,
IRISH WATER SPANIEL, 321

breeders, prominent, 323, 326-328

capabilities, 323, 324

celebrated specimens, 324, 326-328

coat, 322, 323, 326, 328

colour, 323, 325, 328

companion, 323

crosses, 323, 324, 326

history, 321, 327

mouth, 322, 324

numbers of, scanty, 322

pedigrees, defective, 327

points, 325, 328

puppies, 324

sagacity, 323

show v. working, 322

shows, 324

Skidmore, Mr. J. S., on, 322. 327,
328

snipe-nosed, 325

tail, 326, 327, 328

temperament, 323, 324

topknot, 322, 325, 326

training, 324

trials, 322

varieties, 323

wild fowl ing, 322

working v. show, 322
" Irish Wolfe Dog," 49
IRISH WOLFHOUND, 104

breeders, prominent, 109, no

celebrated specimens, 105, 107,
109, 111-113

chaining, evil effects of, 112

Club, no, 113

colours, 112-114

companion and guard, no

INDEX

649

IRISH WOLFHOUND— contd.
exercising, in, 112
faults, 114
fleetness, 105
Graham, Captain, on, 104, 107,

114

guard and companion, no
Hickman, Mr. G. W., on, 106
history, 104

Hogan, Rev. E., on, 107
illustrations, old, 108, 109
inbreeding, no
Irish Greyhound, 1 08
Irish Wolf-dog, 107
kennels, 112
modern, 109, 1 12
origin, 104, 105, 107
points, 113
puppies, 112

puppy, selecting, 112, 113
Richardson on, 105, 106
Roman arena, used in, 105
Scotch Deerhound confused with,

106, 121

size, 104, 1 06, 113
temperament, no
trap, following, ill
Wright, Mr. Hood, on, 112, 113
Iseland Dog, 501

Isle of Wight and New Forest Fox-
terrier Club, 450
ITALIAN GREYHOUND, 613

action, 613, 617

ancient Roman, 8

breeders, prominent, 613

celebrated specimens, 614-616

Club, 615, 617

colours, 617

coursing dog, 613

elegance, 613

faults, 616

history, 613

intelligence, 616

origin, 613

points, 617

royalty, favourites of, 614, 615

size, 613, 616, 617

temperament, 613, 615

Victoria's (Queen) dogs, 614

Webb, Mr. Henry, on, 615

J

Jackals, crossing with, 3

habits of, shown in the dog, 4
tame, 3

Japanese Pug, 604. See Japanese

Spaniel
JAPANESE SPANIEL, 603

breeders, prominent, 604, 605

celebrated specimens, 604, 605

Club, 605

coat, 603, 605, 606

colours, 603, 605, 606

delicate constitution, 603

ears, 603

history, 603

inbreeding, 603

Japanese Pug, 604

origin, 603

points, 603, 605

popularity, 604

preparation for show, 605

puppy, selecting, 605

scarcity, 603

size, 603-606

Sleeve Dog, 603

smallness, craze for, 603
Judges, idiosyncrasies of, 338, 339
Judging by points, 439

Kaye's work on dogs, 10

Kennel Club's classification of breeds>

14

Kennels, limewash for, 391
Kennel Terriers, 428-432. See Fox-
terrier

Kerry Beagle, 198
Kibble-hound, 225

KING CHARLES SPANIEL, 589, 590.
See also English Toy Spaniels
Charles I.'s dogs, 10
Charles II. 's dogs, 590
colours, 591, 596
crosses, 591
ears, 595
faults, 596
name proposed to apply to all

English Toy Spaniels, 602
paintings, old, 591
points, 595

Tricolour produced from, 591
Kings, dogs the favourites of, 6, 10,
55r> 590, 614, 615

LABRADOR, 356

breeders, prominent, 356
celebrated specimens, 356, 357, 359

650

INDEX

LABRADOR — contd.

coat, double, 361

colour, 358

confused with other breeds, 358

early v. modern, 357

early writers on, 358

hardiness, 358, 361

history, 356

intelligence, 358

origin, 356

points, 361

purity of breed, 356

size, 361

temperament, 361

training, 361

water-dog, 358

Ladies' dogs, ancient Egyptian, 6
Lane Hound, 216, 219
Langehren, 192
LAPDOGS :

Affenpinscher, 629

ancient Egyptian, 6

ancient Grecian, 8

Belgian Griffon, 610

Bhuteer Terrier, 630

Black-and-tan Terrier, Toy, 626

Blenheim Spaniel, 592

Brussels Griffon, 610

Bulldog, Toy, 618

Bull-terrier, Toy, 411, 412

Butterfly Spaniel, 629

Chihuahua Dog, 628

Chinese Pugs, 607

Chinese Spaniels, 607

English Toy Spaniels, 588. Sec
English Toy Spaniels

fourteenth-century, 9

Greyhound, Italian, 613

Griffon Bruxellois, 610

Iseland Dogs, 501, 502

Italian Greyhound, 613

Japanese Pug, 604

Japanese Spaniel, 603

King Charles Spaniel, 589, 590

Lhassa Terrier, 630

Monkey Terrier, 629

Pekinese Pugs, 607

Pekinese Spaniels, 607

Prince Charles Spaniel, 591

Pug, 566, 573

Pag, Chinese, 607

Pug, Pekinese, 607

Ruby Spaniel, 592

Sleeve Dog, 603

Spaniel, Butterfly, 629

Spaniel, Thibetan, 632

LAPDOGS — contd.

