EVERYMAN'S BOOK OF THE DOG BY A. CROXTON SMITH M WITH EIGHTY-TWO ILLUSTRATIONS FROM PHOTOGRAPHS HODDER AND STOUGHTON LONDON MCMX INTRODUCTION To EVERY DOG LOVER, — THE affinity which exists between man and the dog has been the outgrowth of many centuries, and is warmer to-day than ever it was. In the hope of familiarising the general public with the many beauti- ful varieties that are common to this country, and conveying some simple information on the manage- ment of dogs in health and sickness, this book has been projected. It is not intended in any way to supersede the many excellent works already in being, which are mainly designed for the expert, but rather to help the inexperienced man or woman who, while loving our four-footed companions, knows little about the general treatment necessary in order to keep them in good health and contentment. With but few ii iv INTRODUCTION exceptions, in which no suitable pictures were avail- able, all the illustrations are of well-known cham- pions. I should like to express my indebtedness to the many ladies and gentlemen who have so kindly lent me photographs and given me assistance in describing the characteristics of their favourite breeds. A. C. S. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE THE ORIGIN OF THE DOG . . . • • I CHAPTER II KENNELLING •••••• 5 CHAPTER III THE CHOICE OF A DOG AND HINTS TO BUYERS . . IO CHAPTER IV BREEDING ...• CHAPTER V THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES . . . .26 CHAPTER VI FEEDING AND GROOMING .... 34 vi CONTENTS CHAPTER VII PAGE THE WELL-MANNERED DOG . . . .40 CHAPTER VIII THE KENNEL CLUB AND ITS DUTIES . . , 46 CHAPTER IX CONCERNING DOG SHOWS . . . . .50 CHAPTER X THE BLOODHOUND . . . • = 55 CHAPTER XI THE FOXHOI9ND . . . . . .62 CHAPTER XII THE OTTERHOUND ..... 66 CHAPTER XIII THE HARRIER . . . . . ^ 68 CHAPTER XIV THE BEAGLE . ... 72 CONTENTS vii CHAPTER XV PACK THE BASSET HOUND . . . « . 76 CHAPTER XVI THE GREYHOUND . 8l CHAPTER XVII THE IRISH WOLFHOUND . . . . .85 CHAPTER XVIII THE DEERHOUND . * • • t 87 CHAPTER XIX THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND . • • 93 CHAPTER XX THE SPANIEL ...... 97 CHAPTER XXI THE RETRIEVER ...... Io8 CHAPTER XXI! THE SETTER ...... 113 viii CONTENTS CHAPTER XXIII PAOK THE POINTER •••••• H7 CHAPTER XXIV FOX TERRIER, SMOOTH AND WIRE . . .121 CHAPTER XXV THE AIREDALE TERRIER . , . . 126 CHAPTER XXVI THE BEDLINGTON . . . , . 129 CHAPTER XXVII THE BULL TERRIER • • • » . 132 CHAPTER XXVIII THE DANDIE DINMONT . . . . . 136 CHAPTER XXIX THE SCOTTISH TERRIER . . . . .141 CHAPTER XXX THE SKYE TERRIER ..... 147 CONTENTS ix CHAPTER XXXI PAGE THE SHORT-HAIRED SKYE TERRIER . . . 151 CHAPTER XXXII THE WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER . . 155 CHAPTER XXXIII THE CLYDESDALE TERRIER . . . . . 158 CHAPTER XXXIV THE IRISH TERRIER . . . . , l6l CHAPTER XXXV THE WELSH TERRIER , . , . . 164 CHAPTER XXXVI THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER . . . l68 CHAPTER XXXVII THE SEALYHAM TERRIER . • a . IJl CHAPTER XXXVIII THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER .... 174 * x CONTENTS CHAPTER XXXIX THE MASTIFF ^ CHAPTER XL THE NEWFOUNDLAND . . . . .183 CHAPTER XLI THE ST. BERNARD ,33 CHAPTER XLII THE GREAT DANE ,94 CHAPTER XLIII THE BULLDOG 2OI CHAPTER XLIV THE MINIATURE BULLDOG ... 211 CHAPTER XLV THE BOULEDOGUE FRANCAIS . . ; 0 2I2 CHAPTER XLVI THE COLLIE .... 2l6 CONTENTS xi I CHAPTER XL VII PAGE THE SHETLAND SHEEPDOG ..... 223 CHAPTER XLVIII THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG ... 225 CHAPTER XLIX THE DACHSHUND . . 229 CHAPTER L THE WHIPPET ...... 233 CHAPTER LI THE CHOW-CHOW ...... 236 CHAPTER LH THE SAMOYEDE ...... 239 CHAPTER LII1 THE ELKHOUND •..,.. 243 CHAPTER LIV THE ESKIMO DOG • 245 xii CONTENTS CHAPTER LV PAGE OTHER FOREIGN DOGS , - 250 CHAPTER LVI THE DALMATIAN • . . , , 259 CHAPTER LVII THE SCHIPPERKE . . . . , • , 263 CHAPTER LVIII THE POODLE ...... 267 CHAPTER LIX THE POMERANIAN , . . . 271 CHAPTER LX] THE TOY SPANIELS . . CHAPTER LXI THE JAPANESE . . CHAPTER LXII THE PEKINGESE . CONTENTS xiii CHAPTER LXIII PAGE THE PUQ •!••••• 291 CHAPTER LXIV THE BLACK AND TAN TERRIER . . • . 295 CHAPTER LXV THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER • • 298 CHAPTER LXV1 THE MALTESE • • • t • • 3O2 CHAPTER LXVII THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND , • • 305 CHAPTER LXVIII THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS • • • • 309 CHAPTER LXIX TREATMENT OP COMMON AILMENTS . . . 312 ILLUSTRATIONS A mixed kennel of Bloodhounds, Bassets, and Bulldogs Frontispiece PAGE Champion " Panther," the well-known Bloodhound, bred by the late Lady Swinburne . . . . . -55 The Badlesmere Harriers . . . . • .62 Three Typical Foxhounds . . . . . t 62 " Thunder," one of the Dumfries-shire Otterhounds • • 66 " Gladsome " a four-moriths-old puppy of the Cotley Harriers . 69 The Cotley Harriers • . . . . .69 Some of Mrs. Chapman's Beagles . . . • . 72 The Rev. G. R. Plant's Beagle, Champion " Bashful " . .72 The smooth Basset, Champion " Welbeck " . .76 Champion "Wensum," sister of "Welbeck" . . .76 Mrs. Tottie's rough Bassethound, Champion " Puritan " . .78 Three generations of smooth Bassets . . , .78 Mrs. Chapman's Greyhound, Champion " Broadwater Banker " 80 zv xvi ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE A boxful of Basset puppies three or four weeks old . . 80 Man-hunting — a Bloodhound in full cry . . , . 85 Mr. A. Hall's Irish Wolfhound, Champion " Gareth " .85 Mrs. H. Armstrong's Deerhound, Champion "Talisman " . 87 Mrs. Borman's Borzoi, Champion " Ramsden Rajah " . .93 Mr. E. Shepherd's Cocker Spaniel, Champion " Truth " . .97 Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Springer Spaniel, Champion " Longmynd Morgan " . . . . . . 97 Mrs. Horner's Irish Water Spaniel, Champion "Lunesdale Shamrock" . . . . . . .98 Mr. F. Saunders's Clumber Spaniel, Champion "Tramp of St. Mary's " . . . . . . . .98 Mrs. Rouse's Field Spaniel, Champion " Clareholm Opal " . 101 Mrs. Rouse's Field Spaniel, Champion " Clareholm Dora " . 101 Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Springer, ! Champion "Longmynd CalonFach" ....... 107 Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Springers, Champion " Longmynd Deiniol " and " Longmynd Cadrod " . . . . 107 Mr. H. Reginald Cooke's flat-coated Retriever, Champion " Grouse of Riverside ". . . . . .108 A well-known Retriever of the early Nineties — the late Mr. S. E. Shirley's " Thorn " . . . . .108 ILLUSTRATIONS xvii PAGE The Black and Tan Setter, Champion "Garbet Crack" . .113 Mr. T. Steadman's English Setter, Champion "Mallwyd Diamond" . . . . . . .113 Mrs. Ingle Bepler's Irish Setter, Champion " Clancarty Rhu" . 115 Mr. A. R. Fish's curly-coated Retriever, Champion "Miss Wonder" c . • . . . . 117 Mrs. Horner's Pointer, Champion " Lunesdale Wagg" . . 117 Mr. Francis Redmond's famous wire-haired Fox Terrier, Champion " Dusky Cracker " ..... 121 Mr. Francis Redmond's smooth-coated Fox Terrier, Champion " Donna Fortuna " . . . . . .121 Mr. J. Deane Willis's Bedlington Terriers, Champions " Benwell Rose," " Breakwater Fashion," and " Rory O'More" . 132 Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Monk's Bull Terrier, Champion " Blooms- bury Rex "....... 132 Mr. Charles Viccars' West Highland White Terrier, Champion "Kiltie" . . . . . . .136 Mrs. Simpson Shaw's Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Champion " Alpin Viceroy " ...... 136 Miss Ethel McCheane's Skye Terrier, Champion "Wolverley Chummie" ....... 147 Mrs. Alastair Campbell's short-coated Skye Terriers, " MacLeod of MacLeod" and " Roy Mohr" .... 151 xviii ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Mr. J. Deane Willis's Scottish Terriers, Champions " Seafield Blossom," " Carter Laddie," and " Bonaccord Nora " (on the seat), " Huntley Daisy," and " Bayning Kiss " . . 151 Messrs. O. and H. T. Walters's Irish Terrier, Champion "Beauty's Boy" . . . . . .161 Messrs. Mills and Buckley's Airedale Terrier, Champion "Clonmel Terror" . . . . . .161 Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Terriers, " Longmynd Pypyr " and "Longmynd Halen" . . . . . .164 Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Terrier, Champion " Mr. Houdini " 164 *' Woodstock Wirree," one of Mrs. J. R. Wood's Australian Terriers . ...... 174 Mrs. Scaramanga's Chow Chow, Champion " Red Craze " . 174 Mr. W. K. Taunton's Mastiff, Champion " Beaufort" . . 177 Mrs. Charter's Old English Sheepdog, Champion " Brentwood County Girl" ....... 177 Mr. H. J. Mansfield's white and black Newfoundland, Champion " Prince of Suffolk " . . . . . ^ Miss E. Goodall's black Newfoundland, Champion "Gipsy Duke" . ... 183 A well-known St. Bernard of the early Nineties — Messrs. Smith and Baker's " Le Prince " . . . ^8 Mrs. Parker's rough St. Bernard, Champion " Cinq Mars " . 188 ILLUSTRATIONS xix PAGE Mrs. Fielder's harlequin Great Dane, Champion " Fortuna of Lockerbie" . . . . . . . 194 Mr. Walter Jeff cries' Bulldog, Champion " Rodney Stone" . 201 Mr. W. E. Mason's rough Collie, Champion "Southport Sample" ....... 216 Mr. Frank Wildgoose's smooth Collie, Champion "Julien de Montfort" . . . . . . .218 Mr. Fred. H. Bottomley's Whippet, Champion "Manorley Moireen" ... ... 233 Four of Mrs. Kilburn Scott's Samoyede puppies . • . 239 Mrs. Kilburn Scott's Samoyede, " Houdin "... 239 Major Hicks Beach's Elkhounds, " Clinker" and " King" . 245 Mr. W. K. Taunton's famous Eskimo, Champion "Sir John Franklin" ....... 245 Mrs. Crosfield's Schipperke, Champion " Esme of Greta " . 250 Mr. W. K. Taunton's Afghan dog, " Khelat "... 250 Mrs. Deane Willis and her Champion Schipperkes, " Flying Fox," "Joe of Moorfield," and " Bapton Fox " . . 263 Mrs. L. W. Crouch's curly Poodle, Champion "L'Enfant Prodigue" . . . . . . .267 Mrs. L, W. Crouch's, Champion "The Joker" . . .267 Mrs. Moss Cockle's Japanese, "General Kuroki" of Braywick . 271 xx ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Mrs. Raymond Mallock's Ruby Spaniel, Champion "Ashton More Baronet" . . . . . .271 Mrs. C. Houlker's Pomeranian, Champion " Haughty Prince " .271 Lady Samuelson's Japanese, Champion " Tombo " . . 282 Mrs. Ashton Cross's Pekingese, Champion "Chu-erh" of Alder- bourne ..... . 286 Mr. Hector Whitehead's Shetland Sheepdog, " Orczy " . 291 Mrs. Francis Howell's Black Pug, Champion "Mister Dandy" . 291 Mrs. Currie's fawn Pug, Champion " Sylvia "... 291 Mrs. Parker's Pomeranian, Champion "Mars" . . .302 Mrs. L. Weller's Maltese, Champion "Chillicbury Masher" . 302 Mrs. Scarlett's Italian Greyhound, Champion " Svelta " . . 305 Mr. C. E. Firmstone's Yorkshire Terrier, Champion " The Grand Duke " . . . . . , . 305 Mrs. H. H. Spicer's Griffon Bruxellois, Champions "Copthorne Lobster" . . . . . . . 309 Mrs. H. H. Spicer's Griffons Bruxellois, Champion "Copthorne Wiseacre " and " Copthorne Treasure "... 309 CHAPTER I THE ORIGIN OF THE DOG IN seeking the origin of the dog, we have to carry our imaginations far down the centuries through the mists of ages, and then we have little other than conjecture to aid us. It is difficult to say when the enduring partnership between dog and man was first cemented to the mutual advantage of both. Still more difficult is it to say what was the progenitor, of the dog. Indeed, it is by no means certain whether he comes from a single parent wild stock, or whether several species had a part in his composition. At the first blush it seems difficult to imagine that the many varieties of dogs known to the world should have had any common origin, so marked is the difference, say, between the huge St. Bernard and the Toy Terrier, weighing no more than three or four pounds. The Kennel Club Register acknowledges no less than thirty-eight varieties of sporting dogs, and an equal number of non-sporting, as being sufficiently nume- rous in this country alone to justify a separate classification at shows. In many cases, however, we find but a sub -division of varieties, such as the rough and smooth Collie, the rough and smooth St. Bernard, the black and black-and-white New- BooJe of the Dog. 2 * > .ORIGIN OF THE DOG foundland, &c. The matter is still further simplified when we recall how certain varieties, such as the Fox Terrier, the Airedale Terrier, and others, have been produced within comparatively recent times by a judicious admixture of other breeds. Indeed, it is simply wonderful what man can do with the animal world by a process of careful selection. The dog is a particularly suitable subject upon which to experi- ment, much more so than the horse or cow, owing to the facts that a number of puppies are usually produced in each litter, and that the young reach maturity with a sufficient speed to make a generation represent but a brief span of time . I do not propose analysing the arguments in favour of this theory or that as to the ancestry of the dog, but merely to note in passing that one of the greatest authorities of the day, Mr. R. I. Pocock, gives excel- lent reasons for his belief that three, perhaps four, species of jackals, and possibly the Indian wolf as well, have contributed something to the formation of our domestic breeds. Abandoning the region of speculation, evidences have been found to show that man and dog were in alliance during the Neolithic age, and in the Bronze and Iron periods we have proofs that still larger specimens of the canidce existed. Egyptian monuments from three to five thousand years old show us dogs very much like the present-day Greyhound, others which were pre- sumably watch-dogs, and a still smaller animal, with crooked legs, which was not wholly unlike the modern Dachshund. They were objects of veneration to the Egyptians, and it was only recently that the President of the Egyptian Exploration Fund an- nounced the discovery in an excavated cemetery of THE ORIGIN OF THE DOG 3 the bodies of many pet dogs. THese were evidently much treasured, one having ivory bracelets round its legs, while others had collars of twisted leather. The Assyrian rooms at the British Museum contain beau- tiful representations of hunting" scenes taken from the palace of an Assyrian monarch who reigned from 668 to 626 B.C. The hounds there depicted are very powerful -looking, not by any means far removed from our modern Mastiff, but the inference is that they were speedier, as we see them hunting the wild horse. The Persians dearly loved a dog, those used for sporting purposes being known as educated. The references to hounds in Homer are, of course, familiar to most we 11 -read people. The ancient Britons possessed a small hound which it was claimed was the forerunner of the Beagle, and we also know that Mastiffs were imported into Rome from Great Britain. Turbervile, whose classic " Booke of Hunting," published in 1576, deserves to be in the hands of every cynologist, had an ingenious theory, founded on researches in France, that after the destruction of Troy y£neas landed in Italy, where he founded a family. His grandson, Brutus, one day killing by accident his father while hunting, made a voyage into Greece to deliver certain Trojans there detained in captivity. With these he set sail, taking with him a great number of Hounds and Greyhounds. Passing through the Straits of Gibraltar, he ended his journey in a part of France afterwards called Bretaigne, after Brutus himself. The subsequent history of these hounds is considerably involved, but we know that there were some white, others fallow, some dun, and others black. The latter, the black St. Huberts, came from the Abbey in the Ardennes, 4 THE ORIGIN OF THE DOG and from them have undoubtedly descended our English Bloodhounds ; while the white hounds were probably the progenitors of the Talbot, which, with the Bloodhound, must be regarded as the parent stock of our present Foxhounds and Harriers. In later chapters upon Hounds I shall endeavour, to amplify this subject. The love of man for his dog is not surprising. As Maeterlinck has so beautifully expressed it, of all the animal creation the dog alone has really broken down the barriers standing between him and mankind . We use the horse and the cow, but it is rarely that we make friends of them. The dog, however, is on an entirely different footing. Whether he first attached himself to man, or primeval man obtained him and trained him to his own uses, is now im- material ; the dog is our faithful friend and loving companion, and he has shown to many generations of Englishmen sport which would have been denied to them without his aid. In these later years we have made him minister to our vanity by winning prizes for us at dog shows ; but he still remains of the same nature, ready to protect us, and our devoted slave in spite of rebuffs and ill-treatment. CHAPTER II KENNELLING No man has a right to keep a dog unless he is also prepared to find for him proper accommoda- tion to screen him from the inclemency of the weather, and to feed and tend him in a suitable manner. I am no advocate of excessive fondling, and in my opinion the owner's bedroom is the last place in which a large dog should be allowed to sleep ; such a practice is transgressing all the laws of hygiene, and it is certain that a dog may be completely spoilt by injudicious petting. Still, there is a happy medium between one's bedroom and the barrel arrangement that is often considered suffi- cient. The average adult dog does not stand in need of coddling, and I would not suggest providing a place for him heated with hot -water pipes or a stove ; but at the same time he deserves to have a reasonably warm habitation in the winter, and freedom to move about outside. An ingenious man with a little knowledge of carpentering could him- self make a lean-to kennel which would be perfectly warm and comfortable and sufficient for any but the most pampered animal. Stout wood should be used for the purpose, and it is infinitely better if lined on the inside with thick cowhair felt and then 6 6 KENNELLING matchboarded over. The roof should be also of wood covered outside with tarred felt. This will make ample protection against the cold. A sleep- ing bench should be pjaced at the end furthest from the entrance, with a sliding board from 6 inches to 9 inches deep, which will serve to keep in the bedding and also help to ward off any draughts. The bench should be movable, so that it may be taken completely out once a week and thoroughly washed ; indeed, it is a good plan to have this made in duplicate, so that in the winter-time when the boards will not dry easily, there is no danger of the dog being exposed to damp. One end of the kennel should also open on hinges in order that no difficulty may be experienced in keeping the interior thoroughly clean, and it is an excellent plan to limewash the sides and roof two or three times a year. Do not be afraid of giving too much room if your means will permit, and also remember to arrange some scheme of ventilation near the roof. Of course, if stable or outhouse should be avail- able, nothing more is required than a bench with deep sides to act as draught screens, and the smaller varieties will sleep very well in a box in the scullery. Many people prefer keeping their dogs in the house for the sake of protection against unwelcome nocturnal visitors, but even then outdoor accommo- dation is usually needed for the daytime. If it is necessary to confine the dog at certain times, on no account fix him on the end of a chain ; he is an active animal, longing for unrestricted movement, and there is no more pitiable sight than a poor creature at the end of a short chain with nothing KENNELLING 7 but a barrel in which to lie, and probably a dirty old piece of sacking as the only shift from the floor. Nothing looks better than the iron railings usually sold for the purpose, but if the small expenditure this involves is a serious obstacle, for a few shillings one may put up quite a respectable -sized run, fenced in with stout wire netting. It may be that some of my readers may desire to go in for breeding and exhibiting, and in that event they will have to be prepared for a more considerable outlay at the beginning, although this need not of necessity amount to a large sum if a man is tolerably discreet. A range of four kennels, each 6 feet in width, of equal depth, and about 7 feet to the roof at the highest point, may be erected against a wall for about £25. Brick kennels, of course, are still better, but naturally more expensive . Prudence dictates that before embarking upon a venture of this description, one should consider his plan carefully and obtain estimates from several builders, as these will be found to vary in a most amazing manner. In my own case, to the best of my recollection, there was a difference of about £20 for almost identically the same thing. The fact that some breeders succeed with the most indifferent accommodation is scarcely a reason for imitating their example. If puppies are to be properly reared they need plenty of room, and overcrowding is fatal ; indeed, I am inclined to think that if ideal condi- tions could be ensured, one would ask for a large paddock with ranges and kennels in different parts, and in sufficient number to admit of being used in alternate weeks. 8 KENNELLING Certainly an isolation hospital is a most desirable adjunct, for not only can it be used to receive sick animals, but dogs coming home from a show can there be segregated until they have been thoroughly disinfected. If this were done in every case we should have far fewer outbreaks of distemper. It is also necessary to remember that puppies born during the cold weather can never thrive properly unless they have considerable warmth — 7o°Fah. should be regarded as the minimum. My own experience has been that nothing can beat a small anthracite stove for providing artificial heat ; the preliminary cost is not large, and the fire can be maintained with a minimum of trouble at an equable temperature. The fuel is expensive, varying in cost from 353. to 423. a ton, but it is so slow of combustion that in the long run the outlay comes to much less than for ordinary coal with an open fireplace. Moreover, there is no danger of the fire going out during the night so long as it is made up some time in the course of the evening. One of these stoves should be in the hospital and another in the puppy quarters, and they will well repay one in the number of lives saved. I need scarcely add that ample ventilation should be provided in every instance, for fresh air is of the utmost importance if we would keep our charges in good health. A large run is a necessary complement to every range of kennels, and the more roomy it is the better. With regard to the situation of the kennels, it is desirable that they should face the warmest points of the com- pass, damp and absence of sunshine being most inimical, and the soil should be dry. Old Turber- vile wrote much good sense upon this subject, KENNELLING 9 saying that the gates and windows of the chamber must be settled and situate against the rising of the sun and the south. This chamber he would have raised above the level of the ground with gutters in it for drainage purposes. He also advised a large courtyard well planned according to the com- modity and ability of the lord who owned it, and through this he would have a little channel of good fountain water. CHAPTER III THE CHOICE OF A DOG AND HINTS TO BUYERS THE buyer has need of a hundred eyes, the seller need have but one. When you have once made up your mind to keep a dog you are only at the beginning of your troubles. As something like two million of licences are taken out in this country every year, we may fairly assume that a large proportion of the adult population are dog lovers. It is not surprising, then, that you should determine to have one. The difficulty is to know which variety shall have the benefit of your patronage. Is it to be large or small? A Toy Terrier or a lordly St. Bernard? The chances are that you fix upon one of the larger kinds : they look so much more imposing, they would impress your friends, and, of course, they would be splendid guards. You settle on a Great Dane or a Newfoundland, and are perfectly content. A night's reflection, however, brings about a modification of your views. It occurs to ypu that a big dog costs more than a little one to buy. It would be absurd to expect 150 Ibs. weight of canine flesh, blood, and bone for the price of 3 Ibs. Then you consider that the large fellow would eat so much more than the small one, he would certainly want more exercise, 10 HINTS TO BUYERS 11 and his sleeping quarters would have to be far more roomy. By, the end 'of the day it is quite apparent that a Collie or Retriever, is more suitable for you in every way. You have wanted one all along, and it was a mistake, this philandering with the idea of a Newfoundland or Dane. Another day but adds to your perplexity, for you remember having heard that Chow-chows or Scottish Terriers make such de- voted companions, with no thought for others than their own particular masters . This settles the matter, and once more you are at peace. You spend a penny or twopence next Friday on one of the dog papers, and proceed to scan the small advertisements at the end, becoming thoroughly bewildered in the process, for so many people seem to have precisely what you are looking for, except that the prices of these pedigree animals are absurdly high. You had never realised before that they could cost such a lot of money, and you begin to contemplate forthwith the feasibility of starting a kennel and doubling your income. There are more varieties, too, than you had deemed possible, and you flounder about in the throes of indecision until in desperation you make tracks for the nearest shop and purchase an alleged Fox Terrier for 73. 6d. People are constantly asking me what sort of dog they should keep, and my reply is, you must consult your own predilections and purses. A mongrel will be as companionable as the thoroughbred, but naturally will not give you as much satisfaction to look at, so I would suggest the acquisition of a well- bred one if you can run to it. It is as well to bear in mind, however, that many pedigree animals are frequently rank bad ones of their kind, and irre- 12 THE CHOICE OF A DOG proachable lineage by no means guarantees that tHey will display all the points set out in the accepted standard. Having made up your mind what you will buy, you have next to consider whether it shall be a puppy or an adult, and there is much to be said on both sides. The puppy is a delightful little creature, full of amusing antics, and if you are really fond of animals you will derive endless pleasure from tending him and breaking him in to your ways. At the same time, it will undoubtedly entail a certain amount of trouble. Puppies, like children, have their ailments. He will need intelligent feeding, possibly physicking, and you have always to face the prob- ability of that dread disease — distemper, through which most youngsters have to pass. He will not necessarily die, buy you may take it for granted that it will be more than an even chance against him. If he gets through, and you have done your duty by him, he will be more attached to you than ever. He will also show his friendly feeling by tearing up your rugs, and doing as much mischief as time and the laxity of a stern master will permit. An adult dog over distemper will save you much bother, but will obviously cost more money. He may also have de- veloped bad habits which you would have checked if his training had been in your hands. On the whole, with all diffidence, I would venture to suggest that the age of nine or ten months is not a bad one. By that time the young hopeful has escaped many of his troubles, and yet he is not too old to be impressionable and adaptable. You will find that there is nothing like a fixed value for a dog '; one puppy in the litter may be worth £30 when he is a couple of months old, while another AND HINTS TO BUYERS 13 one would not be a bargain at £5. But as a general principle you may take it that you cannot expect to get any puppy from highly bred parents at less than the latter sum. Again, it will depend upon the variety. In some breeds £3 would be considered a reasonable sum for a puppy just weaned that was not possessed of a superabundance of good points. If you are prepared to pay as much as this, it is advisable that you should only buy of responsible persons who have a reputation to maintain, and you must then to a large extent put yourself in their hands, because you certainly will not be in a position to judge as to whether a puppy is good or bad of its kind ; they change so much month by month that it is a most difficult thing even for an experienced man to forecast with any exactitude the future de- velopments. Take, for instance, the case of the York- shire Terrier. The proper colour of this little dog when it reaches maturity is a dark steel blue, not a silver blue, extending from the peak of the head to the root of the tail, while the rest will be a rich golden tan, grading off to a lighter shade at the ends. At birth the tiny Yorkies are black and tan, and the change in colour may not come until they are nearly twelve months old. You may, however, exercise a few elementary pre- cautions. Unless you are purchasing one of the Toy varieties, you should select a puppy with good bone, having its front legs straight, and moving well behind. Cow hocks are very objectionable, and are not easily got rid of. If there is much weakness at the shoulders, with the elbows sticking out instead of1 being placed well under the body, you must certainly be wary. See, too, that the skin is clean and free 14 THE CHOICE OF A DOG from anything likely to cause irritation ; eczema can be cured, but it means a good deal of attention, and is most decidedly not worth buying if you can do with- out it. The healthy puppy will look well, have a bright eye, and handle agreeably. His skin should be loose and capable of being drawn up in folds. If this is the case, you may safely assume that there is not much wrong with him. In case you should propose buying an adult dog, a few words as to the pitfalls in which the unwary may stumble may not be out of place. Certain varieties lend themselves more readily than others to the art of the faker. All the rough -haired Terriers, such as Fox, Irish, Airedale, Scottish, Welsh, and Dandie Dinmont Terriers, are frequently denuded by plucking and rasping, or even by the use of scissors, of a good deal of superfluous coat, being much smartened up by the process. Indeed, things have come to such a pass that I am afraid more Terriers are shown plucked than in anything like a natural coat. The evil has been far-reaching because many breeders have found it easier to do a little barbering than to take the pains to breed for coats of a correct texture and length. The consequence is that an amateur takes a fancy to a Terrier at a show, buys him in the hope of exhibiting on a future occasion, and in a month or six weeks is disheartened to find that he has grown hair as soft and almost as long as the wool of a sheep. If plucking were universally recognised as legitimate, no one could, of course, take exception to it";_ but the regulations of the Kennel Club as to the preparation of dogs for shows lay it down definitely that it is illegal. In some cases it is not unusual to go over a Terrier AND HINTS TO BUYERS 15 with horse -clippers some three weeks before a show, but much judgment is required to estimate the rate at which the new coat is likely to grow. As is well known, the wire-haired dogs should have a coat hard and wiry in texture, and this result is sometimes attained artificially by the application of alum or resin. Unfortunately, Pomeranians, too, are frequently trimmed on manes, breechings, chest, and sometimes body, in order to make the dog appear more cobby and even in coat"; this also is a breach of the regulations, calculated to deceive the novice. In other varieties colour is an essential feature, and it is by no means uncommon for aniline dyes to be used to bring about an improvement ; these being made fast by the addition of a little alum, are most difficult of detection. Some fakers favour a solution of permanganate of potash. White markings on black dogs are destroyed temporarily by means of logwood or copperas, while a blacklead brush has been known to give the desirable bluish tint to the coat of a Yorkshire Terrier. I have heard of a pair of tweezers being employed to pluck out the white hairs from the spots of a Dalmatian. A com- paratively venial deception is the soaking of the top- knots on the heads of Bedlingtons and Dandies in buttermilk so that they may have a nice fluffy appearance. I am not reciting this disagreeable list of mis- doings to make you feel that every dog breeder is given up to fraudulent practices, for such is not the case. The majority of men and women who take up breeding as a hobby are perfectly straightforward and honourable in their dealings, and would scorn to do anything so contemptible ; but I am merely giving 16 THE CHOICE OP A DOG a few hints which may prevent the inexperienced from being imposed upon. I remember a case coming before the Committee of the Kennel Club in which it was established that the coat of an Irish Terrier had been -"• improved " with the aid of common brown boot cream. This was at the best a clumsy device, for the application of a moistened pocket-handkerchief at once disclosed what had been done. It is not often that a dog's natural outline is interfered with by surgical operations, but occa- sionally a muscle in the ear of a Collie is cut in order that the end may droop over at the proper angle. The scar can generally be detected, but it is not so easy to tell if weights have been fixed inside the tip of the ear by means of adhesive wax. The presence of broken hairs is practically the only remaining evidence. In buying an adult dog, attention should be given to the eye and expression, by means of which we can usually tell whether they are good-tempered or otherwise. The skin should be examined carefully for any evidences of eczema or mange, and it is as well to seek for possible canker in the ear. The condition of the teeth is also worth noting. CHAPTER IV BREEDING THERE was an old saying that like produces like, but experience tells us that this needs considerable modification. It is perfectly true that the alliance of a Fox Terrier sire and dam will produce Fox Terrier puppies ; but it is altogether wrong to assume that if one champion is mated with another the progeny will be champions also ; they may not even disclose many good points between the whole of them, and the exercise of considerable skill is needed to bring about a fusion of blood which will produce the results at which we aim. As this book is primarily intended for those whose knowledge is not extensive I may be pardoned for stating what to many are merely commonplaces. A champion dog may occasionally appear in the litter as a happy chance, or what we should term a " sport/* and the probability is that he will not have the power to reproduce his good qualities to any extent. The law of heredity is inexorable, whether we obey it from scientific knowledge or merely by rule of thumb. When the uneducated man says that you must con- sider what is at the back of a sire or dam, you understand that he is stating in homely language Book of the Dog. 3 17 18 BREEDING a scientific truth. We cannot look for any 'degree of success in our breeding operations unless we know something of the ancestry of the material upon which we are working. Time after time we find wealthy people buying up all the best dogs and bitches of a variety and yet failing ignominiously to achieve any .results worthy of consideration. The fact is, they are working completely in the dark. In getting together the foundations of a kennel, it is best to choose matrons from well-known strains that have stood the test of time. They need not of necessity even be prize-winners, although by choice one would naturally prefer having the very best obtainable ; but it is essential to select healthy bitches with plenty of bone and substance, unless we are dealing with toys, which is quite another matter. The stud dogs used should be primarily of sound constitution, with- out any apparent congenital defects, and they should not only embody in themselves the points which we wish to reproduce, but they should come from a strain in which these features have been predomi- nant. A little experience will soon teach one that some dogs are much more prepotent than others, that is to say, they have in a greater degree the capacity for stamping their desirable characteristics upon their progeny ; and we find that almost without exception such have been most carefully bred for some generations past. This knowledge cannot be purchased, but it comes more readily to some than to others. It is not every one who has a clear understanding as to the real meaning of the law; of heredity. Acquired characteristics cannot be transmitted. It has been the custom to dock the tails of terriers for many, many years, and still they BREEDING 19 need curtailing. The fact that you have taught a dog certain tricks is no reason for assuming that his pups will also show a predisposition to similar acts. When particular qualities have been apparent in individuals of a certain family for many generations past, the natural presumption is that the present representatives of this family will be able to transmit their good points to others, and it is eminently desirable that sire and dam should be equally well bred. It is quite obvious that any wished-for features may be intensified by consanguinity, and for this reason it is a common practice for owners toj resort to a good deal of in -breeding, the family likeness by this means being more strongly impressed. Un- fortunately, however, if good points are thus intensi- fied, the converse holds true also, and any con- genital weaknesses become more accentuated by the union. So it happens that if in-breeding is persevered in to an unwise extent we get an inevit- able debilitation of the constitution and a predis- position to disease. At the same time we may find a deterioration in size and vigour, and when these symptoms are noticed we must take warning in time and resort to entirely new blood. Some varieties, owing to the number of individual specimens in this country being few, have been in -bred to such an extent that nothing will serve save a rank out -cross with an entirely different breed. Bloodhounds, for instance, show a distressing predisposition to dis- temper in its acutest form, and from time to time alien blood has been introduced with entirely bene- ficial results. The first two or three generations are shocking mongrels as a rule, but a little mathe- 20 BKEEDING matical calculation will show that by the time the sixth or seventh generation is reached, but little of the strange blood can remain. Practice has proved that this theory works out with a good deal of accuracy. The most historic cross would be, I suppose, the union of a Greyhound and Bulldog, brought about by the Lord Orford, who was so famous in the coursing world of his day. The Grey- hound having deteriorated in spirit, Lord Orford con- sidered that the best means of infusing courage into the breed was to call in the services of a Bulldog, and he did so with most admirable results, although the two animals are just about as unlike in struc- ture as any we could find. Of more recent years, the late Sir Everett Millais crossed a Bloodhound with a Basset, continuing to breed afterwards with pure Bassets. By the seventh generation absolutely no trace of the Blood- hound could be seen, except in improved size and stamina. The Bloodhound, too, has been crossed with an Otterhound, a Foxhound, and a French Hound. Probably it is scarcely necessary to make so many experiments as this, and a shorter road to the desired result would be brought about if breeders took united action. Promiscuous in-breed- ing is strongly to be condemned, for it should only be undertaken with a clearly-defined object, and on a carefully thought out plan, otherwise the evils are likely to far outweigh the good. Breeding is a most fascinating pursuit, but it needs to be carried on with judgment and good sense. At the outset it is far wiser to content oneself with a moderate number of brood bitches, always bearing in mind that neglect and overcrowding are fatal to BREEDING 21 young stock ; it is better to rear well two or three litters each year than to have half a dozen com- posed of sickly, weedy whelps which are only fit to put in a bucket. One's reward may come in a few years, when a strain has been established that is stamped with more or less individuality and is calcu- lated to benefit the particular breed we favour. Unless you have plenty of capital and sufficient knowledge to judge wisely, it is not altogether advis- able to buy a stud dog at the outset, as you might only be spending your money on a costly mistake. Possibly as you gain an accretion of experience you may find a young dog that fills your eye structur- ally, and whose pedigree is well suited to your needs. He may possibly turn out a very profitable speculation, for if his points are good, and his family tree will bear investigation, you may fairly assume that he will be used at a reasonable fee. Stud fees vary from one to fifteen guineas ; I have even heard of twenty -five guineas being charged for a small Pekingese. More often than not the cheapest are to be avoided. As a general rule it is not profit- able to breed from animals that are at all advanced in years, although on occasion it may be necessary for the preservation of a particular strain to use a dog eight or nine years of age. One may usually breed with confidence from a bitch that has reached her sixteenth month, but after the fifth year her progeny will be fewer in number and smaller in size. Another point to bear in mind is that winter puppies are rarely satisfactory unless they happen to be of the small toy varieties that suffer little from confinement. Considerable warmth is needed, and if the weather is bad when the young- 22 BREEDING sters should begin to run about in the fresh air, they are not likely to grow and develop into dogs of any size and substance. Puppies born in the winter treble one's trouble, and have a knack of picking up chills and dying prematurely. February and March are by no means bad months if the nursery is warm, as there is a reasonable chance of the tweather looking up when the whelps are ready to get out of doors, and they should grow and thrive well in the spring sunshine. The expectant mother calls for much care. Throughout she should have her freedom, and in the early weeks plenty of exercise. Feed only on good nourishing food, which should contain a large pro- portion of meat, but on no account let her get fat. If there are indications of the litter being large, a foster-mother should be on the premises two or three days beforehand. If you can arrange for one from your immediate neighbourhood whose character is well known to you, so much the better, but if this is impossible, advertisements may be seen in the different kennel papers, and a fair average price for a big foster will range from twenty to thirty shillings. It is customary only to hire them for the occasion. At the time of whelping, if the mother is of one of the large varieties, the pups should be removed from her as they are born, and placed before a fire in a basket or box lined with flannel ; other- wise they may be lain upon and killed. Do not fuss about too much and disturb the bitch more than can be possibly avoided. In cases of difficult par- turition, the services of a skilled veterinary surgeon should be requisitioned promptly, or you may lose the mother. Care must be observed in transferring BREEDING 23 the little ones to a foster. As a general principle, not more than five should be left with the mother, but at a pinch she may suckle six, or even seven. In deciding which shall remain with the mother and which be given to the stranger, it is a good plan to sort them into sizes, putting the smallest on to one and keeping the biggest for the other. As the foster-mother may not take kindly to the new arrivals, she should be removed from her bench and the puppies thoroughly mixed up with one or two of Jier own. Take her back again, and see that she allows all to suckle freely before you leave her. She will need careful watching for some hours, and you must also keep an eye on the real mother to see that she is performing her duties properly. The weaklier whelps may be forced aside, thus failing to obtain their due share of nourishment. The obser- vant man will notice this, and put them on the dam from time to time. It is easy to tell if the puppies are doing properly ; they will rest content, sleeping comfortably when they are not feeding. If they are constantly emitting a pitiful cry and feel clammy to the touch, you may suspect that all is not well with the milk, which is probably too acid. If undue acidity is present it will cause colic, which will soon end fatally unless remedial measures are promptly taken. Should the milk turn blue litmus -paper red, the puppies must at once be taken away for at least twelve hours, and the breasts emptied three or four times during this period. At the same time, every three hours half a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in about half a teacupful of water should be given to the mother, provided she is not one of the toy varieties, in which case the quantity should 24 BREEDING be reduced by one-half. The same mixture should be continued thrice daily for a week. Meanwhile the puppies themselves will require attention. Mix six- teen drops of laudanum with four teaspoonsful of lime-water and give to each one teaspoonful. Repeat this in half an hour and continue hourly until the little ones cease crying. After about four hours give them a little cow's milk and lime-water, half and half, slightly warmed. They may be returned to the dam in twelve hours if the blue litmus -paper test gives no evidence of continued acidity. Occasion may arise in which no foster-mother is available, and artificial feeding has to be resorted to. This is not to be undertaken lightly, owing to the great trouble involved. A big cat is capable of rearing a puppy for a week or two, and of course an ordinary feeding-bottle may be employed. In this case the rubber teat should be perforated with a needle in a number of places, and a small piece of sponge placed inside it. The cow's milk used does not require dilution, as it is not so strong as that of the mother, but of course it must be slightly warmed. An ingenious kennelman once made an artificial foster which proved in every way satisfac- tory, and was the means of rearing two sturdy Bloodhound puppies with a minimum of trouble. A box lined with flannel was placed in front of the fire, and, inserted through two holes in one side, were the necks of feeding-bottles slightly tilted at the end so that the milk would run down. These were placed on a hot -water bottle and covered with flannel. It was amusing to see how each puppy kept to his particular bottle and refused to suckle from the other. BKEEDING 25 A word is necessary as to the feeding of the nursing mother. Plenty of fresh water should be available at the time of whelping, and if labour is prolonged she may be given nourishment from time to time in the shape of milk, or milk thickened with bread. For the first two or three days she should have three or four meals of a sloppy nature, consisting either of bread or rice and milk, or broth from which the fat has been carefully removed. After this the meals may be of a more solid nature, such as cooked meat in its own liquid thickened with bread or biscuit. After the third day the mother should be removed from the puppies several times daily and given very gentle exercise in spite of her manifest anxiety to return to the kennel. CHAPTER V, THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES THE dew claws on the front legs should always b'e removed when the puppies are three or four days old, and I also prefer taking off those on the hind legs too, although this is not invariably done ; they are quite useless and apt to be torn, and certainly the limbs have a much smarter appearance when they are absent. The operation is performed with a pair of sharp scissors, and it is rarely followed by bleed- ing to any extent. It is as well, however, to dip the feet in a little mild disinfectant. Happily a decree of the Kennel Club has made cropping illegal, but docking, of course, is necessary in the case of terriers and spaniels, and there is no doubt that it is practically painless. This should be done about the fourth day, and if there is any haemorrhage a styptic, such as Friar's Balsam, should be applied. The skin should be drawn well to the root of the tail before the necessary part is snipped off with a pair of sharp scissors. Docking requires to be done with some care, or an unsightly stump may be left. It is usual to remove about two-fifths of the tail of the Fox Terrier ; Irish and Airedale Terriers should lose rather more than one -half ; the Griffon THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES 27 Bruxellois will have about two -thirds taken away, and a spaniel three-fifths. The tail of a Schip- perke is removed up to the root. I have already referred in an earlier chapter to the necessity of warmth for young puppies. Few ideas are so fundamentally wrong as that a puppy may be hardened by exposure to a low temperature. Even 80° Fah. should not be considered excessive, and one would prefer a minimum of 70°. This is particularly necessary for the first six weeks, but after that, if the weather is cold, it is undesirable to withdraw the fire from the sleeping quarters. Toys necessarily require more coddling than the hardier varieties, and short -coated ones are more susceptible to chills than those equipped with long hair and a dense under-coat. I do not say that puppies cannot be reared without artificial heat, but the chances are against them, and the results are not likely to be satisfactory. It is scarcely necessary to say that the bedding straw should be frequently renewed, and, wherever possible, the bench should be changed so that the one which has been in use can be well washed and dried. If these precautions are observed, insect pests are not likely to be troublesome, but if they multiply, they should be exterminated by the use of Keating 's Powder. Puppies are frequently infested with lice, particularly round the ears and at the back of the neck, and these may be destroyed by the application of a mixture made of two parts of paraffin and one of milk, thoroughly incorporated together, and the same treatment may be used for ticks ; apply with a sponge, and go over the parts afterwards with an ordinary toothcomb. Until weaning- time the puppies are. not likely to 28 THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES have many troubles, hmt occasionally they will suffer from colic, the symptoms of which are easily made apparent by the constant moaning of the little sufferers. Laudanum is the best specific, one drop of which for each week of life may safely be ad- ministered every three hours in half a teaspoonful of water with the chill taken off. Beyond seeing that the mother does her duty to the puppies, giving them plenty of warmth and fresh air, and observing strict rules of cleanliness, little else need be done until towards the end of the third week ; by that time first lessons in feeding themselves should be implanted, a little lukewarm milk being given two or three times a day in a saucer. When you first put their noses into the liquid there will be a good deal of spluttering and fuss, but in a short time the young hopefuls know what is expected of them, and begin to clamour when they see you coming. The natural nutriment from the mother may thus be supplemented in increasing quantity until the fifth or sixth week, when all indications point to the fact that the time for weaning is approaching. The dam will Show more and more a disposition to absent herself from the attentions of her too exacting off- spring. Her milk supply will probably diminish con- siderably, and her udders may be rendered sore by the scratches from the sharp claws of the eager whelps. Even if the mother has plenty of milk, the quality is likely to be poor after the sixth week, when therefore it will be a good thing to begin feeding in real earnest. From this date onwards until the fifth or sixth month is reached much care will have to be exercised if you wish to grow the puppies to the greatest perfection, and for show purposes this THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES 29 is absolutely imperative. It is quite useless to imagine that bringing puppies into the world possessed of all the desirable points is the only end at which you have to aim ; even assuming that you are only breeding dogs for working in the field, it is essential that they should have good bone and sturdy frames. The cardinal principle to bear in mind in the up- bringing of puppies is that they must be fed little and often. Two or three meals a day may suffice in exceptional circumstances, but as a general prin- ciple it must be laid down that from the sixth to the tenth week, at any rate, a meal should be given every three hours of the day, and that this should not be in excessive quantities. The diet should be as varied as possible. Assuming that milk and broth are the foundations, you may mix with these bread, puppy biscuits, broken and first soaked in hot water, well -boiled rice, and oatmeal. My own experience has been — and that coincides also with the views of many of our oldest breeders — that, after meat, nothing equals brown bread. The difference between puppies fed on brown bread and white is something remarkable, and needs seeing to be really believed. Plenty of meat also is called for, for, after all, that is the natural food of a dog, and it is absurd to fly wholly in the face of Nature, even when the animals are reared under more or less artificial con- ditions. Too many slops are not to be recommended ; as soon as the puppies are old enough let the food be of a solid nature, and when they are strong enough to eat well -crushed puppy biscuits, let them have one or two dry meals a day. With the larger varieties bone and size are 30 THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES wanted, and to obtain this we must exercise a good deal of care. Some people add bone meal to the food, without considering that it is by no means well assimilated, and that a large proportion of it is simply waste. Precipitated phosphate of lime con- tains all the necessary constituents for the forma- tion of bone, and it is not wasteful. I make a practice of giving a level teaspoonful once a day to the mother for at least a month before the puppies are born, and when they are six weeks old I administer the same powder to the puppies them- selves, one teaspoonful being sufficient at first for every four puppies, say, of collie size and upwards. This may be gradually increased until the end of three months, by which time each puppy should be having half a spoonful twice a