Spaniels, Chinese, 607

Spaniels, English Toy, 588. See
English Toy Spaniels

Spaniels, Japanese, 603

Spaniels, Pekinese, 607

Squirrel Dog, 629

Terrier, Bhuteer, 630

Terrier, Lhassa, 630

Terriers, Toy, 626-630

Thibetan Dogs, 630

Thibetan Spaniel, 632

Tricolour Spaniel, 591

White Toy Terrier, 628

Yorkshire Terrier, 582
Lapland Dogs, 371, 372
Large Water-dog, 534
Laverack Setter, 259. See English

Setter
Lemor, 67

Leonberg Newfoundland, 65
Leviner, 10
LHASSA TERRIER, 630

Bhuteer Terrier, 630

breeders, prominent, 630

celebrated specimens, 630, 631

colours, 632

origin, 630

points, 631

size, 632

temperament, 630

types, 630
Liam, 68

Life-saving, tests for, 6 1
Limewash for kennels, 391
Lion-dogs of Malta, Little, 581
Llewellin Setter, 260, 262, 265, 267,
269, 273. See English Setter
London Fox-terrier Club, 450

Scottish Terrier Club, 459
Lurcher, 94
Lymehound, 67, 68
Lymer, 67

M

MALTESE, 575

ancient lapdog resembling, 8
breeders, prominent, 577-579? 5s l
Cants Meliteus, 575
celebrated specimens, 577-579
cleanliness, 576
Club, 579, 581
coat, 576, 580
colours, 579, 581
combing, 576

INDEX

65'

MALTESE — contd.

ears, 576, 580

eyes, 576, 580

grooming, 576

habitat, 575

history, 575

house-dog, 576, 577

Lion-dog of Malta, Little, 581

old writers on, 575

origin, 575

points, 576

puppy, selecting, 579

size, 576, 578, 580, 581

temperament, 576, 577

"Terrier," a misnomer, 576

washing, 577

"weeping" at corners of eyes, 576
Maltese Spaniel, 588
Man, association of the dog with, from

the earliest ages, I, 10
Manchester Terrier, 526. See Black-

and-tan Terrier
Manilla Dogs, 575, 576
Marbled Collie, 159. See Collie
Marled Collie, 159. See Collie
Masson Hound, 216
MASTIFF, 16

activity, 25

ancient British dog resembling, 9

ancient varieties of, 8, 16

breeding, 21, 26

brood bitch, 21

Bull-Mastiff, 27

celebrated specimens, 18

character, 17

Club, 20, 26

colours, I7> 27

cross-bred, 27

docility, 17

Dudley nose, 19, 20

Epirus, 8

etymology of name, 16

" expediating," 1 6

faults, 25

feeding, 22

forcing puppies deprecated, 25

foster-mothers for puppies, 22

German, 45. See Great Dane

"hambling," 16

height, 17

history, 16

inbreeding, 22

*' lawing," 1 6

Lyme Hall strain, 18

maiming, in Henry II.'s reign, 16

muzzle, 25

MASTIFF— contd.

night-dog, essentials of, 27

Old English Mastiff Club, 20, 26

pedigrees, examining, 21

points, 17, 26

popularity, declining, 25

prototype of, 10

puppies, 17, 22

puppy, selecting, 25

Pyrenean, 143

size, 17, 25

stud dog, 21

tenth-century, 9

Thibet, 28. See Thibet Mastiff

Tiger, 45. See Great Dane
Mediaeval dogs, 9
Merled Collie, 1 60. See Collie
Midland Fox-terrier Club, 450
Miners, Whippets owned by, 96, 99
Mirled Collie, 160. See Collie
Mivart's " Monograph of the Canidae," 2
Modification of type, 177
Monuments, ancient dogs shown on,

4, 9

" Moulting-room," 426, 448
Mustards, 478. See Dandie Dinmont

Terrier

N

Nansen on Northern Dogs, 368
National St. Bernard Club, 40, 43
Natural history of the dog, 1
NEWFOUNDLAND, 56

breeding, 62

celebrated specimens, 62

Club, 64

coat, 62, 64

colours, 57, 58, 62, 65

crossbred, 65

exercise, 64

expression, 58

eyes, 62

feeding, 64

grooming, 63

history, 56

imported specimens, 57

inbreeding of prize-winners, effects
of, 6 1

indigenous breed, in Newfound-
land, 56, 57

introduction, 56

Leonberg, 65

life-saver, 56, 57

original breed, 56, 58

points, 64

652

INDEX

NEWFOUNDLAND— contd.

preparation for show, 63

puppies, 64

puppy, selecting, 64

size, 58, 62, 65

temperament, 58

water-dog, 61

water-trials, 61
Night Cur, 10
Night-dog, essentials of, 27
Non-sporting dogs, Kennel Club's list

of, IS

Norfolk Spaniels, 307
Northern Bull-terrier Club, 414
NORTHERN DOGS, 115, 362

Arctic, 368

Esquimaux, 362. See Esquimaux

Finland, 372

Iceland, 372

Lapland, 372

Norwegian, 367

resemblance between, 362

Russian, 368

Samoyede, 368. See Samoyede

Siberian, 368

Swedish, 367

temperament, 369
Northern Hound, 115

St. Bernard Club, 40, 43

Scottish Terrier Club, 459
North of England Fox-terrier Club, 450
Northumberland Terriers, 492
Norwegian Dogs, 367

OLD ENGLISH BOBTAILED SHEEP-
DOG, 162
appearance, 169
breeders, prominent, 167
Club, 168

colours, 163, 168, 169
" curs," reason for name, 165
Curtal-dog, 166
Deerhound face, 168
docking, 164, 165, 169
Drover's Dog, 162
grooming, 168
history, 162
intelligence, 166
nomenclature, 162
origin, 162
points, 163, 168
popularity, 167
preparation for show, 168
puppies, 1 68

OLD ENGLISH BOBTAILED SHEEP-
DOG— contd.

puppy, selecting, 168

Reinagle's illustration, 163

Richardson on, 165

running over backs of sheep, 166

sagacity, 166

shows, effects of, 166, 167

size, 169

Southern dogs, 163

taillessness, theories as to, 164

temperament, 166

Youatt on, 164, 1 66
Old English Bulldog, 396. See Bull-
dog

Old English Mastiff, 16. See Mastiff
Old English Sheepdog, 162. See Old

English Bobtailed Sheepdog
Old English Terrier, 417, 518
Old English Water Spaniel, 329. See

English Water Spaniel
Old masters, dogs depicted by, 10
Oppian, Gazehound described by, 9
Origin of the domestic dog, i, 2
Orloff Wolfhound, Circassian, 141
OTTER-HOUND, 170

antiquity, 170

appearance, 173

colours, 174

crosses, 173

history, 170

hunting, 170. See below

measurements, 175

origin, 170

pack, number in, 171

points, 173

Southern Hound, 170
Otter-hunting, 1 70

habits of otters, 172

number in pack, 171

tailing, 171

terms used in, 171-173
"Overshot," 88
Oxford Fox-terrier Club, 450

Packs. See Hounds and the various

breeds
Paisley Terrier, 513. See Clydesdale

Terrier
Palaeontology, evidence of, regarding

early dogs, 2
Paris, Fino de, 216, 218
PEKINESE PUGS, 607

confused with Chinese Spaniels, 608

IADEX

653

PEKINESE SPANIELS, 607. See

Chinese Spaniels
Peppers, 478. See Dandie Dinmont

Terrier

Persian Greyhound, 140
Pest, the dog as a, 2
Peterborough Hound Show, 180, 183
Pig- jawed, 88
" Pipe-stopper tail," 437
Pitmen, Whippets owned by, 96, 99
Plum-pudding Dog, 376
POINTER, 241

American dogs, 253

and Setter Society, 247

backing, 248, 252

Bartram, Mr. G. Thorpe, on,

243» 247

brace stakes, 247, 248
breeders, prominent, 241-243, 245,

248, 251
celebrated specimens, 241-243,

245, 248, 250, 251
Club, 247
colours, 250
compared with Setter, 268, 285,

291

Continental dogs, 253
crosses, 241, 244, 249
"dished face," 247
"Droppers," 244
English, 241
etymology of name, 241
faults, 249

field trials, 242, 244, 247-249
fleetness, 244, 245
flushing, 252
" goose-rumped," 250
"gummy head," 249
history, 241
illustrations, early, 241
Lort, Mr., on, 242, 247
modern, 244
net, breaking to, 254
numbers of, past and present,

255, 256

old-fashioned, 244
origin, 241, 243
partridge-shooting, 246
pointing, 243, 247, 248
points of working dogs, 248, 249,

251

quartering, 247
reporting, 253
roading, 248
sagacity, 246
scent, 244, 247

POINTER — contd.

show v. working, 248

Spanish, 243

"stickiness " on the point, 248

temperament, 245, 252, 253

training, 243, 244, 245, 247, 248,
252

trials, 242, 244, 247-249

working v. show, 248
Pointing, 243, 247, 248
Points, judging by, 338, 340, 439
POMERANIAN, 550

breeders, prominent, 551, 554

breeding, 552, 553

celebrated specimens, 552, 554

classification at shows, 553, 556

Club, 555

coat, 553, 556

colours, 551, 552, 554, 556

ears, 555, 556

frill, 556

German dogs, 550

Greenland Dogs, resemblance to,
550

grooming, 553

history, 550

Iceland Dogs, resemblance to, 551

mane, 55^

mating for colour, 552

modification of type, 55 [

origin, 550

points, 551, 552, 553, 555

popularity, 551, 552

prices realised, 551, 553

puppy, selecting, 552, 555

size, 550, 551, 553

Spitz Dog, 550

temperament, 552

Toy, 550, 551, 553, 555

Victoria's (Queen) dogs, 551
POODLE, 534

antiquity, 534

bedding, 538

celebrated specimens, 535, 536

classification, 535

clipping, 536, 537, 539, 540

Club, 539

coat, 538, 539, 540

colours, 534, 535, 539, 540

companion, 536

Continental, 534

Corded, 535, 536

Curly, 535

Fluffy, 535, 537

gameness, 536

grooming, 538

654

INDEX

POODLE— contd.