day in its food. If the little ones are not thriving, a small quantity of cod-liver oil will often work wonders, but as this is relaxing in its effect, they require watching and the dose regulating accordingly. Many people swear by Parrish's Food, for, which there is undoubtedly much to be said. Internal parasites are the chief plague of young life, frequently making their appearance within three or four weeks of birth. If a puppy becomes much distended after feeding and shows signs of discom- fort and is thin and unthrifty -looking, you may be quite sure that a vermifuge is indicated, and that unless it is given the little creature will die. Several patent mixtures are sold which are quite efficacious in their action, one of the safest I know being the Ruby. If, however, you prefer to make up your own medicine, I cannot do better than recommend to you the prescription given by " Ashmont " in his THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES 31 " Kennel Secrets." This is as follows : Worm-seed oil, 1 6 drops ; oil of turpentine, 2 drops ; oil of annis, 1 6 drops ; olive oil, 3 drachms ; castor oil, 4j drachms. The dose for one of the larger varieties under six weeks old will be half a teaspoonful in a little milk ; from six to eight weeks, one teaspoon- ful may be given. After this a stronger medicine is called for. The following is the prescription : Santonine, 4 grains ; worm-seed oil, 20 drops ; oil of turpentine, 3 drops • oil of annis, 1 6 drops ; olive oil, 2 drachms • castor oil, 5^ drachms. The same dose may be given as with the first. For the smaller breeds, such as terriers, half a dose is sufficient, and for toys a quarter. It should also be remembered that in order to get the full benefit of the medicine it should be administered first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and followed in half an hour's time with a little warm milk. Care must be taken to see that the puppies are not unnecessarily exposed to wet and chills ; if they get ydamp when at exercise, they should be dried thoroughly with a towel before being turned into the kennel, and I need scarcely say that strict cleanli- ness must be observed, the straw bedding being fre- quently renewed and the bench well washed with disinfectants. If these precautions are taken, very little trouble need be anticipated from insect life. iVVhen puppies reach their tenth week they may well be subjected to a little discipline, and it is advisable to teach them early to go on a collar and lead. At first the restriction will be keenly resented, but you must have patience and show the youngster that no unkindness is intended, and in a little time he will become so manageable that you may take him out in 32 THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES this manner. Daily grooming helps to k'eep trie skin in good condition, and prevents the increase of noxious parasites. Unfortunately, however careful we may be, eczema may make its appearance, and should be promptly checked. A little powdered sulphur and magnesia in equal weights may be given occasionally in the food with advantage, and one of the best dressings for skin trouble that can be recommended is made up of cocoanut oil, half a pint1; oil of tar, 2 oz. ; powdered sulphur, 4 oz. ; and linseed oil, i pint. This, of course, is very messy, but it is as likely as anything to effect a cure. It should be dabbed on freely with a sponge wherever there are any raw places or the hair is falling off. In cases of diarrhoea the simplest remedy consists of from two to six grains of carbonate of bismuth, varying according to the size of the puppy, shaken dry on the tongue three times a day. If the food has been of a liquid nature, a little lean raw meat, chopped very small, will often work wonders, but if the complaint is very persistent, there will be no help for it but to fall back on one of the patent pre- digested foods, such as Benger's. Arrowroot, too, is soothing. When we have sickness and extreme looseness combined the matter is serious. Take the whites of four eggs and incorporate with a pint of cold water. Add a teaspoonful of brandy and give frequently in small quantities. I do not think this can be bettered. Of course, these remarks as to feeding are mainly applicable where a number of puppies are kept ; in the case of one only, household scraps should be almost sufficient, and cannot well be improved upon, THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES 33 provided there is a good proportion of meat. Potatoes, bread, and vegetables may be finely broken up and mixed with the meat, and large bones may be given freely. Small fowl bones are most un- desirable, as the sharp edges may occasion bad internal injury. Book of th« Dog CHAPTER VI FEEDING AND GROOMING IF a dog is to be kept in decent health and condi- tion, he calls for a reasonable amount of care and attention, and, unless you are disposed to make some small sacrifices, it is wiser not to have one. You may rest assured that any care which you lavish upon your four-footed friend will be repaid with interest. If you once nurse a young dog through sickness, it is surprising how grateful he becomes, and the bond of attachment between him and his master is much strengthened. More animals, I believe, suffer from the effects of over -feeding rather than from deprivation. (When one's canine posses- sions are limited to two or three the commissariat problem is a very simple one, most households having sufficient waste scraps to keep several small dogs. These should be put in a bowl and pre- served until the regular mealtime, rather than be given indiscriminately whenever they happen to be handy. Some authorities prefer to feed in the morn- ing and again about six o'clock in the evening, while others only give the meal at night. Exception would be made in the case of toy dogs ; with others one good feed a day is quite sufficient, although no harm 34 FEEDING AND GROOMING 35 will be done by giving a biscuit or two in the morning. Whenever you decide to feed, let it be done invariably about the same time, for a dog knows to a minute or two when his food is due, and as a rule he has no objection to telling you pretty plainly if you are addicted to the bad habit of unpunctuality. Supposing the household leavings are insufficient, there are many dog biscuits and other patent foods, all of which save a good deal of trouble, but it cannot be too strongly insisted upon that a certain proportion of meat is required. Scraps from a butcher may be bought for a few pence, ,and if they are well boiled it is more economical, as bread, vegetables, biscuits, boiled rice, or oatmeal can be incorporated with the gravy from which all fat has first been removed. Plenty of variety in the dietary is most essential, as dogs are very much like human beings in their objection to monotony. Bullocks' or sheep's paunches, well cleaned, are easily digestible, and are much liked for a change. A! big bone will keep a dog amused for a long time, and be all the better for his teeth. When the kennel is of any size, containing many inmates, food will have to be purchased in a careful and systematic manner, or the cost will be very heavy. If you are a good manager it is astonish- ing how little per head the outlay need be. Of course the staple food, the foundation upon which you work, will have to be horseflesh, but you must be very careful to stipulate with your knacker that he must send you nothing from an animal that has been physicked. A1 steam -jacketed cooker is econo- mical and practically gives no trouble, as meat and vegetable may be put in together and left to cook 36 FEEDING AND GROOMING themselves so long as the pan underneath is kept well supplied with water. The cost of horseflesh varies a good deal, according to the locality. On the outskirts of London you will probably have to pay about 8s. per % cwt., while in the country it may be bought for considerably less. Some people arrange to take the surplus bread from the tables of hotels and restaurants ; this may be had in large quantities, for it will keep good a week or two if dried first of all in an oven. The supply, how- ever, is limited. Liver is of very little dietetic value, although dogs are extremely fond of it, and, given occasionally, it is useful as a laxative. I have very little sympathy with the pampered pets who refuse everything but the daintiest of morsels. Young chickens, rabbits, and such-like luxuries are a wicked waste. Occasionally, however, one may get a valu- able show animal that is a bad doer, and it may be necessary to stimulate his appetite in order to get him into condition. Raw eggs are very useful for this purpose, and cod-liver oil will also do much good. Fish is chiefly valuable as a change, its feed- ing properties not being very high, and a much greater quantity is needed than of meat. Fowls' heads, which may be obtained from the poultryman, make a very rich soup. Rice mixed with gravy is to be recommended at times, while oatmeal, although much esteemed by many, is apt to be heating. This should always be well seasoned. Dogs kept in the country are often fed on barley-meal mixed with milk, but this is not so easily digestible as wheat meal. Vegetables, although not nutritious, help to keep the blood in good order, but require using with discre- tion. Salt is not desirable. FEEDING AND GROOMING 37 It is impossible to offer any advice as to the quantity required at each meal. Some dogs will thrive and get fat on very little, others will look thin with double the weight. The individual needs of each animal must be considered, and he must be fed accordingly. If he is of the unthrifty kind, a substantial meal twice a day will be helpful. Never allow a dog to get fat, for by doing so you are only paving the way to innumerable ills. A constant supply of fresh water should always be available, and the drinking and feeding tins should be kept scrupulously clean, unless one challenges an outbreak of disease. The cooking utensils also should be thoroughly cleansed every day. When we consider the horrible garbage that some dogs will pick up when out at exercise, we are apt to think that it is immaterial whether the food is somewhat tainted or not, but the time may come when we pay very dearly for this error. I well remember mixing a little soup from the house that had slightly turned with the food of a valuable Bloodhound one night ; he was dead in less than twelve hours with ptomaine poisoning, and I have never forgotten the lesson. Nothing that we could do was effectual in saving the poor animal's life. All dogs should be exercised daily. If for show or working purposes, four or five miles a day would not be deemed excessive, for the more muscle you put upon the dog the better he will look, and one would stand but a poor chance in a show if he were crooked at the pasterns and his feet were open and splayed. For the larger and less active varieties, nothing beats plenty of walking on the hard road. Gun dogs require a lot of work if they are to be 38 FEEDING AND GROOMING kept fit, and it is unreasonable to expect them to stand a long day on the moors or in the fields if they have not been carefully prepared beforehand. Training Greyhounds for coursing is almost an art in itself, not to be undertaken lightly by the man who is new to the game. It is usual to put them; in the hands of proper trainers, men who under- stand every artifice for getting their charges fit and strong. A daily grooming is essential to the well-being of every dog. The animal should be gone over thoroughly with a dandy-brush, and if he has a long coat, a comb should also be used. For short -coated dogs there is nothing better than a hair glove, and a good rubbing down with the bare hands will give a beautiful polish. Frequent washing is not called for, but in the case of a dog kept in the house it may be desirable every three or four weeks. The dog should be well dried afterwards with clean towels, and if he has a run to restore circulation, so much the better. In winter-time ordinary cooking flour, well dried in the oven and then rubbed thoroughly into the coat, is an excellent cleansing agent, and wood ashes, when obtainable, are even better. They must, however, be well brushed out, or any damp- ness will make a nasty sticky mess in the coat. Serious harm may be occasioned by putting the animal in very hot water. I have even heard of them fainting under the operation. Let the bath, therefore, only be lukewarm. Preparing a dog for a show demands a little skill. In the first place he must be in sound condition, brought about by good hard exercise, and in the second place, if he is to look his best, he must be FEEDING AND GROOMING 39 perfectly clean, with a bright, shiny coat. There is no secret about this ; it is simply grooming hard day after day for about a fortnight before the show, and then washing the previous evening. It is astonishing the difference such treatment will make in the appearance of the animal, and it adds many points to its value. The dog whose toilet receives careful attention daily is not likely to be much troubled with fleas and other objectionable insects ; nor is it right that he should be, for the poor creature cannot be expected to rest properly if con- stantly worried by vermin. If, however, fleas are present, a thorough washing is called for, one of the. soaps that are advertised for the purpose being used, and the kennel should be washed out with hot water and strong carbolic, the walls also being freshly limewashed. Many people put carbolic acid in the bath, but this must be done with discretion^ as the stuff is highly poisonous and can be absorbed through the skin. An infusion of quassia chips is also very deleterious to insect life. Benzine or petroleum are efficacious remedies for lice, but these are rarely found on dogs that are kept under ordinary cleanly conditions. Ticks may be got rid of by the same means. It is not often that they are found, but occasionally they bother sporting dogs. CHAPTER VII THE WELL-MANNERED DOG IN this imperfect world it is too much to look for the time when every dog will be so well-mannered that the slightest wish of his master or mistress will be readily interpreted, but I am never tired of urging that the animal under proper control is a far greater pleasure to own than the unruly brute amenable to no sort of discipline. Although it is true that some are more headstrong than others, it is rarely that we find a puppy so stubborn that he cannot be educated if he is in the right hands. Dr. Johnson once said : " My friend the late Earl of Cork had a great desire to maintain the literary character of his family ; he was a genteel man, but did not keep up the dignity of his rank ; he was so generally civil that nobody thanked him for it." It is not probable that any dog we may ever possess will attain to such a degree of politeness, and I do not know that we should wish him to do so1, but we should at least expect him to observe certain rules of good behaviour so that he may not be a danger to himself or others or a nuisance to the public. There should be a few simple words of command in your vocabulary, and only a few. Let the young mind THE WELL-MANNERED DO& 41 always associate a certain word or sign, or at the most a brief sentence, with the performance of any act you may require done. The puppy should lie down when told, and come to heel promptly if called. IA! wave of the hand should suffice to bring him in if ranging widely. Once get these simple lessons implanted, but little else is necessary for the average dog to acquire, although in your hankering after greater ambitions you may seek to instruct him in various accomplishments. The teaching of tricks, though not difficult, may be looked upon as a post- graduate course. You may say that I am unduly modest in my requirements, but how many dogs do you know that would pass even so easy an examina- tion? When you come to think of it, it will seem pretty obvious to you that early training is usually wholly neglected, the average man not caring to take the little trouble called for, with the result that we see a multitude of unruly creatures doing practi- cally as they please, and wholly ignoring the repeated objurgations of their masters. If it is a pleasure to take out a canine companion who is under com- plete control, it is equally a discomfort to have one who does as he pleases and ignores one's commands. Begin your lessons at an early age, and above all things be firm. If you say that a' thing is to be done, insist upon it, but do not fly into a tempen and shout incoherent abuse, or, worse still, kick or beat the unhappy object who has given you cause for offence. You will only confuse the poor thing, and possibly cow his spirit, which is the last thing in the world one should wish to do. He may be taught to lie down by repeating the injunction in clear tones and pressing him to the ground at the 42 THE WELL-MANNERED DOQ same time. Do this several times daily, though not to the point of weariness, and accustom the puppy to the habit of remaining in one place until you give him permission to move. He should eventually become so steady that he will make no attempt to seize pieces of bread or meat that you may throw to other parts of the room until you say " On ! " Thus the early discipline will make it much more easy to show him what you mean by the command " Come to heel." Naturally at first the puppy will rush about in a headlong manner, but when he obeys you it is as well to reward him with a biscuit or some tit -bit, letting him, however, associate the present with the command. If the dog does not take readily to his lesson, attach to his collar a long, thin cord, tell him to come to heel or come in, whichever you may prefer, and if he persists in keeping aloof, give the cord a smart jerk. If he is not wholly devoid of intelligence you will be surprised how quickly he acquires that which you wish to teach him. He should be sufficiently amenable at all times not only to come to heel when called, but to remain there until you permit him to go on. Supposing you live in a town or. in a district fre- quented by motor-cars, it is most essential that he should come in immediately you tell him to do so. Many young dogs of an excitable disposition have the habit of rushing wildly into the roadway when first released, and some even bark at every passing horse or carriage, to the danger of their own lives, while the possibility of throwing down a horse is by no means remote. Naturally one would grieve to be the unwitting cause of an accident of this kind, to say nothing of the unpleasant possibility of THE WELL-MANNERED DOG 43 damages lurking in the background. The dog that has been carefully trained from his youth upwards can at once be checked of any such tendency. Animal lovers are apt to think that many people are very foolish in their dread of a dog, but it would be extremely selfish on our part to blind ourselves to the fears and susceptibilities of others, and we must always remember, that a large animal such as the Great Dane, the St. Bernard, a Bloodhound, or a Retriever, running about apparently unrestrained is likely to cause genuine terror to nervous people. It is a common thing to see a large dog out of pure friendliness go up to a stranger in a demon- strative fashion ; he means no harm, and we know it, but the stranger has no such assurance in his or her own mind, and may quite legitimately think that some injury is contemplated. If the dog comes to heel when he is told and remains there, he is not likely to cause distress to any other person. I remember once having a Bloodhound up from the country who had been terribly spoilt by his late mistress. He was a noble creature, but thoroughly unruly, and for many months he could only be taken out on a lead. As he pulled like a young shire horse this was not pleasant for the kennelman, but there was no help for it. He had evidently been used to a carriage, and he would make a wild plunge for any victoria that passed him, especially if its inmate was a lady. He was also fond of running in liouses and making his way upstairs unless his passage was obstructed. Faults of this description are not easily eradicated in the adult, but they should never be allowed to become fixed. The dog should be taught from early puppyhood 44 THE WELL-MANNERED DOG to go on a chain without pulling. In busy thorough- fares it is often necessary to put on a lead, and if he pulls it is a great tax on the striength of his1 master or mistress, and certainly not solacing to their dignity. If you contemplate exhibiting, it is well to remember that the dog who stands well in the ring and does as you wish, may frequently take the coveted award above the unmanageable creature who will never allow his good points to be shown to perfection. Breaking a gun dog for work in the field can quite well be done by an amateur who has the patience and the opportunity, and a man will be well repaid for the time and trouble that he has expended. This is a subject too big to be dealt with in a work of this description, and I cannot well do better than recommend General Hutchinson's classic book called "Dog Breaking," which goes into the matter very elaborately. It is true that you can get a dog broken for about a five-pound note, plus a weekly sum for the cost of his keep, but you are incurring a good deal of risk in placing him in the hands of a man of whose capacity you know little or nothing. He may be made proficient in field work, but at the same time his spirit may be completely broken also by harsh treatment, and you will receive back a poor cowed creature who trembles at every word and is always nervous about doing some wrong. Since the Kennel Club passed a resolu- tion early in 1909 to the effect that no gun dog could win a championship at an ordinary show unless he had first won a prize or certificate of merit at some recognised field trial, field trial meetings have become more common throughout the country. At some of THE WELL-MANNERED DOG 45 these the stakes amount to a very large sum. The Kennel Club Field Trial Derby Stakes, for instance, are worth £70 to the first prize winner, £25 to the second, and £15 to the third, while the Inter- national Gun Dog League also offers as much as £50 as the premier award. In addition to this we have the extra inducement of knowing that there is a ready demand for carefully broken dogs, and that drafts from leading kennels frequently sell by public auction for very big sums. This, then, is a hobby which a man living in the country may turn to profit- able account if he is favoured with a reasonable share of good luck. At the same time it is full of interest to the true dog lover. CHAPTER VIII THE KENNEL CLUB AND ITS DUTIES BEFORE the Kennel Club came into existence, in the early seventies, dog showing was more or less in a state of chaos, and malpractices had become so frequent that it was quite evident decent people could not continue to participate in the sport unless some controlling body was formed. After passing through many vicissitudes the Club is now so firmly established that it has very efficient control of every show held in the kingdom. It may be regarded as an auto- cratic authority, inasmuch as the Committee have the right to refuse election to any person whom they may consider undesirable ; but for all that, it wields its authority in a more or less democratic manner. The Committee is always open to consider any reasonable suggestion that may be placed before it, and its members are men of probity, actuated with a desire to do the right thing. They give much voluntary time to the duties which they are called upon to perform. The General Committee meets fortnightly to hear cases that may, be brought before it, and it has the power to suspend any evildoer for varying periods, according to the nature of the offence. In some of 46 THE KENNEL CLUB AND ITS DUTIES 47 these cases counsel appear, on ftoth sides, and they occupy many hours in the hearing. When the first chairman and founder of the Glut), the late Mr. S. E. Shirley, retired, he was succeeded by Mr. J. Sidney Turner, who has ever since filled that office with great ability, although his anxieties have been lightened by the efficient help of a most capable and zealous secretary in Mr. E. W. Jaquet. It is impossible to enumerate in a brief space the multifarious duties performed by the Committee. All shows have either to be licensed by them or to be held under, Kennel Club Rules, and if anything occurs at any of these shows in contravention of the rules, it has to come before this body or one of the sub -committees. Before a dog can be shown it must be registered with the Club at 7, Grafton Street, W., for which a fee of 2s. 6d. is charged. A form supplied for this purpose has to be filled up, stating various particulars by which the dog may be subsequently identified. The name desired by the applicant has to be shown, as well as the parents and grandparents if they are known. If a dog already registered is sold, the transfer has to be •recorded with the Club before he can be shown again, the present fee being 53. These are the salient facts which the public have to bear in mind when exhibiting a dog. Rule 17 gives the Committee power to disqualify or suspend any one for dis- creditable conduct in regard to a dog, or any matter whatsoever connected with or arising out of a dog show or field trial. The rules further neces- sitate that all prizes won outright must be paid or delivered not earlier than twenty-one days and not later than two months from the close of the show. 48 THE KENNEL CLUB AND ITS DUTIES TKe interval is necessary in order that objections may; be considered and that the officials may have time in which to check the entries at a show with the particulars on the Club's registers. There are further regulations as to the preparation of dogs for exhibition which should be known. A dog will be disqualified if it be proved : r(i) That any dye, colouring, whitening or, darkening matter has been used, and remains on any part of the dog ; ,(2) That any preparation, chemical or other- wise, has been used which remains on the coat during the time of exhibition, for. the purpose of altering its texture ; (3) That any oil, greasy, or sticky substance Has been used and remains on the coat during the time of exhibition ; (4) That any part of a dog's coat or, hair has been cut, clipped, singed, or rasped down by any substance ; (5) That the new or fast coat has been re- moved by pulling or plucking in any manner. Note. — The coat may be brushed and combed so that old or, shed coat and loose hairs may be removed ; (6) That if any cutting, piercing, breaking by force, or any kind of operation or act which destroys tissues of the ears or alters their natural formation or carriage, or shortens the tail, or alters the natural formation of the dog, or any part thereof, has been practised, or any other thing has been done calculated in the opinion of the Committee of the Kennel Club to deceive, THE KENNEL CLUB AND ITS DUTIES 40 except in cases of necessary operation certified to the satisfaction of the Kennel Club Committee. (7) That the lining membrane of the mouth has been cut in any way. These regulations do not affect the docking of the tails of recognised breeds, or the clipping of a poodle's coat. Although the rules are sufficiently stringent to ensure honesty, at the same time there are persons clever and unprincipled enough to practise faking, and it is the duty of every one who discovers such misdeeds to report them forth- with to the Kennel Club. It must be borne in mind that the Club cannot well take action themselves, or they would be placed in the difficult position of being alike prosecutor and judge. The Kennel Club Council of Representatives came into being a few years ago, the idea being that they reflected the views of the doggy public, and that their debates could be of material interest to the Kennel Club. The Council is composed of delegates from the specialist clubs and societies in existence throughout the kingdom. Although their duties are purely deliberative, any executive authority being denied them, they still serve a very useful purpose. Boole of the Dog. CHAPTER IX CONCERNING DOG SHOWS DOG-SHOWING is a pastime that should be taken in moderation. To any reader of this book who may be fired with an ambition to breed or purchase prize winners I would say, Be content with exhibiting at a few of the principal fixtures in the course of the year, and do not get the bad habit of running all over the country every other week or so merely for the sake of annexing a few more cards. The pot- hunter is never a very commendable person in any kind of sport, and it is good for neither you nor the dogs that you should become too absorbed in the pursuit. After all, unless you have to make your living in this manner, you are simply indulging in a hobby, and one is foolish to become a slave to one's pleasures. The rewards of dog -showing as a rule are not very great, the first prize in the majority of instances being £2, the second £i, and the third los. In order to compete you will have to pay an entry fee of los. for each dog in every class, and in addition to that you have your own hotel bills or those of the kennelman, to say nothing of railway fares. It is true that various special prizes are usually offered for every variety, and if 50 CONCEENING DOG SHOWS 51 you happen to be the lucky possessor of two or three good dogs, you may get a satisfactory balance on the right side. But, although it sounds a contradic- tion in terms, the better your dog the fewer prizes he will win. The explanation of this apparent incongruity is that the usual classification begins with a novice class, for which any animal is eligible who has not won a first prize. The next is a limit class, confined to those who have not won more than six first prizes, and the principal one is the open class, for which any may be entered. Sometimes in addition to this we have a puppy class, classes for braces and teams, and so on. Supposing you happen to have a good young dog who may be entered in each one, you may possibly have the pleasure of winning four or five first prizes ; but when he is no longer eligible for the limit there is only the open class in which you can put him. You must be careful to fill up the entry forms correctly, otherwise you may be in the unpleasant position of having the fruits of victory snatched away from you by disqualification. On the whole, one may fairly say that the novice will find it much pleasanter to go in for some variety that does not call for excessive preparation. Getting some dogs ready for show is almost an art, in which the amateur is undoubtedly at a great disadvantage-; others need but a little intelligent treatment. To look their best, they must be put down in hard condition, which can only be attained by constant exercise'; they must be well groomed, and they should be healthy, with skins free from any eczema or kindred complaint. A show dog does not require to be quite as fine drawn as one that works in the 52 CONCERNING DOG SHOWS field, but at the same time if he is taken in the ring too fat he is heavily handicapped. Serious grooming should begin at least a fortnight before every show, and occupy some time each day. The coat should be clean to the touch, and should have on it the bloom of health. The knowledge necessary to the proper handling of a dog in the ring may be attained by attending a few shows and watching the behaviour of well-known exhibitors. Practically every variety calls for a different method of showing '; for instance, a terrier, needs to be alert, active, and continually on the qui vive. A Bloodhound, on the other hand, should be encouraged to put his nose to the ground, so that the loose skin on his head may appear to the utmost advantage. You will soon acquire the necessary experience, but I should like again to urge you to guard against excessive showing. Leave that to the people who are over -keen on winning, and as for yourself, always play the game like a true sportsman, with due consideration for the suscepti- bilities of others. Take a victory in the same spirit as a defeat, and do not crow unduly over the one or grouse about over the other. It is scarcely necessary to say that when you get the dog in the building he should be well groomed down before the judge begins, and always have with you a clean towel with which you may give the final polish. The railway journey is an unpleasant experi- ence to most dogs, and they should always be allowed to travel either in a hamper or a box. They are then kept clean, free from draughts, and there is no danger of collars being slipped. Personally, I jprefer a hamper, and I will tell you why. You will frequently see that the packages containing dogs CONCERNING DOG SHOWS 53 are stowed away in the guard's van under a heap of other luggage, and it is quite possible that the bars placed at the top of a box for the sake of ventila- tion may be pushed up against one side of the com- partment, so that very little air is available. In the course of a summer we usually hear of several animals being suffocated, and I am inclined to think that in nearly every case it will be found that they were travelling in boxes. A hamper admits air all round, and it is also lighter to handle, the only drawback being, as far as I know, that some dogs have an absurd habit of eating their way through. You will find it customary at most shows to have the price of each dog stated in the catalogue, and you will see a regulation to the effect that on any sale brought about a commission of 10 per cent, will be charged. If there should be more than one claimant, the dog is put up by auction, and any surplus realised above the sum given is to be divided equally between the owner and the show authorities. I have always maintained that this is a most inequitable arrangement, and I -have heard nothing to cause me to change my views. The promoter of the show is necessarily anxious to obtain all the entries possible, and he does nothing to bring about a sale ; there- fore a commission of 5 per cent, on the total trans- action would amply recompense him for any little clerical labour to which he may be put. A notorious instance of the inequity to which I refer occurred at the Birmingham Show some years ago, when a St. Bernard was catalogued at £200 ; he was knocked down at auction for the large sum of £680, which left £480 to be divided between the seller and the show committee, 54 CONCERNING DOG SHOWS When you Have once decided upon the variety; you will keep, it is desirable in every way to stick to it. If you have plenty of kennel accommoda- tion, you may possibly do with two and even three breeds, but that should tie quite sufficient to satisfy any reasonable being, and you are much more likely to meet with success by limiting your efforts rather than by spreading them over a number of varieties. A Johnsonian dictum was that if a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. " A man, sir," said the great lexicographer, " should keep his friend- ship in constant repair.'* This does not hold true with regard to dogs. If will take you some years to thoroughly understand one variety, and it is not wise to throw away all that knowledge and start afresh with another, unless you have some very cogent reason for so doing. This remark applies with par- ticular force to the value of experience in enabling one to estimate the worth of a puppy. SI i o '5, S PS S CHAPTER X THE BLOODHOUND ALTHOUGH the Bloodhound has been much in promi- nence of recent years, it is still difficult to divest the popular fancy of the impression formed by a perusal of " Uncle Tom's Cabin." In reality, of most docile and affectionate temperament, he is yet regarded as cruel and bloodthirsty, his name perhaps being partly responsible for this misconception. As a matter of fact, the dogs used for hunting the slaves were mongrels, in no way akin to the noble hound which many people believe to be the founda- tion stock of all present -day hounds that hunt by scent. Some authorities even contend that he derives his name from the fact that he is thoroughbred, just as we speak of a racer as a blood horse. Person- ally I am inclined to differ from this view, as Turbervile speaks of several varieties of hounds as " making good bloodhounds,"- which rather suggests from the context of his remarks that he considers them suitable for tracking a wounded animal. It is not very material, however, and I do not propose writing a disquisition on the antiquity of the breed, beyond saying that there is strong evidence for the belief that it is lineally descended from the black 55 56 THE BLOODHOUND St. Huberts, which were brought into this country by William the Conqueror, and which came originally from the Abbey of the Ardennes. The white St. Huberts were probably the progenitors of the English Talbots, whence in turn I should imagine descended the old Southern hound, a heavily dew-lapped, slow- hunting hound, which is almost extinct. The Rev. Courtenay Morgan-Kirby, of Badlesmere Rectory, in Kent, has a pack of harriers which he claims are old Southern hounds, and I shall refer to them in another chapter. For many centuries the Bloodhound has been em- ployed for hunting man, but the references in history are so familiar that they need no recapitulation here. His fine scenting powers, and that quality which he possesses above all others of keeping to the one line, although it may have been frequently crossed, make him particularly adapted for the purpose of hunting human beings, who leave a much lighter scent that an animal like the fox. In modern times the British police have shown little disposition to avail themselves of the services of such an auxiliary in running down malefactors, but a strong feeling is growing up in favour of giving the Bloodhound a chance to show what he can do. The man -hunting trials first introduced by the Association of Blood- hound Breeders in 1898, and since carried on by that body and the Bloodhound Hunt Club, are helping to educate the public, and I am looking forward hopefully to the time when a couple or more trained hounds will be readily available in every county, ready to help the police in cases that are suitable. I say " readily available " because brevity of time between the discovery of the crime and the presence THE BLOODHOUND 57 of trie Kouncls is an essential feature of success. It is quite useless to expect the slightest good to be done after an interval of twenty -four hours, and for this reason I do not look with much hopefulness upon isolated efforts. Surely it would not be diffi- cult for some satisfactory scheme to be formulated, and my own view is that one of the easiest and most workable plans would be for the authorities to subsidise hounds in every county, the county being the most satisfactory unit for the purpose. At the same time, some good might be accomplished, and a substantial saving effected, if a couple of hounds were attached to a penal settlement such as Dart- moor. An escaped convict, no matter how thick a fog prevailed at the time, would have absolutely no chance of being at liberty for more than an hour or two at the outside, and we should hear no more of vast numbers of warders scouring the moor for a day or two together, while the householders in the vicinity are in a state of trepidation in case their premises should be raided by desperate men. In saying this I am indulging in no pleasing flights of imagination ; what is being done constantly in America can be done here under certain conditions, but it is as well to emphasise that we cannot expect any satisfactory performances in crowded districts. The large tracts of sparsely inhabited country in the United States render the task of the hounds comparatively easy ; but even then it must be con- sidered that it is a truly remarkable thing for a crime to be elucidated by this agency twenty or more hours after it has been perpetrated. Yet this is what has been done time after time. Indeed, there is on record an instance of a negro murderer 58 THE BLOODHOUND having been discovered after an interval of thirty hours, but it may be conceded that the scent iof a black man is much more pronounced than that of a white. In some of the southern States convicts are leased to colliery proprietors and other large em- ployers of labour. Close supervision under such cir- cumstances is necessarily somewhat difficult, but a forfeit of two hundred dollars has to be paid for every prisoner who escapes. This forfeit, however, rarely has to be redeemed, for a pack of Blood- hounds attached to the establishment renders escape almost impossible, although dense woods may be close at hand. To keep them in practice a negro convict called a " trusty " is occasionally let loose and given a start of an hour or more. The hounds come up to him very quickly after they are laid on. In this country Bloodhounds are hunted mainly as a sport, and there is no inducement to owners to perfect their training to a high degree ; for most practical purposes a start of an hour or two is quite sufficient to ensure a good run across country. But of course, if they were to be used for police purposes, it would be necessary to guarantee that they should work on a scent at least ten or twelve hours cold. Bloodhounds have occasionally been hunted in packs, with the deer as a quarry ; but general experience is that they do not pack well, each hound preferring to puzzle out the line for himself, and they pbject very strongly to being over -ridden or to rating of any sort. The man who has not the time or money for fox-hunting may work out many pretty scenting problems with the aid of a couple of Bloodhounds. He can choose his own country, and if he does not ride it is generally possible to select a circular course whereby most of the hunting may be seen. THE BLOODHOUND 59 Training should begin early. Most puppies take to it naturally from the fifth or sixth month upwards. As a beginning the novitiates should see some one start whom they know, and the runner, after going a short distance, should conceal himself. With a little encouragement they will soon know what is being asked of them, and when once they have got their noses down they will take to the work with zest. On coming up to their man they should be rewarded with a tit -bit. As time goes on the dis- tance should be lengthened, and the interval between the setting out of the runner and the laying on of the hounds should also be increased. It is well, too, to change the runner, in order that the hounds may be accustomed to hunting strangers. It is not neces- sary that anything handled by the man should first be offered them to smell, and it is a most undesir- able thing to dress the runner's boots with aniseed or any other concoction, for you will but be implanting a lesson that has afterwards to be unlearnt. To ensure greater proficiency, the original line may be crossed at certain points by others, the direction of the false line being marked by sticks, so that hounds may be immediately checked if they show any ten- dency to change. This, however, is a fault rarely observable in the Bloodhound. As regards the appearance of the modern Blood- hound, he is a majestic -looking animal, somewhat taller and more heavily built than the Foxhound, and with greater length of body. His head is his most distinctive feature. In perfection it should be of great length from the occiput to the tip of the nose, and divided in about equal proportions by the set on of the eyes. 60 THE BLOODHOUND There should be no stop or depression below the eyes. The peak should be clearly defined, the skull narrow, and the foreface should be free from any snipiness. The lips, or flews as we call them, are deep through, meeting nearly squarely ; the eyes have a kindly expression and are deep set, showing the haw. The ears are very long, falling in graceful folds, and are set on very low. An ear hanging flat to the cheek is objectionable, and the skin on the head should be of very fine texture, folding in heavy wrinkles. The dewlap is very pronounced. As regards the other properties, they should be what we look for in any hound. The bone should be heavy, the front legs perfectly straight, with feet well knuckled up, the ribs deep and well sprung, loins and thighs muscular, and behind there should be no tendency to cow hocks. The usual colours are black - and -tan, chocolate — or red -and -tan, and occasionally we see a marking once much esteemed, i.e., the black saddle being flecked with white.- The Bloodhound is apt to be a bit headstrong unless well disciplined when young ; he is then as tractable as we could wish, but his habit of using his nose for finding his way about in preference to his vision makes him a bit awkward in traffic. Un- fortunately, owing to great in-breeding, he is liable to contract distemper in a very virulent form, and losses are heavy in consequence. Once over this dread disease, he is as hardy as other dogs provided reasonable care is taken not to kennel him up when he is wet. As a show dog, he has the advantage of needing no faking of any description, the only thing required being to put him down hard and fit, carrying as much muscle as possible, and with a coat rendered THE BLOODHOUND 61 glossy witH much grooming'. In disposition he is docile and affectionate. With a little knowledge of the leading strains it is not difficult to breed Blood- hounds of good type. They are usually very prolific, and it is nearly always necessary to have one or more foster-mothers in readiness. Mr. Edwin Brough has done so much to bring this beautiful hound to its present state of perfection, that it would be scarcely fitting to close an article on the variety without a tribute to his efforts. CHAPTER XI THE FOXHOUND Fox-HUNTiNG is above all others the typical sport of the Englishman, and were it suddenly swept away by any cataclysm of Nature, the whole aspect of the countryside would be changed. In view of the hold that it has obtained upon the nation, it might seem somewhat strange to think that the first pack of foxhounds does not date farther back than 1689 did we not remember that for centuries before hunt- ing the stag and the hare had been a favourite diversion of the nobles. In the year mentioned the Charlton Hunt, now the Goodwood, in Sussex, changed from the stag to the fox. Until about this period Reynard had not been much esteemed, being mainly killed with the object of extermination. Among our older packs are the Sinnington, the Belvoir, and the Pytchley. To-day there are over two hundred packs in the United Kingdom, each" causing the circulation of large sums of money in rural districts. It is computed that at least £100,000 a year are spent in the vicinity of Melton Mowbray alone. A pack hunting three days a week cannot be maintained for less than £1,800 a year, and this does not take into account the money expended by the * The Badlesmere Harriers, with the Master, the Rev. Courtney Morgan- Kirby, his twin sons, and the Whips. The pack is composed of Old Southern Hounds. (Page 70.) Three typical Foxhounds. (Page 62.) THE FOXHOUND 63 members of the hunt on their stables and in other ways. Whatever humanitarians may say— and they are as fully entitled to their views as other people — it would be difficult to find a reason for condemning sport which does so much to bring out the finer, qualities of man and woman by promoting good feel- ing and a praiseworthy indifference to danger. Cervantes puts the case fairly clearly when he makes the Duke say : " You are mistaken, Sancho : hunting wild beasts is the most proper exercise for knights and princes,; for in the chase of a stout noble beast may be represented the whole art of war, stratagems, policy, and ambuscades, with all other devices usually practised to overcome an enemy with safety. Here we are exposed to the extremities of heat and cold ; ease and laziness can have no room in this diversion ; by this we are inured to toil and hardship ; our limbs are strengthened, our joints made supple, and our whole body hale and active^; in short, it is an exercise that may be beneficial to many, and can be prejudicial to none." Burton, too, in his "Anatomy of Melancholy/1 declared " hunting and hawking to be honest recreations, and fit for some great men, but not for every base and inferior person. " In view of the important part he plays in minister- ing to our pleasures, it is extremely interesting to try to trace the origin of the Foxhound [; but when all is said and done, we have little other than specu- lation to help us. Youatt frankly expresses the belief that he is the old English Hound, sufficiently crossed with the Greyhound to give him lightness and speed without impairing his scent. Other modern autho- rities accept the same view. Beckford, who might have helped us materially from the period in which 64 THE FOXHOUND he wrote (1781), has nothing to say upon the question. That eminent French authority, Count Le Couteulx de Canteleu, believes that the Foxhound came from a cross betwen the Sleuthhound and the Greyhound, but the late Mr. J. Neville Fitt rejected this conjecture. According to Mr. Edwin B rough, that gentleman looked upon the Foxhound as a hound of pure race> well developed, and known long before fox-hunting had become an acknowledged national sport. In the reign of James I. he was known as the fleet Northern Hound, which was used on a drag for the purpose of training horses for racing. Mr. Brough, not finding any mention of the Northern Hound previous to the reign of the first Stuart, whereas the Bloodhound is mentioned in the time of Henry III., thinks it not difficult to believe that nearly four centuries would be ample time in which to develop the Northern Hound from the Talbot or Bloodhound. As we know him to-day, it is almost impossible to conceive any hound more peculiarly fitted for his work than the Foxhound. He has strength, endurance, and courage sufficient to sustain him through the most arduous day. Careful selection has equipped him with perfect legs and feet, quarters, and muscular development. Beckford's description still remains good : " There are neces- sary points in the shape of a hound which ought always to be attended to by a sportsman ; for if he be not of a perfect symmetry, he will neither run fast nor bear much work ; he has much to undergo, and should have strength proportioned to it. Let his legs be straight as arrows, his feet round and not too large, his shoulders big, his THE FOXHOUND 65 b'reast rather, wide than narrow, his chest deep, his back broad, his head small, his neck thin, his tail thick and brushy* if he carry it well so much' the better." Why te -Melville has said very much the same thing in his poem, " The King of the Kennel '-'.: "On the straightest of legs and the roundest of feet, With ribs like a frigate his timbers to meet, With a fashion and fling and a form so complete, That to see him dance over the flags is a treat ! " Not only must a Foxhound have great scenting power, but he must possess drive and tongue, so that there are many points to consider before we can produce a perfect animal. A dog hound weighs from 70 Ib. to 80 Ib., and a bitch some 10 Ib. less. The former would stand about 23 or 24 inches at the shoulder, while the ladies may be one or two inches shorter. It is usual in hunting to separate the sexes, having a dog pack and a bitch pack, as closely matched for size as possible. A pack may range in number from fifty to ninety couples of hounds, and it is no light task to keep these fit and well throughout the year. A good pack is worth a small fortune, and as lon\g ago as 1845 Mr. Foljambe's hounds realised 3,600 guineas. Book of the Dog. Q CHAPTER XII THE OTTERHOUND WHEN fox-hunting, beagling, coursing, and shooting have had their season, otter-hunting begins, and thus provides sport -loving men and women with occupa- tion during the otherwise blank summer months. It is a great sport, too, and its votaries have to bej uncommonly fit in wind a«nd limb. Having stood the test of many centuries, it is probably more popular to-day than ever it was. A pack will consist of some ten or fourteen couples, and is very frequently nondescript in appearance, being composed possibly of a few pure -bred Otterhounds, of Foxhounds, and cross breeds. Mr. Buckley, who had a pack in Wales, used a Bloodhound, but he was not altogether satisfied with the result, considering the progeny to be much too tender. The pure -bred Otterhound is a very striking-looking animal, as may be seen from the picture of one of the Dumfriesshire pack which illustrates this chapter. He is powerfully built, with ideal legs and feet, great depth of rib, and fine muscular development. His head is not altogether unlike that of the Bloodhound, although the ears are not quite so long, nor do they hang so gracefully. The skull is also broader, the shoulders slope well, THE OTTEBHOUND 67 and the hocks are well let down. The coat is a dis- tinguishing feature, being rough and well adapted to resist the wet. Colours may be grizzly or sandy, or sometimes black -and -tan. The height at shoulder is about 26 inches for dogs and somewhat less for bitches, and the weight is about 90 Ib. Large feet are desirable, as they are supposed to enable the hound to swim better. Considering the rough work he has to accomplish, it necessarily follows that he must be symmetrical and powerful, and his nose must be of the best. Youatt considered that he was a cross between the Southern Hound and the rough Terrier, while some think that he has a trace of pure Bloodhound in him. Certainly he has very considerable resemblance to some of the French Griffons, and it is quite possible that his ancestry hail from across the Channel. Owing to the fact that the otter is a very shy animal, rarely seen, some people imagine there is a scarcity, but the sport shown by the different packs throughout the kingdom is sufficient proof that this is an illusion. Otter- hounds are rarely exhibited, but the Master of the Dumfriesshire is good enough to send a few couples to leading shows, thus giving the non-hunting public an opportunity of seeing the pick of these beautiful hounds. CHAPTER XIII THE HARRIER WHATEVER the Harrier of the past may have been, to-day the majority of packs are composed simply of small Foxhounds and nothing else. It is rather a pity, when you come to think of it, that old breeds of Harriers which showed such good sport and were distinctive in type should have fallen out of the race. Many people said they were too slow, but it is not fair to bustle poor puss as if she were a fox, for after all the true end of sport is not merely to kill. Hare -hunting may show one hound work to perfec- tion, the beauty of which is marred or entirely lost if the pace is too great. I agree absolutely with Beckford when he writes : "A hare is a timorous little animal that we cannot help feeling some com- passion for at the time that we are pursuing her destruction. We should give scope to all her little tricks, nor kill her foully nor over-matched. Instinct instructs her to make a good defence when not unfairly treated, and I will venture to say that as far as her own safety is concerned, she has more cunning than the fox and makes