guard, 536

history. 534

intelligence, 536

ladies' dogs, 537, 541

Non-corded, 535

old writers on, 534

origin, 534

parti-coloured, 535

performing dogs, 536

points, 538

popularity, 534

preparation for show, 536, 539,
540

protecting from cold, 540

selecting, 539-541

shaving, 539, 540

shows, packing for, 538

sizes, 534, 539

temperament, 536, 537

Toy, 535

treatment, general, 537

truffle-dog, training as, 541

varieties, 534, 535, 539

washing, 538

Water-dogs, 534, 536
" Poor man's Greyhound," 99
Prairie Wolf, 3
Prehistoric dogs, I
Primeval dogs, i, 13
PRINCE CHARLES SPANIEL, 591. See
also English Toy Spaniels

beauty, 592

colours, 59 r, 596

points, 591, 595

portraits in paintings, 592

saddle-back, 591

Tricolour, 591
PUG, 566

Black, 571

Brassey's (Lady) strain, 571

breeders, prominent, 568, 570-572

breeding, 573

button ear, 569, 571

celebrated specimens, 571, 572

Chinese, 571, 572, 607

Club, 568, 570, 571

coat, 570-572

colours, 568-572

Dalziel on, 568,- 572

distribution, wide, 567

Dutch blood, 568

ears, 569, 571

etymology of word, 566

faults, 568, 570

feeding, 574

PUG— contd.

fourteenth-century dog resembling,
10

grooming, 573

history, 566

" Idstone " on, 567

Japanese, 604, See Japanese
Spaniel

line on back, 570, 571

long-haired, 572

mask, 569, 571

moles on cheeks, 569, 571

Morrison strain, 568, 570

old v. modern, 567

old writers on, 566

origin, 566, 567

pampering, evils of, 574

Pekinese, 572, 607

points, 568, 570

popularity, 567, 568

preparation for show, 573

puppy, selecting, 573

rose ear, 569, 571

Rough- coated, 572

size, 570, 571

smuttiness, 570

stigmatised by an old writer, 568

tail, 570, 571

temperament, 566

" thumb-mark," 569, 571

"trace," 570, 571

white, 570

Willoughby strain, 568, 570

wrinkle, 569, 571
PttgnaceSi 7, 9
Pyrenean Mastiff, 143

Sheepdog, 143
PYRENEAN WOLFHOUND, 143

R

Race-dog, 96. See Whippet

Raches, 67, 72

Rampur Hound, 140

Red-and-white Setter, 289

Red Setter, 285, 287. See Irish Setter

Reporting by Pointers, 253

RETRIEVER, 333

action, 344

bitches, preponderance cf, 334, 345

breaking, 349

breeders, prominent, 333, 338,

340, 345
celebrated specimens, 333, 335,

337-340, 344. 345, 353, 354
colours, 348

INDEX

655

RET Ri EVER — contd.

crossing, 334, 339, 347

Curly-coated, 333, 345 -

diseases, 349

distemper, death-rate from, higher
in dogs than in bitches, 336

faults, 344, 348

feeding. 349

Flat-coated, 333, 341

fur, retrieving, 352

gun-shy, 351

headstrong dog, steadying, 352

history, 333

judges, 338

origin, 333. 347

points, 341, 346

punishment, 352

puppies, 348, 349

puppy-walking, 349

shows, effects of, 336, 337

size, 341

Society, 247

temperament, 345, 355

training, 349

trials, 333

varieties, 333, 344

Wavy-coated, 344
"Roach-back," 398
Reading, 248
Roman Boarhound, ancient, 8

breeds, classification of, 9

fighting dogs, 9

house-dogs, 9

hunting dogs, 9

Greyhounds, 8

Italian Greyhounds, 8

shepherd dogs, 9

sporting dogs, 9

Terriers, 9
Rough Beagle, 198. See Beagle

Collie, 147, 150, 157. See Collie

Greyhound, 115. See Greyhound

St. Bernard, 31. See St. Bernard
Royal favourites, dogs as, 6, 10, 551,

590, 614, 615

RUBY SPANIEL, 592. See also English
Toy Spaniels

colours, 592, 596

faults, 596

points, 595
Rule of gun, 300

Running, straight, 96. See Straight-
running

Russell, Rev. John, 423, 444
Russian Do»s, North-east, 368

Wolfhound, 129. See Borzoi.