shifts to save her life far beyond all his artifice." Beckford considered that the hounds most likely to show sport were a 68 " Gladsome," a four-months-old puppy of the Cotley Harriers. The Cotley Harriers, with the Master, Mr. E. Eames, and his brother. (Page 69.) THE HARRIER 69 cross between the large slow-hunting Harrier and what he called the little Fox -Beagle, a hound which in all probability was the forerunner of our foot beagle. Happily we still have a few packs sur- viving which contain the genuine old-fashioned blood. A gentleman, whose identity as a well-known autho- rity on hounds was but thinly concealed under the pseudonym of " X," gave a most interesting descrip- tion in Country Life of the Cotley Harriers, which I am enabled to illustrate by the courtesy of the Master, Mr. E. Eames, of Broad Oak, Chard. The Master's grandfather, Mr. T. Deane, of Cotley, started a pack in the year 1797, and it was then hunted by the late Mr. T. P. Eames until his death, in 1886. Mr. Eames has the pedigrees back to the time of old Parson Froude, of Knowstone, whose hounds it is said were descended from the old Stag- hounds. From this clue " X " traces their descent from the Royal White Hounds of France, upon which Turberville has a chapter. The first of the race was called Souyllard, which was given by a poor gentleman to King Louis, who set no great store by him because he loved the Dun Hounds above all others. The Seneschal Gaston begged the King to make a present of him unto the. wisest lady of his realm, namely, 'Anne of Bourbon. " I agree not to that," quoth the King, " in that you have named her the wisest, but you may say less foolish than others, whereas there are few wise women in the world." It is not necessary to follow the history of Souyllard, but it is of moment to note that the Queen of Scots gave Louis a white dog called Bar- raude, thus suggesting that the white hounds were known in these islands at that time. The Cotley 70 THE HARRIER Harriers, tall white hounds with lemon splashes, bear a singular resemblance to the hounds of Vendee, What is more to the point, they have great fine- ness of nose and beautiful music, and they are com- mendably free from change. Mr. H. A. Bryden subsequently wrote to Country Life dissenting from some of these conclusions, thinking " that the colour of this unique and most interesting type of hound has been evolved from the nature of the surroundings amid which the ancestors of these hounds had to do their work. The old Devon and Somerset Stag- hounds, to which it is admitted that the various light-coloured packs still hunting in Devon and Somerset claim kindred, did much of their hunting amid dark heather ; and it was natural, therefore, that the men who hunted with them should wish to breed a hound of light colour which could be more easily distinguished in the long chases over the wild, heathy country of which Exmoor largely consists." Sir John Heathcoat-Amory has a pack of these light - coloured Harriers, and the same markings are afeo remarked in the Quarme and several other West Country packs. It is further interesting to know that the Cotley chiefly hunt the fox after Christmas, and in the season of 1908-9 they killed 108 hares and twelve brace of foxes, earthing as many more. At Bexhill there is a pack of black -and-tan Har- riers, also of ancient lineage. Several North Country packs still keep up the old blood, the Penistone being said to be old Southern hounds. I was fortunate enough recently to come across the Badlesmere pack, which is hunted by the Rev. Courtenay Morgan - Kirby, near Faversham, in Kent. The Master says : "My hounds are absolutely pure old Southerns. THE HARRIER 71 The dogs are about 24 to 27 inches, and the bitches about 23 inches. They have ears about 2 feet long, and are nearly all dark blue -mottled, with a few red- mottled and lemon and hare-pied. They have large flews, and dewlaps like bulls, but crooked legs and not good feet, also eyes showing the haw like Blood- hounds, and wrinkled foreheads. Their music is simply beautiful, and sounds for miles like thunder rising and falling. With a good scent they can fairly race, but with a bad one they sit and roar on the line. In kennels they are very sattage indeed, and are always fighting, and occasionally eat one of their companions. From being so in -bred their nerves are like fiddle -strings, and when first cast off they go roaring away for half a mile, but once on the line one cannot stop them. Also they are very savage at a kill, and will pin you if not careful. I had great difficulty in getting them, mostly from the remnants of old packs in the Weald of Kent, and a few from the Stannington, Penistone, Holmfirth and Honley. The puppies are very hard to bring up and often are malformed at birth from in- breeding." CHAPTER XIV THE BEAGLE HARE-HUNTING is an older sport than the chase of the fox. Turbervile, writing in 1576, had the temerity to maintain that " of all chases the hare maketh greatest pastime and pleasure and showeth most cunning in hunting, and is meetest for gentle- men of all other hunting, for that they may find them at all times and hunt them at most seasons of the year ; also that their pastime shall be always in sight whereby they may judge the goodness of their hounds without great pains or travail ; also it is great pleasure to behold the subtlety of the little poor beast, and what shift she can make for herself ; wherefore the huntsman must be wary and wise to mark her subtleties." He further considered that " a hound which is a perfect good haryer may be bold to hunt in chase, for the hare is the very proper beast to enter hounds well and to make them tender nosed ; afterwards when you would make your hounds to the hart they will quickly forsake the hare, because the venison of an hart is much more delicate and dainty than the hare's is, and hounds do much more desire it because the hart is also a greater scent than the hare." Unfortunately, however, he 72 Some of Mrs. Chapman's Beagles, many of which were prize-winners on the show bench. (Page 72.) The Rev. G. R. Plant's Beagle, Champion " Bashful." (Page 72.) THE BEAGLE 73 tells us nothing about the size of the hound most to be desired, but we learn from history that the Beagle was known in the days of the ancient Britons. Old authorities tell us that they were very slender and small, so bred that one hand might encompass the whole of their body. Queen Elizabeth had a pack which were called " Singing Beagles," and James I. was much devoted to them. George IV., when Prince of Wales, hunted on the Downs round Brighton. However small they may be, they are game little fellows, even the toys, or Pocket Beagles as they are usually called, of 10 inches and under, facing the thickest gorse with magnificent courage, in order to drive out rabbits. The Beagle used for hare-hunting must of necessity have a fair pace, and in order to achieve this his legs must be fault- lessly straight, the body well put together, with deep ribs and loins, and thighs hard with muscle. A Rabbit Beagle may stand on shorter legs, and it is not so much of a drawback if his body is longer and heavier in proportion. Probably the rough- coated ones are better for this work than the smooth, being more fitted to stand rough usage in gorse and scrub. In getting together a pack one has a choice of various sizes ranging from 10 to 16 inches in height at the shoulder, but the latter should not be exceeded. In general appearance the Beagle is compactly built, without any trace of coarseness. The head is of fair length and powerful without being coarse, the skull moderately wide showing a certain amount of peak, and the stop well defined. The muzzle should not be snipy. The eyes may be brown, dark hazel, or hazel, neither deep-set nor prominent, and U THE BEAGLE with a mild expression. The ears are long, set low in the skull, fine in texture, and hanging in grace- ful folds close to the cheek. The neck is slightly arched, with the throat showing some dewlap. Shoulders must be clean and slightly sloping. Body short, deep at the chest, well ribbed up, and powerful in the loins. The thighs are muscular, and hocks well bent. The forelegs should show plenty of round bone and be quite straight, with feet well knuckled up. The stern is of moderate length, set on high, and carried fairly gaily without being ringed over the back. Any recognised hound colour suffices, and for the smooth variety the coat should be dense and not too fine or short, while in the rough variety it is thick and wiry. The Pocket Beagle, although not exceeding 10 inches in height, should be a replica of the larger, only one type being recognised by beagle men. The Beagle is like neither the Blood- hound nor the Foxhound, but is perfectly distinct in type. For practical purposes it will probably be found that a 1 2 -inch pack is the most useful. It may be followed on foot with comfort by any person in good health. The Pocket Beagles, of course, are used on rabbits or a drag, and they are as keen as mustard, working for hours in a hard country. They are not so easy to breed because it is a common experience that such defects as what we call " appleheads," prominent eyes, light bone, and bad fronts have a disagreeable tendency to appear in toys. In getting together a pack, sorti- ness, of course, is very essential. At the end of a day's hunting the little hounds should be well dried and cleaned before being finally kennelled up for THE BEAGLE 75 the night. The less they are interfered with when hunting the better, as they do not take kindly to rating . There are several packs of black and tan hounds in the country, and the Kerry Beagle is entirely dis- tinctive. He is black and tan, and stands at least 22 inches, and for this reason cannot be classed as a true Beagle. Unfortunately, the variety is now very scarce. At one time it was a usual thing to see a big entry of Beagles at the leading dog shows, and no doubt these fine little hounds were a great attraction to the general public. Of recent years, however, differences have arisen between the hunting man and the show man, and it is not usual to see any numbers except at an exclusively hound show. This is rather a pity, as after all it need not be any great hardship for a Master to spare a few couples for two or three days occasionally, and many people who dearly love a hound would be gratified by a sight of the little beauties on a show bench, although they may lack time and opportunity for following them in the field. CHAPTER XV THE BASSET HOUND THE conformation of the Basset makes him con- spicuous among other varieties of hounds. Although he stands on short legs only a few inches high, and usually crooked like those of the Dachshund, at the same time he has a heavy, powerful-looking body, with a head much resembling that of the Bloodhound. He is an importation from France, whence he was brought by the late Sir Everett Millais, son of the great artist, in 1874. Lord Onslow and the late Mr. G. R. Krehl also imported hounds at about the same time, and it did not take us long to appreciate their good points. For a time, however, there were not sufficient from which to breed, and at first Sir Everett (then only Mr. Millais) crossed with a beagle. This strain was, fortunately, soon given up, and by 1880 there were enough Bassets in the country to justify a class at Wolverhampton Show. Over here the Basset has been bred on fairly uniform lines, except that the rough and smooth differ somewhat in several essential features. In France and Belgium, however, there are a number of varying types, all more or less related, it is true, and yet with marked differences. [The type favoured in this country has 76 Champion " Welbeck," a smooth Bassethound bred by the Author. (Page 76.) f Champion " Wensum," sister of "Welbeck." Both had excellent bodies and were very typical in head. (Page 76.) THE BASSET HOUND 77 a head as much like that of a Bloodhound as we can breed it. The ears are long, and hang in graceful folds/,; the head, peaked at the occiput, is long and narrow, without a stoop below the eyes, and the forehead is of great depth through the flews. There should be an ample dewlap, and the skin across the forehead and down the side of the head should be wrinkled. The front legs, which are only about 4 inches in length, may be either crooked or straight, but in any case they should be heavily boned, and set on well under the body. Elbows that turn out or joints that knuckle over are a great disfigure- ment, obviously unfitting the animal for any pro- longed exertion. The chest is deep and full, well let down-; the hind quarters should be full of muscle, and the stifles should be well bent. The arched loin and the fact that the hind legs are somewhat longer than those in front f;ive the Basset a peculiar gait, which is thoroughly distinctive. The stern is carried hound fashion, and is well feathered under- neath. The coat of the smooth variety is short and fine, handling well, with skin loose and elastic. The markings are usually black, white, and tan, the head and shoulders being preferably of a rich tan with black patches on the back'; sometimes they are beau- tifully flecked, and when you get a sorty pack together, you cannot wish for a prettier sight. In conformation the rough Basset is very similar to his smooth brother, except that his head is not quite so houndy, and the ears usually hang in fewer folds, nor are they as a rule so long. The coat must be profuse, thick and harsh to the touch, with a dense undercoat. The average weight is between 40 and 50 Ib, As the Basset has been bred down 78 THE BASSET HOUND by process of selection from larger varieties, you may ask me what was the object in producing a hound that must, from the very nature of things, be slow and deliberate in his movements. The answer is that French sportsmen needed a slow hound to turn game out of dense cover, and for this reason it was neces- sary to have one with very short legs. They will hunt well almost any kind of animal, but so beauti- ful are their scenting properties that they rarely ever change. When first introduced into this country they were used to drive rabbits to the guns, but latterly a number of packs have been formed for hare-hunting in the place of Beagles, and most of those who have had experience of them will admit that they show excellent sport. They are quite fast enough for any one but a Dorando or a Shrubb' to follow on foot. The main drawback is that they are bad at fences, and, therefore, the more open the country the better the sport they will show you. They have magnificent music, with notes deep and sonorous, like those of the Bloodhound. I have seen a letter from a gentleman in Natal who for long experienced a difficulty in finding a dog that would drive the smaller varieties of buck out of the thick scrub to the guns. He imported Pointers, Foxhounds, and Harriers, but found nothing that would suit his purpose until he had a couple of Bassets, and he was delighted with the result. Certainly the Basset has a very keen nose. At one time old Welbeck, whose photograph appears in this book, used to be taken out with my Bloodhounds, and he would hunt a man with the best of them, giving tongue all the way, but, of course, coming in long after the larger hounds had finished. Bassets Mrs. Tottie's rough Bassethound, Champion " Puritan." It will be noted that his head has not quite as much Bloodhound character as those of the smooth variety. (Photo Thcs. Fall.) (Page 76. Three generations of smooth Bassets. The centre is " Witch," dam of Champions " Wantage," " Welbeck," and " Wensum." (Page 76 > THE BASSET HOUND 79 are very independent workers, each preferring to verify the line for himself, but, provided they are sound, they can get over the ground at a surprising pace, considering their size and conformation. The true Basset has a most pathetic expression, which finds its way into the heart of any man or woman. ; but, as a general rule, he will not stand rating. A sharp word, or. sign of a whip, will frequently cause him to sulk, and you will then have great difficulty in making him keep close to heel. For all that, he is a most lovable little hound, always good-tempered, and delighted to see his master at any time. The Queen, who has for many years been devoted to the breed, nearly always has a few good specimens in her kennels at Sandringham, but, unfortunately, of recent years popular favour has set in other directions to a certain extent, leaving the Basset in the back- water. It is very difficult to account for this change of taste, for one could not wish a showier or more likeable animal. Five or six years ago we could see large classes, with fine examples of the breed, at any large dog show'>; now at the very best it is rare to see more than nine or ten benched, and sometimes even less than that number. Bassets breed freely, and come very fairly true to type. Although they have been probably more inbred than any other dog, they are yet easier than many to get through distemper ; but it must be confessed that a good deal of discretion is needed in their rearing, or you may find cripples thrown upon your hands. It is fatal to over-feed a Basset puppy, for if you get him fat, the chances are that his legs in front will go unsound, or he may become cow -hocked, both of which are grave defects. Prices 80 THE BASSET HOUND do not rule very high, and it was considered a note- worthy fact that Mrs. Tottie claimed my " Wantage " at Cruft's Show in 1900 for his catalogue figure of £150. In picking a puppy choose one that is sound on the leg, with free movement, and see that he has plenty of bone and is well ribbed up. Although the head of the adult needs to be fine and narrow, it must be remembered that in the puppy these very qualities often mean that it will become snipy as it grows up ; therefore select one that has plenty of substance in its head. Let him run about well, and watch narrowly to ascertain if there is any weak- ness in the loins or hind quarters, for this is difficult to get rid of. The Bloodhound cross made by Sir, Everett Millais has been the means of strengthening the constitution, and has also increased the size of the Basset without giving him too much length of leg. Mrs. Chapman's Greyhound, Champion "Broadwater Banker," who- has scored in the field as well as on the show bench. He has won over 120 first prizes. (Page 8r.> •S A boxful of Basset puppies three or four weeks old. (Page 76.)- CHAPTER XVI THE GREYHOUND JUDGING from the Egyptian, Grecian, and Roman monuments, the Greyhound of antiquity must have been very similar in form to the dog of the present day, and it is very doubtful if any breed has been subject to fewer variations of type. Doubtless necessities of the larder as well as love of sport compelled the ancients to produce a fast dog that would be sure of killing game. In the earliest known records of British history we find the Greyhound mentioned, and in the days of Canute he ranked first among the canidce, and no one lower than the degree of freeholder was allowed to keep one. Even that very unromantic district the Isle of Dogs is said to have taken its name from the fact that King John kept there his Greyhounds and Spaniels. Holders of land of a certain manor in Kent held their tenure on condition that when Edward II. went into Gascony they would lend their Greyhounds " so long as a pair of shoes of 4d. price would last." The Lord Orford who lived at the end of the eighteenth century made the classic cross between a Bulldog and a Greyhound, with the idea of infusing courage into the latter, and it is interesting to know Book of the Dog. 7 81 82 THE GREYHOUND that after the sixth or seventh generation no trace remained of the Bulldog. Since Lord Orford's day the sport of coursing has increased to an enormous extent, and during the season meetings are held in great frequency throughout the country. The Waterloo Cup, the Derby of the coursing world, was instituted in 1836, the founder being Mr. W. Lynn, who kept an old-fashioned house known as the Waterloo Hotel. The National Coursing Club, which governs the sport, did not come into being until 1857, its institution being due to the impera- tive feeling that one uniform system of rules was necessary for the guidance of all open meetings. The next important event in the history of the breed was the establishment of a stud book in 1881. Now it is obligatory for all litters to be registered, and the colour of each whelp has to be stated. At coursing meetings it is not necessarily the fastest dog that wins. Speed is estimated as one, two, or three points, according to the degree of superiority shown. The " go-by " — that is to say, where the Greyhound starts a clear length behind his companion and yet passes him in a straight run, and gets a clear length in advance — counts two points, or, if gained on the outer circle, three points r; the " turn," where the hare is brought round at not less than a right angle from her previous line, as one point. Half a point is given for the " wrench," when the hare has bent from her line at less than a right angle. Two points count for the " kill," or in the descending scale in proportion to the degree of merit displayed in that kill, which may be of no value. The " trip " is valued at one point— that is to say, an unsuccessful effort to kill where the hare THE GREYHOUND 83 is thrown off her legs, or where a Greyhound flecks her, but cannot hold her. It is laid down that under no circumstances is speed without subsequent work to be allowed to decide a course, except where great superiority is shown by one Greyhound over another in a long lead to covert. All coursing men are necessarily familiar with the difference between a puppy and a sapling, but, as some confusion may exist in the minds of the uninitiated, it may be as well to state that no Greyhound is considered a puppy which was whelped before the ist of January of the year preceding the commencement of the season of running. A sapling is a Greyhound whelped on or after the ist of January of the year in which the season of running commenced. Naturally enough a good Greyhound is worth a lot of money, but on occasion subsequently famous dogs have been bought for a mere song. It is not unusual for a draft from a leading kennel to realise over a thousand guineas at public auction. More often than not it will be found, I think, that the best coursers are of moderate size. The famous " Fullerton " won the Waterloo Cup four times, and in thirty -three public courses he was only defeated twice ; his weight in training was about 65 Ib ., but another noted winner, " Master M'Grath," was only 54 Ib., and " Coomassie," the gallant little bitch who won the Cup twice, only weighed 44 Ib. If we 11 -treated when young, the Greyhound may be as manageable and affectionate a companion as any dog. The. head of a Greyhound should be long and lean, wide between the ears, with length from occiput to the nose of about 10 inches to loj inches. The 84 THE GREYHOUND ears, which should be set on well Back, aTg small and fine in the flap, falling gracefully back with a half -fold, exposing the inner surface when at rest. The eye, varying in colour, must be bright, clear, and fiery*; the teeth strong, white, and level. Length and suppleness of neck are of great importance ; it should be elegantly bent or arched above the wind- pipe, giving it a slightly protuberant form along the lower surface. The chest must be capacious, and, as with all speedy dogs, the room obtained more by depth than width to give free action to the heart and lungs. The shoulder-blade must be oblique, so that the fore -legs may be readily stretched well forward. The arm from shoulder to elbow and forearm from elbow to knee should be of good length, and short from the knee to the ground. The ejbows must not be turned either in or out, but be in a straight line. The back should be broad and square, slightly arched ; the loin deep and strong, with well- developed muscles"; the stifles strong and well bent ; the feet hard and close, with strong claws, but not rounded as those of the Foxhound. Colour is imma- terial, and it may be red, black, brindle, fawn, blue, or slate, or any of these mixed with white. Man-hunting — a Bloodhound in full cry. (Page 55.) Mr. A. Hall's Irish Wolfhound, Champion " Gnreth." This is a very sound hound, and a perfect mover. (Page 85.) CHAPTER XVII THE IRISH WOLFHOUND As wolves became extinct in Ireland in tKe early part of the eighteenth century, it is no matter for surprise that there is a considerable break between the history of our present -day dog and the original one used for the chase. It is not at all certain that the present type resembles that of two hundred years ago. This much we know, that the old animal must have been of a gigantic stature, and some authorities hold that he more nearly resembled the Great Dane than the Scottish Deerhound. Great allowance must be made for the inexactitude of old writers, the most vivid imagination scarcely crediting the assertion that one attained the height of four feet I Goldsmith, who was not particularly noted for his accuracy, spoke of seeing one as large as a yearling calf. A writer in the Sporting Magazine of 1837 said that his grandfather had an Irish Wolf- dog which saved his mother's life from a wolf as she was paying a visit attended by this faithful follower. Captain Graham, to whom belongs the credit of resuscitating this noble variety, was con- vinced that in the Deerhound we had the modern representative of the old Irish dog;, though smaller 85 86 THE IRISH WOLFHOUND in stature and of slimmer form. Other authorities, however, maintain vehemently that there is no evi- dence to connect the two. Whatever may be the truth", this is certain, that the variety created most perseveringly by Captain Graham from 1862 up- wards has at last reached a fixity of type, the product being an extremely beautiful animal, combining great size and strength with grace of movement. The Great Dane traces which were very apparent not many years ago have now practically disappeared. Irish Wolfhounds now breed quite true to type, but, probably owing to the in-breeding which must have been resorted to to a large extent, they are difficult to rear, being susceptible, like the Bloodhound, to a very severe form of distemper. For show purposes, straightness of front leg and free action are essential, but they are qualities not easily obtained in any of the larger varieties. In general appearance the dog should not be quite so heavy or massive as the Great Dane, but more so than the Deerhound, which in general characteristics he should otherwise resemble. The minimum height of dogs should be 32 inches and the weight 120 lb., of bitches 28 inches and 90 lb\ The desire is to establish firmly a race that shall average from 32 inches to 34 inches at the shoulder in dogs, without losing power, activity, courage, and symmetry. The other points are much like those of the Deerhound. The recognised colours are grey, brindle, red, black, pure white, or fawn. Large ears hanging flat to the face are bad faults, so is a hollow or quite straight back. CHAPTER XVIII THE DEERHOUND AMONGST the dogs that hunt by sight, the Scottish Deerhound deservedly holds a high place. More powerfully built than the Greyhound, he has at the same time a kindlier expression, and his rough coat only adds to his distinctiveness. Holinshed tells of a shrewd bickering which ensued between some Picts and Scots over one of these dogs, " so that of the Scots there died three score gentlemen besides a great number of commons, not one of them under- standing what the matter meant. Of Picts there were about 100 slain." Sir Walter Scott, in "The Talisman," gives a graphic description of one : "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." The perfection of the modern rifle has practically put an end to the use of the Deerhound in the Scottish Highlands, but it can well be believed that no dog would be more suitable for chasing the deer, and his scenting powers were also so good that he would track down a wounded animal with great skill. It is somewhat surprising that at the 88 THE DEERHOUND present day he is not more generally kept for the sake of his handsome form and companionable qualities. There is nothing clumsy about a Deer- hound. Whether in the house or out of doors his movements are instinct with grace, and he becomes much devoted to his master or mistress. Mrs. Arm- strong, who owns one of the best kennels, says of him : " As a companion he may be equalled, but certainly not surpassed. He is gentle, quiet, obedient and sensible, most affectionate, and also very faith- ful, never forgetting those who have at any time been kind to him. No one, I think, can deny his beauty. Built for speed, with graceful neck, sloping, well -placed shoulders, deep chested, with plenty of heart room, well sprung ribs, sloping hindquarters, with lengthy stifle, straight legs, and round, compact feet, head well put on, and, above all, the won- derful eye. Dark hazel, and set obliquely in the tapering head, in that eye is a world of expression : gentle, appealing, almost pathetic in repose ; how alert, keen, and far-seeing when roused 1 " It is no wonder that owners grow dithyrambic when praising their favourite dog, for he has so much to make him lovable. He will follow well carriage or bicycle, and in town, if once decently broken, he will keep close to heel. His rough coat does not easily accumulate dirt, and may be kept in order with a little daily grooming. He is not quarrelsome with others of his kind. Like most highly -bred dogs, he is somewhat delicate as a puppy, but his generous nature will amply repay any attention that his juvenile ailments may demand. The following are the points as approved by, the Specialist Club : THE DEERHOUND 89 HEAD. — The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle taper- ing 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 Grey- hound 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 the neck. Moreover, a Deer- 90 THE DEERHOUND hound 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, and the blades well back, with 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 ij inches 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 is not objectionable. A curl or ring tail is 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 gaze 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 forma- tion being unsuitable for going uphill, and very unsightly. LEGS AND FEET. — The legs should be broad and flat, a good broad forearm and elbow being desir- able. Forelegs, 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 THE DEERHOUND 91 h'indlegs 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 are very bad faults. COAT. — The hair on the body, neck, and quarters, should be harsh and wiry, and about three or four inches 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 to the feathering of a collie. The Deer- hound should be a shaggy dog, but not over-coated. 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 cover- ing 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 muzzle — 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 dog. 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. 92 THE DEERHOUND HEIGHT. — Dogs from 28 inches to 30 inches, or even more if there be symmetry without coarseness, which, however, is rare. Bitches from 26 inches upwards. There can be no objection to a bitch being large, unless she is too coarse, as even at her greatest height she does not approach that of the dog, and, therefore, could not well be too big for work, as over-big dogs are. Besides, a big bitch is good for breeding and keeping up the size. WEIGHT. — From 85 Ib. to 105 Ib. in dogs ; from 65 Ib. to 80 Ib in bitches. CHAPTER XIX THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND THE British cynopholist, not satisfied with the choice provided in his own islands, has laid the whole world under contribution, and it must be admitted that we should be much the poorer if all foreign dogs were regarded as aliens, and banished from our shores. Among the strangers which we have annexed, the Borzoi, or Russian Wolfhound, takes prominent rank. His beauty of outline, grace of movement, and aristocratic bearing in general, single him out in any company. Some of us may prefer the more homely-looking Deerhound, but no one need be regarded as eccentric who claims that in the Russian dog we have the acme of canine beauty. Every man to his taste. The formation of this noble- looking animal is sufficient indication of the class to which he should be assigned. He is the shape of the Greyhound, with greater size, and a long coat of fine texture which enables him to better withstand the rigours of an Eastern climate. Several other Asiatic hounds, fleet of foot as it becomes those which hunt by sight, are built on similar lines, which inevitably suggest close kinship, but the head of the Borzoi is markedly different from any other that I 94 THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND have seen. It is very long, 11 to 12 inches not being considered excessive, and it has an artistic sweep so curved that in profile it looks almost Roman -nosed. It should be well filled up beneath the eyes, without the slightest semblance of a stop. The head also needs to be lean as well as long, while the skull is flat and narrow. Evenness of balance is also a point to be emphasised ; i.e., the length from the occiput to the eyes should equal that from the eyes to the tip of the nose. The muzzle is long and tapering ; the eyes dark, ex- pressive, almond-shaped, and not too far apart ; the ears, like those of the Greyhound, small, thin, and placed well back On the head, with the tips when thrown back almost touching. The head is carried somewhat low, with the neck continuing the line of the back. The shoulders are clean and well-sloping, while the chest is deep and somewhat narrow. The arch of the back is very pronounced, more so in the dog than in the bitch, while the loins are broad and very powerful, with much muscular development. The forelegs are lean and straight, and the bone is flat. The feet are rather long, with toes close together and well arched. The hind legs appear to be slightly under the body when the animal is standing still. The coat is very characteristic, being long and silky, either flat, wavy, or curly. It is short on the head, ears, and front legs, but the neck carries a profuse frill. The tail is long, well- feathered, and not carried gaily. The average height at shoulder should not be less than 29 inches for dogs and 27 inches for bitches, but the tendency is to breed several inches above this minimum,. In colour white predominates, with fawn, brindle, THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND 95 lemon, slate-blue, orange, and black markings. Self- coloured dogs are occasionally seen, but are not much liked. The most objectionable faults enume- rated by the Borzoi Club are : Head short or thick, too much stop, nose other than black, eyes too wide apart or light in colour, heavy ears, heavy shoulder, wide chest, " barrel "-ribbed, dew claws, legs turned out or cow hocks. It is not surprising that Borzois have been re- garded with great favour by the ladies. They are very manageable in the house, and are credited with being affectionate and kindly in disposition. Queen Alexandra has usually had a good one or two in her kennels at Sandringham, but it is the Duchess of Newcastle who has done more than any one else to popularise the variety in this country. I think it was in 1889 that she first started to get together a kennel, and they were not kept here in any numbers much before that. I have an idea that the old Duke of Manchester had two or three in Huntingdonshire still farther back, but of that I would not be quite ceftain. Mrs. Borman, one of whose dogs is illustrated, has also many fine hounds. Youatt mentions what I presume is the same dog, calling it the Russian Greyhound, and he describes it in his day as being dark brown or iron grey in colour, with a thin, lanky body and soft, thick hair. In his native land the dog, which perhaps looks fitter for the drawing-room, is used for hunting the wolf, sport at which he is very clever. A brace of dogs equally matched for speed are usually slipped at a wolf, each endeavouring to seize the animal behind the ears. If they have a drawback, it is that the tendency to chase anything running is not wholly 96 THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND eradicated. I remember the late Sir Everett Millais telling me that his dogs on one occasion jumped a fence and made sad havoc amongst a flock of goats which was passing. I also knew of a Borzoi and Irish Wolfhound who got at large one night and left behind them in the morning a sad tale of worried sheep. Which was the ringleader no one knew, and it would not be fair to put a black mark against the breed because of these two isolated instances of misdemeanour which have come under my personal notice. In order to keep the Borzoi in good condi- tion he should be brushed and combed daily, and for exhibition purposes there is a great recommenda- tion that he can be shown in a perfectly straight- forward manner without any semblance of faking. «r k>w ^^-^^ Mr. E. Shepherd's Cocker Spaniel, Champion " Truth," one of the best ever bred. Her colour is very pleasing. (Page 99.) Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Springer Spaniel, Champion " Longmynd Morgan," a good representative of this handsome variety. (Photo Thos. Fall.) (Page 107.) CHAPTER XX THE SPANIEL THE striking sub -varieties into which the Spaniel is now divided may be cited as a remarkable instance of the useful results following upon careful selection. The following; little note from the ninth edition of the •'-' Encyclopaedia Britannica," published between 1875 and 1889, will show that a knowledge of the breed, everi in comparatively recent times, was not very elaborate : " They include the common Spaniel, the Water Dog, and the Setter, besides numerous fancy varieties, as King Charles's Spaniel, the Blen- heim Spaniel, and the Maltese Dog. The Spaniel is the favourite of the sportsman, entering more than any other dog into his master's feelings, and seeming to enjoy the sport for its own sake. It is elegant in form, with remarkably long ears and beautiful waved hair, usually of a red and white colour. It takes readily to the water, and has been known to exhibit a remarkable propensity, as well as great dexterity, in fish -catching. The Water Dog is larger than the Spaniel, and is covered with abundant curly hair. Its colour is generally a mixture of black and white. From its aquatic habits it is of great service to the waterfowl sportsman as a retriever. It is readily EooJc of the Dog. 8 97 98 THE SPANIEL taught to fetch and carry, and the sagacity which it shows in finding any article it has once seen, but which has afterwards been lost or. purposely mislaid, is truly remarkable." This tribute to the merits of these gay little dogs is fully deserved, and holds good to-day. The largest and handsomest of all is the Clumber, which may weigh from 55 Ib. to 70 Ib. His origin is obscure, but, however he was made, he has long been associated with the family of the Dukes of Newcastle, and it is said that he came from France. It is suggested that he is a mixture of the Basset and the Welsh Springer, and his whole appearance lends colour to this theory. Owing to his great size he tires more easily than the smaller dogs. Clumbers work well in teams for covert shooting, and they make excellent re- trievers. His low and heavy formation makes him slow in front of the guns, and for this reason he is not likely to flush game out of shot. The head of the Clumber should be large, square, and massive, of medium length, broad on the top, and with a distinct occiput. The brows are heavy, with a deep stop, and the muzzle carries well -developed flew. The eyes are dark amber, well sunk'. The ears are large, shaped like a vine -leaf, and well covered with straight hair. They hang slightly forward. The neck is fairly long, thick, and powerful, and well- feathered underneath. The body is long and heavy and near the ground, with well -sprung ribs. The nose is square and flesh-coloured. Shoulders are strong, sloping, and muscular, with a deep chest. The back is straight, broad, and long, with powerful loins well let down in the flank. The hind quarters are very powerful and well developed. The stern Mrs. Horner's Irish Water Spaniel, Champion " Lunesdale Shamrock." (Page 103.) A Mr. F. Saunders's Clumber Spaniel, Champion "Tramp of St. Mary's." He has the beautiful expression now so seldom seen. He is a large dog, weighing 75 Ib. (Page 98.) THE SPANIEL 99 is set low, well feathered, and carried aftout level with the back. The feet are large and round, well covered with hairf; the legs short, straight, thick, and strong ; the hocks low, and the stifles well bent. The coat is abundant, close, silky, and straight, with plenty of feather on the legs. The colour is plain white with lemon markings, orange being per- missible, but not desirable. Slight head markings and freckled muzzle with white body are preferred. The general appearance should be of a long, low, heavy, very massive, but active, dog, with a thoughtful expression. The Cocker is one of the merriest and most charm- ing little fellows that one could possibly wish to? meet. No doubt he derives his name from the fact that for many years he has been used for. flushing woodcock and pheasants in thick covert. Unless he is well broken, he may flush the game too far in front of the gun owing to his excitable disposition,- and for this reason it is necessary to bestow much attention upon his breaking. No prettier, sight could gratify the eye of the sportsman than a team of these beautiful little Spaniels at work. Some of the markings are exceedingly taking. They may be black and tan, liver and tan, liver, black, tan, and white;; liver, tan, and white ; lemon and white, roans, and, in fact, any combination or blending of colours, or they may be wholly black. The weight should not' exceed 25 Ib. or be less than 20 lb\, any variation either way being penalised from a show point of view. The head is not so heavy in pro- portion, nor so high in occiput, as in the modern Field Spaniel. It needs a nicely developed muzzle, lean, but not snipy, and yet not so square as in the 100 THE SPANIEL Clumber or Sussex varieties, but always exhibiting a sufficiently wide and well -developed nose. The forehear is perfectly smooth, rising without a too decided stop from the muzzle into a comparatively wide and rounded, well-developed skull, with plenty of room for brain power. The eyes are full, but not prominent, with a general expression of intelli- gence and gentleness, though decidedly wide awake ; bright and merry, and never goggled and weak as in the Toy varieties. Those of the black dog should be hazel or brown colour, and in the others they are dependent on colour and markings. The ears are lobular, set on low, the leather being fine and not reaching beyond the nose, well clothed with long, silky hair, which must be straight or wavy, without positive curls or ringlets. The neck is strong and muscular, and neatly set on to fine, sloping shoulders. The body is not quite so long and low as in the other breeds of Spaniels, but is more compact and firmly knit together, giving the impression of a con- centration of power and enduring activity. The colour of the nose is dependent on the colour of the coat and markings. The shoulders are sloping and fine, the chest deep and well developed, but not so wide and round as to interfere with the free action of the forelegs. The back and loins are immensely strong and compact in proportion to the size and weight of the dog, slightly drooping towards the tail. The hind quarters are wide, well rounded, and very muscular, so as to ensure untiring action and propelling power under the most trying circum- stances of a long day, bad weather, rough ground, and dense covert. The stern, described by the Spaniel Club as being the most characteristic of • Mrs. Rouse's Field Spaniel, Champion " Clareholm Opal." He has good body and legs, and is full of type. (Page 101.) Mrs. Rouse's Field Spaniel, Champion " Clareholm Dora," who has a beautiful head and spaniel character. (Page 101.) THE SPANIEL 101 blue blood in all the Spaniel family, may, in the lighter and more active Cocker, although set low down, be allowed a slightly higher carriage than in the other breeds, never cocked up over, but rather in a line with, the back, though the lower its carriage and action the better, and when at work the action should be incessant. The legs must be well boned, feathered, and straight, and not so short as to inter- fere with its full activity;; the feet firm, round, and catlike, not too large, spreading, and loose jointed. [The coat is flat or waved, and silky in texture, never wiry, woolly, or curly, with sufficient feather of the right sort. The " general appearance/* in the words of the Spaniel Club, " suggests concentration of pure blood and type, sagacity, docility, good-temper, affec- tion, and activity." The Field Spaniel is considerably larger in size, ranging from 35 Ib. to 45 lb., and has a long and very low body. The variety is comparatively modern, having only come into prominence since the Dog Show days. As in the case of the Clumber, there are indications which make us believe that there is a considerable infusion of Basset blood in these dogs. At the present time there is a movement to change the standard, in order to bring them more into con- formity with working types 7; it is held, for instance, that the back might with advantage be shorter and the legs longer. The character of the head is very houndy, the skull being well developed, with a dis- tinct occiput. The muzzle should not be too wide, but long, lean, and never snipy or squarely cut. Thickness beneath the eyes is objected to as giving coarseness to the whole head. The eyes should not be too full or small ; in the black dog they are 102 THE SPANIEL dark hazel or dark brown or nearly black, while in other colours they match the markings T; they should be grave in expression, bespeaking docility and instinct. The ears are set as low as possible, moderately long and wide, and sufficiently clothed with nice, Setter -like feather. The neck is very strong and muscular, in order to enable the dog to retrieve game without undue fatigue. The nose is well developed, with good open nostrils, and variable in colour, according to the colour, of the coat or markings. In the black dog, of course, it should be pure black. The shoulders are sloping an'd free, the chest deep and well developed, but not too round and wide. The back is very strong and muscular, level, and long in proportion to the height. The hindquarters are very powerful and muscular, wide, and fully developed. The stern is well set on and carried low, if possible below the level of the Hack, in a perfectly straight line, or with a slight down- ward inclination, never elevated above the back, and in action always kept low. It is nicely fringed with wavy feather of silky texture. The feet, not too small, are well protected between the toes with soft feather rj good strong pads. Legs straight and im- mensely bonedf; strong and short and nicely feathered with flat or waved Setter-like feather. 'Over-much feathering below the hocks is objection- able. The coat, flat or slightly waved, and never curled, is sufficiently dense to resist the weather, and not too short. It is silky in texture, glossy and refined in nature, with neither duffelness on the one hand nor curl nor wiriness on the other. The black dog should be a glossy jet throughout. A little white on the chest, though a drawback, is not a disquali- THE SPANIEL 103 fication. Other colours may be black and tan, liver and tan, liver, black, tan and white, roans. The general appearance is that of a sporting dog, capable of learning and doing anything possible for his inches and conformation, a grand combination of beauty and utility. The Irish Water Spaniel is in a class entirely apart, and has apparently very little affinity to the other dogs of the same name. He is a curious, old-fashioned- looking fellow, with strongly-marked utility points ; but in spite of his homely appearance there is much about him to like. It has been said that his mouth is hard, an imputation which enthusiasts reject with scorn. In the words of one of these: "The per- fectly trained Irish Water Spaniel should be a dog which is a keen, clever worker in beating covert, land and water, absolutely steady to heel and shot, free from chase, and a quick, tender retriever right up to hand of fur and feather from land or water. He will have a good nose, and know how to use it, and last, but not least, drop to hand and remain down till released by sign or whistle." Certainly he is ready to perform almost any duty, his courage and hardihood standing him in good stead in all sorts of weather and country. Added to these qualities, he has an equitable disposition. The picture shows his points more clearly than any description can convey. First, it will be noticed that he is much higher on the leg than other Spaniels, though legginess is a detriment. The height at shoulder is from 20 to 23 inches, and the body is fair sized, round, barrel-shaped, and well ribbed up. The coat, neither woolly nor lank, consists of short crisp curls right up to the stern. 104 THE SPANIEL The topknot should fall well over the eyes ; it should be abundant and wavy, as well as the furnishing of the ears. The capacious skull is rather raised in the dome, and fairly wide, showing much brain capacity^; the topknot, which grows down to a point between the eyes, makes the dome appear more pro- nounced. The ears, which are set on rather low, should carry leather not less than 1 8 inches in length, and, with the feathers, about 24 inches. Eyes are comparatively small, dark amber, and very intelli- gent-looking. The nose is a dark liver colour, rather large and well developed. The neck should be pointer- like, i.e.) muscular, slightly arched, and not too long ; it should be strongly set on the shoulders. The chest is deep and not too narrowJJ the shoulders strong, rather sloping, and well -covered with hard muscle. The back is strong, with loins a trifle arched, and powerful ; the hindquarters round and muscular and slightly drooping towards the set -on of the stern. The stern is a " whip tail," thick at base, and taper- ing to a " sting." The hair on it should be short, straight, and close -lying, except for a few inches from its roots, where it gradually merges into the body coat in some short curls. The colour is dark rich maroon or puce, a sandy, light coat being a defect. Total absence of white is desirable, any, excepting a little on chest or a toe, disqualifying in the showing. The Sussex shares with the Clumber the honour of being the oldest representative of the Spaniel tribe, and he was much esteemed for his sporting qualities fully one hundred years ago. For all that he was more or less localised in his native county of Sussex, being kept in the hands of a few families. THE SPANIEL 105 The Rosehill strain became talked about so much in the seventies that buyers appeared from all over the country. The distinguishing feature of this dog is his rich golden liver colour. " This," says the Spaniel Club, "is a certain sign of the purity of the breed, dark liver or puce denoting unmistakably a recent cross with the black or other variety of Field Spaniel." In general appearance he is rather massive and muscular, but with free movements and nice tail action. He weighs from 35 Ib. to 45 Ib. In disposition he is tractable and cheerful. Accord- ing to the official standard, the skull should be moderately long and also wide, with an indentation in the middle and a full stop. The brows are fairly heavy, the occiput full but not pointed, the whole giving an appearance of heaviness without dulness. The eyes are hazel colour, fairly large, soft, and languishing, and not showing much haw. The muzzle should be about 3 inches long, square, and the lips somewhat pendulous ; the nostril well developed and liver-coloured. The ears are thick, fairly large, and lobe-shaped, set moderately low, but relatively not so low as in the Field Spaniel. They are carried close to the head and furnished with soft, wavy hair. The neck is rather short, strong, and slightly arched, but not carrying the head much above the level of the back. There should not be much throatiness in the skin, but a well-marked frill in the coat. The chest is round, especially behind the shoulders, deep and wide, giving a good girth. The shoulders should be oblique. The back and loin are long, and should be very muscular both in width and depth. For this development the back ribs must be deep. The whole body is characterised as low, long, level, and 106 THE SPANIEL strong ; the arms and thighs must be bony as well as muscular, knees and hocks large and strong, pasterns very short and bony ; feet large and round, and with short hair between the toes. The legs should be very short and strong, with great bone, and may show a slight bend in the forearm and be moderately well feathered. The hindlegs should not be apparently shorter, than the forelegs, or be too much bent at the hock. They should be well feathered to the hocks, but should not have much hair below this point. The tail should be docked from 5 to 7 inches, set low, and not carried above the level of the back, and thickly clothed with moderately long feather. The body coat is abundant, flat, or slightly waved, with no tendency to curl. English Springers have the credit of scoring a large number of wins at field trials, which is one of the most gratifying things one could say about a sporting dog. Classes provided for them at shows do not as a rule fill well, their owners evidently preferring to rely upon their working quali- ties. At the same time, one does not wish to dis- parage good looks, provided the points aimed at are not antagonistic to properties required in the field. The term " Springer " is really a somewhat comprehensive title, including dogs of medium length in the leg, of all colours, as opposed to the short- legged Field Spaniels. Some of the older writers in the middle of trie last century called them " Norfolk Spaniels."- Youatt says, however, that these were produced from a cross with the terrier, and, being kept by the Duke of Norfolk of that day, were named after him. It is only right to say that the late Mr. Rawdon Lee was opposed to this theory Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Springer, Champion " Longmynd Calon Fach," a thoroughly typical bitch. (Photo Thos. Fall.) (Page 107.) Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Springers, Champion " Longmynd Deiniol and "Longmynd Cadrod." (Photo Thos. Fall.) THE SPANIEL 107 of the terrier cross, his view being that the so-called Norfolk Spaniel more probably came from a cross between a curly-coated Water Spaniel and one of the ordinary Sussex or, other strain. The Springer- to-day is an active, intelligent dog, with a thick coat, either smooth or slightly wavy. This must not be over long, nor. should the feathering on the ears be excessive. The Welsh Springers are excellent workers. It takes some patience to break them properly, as they are very keen, but one is amply repaid for any little trouble expended upon the puppy. They will face cheerfully the roughest covert, gorse, brambles, &c., and, like the English Springer, they make good retrievers, or will work in a team. Although only given an entry in the Kennel Club1 Stud Book as recently as 1902, they breed quite true to type, provided reasonable care is taken in the mating. Gooseberry eyes and flesh-coloured noses are now the exception. Beside the activity and balance of the dog, and the rich red and white colour which' is so distinctive, dark eyes and nose add immeasurably to his appearance. Mrs. H. D. Greene, who has a large kennel, says : " I am sure Welsh Springers only need to be known more ; they are so intelligent, so affectionate, and so picturesque, and are as active as a terrier." The weight of this dog should be between 30 lb. and 42 lb., and his coat should be straight and thick. CHAPTER XXI THE RETRIEVER FOR general all-round purposes, the Retriever is one of the most popular dogs in country places. Only forty years ago, when he first began to have a vogue, he was little else than a small Newfound- land, and it took some time to reduce the breed to workable dimensions. Now, however, we must con- sider him fairly uniform in size, the most desirable measurement being about 24 inches at the shoulder. He is a strong, symmetrically-built animal, well- balanced in every particular, and it is scarcely neces- sary to say that he should move well. The skull is flat on the top and moderately broad, and muzzle long and strong, without any lippiness. The ear is small, V-shaped, and rounded, carried flat to the cheek. The eyes should be dark and of moderate size, the neck muscular, fairly long, set on to sloping shoulders. Although the bone of the forelegs should not be so heavy as those of a Foxhound, it should be perfectly straight ; the feet fairly large and round, with hard pads. The ribs are flat, but deep, the back broad and strong. The thighs and second thighs should, of course, carry plenty of muscle, and the stifles should be fairly well bent. The coat of 108 Mr. H. Reginald Cooke's flat-coated Retriever, Champion "Grouse of Riverside," winner of the All-aged stakes at field trials in 1906. (From the painting by Miss Maud Earl.) (Page 108.) A well-known Retriever of the early Nineties— the late Mr. S. E. Shirley's " TJ-,/~.t-« " (Page 108.) THE RETRIEVER 109 the flat-coated variety should be quite free from any tendency to curl. It should carry a beautiful gloss, with a thick undercoat. Writing in the Kennel Gazette in 1907, Mr. H. Reginald Cooke confessed that, taking the breed as a whole, after many years of gradual and steady improvement, there has been a decided retrogres- sion. He added : "I think that in obtaining the generally-accepted points breeders have been fairly successful ; by those I mean such points as dark eyes, small ears, good coat, stern, stifles, legs, and feet, &c. But in spite of this I do not think the type is improving. For working purposes many people are rightly in favour of small or moderate- sized Retrievers, but these should be the multum in \parvo sort, with substance and bone, and not the settery, weedy animals which are frequently taking prizes at the present time, especially amongst the bitches. The very pretty, lovely-coated specimens one sometimes sees would look charming on a white rug in front of the fire, but they lack the hardy business look required in a working Retriever." The demand for good show strains may be gauged from the fact that Mr. L. Allen Shuter's champion " Darenth " when at stud credited his owner with £1,323 ; while " Black Drake," another well-known winner, earned £1,000. The curly-coated Retriever is less popular than the one to which we have just been referring, possibly owing to the fact that much care and attention have to be lavished on the coats of the show specimens. On the whole, however, it must be conceded that there has been an improvement in many ways, especially in the hindquarters. Mr. Duerdin-Dutton says : 110 THE RETRIEVER ' With regard to their sporting qualities the cur lies can hold their own with the flat -coated variety. I have had several trained and sold them to sports- men, and they have given every satisf action *•; their temper is perfect, nose and mouth good, while their power of endurance is quite equal to that of the flat-coated Retrievers." The coat of these dogs should consist of very short, tight curls, well covering the body, while the legs and stern are free from feather. The striking success achieved by L'abradors in field trials during 1908 served to bring these very useful dogs into more prominence than ever. A better workman could not be desired, although as far as his looks are concerned it must be admitted that he is distinctly inferior, to the flat- or curly- coated Retrievers. The fact that he is not shown very much no doubt has given rise to the miscon- ception as to the Labrador being a comparatively new variety. This is far from the truth, however, as specimens were brought to this country from Labrador by trading vessels nearly eighty years ago, and as soon as their virtues became known they were eagerly sought after by a number of prominent sportsmen. He has plenty of courage, and cannot well be equalled in the water, and his nose is very fine. A1 fair weight for one of these dogs is about 60 lb., and height round about 21 inches. The outer coat must be free from curl, and there is a thick, soft under one. They are black in colour. In 1908 the Rt. Hon. L. V. Harcourt, M.P., was good enough to exhibit some of the Golden Retrievers of which we had heard from time to time. These are smaller, than an ordinary Retriever, and their THE RETRIEVER 111 colour may of course be inferred from the name. Mr. Harcourt got his kennel together from the strains which Lord Tweedmouth had at Guisachan, in Scot- land, Lord Portsmouth at Hurstbourne, and other sources. They breed true to type and colour, and have the reputation of being fine workers, very tract- able and easily broken. They have very soft mouths, and are delightful companions. The education of a Retriever is a comparatively easy matter to any one blessed with a little patience. It is well to remember that one lesson a day thoroughly implanted in the pupil's mind is far better than a dozen perfunctory ones, which only tend to cause confusion. As a first step the puppy should be given something soft to carry in his mouth, and any disposition to bite it must be at once corrected, and he should be taught to give up the article im- mediately you say •'•' Dead." Do not let him get in the habit of fetching things which you have thrown, or he may grow too eager, and you will find him rush into birds which have been merely flushed. If he has learnt to carry, place the article on the ground and send the youngster back to retrieve it, making him bring to hand quickly, for by accustom- ing him to this he will not be likely to mouth his birds or hare. If he is rewarded with a piece of biscuit or meat it will be an inducement for him to hurry himself. Next throw something from you, but prevent the dog from running in until you have told him to " Seek dead." You may best use him to the live bird by making him retrieve a pigeon whose wings have been either pinioned or clipped. If he is tender-mouthed the bird will go unharmed. A wild duck pinioned is an admirable means p_f 112 THE RETRIEVER teaching the dog to hunt by scent. When you take the puppy out with the gun for the first time he may show a tendency to chase, and if he pays no heed to your rating the only thing to do is to have a long cord fastened to his collar, and to pull him up sharply. If you insist on steadiness from the beginning, he is not likely to break out afterwards, unless incited by bad example. The Black and Tan Setter, Champion " Garbet Crack," owned by Mr. David Baillie. He is as good in the field as in the show ring. (Page 1 13.) Mr. T. Steadman's English Setter, Champion " Mallwyd Diamond," a winner of many prizes and specials. (Page 114) CHAPTER' XXII THE SETTER WHICHEVER variety of Setter a man may choose, he will be certain of having a very delightful dog, which fortunately fits to perfection the old adage that " handsome is as handsome does." The Kennel Club recognises three varieties, viz., the black and tan, English, and Irish. The first record of a Setter being used goes back as far as the year 1335, and a document has been quoted, dated 1685, saying that a yeoman then engaged '* for the sum of ten shil- lings fully and effectually to teach a Spaniel to sit partridges and pheasants.'* The black and tan, or, as he was once known, the Gordon Setter, after the Duke of that name, who had a large kennel, is more common in Scotland. At one time he was black, tan, and white. He is built much on the lines of the English Setter ; the skull, however, is a shade heavier and wider. The foreface is much of the same style, but deeper in flew. The ears, which should not be too long, show more feather, and are set on low. The eyes are black or dark hazel. The neck must not be throaty, but clean and racy,- and should be set well back into the shoulders. The shoulders should have plenty of liberty, and the Book of the Dog. 9 113 114 THE SETTER chest be deep, while the forelegs should be per- fectly straight. The feet, as a rule, are larger than those of the English Setter, and the dog has more bone. He is a very handsome dog if well formed, with nice black flat coat ; the tan markings should be a 'rich mahogany colour on lips, cheeks, and throat, with a spot over the eyes. The tan also shows on the forelegs and feather nearly to the elbows, on the hindlegs up to the stifles, and on the under feather of the tail. A! gentleman who has kept them for twenty years speaks most enthusiastically of their capabilities as workers. Many are used on the moors in the North of Scotland, and give every satisfac- tion. Of late years they have not been much shown, classes rarely being provided for them. When one of the largest kennels in Scotland was dispersed, many of the inmates went to Norway, where some good dogs are now to be found. The modern history of the English Setter is largely bound up with the name of Laverack. Some time about 1825 Mr. Laverack — who at one time was a shoemaker — set about establishing a strain which afterwards became closely identified with his per- sonality. But if this strain had great beauty, it was also noted for the headstrong nature of the dogs, which were, in consequence, not easily broken. Few pure Laveracks have survived the test of time, and they have been replaced by the magnificent animals produced by that enthusiastic sportsman, Mr. Richard Purcell Llewellin. This gentleman experimented at first with an Irish and Laverack cross, but the real foundation of his strain must be attributed to a dog named " Dan," which he purchased in 1871 and bred to Laverack bitches. So successful was he that « tji £ S THE SETTER 115 he soon out-distanced all competitors, whether on the show bench or at field trials. Breeding with great precision, and discarding any animals exhibiting defects, he eventually succeeded in combining beauty of form with super-excellence in the field. While the average English Setter is now smaller than its ances- tors, Mr. Llewellin's dogs still show great size, standing as high as 25 inches at the shoulder. An average dog will weigh from 48 Ib. to 60 Ib. The long silky coat, which is a distinctive feature of the breed, should be perfectly flat without any tendency to curl, and there should be feather on both the hind- and fore-legs. The markings are of great beauty and considerable variety. The blue Beltons are black and white, ticked with large splashes ; then we have liver and white, orange and white, also ticked, and black and white with tan markings . The Irish Setter is also very handsome, and is distinguished from the others by his red coat, which, at one time, showed a good deal of white. The | variety has existed in Ireland for a great many -years, where it is highly prized for its endurance and other sporting qualities. It is a very debat- able point as to whether the whole red colour is I as suitable as the red and white, for under many conditions it certainly is not as easily discernible. Still, we cannot help appreciating him for his dash 'and stamina. A fair weight for a dog is between 50 Ib. and 60 Ib. The coat on the head, front of legs, and tips of the ears should be short and fine, and on other parts of the body and legs of moderate length, flat and free from curl or wave. The colour should be a rich golden chestnut, with 116 THE SETTER no trace whatever of black. White may appear on the chest, throat, and toes, or as a narrow blaze on the face. Mrs. Ingle-Bepler, who is very success- ful on the show bench, tells me that the white on the chest, and sometimes on the head and toes, constantly reappears, even when all-red animals are mated. Type is now becoming more firmly estab- lished, and one does not see at shows such widely divergent styles as one did a few years back. Once over puppy troubles, they are very hardy dogs, and can stand extremes of climate better than some sport- ing varieties. Puppies need a dry, well -drained soil and careful feeding, or they are rather liable to go wrong on their legs. This, however, is advice that applies to the rearing of any large breed. Mr. A. R. Fish's curly-coated Retriever, Champion " Miss Wonder." One of the best ever bred. (Photo Hedges.) (Page 109.) Mrs. Horner's Pointer, Champion " Lunesdale Wagg," winner of no less than twenty-six challenge certificates. (Page 117.) CHAPTER XXIII THE P.OINTER THE man who shoots over dogs comes more closely in touch with nature than the battue shooter. To him much of the pleasure of the sport is derived from seeing the way in which his Pointer or Setter works, and he certainly has far greater opportunities of studying the habits of game. The subject of this sketch was probably imported originally into this country from Spain some two centuries ago, and being of a heavy build, was bred to the more racily- built French dog. At one time it was commonly believed that the Pointer owed his being very largely to a considerable infusion of Foxhound blood, but it is doubtful if such a cross was tried before the end of the eighteenth century, when a Colonel Thornton of that time made the experiment, which has since been condemned. As we now know him, he is most admirably adapted to his work. He has great pace, for a potterer will not be tolerated, and of course his stamina must be of the very best to enable him to stay through a long day in the field or on the moors. It is quite possible that with increased speed some of his fine scenting capacity may have been sacrificed. The two qualities scarcely 117 118 THE POINTER go together, but as a general rule I think it will be found that the fastest dog finds more game than the one that hunts more slowly, although his nose may be inferior. It is always a moot point between different schools as to whether the Pointer is the superior of the Setter or the other way about. Cer- tainly he seems to point more naturally, the puppy often knowing what is required of him the first time he is tried on game. I should not say, how- ever, that he is as companionable as his more beautiful confrere, and to many men this is really an important consideration. Talking about pace, General Hutchinson draws attention to the fact that pointing too near the game more frequently arises from want of caution — in other words from want of good instruction — than from a defective nose. Slow dogs readily acquire this caution, but fast dogs can- not be taught it without great trouble. He also observes that fast dogs which give the most trouble in breaking usually turn out the best, and for this reason : A young dog does not ultimately become first rate because he is wild and headstrong and; regardless of orders, but because his speed and dis- obedience arise from his great energies, from his fondness for the sport, from his longing to inhale the exhilarating scent and pursue the flying game. It is the possession of these qualities that makes him in his anxious state of excitement blind to your signals and deaf to your calls. These obviously are qualities that under good management lead to great excellence and superiority — that make one dog do the work of two. Companionable qualities, naturally, are eminently desirable in a gun dog, for the more we make him THE POINTER 119 our friend, the more likely is he to translate our wishes into acts, and it is obviously a pleasure to be on good terms with the animal who is doing so much to minister to our needs. The multiplication of field trials during the last few years has done much to increase the popularity of both Pointers and Setters, and a good worker is a valuable posses- sion. Unfortunately, show bench man and field trialers are frequently at variance with one another, but to the outsider it seems a pity that they should not be able to work hand in hand for the advance- ment of the variety they both so much admire. In the show ring, of course, it is impossible to test the scenting powers of the dog, but at any rate it should be easy to aim at those points which are most neces- sary in order that he may stand the rigours of a long day's work, and to minimise anything that may be objectionable in the conformation. The head of the ideal Pointer should be fairly long and well- balanced, being evenly divided by the eye between the occiput and the point of the nose. The stop beneath the eyes is well accentuated. Between the ears there is good width. The eyes should be large and full of intelligence, and preferably dark in colour ; they are usually a good guide as to the character of the animal. The ears are soft to the touch and of medium length, set high on the skull and hanging flat to the cheek. The neck should be long, muscular, and well placed on good sloping shoulders without any throatiness underneath. A dog with a loaded or straight shoulder cannot be expected to gallop easily. Room in the chest comes more from depth than from spring of rib. The forelegs should be straight and powerful. The feet 120 THE POINTER are not quite so rounded as those of a hound. The loin is slightly arched, and very wide and muscular ; the thighs and second thighs should carry plenty of muscle, and the stifles be well bent. The colour varies, but white predominates, with lemon, orange, liver, or black markings. We have also wholly black Pointers. Weight varies considerably, but 55 Ib. would be rather heavy for a dog. Much importance must be attached to action, as the dog should move freely with a long swinging stride. Mr. Francis Redmond's famous wire-haired Fox Terrier, Champion " Dusky Cracker," showing what the stern and hind quarters of a perfect Terrier should be. (Page 121.) Mr. Francis Redmond's smooth-coated Fox Terrier, Champion " Donna Fortuna." showing a beautiful front, head, neck, and shoulders. CHAPTER XXIV FOX TERRIERS, SMOOTH AND WIRE THE Fox Terrier shares with the Bulldog and Pome- ranian the honour of being the most popular variety of the day for exhibition purposes, and it is doubtful if there is any other dog so generally kept in every part of the country. Always ready for any sort of work from ratting to going to earth after a fox or badger, he is also an excellent house dog. It is difficult to say when this dog was first produced as a distinct type, but we know there have been small Terriers for many centuries. Turbervile, referring to the habits of badgers, says : " So much subtlety have they that when they perceive the terriers begin- ning to yearn them and to lie at them they will stop the hole between the terriers and them, lest the terriers should follow them any further, and then if the terriers bay still, they will remove their baggage with them and go into another chamber or angle of their burrow." Beckford preferred a black or white terrier for use with the hounds, remarking " that some there were so like a fox that awkward people frequently mistook one for the other." Mr. Francis Redmond, one of our most respected and successful breeders of Fox Terriers, has kindly fur- 121 122 FOX TERRIERS, SMOOTH AND WIRE nished me witn the following description of the present-day dogs, and I cannot do better than give his own words : "• From the portraits of the smooth and wire champions illustrated in these pages, readers should be able to form a fairly correct idea of the modern Fox Terrier. That of Champion * Donna Fortuna ' may be considered as an almost perfect ' forend,' showing this well-known terrier to have the long, punishing head of the b'reed, with small, perfectly carried ears, lengthy, muscular neck', and well-placed shoulders, with the perfect legs, feet, and bone so highly prized by breeders and exhibitors of this terrier. From the illustration of the wire -hair, champion 'Dusky Cracker,' in back, loin, and quarters it will be noted there is substance and strength, with liberty as apart from cloddiness. Many years ago when the points of this breed were under discussion, it was suggested by more than one well-known judge of horse and hound that the Fox Terrier for work should be bred as nearly as possible on the lines of the short -legged 13 to 14 stone hunter, than which no more symmetrical animal lives, except per- haps the Foxhound. This has been kept in view for a period now approaching half a century, with the result that the breed has grown in favour and popularity, not only throughout the United Kingdom, but all the world over. There have been times when the craze for one point or another has carried judges somewhat off the line, and certain qualities have been given an exaggerated value, and terriers have found their way into the prize-lists from their excellence in one or two points only, which threatened serious danger to the breed ; but, as a rule, the terrier FOX TERRIERS, SMOOTH AND WIRE 123 built on the lines laid down by the original founders of the Fox Terrier Club has made his way tQ the front, and been able to keep a foremost place in competition with all other breeds of terriers, ancient or modern. " I think it will be allowed that no animal has greater powers of endurance than the Foxhound, and if we query why, shall we not agree that it is his perfect symmetry that gives him the staying and working qualities he undoubtedly possesses, and has kept him in favour as a symmetrical and beautiful specimen of the canine race? I submit the same applies to the Fox Terrier, and if breeders continue on the lines they have adopted since the formation of the Fox Terrier Club, and bear in mind the con- structive points of the animal, they will find their favourites continue to increase in favour with all lovers of a dog that has perfect symmetry, style, and character. I have not touched on the working qualities of the Fox Terrier of to-day, which, like all other comparisons, are apt to be considered un- favourably with those of old ; but here I must join issue and contend that the majority of the terriers now exhibited are as game, hard, and intelligent in their work as were their ancestors of the past. The average might not come out quite as well, owing to the fact that for every ten Fox Terriers exhibited in the sixties we now have a hundred, and work cannot be found for them all, but I have used them for years at their legitimate work to fox and badger, and, where fairly entered, they; leave nothing to be desired. "- Like all other animals, they vary in disposition and require different treatment when breaking. Study 124 FOX TERRIERS, SMOOTH AND WIRE them individually, and you will soon find how, when they understand the game and begin to feel at home in a close, dark, narrow earth, some six or more feet underground, out of earshot of the encouraging voice of their master, and at close quarters with a game and determined enemy who disputes every foot of the ground, they will take their punishment with a relish and astonish the inexperienced owner, who was inclined to feel there was a want of * fire and go.' I saw two perfectly quiet and peaceful little ones, who had had but moderate experience of the work, go to ground to badger last autumn and stick to their quarry so closely that they were almost given up for lost, and when dug to some twenty -seven hours later were, after a drink of water, as keen as ever to get back to work again. I do not think there is any breed of terrier that is gamer or harder, but, like horses, many good ones are spoiled in the break- ing and entering. A good hard constitution serves a terrier much, a jdelicate one failing to stand the cold and exposure inseparable from his work. " Asked if the modern Fox Terrier is improving, I would answer that it has done so steadily for years, but at the present time is losing ground decidedly in points that have gone to make the breed. I refer particularly to legs, feet, and bone. During the past few years there has been a decided retrograde move- ment in these qualities, and to-day it is an exception to find a class where these constructive and valuable points are evident. In some of the classes at our largest shows of late it has been difficult to find more than two or three terriers with really good feet and bone ; they have been replaced by clumsy feet and coarse, gummy bone that would not have FOX TERRIERS, SMOOTH AND WIRE 125 been tolerated in champions a few years since, and so bad are the feet becoming, that judges and breeders are inclined to satisfy themselves with a lower standard of excellence. Two other points breeders have to consider are coat and size — abolish the soft, profuse coat from your kennels, and try to Breed hard, dense coats, hard, neat bone, and keep the size as near as possible to 17 lb., in both dogs and bitches. You may be told that in some parts of England the earths are big enough to work terriers of 20 lb. and upwards, but you will find the 17 lb. dog do better because he can follow his quarry more easily to ground, and his size enables him to work better round the corners and turns of an earth, and to meet the rushes of the enemy when at close quarters." CHAPTER XXV, THE AIREDALE TERRIER WITH the exception of the Bull Terrier, the Airedale Terrier is the largest of his tribe, and is a companion for town or country who would be difficult to beat. He is an excellent all-round sportsman, is good in the water, and is a useful guard. Fifty years ago he was unknown, except as a more or less nondescript dog familiar to certain parts of .Yorkshire. Probably several other terriers have entered into his composi- tion, and no doubt also an Otter-hound was used at some period of his existence. For a considerable time there was no consistency of type ; indeed, it is only of comparatively recent years that the present smart-looking dog was evolved and could be war- ranted to breed at all consistently. We have now, however, a uniformity of type. It was only in 1886 that the Kennel Club provided a separate classifi- cation for the breed, which has since then advanced by leaps and bounds. The most noted dog we have had was " Clonmel Monarch," who was purchased by an American for a very large sum. Owing to their great sagacity a number of Airedales are attached to the German Army, and in their war with Russia the Japanese used them very largely for ambulance work. The coat should be hard and wiry, and weather- 126 THE AIREDALE TERRIER 127 resisting, and the excessive plucking to which" some show dogs are subjected is certainly not to be com- mended. A working terrier fit to go in the water or stand a long day in the open, no matter what the atmospheric conditions, should decidedly not be stripped. The following standard has been adopted by the Airedale Terrier Club and the South of England Airedale Terrier Club. HEAD. — Long, with flat skull, but not too broad between the ears, narrowing slightly to the eyes, free from wrinkle. Stop hardly visible and cheeks free from fulness. Jaw 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 black, the eyes small and dark in colour, not prominent, and full of terrier expression ; the teeth strong and level. THE NECK. — Should be of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening towards the shoulders, and free from throatiness. 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 drop. Hocks well let down. The tail 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 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 over the body and legs. 128 THE AIREDALE TERRIER 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 being also tan ; the body black or dark grizzle. SIZE. — Dogs 40 Ib. to 45 Ib. weigKt, bitches slightly less. In view of the fact that complaints have been made of the alleged decrease in the size of present- day Airedales, the following note appended to the official standard of points deserves very careful con- sideration : " That, as it is the unanimous opinion of the Aire- dale Terrier Club that the size of the Airedale Terrier, as given in the above standard, is one of, if not the most important characters 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 Judges who, in the opinion of the Committee, shall give prizes to or otherwise push to the front dogs of a small type, shall be at once struck off from the list of Specialist Judges." CHAPTER XXVI THE BEDLINGTON THE Bedlington is one of the least known of the terrier family, and his warmest admirers cannot claim for him that he is popular. Yet he has many admirable qualities which recommend him to our regard. He is quite unlike most other dogs. He is good at vermin, most intelligent and tractable, with all the companionable qualities that we could desire. An old authority says of him that "he is wiry, enduring, and in courage equal to the Bull- dog, encountering otter, fox, or badger with the greatest determination." His hard outer coat with the soft under coat enable him to stand any weather. Why is it, then, that we do not see hundreds of Bedlingtons where we now see one? Probably the reason may be found in the following very significant sentence written to me by a most experienced breeder. He says : "I have never seen a Bedlington that had the slightest chance of winning unless it was trimmed. They grow long hair all over them like a Sheepdog out of coat. This is, no doubt, what prevents them becoming more popular.-' Here, doubtless, we have the explanation. The average man is disappointed to find the smart-looking terrier which he has bought growing an enormously long woolly coat, which naturally destroys all shapeliness Book of the Dog. JQ 129 130 THE BEDLINGTON and makes him look very untidy. It would be pre- sumptuous on my part to offer an opinion, but perhaps I may be pardoned for. suggesting that if Bedlington men put their heads together it should not be im- possible, in the course of a few years, to wholly eradicate bad -coated specimens. It seems a thousand pities that such a beautiful dog should languish in more or less obscurity, and only be seen by the public, with rare exceptions, at some of the leading dog shows. The early history of the Bedlington, although I suppose it does not go back much beyond a century and a half, is not very clear. A Northumbrian piper named Allan is said to have kept terriers of this description for hunting the otter, but they were then known under the name of Rodberry or Rothburry. The weight of evidence seems to suggest that Dandies and Bedlingtons had a common origin, and the first Bedlington known as such belonged to a man named Ainsley in 1825. The present -day dog, we are told, has not changed much in character, except possibly that he is somewhat taller and heavier, but he is still lathy and flat -ribbed. The usual colour is dark blue, liver, or sandy, or either of these colours with tan markings, and a well-known breeder tells me that to get a satisfactory colour it is best to breed a blue bitch and a liver dog together, or the other way about. The standard of the Bedlington Terrier is as follows : SKULL. — Narrow, but deep and rounded ; high at occiput, and covered with a nice silky tuft or top- knot. JAW. — Long, tapering, sharp, and muscular ; as little stop as possible between the eyes, so as to THE BEDLINGTON 131 form nearly a line from tKe 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, &c., light brown eye. NOSE. — Large, well-angled. Blues and blue and tan 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 point, slightly feathered on lower side, 9 inches to 1 1 inches 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 sides. COLOUR. — Dark blue, blue and tan, liver, liver and tan, sandy, sandy and tan. HEIGHT. — About 15 or 16 inches. WEIGHT. — Dogs about 24 lb., bitches about 22 lb. GENERAL APPEARANCE. — He is a light made-up, lathy dog, but not shelly. CHAPTER XXVII THE BULL TERRIER THE Bull Terrier has passed through more vicis- situdes than the majority of our domestic dogs. For some reason or other he has never really caught on with the general public, although his magnificent courage and fidelity entitle him to our respect. No doubt early associations still linger round his name, and people do not readily forget the part played by him in dog-fighting and badger-baiting. His appearance, too, is not altogether aristocratic. His birth probably dates back to the end of the eighteenth century, when Taplin mentioned that " terriers have by the lower classes for the purpose of badger-bait- ing been bred in and with the Bulldog, which has enlarged them arid increased their natural ferocity." Sir Walter Scott once said : " The cleverest dog I ever had was what is called a Bulldog Terrier. I taught him to understand a great many words, inso- much that I am positive the communication between the canine species and ourselves might be greatly enlarged. ' Camp/ the name of my dog, once bit the baker when bringing bread to the family. I beat him and explained the enormity of the offence, after, which to the last moment of his life he never 132 Mr. J. Deane Willis's Bedlington Terrier*,. Champions " Benwell Rose," "Breakwater Fashion," and " Rory O'More." (Page 129. Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Monk's Bull Terrier, Champion " Bloomsbury Rex," one of the best of his day. (Page 132 ) THE BULL TERRIER 133 heard the least allusion to the story without creep- ing into the darkest corner of the room. Towards the end of his life, when he was unable to attend me while I was on horseback, he generally watched for my return, and when the servant used to tell him his master was coming down the hill or through the moor, although he did not use any gesture to explain his meaning, ' Camp * was never known to mistake him, but either went out at the front to go up the hill or. at the back to get down to the; moorside." With the introduction of dog shows, the Bull Terrier gradually assumed a more refined appear- ance, without in any way losing that suggestion of strength and agility so much associated with the breed. The old pied-brindle, or brindle and white dogs have now given place to one that is wholly white. When the Kennel Club abolished the brutal practice of cropping, it was generally felt that the Bull Terrier had received his death blow, for the smart, erect ear had so long been considered one of his prominent features, giving the clean look to the head, that any other form of ear seemed un- thinkable. Happily, however, his admirers became reconciled to the new state of things, and at once set about breeding as shapely an ear as possible. Their efforts have been attended with a considerable measure of success, and we still see large and well- filled classes at the principal dog shows. He has this advantage over other terriers, that his coat is easily kept clean, being so close and fine, and there is no question of any faking and trimming such as we have with the broken -haired varieties. I remember once reading a good story concerning 134 THE BULL TERRIER one of these dogs that will well bear repeating. A City man living in the country was in the habit of driving to the station daily, a Dalmatian running behind his dogcart. At one point of the journey a savage retriever belonging to a publican would rush out and roll over the carriage dog in an ignominious manner. The owner confided his trouble one day to a Bull Terrier man, who promised to teach the quarrelsome dog a salutary lesson, and he did it in this way. Artistic spots were put upon the Terrier, who accompanied the man to the station next morning. When the retriever set about his usual diversion, he found that he had literally caught a tartar, the Bull Terrier giving him such a dressing down that for ever afterwards he beat a judicious retreat when the Dalmatian passed. The Bull Terrier Club's standard is as follows : GENERAL APPEARANCE.— The general appearance of the Bull Terrier is that of a symmetrical animal, an embodiment of agility, grace, elegance, and determination. HEAD. — The heacj should be long, flat, and wide between the ears, tapering to the nose, without cheek muscles. There should be a slight inden- tation 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. Eyes 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 " pig- jaw," or being " under-hung," is a great fault. EARS. — Cropped dogs cannot win a prize at shows held under Kennel Club Rules if born after March THE BULL TE&RIER 135 31, 1895. The ear to breed for as settled by this Club is a small semi-erect ear, but other ears do not disqualify. NECK. — The neck should be long and slightly arched, nicely set in the shoulders, tapering to the head without any loose skin as found in the Bull- dog. SHOULDERS. — The shoulders should be strong, muscular, and slanting, the chest wide and deep, with ribs well rounded. BACK. — The back 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, not out at shoulder, but set on the racing lines, and very strong on the pastern joints. The hindlegs are long, and, in proportion to the forelegs, muscular, with good strong, straight hocks, well let down near the ground. FEET. — The feet more resemble those of a cat than a hare. COLOUR. — Colour should be white. COAT. — Short, close, and stiff to the touch, with a fine gloss. TAIL. — The tail should be short in proportion to the size of the dog, set on very low down, thick where it joins the body, and tapering to a fine point. It should be carried at an angle of about 45 degrees without curl, and never over the back. WEIGHT.— From 15 to 60 lb. CHAPTER XXVIII THE DANDIE DINMONT EVERY reader of " Guy Mannering " knows whence this terrier derived his name. The great novelist, like the good sportsman he was, would have his terriers workers. What did Dandie Dinmont say when he heard of one whose education had been somewhat neglected? •" Ay, sir, that is a pity, begging your pardon — it is a great pity that ; beast or body, education should aye be minded. I have six terriers at hame, forbye twa couple of slow hounds, five grews, and a wheen other dogs. There's auld Pepper and auld Mustard, and young Pepper and young Mustard, and little Pepper and little Mustard. I had them a' regularly entered^ first wi' rottens, then wi' stots or weasels, and then wi' the tods and brocks, and now they fear naething that ever cam* wi' a hairy skin on't." Although Sir Walter Scott tells us in his notes to " Guy Mannering " that the character of Dandie Dinmont was a composite one, and not a portrait, most people persist in associating this personage with James Davidson, of Hindlee, and this inference is further strengthened by Sir Walter's remarks that Davidson had the humour of naming a race of 136 Mr. Charles Viccars' West Highland White Terrier, Champion " Kiltie. Of true terrier character and expression, he is perfect in body, with heavy bone, and the best of legs and feet. (Page 155.) Mrs. Simpson Shaw's Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Champion " Alpin Viceroy," a good little Dandie in every respect. (Photo Thos. Fall.) (Page 136.) THE DANDIE DINMONT 137 Terriers which he possessed by the generic names of Mustard and Pepper, according as to whether their colour was yellow or greyish black. So closely, too, was Davidson identified with the name of Dandle Dinmont, that a letter addressed to the latter by an English lady desiring to possess some of the terriers was safely delivered to him. The Dandie is a thoroughly game little dog, and by what crosses he was produced as we now know him matters very little. Some say that very many years ago a brindled Bull Terrier was used, but whether that be true or not, the present type has been fixed for a considerable period. Mr. David- son died nearly one hundred years ago, but that is not too long for him to have been known by persons surviving within comparatively recent years, and one of these gentlemen told the readers of the Field that he had two varieties of terriers, one large and leggy, the other small and with short legs, and that it was only the latter to which he would allow the nomenclature of Dandie Dinmont. The present Dandie is a quaint -looking little dog, with many likeable qualities, and he is a faithful friend, be- coming much attached to his owner. Although small, he is far from being a toy. The following scale of points provided by the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club is slightly abbreviated, but none of the essential features are omitted. HEAD. — Strongly made and large, not out of pro- portion to the dog's size, the muscles showing extraordinary development, more especially the maxillary. Skull broad between the ears, getting gradually less towards the eyes, and measuring about the same from the inner corner of the eye to back 138 THE DANDIE DINMONT of skull as it does from ear to ear. The forehead well domed. The head is covered with very soft, silky hair, which should not be confined to a mere topknot, and the lighter in colour and silkier it is the better. The cheeks, starting from the ears pro- portionately with the skull, have a gradual taper towards the muzzle, which is deep and strongly made, and measures about 3 inches in length, or in pro- portion to skull as 3 is to 5.; The muzzle is covered with hair of a little darker shade than the topknot, and of the same texture as the feather of the fore- legs. The top of the muzzle is generally bare for about an inch from the back part of the nose, the bareness coming to a point towards the eye, and being about i inch broad at the nose. The nose and inside of mouth black or dark -coloured. The teeth very strong, especially the canine, which are of extraordinary size for such a small dog". EYES. — Set wide apart, large, full, round, bright, expressive of great determination, intelligence, and dignity ; set low and prominent in front of the head ; colour a rich dark hazel. EARS. — Pendulous, set well back, wide apart, and low pn the skull, hanging close to the cheek, with a very slight projection at the base, broad at the junction of the head and tapering almost to a point, the fore part of the ear coming almost straight down from its junction with the head to the tip. They should harmonise in colour with the body colour. In the case of a Pepper dog they are covered with a soft, straight brownish hair (in some cases almost black). In the case of a Mustard dog the hair should be mustard in colour, a shade darker than the body, but not black. All should have a thin THE DANDIE DINMONT 139 feather of light hair starting about 2 inches from the tip, and of nearly the same colour and texture as the topknot, which gives the ear the appearance of a distinct point. The animal is often one or two years old before the feather is shown. NECK. — Very muscular, well -developed, and strong, showing great power of resistance, being well set into the shoulders. BODY. — Long, strong, and flexible ; ribs well sprung and round, chest well developed, and let well down between the forelegs ; the back rather low at the shoulder, having a slight downward curve and a corresponding arch over the loins, with a very slight gradual drop from top of loins to root of tail ; both sides of backbone well supplied with muscle. TAIL. — Rather short, say from 8 inches to 10 inches, and covered on the upper side with wiry hair of darker colour than that of the body, the hair on the under side being lighter in colour and not so wiry, with nice feather about 2 inches long, getting shorter as it nears the tip. It should not be twisted or curled in any way, but should come up with a curve like a scimitar, the tip, when excited, being in a perpendicular line with the root of the tail. LEGS. — The forelegs short, with immense muscular development and bone, set wide apart, the chest coming well down between them. The feet well formed, and not flat, with very strong brown or dark- coloured claws. Bandy legs and flat feet are (objectionable. The hair on the forelegs and feet of a Pepper dog should be tan, varying according to the body colour from a rich tan to a pale fawn ; of a Mustard dog they are of a darker shade than 140 THE DANDIE DINMONT its head, which is a creamy white. In both colours there is a nice feather, about 2 inches long, rather lighter in colour than the hair on the fore part of the leg. The hindlegs are a little longer than the fore ones, and are set rather wide apart, but not spread out in an unnatural manner, while the feet are much smaller ; the thighs are well developed, and the hair of the same colour and texture as the fore ones, but having no feather or dew claws. COAT. — This is a very important point; the hair should be about 2 inches long ; that from skull to root of tail a mixture of hardish and soft hair, which gives a sort of crisp feel to the hand. The hard should not be wiry ; the coat is what is termed pily or pencilled. The hair on the under part of the body is lighter in colour and softer than on the top. The skin on the belly accords with the colour of dog. COLOUR. — The colour is pepper or mustard. The Pepper ranges from a dark bluish black to a light silvery grey, the intermediate shades being pre- ferred, the body colour coming well down the shoulder and hips, gradually merging into the leg colour. The Mustards vary from a reddish brown to a pale fawn, the head being a creamy white, the legs and feet of a shade darker than the head. SIZE. — The height should be from 8 to 1 1 inches at the top of shoulder. Length from top of shoulder to root of tail should not be more than twice the dog's height, but preferably i or 2 inches less. WEIGHT. — From 14 Ib. to 24 Ib. ; the best weight as near 18 lh>. as possible. These weights are for dogs in good working condition. CHAPTER XXIX THE SCOTTISH TERRIER IN the Highlands of Scotland, where hunting in the ordinary sense known in England is quite out of the question, the fox is apt to become a nuisance, and it is necessary to keep him within reasonable bounds. For this purpose the Scottish Terrier is largely em- ployed, the shape of his body well fitting him for arduous work among the rocky cairns. The terriers seek Reynard in his fastnesses, and evict him there- from, so that he may be shot. The little Scottie is a brave worker, ready for any emergency, and quite prepared to go for an otter in the water. He was used in his own country many years before South Country people looked upon him and decided that he was good. With our usual acquisitiveness we were prompt to recognise his many merits, and now no representative show would be quite complete without well-filled classes devoted to this particular breed. Possibly our efforts may not have met with universal commendation, as the great length of head for which we breed is a wide departure from the original type. The more temperate climate of the south, too, has, no doubt, had a certain effect upon the texture of the coats, although it is the endeavour 141 142 THE SCOTTISH TERRIER of every breeder still to produce hair that is intensely hard and wiry. Unfortunately, this is not always obtained naturally, and when the coat exceeds ortho- dox length the art of the trimmer may be called into requisition. Upon this point Mr. J. N. Reynard, writing in the Kennel Gazette, in 1901, said : '* I would specially direct the attention of exhibitors to and caution them against trimming, and to the custom which has of late become common with some, of training the hair which grows on the muzzle to stick straight out, under the mistaken idea that it gives the dog an appearance of strength ; instead of which it takes away one of the principal characteristics of a Scot. The club standard says distinctly : ' Muzzle gradually tapering towards the nose . . . though the nose projects somewhat over the mouth and gives the impression of the upper jaw being longer than the under one/ Now how can this be when the dog appears with a muzzle closely resembling the brush with which our grand- mothers cleaned the globes of their oil lamps? I would advise exhibitors to stick to the standard as drawn up by old-time fanciers, and not follow the example of those who engage a tonsorial artist to prepare their dogs for exhibition." I fear that since the above criticism was written things have not mended materially as regards the trimming question. Mr. W. L. McCandlish, one of our foremost authorities, said in January, 1908, in the same organ : " Coats show no sign of im- provement, and are distinctly bad. It is difficult to name any well-known terrier with the proper harsh, broken jacket and the short, dense overcoat. There is a tendency for the dogs to become puny THE SCOTTISH TERRIER 143 and toyish, probably the result of indiscriminate con- demnation of over-sized dogs. In the practical sphere of breeding size is found to be hereditary to a very minute extent, and can always be checked by selection. If exhibition is to assist improvement, then dogs which seem likely to do so should have faults forgiven whose hereditary influence is neglig- ible, rather than that dogs be encouraged which are of no earthly use to future generations ; and fine -boned, stomachless dogs are of as much value to the breeder as mongrels — probably less so. It must not be inferred that big dogs are to be unduly countenanced, but big dogs with bone and masculine character are preferable to boneless monkeys -on-a- stick. We all want the small-sized dog with bone and stamina, but we have not many of him, and we are more likely to obtain him through dogs with bone, if over big, than through small dogs with not enough bone. This bone we talk and write about is in reality big ligaments and muscle, for the actual bone as seen in a skeleton hardly differs perceptibly between one dog and another, therefore the so-called bone is merely a visible sign of strength." This reads like exacting criticism, and Mr. McCandlish somewhat mitigates his condemnation by remarking that dogs may be no worse than they were, and are possibly better ; it may only be that one grows more critical the more one learns, but it is this sense of dissatisfaction that makes a successful breeder. In former times undue length of body was a some- what prominent defect, and ears were much heavier than they are to-day. To this latter reason in all probability may be attributed the recognition in the standard of a half-pricked ear, which is now rarely 144 THE SCOTTISH TERRIER seen. Of course the bigger we have this organ the more likely would it be to drop at the top. The following is the standard aimed at by breeders : SKULL'. — Proportionately long, slightly domed, and covered with short, hard hair, about f inch 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 jaws should be perfectly level and the teeth square, though the nose projects some- what over the mouth, which gives the impression of the upper jaw being longer than the under 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. NECK. — 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 Scottish Terrier should not be out at elbows. The hocks should be bent and the thighs very muscular, THE SCOTTISH TERRIER 145 and the feet strong, small, and thickly covered with short hair, the forefeet being larger than the hind ones. TAIL. — The tail should be about 7 inches long, never docked, carried with a slight bend, and often gaily. COAT. — Should be rather short (about 2 inches), intensely hard and wiry in texture, and very dense all over the body. SIZE. — From 115 to 20 Ib:; the best weight being as near as possible 18 Ib. for dogs, and ,16 Ib. for bitches, when in condition for work. COLOUR. — Steel or iron grey, black brindle, brown brindle, grey brindle, black, sandy, and wheaten. White markings are objectionable, and can only be allowed on the chest and to a small extent. 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 hindquarters. In fact, a Scottish Terrier, though essentially a terrier, cannot be too powerfully put together, and should be from about 9 inches to> J2 inches in height* SPECIAL FAULTS MUZZLE. — Either under- or over-hung. EYES. — Large or light coloured. EARS. — Large, round at the points, or drop. It is also a fault if they are too heavily covered with hair. Book of the Dog. 146 THE SCOTTISH TERRIER LEGS. — Bent, or slightly bent, and out at elbows. COAT.— Any silkiness, wave, or tendency to curl is a serious blemish, as is also an open coat. SIZE. — Specimens of over 20 Ib. should be dis- couraged. M* a u c «; II! O rt ~o CHAPTER XXX THE SKYE TERRIER MOST readers are doubtless familiar witK the appear- ance of the Skye Terrier, his low body and abnormal length of coat making him sufficiently distinctive to be noticeable in any company. It is a favourite gibe of little boys to ask which is his head and which his tail, a jest to which Mr. Punch at one time gave pictorial representation. It is more or less idle speculation to inquire whether the Skye or the Scottish Terrier is the aboriginal variety, but it may be mentioned that many of the older writers speak of a long-haired dog which was probably the pro- genitor of the former. It needs no stretch of imagination to assume that two strains may have existed side by side, the shorter haired one being kept for his working properties, and the other being made more or less a household favourite. A reason- able supposition has been advanced that when the Spanish Armada was destroyed there were preserved from ships wrecked on the western islands long- coated Spanish dogs which were inter -bred with the native race. There is also a suggestion that the " Iseland Dogges " mentioned by Dr. Caius were the forerunners of our Skyes. The profuse coat of the 147 148 THE SKYE TERRIER modern Skye Terrier must be a bar to his useful- ness as a working dog ; but he has still plenty of pluck, and is capable of forming a great attach- ment to his owners. Mr. Thomson Gray, who was regarded as a foremost authority upon the different varieties of Scottish Terriers, considered that the show Skye would be of no use for the work to which these dogs are put on the island — i.e., hunting the fox from the cairns. He did not think that any •cross was required to bring out the points of the present show dog, nor in his opinion had there been any admixture of foreign blood. He would not have it that the show Skye is entitled to be known as a working dog, but as pets and companions he declared them to be everything that one could wish. As much emphasis is laid upon the value of the coat, it follows that the maintenance of a kennel of show Skyes entails much work and attention, and, even kept singly as a pet, the daily grooming must not be neglected, otherwise the hair will become matted and in bad condition. The best kennels are owned by ladies, who, when they once take up a hobby, pursue it with great thoroughness, no trouble being too much for them. Apropos of the origin of the Skye Terrier, it is interesting to note that in some correspondence in the specialist press in 1894, one of the writers insisted that they were lowlanders, and questioned the foundation for the claim to Highland descent on behalf of these Lowthian dogs. To this a gentleman from Haddington retorted that "I, as the original possessor of the strain, have maintained the genuine true old breed as they were handed down to me, being descendants of those that came direct from THE SKYE TERRIER 149 McLeod of McLeod in the Island of Skye." The heated controversy at that period as to which was the correct type induced one prominent lady breeder to disperse her kennel. In the succeeding chapter I shall take occasion to refer to the short-haired Skye Terrier, which has come much into prominence during the last year or two. The following is the standard laid down by the Skye Terrier Club of Scotland : HEAD. — Long, with powerful jaws, and incisor 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 pendant. When prick, not large, erect at outer edges, and slanting towards each other at inner, from peak to skull. When pendant, 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 forwards. COAT. — Double. An under, short, close, soft, and woolly. An over, long — averaging 5J- inches — hard, straight, flat, and free from crisp or curl. Hair on 150 THE SKYE TERRIER 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. AVERAGE MEASURE. — Dog : Height at shoulder, 9 inches ; length back of skull to root of tail, 22j inches ; length muzzle to back of skull, 8J inches ; length root of tail to tip joint, 9 inches ; total length, 40 inches. Bitch : Half an inch lower, and 2.\ inches shorter than dog, all parts pro- portional ; thus, body 21 inches, head 8 inches, and tail 8f inches ; total 37 \ inches. AVERAGE WEIGHT.— Dog 18 lb., bitch 16 lb'. No dog should be over 20 lb. nor under 16 lb., and no bitch should be over 18 lb. nor under 14 lb. Mr. J. Deane Willis's Scottish Terriers, Champions u Seafield Blossom," '''Carter Laddie," and ''Bonaccord Nora" (on the seat), " Huntley Daisy " and " Bayning Kiss." (Page 141.) Mrs. Alastair Campbell's short-coated Skye Terriers, " MacLeod of MacLeod" and "Roy Mohr." These little dogs have recently excited much controversy. (Photo TIios. Fall.) CHAPTER XXXI THE SHORT-HAIRED SKYE TERRIER MANY people will probably take me to task for in- cluding such a chapter as the above in this book, but there has been so much controversy about the short -coated Skye Terrier that it is interesting to place the facts upon record, and give photographs and particulars of a breed which, though far from new, has been little talked about until the present year of grace. This is curious, to say the least of it, for the terriers that we have seen have quite as much to commend them as the Scottish, or the long- coated Skye. Their appearance is not strikingly un- familiar, because they follow more or less upon the lines of the other short -legged varieties indigenous to Scotland. Their presence on the show bench has been resented by some of the votaries of the long- haired Skye, but there seems to be quite sufficient evidence to support the assertion that they have been in existence as a distinct breed for a very con- siderable period. Whether or no they are the original terrier of Skye is entirely another matter, and I for one should hesitate to express an opinion. I can, however, serve as a vehicle for conveying the views of others. Mr. L. P. C. Astley assigns to 151 152 THE SHORT-HAIRED SKYE TERRIER them pride of place, saying that twenty years ago he judged classes of them in the North of Scotland, and that there is a breed now kept by the factor of one 0f the landowners in the Island of Skye which represents the true terrier, and this is not a long-haired animal at all. Mr. Astley further thinks that the more familiar Skye, as well as the Scottish Terrier, are descended from these dogs. Mr. A. R. Macdonald, of Waternish, Skye, says that to his know- ledge this breed has been in his own family for upwards of eighty years, but how long prior to that is a matter of uncertainty. His grandfather kept them chiefly for otter-hunting along the Skye coast, where the otters tal$e up their abodes in the large cairns at the base of the precipitous cliffs. His late uncle, Captain Macdonald, of Waternish, who was born in Skye in 1823, kept one of the best packs of short-haired Skyes in the island. He always main- tained that they were the real thing, and that the long-haired breed were not, but were the descendants of a Maltese Terrier and a Poodle. From a literary point of view it is interesting to note that this gentle- man's grandmother on the paternal side was a daughter of Mackinnon of Carryatachan, who enter- tained Dr. Johnson and Boswell in 1773. As has been alluded to in the previous chapter, there was a long correspondence in the old Stock Keeper in 1894-5, when the question of Skye type occasioned much diversity of opinion. Mr. James Pratt sent to this paper a sketch copied from a water-coloured drawing by Mr. Alfred Strutt of the old Skye Terrier bitch, Dunvegan. She was kept by McLeod of McLeod, and as she won a first prize at the Birmingham Dog Show in 1871, she evidently THE SHORT-HAIRED SKYE TERRIER 153 passed muster in those days. This bitch was a broken-haired little terrier, but with a coat inches shorter than that of the modern Skye. Her eyes were easily discernible, and she had semi -erect ears. Mrs. Alastair Campbell of Ardrishaig, Argyll, who has been responsible for. introducing these little terriers to our notice, sends me the following letter about them, dated June 2, 1909, and I cannot do better than finish this chapter by quoting what she has to say. The photograph reproduced will give one a good idea of the make and shape of the dogs. •" These old cairn terriers have been mentioned as being hunted with in Skye in the sixteenth century. The present breeders trace back for eighty years in Skye. The best known kennels are the Drynoch, owned and hunted by the late Captain McLeod of Drynoch ; from these come those I exhibit. The late Captain Macdonald, of Waternish, had a celebrated pack ; the present laird still keeps them. From both these come the best terriers in Skye and else- where. The Kilbride, kept by the late Dr. Mackin- non, have died out. On the west coast were the Roseneath and Poltalloch ; I hear from the Duke of Argyll that the former also are no more. The latter are now all white. In nature they are very active, their movements free and swift. They can climb like cats over rocks and cairns, and if caught in these, even after two days will come out lively. Those who use them for hunting say that they prefer the lighter dog for bolting, and they often kill well both otter and fox. The points are : Legs low and light in bone ; the sinews should be strong, and the dog should stand rather forward on forelegs. The fore paws must be larger than the hind, but neither 154 THE SHORT-HAIRED SKYE TERRIER large, with black pads arid thick nails ; tail not too long nor too bushy, and must not curl over back. The coat in perfection should be from two to three inches long, of fine wire hair with soft undercoat ; in colour from cream, red, and grey brindled to nearly black. The head is small and well set on to strong neck ; face resembling a fox, eyes wide apart, with dark hair round. Forehead rather broad. The ears in old terriers were drop, but for over twenty -five years they have been both drop and prick eared ; though some consider semi -erect ears correct I do not care for them. The body should have straight back, deep chest, and should be light and active. Jaw shortish, with strong, large teeth ; black nose, and black roof to mouth. In weight dogs are 14 Ib. to 17 Ib., bitches 12 Ib. to 14 Ib. The names of those who breed or keep these terriers are — McLeod, of McLeod ; Mr. Macdonald, of Waternish ; Sir Samuel Scott ; the Hon. Mary and the Hon. Alice Hawke ; (Lord Hawke won with one of these at Cruft's in a class called Roseneath Terriers) ; the Hon. Mrs. Tew; Mrs. H. Macdonald; Mr. Colin Young ; Mrs. Young (successful exhibitor in the sixties) ; Mrs. Wilbraham ; Mrs. Omerod ; Major Kemble ; Mr. Macdonald ; Mr. Neil Nicolson ; Colonel and Mrs. Alastair Campbell. The points are decided by members of a club we are forming to keep to the old type, also to help to get them regis- tered as a separate class ; they admit them as a breed, but there are so many types of Scottish breeds now that the difficulty is to find room for the oldest one. Our chief aim is to keep them free from modern Scottish type. These old terriers are also to be found in the Uists and the Isle of Harris, where Sir Samuel Scott has good ones.21 CHAPTER XXXII THE WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER To Scotland belongs the honour of having provided us with various breeds of short-legged terriers, all of which are now enjoying a considerable popularity, thanks to certain generic qualities which seem to be found in all. They are thoroughly game, loyal to a degree, and therefore in every way most desirable companions. The West Highland White Terriers, although known for generations, have, strangely enough, only come into prominence at quite a recent period. The first reference that I find to them in the Kennel press was in 1895, when they were described as White Scottish Terriers. There is not the slightest doubt, however, that they existed long before this, and some authorities consider them to have been the descendants of the old Skye Terrier. Mr. John Macdonald, of Portree, can recall these dogs from the year 1858. This statement has led to a con- siderable controversy, Mr. James Mackintosh declar- ing that the first West Highland White Terrier which he set eyes upon was bred by him in June, 1889, and with time, patience, and a little judgment, he succeeded in breeding more than one specimen fit to rank side by side with the champions qf the present 155 156 THE WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER day. Colonel Malcolm, of Polt'alloch, has for long kept a strain of terriers similar to these, and I see that Captain Keene is credited in one of the dog books with also having bred some of these white dogs. Perhaps in the interest of the breed it is as well to place on record how this came about. I have before me a letter from Captain Keene, dated in 1895, in which he speaks of his efforts to produce terriers with white markings, as he considered them more easily distinguishable. To achieve this object he began crossing Scottish Terriers with Wire-haired Fox Terriers, but without success, the puppies always following the Scottish parents in type and colour, a little white only occasionally appearing at the ex- tremities of the feet and tail, and sometimes on the chest. One day, however, he read of a white Scottish Terrier being exhibited at Ayr, which shows that the dog was then in existence, and he at once pur- chased her. Breeding her to the Scottish Terriers, he only succeeded in obtaining dark brindle or black puppies, so he put her to one of his half-bVed dogs by a Fox Terrier. Again the puppies were brindles and blacks. Eventually he bred her to one of her own sons by the half-bred dog, with the result that four white puppies appeared. Possibly it is one of these that is recorded as having been shown in England. I am merely giving this to show how a white Scottish Terrier bred by Captain Keene may be accounted for, and not because I consider it has had any appreciable effect in establishing the West Highland White Terriers as they now exist. These terriers must not be confused with the Scottish, as they are of a distinct type, and should not be judged on the same lines. They are smaller THE WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER 157 and more active, arid Being somewhat longer on trie leg, they look shorter in the back. The muzzle is not so long as the Scottie's, and the skull is broader, with a more pronounced stop. The eyes, too, are larger, and set wide apart. The harsh coat is longer, and is shaggy. They have a very alert appearance, with very short prick ears and gaily carried stern, and they look quite equal to the task of tackling a fox or badger. CHAPTER XXXIII THE CLYDESDALE TERRIER SUPERFICIALLY the Clydesdale Terrier looks very much like his hardier brother the Skye, but he must be regarded merely as a pet, and the Kennel Club classifies him among the non-sporting varieties. [The coat, however, is longer than that of the Skye, and is of a more silky texture, in colour very much resembling Yorkshire Terriers, which have probably a good deal of his blood in them. Mr. Robert Leighton, writing in the Kennel Gazette of January, 1908, says: "A retrogression rather than an advance must be recorded of the Clydesdale. One wonders why it is that this beautiful and com- panionable terrier fails to become popular tieyond the prescribed locality, from which its name is derived. The breed is supposed to be difficult to rear and to maintain in creditable condition, and the circumstances that the colour and texture of the coat represents 50 per cent, in the scale of points for judging no doubt presents a; serious obstacle to those who have not mastered the art of cultivating a long and silky jacket, with the desired combina- tion of steel-blue and tan colour. But the Clydesdale ought not to be more troublesome to keep in show 158 THE CLYDESDALE TERRIER 159 form than is his relative the Yorkshire Terrier, and certainly there are few breeds more elegantly decora- tive. Yet it does not gain favour. Round about Glasgow, Renfrew, and Paisley many good specimens are kept, but south of the Tweed it is seldom seen in perfection, and I believe I do not err in stating that during the past two years no single example has been exhibited in any show in England."- A comparison of the coat with that of the Skye shows a fundamental difference, not only as to the silkiness of texture referred to, but the body colour has to be a bright steel-blue, while on the head, legs, and feet is a bright golden tan. The standard of the Skye and Clydesdale Terrier Club gives the following description : 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 ex- tending 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 pro- minent, but having a sharp, terrier-like expression,. Eyelids black. EARS.— Small, set very higK 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. 160 THE CLYDESDALE TERRIER 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 catlike. COAT. — As long and straight as possible, free from all trace of curl or waviness7; 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. Messrs. O. and H. T. Walters's Irish Terrier, Champion " Beauty's Boy." Long lean head, and great jaw power. Front, neck, and shoulders of the best. (Photo Hedges.) (Page 161.) Messrs. Mills and Buckley's Airedale Terrier, Champion " Clonmel Terror," a good terrier all through. (Page 126.) CHAPTER XXXIV THE IRISH TERRIER THE Irish' Terrier has many of the virtues of his human compatriots £ full of fire and courage, with a great heart, ready to tackle anything, he has well earned the sobriquet of " Dare Devil.'1 A better companion no man or woman could desire. His wants are few, and he gives generously in return for, any little consideration. Blessed with a hardy con- stitution, he is perfectly happy anywhere and under any conditions, and, although he is not in the habit of seeking quarrels, he can well hold his own when one is forced upon him by some foolish creature who does not know the prowess of his antagonist. He is, of course, too long in leg and altogether too large for going to earth after a fox or, badger, although he is quite game enough to tackle Brock when occasion serves. A terrier puppy is much more easily reared than one of the larger varieties, and there is not so much danger in turning him out to walk;*; he will almost bring himself up. The dog has been known in Ireland for many; years as a sportsman, but it is only during the last two or three decades that he began to make headway in this country. We now find large numbers benched Book of the Dog. 161 162 THE IRISH TERRIER at any of the leading shows. The most desirable weight is 24 Ib. for a dog and 22 Ib. for a bitch, but I imagine that this is often exceeded by show specimens. The colour most preferred is bright red, red, wheaten, or yellow-red. White is not liked on the chest or feet, but it is less objectionable on the former. The head is long, with a flat skull, rather narrow between the ears, and getting slightly narrower; still towards the eye. The stop is hardly visible except in profile. The jaw must be strong and muscular, not too full in the cheek, but of a good punishing length. The teeth, of course, should be strong and level. Eyes a dark hazel colour, small, not prominent, and full of life, fire, and intelligence. The 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. The neck should be of a fair length and gradually widening towards the shoulders, well carried, an'd free from throatiness. Shoulders must be fine, long, and sloping well into the back^ the chest must be deep and muscular, but neither full nor wide$ the back, moderately long, should be strong and straight, with no slackness behind the shoulders"; the loin broad and powerful, and slightly arched;; ribs fairly strong, rather deep than round, and well ribbed back. The hindquarters should be strong and muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks near the ground, stifles moderately bent. The stern should be carried gaily, and not over, the back. The feet should be strong, tolerably round, and moderately small. Legs moderately long, well set from the shoulders, aiid perfectly straight, with plenty of bone THE IRISH TERRIER 163 and muscle. The coat is hard and wiry, free from softness, straight and flat, with no shagginess. In general appearance the dog should be active, lithe, and wiry, with lots of substance, but free from clumsiness. He should be neither cloddy nor cobby, but framed on the lines of speed. Concerning temperament, the Irish Terrier, Club standard says : "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, caressing, 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 that they have the courage of a lion, and will fight until 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. Ji CHAPTER XXXV, THE WELSH TERRIER! THE Welsh" Terrier is about the only dog that really belongs to the Principality, and in spite of that, in the early days of his existence — or, at any rate, when he first began to come into prominence — we were greedy enough to try and make out that he was only the old English Wire-haired Black and Tan Terrier. The claims of the Welshmen have since been well substantiated, and no one now would seek to deprive them of the honour of having given a very staunch, hardy terrier to the kingdom. They are capital house dogs, and have every bit as much claim on our, consideration as any other variety of terrier. The critical showman may find them somewhat too short in the head for his liking, and they are not invariably true in front, but these defects do not make them any the worse companions. Of recent years they have been much taken up in England, and are by no means entirely to be found in Wales, although throughout the little country there are many useful dogs and bitches to be seen in almost every town and village. With a little more careful selection on the part of the smaller owners the variety would un- doubtedly be vastly improved. Mr. Walter. S. Glynn, 164 Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Terriers, "Longmynd Pypyr" and " Longmynd Halen." (Pliuto Thos. Fall ) (Page 164.) Mrs. H. D. Greene's Welsh Terrier, Champion " Mr. Houdini." (Photo Thos. Fall.) (Page 164.) THE WELSH TERRIER 165 who owns a very fine kennel, says : " There are in reality not many dogs in Welsh Terriers that have not got some serious fault, such as coarseness all through, bad feet, bad shoulders and front, or a tendency to sire undershot puppies. Leave all such alone, is my humble advice, and look for the quality dog with a small eye and good front legs and feet ; coats one need not trouble much about, as a good coat seems to be fairly general throughout the breed. . . . There is a great opening in Welsh Terriers for any one who is lucky enough to breed a good dog:"; he would soon have him in the open class, for there is nothing much to beat below it. In bitches, However, he would meet probably with opposition throughout." This was written in 1901, since which time the breed has shown a consider- able forward movement, and exhibits have Keen of a distinctly higher quality. Quite a short time ago a number of different types were observable, but the old short heads and snipy muzzles have largely disappeared, although even now the critical would say that there is room for still further improvement in this respect. Legs and feet are much better than when Mr. Glynn wrote, but one occasionally still sees somewhat heavier ears than are desirable on a terrier. Rather over-sized specimens are also to be met with. As far as the head is concerned, the Wire-haired Fox Terrier is looked upon as a good standard at which to aim, and at one time some of the breeders crossed this dog with the Welshman. This was objected to by the purists, although one can scarcely follow them. The Fox Terrier strain should be eliminated in a few generations, and what remained would be practically 166 THE WELSH TERRIER the genuine article, with probably improved features. I jam not nearly so nervous about an outcross as some people are, for reasons that have been stated in earlier chapters. The points approved by the Welsh Terrier Club are 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 mascu- line 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 black1 colour. EARS. — The ears should be V-shaped, small, not too thin, set on fairly high, carried forward, and close to the cheek. EYES.— The eye should He small, not ftefng too deeply set in or protruding out of the skull, of a dark hazel colour, expressive, and indicating abundant pluck. NECK. — The neck should be of moderate length and thickness, slightly arched, and slopmg 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 Hack. The hindquarters should be strong, thighs muscular and of good length', with the hocks moderately straight, well let down, and fair amount of b'one. The stern should be set on moderately high, but not too gaily carried. LEGS AND FEET. — The legs should be straight and muscular, possessing a fair amount of bone, with upright and powerful pasterns. The feet should be small, round, and cat-like. THE WELSH TERRIER 167 COAT. — The coat should be wiry, Kar'd, 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 15 inches 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. CHAPTER XXXVI THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER IT seems almost useless to talk about tHe White English Terrier to-day, when the breed has nearly died out. The few specimens existing in the country could almost be enumerated within the dimensions of a very brief chapter. This is greatly to be regretted, as there seems absolutely no reason why this useful little dog should have fallen into such disfavour. " Stonehenge " says of him : " The smooth English Terrier is a very old breed, probably as old as any we have possessed, of a merry and active temperament, and gifted with a good nose. He is the model of a vermin dog where there is no badger or otter to attack, but for this he is scarcely fitted in power, and as a rule he will not face them at close quarters. Elegant and graceful in his outline, he shares with the Bull Terrier the patronage of young men, with whom his companionable qualities make him a favourite indoors as well as out. He may weigh from 6 Ib. to 10 lb\, or even 20 lb\, but provided he is large enough for his calling, he cannot be too small. It is an advantage to keep down the size of certain 168 THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER 169 dogs as much as possible, and we ought to consider that two small terriers will do more than double the work of one large dog, whilst they consume no more.'* The same authority also remarks that •"• the best colour is white, when used for ratting, as it is more easily distinguishable than any other, and there is the same advantage as to colour when the dog's services are required for rabbit-hunting. Smooth terriers may be found of other colours — yellow, yellow and white, houndpied, black, or fawn ; a beautiful blue or blue-fawn variety exists, said to be crossed with the Italian Greyhound. Brindle colour is a sign of Bulldog cross." Nowadays this terrier is pure white, and he. is quite a smart little dog, with a resemblance in some respects to a miniature edition of the Bull Terrier;; except for a slight difference in the head, he is built very much on the lines of the latter dog. Nowadays the Kennel Club classification only provides for the white dog, which suffers from the ignominy of being assigned to the non-sporting division. The following letter, addressed to the Kennel Club Committee in 1909 by Mr. David Paterson, is interesting : " Will you kindly bring to the notice of your Classification Committee the very unsatisfactory classification for English Terriers. All fanciers and breeders know well that it is quite possible to get four colours in a litter, viz., black and tan, blue and tan, chocolate and tan, and sometimes pure white. At present only the first and last named can be registered. The other two must be relegated to the variety class, which no breeder of pure pedigree stuff cares for. I think if you cannot make a separate class for blues and chocolates, your Committee might see 170 THE WHITE ENGLISH TERRIER their way to group all colours under ' English Terriers, any colours.' " The following standard was drawn up by the now defunct White English Terrier Club : 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, b'ut not weak. JAWS. — 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 hang- ing close to the head. NECK. — Light and graceful, rather long, slightly arched. SHOULDERS. — Sloping!; chest rather narrow but deep. BODY. — A little arched, with good back ribs. FORELEGS. — 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 20 Ib.^; 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. CHAPTER XXXVII THE SEALYHAM TERRIER WHEN I remarked that the Welsh Terrier was prac- tically; the only dog indigenous to the Principality, I had overlooked the newest addition to the Kennel Club Register, the Sealyham Terrier, which' is quite an outgrowth of the last few years, so far as public interest is concerned. As a matter of fact, though, he dates back some seventy years, when the late Captain Edwardes, of Sealyham, Pembrokeshire, first set about manufacturing a dog suitable for. tackling fox or otter, or for going to earth after the badger. These are essentially working terriers, and from the pictures one has seen of them it can scarcely be claimed that they come up to the show standard. They are short -legged, broken-haired dogs, usually all white, or a white body with lemon, brown, or badger -pied markings. The advent of a specialist club has led to breeders paying more attention to such essential points as straight legs and good feet, an ambition which seems very praiseworthy. No dog can be spoilt by breeders endeavouring to achieve these very desirable features. Indeed, we have a right to expect that the working terrier should be perfectly sound in front, and with good feet. It 171 172 THE SEALYHAM TERKIER is a common thing to find some nondescript animal excused for the imperfections he bears on the plea that he is a working dog, although he may be deficient in all the attributes that go to qualify him for such a proud appellation. The crooked-legged, wide- footed animal is certainly not as well qualified to withstand an arduous day's work as one that is properly equipped in these important respects. There is a happy medium between exaggerated points and absolute faults, and it is this, I imagine, that the Sealyham Terrier people are hoping to obtain. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. F. W. Lewis, the Sealy- ham Terrier Club assigns certificates of merit to terriers which have proved themselves to be staunch at badgers in their own earths. This, too, is the object which the Working Terrier Association has in mind, their certificates being granted by Masters of Hounds to dogs of assured worth. It would be interesting to know just how Captain Edwardes first produced his terriers, the crooked legs and short bodies frequently seen rather bearing out the belief that at some time or other he used a Dandie Dinmont. It seems more certain that he introduced a Bull Terrier cross. The points adopted by, the recently formed Sealy- ham Terrier Club are : HEAD. — The skull slightly domed, and wide between the ears. JAW. — Powerful and long, more punishing and square than that of the Fox Terrier. NOSE.— Black. TEETH. — Level and square, strong, and canines fitting well into each other, and long for size of dog. THE SEALYHAM TERRIER 173 EYES. — Set wide apart, round and large, of a dark brown or hazel colour. EARS. — Medium V-drop. NECK. — Fairly long, thick, and muscular, strongly set on sloping shoulders. CHEST. — Broad and deep, well let down between forelegs. BODY. — Long, and ribs well sprung, hindquarters very strong, body very flexible. LEGS AND FEET. — Legs short and straight as pos- sible, feet round and cat-like, with thick pads. STERN. — Carried gaily. COAT. — Long, hard, and wiry, inclined to be silky on top of head. COLOUR. — Mostly all white, or white, with lemon, brown, or badger-pied markings on head and ears. WEIGHT. — Dogs to weigh from 18 Ib. to 20 lb., bitches from 16 lb. to 18 lb'. HEIGHT. — To measure from 8 to 12 inches at the shoulder. FAULTS. — Eyes : Light-coloured or small. Nose : White, cherry, or spotted to a considerable extent with either of these colours. Ears : Prick, tulip, or rose. Colour : Much black objectionable. DISQUALIFYING POINTS.— Mouth : Much undershot or overshot. CHAPTER XXXVIII THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER IT is now some thirty years ago since some Antipo- dean enthusiasts started to produce a little terrier, which would be a useful, companionable dog, with a coat not too heavy for, a hot climate. At first things moved slowly, and it took about a, decade before results were achieved which satisfied the pioneers. Since then matters have advanced with such rapidity that at a recent Sydney show no fewer than 250 Australian Terriers were benched. This is £ truly remarkable record, and a; dog that has acquired so much popularity in the land of his origin calls for notice in this work. Mrs. J. R. Wood was the first to introduce the variety to this country in 1907, and, naturally, a good deal of interest was excited when they were first benched. They are lively, little creatures with plenty of fire and dash, standing on shortish legs which make the body appear longer than it really is. There is still some divergence in type, accountable for, by the fact that New South Wales and Victorian breeders dp not seem to have quite the same standard in mind. The dog liked by the latter is somewhat smaller, more vivacious, and prick-eared. The New South Wales dog is heavier 174 <••: : " Woodstock Wirree," one of Mrs. J. R. Wood's Australian Terriers which this lady recently introduced into this country. (Page 174.) Mrs. Scaramanga's Chow Chow, Champion " Red Craze," a beautiful specimen, showing the deep chest, heavy bone, broad skull, and small ears which are so typical. (Photo Thos. Fall.) (Page 236.} THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER 175 in coat, with1 large, limpid eyes, and is often drop- eared. " A much quieter but more lovable animal — ' softer,' I think ladies would call them/'- says Mrs. Wood. This lady adds : " To be useful they must be perfectly symmetrical in shape, hard as iron, bright, active. They are healthy little dogs, having no special disease after the puppy troubles j they are very hardy, naturally cleanly in their habits, affectionate, useful watch dogs, and ratters." The following- standard has been adopted by the New South Wales Australian Terrier Club : GENERAL APPEARANCE OF DOG.— Rather low set, compact, active, with good straight hair of wiry texture, coat from 2 to 2^ inches long. Weight over 8 and under 15 Ib. Average, 10 or n Ib. HEAD. — Long and bold. Flat skull, full between the eyes, with soft hair topknot ; long, powerful jaw. Teeth level'; nose black ; eyes small, keen, and of dark colour. EARS. — Small, set high on skull, pricked, or dropped towards the front, free from long hairs. Ears not tQ be cut since August, 1896. NECK. — Inclined to be long in proportion to the body, witK decided frill of hair. BODY.— Rather long in proportion to height ; well ribbed up?;; back straight ; tail docked. LEGS. — Forelegs perfectly straight, well set under the body, slight feather to the knee, clean feet, black toe-nails. Hind legs, good strong thighs, hocks slightly bent, feet small, well padded, jvith no tendency to spread. COLOUR. — First, blue or grey body, tan on legs and face, the richer, the better ; top-knot, blue or silver. Second, clear sandy or red. 176 THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER DISQUALIFYING POINTS. — Flesh-coloured nose. White toe-nails, white breasts, curly or. woolly coat, all black coat (puppies excepted). Uneven mouth will not altogether disqualify, but will be much against a dog. Jr, Mr. W. K. Taunton's Mastiff, Champion " Beaufort," a dog who left a great impress upon the breed in its best days. (Page 177.) Mrs. Charter's Old English Sheepdog, Champion "Brentwood County Girl." As the winner of about 500 prizes it may be inferred that this bitch is one of the best. She carries a very heavy coat. (Photo Thos. Fall.) (Page 225.). CHAPTER XXXIX THE MASTIFF WHEN the valiant Sir Peers Legh, of Lyme Hall, Cheshire, fell wounded at the Battle of Agincourt, the story runs that his body was guarded through the long night watches by a mastiff bitch which had fol- lowed him to the war. Lord Newton still has a strain at Lyme Hall, which, it is claimed, has come down in unbroken descent from the fifteenth century. This is perfectly credible, for the mastiff is undoubtedly one of the bluest-blooded dogs indigenous to these islands. The Romans found him established here when they arrived. It may be that the Phoenicians brought him from Asia, for we read in early records of the presence of enormous dogs in several Oriental countries, which were unquestionably of this type. The bas-reliefs in the Assyrian room at the British Museum give graphic depictments of dogs so like the mastiff of to-day that we may trace his begin- nings to them without any demand upon the imagina- tion. We can well believe that in troublous times, when property and person were alike insecure, a powerful animal of this description would be a valuable asset to any man. In the days of the Normans and Plantagenets the strict laws preserving Book of the Dog. 177 178 THE MASTIFF forest rights permitted farmers and freeholders to keep mastiffs for the defence of their houses within the borders of a forest provided they had been mutilated by the amputation of three claws from the forefeet, which would render, them useless for chasing game. Coming to the past century, when a great impetus was given to the variety, we find a fine tribute in the pages of " Stonehenge " : " The mastiff is remarkable for the combination of his general de- velopment. The conformation of the head bespeaks an unusual brain power, which is under admirable control. He is a creature of strong and sincere attachment to man, endowed with a wonderful power of discrimination and true nobility of character, all of which he freely exercises in the interests of those for whom alone he seems to live. He is by nature docile ^nd gentle to a fault. He lays aside his giant strength to unite in the gambols of the child with the same spirit of tenderness and grace. If his conduct be otherwise, it bespeaks his origin in the mongrel or nondescript races. . . . *The well- bred mastiff allies himself to man as his friend, to whom he becomes the closest companion, and serves him with the truest devotion and sincerity. This animal should not be subjected to the restraint of the chain ; if he is, whether young or old, he will be inevitably spoiled in outward form as well as temper." This remark about chaining applies to any dog, the constant straining pulling the body out of shape, while the temper is bound to be soured by the unnatural confinement. What is the matter with the mastiff of to-day? Rarely now do we see the well -filled classes and noble THE MASTIFF 179 animals which were observable at any big show ten years or so ago. One of our oldest breeders says : " The rage for exceedingly short muzzles which existed a few years ago, and which still exists to some extent, has probably had much to do with it, as the majestic appearance has been lost to some extent.*' Practically the same view is held by Mr. J. Sidney Turner, who has done as much for the breed as any man living. Writing in the " Kennel Encyclopaedia," he says : " There is no nobler-look- ing dog and but few nobler-looking animals than a well-proportioned and active mastiff, but there are few more pitiable sights than a crippled giant. What would be thought of the handsomest man with an arched back and twisted legs, of the finest-headed thoroughbred horse without a sound leg to stand upon? Then why should the head of a dog atone for all other defects in structure? If mastiffs of the present day do not hold that high place in the mind of the public which they did in the eighties, it is because the absurd craze for the shorter heads has caused neglect of other characters, so that the dog has degenerated into a monstrosity. There are still some excellent specimens left, and if careful breeding were carried on there is no reason why this noble breed of dog should not regain its former position. Judges, however, must be relentless in dis- carding from the prize lists those specimens whose lives must be a burden to themselves and whose existence finds but little justification in the eyes of those who desire an animal which shall combine beauty of form with strength and agility." Naturally, the rearing of such a big dog from puppyhood calls for a certain amount of skill, but 180 THE MASTIFF it is Worth the trouble involved. One has to be careful not to overfeed, and meals must be frequent. Exercise needs to be given with discrimination, not too much to the point of weariness, and yet suf- ficient to prevent the whelp getting gross and soft. Good bone -forming food is a necessity or we shall be but producing a cripple. The adult mastiff is an abnormally heavy creature, sometimes weighing well over 160 lb\ The bone must, therefore, be of great strength and quality to sustain such a weight without forcing the legs out of shape. Here is the description drawn up by the Old English Mastiff Club : GENERAL CHARACTER AND SYMMETRY.— 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 SUBSTANCE). — Massive, broad, deep, long, powerfully built, on legs wide apart, and squarely set. Muscles sharply defined. Size a great desideratum, if com- bined with quality. Height and substance important, if both points are proportionately combined. SKULL. — Broad between the ears, forehead flat, but iwrinkled 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 MASTIFF 181 the forehead from the medium line between the eyes to half-way up sagittal suture. FACE OR MUZZLE. — 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 -spread- ing nostrils when viewed from the front ; flat (not pointed jor 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. Cir- cumference of muzzle (measured midway between the eyes and nose) to that of the head (measured before the ears) as 3 to 5. EARS. — 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. — 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.— Neck slightly arched, mode- rately long, very muscular, and measuring in circum- ference about i inch or 2 inches less than the skull before the ears. Chest wide, deep, and well let down between the forelegs. Ribs arched and well rounded. False ribs deep and well set back to the 182 THE MASTIFF hips. Girth should be one -third more than the height at shoulder. Shoulder and arm slightly sloping, heavy, and muscular. FORELEGS AND FEET. — 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. — 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. — Hindquarters broad, wide, and muscular, with well -developed second thighs. Hocks bent, wide apart, and quite squarely set when standing or walking. Feet round. TAIL. — 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. — Coat short and close lying, but not too 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. Mr. H. J. Mansfield's white and black Newfoundland, Champion "Prince of Suffolk." A typical dog with grand body and immense bone. (Page 184. Miss E. Goodall's black Newfoundland, Champion " Gipsy Duke." He has great bone, correct expression, and a good straight coat. (Page 183.) CHAPTER XL THE NEWFOUNDLAND IT is curious how early associations cling to one through life. Most of us in childhood saw Land- seer's well-known picture, " A Distinguished Member of the Royal Humane Soc.iety," and from that period on we regarded the Newfoundland primarily as a saviour ,of human life. This character is well deserved, for many are the authentic stories of people rescued from sea or river by his agency. The form of the dog is peculiarly adapted to enable him to perform the duties expected from him. His powerful body, not too- cobby, the rudder-like tail, the comparatively short, heavily-boned legs, with big webbed feet, all mark him out as suited for the water or for moving heavy weights. In his native land he was much used for draught purposes, and so we see in him strongly-marked utility points. He is no " fancy " fellow, although so handsome, and his expression conveys a sense of dignity and intel- ligence compatible with close and intimate associa- tion with mankind. Miss Goodall says of her champion, " Gipsy Duke," whose portrait is repro- duced : " He is a nice-tempered dog, very affec- tionate, a splendid guard and water dog, as are all 184 THE NEWFOUNDLAND Newfoundlands. As a breed I prefer them to any other for their companionable qualities and for de- votion to master or mistress. They are intensely affectionate. "- The white and black dog is frequently called a " Landseer," after the great artist who immortalised him, but there is no further justification for the name. He is more properly classified as White and Black. Much attention is bestowed upon the correct distribution of his markings, which should observe a certain regularity. For instance, the black should appear as a saddle on the back, which may be divided by a white line in the centre, as a crupper near the root of the tail, and on the head and ears, the muzzle being white, as well as a blaze between the eyes. Occasionally we see a bronze-coloured dog, ibut personally I do not think it as pleasing as the markings referred to or the pure black. The Newfoundland should have no exaggerated points, but exhibit his characteristics in due pro- portion. Obviously he should not be too heavy, unless we are to depart violently from the original type, as such a dog could not well display the neces- sary activity. The " short muzzle," too, should be interpreted in a reasonable manner, for if it is abbreviated too much it would not be easy for the dog to seize and hold any object in the water. No direct evidence tells us when the Newfound- land was first introduced into this country, nor do we know much about his history in his own. It is not by any means certain that he was indigenous to the island after which he is named. There is quite as much reason for supposing that settlers from Europe may have taken with them dogs of some- THE NEWFOUNDLAND 185 what similar appearance from which he has been produced. He is undoubtedly very dissimilar from the native dogs of the cold regions north of the American continent, these having prick ears and being of a wolfish type. To-day the breed is practically extinct in Newfoundland, but we know, that at one time they were employed in drawing carts laden with fuel and other articles, and were consequently much esteemed. Frequently, it is said, they were subjected to ill-usage, badly fed, and much over- worked. Innumerable anecdotes could be cited having a bearing upon the life-saving propensities of these noble animals, but one, recorded by Youatt, must suffice : A vessel was driven ashore near Lydd, amid a furious surf, through which no boat could be launched. At length a gentleman arrived with a Newfoundland. Directing the attention of the dog to the vessel, he gave him a stick to carry and sent him into the sea. He fought his way through the waves, but was unable to approach close to the vessel. The men on board, however, threw him a stick to which a rope was attached, and this he .dragged to the shore with the utmost difficulty. By this means communication was set up and every man was rescued. The Newfoundland Club's description is ap- pended : 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 objectionable ; but at the same time a weak or hollow back, slackness of the loins, or cow, hocks should be a decided fault. 186 THE NEWFOUNDLAND 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. FORELEGS.— 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 cow hocks are a great defect ; dew claws are objection- able 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. FEET. — 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 THE NEWFOUNDLAND 187 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 wide apart. COLOUR. — Jet black. A slight tinge of bronze, or a splash of white on chest and toes is not objection- able. HEIGHT AND WEIGHT. — Size and weight are very desirable so long as symmetry is maintained. A fair average height at the shoulders is 27 inches for a dog and 25 inches for a bitch, and a fair iaverage weight is respectively : dogs, 140 Ib. to 150 Ib. ; bitches, no Ib. to 120 Ib. 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. CHAPTER XLI THE ST. BERNARD IT is only fitting that the Newfoundland and St. Bernard should be coupled together, both having been employed in saving life, the one from a watery grave, the other from cold and exposure on a Swiss pass. A writer in the Field many years ago gave this interesting description of the St. Bernard dogs : " About the year 962 Bernard de Meuthon built two hospitia, one on Mont Joux, where a temple of Jupiter stood, the other on the road that leads over, the Grison Alps at Colonne Joux. The benevolent builder presided over both hospitia for forty years, and left to his monks the duty of affording refuge to travellers, and searching for those who were lost in the snow. St. Bernard's portrait and that of his dog on the same panel is still in existence, and the dog appears to be a Bloodhound. The Hospice of St. Bernard Pass stands 7,668 feet above the sea level, and is undoubtedly the highest inhabited spot in Europe. Nine months in the year the snow is thick on the ground, and in the very worst part of winter from 1,500 to 2,000 of the poor inhabitants of the Low Countries pass over the mountains. During the inclement season all travellers from Martigny 188 A well-known St. Bernard of the early Nineties — Messrs. Smith and Baker's " Le Prince." (Page 188,) Mrs. Parker's rough St. Bernard, Champion " Cinq Mars," a winner of thirteen challenge prizes, and one of Messrs. Inman and Walmesley's noted strain. (Photo W. H. Strick.) (Page 1 88.) THE ST. BERNARD 189 are clesire'd to pass the night at the first house of refuge. Every morning a servant, accompanied by a St. Bernard dog, descends from the hospice to take all the travellers under his direction. The dog leads the way, for he can not only discover the buried traveller by his marvellous powers of scent, but he can also to a certainty Keep the track in spite of snowstorms and bewildering drifts. The dogs have been used in these ways, and in no other, for years, and they have acquired a well-deserved high reputa- tion for perseverance, sagacity, and power of scent. ' The old brejed died out many years ago, and we 'doubt whether the monks have possessed the present race of dogs more than forty or fifty years. About forty years ago, or a little more, all their dogs and several servants were swept away by an avalanche ; but two the monks had given away were returned to them, and the breed was thus preserved. One of the St. Bernard dogs, ' Barry,' a brindled arid white one, saved the lives of forty-two persons, and was vigorous and active at the age of fifteen years, al- though they generally succumb to rheumatism at their tenth year. He is preserved in the Berne Museum, wearing an iron collar with large spikes, which had often protected him from the wolves. We are told he had discovered a man lost in a snowdrift, and being mistaken for a wolf, the poor fellow received a blow on the head, and ' II etait oblige de moiirir.' ' The avalanche which swept away the old breed occurred in 1815, and in another fifteen years the strain was obviously deteriorating on account of con- sanguinity. The monks therefore sought an outcross, which probably took the form, in the first instance, of a Newfoundland bitch. It is also supposed that 190 THE ST. BERNARD Great Dane blood was introduced. The race is still maintained by the monks, although one might have thought that it would have been depleted owing to the rage that set up in this country some fifty or more years ago. One of the first to be imported was the handsome dog " Tell," brought over by the late Rev. J. Gumming Macdona, in 1866. So rapidly did the liking for the dog grow that at the St. Bernard Club Show in 1882, 250 dogs were benched, and high prices soon became the order of the day. " Sir Bedivere " went to America in exchange for some £1,300, a price which is sufficiently note- worthy to chronicle. It is by no means certain that such a demand was for the good of the breed gene- rally, as many people were attracted by the desire to make money, with the inevitable effect that breed- ing on correct lines was practically ignored by numbers, whose only object was to sell their puppies. The craze for size, too, has resulted in the production of many deformities. It is possible to get a St. Bernard over 200 lb., but it must demand great skill to bring up such a monster sound on his legs and with good loins. " Cinq Mars/* whose photograph is printed on another page, was so symmetrical and so full of quality that he easily beat bigger dogs, although only weighing about 175 lb. He had enormous bone, with a front as straight as that of a terrier and perfectly sound action behind. In considering the merits of any dog much im- portance must necessarily attach to the expression, which is usually an index to character. That of a St. Bernard should combine benevolence with saga- city. Of course he is dignified, but he can also be very gentle and condescending. If you can afford THE ST. BERNARD 191 a good one, and have plenty of room for him, he will make a most satisfactory companion. But a loosely built, ramshackle creature, with crooked front and cow hocks, is indeed an eyesore. The present is a good time for any one to take up breeding St. Bernards seriously, as the best specimens are fairly widely distributed, instead of being concentrated in one kennel as they were a few years ago, when Messrs. Inman and Walmsley practically annihilated competition by producing dog after dog of marvel- lous perfection. One could wish that Mr. Walmsley would reveal a secret which should be highly instructive. The St. Bernard Club's standard is as follows : HEAD. — Large and massive, circumference of skull being rather more than double the length of the head from nose to occiput. Muzzle short, full in front of the eyes, and square at nose end. 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 top, with somewhat prominent brow. EARS. — Of medium size, lying close to the cheeks, 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 haw at the inner corner, the upper eyelid falling well over the eye. NOSE. — Large and black, with well -developed nostrils. MOUTH.— Level. EXPRESSION. —Should betoken benevolence, dig- nity, and intelligence. 192 THE ST. BERNARD NECK. — Lengthy, thick, muscular, arid slightly arched, with dewlap 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 long- coated variety well feathered. Carried low when in repose, and when excited or in motion should not be curled over the back. LEGS AND FEET. — Forelegs 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. — The taller the better, provided the sym- metry 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 ; 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 CLAWS. — Of no value. MOVEMENT. — Is most important, and St. Bernards THE ST. BERNARD 193 have often failed in this direction, the hind legs being especially faulty. OBJECTIONABLE POINTS.