Sagaces, 7, 9
ST. BERNARD, 31

American popularity, 39

antiquity, 32, 34

Barry, 32, 35

breeding, 31, 43

celebrated specimens, 32-43

Clubs, 36, 39, 40, 43

coat, 44

colours, 44

crossing, 31, 34

Danish Dog cross, 32

deterioration, 33

dew-claws, 39

expression, 39

feeding, 43

German Dog cross, 52, 34

head, 39

history, 31

"holy breed," 31

Hospice breed, 31

improvement, by English breeders,
34,36

inbreeding, 31

introduction into England, 36, 40

Maison St. Bernard breed, 31

markings, 39

modern, 43

Monastery breed, 31

National Club, 40, 43

Newfoundland cross, 31, 34

Northern Club, 40, 43

origin, 31, 35

points, 43

prices realised, 39

puppies, 43

purchasing, 43

Rhone Valley breed, 34

Schumacher on, 31

Simplon breed, 31

size, 39, 43, 44

stump-tailed, 33

Swiss, 31
St. Hubert hound, 69

Schipperke Club, 560, 562
SAMOYEDE, 368

breeders, prominent, 368, 370

celebrated specimens, 368-371

colour, 369, 370

companion, 368, 370

disease, freedom from, 371

Nansen on, 368

pronunciation of name, 368

puppies, 370

656

INDEX

SAMOYEDE — contd.

Scott, Mr. Kilburn, on, 370

size, 370

temperament, 370

working, 368
Sand-dogs, African, 548
Sapling, definition of, 92
SCHIPPERKE, 558

barge-dog, 558

bark, 560

breeders, prominent, 560, 562

Brussels Club, 559, 560, 562

celebrated specimens, 559, 562, 564

children's dog, 559

Clubs, 559, 560, 562

coat, 563, 564

coddling undesirable, 560

colour, 561, 562, 563

collar, 561

crossing, 564

culotte, 561, 563

docking, 558, 561, 564

ears, 562, 563

English Club, 560, 562

faults, 561, 563, 564

frill, 563

grooming, 562

hardiness, 560

head, foxy, 561, 562, 564

Heard, Mrs., on, 560

heather, behaviour on, 560

history, 558

Krehl, Mr. G. R., on, 562, 563

mane, 561, 563, 564

origin, 558

points, 561, 562

puppies, 561, 562

rump, rounded, 561

St. Hubert Club, 560, 562

Scottish Club, 560

size, 563, 565

skin troubles, 560

sporting dog, 560

tailless breed, an erroneous idea,

S^r, 564

temperament, 559, 560, 562, 563

watch-dog, 558, 559
Scotch Collie, 145. See Collie
SCOTCH DEERHOUND, 115

Blome on, 115

breeders, prominent, 118, 119, 121,
123, 124, 126, 127

breeding, 125

cannibalism, instance of, 123

celebrated specimens, 119, 121-127

Chesthill Menzies strain, 128

SCOTCH DEERHOUND — contd.
Club, 127
colour, 118, 128
companion, 125
crossing, 1 1 8, 120, 126
disuse of, in the Highlands, 120
earliest record, 120
ears, 118

fanciers, errors of, 116, 117
faults, 125, 128
Fleethound, 115
Greyhound, Rough, 115
Hickman, Mr. G. W., on, 116, 127
history, 115, 120
Irish Greyhound, 12 1
Irish Wolfdog confused with, 106,

121

Landseer's sketch, 119

McNeil strain, 128

modern, 120

nomenclature, 115

Northern Hound, 115

old writers on, 115

origin, 115

points, 127

puppy, selecting, 123

Rough Greyhound, 115

Scott, Sir Walter, on, 116

show specimens, deterioration in,
116, 117, 125

size, 117-119, 124, 125, 128

Staghound, 115

temperament, 123, 125

Wright, Mr. Hood, on, 127
Scottish Collie Club, 160

Fox-terrier Club, 450

Schipperke Club, 560
SCOTTISH TERRIER, 451

Aberdeen Terrier, 451

breeders, prominent, 452-454, 457

Cairn Terrier, 451

celebrated specimens, 452, 453,

457, 458
Clubs, 453, 459
coat, 452, 456, 459, 460
colours, 455, 457-459
companion, 452, 455
" Die-hard," 451
faking, 456
faults, 459

Fox-terrier, so-called locally, 455
Gray, Mr. J. Thomson, on, 454
history, 451
London Club, 459
Northern Club, 459
origin, 451

INDEX

657

SCOTTISH TERRIER — contd.
points, 459
popularity, 453
price realised, 453
puppy, selecting, 458
size, 460
Skye Terrier, locally known as,

45 1» 509

" straight-face craze," 456

strains, 452

temperament, 452, 455

tongue, giving, 455

trimming, 456

water dog, 455

white, 457, 458

Yorkshire Terrier so called, 582
Scriptures, dogs of the, 14
SETTERS. See also under names of
breeds

Black-and-tan, 275

compared with Pointers, 268, 285,
291

Droppers, 244

English, 254

field trial, 268

Gordon, 275

Irish, 285

Laverack, 258, 259. See English
Setter

Llewellin, 260, 262, 265, 267, 269,
273. See English Setter

origin, 276

Red, 285, 287. See Irish Setter

Red-and-white, 289

Setter and Pointer Society, 247

varieties compared, 286
SHEEPDOGS, 145. Sec also Collie and
Old English Bobtailed Sheep-
dog

ancient Roman, 9

Bobtailed, 162, 164

Clubs, 150, 157, 160, 161, 168

Collies, 147

degeneration, 153

intelligence, 150, 155

Old English, 162

Pyrenean, 143

Roman, 9

running over backs of sheep, 166

shows, effects of, 150, 166, 167

tailless, 162, 164

tenth-century, 9

Thibetan, 630

trial course, diagram of, 152

trials, 151

typical, 153, 158

Shepherd's Cur, Welsh, 165
Shows, effects of, on various breeds,
336, 337

original objects of, 266
Siberian Dogs, Western, 368

Wolfhound, 129 See Borzoi
Sicilian Dog, 575
Silkies, 514
Singing Beagle, 193
Sixteenth century, dogs of, 10
SKYE TERRIER, 501

breeders, prominent, 510

Camusennaries, 452

celebrated specimens, 507, 510

Clubs, 501, 511

Clydesdale confused with, 513, 514

coat, 501, 503, 504, 508, 511

colours, 508, 510, 511

companion, 509

conformation, 506

contentious views regarding type,

SGI

crosses, 509
Dandie back, 507
Drynock strain, 452
fashionable, 510
faults, 512

Flinn, Mr. John, on, 502
Glasgow Fancy, 513
Gray, Mr. J. Thomson, on, 508
grooming, 51°
ground, going to, 506
history, 501
house-dog, 505, 510
Iseland dog, 501, 502
ladies' dog, 510
Mogstad strain, 452
Monarch type, 501
origin, 501, 502
points, 506, 511
preparing for show, 510
puppies, 511
puppy, selecting, 511
roach back, 507
Roseneath type, 458, 501
Scottish Terriers so called, 451,

509

show v. working, 508, 509

size, 505, 511, 512

temperament, 505, 509

washing, 510

working v. show, 508, 509
Sleuth-hound, 68, 72
Slipping Greyhounds, 85
Smooth Collie, 148, 157, 159. See
Collie

42

658

INDEX

Smooth Collie Club, 160, 161

Fox-terrier, 427. See Fox-terrier

St. Bernard, 37, 44. See St. Bernard
Snap-dog, 96. See Whippet
Souls attributed to dogs, 589
Southern Hound, 170
SPANIELS, SPORTING, 295. See also
under names of breeds

beagley head, 321

Black, 315, 316

brace stakes, 300

Club, 298-332

Clumber, 295

Cocker, 320

Cocker, Welsh, 315, 320

English Springer, 307

English Water, 328

Field, 315

Irish Water, 321

Land, 295-328

medium-legged, 307 .

mouth, softening, 311

Norfolk, 307

old writers on, 303, 307, 313,

3295 331

puppies, 295, 308
rule of gun, 300
short-legged. 307
show v. working, 300, 303
Society, 247, 299-332
Sussex, 303

tail, carriage of, 301, 317
team stakes, 300, 311
tenth-century, 9
trials, 298, 299, 311, 313, 316,

320, 322

varieties, 295, 307, 320, 323
Water, English, 328
Water, Irish, 321
Welsh Cocker, 315
Welsh Springer, 312
working v. show, 300, 303
SPANIELS, TOY. See also English Toy

Spaniels and under names of

breeds

Blenheim, 592
Butterfly, 629
Chinese, 607
Chinese Pugs, 607
Clubs, 591, 595, 605, 608
English, 588. See English Toy

Spaniels

etymology of name, 588
Japanese, 603
Japanese " Pug," 604
King Charles, 590

SPANIELS, TOY — contd.

Maltese, 588

Pekinese, 607

Pekinese Pugs, 607

Prince Charles, 591

Ruby, 592

Sleeve Dog, 603

Squirrel Dog, 629

Thibetan, 632

Tricolour, 591
Spanish Bulldog, 384

Pointer, 243
Spaynel, 254
Spit dogs, 226

Spitz Dog, 550. See Pomeranian
Sporting Breeds, ancient Roman, 9

breeds, Kennel Club's list of, 15

Spaniel Society, 247, 299-332
Springers, 295-332. See Spaniels,

Sporting

SQUIRREL DOG, 629
Staghound, 115
Stalking deer, 115, 117, 119
Starter, 313
Stealer, 10

" Stickiness on the point," 248
Straight-running, 96

rules, 98

track, an ideal, 98

training, 101
SUSSEX SPANIEL, 303 '

antiquity, 304

breeders, prominent, 305

Bridford strain, 307

celebrated specimen, 306

colours, 303, 304, 306

constitution, delicate, 303

crosses, 303

history, 303

moribund breed, 303, 318

note, full and bell-like, 305

old writers on, 303, 305

origin, 303

points, 305

popularity, decline of, 304

Rosehill strain, 303, 305

show dogs, 303, 305

size, 306
Swedish Dogs, 367

Elkhund, 367
Swimming races, 61

Tailless dogs, theories regarding, 164
Talbot, 177, 192

INDEX

659

Talbot-like hound, 70
Teckel, 235
Teckel-Klub, 229
Tenth century, dogs of, 9
Termino Hound, 216, 218
Terrier-like dog, Egyptian, 5
TERRIERS. See also under names of
breeds

Aberdeen, 451

Affenpinscher, 629

Airedale, 415

ancient Koman, 9

badger-hunting, 408

Bedlington, 490

Bewick's description and illustra-
tion, 490

Bhuteer, 630

Bingley, 415

Black-and-tan, 525

Border, 521

Boston, 407

Broken-haired or Working, 415

Bull-terrier, 406

Cairn, 451

Caius's classification of, 525

Chihuahua Dog, 628

Chinese, 548

classification, 15, 513, 525

Clydesdale, 513

coats, 525

colours, 525

Coquetdale, 490

Crested Dog, Chinese, 548, 549

cropping, 528

Dachshund used as, 225, 236, 239

Dandie Dinmont, 478

English, Old, 417

English, White, 530

etymology of word, 420

Fox-terrier, 419

Glasgow Fancy Skye, 513

Hairless Dog, Chinese, 548, 549

Highland, 145, 503

Irish, 461

kennel, old, 428-432

Lhassa, 630

longest and lowest, 506

Maltese erroneously so called, 576

Manchester, 526

meaning of word, 420, 422

Monkey, 629

Northumberland, 492

Old English, 417, 518

Paisley, 513

Romnn, 9

Rough, 525

TERRIERS — contd.
Scottish, 451
shows, effects of, on classification,

513

Silkies, 514
Skye, 501
Smooth, 525
Smooth Fox-terrier, 427
" Terry " of the West of Scotland,

451

Thibetan, 630

Toy, 626-629. See also below

varieties, 513

Waterside, 415, 416

Welsh, 517

White English, 530

Wire-haired Fox-terrier, 425, 441

working, choice of, 426

working classes as breeders, 558

Working or Broken-haired, 415

Yorkshire, 582

Youatt on coats of, 525
TERRIERS, TOY. See also under names
of breeds

Black-and-tan, 528, 529, 626

Bull-terrier, 411, 412

White, 628
THIBETAN DOGS, 630

Bhuteer Terrier, 630

Lhassa Terrier, 630. See Lhassa
Terrier

Mastiff, 28. See Thibet Mastiff

points, 631

Sheepdog, 630

Spaniel, 632

tail, 632
THIBET MASTIFF, 28

celebrated specimens, 28

distinct breed, 30

points, 28

rarity, 28

size, 28

Throwing back, 621
Tiger Mastiff, 45. See Great Dane
Tombs, monumental, dogs shown on, 9
TOY DOGS. See also under names of
breeds

Affenpinscher, 629

Asiatic, 607

Beagle, 196

Belgian Griffon, 610

Bhuteer Terrier, 630

Black-and-tan Terrier, 626

Brussels Griffon, 610

Bulldog, 618

Bull-terrier, 411, 412

66o

INDEX

TOY DOGS— 'contd.

Butterfly Spaniel, 629
Chihuahua Dog, 628
Chinese Pugs, 607
Chinese Spaniels, 607
exercise, 624
Greyhound, Italian, 613
Griffon Bruxellois, 610
Italian Greyhound, 613

Japanese " Pug," 604
apanese Spaniel, 603
ennels, 624

King Charles Spaniel, 589, 590

Lhassa Terrier, 630

Maltese, 575

Monkey Terrier, 629

pampering, evils of, 624

Pekinese Pugs, 607

Pekinese Spaniels, 607

Pomeranian, 550

Poodle, 535

Prince Charles Spaniel, 591

Pug, Chinese, 607

"Pug," Japanese, 604

Pug, Pekinese, 607

Ruby Spaniel, 592

Sleeve Dog, 603

Spaniel, Butterfly, 629

Spaniel Clubs, 591, 595, 605, 608

Spaniel, Thibetan, 632

Spaniels, Chinese, 607

Spaniels, English, 588. See
English Toy Spaniels

Spaniels, Japanese, 603

Spaniels, Pekinese, 607

Spaniels, prototype of, 10

Squirrel Dog, 629

Terrier, Bhuteer, 630

Terrier, Black-and-tan, 626

Terrier, Bull, 411, 412

Terrier, Lhassa, 630

Terrier, Monkey, 629

Terriers, prototype of, 10

Thibetan Dogs, 630

Thibetan Spaniel, 632

throwing back, 621

Tricolour Spaniel, 591

White Terrier, 628

Yorkshire Terrier, 582
Traditional dogs, 7
Trap, dog to follow, 94
Trash- cord, 309
Tricolour Spaniel, 591. See Prince

Charles Spaniel
TRUFFLE-DOGS :

Basset-hound, 209

TRUFFLE-DOGS— contd.

Poodle, 541

training, 541
Tumbler, 10

Turberville's work on dogs, 10
Turning round before resting, habit of, 4
Turnspit, 10, 226

U

Undershot,

Vandyck, dogs depicted by, 10
Varieties. See Breeds
Velterer, 192
Virgil, dogs of, 7

W

War-dogs, ancient, 7

height of, 8

Warragal, 373. See Dingo
Water-dog, Large, 534
Water-dogs, tests for, 61
Waterloo Cup, 91. See Coursing and

Greyhound

" Water-rug" of Shakespeare, 331
Water Spaniel, Irish, 321. See Irish

Water Spaniel

Water Spaniels, n, 321, 328
Waterside Terrier, 415, 416. See

Airedale Terrier
Wavy-coated Retriever, 344. See

Retriever
Welsh Cocker Spaniel, 315, 320

Curs, 1 6

Harrier, 186

Heeler, 159

House Cur, 165

Shepherd's Cur, 165
WELSH SPRINGER, 312

celebrated specimen, 314, 315

colours, 312, 314

fanciers, efforts of, 313

history, 312

origin, 312

points, 313

quartering, 313

size, 314

Starter, 313

temperament, 314

trials, 313
WELSH TERRIER, 517

appearance, 517

INDEX

661

WELSH TERRIER— contd.

breeders, prominent, 517

celebrated specimens, 518

classes, early, 517

Club, 519

colours, 519, 520

companion, 517

confused with other breeds, 518

history, 517

modern, 519

points, 519

puppy, selecting, 519

size, 519, 520

Welsh Wire-coated Hound, 182
" Wheel- back," 398
WHIPPET, 96

bait, 98

celebrated specimens, TOO

Club, 103

colours, 103

companion, 103

exercise, 102, 103

feeding, 97, 102

fleetness, 97, 100

handbook on, 96

handicapping, 97, 100, 101

history, 96

horse, pace of, compared, 100

judging races 99, 101

"law," 101

Lloyd, Mr. Freeman, on, 96, 101

miners' dogs, 96

origin, 96, 99

points, 103

puppies, 102 .

Race-dog, 96

race-meetings, 97, 100

Rough, 97, 99, 103

rules for race-meetings, 98

runners-up, 97

selecting, 103

show dogs, 103

size, 97, 100, 101, 103

slipping, 97, 101

smooth, 97, 99

Snap-dog, 96

starting-box, 97

Sutherland, Mr. Angus, on, 99, 101

Tatham, Mr., on, 100

track, an ideal, 98

training, 101

typical show dog, 102

varieties, 97
WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER, 530

breeders, prominent, 530, 532

breeding, 531

WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER— contd.

celebrated specimens, 530, 532

crosses, 530, 532

history, 530

hooped tail, 531

inbreeding, 531

modern, 530, 531

old-fashioned, 530

origin, 530

points, 531-533

puppy, selecting, 532

Scottish patronage, 532

size, 533

Terrier expression, 53 1

unpopularity, 531

wheel-back, 531
WHITE TOY TERRIER, 628
Whitening coats, 414
Wild dogs, 2

dogs, not barking, 4
Winding game, 245
Wire-coated Welsh Hound, 182
Wire-haired Beagle, 198. See Beagle
Wire-haired Fox-terrier, 425, 441. See

Fox-terrier
Wolf, crossing with, 3

dogs descended from, 2

Grey Arctic, 3

habits of, shown in the dog, 4

hunting, 106, 205

Prairie, 3

tame, 3
Wolf-dog, 543. See Chow-Chow

Irish, 107. See Irish Wolfhound
Wolfhound, Circassian Orloff, 141

Irish, 104. See Irish Wolfhound

Pyrenean, 143

Russian, 129. See Borzoi

Siberian, 129. See Borzoi
Working classes as dog-breeders, 558
Working or Broken-haired Terrier, 415.

See Airedale Terrier

YORKSHIRE TERRIER, 582

breeders, prominent, 582, 584, 585

breeding, 586

care of, general, 585

celebrated specimens, 582, 585

classification, 582, 586

Club, 586

coat, 586

coat, care of, 583, 584

coat, second, 584

colour, 583, 584, 586

662

INDEX

YORKSHIRE TERRIER— contd.
cropping once practised, 585
docking, 585
"fall," 584
feeding, 585
grooming, 584
hair, stimulating growth of, 583,

584

history, 582
house-dog, 583
moustache, 584
nomenclature, 582

YORKSHIRE TERRIER--«>«/^.
origin, 514, 582
preparation for show, 583, 584
puppies, 583

Rough Terrier, so callrd, 582
" Scotch Terrier," so called, 582
show specimens, luxurious sur-
roundings of, 585
Silver, 587
size, 586

temperament, 583
washing, 584

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BIRD & STOREY'S

DOG MEDICINES

As Used by the Leading Dog Breeders and Fanciers.

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PREPARED BY THE PROPRIETORS:—

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DUE AS STAMPED BELOW

'90

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

FORM NO. DD6, 60m, 1/83 BERKELEY, CA 94720

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20546