— Dudley, liver, flesh- coloured, or split nose ; over or under-shot mouth ; snipy muzzle ; light or staring eyes ; cheek bumps ; wedge headf; flat skull ; badly set or carried or heavily feathered ears ; too much peak ; short neck ; curly coat.1; flat sides ; hollow back ; roach back ; flat thighs ; ring tail ; open or hare feet ; cow hocks ; straight hocks ; fawn or self-coloured. Book of the Dog CHAPTER XLII GREAT D/&NES OF majestic proportions, cleanly knit, arid with a serenity born of high breeding and a consciousness of power, the Great Dane is in a class by himself, a king among dogs. Can any example of dog flesh be more satisfying to the eye? Every lover of animals must admire him, whether he understands his points or not. Class in a Dane should be perceptible at a glance, even if one is unfamiliar with the breed. It is not size alone that gives it, but the unity of various properties which makes up a harmonious whole. A huge brute, slackly put together, with1 loose b'ack, bad loins, and indifferent hindquarters can never command respect, nor will he look his height. We have had many bigger Danes than Mrs. Horsfall's champion, ' Hannibal,' of Redgrave, but how conspicuously he stood out among his compeers at any show ! The outline of a Dane needs to be graceful, so too his movement. In Germany there is a heavier, more massive, kind known as the " Ulmer. Dogge," of which Bismarck was so fond. The picture of the great Chancellor with a couple of these dogs will be familiar to most people. The Great Dane has been known to this country 194 GREAT DANES 195 for over a hundred years, but it was not until the dog show days that English people seriously gave him their attention. Probably his gigantic stature suggested that he possessed an appetite in proportion, and that he would therefore be a costly luxury to maintain. Now we have a number of large kennels, and the Benches set apart for this variety at an important show are a sight to see. Of course there are many Had specimens about, with slouching hind- quarters, coarse, thick necks, and indifferent heads. They are the reverse of pleasing. One is inclined to think, having in mind the best the Fatherland has to show, that we are paying too much heed to size at the expense of symmetry. The Germans, too, say that until recently we have neglected colour, a point upon which they lay much stress. In our defence be it said that in a large animal, designed .for working purposes, the Englishman usually puts most emphasis upon structure, and rightly so I think. After all, colour is more or less a fancy point, but if it can He obtained good without the sacrifice of essentials, so much the better. This question of colour, requires some understanding, as the breeder of poultry and pigeons will b'e aware. The continued mating together of dogs and bitches of the same self-colour will ultimately result in progeny of a washed-out appearance, the rich shades looked for being sacrificed. Curiously enough the mating of brindle and brindle has the result of intensifying this marking until the red body colour upon which the black stripes are set practically disappears. Black will help to improve blue, fawn goes with brindle, and so on. One hears the Dane, at times called a tiger dog. 190 GREAT DANES This does not refer to the b'rindle, as one might reasonably suppose, but to the harlequin, a white horse with dark spots in Germany being termed a " tiger " horse. Hence the expression applied to a dog. Knowing that some people dread such a large animal, thinking that it must of necessity have an uncertain disposition, I asked Mrs. Fielder if this were true. She replied : " Great Danes are the most reliable of companions. They are excellent guards of both person and property, very intelligent, and easily controlled. They are wonderfully nice friendly people, and can be trusted with children and trained to almost anything. I often take out six or seven for walks by myself, all but youngsters running loose." It used to be a pleasure to see Mrs. Horsf all's team at a show, so tractable were they that they would have answered to a thin silken cord. The following is the standard aimed at by the Great Dane Club : GENERAL APPEARANCE.— The Great Dane is not so heavy or massive as the mastiff, nor should he too nearly approach the Greyhound type. Remark- able 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. Ele- gance 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. GREAT DANES 197 TEMPERAMENT. — The Great Dane is good- tempered, affectionate, and faithful to his master, not demonstrative with strangers, intelligent, cour- ageous, 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 of an adult dog should be 30 inches, that of a bitch 28 inches. WEIGHT. — The minimum weight of an adult 'dog should be 120 lb., that of a bitch 100 lb. The greater height and weight to be preferred, provided that quality and proportion are also combined. HEAD. — Taken altogether, the head should give the idea of great length and strength of jaw. The muzzle, or foreface, is broad, and the skull pro- portionately 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 ; 1 3 inches from the tip of the nose to the back of the occiput is a good measurement for a dog of 32 inches 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 the foreface long, of equal depth throughout, and well 198 GREAT DANES filled in below the eyes, 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 jawbone well defined. LIPS. — The lips should hang quite square in front, forming a right angle witK the upper line of fore- face. UNDERLINE. — The underline of the head, viewed in profile, runs almost in a straight line from the corner of the lip to the corner of the jawbone, allowing for the fold of the lip, but with no loose skin to hang down. JAW.— The lower jaw should be ab'out level, or, at any rate, not project jnore than the sixteenth" of an inch. NOSE AND NOSTRIL.— The bridge of the nose should be very wide, with a slight ridge where the cartilage joins the bone. (This is quite a character- istic 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. EARS. — The ears should be small, set high on the skull, and carried slightly erect with the tips falling forward. 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, snake -like in carriage, well set in the shoulders, and the junction pf the head and neck well defined. SHOULDERS. — The shoulders should be muscular, but not loaded, and well sloped back, with the elbows GREAT DANES 199 well under the body, so that when viewed in front the dog does not stand too wide. FORELEGS AND FEET.— The forelegs 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 the Greyhound, and the hocks 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 tfelow the hocks. It should be carried, when the dog is in action, in a straight line level with 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. — (a) Brindle-striped dogs»: Ground colour from the lightest yellow to 'deep red yellow, and always striped with black brindle stripes. (b) Self-coloured dogs^: Yellow or grey (blue) in all shades, either one colour all over or with' darker shading on muzzle and eyes and a stripe on the back. Also self-coloured black. In the brindle- striped and self-coloured dogs the nose is always black, eyes and nails preferably dark. White is 200 GREAT DANES only tolerated on the chest, between the legs, and on the feet. In the grey variety lighter eyes are admissible, but never wall eyes. (c) Harlequins : Ground colour white, with irregular black or grey patches, having the appearance of being torn, and these should be distributed over the body as evenly as possible. In this variety wall eyes, pink noses, or butterfly noses are not a fault. N .B. — Disquali- fication under this regulation is not compulsory in respect of dogs born prior to January i, 1906, ex- cept in so far as it affects the awarding of the Club's special colour prizes. CHAPTER XLIII THE BULLDOG THE national dog of England, supposed to be typical of British pluck, is the Bulldog, whose grim and somewhat forbidding features conceal a heart capable tff the utmost devotion. That curiously wrinkled and broken-up face is as honest as it is ugly, and one could wish for no more faithful guard or con- siderate friend of the family than the Bulldog. True, he snores and snorts in a manner that is not always pleasant in a room, but he has so many beautiful qualities that we forgive him these shortcomings. It is a rare thing to find a bad-tempered Bulldog, and when one once becomes attached to you there are no bounds to his devotion. He is not aggressive, but woe betide the person who raises a hand against his master or mistress ! It is no wonder that this rugged fellow is one of the most popular, of the whole of the canine race. It was a fashion at one time for every young blood to have a Bulldog or a Bull Terrier. To-day the ladies have stepped into the arena, and some of the most successful breeders and exhibitors belong to the fair sex. For some reason or other, literary men and artists seem to have had a penchant for the Bulldog, and he has 201 202 THE BULLDOG been much written up in consequence. But his praise has not exceeded his deserts. One of the pleasantest of my recollections in surveying the long list of dogs which I have owned at one time or another centres round a dear old brindle bitch named " Sadie." She had a heart of gold and a dis- cernment given to few. Although blest with but few of the orthodox points, she was yet a treasured possession, and it was a great grief to every one when she died. " Sadie *' for some reason or other never took kindly to any one who was not well dressed, and if we had workmen about the place it was necessary to put her under confinement, unless I ^happened to be at home. When I was on the premises, she was quite indifferent to gardeners and others, but immediately; she heard the front door close, she would seek an exit to go for the strangers. In her old age she contracted pneumonia, and was shut up in the stables, fenced in by iron railings five feet high. As we were sitting in the garden one afternoon, she cleared the railings, made her final effort and reached us, only to die. It was like losing a friend. The Bulldog is no modern upstart, but his nature has changed considerably. No longer is he the ferocious animal of the bad old bull-baiting and bear- baiting days. A book on the dog in 1829 described him as the most ferocious and unrelenting of the canine tribe, and added that he might be courageous beyond every other creature in the world, for Ke would attack any animal, whatever be his magnitude. When so much of the history of the dog is familiar, it is scarcely necessary to stir up the dry bones, but I cannot refrain from giving THE BULLDOG 203 a quotation from Boswell's " Life of Johnson," which I have never read in any book on the breed, and which shows that the pompous old Doctor had an excellent eye for a dog. " Taylor, who praised everything of his own to excess, in short, ' whose geese were all swans,' as the proverb says, expa- tiated on the excellence of his Bulldog, which he told us was * perfectly well shaped.' Johnson, after examining the animal attentively, thus repressed the vainglory of our host. * No, sir, he is not well shaped ; for there is not the quick transition from the thickness of the forepart to the tenuity — the thin part — behind which a Bulldog ought to have ! ' This tenuity was the only hard word which I heard fiim use during this interview, and it will be observed, he instantly put another expression in its place. Taylor 'said a: small Bulldog was as good as a large one. Johnson : * No, sir, for, in propor- tion to his size, he has strength : and your argu- ment would prove, that a good Bulldog may be as small as a mouse ! ' It was amazing how he entered with perspicuity and keenness upon every- thing that occurred in conversation. Most men whom I know would no more think of discussing a question about a Bulldog than of attacking a bull." This tenuity of which Dr. Johnson speaks is still necessary in the formation of the modern dog, although it is terminology which will not be found in the recognised standard. When in 1888 the famous Bulldog, champion " British Monarch," whose name appears in so many fashionable pedigrees of the present day, was sold by public auction for the sum of £125, the price was considered sufficiently large to be chronicled 204 THE BULLDOG in the press, and among the information given at the time, it was mentioned that the dog was pur- chased as a three weeks old puppy for £25. Since that time several Bulldogs have gone to America for £1,000 or more, and other large sums have been paid in this country. " Rodney Stone," whose portrait is given in these pages, was purchased by Mr. Richard Croker's son for $5,000. The sum seems enormous, but " Rodney Stone " was a very exceptional animal, and I have rarely seen a Bulldog that more filled the eye. He not only possessed the desirable points to perfection, but he was as active and playful as a kitten, in marked con- trast to some famous show animals that would have a difficulty in walking half a dozen miles. If I may be allowed to offer a criticism, it is that suffi- cient attention is not paid in the judging ring to movement. While we can scarcely expect a heavily- built dog of this description to show the agility of a terrier, at any rate he should not be a cripple, as many are. The great width of chest which is so essential is frequently obtained by deformed shoulders. When we consider, how many Bulldog puppies are reared, it is not surprising that they should grow up with a faulty formation in front. Although these remarks do not apply to the majority of owners, it is still a fact that there are breeders who keep their stock in a dark cellar, scarcely ever giving them the exercise which is necessary to pro- duce a sound body and good constitution, while there are other unfortunate creatures to be found in small kennels so low that they are compelled to stoop perpetually. We hear, too, of such things as heavy lead collars being kept upon puppies, a practice THE BULLDOG 205 which, I am glad to say, is universally condemned. The experienced judge has no difficulty in telling whether the width of the front depends upon the elbows being turned out badly or whether, it is due to a natural formation. The bone of the forearm should be straight, set into well sloping shoulders. This formation suggests great sturdiness and strength. The forelegs should be heavy in bone and well clothed with muscle, the brisket deep, and the ribs well sprung. The back should be short and powerful, with great breadth at the shoulder, nar- rowing at the loins, which gives the tenuity desired by Dr. Johnson. Close behind the shoulder the back f^lls slightly, and then rises to the loin, the top of which should be higher than the top of the shoulders. It again curves suddenly to the root of the tail, forming an arch, or what is usually termed a roach or wheel back. The head of the Bulldog is a study in itself, and is not easily comprehended by the novice. The skull should be large, and the foreface massive and much broken up. Not only is width between the ears and eyes necessary, but the skull should also be long, with a deep and broad stop beneath the eyes and a longitudinal indentation run- ning up the centre of the forehead. The under jaw should not only have an upward thrust, but it should curve as well, and terminate in a line with the face and skull. It must be broad, square, and powerful. The nose is set well back in the face, and there is a good deal of wrinkle about the head. Unless all the head properties are well balanced, the dog has a disagreeable expression, which may be much accen- tuated by a bad ear. The erect ear, the semi- erect or tulip as it is commonly called, and the 206 THE BULLDOG button ear, which falls over on to the cheek, are all serious defects. The rose ear, as it is called, is the one to be aimed at. It should be small and thin, and fold back, so that the inner folds are exposed. The following standard drawn up By the Bulldog Club (Incorporated) gives a clear, descrip- tion of 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 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 hind- quarters 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 aj thick -sgt Ayrshire; or Highland bull. The SKULL1 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, and very short from its back to the point of the nos'Q. 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 ver- tically, Being traceable at the; top of the skull. THE BULLDOG 207 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 of the head. They should be as 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 pro- minent, 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 on 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'1 is the most correct. The " rose ear " folds inwards at its back, the upper or front edge curving over outwards and backwards showing part pf the inside of the burr. The FACE, measured from the front of the cheek- bone 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 up- wards, and very deep from the corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth. The nose should be large, b'road, 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 pf the under lip. 208 THE BULLDOG 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, pendant, 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, 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 forelegs. It should be large in diameter, and round behind the forelegs (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 THE BULLDOG 209 at the shoulder, and comparatively 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, 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 down- ward 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 FORELEGS should be very stout an'd strong, set wide apart, thick, muscular, and straight, with well -developed calves, presenting a rather bowed outline, but the bones of the legs should b'e 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 b'e short, straight, and strong. The forefeet should be straight, and turn very slightly outward, of medium size, and moderately Book of the Dog. 15 210 THE BULLDOG round ; the toes compact and thick, being well split up, making the knuckles prominent and high. The HiNDLEGS should be large and muscular, and longer in proportion than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins. The hocks should tie 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 hindfeet to turn outwards. The latter, like the forefeet, 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 hindfeet not being lifted high, b'ut appearing to skim the ground, and running with the right shoulder rather advanced, similar, to the manner, of a horse in cantering. The most desirable size for the Bulldog is afrout 50 Ib. The COAT should be fine in texture, short, close, and smooth (hard only, from its shortness and close- ness, 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, i&c. ; second, pied and mixed colours. CHAPTER XLIV THE MINIATURE BULLDOG SINCE 1 893 much Ink has been spilt upon the subject of -the Miniature Bulldog. In that year the late Mr. G. R. Krehl brought over from France some little creatures which were called French Toy Bull- dogs, but which were far. from being replicas of the good old English breed. They had bat ears, narrow chests, and in every way were more suggestive of the Boston Terrier, the favourite dog of the United States. In themselves they had much to like, the only mistake being in the name given to them. The dissensions that arose at that period led to the formation of the Toy Bulldog Club, and since then the two varieties have been separated and given a distinct classification. The divergence was further accentuated in 1902 by the formation of the French Bulldog Club, but in the meantime a good deal of interbreeding had occurred. Since then the en- deavour has been to produce a dwarf on true Bull- dog lines, weighing less than 22 Ib. 211 CHAPTER XLV THE BOULEDOGUE FRAN9AIS THE best authorities in France maintain tHaf the Bouledogue Frangais is of Gaelic origin with a satisfactory genealogy, but a good many of our own breeders consider, that it came originally from this country, small, tulip-eared dogs having been exported to France in the early fifties. However, they, were made in the first instance, they now come true to! type, which is a sufficient indication that they have; been consistently bred for a good many generations. Doubtless, they may be descended from the small- sized Bulldogs, but so much alien blood has freen introduced that their forebears would not know them. Although the body properties are of similar forma- tion to those of our own dogs, yet in other important features they are totally dissimilar ; the erect or bat ear is a prominent characteristic of the breed. The skull, too, is quite distinct from that of the Miniature Bulldog. Although the temples should be high and prominent in both, in the Bouledogue Fran- gais there must be no furrow up the middle of the skull. Again, the lower jaw of this dog should not project to any marked extent, whereas that of the 212 THE BOULEDOGUE FRAN£AIS 213 Miniature Bulldog should do so to a considerable degree, and also turn up in a most pronounced manner. The eye of a Miniature Bulldog should incline to the small side, whereas that of the Boule- dogue Fran^ais should be rather full, although not bulging or puggy. He is also a clean -throated dog, the presence of a dew-lap being considered a serious defect. Although the maximum weight is put at 28 lb., the most desirable for dogs is from 20 Ib. to 22 lb., and for bitches from 18 lb\ to 20 lb. He is a bright, intelligent, vivacious dog, and an excel- lent companion, and, in addition to all these engaging points, }ie can, with proper training, be made an excellent ratter, killing well and quickly. The following is the description of the Bouledogue Francais.; GENERAL APPEARANCE.— The Bouledogue Fran- gais ought to have the appearance of an active, intel- ligent, and very muscular dog, of cobby build, and heavy in bone for its size. HEAD. — Is of great importance, large and square. Forehead should not be flat, but slightly rounded, the top of the skull between the ears being flat'; the muscles of the cheek well developed, but not prominent. The stop should be as deep as possible, but there should be no furrow up the skull. The skin of the head should not be tight. The muzzle should be short, broad, turn upwards, and be very deep. The lower jaw should project in front of the upper, be broad and square and turn up, but should not show the teeth. EARS. — Bat ears, ought to be of medium size, large at the base and rounded at the tips. They should be placed high on the head, and carried straight. 214 THE BOULBDOGUE FRANQAIS The orifice of the ear looks forward, and the skin should be fine and soft to the touch. EYES. — Should be of moderate size, neither sunken nor prominent, and of dark colour. No white should be visible when the dog is looking straight in front of him. They should be placed low down in the skull and wide apart. NOSE. — Must be black and large. LlPS. — The upper lips should be thick and broad, hanging over the lower jaw at the sides without being pendulous, meeting the underlip in front, thus covering the teeth. NECK. — Should be thick, short, and well arched. BODY. — The chest should be wide and well let down between the legs, and the ribs well sprung ; the body short, cobby, muscular, and well cut up. The back should be broad at the shoulder, tapering towards the loins, and well reached. LEGS. — The forelegs short, straight and muscular, and be set wide apart, but not so short as to detract from the dog's activity. The hindlegs should be strong and muscular and longer in proportion than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loin. The hocks well let down. FEET. — Should be compact and strong, with the knuckles prominent and high. TAIL. — Should be set on low, and be short, thick at the root, tapering to a point, and should have a downward carriage. It should be smooth and devoid of fringe. COAT. — Should be fine in texture, short, close, and smooth, hard only from its shortness and closeness — not wiry. COLOUR.— Black or black and tan will disqualify. The following are bad faults : THE BOULEDOGUE FRAN^AIS Too prominent underjaw, thereby showing the teeth ; tongue showing when mouth closed, light - coloured or prominent eyes, long and coarse coat, tail carried above the level of the back, dew-lap, bad movement. CHAPTER XLVt THE COLLIE IN the course of centuries the avocation of trie Sheep- dog has changed in accordance with varying natural conditions. At first his primary duty being to pro- tect the flocks from the depredations of wild animals, it is only natural to assume that he was then of larger, size and more ferocious disposition. With the dis- appearance of beasts of prey it became the custom to use him for rounding up the sheep, and such is his duty to-day. In the performance of it he shows an intelligence of the highest degree, his quick brain reading the slightest sign made by his master. The Sheepdog trials held from time to time in different parts of the country are a revelation to those who have only had experience of the dog as a companion. The resemblance borne by the Collie to certain wild dogs has led some naturalists to believe that his was the parent stock of all domesticated dogs, but it is more probable that he has been procured by selective processes. The derivation of the name is obscure, some thinking that it comes from the term col (black). Webster, on the other hand, attri- butes it to the Gaelic cuilean (whelp, puppy, dog). James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, who died in _ 0 O •5 S "s 2 ji S 05 •u <-, qj THE COLLIE 217 1835, describing his dog SirraK in Blackwaod's Magazine, said : " He was beyond all comparison the best dog I ever saw. He had a somewhat surly and unsocial temper, disdaining all flattery, and re- fusing to be caressed^; but his attention to my com- mands and interest will never, again be equalled by any of the canine race. When I first saw him, a drofer was leading him b'y a rope. He was both lean and hungry, and far from being a beautiful animal £ for he was almost black, and had a grim face, striped with dark brown. I thought I perceived a sort of sullen intelligence in his countenance, not- withstanding his dejected and forlorn appearance, and I bought him. He was scarcely a year old, and knew so little of herding that he had never turned a sheep in his life ; but as soon as he discovered that it was his duty, and that it obliged me, I can never forget with what anxiety and eagerness he learned his dif- ferent evolutions, and when I once made him under- stand a direction he never forgot or mistook it." As an instance of the sagacity of this dog, Hogg relates that one night the flock he was driving scampered away in three different directions under the impulse of fright. In the darkness Sirrah set off after the fugitives, and when daylight dawned it was found that he had collected all in a deep ravine .» In dealing with the modern history of the variety we are on comparatively safe ground. It was in the early eighties that matters became lively in the Collie world, and when the boom' once set in most remark- able prices were realised. The late Mr. G. R. Krehl paid £100 for the eleven months old "Eclipse," a son of the famous " Charlemagne.'* As the puppy was unnoticed by the judge at the Birmingham Show, 218 THE COLLIE at which he was bought, this sum was looked upon as remarkable, but the after-career of the dog fully justified the outlay, and there is no doubt that his purchaser could have made a very handsome profit within a few months. This was nothing, however, to what was to follow. Champion " Christopher " went to America for £1,000 ; in 1895 Mr. W. E. Mason, who had bought the dog for £450, sold Champion " Southport Perfection " to Mr. A. H. Megson for a still larger sum ; and soon afterwards Mr. T. H. Stretch obtained practically £1,500 for Champion " Ormskirk Emerald.'* As far as I remember, the cash was about £1,000, in addition to which other good dogs were received as part of the bargain. The appearance of the Collie is so familiar as to call for little description, while his many admirable qualities are also well known, for' it may safely be said that few dogs are more generally found in every part of the country. The great beauty of coat and shape is undeniable. One could not wish for anything finer. My own predilection is for the black, tan, and white markings, which are not, however, as •common now as the sable. Occasionally one sees a practically white dog, but it may be imagined that it is no little trouble to keep such a coat in proper condition. The blue merle is a very handsome sub- variety which has been making much progress during the last few years. This colour is so engaging that one will not be surprised to see it become the rage. The smooth-coated Collie possesses points identical with the rough except as regards his coat. He should carry a short, dense, flat coat of good texture, with an abundance of undercoat. Run your eye over a good specimen at any show, and you will be con- - O c w li 0) ti "c JJ s o « i THE COLLIE 219 strained to admit that he has many features of artistic worth. At first you may think that he suffers in comparison with his more showy brother, but he grows upon one to a remarkable degree. No doubt there (are fewer really good specimens about, but you must remember that he has no long hair, to smother up any imperfections of shape. As a worker he c/ould not well be excelled, especially in the south, where a heavy jacket is not needed tQ turn the weather. The coat of a rough Collie requires much groom- ing if it is to be kept clean and free from matted lumps. It should be gone over daily with a bone comb and a brush, care being taken not to break the hair more than is possible. Over-much washing is not to be recommended, but, of course, the dog must be clean if he is to come in the house. The impression that a Collie is treacherous has probably been formed from a contemplation of his sharp, foxy- looking head, but it is quite erroneous. Whether the modern show dog is as intelligent as his more homely working brother, with his broader skull, is somewhat doubtful, particularly in the case of those which show evidences of a Borzoi cross. The points of the Collie as approved by the Collie Club are appended : SKULL. — The skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at top. 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. ?20 THE COLLIE THE MUZZLE.— 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. TEETH. — The teeth should be of good size, sound, and level J very slight unevenness is permissible. JAWS. — The jaws should be clean cut and powerful . EYES. — 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 brown colour, except in the case of merles, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china ; expression full of intelli- gence, with a quick, alert look when listening. EARS. — The ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too close together on top of the skull nor to much to the side of the head. When in reppse they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi -erect, with tips slightly drooping in attitude of listening. NECK. — The neck should be muscular, powerful, and of fair length and somewhat arched. BODY. — The body should be rather long, with well -sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins slightly arched and powerful. The dog should be straight in front. LEGS. — The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone ; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility, without weakness. The hindlegs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well-Hent stifles. THE COLLIE 221 FEET. — The feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together ; the hindfeet less arched, the hocks well let down and powerful. BRUSH. — 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. COAT. — The 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 mane and frill should be very abundant, the, mask of face smooth, as also the ears at the tips, but they should carry more hair towards the base ; the forelegs well feathered ; the hindlegs above the hocks profusely so, but b'elow the hocks fairly smooth, although all heavily -coated Collies are liable to grow a slight feathering. Hair; on the brush very profuse. COLOUR. — Colour immaterial. GENERAL CHARACTER.— A lithe, active dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well-bent hocks in- dicating 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, 22 inches to 24 inches at the shoulders;; bitches 20 inches to 22 inches. Dogs, 45 Ib. to 65 lb.r; bitches, 40 lb\ to 55 Ib. The SMOOTH COLLIE only differs from the rough in its coat, which" should be hard, dense, and quite smooth. 222 THE COLLIE FAULTS. — Domed skull, high -peaked occipital bone, heavy, pendulous, or pricked ears, weak jaws, snipy muzzle, full-staring or light eyes, crooked legs, large flat or hare feet, curly or soft coat, cow hocks, and brush twisted or carried right over the back, under or overshot mouth. CHAPTER XLVII THE SHETLAND SHEEPDOG ACCORDING to one's point of view, this little dog is either an interloper, or a genuine miniature edition of the ordinary Collie. The attempt to have him registered at the Kennel Club under the name of Shetland Collie met with so much opposition at the hands of some of the Collie clubs, that a compromise was arrived at, and the governing body decreed that he should be known as the Shetland Sheepdog. .Whatever his name may be, the dog remains the same. The club formed to promote its interests seek to breed an animal on true Collie lines, weighing not over 14 lb. nor measuring more than 12 inches. So far, the examples that I have seen are still a long way from the real type, but, with careful breeding, there seems to be no reason why they should not reach the proper standard . Weight of evidence is certainly in favour of the assertion that the variety has existed for a considerable period in its island home. Mr. W. E. Milne, President of the Scottish Shetland Collie Club, told the Kennel Club Committee in June, '1909, that shows had been held at Lerwick for the past twelve years for this breed alone. This was the Collie used by farmers in Shetland, their duty 224: THE SHETLAND SHEEPDOG being to prevent the sheep from straying ori to land other than that belonging to their owner, there being no fences as in England. The sheep, too, are small. He further said that men of sixty -five and seventy could remember the dogs from their, youth. Locally they were called Toonies. Considering how a severe climate and restricted dietary will tend to reduce the size of any animal in the course of generations, one has not much diffi- culty in believing that the little Shetlander and the larger variety of Collie may come from the same root. Why not? In the ninth edition of the "Encyclopaedia Britannica " (published from 1875 to 1889) the Scottish Collie is described as stand- ing from 12 inches to 14 inches high, and I can well recall a charming little bitch some twenty-five years ago that could not have been much above 1 6 inches. The shorter heads and more rounded skulls are only what we should expect to see in a dwarf race bred more or less haphazard. When the Shetland Collies were first talked about I sought some information from Mr. Hector Whitehead, of Kingussie, who sent me the photograph of a dog weighing only 9 lb'. In describing their charac- teristics he said: ;* They will clear a garden of hens by rounding up and putting them into their run as scientifically as a Sheepdog would do sheep. In fact, to see * .Olafssen ' slouching along at my heels reminds every one of a Collie after a hard day's work. My hens live in a grass run, and get out into the vegetables sometimes. When they do * Olafssen ' gets to work and drives them all into the corner where the gate is, then lies down and waits for some one to come along who will open the gate." CHAPTER XLVIII THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG HOMELY and rugged he may be, but for all that I must confess that there is something peculiarly fascinating to me about an Old English Sheepdog. In the first place I like a dog that serves some useful purpose in the world, and is not bred merely for his pretty appearance. Secondly, it will not be denied that deep intelligence adds materially to one's interest in the subject. This quaint, old-fashioned creature is nothing if not intelligent ; otherwise he would be useless in the pursuit of his calling. In more modest guise he is the favourite drover's tyke of the Midlands. At any important market you will see many of them in charge of herds of cattle, and shepherds, too, have a great predilection for them. Even then he is a taking creature with his shrewd brain and faithful eyes. When dressed up for a show in his best coat he is quite imposing, a genera favourite with the public. Selection and careful breeding and rearing have produced a much larger animal than I knew as a" boy, with more profuse jacket. Probably he would find the latter somewhat inconvenient in a heavy clay field on a dirty day. BooTc of the Dog. 225 226 THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG It should be noted that this same coat must be hard in texture and not soft or woolly. Old writers differ materially in their estimates of his size, origin, and disposition. Youatt speaks of him 9,5 being comparatively small in the northern and open parts of the country, where activity was required, while in enclosed districts, in order to get greater strength, he was crossed with some larger dog, such as the rough Terrier, sometimes the Pointer, and now and then with the Bulldog. As regards disposition, the same writer remarks : " If he be but with his master he lies content, indifferent to every surrounding object, seemingly half asleep and half awake, rarely mingling with his kind, rarely courting and generally shrinking from the notice of a stranger ; but at 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, and fidelity, and devotion too rarely equalled even by man himself." To keep a bobtail fit arid well he must have plenty of liberty. He is usually so well behaved that there is really no object in chaining him. A daily groom- ing with a stiff dandy-brush will prevent the coat from matting. Unless too much inbred he is quite hardy. The Old English Sheepdog Club thus describes the dog : 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. THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG 227 JAW. — Fairly long, strong, square, and truncated ; the stop should be defined to avoid a deerhound face . EYES. — Dark or wall eyes to be preferred. NOSE. — Always black, large, and capacious. TEETH. — Strong and large, evenly placed, and level in opposition. EARS. — Small and carried flat to side of head, coated moderately. LEGS. — Forelegs 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 round. TAIL. — Puppies requiring docking must have an appendage left of from i^ inches to 2 inches, and the operation performed within a week from birth, preferably within four days. NECK AND SHOULDERS. — 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, and 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 under- coat should be a waterproof pile, when not removed by grooming or season. 228 THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG COLOUR. — Any shade of grey, grizzle, blue, or blue merle, with or without white markings or in reverse ; any shade of brown or sable to be con- sidered distinctly objectionable and not to be encouraged. HEIGHT. — Twenty -two inches and upwards for dogs, slightly less for bitches. Type, symmetry, and character are of the greatest importance, and on no account to be sacrificed alone. GENERAL APPEARANCE.— A strong, compact-look- ing dog of great symmetry, absolutely free from legginess or weazleness, profusely coated all over, very elastic in his gallop, but in walking or trot- ting he has a characteristic amble or pacing move- ment, and his bark should be loud with a peculiar, pot casse ring in it. Taking him all round, he is a thick -set, muscular, able-bodied dog, with a most intelligent expression, free of all Poodle or Deer- hound character. C H A P, £ E R X L' I X THE DACHSHUND THE Dachshund is the badger dog of Germany, from dachs, a badger, and hand, a dog, not hound, as so many people persist in calling it. His short legs render him eminently fitted to enter Mr. Brock's earth, ;and he has plenty of courage in tackling a nasty customer. His appearance is, of course, familiar to every one. A similar type of dog appears on some of the Egyptian monuments. Many people complain that we have subordinated working qualities to fancy points, and that he is in danger of be- coming a lap-dog. Fortunately, importations from time to time help to keep the German type in mind. It was as long ago as 1873 that a separate class was first provided at an English show for this variety, and they have grown enormously in popular favour since that date. The old breeders preferred a houndy type of head, but this has since been modified con- siderably, modern breeders deciding to follow the German dog. Mr. J. F. Sayer, writing in the Kennel Gazette in .1903, pleaded for the introduction of 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. 230 THE DACHSHUND One would consider this a fairly scathing indictment, for it looks as if there was not much of the English dog left that did not need improvement. Dachshunds, like the Basset, are very apt to go unsound on the front legs, but I think this is a fault not nearly so common now as it was a few years tago. Another form of unsoundness that is common, but quite as objectionable as legs knuck- ling over, is to have a dog out at the elbows. The legs should be placed on cleanly at the shoulder. Mr. Sayer, too, pleads for good level backs with proper line development, and he asks for muscle on show specimens instead of beefiness. He further says : ' 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." Standard of points of the Dachshund : GENERAL APPEARANCE.— Long and low, but with compact and well -muscled body, neither crippled, cloddy, nor clumsy, with bold, defiant carriage of head and intelligent expression. HEAD AND SKULL. — Long, and appearing conical when seen from above, and from a side view taper- ing to the point of the muzzle. Stop not pronounced, and skull should be slightly arched in profile and appearing neither too broad nor too narrow. EYES. — Medium in size, oval, and set obliquely. Dark in colour, except in the case of Chocolates, which may be lighter, and in Dapples ; one or both wall eyes are permissible. EARS. — Broad, of moderate length, and well rounded (not narrow, pointed, or folded), relatively well back, high, and well set on, lying close to the THE DACHSHUND 231 cheek, very mobile as in all intelligent dogs ; when at attention the back of the ear directed forward and outward. JAW.— Neither too square nor snipy, but strong, lips lightly stretched, fairly covering the lower jaw. NECK. — Sufficiently long, muscular, clean, no dew- lap, slightly arched in the nape, running in graceful lines into the shoulders, carried well up and forward. FOREQUARTERS. — Shoulder-blades long, broad, and set on sloping, lying firmly on fully developed ribs or thorax, muscles hard and plastic. Chest very oval, with ample room for heart and lungs, deep and well sprung out ribs towards the loins, breast-bone prominent. LEGS AND FEET. — Forelegs very short, and, in pro- portion to size, strong in bone. Upper arm of equal length with and at right angles to shoulder-blades, elbows lying close to ribs but moving freely up to shoulder-blades. Lower arm short as compared with other animals, slightly inclined inwards (crook), seen in profile moderately straight, not bending forward or knuckling over (unsoundness), feet large, round and strong, with thick pads, toes compact and with distinct arch in each toe, nails strong. The dog must stand true — i.e., equally on all parts of the foot. BODY TRUNK. — Long and muscular, the line of back slightly depressed at shoulders and slightly arched over loin, which should be short and strong, outline of belly moderately tucked up. HINDQUARTERS. — Rump round, full, broad ; muscles hard and plastic, hip bone or pelvis bone not too short, broad and strongly developed, set moderately sloping ; thigh bones strong, of good length and joined to pelvis at right angles ; lower 232 THE DACHSHUND thighs short in comparison with other animals ; hocks 5v;ell developed and seen from behind the legs should be; straight (not cow -hocked), hindfeet smaller in bone and narrower than forefeet. The dog should not appear higher at quarters than at shoulders,. STERN. — Set on fairly high, strong, and tapering, but not t.QO long and not too much curved nor carried too high. COAT AND SKIN.— Short, dense, and smooth, but strong. The hair on the underside of tail coarse in texture, skin loose and supple. COLOUR. — Any colour. No white except spot on breast. Nose and nails should be black. In red dogs a red nose is permissible, but not desirable. In chocolates and dapples the nose may be brown or flesh-coloured. In dapples large spots of colour are undesirable and the dog should be evenly dappled all over,. WEIGHT. — Heavy-weight dogs not exceeding 25 Ib. ; bitches, 23 Ib. Light-weight dogs not ex- ceeding 21 Ib. ; bitches, 19 Ib. FAULTS. — In general appearance, weak or de- formed ; too high or too low to the ground ; ears set on too high o too low ; eyes too prominent ; muzzle too short or pinched, undershot or overshot ; fore- legs too much crooked or with hare or terrier feet ; or flat spread toes (flat-footed), out at elbows ; body too much dip behind the shoulders ; loins weak or too much arched ; chest too flat or too short ; hind- quarters weak or cow -hocked ; and hips higher than shoulders. PI It 0 £ 'On ~ <- L, • • - : • CHAPTER L THE WHIPPET To those of us who know the Midlands and the North Country, the sight of two or three whippets follow- ing at the heels of working men is very familiar. These miniature Greyhounds are highly prized, and racing handicaps are common occurrences on the weekly holiday. Certainly we much prefer him run- ning against his fellows on the track to chasing turned-down rabbits in an enclosure. Happily this form of so-called sport is gradually becoming obsolete, and the sooner it is a thing of the past the better. To call it sport is, indeed, a misnomer, for what chance has the poor rodent, scared to death in unwonted surroundings, and quite incapable of eluding his pursuers ! It would be gratifying to see the whole thing prohibited by Act of Parliament. Whippet racing, however, is quite another matter, and is perfectly harmless in itself, the only objection- able feature being that at many meetings it is attended by a low-class betting crowd. In itself the racing is exciting enough ; for we know that the dogs will run fairly, each striving to do his best, and the speeds attained are truly remarkable. En- deavours t.Q acclimatise the sport in the South of 234 THE WHIPPET England have not, however, met with a considerable measure of success. A few years ago an attempt was made to interest a better class of society, and a handicap was promoted in connection with one of the Ladies' Kennel Association Shows, and also at the Richmond Show. The modus operandi of a Whippet race is comparatively simple. The distance run is two hundred yards, and the dogs are handi- capped upon their previous performances. The com- batants are held at the starting-point by their slippers, one hand on the neck and the other on the root of the tail. The owners run down the course shouting " Hi ! Hi " and waving frantically a piece of cloth or handkerchief. As these men get beyond the win- ning mark the dogs are started and each one goes at a break -neck speed. Each Whippet has a coloured ribbon round his neck as a means of identification. A i9-lb. dog has been known to traverse the two hundred yards in 1 2 seconds, which is certainly an enormous speed when we remember that the speediest human sprinter can only cover half that distance in a minute fraction under 10 seconds. It is some- what surprising that such charming little dogs have not been more generally kept as pets ; they are of very graceful outline, and are dainty in their habits, and they may weigh anything from 9 Ib. to 24 Ib. Of course much care must be bestowed upon the training of the animal, first lessons beginning at a very early stage. It is essential that the dog should do his utmost to reach his owner in the shortest space of time without having his attention diverted by any extraneous circumstances. The puppy must come to look upon running to the rag as an amuse- ment, and it is astonishing then how quickly he will THE WHIPPET 235 acquire the habit. As a puppy gets older he should be accustomed to crowds, and it is not a bad plan to take the novice to one or two race meetings before he is given a trial on his own account. A decent Whippet may be purchased for quite a small sum, but, of course, if you wish to have a show specimen you must expect to pay more. The following is the description given 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. EARS. — 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. FORELEGS. — Rather long, well set under dog, pos- sessing 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. TAIL. — Long, tapering, and nicely carried. COAT. — Fine and close. COLOUR. — Black, red, white, brindle, fawn, blue and the various mixtures of each. WTEIGHT. — 20 Ib. CHAPTER LI THE CHOW-CHOW THE edible dog of China is precisely the same as the Chow-Chow, with which we are now tolerably familiar. It seems a queer taste, but I believe the feet alone are supposed to satisfy epicures, and the idea does not seem quite so horrible when we know that rice is the sole article of diet. The Chow is very much like Arctic dogs, with his foxy head, prick ears, and dense coat. It was not until some thirty years ago that the dog became popular in this country, but during the past two or three decades he has grown enormously in favour. I am told by those who have kept one, that they make ideal companions, with great individuality of character, and they have the pleasing habit of becoming attached to one person and one only. It is quite unusual for a Chow-Chow to form indiscriminate friendships. His bump pf locality is developed to a most remarkable degree, and it is quite astonishing how he can find his way about. If you see one in the street, he goes about in a most detached manner, taking no notice of any remarks that may be addressed to him. He has a somewhat scowling expression, from which it is not right, however, tft assume that his nature is surly THE CHOW-CHOW 237 or treacherous. His gait is different from that of other dogs, and is not altogether unlike that of a wild animal. The fact that they are used in Man- churia for draught purposes is, no doubt, responsible for the wide variations in size. Not only are the mental characteristics of the Chow dissimilar from those of other dogs, but he has also a curious physical difference which is most marked when one once notices it — that is, his absolutely black tongue. The coat may He either smooth or rough, but the latter is more generally popular. The points are as follow : HEAD. — Skull flat and broad, with little stop, well filled under eyes. Muzzle moderate in length, and broad from eyes to the point (not pointed like a fox). NOSE. — Black, large, and wide (in cream or light- 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 forward over the eyes, which gives the dog the peculiar characteristic of the breed — i.e., a sort of scowl. TEETH.— Strong and level. NECK. — Strong, full, well set on shoulders, and slightly arched. Shoulders muscular and sloping. CHEST. — Broad and deep. BACK. — Short, straight, and strong.; LOINS. — Powerful. TAIL. — Curled tightly over back. FORELEGS. — Perfectly straight, of moderate length1 and with great bone. 238 THE CHOW-CHOW HINDLEGS. — Same as forelegs, muscular, and with hock's well let down. FEET. — Small, round, and cat-like, standing well on the toes. COAT. — Abundant, dense, straight, and rather coarse in texture, with a soft woolly undercoat. COLOUR. — Whole coloured black, red, yellow, blue, white, &c., not in patches (the under part of tail and back of thighs frequently of a lighter colour). GENERAL APPEARANCE. — A lively, compact, short, coupled dog, well knit in frame, with tail curled; well over back. CHAPTER LTI THE SAMOYEDE AMONG the beautiful foreign varieties which have enriched our list of domestic dogs, the Samoyede occupies a prominent position. Mr. Kilburn Scott, whose wife owns one of the largest kennels in the country, obtained his first dog from a tribe of Samo- yedes twenty years ago. They are variously called Eskimo, Wolf dogs, Spitz., &c., but the name given is the correct one, the term Eskimo being confined to dogs of Greenland and Alaska and the New World generally. Spitz dogs are a German variety. The Samoyede people are a most interesting race, the original of the Finnic races, and they inhabit the swamps of North -East Russia, east of Archangel. They occupy themselves in reindeer rearing, and the 'dogs are used for rounding up and driving the deer, just as we use Sheepdogs and Collies for sheep and cattle. They are best known, however, in this country through having been employed for sledge work on so many Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. One of the inmates of Mrs. Kilburn Scott's kennels was a member of the pack taken by the Southern Cross from Western Siberia to the Antarctic. After some years of close confinement in Australia, his 240 THE SAMOYEDE identity was established, and he was imported into this country at considerable expense. At first sight these dogs look' too small for sledge work, as they, are about the size of a Chow-Chow, which is less than that of a collie, but they have performed very arduous duties most satisfactorily, and are preferred by many to the more powerful but less tractable Eskimo dogs. One has only to read the works of Nansen and Johannsen and other explorers to see how willing these little animals have been in helping them to map out the polar regions. Mr. F. G. Jackson gave it as his opinion in the Kennel Gazette about ten years ago that the typical Samoyede dog should be pure white, and have a flesh-coloured nose. Mr. Kilburn Scott does not go so far as that, as they have had many good dogs with a. little lemon colour about the ears and with black noses. The black nose and dark eyes add greatly to the expression, and really the faces of some of the dogs are most human-like. Mrs. Kilburn Scott has been systematically breeding these dogs for fifteen years, in the course of which she has sold nearly three hundred puppies, which sug- gests that the number of owners in this country is larger than is generally supposed. Most pf them, however, make great pets of their dogs, and do not care to send them to shows. Among those who are admirers of the breed are the .Queen (whose dog " Jacko " is one of the best we have seen), Lady Burghclere, Mr. Sydney Buxton (the Postmaster- General), Sir Ernest Cassel, Lady Dundas, Lady Russell, Lady Sitwell, Lady Titchborne, Lady Cameron, Princess Montglyon, and the Hon. Mrs, McLaren Morrison, THE SAMOYEDE 241 Mr. Kilburn Scott believes the Samoyedes to be the nearest to the original dog, and some years ago he propounded a theory, which the Pomeranian Club has apparently accepted, that it is the ancestor of the Pomeranian. It is a thoroughly domesticated animal. He is the right hand of his master, and without them a nomadic race like the Samoyedes could not exist at all. A native will not sell a trained dog at any price, and they may be purchased in this country more cheaply than in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Samoyede puppies are the most de- lightful little creatures, being as much like living " teddy bears " as one could wish. They are not very susceptible to distemper, nor do they suffer from the many other diseases which are usually common to domesticated dogs. This is certainly a strong point in their favour. It is commonly sup- posed that some of these Arctic dogs are unreliable in temper, but no such aspersion can be cast upon the Samoyede. The following description has been formulated by Mr. Kilburn Scott : COLOUR. — Pure white ; white, with slight lemon markings ; brown and white ; black and white. The pure white dogs come from the farthest north, and are most typical of the b'reed. EXPRESSION. — Thoughtful, and remarkably pretty in face;; fighting instincts strongly pronounced when roused. INTELLIGENCE. — Unusual intelligence, as shown by the many purposes for which dogs are used by the Samoyede people and the ease with which they can be taught tricKs. SIZE AND WEIGHT.— Dogs 19 to 2iJ inches at shoulders ; bitches 18 to 19! inches at shoulders ; weight about 40 lb\ Book of the Dog. j[ J 242 THE SAMOYEDE HEAD. — Powerful-looking head, wedge-shaped, but not foxy. Wide and flat between ears, gradually tapering to eyes ; stop not too pronounced ; abso- lutely clean muzzle, not too long, with no lippiness ; strong jaws and level teeth. The nose may be either black or flesh-coloured. EYES. — Very expressive and humanlike, sparkling when excited ; set obliquely and well apart. Eyes should be dark for preference, but other colours are admissible. EARS. — Pricked, set wide apart, and freely mov- able. ; set slightly back in contradistinction to the ears of the Eskimo and Chow-Chow, which are forward ; shape triangular, and not too large ; tip slightly rounded. BODY. — Body shapely, but not cobby, with straight back ; muscular, with deep ribs ; chest wide and deep, showing great lung power ; straight front and strong neck. LEGS. — Good bone, muscular, and not too long ; thighs well feathered ; forelegs straight ; hindlegs sinewy, and set for speed. FEET. — Long, and slightly spread out to get good grip ; toes arched and well together ; soles hairy and well padded to give grip and protection from ice and snow. BRUSH. — Long, with profuse spreading hair ; car- ried over back or side when on the alert or showing pleasure ; when at rest, dropped down, with slight upward curve at end. COAT. — Long and thick, standing well out all over body, especially along back ; free from curl ; under- coat very soft and woolly ; large, bristling ruff ; hair on head and ears short and very smooth. CHAPTER LIII ELKHOUNDS IN general appearance the Elkhound has much in common with the Eskimo, the Samoyede, and other dogs of Northern latitudes, but he is of larger size and darker colour. His name sufficiently in- dicates his occupation, which is that of hunting the largest living representative of the deer tribe. No doubt he was first brought over, b*y British sportsmen who were in the habit of hunting the Elk in Sweden, but since restrictions have been placed upon the sport he is not used so much as formerly. Considering their beauty and the fact that they are fairly easily obtainable, it is somewhat surprising that they have never become more widely popularised. Major Hicks Beach, one of whose dogs is illustrated, says : " These dogs are trustworthy as companions and make nice indoor pets. They are very hardy out of doors. Some of my Elkhounds are very fond of the water." I believe that it is necessary to keep them under good control when there are any deer in the neighbourhood, or they may give rein to their hunting instincts and occasion trouble. Lady Cathcart, who is much attached to the breed, 243 244 ELKHOUNDS sends the following description to the " Kennel Encyclopaedia ", : " The head should be long, with a very keen eye (with a distinctly wolfish look about it), which indicates their wolfish ancestry. Erect ears' ; broad, deep, powerful chest and shoulders ; straight, strong legs of good length, but not lanky, harmonising with the rest of the body, with rounded paws like a fox's pad. Colour, dark grey, with light grey or tan -coloured legs, and black hair on the back ; thick, furry coats ; stiffly curled, bushy tail, double twisted, carried at the side. It has been observed by sportsmen hunting with these animals that the best Beardogs curl their tails on the left side. They always keep their tails stiffly curled except when baying or hunting hand loose." Major Hicks Beach's Elkhounds, " Clinker " and " King." " King " has never been beaten at a show since he was a young dog, and " Clinker " is usually second to him. (Page 243.) Mr. W. K. Taunton's famous Eskimo, Champion " Sir John Franklin." One of the finest seen in this country. (Page 245.)' CHAPTER LIV THE ESKIMO DOG HANDY alike for draught purposes or for hunting the bear, the Eskimo Dog is the most valuable possession of his native master, whose wants are few, judged by the ordinary civilised standard. So powerful are they that four suffice to draw a sledge - load weighing from 300 Ib. to 400 Ib. for dis- tances of thirty miles a day, provided the track is not too rough. Some Arctic explorers have had as many as eighteen in a team, but, as Commander, Peary observes, only those who know something of the peculiarities of the Eskimo Dog can understand what the handling of such a team means. In " Northward Over the Great Ice " Mr. Peary tells us much about these dogs. He had with him a pack of nearly ninety, which consumed a maximum sledgeload of meat every other day. If ever there was pandemonium on board ship, it was when he had nearly a hundred of these howling, fighting, restless brutes on board. It was impossible to keep them fastened, and they were over and into every- thing. The life of these poor creatures, however, was sufficiently exacting to excuse all their; short - 245 246 THE ESKIMO DOG comings. One morning half the dogs were found frozen fast in the snow, some by the legs, some by the tails, and some by both. Two were dead, and all were in a most pitiable condition, their fur a mass of ice and snow, driven into it by the pitiless wind. As the result of an expedition on the ice- cap, Mr. Peary remarks : " I confess that previous to this experience I had believed the Eskimo Dog of Whale Sound capable of enduring the severest stress of weather possible in this latitude. This may hold true at sea level, but on the ice-cap, when the weather is in its fiercest mood, the toughest Eskimo Dog needs shelter." Added to the rigours of the climate, they are prone to suffer from a dread disease, locally known as piblockto, which seems to be a form of madness. A sufferer will mutilate himself in a terrible manner and bite any of his fellows that may be within reach. In spite of his disappointments, Mr. Peary, in closing, pays this handsome tribute to his four- footed servitors : " Every true man and every true woman loves a noble dog, and there are no more splendid dogs in all the world than those magnifi- cent brutes of Whale Sound. Perhaps my reader may think me prejudiced. I have a right to be. They saved my life and the lives of my two comrades. Powerful, savage brutes, as one would expect from dogs whose ancestors were wolves, yet they are susceptible to kindly treatment. My favourite, the leader of my team, was a tall, steel-muscled animal, quick and strong as a panther and brusque as a bull, easily the match of the entire team, yet when I approached he would come and rub his big head against my leg with that deep bass growl of satisfac- THE ESKIMO DOG 247 tion which tells you beyond the shadow of a doubt that your dog is glad to see you. And never were dogs or men more faithful than these poor brutes. Day after day they struggled back across that awful frozen desert, fighting for their lives and ours!; day after day they worked till the last ounce of work was gone from them, and then fell dead in their tracks without a sound, forty -one of them out of the forty-two with which I left the last cache. Faith- ful, noble servitors, Nupsah, Kardahsu, Komonahpik, Ahgotah, Elingwah, and the rest, never shall I forget you ; and my only consolation is the know- ledge that, like ourselves, you did not suffer pain. The starvation was so gradual, that when at last the end came, and your exhausted limbs refused to move, your bright eyes closed., and your faithful lives went out upon the savage heart of the Great Ice, your end was painless, as our own would have been had it not been for you." A worthy tribute from a man who feels what he writes. One other description from the same source de- serves quotation : "In this climb Nalegaksoah, my best dog, and king of the team, received a sprain which resulted in my losing him four days later. Nalegaksoah was a long-limbed brute, quick as a flash of light, with jaws like the grip of fate. A born fighter, he had sunk his gleaming white teeth into the flanks and throat of more than one polar, bear, and in the first struggle for supremacy, when the dogs which I had purchased came together, had, unaided, nearly killed both of the one-eyed hunter's fierce Beardogs. Yet he was one of the most affec- tionate dogs in the team, and an encouraging word or touch of my hand was sufficient to bring his great 248 THE ESKIMO DOG paws thrusting against my chest and his fierce, yet intelligent, face on a level with my own." Although these dogs under native conditions are fierce and intractable, we must make many allowances for the circumstances under which they have been reared for many generations. There is little doubt that they are as amenable to kindly treatment as any other, animal, and those who have kept them in this country are, as a rule, prepared to give them good characters. They will not stand rating, and a sound thrashing is never forgiven. On the whole, it can scarcely be said that they make ideal pets, a disposition to go for any other living creature being apt to bring trouble upon the owner. We know that they will fight to the death among themselves, and it is not unusual for the unlucky victim to be consumed by the survivors. An Eskimo should stand about 23 or 24 inches at the shoulder, and he should be cobbily built, neither high on the leg nor long in the back. The head is wolflike, but the skull is broader than that of the wild animal. The erect ears are small, rounded, and inclined slightly forwards. The muzzle is sharp. The shoulders are heavy and slightly sloped, and the chest is deep and broad. The front legs are heavily boned, and, like the hind, full of muscle. They should be perfectly straight. The ribs are round, the back straight and broad, and the loins powerful and arched. The thighs are very muscular and the tail is very bushy, with a' graceful curve over the back. The undercoat is thick and furlike, while the outercoat is thick, standing out from the body almost like bristles. The neck carries an ample frill, but the legs are THE ESKIMO DOG 249 free from feather. A pure white coat is not seldom seen, but is much esteemed. Dark red is more common, and we see white with black patches, while a silver grey is decidedly attractive. As one would expect from a dog habituated to the Arctic regions, the summer months in a temperate climate are trying. A plentiful dietary of fish and raw meat is necessary. CHAPTER LV OTHER FOREIGN DOGS APART from the Chesapeake Bay dog, a light, liver- coloured animal with a close coat, not altogether unlike our own Retrievers, practically the only dog to which our American cousins may fairly lay claim as being of native origin, is the Boston Terrier, a smart, closely-knit animal, with some points of re- semblance to the Bouledogue Francais. Even his progenitors came from this country, as he was made; about a quarter of a century ago from the Birming- ham Bull Terrier and a Bulldog. His originators may be congratulated upon having evolved a distinct type, breeding true, in such a short period. He is much favoured in the United States, where over two hundred and fifty may be seen benched at the Boston Terrier Club's Show. The Chihuahua comes from the same Continent, his home being in Mexico. Mr. Theo. Marples, in an interesting article in the " Kennel Encyclopaedia," says : " The Chihuahua dogs are probably the most naturally diminutive of all breeds. They are believed by some to have been formerly wild and to have inhabited the dense forest land of Northern Mexico, and to have been almost as expert in climbing trees 250 Mrs. Crosfield's Schipperke, Champion " Esme of Greta," winner of twenty- five challenge prizes. She excels in body, and her mane is a fine one. (Page 263.)- Mr. W. K. Taunton's Afghan dog, " Khelat." Brought to this country after the Afghan War, and probably the only one of his kind seen here. He somewhat resembled a large Old English Sheepdog. (Page 250.) OTHER FOREIGN DOGS 251 as a squirrel. Their habit was to hide in the trunks of trees ; they were also adepts at burrowing. The Chihuahua is a remarkably game little creature. In type and conformation he is very similar to the English Bull Terrier, being smooth-coated and possessing a * whip ' tail, but he is longer in body, yet he has wonderful spring of rib. He is somewhat apple-headed, weaker in jaw and fuller in eye than the Bull Terrier, but in general type is a very similar dog. The process of reclamation in their native country has involved outcrosses with the small dogs of contiguous districts — with some of the hairless speci- mens, no doubt — which, with the very hot climate, accounts for some of the Chihuahuas being born almost hairless." The Bull Terrier analogy must not, however, be pushed too far in speaking of these tiny creatures, for the head is of a round shape, the muzzle short and pointed, while the large ears are carried upright at a wide angle. The correct pro- nunciation, which is naturally puzzling to the un- learned, is Chi-wa-wa. It is not unusual to find one weighing less than 5 Ib. Another very diminutive specimen of the canine race, perhaps even smaller than the last-mentioned, is the Papillon, or Butterfly Dog, so called from the carriage and shape of the ear. Again the skull is round, the tail is carried over the back, and the silky coat is a chestnut -brown with white markings on face and chest. It looks very much like a long- haired Chihuahua, which may give some foundation to the belief that it traces its descent to silky-haired pets brought by the Spaniards from Mexico in the sixteenth century. Although much in favour on the Continent it is little known here. One was depicted 252 OTHER FOREIGN DOGS in the Illustrated Kennel News a short time ago, of which the weight was only ij Ib. Tp Asia we are indebted for many noble specimens of the canine race, foremost among which, owing to its formidable appearance and great size, is the Thibetan Mastiff. Notwithstanding the inaccessibility of its native land, occasional specimens have been imported into this country. With the Thibetan Sheepdog, which has many similar characteristics, these dogs are used as guardians of the flocks and homes. In shape they bear, some resemblance to the English Mastiff, from which they differ materially in carrying a thick, rough coat, black in colour. The tail, which is carried high, is very bushy. The head, with deep flews and pendulous ears, is more like that of the Bloodhound than the Mastiff, except that it is shorter, nor are the ears so long. The deep, sunken eyes also remind one of the Blood- hound, especially as a little haw is shown. Mr. L'. Austine Waddell tells us that the huge Thibetan Mastiffs are let loose at night as watch -dogs, and, roaming about in a ferocious state, are a (constant source of alarm to travellers, most of whom, there- fore, carry a charm against dog-bite. This consists of a picture of a dog fettered and muzzled by a chain, terminated by the mystic and all-powerful thunderbolt-sceptre. It contains an inscription in Sanskrit. Strip the Persian Greyhound of his coat and alter the form of his ears — the result would be to leave a body very similar to that of our own Greyhound or Deerhound. Undoubtedly he is a dog of great beauty and of singularly distinctive looks. " Zardin," the specimen brought to England by Mr. Barff, would OTHER FOREIGN DOGS 253 be selected with approval in any company. His great length of coat, extending down the legs to the very feet, is a striking feature. Along the back is a ridge of short, dense hair, while the muzzle below the eyes is uncovered. The long ears are plentifully feathered. Afghan Greyhounds, which I have seen, are very similar, but they had longer coats, not so thick and woolly, nor were they so well clad about the head. The correct name of these dogs, I believe, is Barukhzy Hound, as they are largely maintained by the sirdars of the Royal Barukhzy Family. The Rampur, who takes his name from an Indian State, is a short-coated hound, heavier in build than our own Greyhound, and with drop ears. The Slughi or Gazelle Hound is an Arab breed, commonly kept by the nomadic tribes of the Eastern deserts. Longer in coat than the Greyhound, but less fully clad than the Afghan Hound, they have drooping ears and long tails with much feather. The markings may be either rich gold, pale cream, or white. They are said to make excellent companions, the close communion with their native masters doing much to develop their intelligence. They are very docile, with a great fondness for children. Owing to his depredations among the flocks in 'Australia, the Dingo, the native dog of the Conti- nent, has every man's hand against him, and it would not be surprising to find the whole race exterminated in the course of time. Mr. H. C. Brooke has been the means of introducing this interesting variety to the notice of the home public, but it must be ad- mitted that they must be regarded rather as curiosi- ties than as suitable companions for the ordinary household. It would probably take some generations 254 OTHER FOREIGN DOGS of domestication to eradicate the wild traits. The Dingo is a red-coloured, short-coated animal, stand- ing about 22 inches at the shoulder. The tail is very bushy and the ears are somewhat large and carried erect. The Lhassa Terrier is quite worth the consideration of any one seeking a pet a little out of the common. Although small they are game to the death, but other- wise they are exacting in their desire for petting, a little inattention from their owner causing them to mope and worry. Mr. Lionel Jacobs, who is an authority on the canidce of India and adjacent coun- tries, supplied the following description to the Kennel Gazette in 1901 : 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 overshot mouth is pre- ferable to an undershot one. The teeth are some- what smaller than would be expected in a terrier of the size. In this respect the breed seems to 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 forelegs should be straight. In all short-legged breeds there is a OTHER FOREIGN DOGS 255 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 loins, and the back should not be too short ; it should be consider- ably longer than the height at withers. The dog should be well ribbed up, with a strong loin, and well -developed quarters and thighs. " 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 white. "SIZE. — About 10 inches or 11 inches height at 256 OTHER FOREIGN DOGS shoulder for dogs, and 9 inches or 10 inches for bitches." One can well recall the excitement caused by the importation of the Dogue de Bordeaux in the middle nineties. So much had been heard of the ferocity of this formidable brute and of his prowess when pitted against bear or wolf, and the graphic description of an English gentleman who had to judge a class at a foreign show set us all agog. For a short time the dog was the centre of interest wherever he was exhibited, and then he gradually died away, killed, some said, by the anti -cropping edict of the Kennel Club. There is no doubt about it that he is a most formidable-looking creature, of enormous strength, and for this reason he should make an ideal guard for a' gamekeeper. Mr. H. C. Brooke, who acted as Hon. Secretary of the specialist club, drew up the following description in conjunc- tion with a prominent French cynologist, M. Megnin : " The general appearance 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. The skull must be very long and broad, high, square in appearance ; a rounded or a cocoa- nut 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 1 inches to 3 inches would be about the correct length for, a full-grown Dogue. The cheek bumps are highly developed. The under jaw should project slightly, about half an inch in front of the upper, and be turned up,; but this fprmatiori should be OTHER FOREIGN DOGS 257 almost concealed by the pendulous lips. The teeth are enormous. The eyes are small (a full 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, of 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 the 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 dew-lap 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 circumfer- ence. The back is short and straight, of great breadth at the shoulders ; a hollow back is very detrimental, though frequently met with in old dogs which have had to undergo a severe strain in the arena. The brisket is round and deep, of great diameter, and the ribs are well sprung;. 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 power- ful. The forelegs should be very thick, strong, and muscular, rather short than long, with enormous bone. The pasterns should be straight and strong, Book of the Dog t J§ 258 OTHER FOREIGN DOGS and the forefeet round, very strong, and well knuckled -up. A cow -hocked formation is undesir- able. 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 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. The best weight is about 1 20 Ib. for males and 100 Ib. for females." CHAPTER LVI THE DALMATIAN WHO does not know the " plum -pudding " dog, as he is frequently called in the vernacular? There is no mistaking him. He cannot change his spots any more than the leopard when he has once acquired them. Do not put a puppy into the bucket, how- ever, because he happens to be pure white. This is no reflection upon his pedigree, as the spots come later. These peculiar markings, by the way, are supposed to be a great point of beauty in the show specimen. They should be clearly defined, about the size pf a sixpence, either black or liver, and no white hairs should mar their purity. Nor should any distinct patches appear on any part of the body, they being looked upon with strong disfavour. I have heard of unscrupulous breeders eliminating white hairs from the spots by means of a pair of tweezers — surely sadly-misplaced industry. It is rather interesting to find Youatt describing the breed as '* the Great Danish Dog, called also the Dalmatian or spotted dog." The difference between the two breeds was, he explained, principally in the size, the Dalmatian being much smaller than the Danish. Presumably the harlequin Great Dane led him to 260 THE DALMATIAN institute comparisons which are not justified. The structure is very different, while the black mark- ings on a harlequin Dane appear in the form of irregularly-shaped patches. If we wish to liken the Dalmatian to any other dog, surely it is the Pointer that would be selected. Indeed, the Dalmatian Club states specifically that in many respects he much resembles the Pointer, more especially in size, build, and outline. No trustworthy evidence exists as to when this dog was first imported into England, or whether he came direct from his native country, Dalmatia, or via France. Although at home he is used for sporting purposes, 'here he has always been regarded as a suitable appanage to a carriage, and his love for horses is firmly implanted. For the first half of last century or still later one or more of these dogs was almost always found in a stable of any impor- tance. They seem to have varied very slightly in type, old prints showing much the same animal as we see to-day. This is very remarkable when we remember how, the majority of other varieties have been improved or otherwise almost beyond recognition. As befits his duties, the Dalmatian must, of necessity, stand on the best of legs and feet, while his muscular development must be great. The description drawn up by the Dalmatian Club is as follows : IN GENERAL APPEARANCE the Dalmatian should represent a strong, muscular, and active dog, sym- metrical in outline, free from coarseness and lumber, capable of great endurance, combined with a fair amount of speed. THE HEAD should be of fair length, the skull THE DALMATIAN 261 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 depend- ing on the markings of the dog ; hi 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 262 THE DALMATIAN barrel hoops (which would indicate want of speed) ; the back powerful; loin strong, muscular, and slightly arched. LEGS AND FEET are of great importance. The forelegs 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 hindlegs the muscles should be clean, though well-defined, 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 impor- tant points. The ground colour in both varieties should be pure white, very decided, and not inter- mixed. 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 of the body. SIZE. —Dogs, 55 Ib. ; bitches, 35 lb. CHAPTER LVII THE SCHIPPERKE A HANDY little dog, good as a guard, and of friendly disposition, the Schipperke (pronounced '* Skipperkie ") has been a favourite in England for thirty years or more, but for some reason or other prices do not rule very high. Mr. E. B. Joachim sold four dogs in the eighties for £40, including the embryo champion, " Shtoots." " Fritz " of Spa realised only £25, and "St. Hubert" was bought from a Belgian breeder for £20. The Schipperke has long been a familiar figure on the canal barges of Belgium, his owners using him as a guard and for keeping down the rats. Our earliest importers made the mistake of regarding him as of the terrier family, when, as a matter of fact, he should be grouped with the Spitz. Herr Beckmann says the Belgians call him the Belgian Spitz. This gentleman would have it that the Schipperke belongs to the primitive dogs, and that he is a member of the first domesticated dog family. Until 1894 English breeders had neglected what is now regarded as a distinguishing feature of the breed — that is, the mane, which should be abundant. The thigh -breeching, or culotte, had also been ignored until the late Mr. G. R. Krehl 264 THE SCHIPPEKKE took pains to ascertain the type most favoured on the Continent. This mane he described as being composed of long, harsh hairs, growing through an undercoat so profuse as to support them from the thick neck. The mane should commence behind the ears, and it should finish a little below the shoulder points. The coat should be harsh without having the wiriness of that of our broken -haired terriers. There must be a medium between the long coat of the Pomeranian and the wiry coat of the Welsh Terrier. The head is of a distinctly foxy type with a skull wide and flat. There is nothing terrier -like about the head. The body is made to appear still more cobby than it really is by the extremely short dock to which the puppies are subjected, practically the whole of the tail being removed. The bone is light. In Belgium two weights are admissible, one under 20 lb., the other under 12 Ib. We aim at getting round about the latter. It should be borne in mind that the Schipperke is not a toy, and that lie may be treated as a hardy animal. The tendency of recent years to breed him too small is one to be combated if we would not sacrifice the correct type. None of the airs and graces of a pampered lapdog are wanted in him. He should be smart, alert, vivacious, not sulky and snarling. The undercoat, too, is often deficient, and light eyes are by no means uncommon, although there is an improvement in this respect. Different coloured dogs have also recently appeared, such as chocolate, white, and sable, but they are not regarded with favour by the older breeders. The standard adopted by the Schipperke Club is : HEAD. — Foxy in type, skull should not be round, THE SCHIPPERKE 265 but broad, and with little stop. The muzzle should be moderate in length, fine, but not weak ; should be well filled out under the eyes. NOSE. — Black and small. EYES. — Dark brown, small, more oval than round, and not full ; bright and full of expression. EARS. — (Shape), of moderate length, not too broad at the base, tapering to a point. (Carriage), stiffly erect, and when in that position the inside edge to form as near as possible a right angle with the skull and strong enough not to be bent otherwise than lengthways . TEETH. — Strong and level. NECK. — Strong and full, rather short, set broad on the shoulders, and slightly arched. SHOULDERS. — Muscular and sloping. CHEST. — Broad and deep in brisket. BACK. — Short, straight, and strong. LOINS. — Powerful, well drawn up from the brisket. FORELEGS.— Perfectly straight, well under the body, with bone in proportion to the body. HINDLEGS. — Strong, muscular, hocks well let down. FEET. — Small, cat-like, and standing well on its toes. NAILS.— Black. HINDQUARTERS. — Fine compared with the fore- parts, muscular and well-developed thighs, tailless, rump well rounded. COAT. — Black, abundant, dense, and harsh, smooth on the head, ears, and legs, lying close on the back and sides, but erect and thick round the neck, form- ing a mane and frill, and well feathered on the back of thighs. 266 THE SCHIPPEKKE WEIGHT.— About 12 Ib. GENERAL APPEARANCE.— A small, cobby animal, with sharp expression, intensely lively, presenting the appearance of always being on the alert. DISQUALIFYING POINTS.— Drop or semi-erect ears. FAULTS. — White hairs are objected to but are not disqualifying. Mrs. L. W. Crouch's curly Poodle, Champion "L'Enfant Prodigue." A notable specimen of this favourite variety. (Page 267.) Mrs. L. W. Crouch's, Champion " The Joker," about the best corded - Poodle ever shown. His cords are good and unbroken. (Page 267.) CHAPTER LVIII THE POODLE YOUATT says of the Poodle that it was originally a water dog, as its long and curly hair, and its propensities in the domesticated state, prove*; but, from its peculiar sagacity, it is capable of being trained to almost any useful purpose, and its strong individual attachment renders it more the com- panion of man than a mere sporting dog. " These dogs," he adds, " have far more courage than the Water Spaniel, all the sagacity of the Newfound- land, more general talent, if the expression may be used, and more individual attachment than either of them, and without the fawning of the one or the submissiveness of the other. The Poodle seems conscious of his worth, and there is often a quiet dignity accompanying his demonstrations of friend- ship." These characteristics of the dog are as con- spicuous to-day as they were fifty or sixty years ago, and a more faithful, intelligent, or charming companion could not be desired by any one. As a household pet he certainly cannot be excelled, yet I imagine we do not see as many about, except at shows, as we did twenty years ago. Possibly the reason may be that the eccentric look of the animal, 267 268 THE POODLE with his quaintly -clipped coat, makes people regard him as a Toy pure and simple. Yet he is far from being that, for he has great muscular power and activity, while a large specimen, scaling perhaps close on 70 lb., would be a nasty customer for a tramp; to tackle. The readiness with which a Poodle may be educated in the acquisition of all sorts of tricks may be imagined by his cleverness on the stage. He is a favourite performing dog, some of his feats being very remarkable. Some authorities hold that there are three types — the French, with a curly coat, the German, with a coat of woolly texture, and the Russian, or corded. However this may be, all are judged by the same standard of points, with the material exception of coat, which is subdivided into curly and corded. Speaking as an outsider, I cannot see much to recommend the corded variety, the abnormally long ringlets demanded for show purposes undoubtedly interfering with the activity of the animal, and rendering the task of keeping him clean in dirty weather no small one. On the face of it these long cords seem unnatural, for the ends are composed of dead hair, which, in the proper course of things, should be shed. The curly coat, on the other hand, is quite manageable, presenting few difficulties, and in no way overweighting the possessor. The corded variety should be relegated to the show division pure and simple. It is not for the ordinary, every -day person. There is now a wide range of colours from which to choose. We get black, white, red, smoke, mouse- grey, blue, silver-grey, cream, &c., and the size also varies considerably, the miniatures measuring under THE POODLE 269 15 inches, and sometimes weighing as little as 5 Ib. The coat is shaved in fantastic patterns, a general order, as a rule, however, being observed. The muzzle is left bare, with the exception in some cases of a tuft of hair on the lower jaw. Bracelets are left on the legs, a tuft of hair on the end of the stern, while the loins may be quite clear, or have tiny buttons on each side. The head must be clean and long, while the eye should be dark and ex- pressive. The points aimed at by the Poodle Club are : GENERAL APPEARANCE.— That of a very active, intelligent, and elegant-looking dog, well built, and carrying himself very proudly. HEAD. — Long, straight, and fine, the skull not broad, with a slight peak at the back. MUZZLE. — Level (but not snipy) and strong — not full in cheek, teeth white, strong, and level, gums black, lips black and not showing lippiness. EYES. — Almond-shaped, very dark, full of fire and intelligence. NOSE.— Black and sharp. EARS.— The leather long and wide, low set on, hanging close to the face. NECK. — Well proportioned and strong, to admit of the head being carried high and with dignity. SHOULDERS. — Strong and muscular, sloping well to the back. CHEST. — Deep and moderately wide. BACK. — Short, strong, and slightly hollowed, the loins broad and muscular, the ribs well sprung and braced up. FEET. — Rather small and of good shape, the toes well arched, pads thick and hard. 270 THE POODLE LEGS. — Fore set straight from shoulder, with plenty of bone and muscle. Hindlegs very muscular and well bent, with the hocks well let down. • TAIL. — Set rather high, well carried, never curled or carried over back. COAT. — Very profuse and of good hard texture ; if corded hanging in tight, even cords ; if non- corded, very thick and strong, of even length, the curls close and thick, without knots or cords. COLOURS.— All black, all white, all red, all blue. THE WHITE POODLE should have dark eyes, black or very dark liver nose, lips, and toenails. THE RED POODLE should have dark amber eyes, dark liver nose, lips, and toenails. THE BLUE POODLE should be of an even colour, and have dark eyes, lips, and toenails. All the other points of White, Red, and Blue Poodles should be the same as the perfect Black Poodle. It is strongly recommended that only one-third of the body should be clipped or shaved, and that the hair on the forehead be left on. -s . Moss Cockle's Japanese, " General Kuroki " Mrs. Raymond Mallock's Ruby Spaniel, Cham of Bray wick. He has a beautiful head pion "Ashton More Baronet." He1 enjoy* and is perfectly marked. the distinction of being a champion in (Page 282.) America as well as in this country. Hi< head is wonderful. (Page 278. Mrs. C. Houlker's Pomeranian, Champion " Haughty Prince," winner of over 500 prizes, including those for the best of any breed thirty-four times. He is ex- ceptionally compact in body. (Page 271.) CHAPTER LIX THE POMERANIAN INDISPUTABLY first in popularity of the Toy division, the Pomeranian classes at big shows rival in number of entries the Bulldog and Fox Terrier. Whether they will have ultimately to yield pride of place to the Pekingese is a question which time alone can answer. At the moment they stand unchallenged. Naturally, competition is very keen, good dogs being many. The numbers to be seen in the West End or at any fashionable watering-place is a satisfac- tory proof that this handsome fellow is not wholly in the hands of the exhibitor. Wherever we go he is in evidence. Youatt describes the Italian or Pomeranian Wolf- dog, of which a pair were in the Zoological Gardens as long ago as 1833. He said they possessed a considerable degree of strength, but seemed to be too gentle to contend with the wolf. We must remember that even to-day the Spitz in Pomerania is a largish dog, weighing sometimes as much as 40 Ib. From their foxy head and profuse coat it is reasonable to infer tfiat they are of northern descent, the resemblance to some of the Arctic dogs being very marked. Selection and careful breeding have resulted in the size being reduced, as well as 271 H2 THE POMERANIAN in the production of several beautiful colours un- known thirty or forty years ago. Some of our best authorities deplore the craze for diminutiveness, hold- ing that true Pom. character is being ruined. Mr. Stanley Mappin, writing in the official organ of the Kennel Club in 1907, said : " There has been general improvement all round. A better type has been shown, and the rage for the diminutive, badly conditioned little weeds has given place to a demand for a sturdier, heavier, and better type of dog altogether, breeders having gradually grasped the fact that the best judges will not recognise such undesirable weaklings, and that the only way to obtain the correct type is to breed from healthy bitches of sound constitution, with a weight of not less than 5 Ib. I strongly advise those whom it concerns to have nothing to do with breeding from the under -sized weaklings, who only perpetuate a type which is even worse than that of their pro- genitors . Good judges, and all who have the welfare of the breed at heart, do not care a single jot about size, and a good dog is not now handicappeid because he weighs jt lb\ It may be said without fear of contradiction that in the majority of cases the smaller the dog, in similar proportion do his points deteriorate : bad head, with too prominent eyes, soft, flat coat, long back, unsoundness in legs, and the texture of coat — except in the case of the ' over 8 Ib.' dog — being far too soft, so that in the diminutive show cripples it becomes more like silk than hair." At a meeting of the Kennel Club Committee in April, 1909, it was decided to subdivide the variety into : Pomeranians — dogs over 7 Ib. in weight, pre- THE POMERANIAN 273 ferably 10 lb>. to 14 lt>. ; and Pomeranians (minia- ture)— dogs not over 7 Ib. in weight, preferably about 3 Ib. to 5 lb\ In the case of a dog being registered as the latter, and then exceeding the weight limit, he may afterwards be re-registered as a Pomeranian. As I have said, the range of colours is very wide. We have now black, white, sable, orange, blue, chocolate, black and tan, black and white, brown, beaver, racoon, and tricolour, some of which are very beautiful. In addition to this we are being introduced to still further subdivisions, such as shaded-sable, wolf -shaded, and orange-shaded. The self-coloured orange is capable of much improve- ment, light shadings nearly always appearing. The standard approved by the Pomeranian Club is as follows : APPEARANCE. — The Pomeranian in build and ap- pearance should be a compact, short -coupled dog, well knit in frame. His head and face should be foxlike, with small, erect ears that appear sensible to every sound ; he should exhibit great intelligence 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 He free from lippiness. The teeth should be level, and on no account undershot. 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. Book of the Dog. JQ 274 THE POMERANIAN 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. 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 in, and lionlike, covered with a profuse mane and frill of long, straight hair, sweeping from the underjaw and cover- ing 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. 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 over coat, the one a soft, fluffy undercoat, the other a long, perfectly straight, and glistening coat, covering the whole of the body, being very abundant round the neck and forepart of the THE POMERANIAN 275 shoulders and chest, where it should form a frill of profuse standing-off straight hair, extending over the shoulders, as previously described. The hind- quarters, 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. COLOUR. — The following colours are admissible : white, black, blue or grey, brown, sable, shaded- sable, red, orange, 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 objection- able, 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. Shaded sables must be shaded throughout with three or more colours, as uniformly as possible, with no patches of self -colour. Oranges must be self-coloured throughout, and light shadings are allowed, though not desirable. CHAPTER LX THE TOY SPANIELS THESE taking little dogs are classed under four sub- varieties — Blenheims, King Charles or Black and Tan, Ruby or Red, and Tricolour. The points of each are practically identical, the main difference being in markings. The only other distinction is that the King Charles possesses somewhat longer ears. Although by name associated with the first Stuart monarch, these Toy Spaniels go back to a still earlier period. There is no question about that. T^hey were known in the time of Henry VIII., and in the spacious Elizabethan days they were much esteemed. On account of long associations, there- fore, to say nothing of their intrinsic merits, it is to be hoped that they will never be replaced by newcomers from other lands. " Stonehenge," writing nearly fifty years ago, says : " The King Charles is now always either black and tan without white, or a mixture of these colours in handsome patches, the tan spot over the eye in the latter case being always an important feature. In the time of Charles II. the colour, as shown by Vandyck, was liver and white, which colour was in vogue until the present century, when the black and tan superseded it, and is now considered the THE TOY SPANIELS 277 speciality of the breed. Nor is the modern short- ness of face of old standing when carried to the extreme which now prevails. Vandyck's dogs are quite sharp-nosed, and those which I remember early in the present century were at least only half- way on the road to the state in which they are now exhibited, with faces like those of the Bulldog.'* Concerning the Blenheim, a correspondent of the Field wrote in 1866 : " This drawing-room favourite derives his name from the celebrated seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, where he used to be care- fully bred, the town of Woodstock being some years ago the fountain-head for pure Blenheim Spaniels, which could also be purchased wonderfully small and well marked at Oxford about twenty-five years since. It is very difficult indeed to trace the origin of this dog, which, judging from Vandyck's pictures, was cherished at Courts in the days of Charles I. Sir Godfrey Kneller, we have heard, has painted small Red and White Spaniels at the feet of several Court beauties, or nestling in their laps. We are also informed that portraits from his hand are to be seen at Blenheim Palace and Arundel Castle, and that the small ' comforter ' of this colour was in favour in the reigns of Charles II., James II., and up to the end of the reign of Queen Anne. ... It is impossible to give positive information as to the early origin of the Blenheim ; and we incline to the opinion that it sprang from a race of Cockers of that colour, for which the first owner of Blenheim was celebrated, and that the small race known by that name derived their origin from in -and -in -breed- ing, and jealousy to preserve the breed." A race of Blenheims is still in existence at the Palace, and 278 THE TOY SPANIELS I should think has more of the characteristics of the original dog than have our present show Spaniels. They are longer in the face, and weigh more. Curiously enough, minute chronicler though he was, old Pepys does not appear to have made any reference to these Spaniels. One would have ex- pected some allusion to them, but I am unable to find any. Once, after attending some christening festivities, he records that " One passage of a lady that did eate wafers with her dog did displease me." And elsewhere we have mention of another dog that was an adept at killing cats which came after his master's pigeons. This clever animal had accounted for over a hundred, which he had subsequently buried. The Tricoloured variety is of comparatively modern creation, having been produced from crosses with the others, and the Ruby probably does not date back more than thirty years. Consequently the task of breeding sound, whole-coloured specimens is not altogether easy, and there also seems to be a tendency for the backs to be longer than is liked. The demand for good ones is said to exceed the supply, so there is a good chance for any one to take up the variety and make headway. I have no personal experience of these little Toy Spaniels, but all who have had them get most enthusiastic in their praise, no terms of eulogy being too high. They have highly developed intelligence and great fidelity. The Toy Spaniel Club has drawn up the follow- ing standard, applicable to all varieties : HEAD. — Should be well domed, and in good THE TOY SPANIELS 279 specimens it is absolutely semi -globular, sometimes even extending beyond the half -circle, and absolutely projecting over the eyes, so as nearly to meet the upturned nose. EYES. — The eyes are set wide apart, with the eye- lids square to the line of the face — not oblique or foxlike. The eyes themselves are large, so as to be generally considered black, their enormous pupils, which are absolutely of that colour, increasing the description. From their large size there is almost always a certain amount of weeping shown at the inner angles ; this is owing 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 so, some good specimens exhibiting a hollow deep enough to bury a small marble. NOSE. — The nose must be short and well turned up between the eyes, and without any indication of artificial 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 space for the tongue and for the attachment of the lower lips, which should completely conceal the teeth. It should also be turned up or " finished/* so as to allow of its meet- ing the end of the upper jaw, turned up in a similar way, as above described. EARS. — The ears must be long, so as to approach the ground. In an average-sized dog they measure 20 inches from tip to tip, and some reach 22 inches, or even a trifle more. They should be set low on 280 THE TOY SPANIELS the head, and be heavily feathered. In this respect the King Charles is expected to exceed the Blen- heim, and his ears occasionally extend to 24 inches. SIZE. — The most desirable size is from 7 Ib. to 10 Ib. SHAPE. — In compactness of shape these Spaniels almost rival the Pug, but the length of 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, but it is seldom that there is any defect in this respect. 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. The feather should be well displayed on the ears and feet, where it is so long as to give the appearance of their being webbed. It is also carried well up the backs of the legs. In the King Charles the feather on the ears is very long and profuse, exceeding that on the Blenheim by an inch or more. The feather on the tail (which is cut to the length of about 3^ inches or 4 inches) should be silky, and from 5 inches to 6 inches in length, constituting a marked " flag " of a square shape, and not carried above the level of the back. COLOUR. — The colour varies with the breed. The King Charles is a rich, glossy, black and deep tan, tan spots over the eyes and on the cheeks, and the usual markings on the legs are also required. The Ruby Spaniel is a rich chestnut red. The presence of a few white hairs intermixed with the black on the chest of a King Charles Spaniel, or intermixed THE TOY SPANIELS 281 with the red on the chest of a Ruby Spaniel, shall carry great weight against a dog, but shall not in itself absolutely disqualify ; but a white patch on the chest or white on any other part of a King Charles or Ruby Spaniel shall be a disqualification. The Blenheim must on no account be whole-coloured, but should have a ground of pure pearly white, with bright, rich chestnut or ruby-red markings, evenly distributed in large patches. The ears and cheeks should be red, with a blaze of white extend- ing from the nose up to the forehead, and ending between the ears in a crescentive curve. In the centre of this blaze there should be a clear " spot " of red, of the size of a sixpence. The Tricolour, or Charles the First Spaniel, should have the tan of the King Charles, with 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. The Tricolour has no " spot," that beauty being peculiarly the property of the Blenheim. CHAPTER LXI THE JAPANESE THE Japanese say that the Chin Dog* should have vulture feet, butterfly ears, the mark of the gods (a spot on the forehead), and a chrysanthemum tail. Possibly this description may not convey a very clear impression to the uninitiated of what is really one of the most beautiful of the Toy varieties. The shape, colouring, and bearing are alike charming. High breeding shows itself in every gesture, so that even those who have an innate objection to Toy dogs cannot fail to appreciate the diminutive im- portation from the land of the Mikado. This, in his perfection, is the sleeve dog of the Japanese aristocracy, and in consequence extremely small specimens, weighing but 3 lb., are the most highly esteemed. One of the first imported by Mr. Theo. Marples, some thirty years ago, turned the scales at 12 lb ., but since that time we have arrived at a truer understanding of the points most prized in their native land. The picture, given elsewhere, suggests a good deal of the conformation and coat, but, of course, it cannot explain the colouring, which may to jj^-^^siw^^S^^B H 5 1 I o THE JAPANESE 283 be black and white, yellow, or lemon and white, or red and white. Unhappily, they are naturally delicate, distemper playing sad havoc with them, in which respect they present a marked contrast to the Pekingese. Were it not for this reason, no doubt they would be still more common, for it is impossible to resist their engaging manners. They may be fed on milk puddings, fish, boiled rice, and occasionally finely- chopped raw meat. The standard of points formulated by the Japanese Chin Club reads : GENERAL APPEARANCE. — That of a lively, highly- bred little dog, with dainty appearance, smart, com- pact carriage, and profuse coat. These dogs should be essentially stylish in movement, lifting the feet high when in motion, carrying the tail (which 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 7 Ib. HEAD. — Should be large for size of animal, very broad, and with slightly rounded skull. MUZZLE. — Strong and wide, very short from eyes to nose, upper jaw should look slightly turned up between the eyes, lower jaw should also be turned up or finished so as to meet it, but should the lower jaw be slightly underhung, it is not a blemish, provided the teeth are not shown in conse- quence. NOSE. — Very short in the muzzle part. The end, or nose proper, should be wide, with open nostrils, and must be the colour of the dog's marking — i.e., 284 THE JAPANESE black in black-marked dogs, and red or deep flesh colour in red or lemon-marked dogs. EYES.— Large, dark, lustrous, rather prominent, and set wide apart. EARS. — Small and V-shaped, nicely feathered, set wide apart and high on the head, and carried slightly forward. NECK. — Should be short and moderately thick. BODY. — Very compact and squarely built, with a short back, rather wide chest, and of generally cobby shape. The body and legs should really go into a square — i.e., the length of the dog should be about its height. LEGS. — The bones of the leg should be small, giving them a slender appearance, and they should be well feathered. FEET. — Small and shaped somewhat long ; the dog stands up on its toes somewhat. If feathered, the tufts should never increase the width of the foot, but only its length a trifle. TAIL. — Carried in a tight curl over the back. It should be profusely feathered, so as to give the appearance of a beautiful plume on the animal's back. COAT. — Profuse, long, straight, rather silky. It should be absolutely free from wave or curl, and not lie too flat, but have a tendency to stand out, especially at the neck, so as to give a thick mane or ruff, which, with profuse feathering on thighs and tail, gives a very showy appearance. COLOUR. — Either black and white or red and white — i.e., parti -coloured. The term " red " in- cludes all shades — sable, brindle, lemon, or orange — but the brighter and clearer the red the better. THE JAPANESE 285 The white should be clear white, and the colour, whether black or redt should be evenly distributed in patches over the body, cheeks, and ears. HEIGHT.— At shoulder, about 10 inches. WEIGHT. — The size desirable is from 4 Ib. to 9 Ib. The smaller size is preferable if there be good shape. CHAPTER LXII THE PEKINGESE DOGS are peculiarly susceptible to the caprices of fashion. One variety, after having been quite the rage for some years, may suddenly fall into dis- favour, another entirely supplanting it in popular esteem. We are much like the Athenians of old in our search for something new. True, the subject of this sketch can scarcely be regarded as an inter- loper, for the first were introduced into the country after the occupation of the Summer Palace in Pekin as long ago as 1860. These little dogs had been guarded so jealously by the Imperial Family of China that up to this period it was practically impossible for any to be had for love or money. How they were obtained is explained in the following letter, written by Lord John Hay to Lady Algernon Gordon Lennox, who has kindly given me permission to print it. It should be explained that the gallant Admiral, who was commanding the British squadron, was at the front when the Summer Palace was captured. He writes : "I have noticed that there seems some confusion in the minds of judges and others as to what these dogs are, or should be. First, there is the Palace Spaniel, which is sometimes called a ' sleeve dog,' because of their being carried in the loose sleeve of the Chinese dress ; these are V THE PEKINGESE 287 the Imperial breed, and of such was the pair which your mother-in-law had sent to her from the Summer Palace in 1860, and also which I picked up in the Summer Palace garden ; also the one called ' Lootie,' picked up by a military officer, whose name I forget, and which he presented to her Majesty (Queen Victoria). This last lived to a great age at the Windsor kennels. I believe that these five were all that were taken, as I took some trouble to find out whether any had got into the French camp, and found none. We heard that the dogs had all been carried off to Yehal, at the time of the Emperor's flight. To be more particular, I suspect that these five dogs belonged to an aunt of the Emperor, who, not having taken flight with him, committed suicide on our approach to the Summer Palace. The dogs picked up were certainly in a part of the garden which I was told was frequented by this lady. Secondly, there is another breed which is confounded with these;; they present the same characteristics, appearance very similar, and disposi- tion equally charming, but they are much larger. They are also called Pekin Spaniels, but they were as different breeds originally, I feel sure, as a Pegu pony is from an English hunter. They are seldom so well provided with hair on the feet, and the trousers do not go down far enough. At shows there should be two classes : the Summer Palace Sleeve Dog and the Pekingese Spaniel, or any other names such as would prevent the shows giving prizes to dogs whose ancestors never could have seen or smelt the inside of the Imperial Palace at Pekin." The dog mentioned as having been presented to Queen Victoria was secured by General Dunne, who 288 THE PEKINGESE mentions,, to illustrate its diminutive proportions, that it was able to lie curled up in his forage-cap. During the forty odd years that have elapsed since the French and British allies entered Pekin Lord John Hay has continued the strain, and the Duchesses of Richmond have also kept up the Goodwood dogs. But little attention, however, seems to have been drawn to these little Lion dogs until Mrs. Allen in 1896 imported " Pekin Prince " and " Pekin Princess," although three years earlier she had become possessed of " Pekin Peter," whose name occupies a prominent place in modern pedigrees. In the year mentioned Mr. Douglas Murray also succeeded in obtaining from the Palace " Ah Cum " and " Mimosa." These only weighed 5 Ib. and 3 Ib. respectively, which should be a useful guide as to the most desirable size. Mrs. Allen, I believe, was the first to exhibit, but at the Ladies* Kennel Association Show at Wolverhampton in 1898 only two were entered in a class for any other variety of foreign Spaniel. It was not until 1902 that the Kennel Club granted a separate classification for the breed, which it was suggested at first should be known as Pekin Pugs. It is only right to put on record that this name met with no favour. The earlier club seems to have made a mistake in recognising 18 Ib. as a possible weight, and it is satisfactory to know that this has been since rescinded. Several years ago Mr. Douglas Murray wrote : " There can be no possible doubt as to the true type of Pekingese. He exists, and has existed, of the same shape as now, for certainly a thousand years, md probably very much longer. We may see him THE PEKINGESE 289 in b'ronze, stone, and ivory, porcelain an'd enamels, and embroidered in gold and colours. There is no mistaking his short legs, slightly bent, his build, com- pact, yet possessing a waist ; his large eyes, broad forehead and muzzle, his ears well set on, and his plume like a squirrel. He is the true Pekingese. The old type and the present Imperial Palace dog are identical." To gain some idea of the make and shape of this little dog who looms so large in the public eye one cannot do better than study the photograph on another page of Mrs. Ashton Cross's champion "Chu- erh," of Alderbourne, for whom his fortunate owner is said to have refused the enormous sum of £1,500. Notice the compact little body and general sturdy appearance. He gives the impression of being a big little dog. His chest is deep and broad, and his head is massive for his size. The coat is long and the tail is equipped with quite an unusual amount of feather. A feeling is abroad that a good many dogs of the wrong type are being shown, lack of bone and sturdiness, legs and bodies too long, and unsound - ness being faults only too prevalent. The charac- teristic waist, too, is said to be disappearing. There is always a danger, when a variety becomes of great commercial value, that worthless specimens may flood the market, and it is to be hoped that judges will take a strong stand in refusing tp award prizes to any lacking in merit. It should be mentioned, in conclusion, that these dogs are singularly hardy, suffering little from any disease. The standard approved by the Pekin Palace Dog Association is as follows : Book of the Dog. 20 290 THE PEKINGESE HEAD. — Massive, broad skull, wide and flat between the ears, wide between the eyes. NOSE. — Black essential, broad, very short, and flat. EYES. — Large, dark, round, and lustrous. EARS. — Long and dropping, leather not to reach below the muzzle, long feather. MUZZLE. — Wrinkled, very short, and broad, with level mouth"; muzzle preferably black, except in black and tans and parti -colours. SHAPE OF BODY.— Broad, deep chest, body light in loins, lionlike, and long in body. Due allow- ance should be made for the natural difference in shape between dog and bitch in regard to lightness of loin. LEGS. — Short; forelegs heavy, bowed out at elbows ; hindlegs lighter, but firm and well shaped. FEET. — Flat, toes turned outwards. Toes should be feathered. MANE. — Profuse, and coarser than the rest of coat. COAT AND FEATHER. -—Long, with thick under- coat, straight, and soft, not curly or wavy ; feather on thighs and legs long and profuse. TAIL. — Carried high on loins in a loose curl ; long, profuse, straight feather. SIZE. — Maximum weight, 10 Ib. No minimum weight . COLOUR. — All colours are allowable. In parti- colours the colour must be evenly broken. ACTION. — Free, strong, and high. GENERAL APPEARANCE.— A sturdy, compact little dog of dignified and fearless carriage and sound and healthy condition. CHAPTER LXIII THE PUG THE Pug type of head is common to several varieties which in all probability were nearly related at some time or other. The inference is that the Pug reached Great Britain from China, but that must have been a good many years ago, as he was much favoured by eighteenth -century ladies. After lapsing in popu- larity, he was revived in far. better quality between 1840 and 1850 by the Lady Willoughby de Eresby of that day and others. Lady Willoughby succeeded in establishing a fawn strain, which bore her name until quite recent times. Indeed, we still hear people speak of their dogs as being pure Willoughby. This nomenclature is, however, scarcely justifiable now. As Dr. Tulk has explained : " There used formerly to be two main strains of this breed, viz., the Wil- loughby and the Morrison. The Willoughby strain was of a beautiful silver-grey colour, with a black trace down the back, and the Morrison strain was apricot -fawn, the trace down the back not being so black as in the Willoughby variety. These two strains have now become merged into one, but it is a singular thing that the best specimens have generally been up to now inclined to be apricot in colour." The 291 292 THE PUG same authority also gives his reason for the popu- larity of this dog : " Take him all round, the Pug is the very best ideal of a pet dog. There are many reasons for this, some of which are that, as a rule, he is neither too big nor too small ; his coat is Always, when in good health, clean and smooth, and does not require much care"; he is good- tempered and playful, and has very many quaint ways ; he is easily taught to do tricks, and is not given to straying awayj as a puppy he is the prettiest of all the canine race, having, when a few weeks old, all the appearance of a grown dogf; he is very affectionate, and makes a good companion' for children. These are a few of the reasons why* the Pug is the best of all Toy dogs to choose for a pet, and to which also may be added that the breed has never changed since it first made its appearance in the beginning of the reign of William III., and also that he is the most gentlemanly-looking of all the Toy fdogs." This is high praise indeed from a gentleman who has many good ones. When Lady Brassey introduced the black Pug in 1886 he soon threatened to rival his fawn-coloured brother in numbers. Early in 1909 a photograph was published of a long-coated Pug belonging to Miss C. Rosa Little, which this lady had brought from an Australian. The tail was a pale apricot, this colour deepening to the shoulders, where it was sable. Before this, however, we had had a few, dogs of a similar description. The following is the standard drawn up by; the Pug Clubs : SYMMETRY. — Symmetry and general appearance decidedly square and cobby. A lean, leggy Pug THE PUG 293 and a dog with short legs and long body are equally objectionable. SIZE AND CONDITION.— The Pug should be multum in parvo, but this condensation (if the word may be used) should be shown by compactness of form, well-knit proportions, and hardness of de- veloped muscle. The weight recommended as b'eing the best is from 12 Ib. to 16 Ib". (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, well split -up toes, 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 expression, very lustrous, and when excited full of fire. EAR. — Thin, small, soft like black velvet. There are two kinds — the rose and the button. Prefer- ence is given to the latter. MARKINGS.— Clearly defined. The muzzle, or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb-mark or diamond on forehead, 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. 294 THE PUG 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 fawn, apricot fawn, or black. Each should be decided, to make the contrast com- plete between the colour and the trace and mask. CHAPTER LXIV, THE BLACK AND TAN TERRIER PRESUMABLY the Black and Tan Terrier had his origin in and around Manchester, as he was frequently known after that city. With the advent of dog shows this terrier has been subjected to a refining process, and he is now only suitable as a pet, although he is still fully capable of killing a rat. He is not easy to breed, for the simple reason that not only has his contour to be taken into account, but much stress is laid upon the colour and markings. As a house dog he may be commended, for he is parti- cularly cleanly in his habits, and his smooth, close coat is easily kept in nice condition. Added to this he has much intelligence and many endearing qualities. In considering the appended description much attention should be paid to the distribution of the tan markings, as this is considered a very essential point. The toy variety is a bantamised edition of his larger brother, and he is a great favourite with the ladies on account of his diminutive size. I remember a tiny specimen which could stand on the palm of one's hand being sold at the Kennel Club Show a few years ago for a hundred golden sovereigns. It 296 THE BLACK AND TAN TERRIER seems a lot of money to give for such a tiny specimen of caninity. The following standard has been drawn up by the Black and Tan Terrier Club of England : 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 larger 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, THE BLACK AND TAN TERRIER 297 COLOUR. — Jet black and rich mahogany tan, dis- tributed 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 £.re tanned, and the hair inside the ear is of the same colour ; the forelegs tanned up to the knees with black lines (pencil marks) up each toe, and a black mark (thumb mark) above the foot ; inside the hindlegs 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 hindlegs — 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 7 Ib. ; for the large breed, from 16 Ib. to 20 Ib. is most desirable. CHAPTER LX THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER ALTHOUGH it is difficult to credit a little dog, weighing frequently less than 5 lb., and smothered in a long silky coat, with sporting instincts, it is nevertheless true that the Yorkshire Terrier is thoroughly game and capable of killing a rat cleanly and expeditious ly. He is also a trustworthy guard, ready to go for a stranger with the utmost pluck. Looking at the beribboned darlings, reclining on cushions in the show pen, we are apt to forget that some fifty years ago they came from a genuine working variety. Scotland and the North of England have for many generations, before the advent of dog shows, possessed strains of broken-haired terrier, from some of which the Yorkshire is descended. " Stonehenge " says : " The points of the Yorkshire dog are the same as regards shape and make as the smooth English terrier, but the coat differs in being long and of three different shades — that on the back being a blue slate ; the face, head, and legs a silky, silvery fawn ; the whole undermined by short tanned hair. The older the dog the more silvery he gets." Of later years the Yorkshire Terrier has enjoyed THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER 299 unprecedented popularity as a pet, and any one seeking a pleasing house dog could go farther and fare worse, provided one is not chosen with an exaggerated coat. The life of a show dog cannot be regarded as ideal. Stimulants are applied to increase the growth of his hair, and his liberty is often restricted lest he should spoil this much-valued property. I have seen them confined to tiny pens in a drawing-room, only being exercised under most careful supervision. Even the feet are put into boots so that they cannot injure the coat by scratching. Thus are all natural instincts kept under subjection ! Cropping is no longer permitted, but the tail is docked to about half its length, and the dew claws are removed. A mat or rug forms the best sleeping accommodation, straw or shavings being out of the question. It is worth knowing that the puppies are born black, the correct colouring not appearing for some months — it may be a year or more. Lack of this knowledge has before now led to the destruction of valuable litters under, the impression that they were impure. The Yorkshire Terrier Club standard is as follows : GENERAL APPEARANCE.— Should be that of a long-coated Toy Terrier, 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 upright, and having an important air. The general outline should convey the existence of a vigorous and well-proportioned body. HEAD. — 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 300 THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER on the head to be long, 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 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 hair 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 b'e promi- nent, and the edge of the eyelids should be of a dark colour. EARS. — Small V-shaped, and carried semi -erect or erect, covered with short hair, the colour to be of a very deep rich tan. MOUTH. — Perfectly even, with teeith as sound as possible. An animal having lost any teeth through accident not a fault, providing the jaws are even. BODY, — Very compact, and a good loin. Level on the top of the back. COAT. — The- hair on body moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy), glossy, like silk, and of a fine silky texture. Colour, a dark steel blue (not silver blue) extending from the occiput to the root of tail, and on no account mingled with fawn, bronze, pr dark hairs. LEGS. — Quite straight, 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 hindlegs than the stifle. FEET. — As round as possible, and the toenails black. TAIL. — Cut to medium length, with plenty of hair THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER 301 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.— Three classes : 5 Ib. and under,; £ Ib. and under, but over 5 Ib . ; over 7 Ib.,. CHAPTER LXVI THE MALTESE HUMAN nature being much the same through all generations, changing little with the progress of the centuries, it is not at all startling to know that the luxurious dames of Greece and Rome possessed their lilliputian lapdogs, of which presumably they made as much fuss as do the ladies of to-day. Some- how it makes time feel short to think that the identical breed beloved by the Roman matrons is still with us in the Maltese. Strabo says : " There is a town in Sicily called Melita, whence are exported many beautiful dogs called Canes MelitL 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 understanding nor unstable in their love.'* Although they were also found in Malta it is questionable if there is any reason for calling them after that island. Although this charming little toy is gifted with great intelligence as well as a beautiful silky coat, in which its form is almost concealed, it is not so widely found as one would imagine. Mr. W. E. Weller, who has bred them for many years, writes : Mrs. Parker's Pomeranian, Champion "Mars." He is a brilliant golden- orange in colour, which is so difficult to obtain in its purity. (Page 271.) Mrs. L. Welter's Maltese, Champion " Chillicbury Masher." He is a very handsome little dog, for which his owner refused an offer of £200. (Page 302.) THE MALTESE 303 ' The Maltese are the most aesthetic of all toy dogs, having been highly prized by ladies of ancient Greece. They were also for centuries the Court pets of royal ladies of France, who considered them the beau ideal of all that is sweet and winsome,; fit to adorn a palace or lie upon the robe of a Queen. They are almost human in their fidelity, which, combined with their aristocratic lineage, brings them to the highest standard of a dainty drawing-room pet. I have bred them for nearly twenty-two years and have never lost one from dis- temper. In fact, I consider them very hardy if bred properly." Possibly ladies shy at the coats, which cannot be kept in order without some trouble. Concerning this, Mr. J. Sidney Turner gives some admirable advice in the " Kennel Encyclopaedia " : " There is no more difficulty in keeping his coat in order than that of other silky -coated breeds. It must never be neglected, however, even for a day. In washing, great care must be used in the selection of a soap, and the best for this purpose is pure white Castile soap. It is best to make a weak lye and to thoroughly saturate the coat without rubbing at all, by simply sponging down, taking parts of the coat in detail ; afterwards use the whites of eggs and a small quantity of borax beaten up and dissolved in about twice the bulk of water, thoroughly filling the coat with this ; lastly, rinse the coat thoroughly with tepid water ; either filtered rain-water or distilled water is best. Hard water, which contains lime, is deleterious to the silkiness of the coat. Unless the dog is really dirty, soap is not required at all, and the white of egg alone may be used. Do 304 THE MALTESE not use so-called ' Egg Julep/ which is usually made of oil and lime-water. Brushing and combing must always be attended to." The Maltese Club of London gives the following standard : HEAD. — Should not be narrow, but should be of terrier shape, not too long but not apple-headed. EARS. — Should be long and well feathered, and hang close to the side of the head, the hair tQ be well mingled with the coat at the shoulders. EYES. — Should be dark brown with black rims and not too far apart. NOSE. — Should be pure black. LEGS AND FEET. — Legs should be short and straight, feet round, and the pads of the feet should be black. BODY AND SHAPE. — Should be short and cobby, low to the ground, and the back should be straight from the top of the shoulder to the tail. TAIL CARRIAGE. — Should be well arched over the back and feathered. COAT, LENGTH AND TEXTURE.— Should be a good length, the longer the better, of a silky texture, not in any way woolly, and should be straight. COLOUR. — It is desirable that they should be pure white, but slight lemon marks should not count against them. CONDITION AND APPEARANCE.— Should be of a sharp, terrier appearance, with a lively action ; the coat should not be stained, but should be well groomed in every way. SIZE. — The most approved weights should be from 4 Ib. to 9! lb., the smaller the better, but should not be more than 10 lb. at the outside. Mrs. Scarlett's Italian Greyhound, Champion "Svelta." Remarkable for fine shoulders and good front. (Page 305.) Mr. C. E. Firmstone's Yorkshire Terrier, Champion " The Grand Duke." He has a long straight coat, and is thoroughly typical. Weight, 4^ Ibs. (Page 298.)- CHAPTER LXVII THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND THE Italian Greyhound should be a dainty replica in miniature of the larger coursing variety. In habits he is very pleasing, graceful in movements, and much devoted to his mistress. He is particularly suited to the drawing-room, his close, fine coat being kept clean with a minimum of trouble. A lined basket suffices for his habitation, and he is nothing like so delicate as one might imagine from his slender appearance. It is advisable, however, to put on a small coat when taking him out in cold or wet weather. The Italian Greyhound can never be mis- taken for a Whippet if you see the two together. His action is very different, and the other dog is slightly coarser-looking . Although connoisseurs prize a 5 Ib. dog, displaying in his person all the required characteristics, experience teaches that these are more likely to be found in the 8 Ib. to 10 Ib. animals. It is the same with all Toys. A very tiny specimen will be highly valued if he is good, but he is rarely found so. Unfortunately, the demand for diminu- tiveness has nearly ruined many breeds. It was pro- mising to do so with the Italian Greyhound, in order to attain this object a cross with Toy Terriers being; Book of the Dog. 21 K* 306 THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND resorted to. This, of course, was calculated to do away with the graceful outline and high-stepping action, without which none should be deemed to approach perfection, and it was well that the Italian Greyhound Club, on its foundation in 1900, set itself strongly against the outcross business, and prevented the breed from being ruined. Personally I much prefer a dog of medium size~; he is less fragile and more companionable in my opinion, .and is certainly not too large for a room. The Italian Greyhound has undoubtedly been kept as a pet by the ladies of his native country for some centuries, pictures affording ample evidence upon this point, and also proving that the type has changed but little. The Court ladies of France in the seven- teenth and eighteenth century were also devoted to him, if we may believe the paintings by Watteau. The fashionable colour varies a good deal from time to time. It is purely a question of one's individual taste. Some modern judges do not care for white, while others prefer it. You may also have black, golden or silver fawn, blue, cream, or mouse. The horrible apple-head, so common to the toy varieties, which is regarded more or less as a sign of degeneracy, seems to be disappearing, giving place to the more correct, and certainly far more pleasing*, greyhound shape. Much stress is laid upon the action, which, to some extent, should resemble that of a high-step- ping hackney. It gives an air of playfulness which otherwise would be lacking. Mrs. Scarlett, who has had so many good specimens, warns us that the little creatures require careful handling lest a limb should be fractured. For this reason children should THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND 307 not be allowed to play with them with impunity. However careful and kindly small people are, they cannot help being rough at times, and the injury is soon done. Mrs. Scarlett also recommends two meals daily, the first of puppy biscuits, and the second of brown bread and gravy, fish, minced meat, or porridge and milk. Boiled rice, too, I should imagine would form a useful variant. The points as approved by the Italian Greyhound Club are : GENERAL APPEARANCE. — A miniature English Greyhound, more slender in all proportions, and of ideal elegance and grace in shape, symmetry, and action. HEAD. — Skull long, flat, and narrow. Muzzle very fine. Nose dark in colour. Teeth level. Ears rose- shaped, placed well back, soft, and delicate. Eyes rather large, bright, and full of expression. BODY. — Neck long and gracefully arched. Shoulders long and sloping. Chest deep and narrow. Back curved and drooping on the hindquarters. LEGS AND FEET. — Forelegs straight, well set under the shoulder ; fine pasterns, small, delicate bones. Hindlegs, hocks well let down. Thighs muscular. Feet, the long hare foot. 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 recog- nised ; and blacks, brindles, and pied are considered less desirable. Black and Tan Terrier markings not allowed. 308 THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND ACTION. — High -stepping and free. WEIGHT. — Two classes — one of 8 Ib. and under, and one over 8 Ib. A good small dog is preferable to an equally good large one, but a good large dog is preferable to a poor small one. Mrs. H. H. Spicer's Griffon Bruxellois, Champion " Copthorne Lobster," a remarkably fine example of his kind. (Photo Thos. Fall.) (Page 309. Mrs. H. H. Spicer's Griffons Bruxellois, Champions " Copthorne Wiseacre" and " Copthorne Treasure." (Page 309.)- CHAPTER LXVIII THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS THIS curious, monkey-faced little dog is the produc- tion of the Belgian capital, whence he found his way into this country about 1894. He is said to derive his short face from the English Ruby Spaniel and other characteristics from the Yorkshire and Irish Terriers. Probably the native AfTenpinscher, how- ever, entered largely into his composition. He has been bred a sufficient number of years to come true to type. He has many endearing qualities, a pluck which would hardly be looked for in his size, and an immense advantage over the long -coated Toys, inasmuch as he calls for little attention. These points were speedily recognised when he was first introduced to our notice, and it was not long before a number of kennels was formed. Mr. H. H. Spicer, who with Mrs. Spicer are among our foremost authori- ties, explains in the " Kennel Encyclopaedia " that there are two sub -varieties, the smooth or Braban- cori, which differs only in the matter of coat, and the Griffon Beige, which differs only in the matter of colour. Separate classes are provided in Belgium for each variety. Of the latter some are black and tan, some red, with a few white hairs, and some, 310 THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS pepper and salt. He further says : " The Brussels Griffon is essentially a large dog in miniature. Intelligent, sprightly, of compact and cobby appear- ance, attracting one's attention by the quasi-human expression of its face ; perhaps for this reason good specimens are described on the Continent as having monkey faces." The following is the standard of the Griffon Bruxellois Club : GENERAL APPEARANCE.— A lady's pet dog, intelli- gent, sprightly, robust, of compact appearance, re- minding 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, eye- lashes long and black, eyelids 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 that which surrounds the eyes ; the break or stop in the nose 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. LEGS. — As straight as possible, of medium length. TAIL. — Upwards and cut to two-thirds. THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS 311 COLOUR.— Red. TEXTURE OF COAT. — Harsh and wiry, rather long, and thick. WEIGHT.— Small dogs, male and female, 5 Ib. maximum ; big dogs, 9 Ib. maximum ; large bitches, 10 Ib. FAULTS. — Pale eyes, silky tuft on head, brown toenails, showing teeth. DISQUALIFICATIONS.— Brown nose, white marks, tongue protruding. CHAPTER LXIX' TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS SUCH a work as this would be incomplete witKouf some advice as to the treatment of some of the commonest ailments which may occur to any dog. The hints are necessarily of a more or less elementary nature, for, in cases of really serious illness, the advice of a skilled veterinary surgeon should at once be sought. It is not difficult to tell when an animal is sick ; his whole demeanour is sufficiently expres- sive to let even the most unobservant know that he is ailing. The surest indication is to be found in a rise of temperature, and for this reason the dog- owner should be equipped with a clinical thermo- meter. The usual method of ascertaining the temperature is in the rectum or groin, the former being the most reliable. It is impossible to say with exactitude what is the normal temperature, for individuals vary, and experiments have shown that the same animal may have a range of as much as 2° in the same day. For ordinary working purposes, however, we may put it at about 102°, and any eleva- tion above this figure may be taken as indicating something wrong. In the groin the normal would be about i° less, and in puppies it is slightly higher ; 312 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 313 104° or 105° would suggest the presence of a good deal of fever. The pulse is ascertained by placing the finger on the femoral artery inside the thigh. In a large dog the normal beat may be from 70 to 90 in a minute, while in the smaller varieties it is still more rapid — say, about 100 per minute. The administration of medicine is not a difficult task when once the proper methods are understood. Whenever possible it is advisable to delude the patient into the belief that he is about to receive something pleasant. A pill may be concealed in a piece of meat, and nauseous physic may be sweetened in order to render it more palatable. The capsule is a convenient form in which to give small quantities. This should be pushed well down the throat with the two first fingers, or it will probably be rejected. Powder that is comparatively tasteless, such as areca-nut, may be thoroughly incorporated with butter or dripping, and then smeared on the tongue. Drenching is necessary in the case of a liquid. A strong, wide-mouthed bottle is the best. Approach the patient from the front, make a pouch of the lips on one side with your left hand, inserting the bottle mouth on the other. Hold the head well back so that none may be spilt, and do not relax your hold until you are satisfied that all is swallowed. Do something to distract the dog's attention immediately after in case he should show a desire to vomit. Above all, let him see that you have no sinister designs. In cases of illness in which much liquid food has to be given, choking is not so likely to be caused if the nourishment is slightly thickened with a little cornflour or arrowroot. The, drugs used in canine medicine are in 314 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS the main similar to those given to human beings, and in the majority of cases one of the larger varieties would require a dose of the same pro- portion as that suitable for an adult man. A dog of 40 Ib. weight, or thereabouts, would do with two-thirds the amount, or the quantity for a child of fourteen ; and terriers and such small animals from one-third to one-half. Anything of an oily consistency, such as castor- oil, should first be warmed, and then floated on a little milk. As a rule, with the exception of worm medicines and aperients, physic should be given after meals, but this is, of course, subject to variations. In nine cases out of ten nursing is of more import- ance than drugs, and here one cannot do better than apply the knowledge gained in the human sick-room. Perhaps it is needless to say that the strictest cleanli- ness must be observed in the hospital and that there must be an ample supply of fresh air and pure water. A thick sprinkling of sawdust on the floor will pro- mote the sweetness of the compartment. When great weakness is present, foods of a light and nourishing character are indicated, and, if there is extreme de- bility, brandy or port wine are called for. Beef -tea, Bovril, Liebig's Extract, mutton broth, milk, plain or with egg, or boiled rice are all useful, and occa- sionally finely chopped raw meat is most helpful. Plasmon and Sanatogen are very strengthening, and, if there is much sickness or diarrhoea, Benger's Food is admirable. Arrowroot affords a good coating to the stomach. With these few general hints I will proceed to deal in order with some of the diseases which the dog-owner may expect to encounter. Any one de- TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 315 sirous of going more fully into the matter should consult Mr. A. J. Sewell's useful work, "The Dogs' Medical Dictionary." ABSCESSES. — Abscesses are formed by a collec- tion of pus, and must not be confused with a cyst. Apply fomentations or poultices until the place is soft, and open with a sharp knife. Wash out with boracic lotion. ALOPECIA.— Whole or partial loss of hair, usually found in old dogs. Dress twice daily with fluid extract of jaborandi, J oz. ; tincture of cantharides, J oz. ; glycerine, J oz. ; vaseline, ij oz. ASTHMA. — Is due to a thickening of the mucous membrane of the air-tubes ; the breathing is heavy and wheezy, frequently occurring in old dogs as the result of over -feeding. Where this is obviously the cause, the diet should be restricted to reasonable pro- portions, and a dose of Epsom salts given — four drachms for a 50 Ib. dog. As a rule, there is no elevation of temperature as in bronchitis. Confine- ment to a chamber in which is a bronchitis kettle containing a little terebene in the water will fre- quently give relief. BITES. — Stitches may be needed in the event of a bad wound. In any case, dress with some disin- fectant, such as Jeyes' Fluid, Izal, Pearson's Fluid, Condy's, or carbolic solution. Put on a rag with boracic ointment and bandage if possible. BRONCHITIS. — Is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes. Diagnosis is not difficult. There is a distressing cough, and an eleva- tion in temperature of several degrees, with catarrh of the eyes and nose. Confine the patient to a warm room, and put on a flannel jacket lined with 316 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS gamgee wool. An emetic is useful in the early stages, such as 20 grains of sulphate of zinc. If there is constipation, a dose of castor-oil is neces- sary. Food light and nourishing ; stimulants in great weakness. A mixture containing syrup of squills and paregoric will relieve the cough. Mr. Sewell recommends the following prescription : Liq. morphia, .1 drachm ; Hoffmann's spirits, 2 drachms ; paregoric, ij drachms ; ipecacuanha wine, I drachm ; syrup of squills, i oz/; water to 3 oz. Dose, one teaspoonful to 3. tablespoonful every four or six hours. Guard the patient against chills, or pneumonia may supervene. CHOREA. — This is a common and distressing sequel to distemper, and may attack any part of the body. I am inclined to think that it is often caused by putting the patient prematurely on too solid food, as it frequently occurs in mild cases of distemper when we think a cure is practically effected. The characteristic constant twitching of the muscles cannot well be mistaken. Severe cases are practically hopeless, but milder attacks may yield to a treatment of strychnine or arsenic. Easton's Syrup is a convenient form in which to give the former — from 3 drops to \ drachm in a teaspoon- ful of water thrice daily after, food. Some prefer liquor arsenicalis, the dose of which would be from 3 to 20 drops, according to the size of the animal. Remember that you should always commence with a very small dose of arsenic, increasing the quantity gradually and decreasing in the same way. Never administer on an empty stomach, and stop if there is any nausea or eyes become red or tongue white. COLIC. — The sufferer exhibits signs of consider- TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 317 able pain. His ftack will be arched, the abdomen tense, and he will probably cry out. Give castor- oil, containing from 10 to 20 drops laudanum. If this fails to set up action of the bowels, an enema should be used. A few drops of chlorodyne will be helpful. Occasionally similar symptoms may be set up by the presence of foreign bodies in the intestines. Young puppies frequently swallow large stones and all sorts of extraordinary things, the passage of which is attended with much danger. Death often ensues from perforation of the bowels. In such cases I think it is a good plan to give a large meal of potatoes . CONSTIPATION.— Insufficient exercise and in- judicious dietary are usually responsible for this dis- order, which may occasion a good deal of mischief, and should at once be checked. Castor-oil (J oz. to 2 oz.) or Epsom salts (i to 4 drachms) will afford immediate relief. Liver is a natural laxative. Powdered sulphur is also useful, of which a big dog may have half a teaspoonful, while just a nip suffices for a Toy. DIARRHCEA.— As a preliminary to after-treatment give castor-oil in the hope of removing the irritant which causes the mischief. In mild cases from 5 to 20 grains of carbonate of bismuth, shaken dry on the tongue, is as simple as anything, and will usually be found efficacious. In stubborn diarrhoea careful attention must be paid to the diet, light feeding being indicated. Arrowroot is good, especially if it contains a few drops of laudanum. This irregularity must not be allowed to continue, or the patient will be much weakened, possibly die. It is particularly fatal to young puppies. In the 318 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS latter worms are often the cause, and must be got rid of. Dirty feeding vessels are also responsible, especially in hot weather. Astringents such as kino or rhatany are helpful. From 10 to 30 drops of the former may be given. When the looseness con- tinues to a great extent an enema of starch with a few drops of laudanum will perhaps relieve the patient. Whites of egg well mixed up with a little water are also to be recommended. DISTEMPER.— Distemper, directly or indirectly, is responsible for the highest rate of canine mortality. It is a most distressing complaint, to which all are liable. Although purely contagious, it is rarely that a young dog fails to come in contact with it at some term of his existence. The period of incubation may extend to as much as fourteen days. If a young dog is seedy, disinclined to take his food, and shows a rise of temperature, one is pretty safe in assuming that he has distemper, and immediate precautions should be taken to mitigate the severity of the attack and prevent the appearance of complications which may prove fatal. After the preliminary indisposition, we may have total loss of appetite, a distressing cough, sneezing, and a thick discharge from the nose and eyes. This latter is an unmistakable sign, but it must be by no means inferred that it is always present. I remember once having two or three out of a litter of puppies fall ill. They were at once separated, and the remainder for a fortnight seemed perfectly well, feeding, and showing no symptoms. One day we tried their temperature, and found a couple with 106°. Of course, they were immediately treated as invalids, but in a few days they were dead, having had no discharge or cough, and feeding TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 319 naturally up to the last. The mildest cases are fre- quently the worst. They will drag on for weeks, the patients only seeming slightly ill, but at the same time they make no distinct progress towards re- covery. My experience has been that fits are likely to appear at last, and then the end. At other times it may be chorea. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that one must be patient, and not endeavour to hasten con- valescence. Many a dog has been lost by a prema- ture return to solid dietary because his owner did not consider him bad enough to continue on invalid foods. You can never feel really safe under two months, and sometimes it will be more than that. The disease seems most prevalent in damp and muggy weather, and undoubtedly the chances of re- covery are then smaller. A dry, frosty atmosphere is not so inimical, provided reasonable care is taken to guard the patient against the cold. The first thing to do is to provide a warm room, the temperature of which should never fall below 60°, and it is better to have it still warmer. Then put on a coat, not in a perfunctory manner, but one that will really keep the dog warm and protect his chest. First of all get a plentiful suf )ly of gamgee wool, with which the chest, sides, and back as far as the loins should be covered. Over this put a flannel jacket fashioned in this way : Make two holes about a foot from one end, through which the front legs should be thrust. Then draw the material well over the back and round the throat, and sew up. The ordinary coat tied underneath is of little use, as the most vulnerable organs are more or less unprotected . 320 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS A light invalid dietary should at once be resorted to, and it must be thoroughly strengthening and easily digested. Let it be varied also, and be sure to give only in small quantities at a time. In bad cases a meal every hour is not too much, but, of course, it must only consist of a small amount. Your great object is to maintain the strength. If the dog continues to feed naturally, and can retain what he takes, you need not give quite so often, and the quantity may be increased. You will be fortunate, however, if you do not have to resort to drenching. The discharge from eyes and nostrils, when there is any, must be frequently cleansed with a mild solution of Condy's Fluid or some other disinfectant, and the mouth should also be washed out in the same manner several times daily. If this precaution is neglected, the gums may get into a shocking state, subsequently receding from the teeth, the roots of which will be left exposed. The eyes should be flooded with a mild boracic solution. A simple febri- fuge, which I have used with much advantage, is made up of 72 grains each of salicine and salicylate of soda, mixed with 6 oz. of water. Dose, twice a day, from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, according to size. Should there be constipation a laxative must be administered, but the chances are that diarrhoea will set up which may lead to dysentery. Use the treat- ment recommended under Diarrhoea. A conspicuous feature of the disease is the extreme emaciation which usually ensues, and there is also great weakness. I have known a dog unable to stand for a fortnight and then recover. Therefore, never give in until death actually occurs. TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 32 i The most frequent complications to be looked for are fits, chorea, dysentery, and pneumonia, all of which require separate treatment. A distemper fit is unlike all others, and may pass unnoticed in the beginning. A twitching of the muscles of the head should put one on the alert. The fit itself is mani- fested by a champing of the jaws and a dazed appear- ance. As they increase in frequency the poor creature emits a painful cry, and is altogether SL pitiable object. Directly the fits begin give bromide of strontium, from 3 to 1 5 grains in a teaspoonful or tablespoonful of water every three or four hours. Should they diminish in frequency, reduce the bromide, but do not be too easily lulled into a feeling of security. The advent of pneumonia is heralded by a diffi- culty in breathing, which becomes worse in the later stages. The patient blows at the lips, eventually becoming so much distressed that he sits up on his haunches, or lies with head outstretched. Skilled advice should at once be taken, as the disease is very rapid. Relief may, however, be given by rubbing the sides and chest well with turpentine. Frankly, the chances are not very hopeful, but still there is a prospect of recovery, and while this exists we should do all we can. The heart in many cases becomes affected, which only tends to make matters more difficult. The appearance of a pustular eruption on the inner part of the flanks and the bare skin of the abdomen is usually to be welcomed, seeming to afford an outlet to the poison in the system, but, unfortu- nately, a severe form of skin complaint is common, the dog at times losing practically all his hair. This Book of the Dog. 22 322 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS is a most troublesome thing to combat, and often is incurable. The remedies mentioned under Eczema may be tried. After the temperature has been normal for a few days convalescence may be assisted by a tonic. Finally, let me give another warning never to underrate the nature of the disease. This tendency is, I am convinced, responsible for a large number of deaths. When the animal is doing well we are apt to relax our efforts, and to congratulate ourselves on having done so well where others have failed. It is riot easy to persuade people that a dog suffer- ing with distemper varies from day to day. For two or three days he appears to be well on the road to recovery, and then he goes back again worse than ever. I am not an alarmist, but simply giving the fruits of my experience. DROPSY.— Dropsy must be regarded as sympto- matic of kidney or heart trouble. It is shown by the distendeol abdomen, while, as a rule, the legs are also swollen and puffy. Give a purgative of from 8 to 15 grains of jalap, and then gin thrice daily after food, a teaspoonful being the quantity for a dog of medium size. DYSENTERY. — At first symptoms similar to diar- rhoea, but afterwards blood will appear in the motions, while there will be tenderness of the abdomeri. Commence treatment with a dose of castor-oil, containing laudanum, from half to a table- spoonful of the former, with from 3 to 1 5 drops of the sedative ; then carbonate of bismuth, as in diarrhoea, and, if necessary, a; starch enema with laudanum. EAR, CANKER OF.— The sufferer shakes his head, TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 323 frequently carrying it sideways as if in a good deal of discomfort. There is a nasty discharge, and the orifice is inflamed. It is important to check it or it may extend inwards, causing serious trouble. Wash out the ear thoroughly with a little mild dis- infectant and warm water, dry well with cotton-wool, and then blow in twice a day boracic powder, making certain that it gets well in the orifice. Another form of canker is caused by minute parasites which infest the flap of the ear, and may be seen as small white points. Syringe the inner part of the ear with a good disinfectant, and dress with an ointment of sulphur and vaseline. ECZEMA.— Eczema is very prevalent among highly-bred dogs, more often than not, I think, being inherited. Injudicious feeding may be responsible, as well as worms. The dog, being a carnivorous animal, needs a certain quantity of meat, and a neglect of this fact will lead to impoverishment of the blood. Excess of food, too, may be just as mis- chievous in the other direction. Eczema may appear in small patches, or a considerable surface of the body may be affected. In puppies the legs and thighs are often attacked. Where it is localised the disease can usually be checked comfortably, and we need not be alarmed if the dog bites himself into raw places. An ointment made of vaseline and powdered sulphur is often sufficient to cure, or any cooling lotion may be applied, such as a solution of carbolic or Goulard's extract of lead. In more severe cases it is a good plan to give the animal a bath in a mild disinfectant, and then to dress thoroughly with the following mixture : Linseed-oil, I pint'r; oil of tar, 2 oz. ; cocoamit-oil, \ pint ; 324 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS powdered sulphur, 4 oz. Warm, and stir well before using. Apply this several times a week for a short time, and wash again. A dose of Epsom salts is desirable, which may be followed with the follow- ing cooling mixture once a day after food : Sulphate of magnesia, ij oz.;; sulphate of iron, I scruple ; bicarbonate of potash, J oz.>; water, 8 oz. As this has a very sharp flavour I usually dissolve a good deal of sugar with it. Dose for a large dog one tablespoonful, for Fox Terrier size one teaspoonful. Should the eczema be persistent, it may be necessary to put the dog under a treatment of arsenic, as recommended under Chorea. FEET. — The pads of the feet are apt to get sore, especially in sporting dogs, or eczema may appear between the toes. Bathe daily in a disinfectant, and if they are very bad, dress with boracic ointment, and put on a stocking. The swelling which comes occasionally between the toes should first be softened by fomentations and then opened. Wash out the wound with boracic solution, and bandage to keep free from dirt. FITS. — Distemper fits have been dealt with under that heading. In an epileptic fit a dog falls to the ground in convulsions, usually crying out as if in great distress. For a brief period he is quite un- conscious, and on recovery he must be handled with care, for he will growl at and even bite his own master, not realising, in his dazed condition, what he is doing. Immediate relief may be afforded by giving from 3 to 20 grains each of bromide of potassium and hydrated chloral. This should be put in from two teaspoonfuls to two tablespoonfuls of water. As these fits are liable to recur, a pro- TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 325 longed treatment of bromide is indicated. Get made up this prescription : Solution of bromated arsenic, i drachm-; potassium bromide, J oz. ; water, 12 oz. For a dog the size of a Bloodhound the dose would be one tablespoonful, mixed with a little water, and then added to the food morning and evening for a week, once a day for a. fortnight, once every other day for another fortnight. If no other fits occur, give only once every three days for some time longer. The quantity, say, for a Spaniel or a Bulldog would be half the amount, and for a Fox Terrier one -third. It has been suggested that epilepsy may be induced by auricular mange. If there is a discharge from the inner ear, or one has reason to suspect the presence of parasites, a little of the following liniment should be injected into the passage daily : Olive- oil, 100 parts; naphthol, 10 parts; and ether, 30 parts. Fits in puppies may be set up by worms. Remove the cause. HERNIA. — Umbilical hernia is by no means un- common in young puppies. Provided the protrusion is not larger than a small marble, it will go back itself, but when it is larger a flat cork, or some similar substance, should be placed over the spot and held in place with stout veterinary plaster. JAUNDICE. — The " yellows," in the vernacular, is the result of ineffective action of the liver, and may be brought about by ,a chill. It is very prevalent among sporting dogs. The yellow appearance of the mucous membranes renders diagnosis easy. Keep the animal as free from draughts as possible when in his kennel, let him have gentle exercise, and give only light food which contains nothing of a fatty nature. Mr. Sewell recommends the homoeopathic preparations 326 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS of Nux Vomica 5* and Merc. Sol. 5x, 2 to 10 grains of each every three or four hours. Others prescribe a grey powder or calomel, in small doses (half a grain of calomel), three times a day. LUNGS, INFLAMMATION OF.— See under Dis- temper. MANGE. — There are two kinds, follicular and sarcoptic, both of which arise from a small parasite. In the former the parasite takes up its abode in the hair-follicles and sebaceous glands. The disease progresses slowly, commencing with a small, bare patch, and gradually spreading until sometimes the unhappy victim is denuded of his hair, the skin becoming corrugated and of a darkish blue colour, with a number of little eruptions. Fortunately, this complaint is not very contagious, but it is most troublesome to cure from the very nature of its origin. A small part may be dressed daily with Naphthol Beta Ointment, but where the complaint is widespread drastic measures will have to be taken. The hair of a long -coated dog should be clipped quite short, a bath given in order to moisten the scabs, and then the following dressing thoroughly rubbed in : Olive -oil, I pint ; Wright's solution of coal-tar, 4 oz.<; sulphur, 4 oz. ; mercurial ointment, i oz. Apply every day for a week, and then wash again. SARCOPATIC MANGE is highly contagious, the para- sites infesting the surface of the skin, and when it once (appears the bedding must all be burned and the kennels thoroughly disinfected and limewashed. The dressing recommended above is efficacious, and so is the sulphur mixture prescribed for eczema. PERITONITIS. — Is accompanied by constipation, with much pain in the abdomen, which is hard to TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 327 the touch. Relieve the constipation with castor -oil or an enema, give 5 to 20 drops of laudanum in water every four hours, and relieve the pain by applications of hot flannels wrung out in water in which there is a little turpentine. POISONING. — An immediate emetic is required. Fifteen to 20 grains of sulphate of zinc, followed by a teaspoonful of ipecac., will usually answer the purpose ; but if this is not handy, washing soda dis- solved in warm water may act instead ; also mustard and water. RHEUMATISM. — Rheumatism in the shoulders is usually known as " chest founder," but any part of the body may be attacked. Salicylate of soda, given three times a day, in doses varying from 2 to 1 5 grains, is the usual remedy. The part most affected may be rubbed with a good embrocation. TEETH. — The mouth of a dog needs more atten- tion than it usually receives. Soft feeding is apt to lead to an accumulation of tartar, which will get the mouth into a very unwholesome condition if it is allowed to continue. A hard biscuit once a day is a good cleansing agent, but when tartar has once formed it must be removed by mechanical means. Otherwise the gums will become diseased and the teeth loosened. UDDERS. — In the course of suckling the mammary glands may become swollen and caked. The milk should be drawn out gently and the teat affected should be rubbed with marshmallow ointment or some other unguent. Careful attention should be given at the time of drying, the process being assisted by rubbing with camphorated oil. Enlarged udders are very unsightly, but rarely need occur if due care is taken. 328 TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS WORMS. — The chief internal parasites infesting the dog are the round worms, which are usually found in young puppies, and the tapeworm common to adults. The treatment of puppies has been dealt with in another chapter ; that of adults is compara- tively simple. If the coat is harsh and staring, and the appetite capricious, the presence of worms may be suspected, although there may be no direct evidences. Segments of the tapeworm are, however, usually to be seen in the motions, in the shape of little organisms somewhat less than an inch in length. Plenty of remedies are on the market, but, in case any one prefers to make up his own, I may state that the most convenient agent for the destruction of these pests is powdered areca-nut, which must be used fresh, otherwise its properties are sacrificed. The correct dose is one grain for every pound weight of the adult dog, but a maximum of i oo grains should suffice for even the largest. It is necessary to administer this in the early morning, the dog having been deprived of his meal overnight. In an hour's time follow with a dose of castor -oil. The nut may be scraped on an ordinary nutmeg grater, but this is sometimes a painful process. If you get the powder from your chemist, insist upon its being fresh . I have found it taken readily if well incorporated with butter or dripping, as mentioned at the beginning of this chapter. THE END. LNWIN BROXHKBS, LIMITED, THE GRESHA4I PRESS, WOK1NG AND LONDON. HOME USE (B139s22)476 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY