/ v
THE ILLUSTRATED
BOOK OF THE DOG
Q- O CC
a
THE IL L US TRA TED
BOOK OF THE DOG
BY
VERO SHAW, B.A. CANTAB.,
Assisted by the Leading Breeders of the Day.
\VITII AN APPENDIX ON
CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY,
BY \V. GORDON STABLES, CM., M.I)., R.N.
CASSELL, FETTER, GALPIN & Co.
LONDON, PARIS 6* NEW YORK. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]
\J
337
Co
THE REVEREND GRENVILLE FRODSHAM HODSON,
OF NORTH PETHERTON, BRIDGWATER,
ST&ts ®33orti is 2?cnttatcli,
AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE BENEFIT DERIVED
FROM HIS TEACHING, BY HIS AFFECTIONATE NEPHEW,
THE AUTHOR.
LA BELI.K SAUVAGK YARD, 1881.
CONTENTS.
CHAP. PAGB
i. HISTORICAL AND LITERARY i
n. KENNELS AND KENNELING 6
in. GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF DOGS '7
iv. EXHIBITING, BUYING, AND SELLING 28
v. TECHNICAL TERMS 37
vi. THE MASTIFF 4°
vii. THE ST. BERNARD 53
vin. THE NEWFOUNDLAND 67
ix. THE SHEEP-DOG 73
x. THE BULL-DOG 83
XL THE DALMATIAN OR COACH-DOG 95
xn. THE BULL-TERRIER 98
XIIL BLACK-AND-TAN TERRIERS 107
xiv. WHITE ENGLISH TERRIERS • . 113
xv. THE DANDIE DINMONT 116
xvi. THE IRISH TERRIER 123
xvn. THE SCOTCH TERRIER 133
xviii. THE SKYE TERRIER 137
xix. THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER . 143
xx. THE AIREDALE TERRIER 150
xxi. THE YORKSHIRE TERRIF.R 155
xxn. THE TOY TERRIER 159
xxiii. TOY SPANIELS 162
xxiv. THE PUG. 173
xxv. THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND 178
xxvi. THE POMERANIAN 181
xxvii. THE MALTESE DOG 186
xxviii. THE POODLE 189
xxix. THE BLOODHOUND 198
xxx. THE IRISH WOLFHOUND 204
xxxi. THE DEERHOUND 219
xxxii. THE GREYHOUND 236
XXXIIL COURSING 243
xxxiv. THE WHIPPET 255
xxxv. THE STAG-HOUND 259
xxxvi. THE FOX-HOUND • ; . . .261
xxxvii. THE FOX-TERRIER 274
xxxviii. THE HARRIER 301
xxxix. THE BEAGLE 309
XL. THE DACHSHUND 314
XLI. THE BASSET-HOUXD 333
XLII. THE OTTER-HOUND 340
XLIII. BREAKING SPORTING DOGS 345
vi C'av/A.v 7 '.!>•.
CHAP. ''*«"
XLIV. THE ENGLISH SETTER 35'
XLV. THE RUSSIAN SETTER 374
XLVI. THE GORDON SETTER 376
XLVII. THE IRISH SETTER 383
XLVIII. THE SPANISH POINTER . . . : 389
XLIX. THE ENGLISH POINTER 39-
L. THE RETRIEVER 4'4
LI. THE SPANIEL 426
LIL THE SUSSEX SPANIEL 432
LIII. THE CLUMBER SPANIEL 439
LIV. BLACK SPANIELS 443
LV. THE NORFOLK SPANIEL ... 448
LVI. COCKER SPANIELS 450
LVII. THE WATER SPANIEL 452
LVI ii. THE ENGLISH WATER SPANIEI 458
LIX. THE IRISH WATER SPANIKL ... 462
uc. FOREIGN DOGS 467
LXI. THE ESQUIMAUX DOG 470
LXII. THE SWEDISH BEAGLE 477
LXIII. THE SCHWEISS-HUND 479
LXIV. THE GERMAN MASTIFF 481
LXV. THE LEONBERG 488
LXVI. THE BERGHUND 495
LXVII. FRENCH BREEDS 496
LXVIII. ASIATIC DOGS 508
LXIX. AUSTRALIAN DOGS 515
LXX. BREEDING, PUPPING, AND REARING 520
CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY.
I. INTRODUCTION— DIAGNOSIS — SOME SIMPLE REMEDIES 532
ii. RULES FOR PRESCRIBING — CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS— ADMINISTERING MEDICINES— POISONS
AND THEIR ANTIDOTES 539
in. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 545
iv. DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS 567
v. DISEASES OF THE LIVER, SPLEEN, AND PANCREAS 577
vi. DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS 585
vii. THE BLOOD AND BLOOD DISEASES 58.S
vin. DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 607
ix. INTERNAL PARASITES 614
x. DISEASES OF THE SKIN 6iS
XL DISEASES OF THE EVE AND ITS APPENDAGES 632
xn. DISEASES OF THE EAR 637
xni. DISEASES OF THE MOUTH AND NASAL ORGANS " 643
xiv. DISEASES OF THE GENITAL ORGANS 648
xv. ABSCESS, DISLOCATIONS, FRACTURES, WOUNDS, SPRAINS, BRUISES, ETC 650
xvi. RABIES AND HYDROPHOBIA 654
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
COLOURED PLATES.
THE BLOODHOUND " DON "
THE MASTIFF "WOLSEY"
THE ST. BERNARD BITCH "ABBESS"
•10 FAI.-K I'Al.K
... Fronlisf'u:e
4>
57
ROUGH-COATED ST. BERNARDS 6l
THE NEWFOUNDLAND "LEO" 65
SHEEP DOGS, SMOOTH AND ROUGH COATED 81
BULL-DOGS 93
BULL-TERRIER AND DALMATIAN 97
ENGLISH TERRIERS, WHITE AND BLACK -AND-T AN BEDLINGTON AND DANDIE DINMONT TERRIERS
THE IRISH TERRIER "SPORTER"
SKYE TERRIERS, DROP AND PRICK EARED TOY SPANIELS
»3 121 129
'37 169 PUG, ITALIAN GREYHOUND, AND YORKSHIRE TERRIER 177
TO FACE PAGE
THE POMERANIAN AND MALTESE 185
THE DEERHOUND "SPEY" 225
THE GREYHOUND "LAUDERDALE" 241
THE FOXHOUND 265
FOX-TERRIERS, WIRE-HAIRED AND SMOOTH 297
DACHSHUNDS 329
BASSET HOUNDS 337
THE ENGLISH SETTER "RANGER III." 365
THE GORDON SETTER 381
THE IRISH SETTER "GROUSE II." 385
THE POINTER "WAGG" 409
WAVY AND CURLY-COATED RKTRIEVERS 425
CLUMBER AND SUSSEX SPANIELS 441
THE IRISH WATER SPANIEL " CAPTAIN " 465
DRAWINGS ON WOOD.
PACK
Button's Genealogical Table (Fig. i) 4
Kennel, with side entrance (Fig. 2) ... ... ... ... 7
Stable Fitted as Dog Kennel (Fig. 3) 8
Portable Bench (Fig. 4) 9
Range of Kennels (Fig. 5) ... ... ... ... ... 10
View of Kennels at Glen Tana (Fig. 6) ... ... ... 11
Plan of Kennels at Glen Tana ... ... ... ... 12
Kennel Fence (Figs. 7, 8) ... ... ... ... ... 13
The Home for Lost Dogs ... ... ... ... ... 15
Feeding-trough (Fig. 9) 2O
Drinking-vessel (Fig. 10) ... ... ... ... ... 21
Dog Clothing (Fig. II) ... ... ... ... ... 30
Double Swivel Dog Chain (Fig. 12) ... ... ... 31
Travelling-box for Dogs (Fig. 13) 32
Diagram of Dog (Fig. 14) 37
Uutton-ear (Fig. 15! 38
Cat Foot (Fig. 16) 38
Cow Hocks (Fig. 17) 38
Elbows out (Fig. 18) 38
Hare Foot (Fig. 19) 38
Pig Jaw (Fig. 20) 39
Rose Kar (Fig. 21) 39
Splay Foot (Fig. 22) 39
Undershot (Fig. 23) 39
Canis Molossus (Figs. 24, 25) ... ... ... ... 41
Mr. Wallace's "Turk" 43
MaslilTin 1820 45
Mrs. Rawlinson's Mastiff Bitch " Countess " ... ... 49
St. Bernards of the Hospice ... ... ... ... ... 59
The I. andseer Newfoundland " Dick " ... ... ... 71
Scotch Bob-tailed Sheep Dog 81
Mr. Meager's Hull- dog " Bismarck " 89
Vlll
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Original Bull and Terrier Cross 101
The Small-sized Bull-terrier " Nelson " .. ... ... 105
Old-fashioned English Terriers ... ... ... ... 109
Irish Terriers "Kate "and "Badger" 124
Irish Terrier " Sport " 125
The Working Skye Terrier " Flora " 141
The Airedale Terrier " Thunder " 152
Ancient Engraving of Toy Spaniels... ... ... ... 163
Early Type of Toy Spaniels ... ... ... ... ... 167
Head of Pug 175
Black Pomeranian ... ... ... ... ... ... 183
German Poodles 193
Head of Bloodhound " Luath XI." 201
Irish Wolfhound "Scott" 217
Scotch Deerhounds ... ... ... ... ... ... 233
239
289
The Greyhound Family
The Fox-terrier " Brokenhurst Sting "
The Harrier " Countess " 304
Dachshunds, from an old print 316
Dachshunds, from an old print ... ... ... ... 317
Dachshunds, from an old print ... ... ... ... 320
Terrier Type of Dachshunds 321
Group of Dachshunds 325
Rough coated Dachshunds ... ... ... ... ... 329
Basset tk Jambes Torses 336
Basset a Jambes Droites 337
The Basset-bound " Model " 338
The Otter-hound " Lottery " 343
Dogs and Paitridgcs (after Despoitc-) ... ... ... 357
The Champion Setter " Ranger " ... ... .. ... 364
The Setter bitch " Novel " 372
FAGI
377 389 399 405 The Pointer Bitch " Belle " 409
Setters in 1805
Spanish Pointer
Early Foxhound and Pointer Cross (after Desportes) German Pointers
Flat-coated Retriever
417
The Retriever " Sailor " 420
The Black Spaniel "Kaffir" 444
\Vater-Dog, from an old print 452
The Water-Dog of 1 803 456
The Water-Spaniel of 1803 457
The Esquimaux Dog "Sir John Franklin" 473
The Swedish Beagle " Jerker " 477
The German Mastiff 484
The Tiger German Mastiff Bitch " Flora " 485
The Leonberg 489
The Berghund " Moulon " 493
White Vendeen Hound ... ... ... ... ... 497
Vendeen Hound (Griffon) 498
Head of Griffon de la Vendee ... ... ... ... 499
Chien de Normanclie ... ... ... ... ... ... 502
Chien de Gascogne 502
Chien Poitou ... ... ... ... ... ... ... f\
Race d'Artois 505
Half-bred Artois 505
Siberian Wolfhounds... ... ... ... ... ... 509
Thibet Mastiff 511
Smooth Chinese Dog... ... ... ... ... ... 5'3
Chinese Crested Dog... ... ... ... ... ... 514
The Dingo " Lupus " ... ... ... ... ... 517
THE ILLUSTRATED
BOOK OF THE DOG
CHAPTER I.
HISTORICAL AND LITERARY.
|S in former works relating to dogs but small attention has been devoted by the authors to the modes of classification adopted by the earlier writers on the subject, a brief notice of the principal cannot but be of interest. As to later works, in several encyclopaedias there has been an attempt made to classify the different varieties, but such classification has, so far as our observation carries us, invariably been founded on the structural development of the different breeds alone, and aot unfrequently on comparison with the characteristics of other animals, little or no attention having been paid to the various temperaments and capabilities of the several breeds. Visitors to the great shows of the present day, on the con- trary, must be struck by the extreme simplicity of the arrangement of the catalogues, which invariably divide the candidates into two divisions, namely, one for sporting, and one for non-sporting dogs. In our opinion this is an ample distinction, for all practical purposes ; since in the present day, in consequence of dogs being so much better understood than they formerly were, the uses and capabilities of each breed are well appreciated by those at all interested in them. Moreover, the large increase in the number of breeds (owing to the manufacture of so many new varieties of late years) has rendered an elaborate classification undesirable, as being likely to complicate instead of facilitating the task of distinguishing between the various breeds.
The majority of the earlier writers on the dog, however, adopt different classifications in the lists of dogs published by them, and these, being of some considerable historical interest, we propose recapitulating ; whilst due attention shall be given to the scientific division of Cuvier, in which the structural development of the dog is compared with that of other mammals.
Ik-fore turning our attention to the various works on the dog which have from time to time appeared in our own language, we may mention that in the earlier part of the Christian era only two races of dogs out of the sixteen or seventeen known to the ancients, are stated to have been recognised by them as hunting dogs. These were Greyhounds, and dogs hunting by scent. Arrian,
2 THE BOOK OP THE DOG.
however, also called the younger Xenophon, who wrote in the year A.D. 130, affirms that dogs hunting by sight and not by scent were quite unknown in the time of Xenophon the elder. At the same time Arrian, in his work above alluded to, most accurately describes our modern Greyhound ; and the anonymous translator of this writer, who has been the means of rendering his works so popular, fairly shows the dog to be of Celtic origin.
The earliest work on dogs in English is a MS. in the British Museum, entitled the " Mayster of Game," and is written by Edmund de Langley. This work was published in the fourteenth century, and deals principally with hunting subjects, though frequent allusion is made to dogs therein.
The earliest printed work in the English language in which the various breeds of dogs then in existence are referred to, is the "Book of Field Sports," written by Dame Juliana Berners, Prioress of Sopwell Nunnery, in Hertfordshire. This lady, who was born about the end of the fourteenth century, thus expresses herself in the above work : — "Thyse ben the names of houndes, fyrste there is a Grehoun, a Bastard, a Mengrell, a Mastif, a Lemor, a Spanyel, Raches, Kenettys, Teroures, Butchers Houndes, Dunghyll dogges, Tryndeltaylles, and Pryckeryd currys, and smalle ladyes poppees that bere awaye the flees." From this catalogue it would appear that the list of dogs which came under Miss Berners' notice was a very limited one. It is, however, an important one ; inasmuch as it shows that many of the breeds of dogs then in existence have retained at least their names until the present time, in spite of the vast increase in number of breeds.
The next work from which we are able to quote is a. short treatise on English dogs, originally written in Latin, by Dr. John Caius, physician to Queen Elizabeth, and published in 1576- There was, however, also a translation of the work in old English, which we quote as more clearly showing the ideas of the time. According to Dr. Caius —
( A gentle kind, serving the game. All Lnghshe dogges be)., ii-j ir j
< A homely kind, apt for sundry necessary u
' A currish kind, meet for many toyes.
The first of these three classes is divided by Dr. Caius into two sections — viz., Venatici, which were used for the purpose of hunting beasts ; and Aucupatorii, which served in the pursuit of fowl. The Venatici arc treated by this author as follows : —
Dogges serving
y pastime of hunting beastes are divided into
Leverarius, or Harriers. Terrarius, or Terrars. Sanguinarius, or Bloodhounds. Agaseus, or Gazehounds. Leporarius, or Grehounds. Lorarius, or Lyeminer. Vertigus, or Tumbler. Canis furax, or Stealer.
The next section of Dr. Caius's work is taken up by the dogs used for pursuing fowl, \\/.., Aucupatorii, which consisted of—- Dogs used for < Index, or Setter.
fowling. ( Aquaticus, or Spaniell.
Section three is entirely devoted to the Spaniell Gentle, or Comforter. And Section four consists merely of —
DR. CAIUS AND LINN&US.
Canis Pastoralis, or
the Shepherd's Dogge.
The Mastive, or
Bandogge, called Canis Villaticus,
or Carbenarius.
In the sixth section are the —
which hath sundry names derived from
sundry
circumstances, as
The Keeper's or Watchman's.
The Butcher's Dogge.
The Messinger's or Carrier's.
The Mooner.
The Water Drawer.
The Tinker's Curr.
The Fencer.
Admonitor, or Wapp. Vernerpator, or Turncspet. Saltator, or Dauncer.
The varieties of dogs contained in these six sections prove that there was at all events a considerable increase in the number of the breeds of dogs between Dr. Caius's time and that of Dame Berners. The former, however, is extremely vague and rambling in many of his statements concerning the dogs he describes in his work ; but the value to be attached to that will scarcely be diminished by this fault on his part, when it is remembered that Dr. Caius's work is the first book published in the English language which solely confines itself to the various breeds of dogs, and the manner of hunting them.
Shakespeare seems to have been a student of Dame Juliana Berners' work, for in King Lear, Act III., scene 6, the following lines occur: —
" Be thy mouth or black or white, Tooth that poisons, if it bite. Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim, Hound or spaniel, brach or lym, Or bobtail tike, or trundle tail, Tom will make them weep and wail ; For, with throwing thus my head, Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled."
Linnanis, in his classification of animals, enumerates the following breeds of dogs : —
Canis Familiaris, or Faithful Dog. Canis Domesticus, or Shepherd's Dog. Canis Pomeranus, or Pomeranian.
(The above being the Chien Loup, or Wolf-dog of Button.) Canis Sibiricus, or Siberian Dog. Canis Islandicus, or Iceland Dog. Canis Aquaticus Major, or great Water Dog (Grand
Barbet).
Canis Aquaticus Minor, or lesser Water Dog. Canis Brevipilis Pyramc. Canis Parvus Melitans, or little Maltese Dog. Canis Extrarius, or ") Canis Hyspanicus 5 ' Canis Pilosus, or Hairy Maltese Dog. Canis Leoninus, or Lion Dog.
(This was a small dog, having long hair on the fore-part of the
body like a lion, the hinder part only growing short hair.) Canis Variegatus, or Little Danish Dog. Canis Hybridus, or Bastard Pug Dog, also called Roquet. Canis Fricator, or Pug Dog. Canis Molossus, or Bulldog.
Canis Anglicus, sometime Bellicosus, or Mastiff.
(The above is the Canis Mastious of Ray). Canis Sagax, or German Hound. Canis Gallicus, Hound.
(Also C. G. Venatorius, or sagacious Hunting Dog.) Canis Scoticus, Bloodhound. Canis Avicularis, Pointer. Canis Aquatilis, Barbet (see above). Canis Cursorius, Greyhound. Canis Hibernicus, Irish Hound. Canis Turcicus, Turkish Hound. Canis Graius, Scotch Hunting Dog. Graius Hirsatus, rough Scotch Hunting Dog. Canis Italtcus, Italian Greyhound. Canis Orientalis, Persian Greyhound. Canis Egyptius, Hairless Greyhound. Cants Laniaris, Lurcher. Canis Fuillus, Boarhound. Canis Vertigus, Turnspit. Canis Amcricanus, the Ala. Canis Antarcticus, New Holland Dog.
4 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
Gervase Markham and Nicholas Cox, in the works they publish, allude chiefly to sporting dogs and their functions, at the same time making the smallest allusion to such varieties as did not enter into their sports. The writings of these authors cannot therefore be considered as standard works on the dog, nor do they apparently profess to be so.
Since the time of Linnaeus several of the above varieties have apparently ceased to exist, while others have become amalgamated with each other, but it is still evident that many breeds alluded to by the Swedish naturalist arc the originators of similar varieties in exist- ence at the present day.
In Daniel's " Book of Rural Sports," published in the early part of the present century a subdivision of British dogs into the three following sections appears : — A. The most generous kinds ; B. Farm Dogs ; C. Mongrels. Of these the former is again subdivided into three subdivisions — viz., (i) Dogs of chase; (2) Fowlers; (3) Lap-dogs; in fact, the classifi- cation • of Dr. Caius is exactly carried out by the writer.
Daniel's work also reproduces a very curious genealogical table of the different races of dogs which Buffbn drew up, in which all are described as originating from the Sheep-dog. This theory scarcely demands contradiction ; but we append the table, which is of considerable interest as representing the ideas of that great naturalist.
FIG. i.— BUFFON'S GENEALOGICAL TABLE OF TIIF DIFFERENT RACES OF DOGS.
CUVIER s CLASSIFICATION. 5
The arrangement adopted by Cuvier is regulated, as we have said before, chiefly by the structural development of the various breeds. He divides the canine world into three groups — namely, Matins, Spaniels, and Dogues. In considering the first group — Matins — he observes that the anatomical character of the division are — head more or less elongated, with the parietal or side bones gradually drawing towards each other. In this category he includes the Dingo or New Holland Dog, the Molossus, the Danish Dog, the lesser Danish or Dalmatian Dog, Scotch and Irish Greyhounds, Italian Greyhound, and the Boarhound.
Spaniels, or the second group, have the head only moderately elongated, and the parietal bones do not approach each other, but swell out so as to enlarge the cerebral cavity. In this division, in addition to the various breeds of Spaniels, there are included New- foundlands, Alpine Spaniels (this breed is described as partaking of the appearance both of a Newfoundland and Mastiff, and no doubt belonged to the St. Bernard species, from the stories related concerning their rescue of benighted travellers), the Hound, the Sheep-dog, and the Wolfhound.
The third division — Dogues — comprised those breeds in which the muzzle is more or less shortened, the skull high, the frontal sinuses considerable, and the lower jaw extends beyond the upper. In this group Cuvier includes the Bulldog and the Mastiff ; but it certainly appears that the Mastiff is considerably out of place amongst a class of dogs whose leading charac- teristic is being underhung ; in addition to which the Molossus, or Mastiff, is included by him in the first group.
Bewick's work is chiefly valuable on account of the engravings contained in it, as the letter- press so closely follows the dicta of former writers. The illustrations, however, render this book highly interesting.
Having now enumerated most if not all of the earlier writers of importance upon the dog, and the divisions created by them, and having already expressed the opinion that for present practical purposes the division of sporting dogs from their non-sporting relations is sufficient, we may now proceed to the practical details of our subject, adhering in this work to the divisions adopted by the leading show committees in the arrangement of their catalogues.
CHAPTER II. KENNELS AND KENNELING.
" ANY place is good enough for a dog," is a venerable aphorism easy of quotation and capable of frequent application by those uninitiated in the management of dogs; but it is nevertheless wholly without foundation in fact, as those who have attempted to kennel valuable stock in unfitting quarters have discovered to their cost. There are many breeds which are totally unadaptcd for confinement in towns — at all events in numbers exceeding one or two. Dogs are not, like poultry and pigeons, pets whose natural tendencies can be rendered subservient to the will and desire of their masters. No amount of artificial feeding and attention can, in the case of many varieties, adequately supply the want of unlimited exercise, which is especially essential in the case of growing puppies, whose eventual success on the show-bench or in the field will greatly depend upon the development of bone and muscle, and the symmetry of a clean and well-proportioned body. In all breeds, the more exercise obtained the better it is for the dog ; but in the case of certain varieties, especially ladies' toy-dogs, free exercise is not the absolute necessity which renders the successful breeding of the larger varieties an impossibility in crowded neighbourhoods. We do not for one moment doubt or deny that excellent specimens have been born and bred in the hearts of great cities, but these must be regarded as simply the rare exceptions which make manifest the rule. Nothing but the strictest attention to cleanliness can possibly be looked to as a means of successfully combating the diseases which are for ever lurking in the precincts of crowded kennels ; and it is well-nigh hopeless to expect dogs to be clean either in person or habits, where a sufficient amount of exercise is denied to them. As an instance, one of the largest and most experienced breeders of the larger breeds of dogs in the neighbourhood of London, not long since had his entire kennel of puppies and young dogs swept off within the space of a few days. On inquiring into the cause of this calamity, we were informed that the disease had the appearance of typhoid fever, which we were not surprised to hear, having a lively recollection of the state of the kennels on a previous visit to them.
All dogs, but more especially puppies, suffer more or less from being chained up. Not only docs the collar almost invariably leave an unsightly ring in the hair on the neck, and thereby considerably affect the dog's beauty, but the frequent struggling at the chain drags the shoulders out of all shape, and affects the proper development of that part of the body Any one, therefore, who wishes to rear fine animals, but more particularly if he proposes to gain reputation as a successful breeder or exhibitor of canine stock, should, before embarking on such an enterprise, well consider the means at his disposal for comfortably and at the same time economically housing the dogs by whose instrumentality he trusts to arrive at the desired goal. We use the word economically in the last sentence advisedly ; for any person who starts by investing a large sum of money in elaborate kennels is doing what all prac- tical people will consider a very rash action. Many a young beginner in dog-breeding has retired in disgust from some disappointment or other circumstance, just at the moment when,
SIMPLER FORMS OF KENNELS. j
had he persevered, victory was within his grasp : what use, then, is the elaborate range of kennels which he has erected ? The stock can be sold, perhaps at a profit, or without much loss ; but the outlay upon the buildings can never be recouped ; and the disgust with which the owner contemplates his ill-success is heightened by the loss entailed. We propose, therefore, to suggest expedients, the majority of which we have seen in use, by which dogs can be warmly and comfortably housed at a comparatively nominal sum, though we must of course also describe a higher class of kennel architecture and fittings.
Unfortunately some owners are compelled, from want of space, to keep their dogs chained up, instead of in yards where they can be loose. In such instances, as also in the case of watch-dogs, it is very desirable that the kennels provided should be of a slightly different construction from those generally met with. In the latter the fault lies in the opening being placed in the front, so that both wind and rain are able to reach a dog, even though he is crouched at the back of his kennel. A great improvement is gained by the opening being made in one side, as this gives the dog an opportunity of getting out of the way of such
FIG. 2. — KENNEL, WITH SIDE ENTRANCE.
inconveniences, and the benefit he derives from the extra protection must be obvious to every one. Fig. 2 gives an exact representation of an improved kcnuel such as we suggest; and if dogs must be kept on the chain, we strongly recommend that this style of kennel be adopted. It is also the best pattern that can be adopted for all detached kennels, whether the inmate be confined or at liberty during the day ; and may be given as our model of a kennel for any dog sleeping or kept in a back-yard. The next best is an ordinary kennel, or even simple barrel, arranged with face towards the wall, as described further on.
All out-door kennels in which dogs are destined to sleep should be raised from the ground, for double reasons, as the damp would rot the floor of the kennel and also give the dog cold. A couple of pieces of three-inch quartering placed underneath, or even some bricks, serve this purpose in every way. It is not good to chain a dog to his kennel, for if he is a powerful animal he may drag it from its position. A stout piece of quartering or a post should therefore be buried from a foot or so in the ground, and the chain fastened to the piece which is above the surface. A staple is not so good a fastening for the chain to be fixed to as a screw ring, the latter not being nearly so likely to become loosened by the constant jerks it will receive.
The simplest and most economical arrangement for a regular kennel is a stable, if such accommodation is to be obtained ; and the addition of a dry and secure stable-yard attached to the same is a considerable further advantage. The means by which the various stalls can
8
THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
be turned into almost unexceptionable kennels arc various and simple, but perhaps that shown in Fig. 3 is as useful and effective as any. It will be seen from the diagram that all required to convert an empty stall into an excellent kennel for a dog or dogs of any size are a few strips of wood and some extra strong wire netting. It is always well to line the lower half of the front (marked A in the figure) with wire, as well as the upper, as it prevents any pos- sibility of the dog gnawing his way out. The upper half (H) is better fronted with wire only, as it enables visitors to see the dogs more easily. The cross-beam (c) should be of con- siderable strength, as great pressure is often put against it by the dogs if they endeavour to escape. Of course, in the case of the larger breeds, or destructive specimens of the smaller
FIG. 3. — STABLE FITTED UP AS A DOG-KENNEL.
varieties, it will be necessary to substitute iron rails for the wire and wood work ; but personal experience has taught us that the additional expense of iron rails is in the vast majority of cases quite unnecessary. We have kept scores of dogs, chiefly Bull-dogs and Bull-terriers, in the above sort of kennel, and have never known one to eat out of them. Due attention must, however, be paid to two things— (I) get wire of extra strength and thickness, and (2) be sure your doors come well down to the ground.
Whilst on the subject of doors, attention should be directed to a most important feature in their construction : always have two fastenings on each door. If there is only one, it is liable to come unfastened in the night, either through the instrumentality of the traditional cat, or the carelessness of the feeder ; and the result is a serious disturbance, and perhaps a free fight in the kennel. Nothing seems to exasperate dogs when in confinement more than to witness a kennel companion roaming about the premises alone, and we have suffered severely from dogs breaking loose of a night. The best description of fastening by far is a bolt for the lower half of the door (see E), and a hook catch on the upper. It is a good plan to fix the latter in such a
PORTABLE BENCHES. g
position that when it falls into the staple to close the door it is on a downward slant, as shown in the cut at D. This will prevent it from coming unfastened easily. The above system of fastening doors applies to all sorts of kennels with equal importance.
Having arranged the front cf such kennel (as shown in Fig. 3) to his satisfaction, the beginner has little more to do ; for when a wooden bench has been erected in one corner, about eighteen inches from the ground, for the dog to sleep on, and the sides and back well lime-washed, the quondam stall is quite ready for the reception of its canine lodger. The lime-washing is most essential, if the dog's health and general comfort are to be considered ; when properly done, it not only renders the kennel clean and tidy in appearance, but has the effect of destroying the innumerable insects which are sure to infest the abode of every sort of dog, unless very stringent measures are taken for their extermination.
We much prefer such portable benches as that shown in Fig. 4, the back and one side of the bench being carried up for a foot or more. This prevents the dogs from injuring their coats against the whitened wall when turning round in their beds. The bench, being quite
FIG. 4. — PORTABLE BENCH.
detached from the wall, is also far less likely to harbour vermin ; and finally, whenever occasion requires, it can be taken into the open air and thoroughly scrubbed with some disinfectant, which effectually disposes of any that may have gained a lodgment. Such benches are also very handy for placing about wherever required.
A gentle slope of the floor is highly desirable, as a drain-pipe can easily be run under the ground in front of the kennels, by which the water is enabled to run off, thereby increasing the salubrity of the establishment. In the case of thejarger varieties of dogs, this arrangement be- comes almost a matter of necessity, and the trifling outlay it involves most amply repays a breeder by the increased comfort it affords his pets, as well as by the effect it has upon the appearance of his kennel.
A good simple form of in-door kennel having been now described, attention may be drawn to special out-door erections of a very similar character, which we have proved by experience to be admirably adapted for those varieties which are of a hardy constitution, or even for those of more delicate nature, when they are not required to be in first-class show condition. The reason of the remark apropos of show condition will be understood by those who read the chapter on showing dogs, so need not be gone into further here. Such a form of kennel may be erected against a garden or any other wall, and consists of a series of compartments which closely resemble the stalls of a stable, and possessing a front of wooden or iron railings, as described in Fig. 3. We can vouch for the many good qualities of this kind of kennel, having erected many for the accommodation of our own stock ; and the dogs always seemed
10
THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
to do well in them, except when in delicate health, when naturally they were removed into warmer quarters. The size we built each stall in our kennels was ten feet deep by eight feet wide, and the dogs which inhabited them were Bulldogs and Bull-terriers, of from thirty-five to fifty pounds weight. We mention this, as it is desirable to explain to inex- perienced readers as nearly as possible what arrangements were made, so as to enable them to judge for themselves of what size to erect their kennels ; as, of course, this depends upon the variety of dog they propose keeping as well as upon the accommodation at hand. The stalls should be covered in by a lean-to roof for at least three-quarters of their depth from the wall, as wet ground is one of the worst things possible for a dog to stand on for long ; and a wooden bench at the back of each must be provided. There is no occasion for this bench to be raised as high from the ground as the one alluded to in the description of the in-door kennel, for in the present instance the dog is not expected to sleep on it, at all events in cold weather. Three pieces of board each a foot wide and a yard long firmly nailed crossways on a couple of pieces of three-inch quartering forms an admirable bench of this description. The roof should be of weather boarding, covered over with the best felt, well
|
/n-n |
t |
||||||||||||||||||
|
1 1 |
\ |
II |
1 |
/TTll |
• TTTi |
fffh |
|||||||||||||
|
a |
(1 |
1 |
a |
I * |
\ |
IL |
\ 1 |
1 1 1 1 1 |
I'll) |
||||||||||
|
tt |
P77 |
7 |
Vn |
5 |
•r |
" |
\ ' i |
" |
\ * i ^ |
* |
\T"^^7 |
||||||||
|
i |
i |
i |
/- |
i |
FIG. 5. — RANGE OF KENNELS.
tarred and sprinkled with coarse sand or gravel. Corrugated iron roofing is most objection- able, for in the summer the extent to which it attracts the sun renders the life of the unfortunate creature underneath it simply intolerable ; and most other roofings cost a con- siderable sum of money, which, as we have said before, it would be bad policy for a beginner to expend. Whilst upon this subject, however, we may remark that a tile roof well "pointed" is by far superior to all others, and in appearance it is certainly second to none. Under this description of roofing an owner may rest assured that his pets are as cool in summer and warm in winter as they can possibly be without the aid of artificial heat, which of course cannot be applied to out-door kennels. Thatch is cool in summer and warm in winter also, but it affords such a welcome retreat for all sorts of vermin that its adoption cannot be recommended.
The knotty subject of sleeping accommodation for dogs up to at least fifty pounds weight in such a range of kennels is easily settled, if the master of the establishment is not too ambitious in his views. A common petroleum barrel, which can be obtained in numbers of almost any oilman, with a hole cut in one end, forms a most admirable kennel for dogs inhabiting these stalls. It is highly desirable that the barrel should be purified from the effluvia of the petroleum to as great an extent as possible, and this is easily managed by placing a handful of lighted straw inside after the hole has been cut to admit the dog. This will ignite any petroleum which may be left in it, and when this is accomplished a thorough rinsing out, followed by a stand in the fresh air for a day, renders it fit for any
KENNELS AT GLEN-TANA.
ii
dog's reception. If any extra effect be required, the barrels can be painted the colour which their owner most admires, and it may be added that they can easily be kept in their place by bricks or wedges of wood. The arrangement of the whole range of stalls will be readily seen from Fig. 5, where a a represent the low benches, placed at the back a few inches from the \\ all and partition ; and b b are the barrels for sleeping in, placed with the face towards the back wall, and about two feet from it. A barrel thus placed with the face towards the wall makes a very good substitute for the more costly kennel shown in Fig. 2, as the wall in front of the entrance will keep the rain or wind from driving in.
This sort of kennel can also be so constructed that in winter or inclement weather wooden
VIEW OF KENNELS AT GLEN-TANA.
fronts, each containing a glazed window, can be fitted in front of the outside rails. These, if the yards are covered over all the way, make first-rate enclosed sheds for puppies or delicate dogs. A communication can easily be made with the next kennel, if empty, and the dogs can thus get a run in the open air, the wooden front not being of course attached to it. By this arrangement an owner can have all or part of his kennel open to the air as he pleases.
Where space and means permit, it is of course possible to erect more complete and specially-adapted accommodation. By the permission of the owner, and the kind assistance of Mr. George Truefitt, of Bloomsbury Square, the architect under whose superintendence were erected not only the kennels but all the other buildings at the shooting-lodge, we are enabled to give a view and ground-plan of the kennels erected for Mr. W. Cunliffe Brooks, M.P., in the forest of Glen-Tana, Aberdeenshire. It is built for stag-hounds, setters, and pointers, and is one of the most complete and compact examples we have met with of a gentleman's kennel for a good team of sporting dogs.
12
THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
The references underneath the plan will explain the principal details of the Glen-Tana kennels, which are very fortunate in regard to position. This is not a small matter when it is a question of selecting a site, and of keeping working dogs in the highest health and condition. To attain this result, " kennels require," to quote from a note received with the view from Mr. Cunliffe Brooks, " plenty of air, yet shelter ; plenty of sun, yet shade." These
o
o
o
)
o
o
0
o
o
o
S C A 20
L E 30
FIG. 6. — PLAN OF KENNELS AT GLEN-TANA.
A A Kennels, with benches.
B B Inner yards.
C c Larger outer or exercising yards.
D Boiler-house.
K Attendant's room.
a a Benches or beds.
b b Water-troughs.
cc Open benches.
V V Verandahs.
w w Stream of water.
kennels are built on the crest of a small hill, and have some old trees in the outer yards, as well as surrounding them, the position of these being shown by the dotted circles. They are also supplied with clear running water ; not only are the streams at w w thus supplied, but the troughs a a in the inner yards are also filled with water constantly flowing, to which fact the owner very much attributes the good health and condition of his dogs.
It will be seen that in these kennels are comprised four separate sets of apartments, each
RAILINGS FOR KENNELS. 13
containing an inner kennel (A), furnished with beds (b b), an inner open yard (B) with a water- trough (a), two of which have open benches (cc} under verandahs (vv), and larger or outer yards (CC) for exercise. The boiler or cooking-house (D), which is furnished with two coppers or boilers, is so situated as to communicate directly with all four kennels ; and here the dogs when brought home at night can be washed and attended to, and then put in their respective kennels without being taken into the open air. A sleeping-room for the attendant is also in the centre of all, at K. The yard-walls are built with masonry to a certain height, above that are iron railings, not spiked at the top, but with curled ends, as shown in the perspective view. This view necessarily shows the kennel buildings with the intervening portions of the yard-walls removed, the front of the picture representing the dotted line shown in the plan in front of the verandahs (v V).
It has just been remarked that the railings of the Glen-Tana kennels are curved at the top, and this may suggest remark on a rather important matter. Many a good dog has been spiked in trying to leap pointed railings, which are very dangerous unless carried to a greater
FIG. 7.
FIG. 8.
height than is usual or necessary. The railings should, therefore, be either carried up (if spiked) to a good height, or curved at the top in some way. In Figs. 7 and 8 is illustrated an admirable pattern of railing which is in use at the Paris Jardin d'Acclimatation, and in some other places on the Continent, and the only objection to which is its expense. The figures given will explain the construction, and show how the whole railing is curved in at the top towards the yards, while stronger railings at proper intervals support short lengths of a revolving cylinder. If a dog reaches the cylinder it yields to his weight at once, and he falls back into the yard. We have never seen this kind of railing used in England, but the idea seems to us worth importa- tion. If properly made, as the bulk of the railing might be made light, the expense need not be greater than that of the ordinary spike railing, if so much.
Probably the most complete and extensive range of kenneling in existence is the Home for Lost Dogs at York Road, Battersea, London. Scarcely any of our readers, if indeed any, can require such a range of buildings as this ; but wherever accommodation has to be provided for any large number of dogs, and money is not more than usually plentiful, a careful study of the view and plan on page 15 will amply repay the trouble it entails. The large central building contains sixteen stalls or kennels under cover inside, and there is an outside yard shared between every two or three kennels. Good, wide, and not too high benches run along both the
14 THE BOOK or THE DOG.
sides of each, making ten or twelve feet of benching in eacli stall, and over every door com- municating with the outside yards is a ventilator, which can be open or closed at pleasure. In the centre of each yard is a post for the convenience of the dogs, which without some such provision (too often forgotten) will sometimes refuse to relieve the wants of nature ; and there are both inside and out large troughs filled with water.
A capital feature in the general arrangement of this establishment is the facility with which a dog can be removed from one kennel to another: the middle passage can be used, instead of the keeper being obliged to lead him through the midst of the other dogs, which is always a dangerous and bad plan. In addition to the sixteen kennels alluded to above, there are other large sheds with yards attached, an isolated hospital, and range of kennels for small dogs and puppies, large numbers of the latter being born on the premises every year. The kennels for the small varieties are on the right hand of the diagrams, and the only difference in them is that they are smaller, and the yards are partially covered over to protect the occupants from the inclemency of the weather. The boiling-house is close to the entrance of the main kennels, and there is a loft over it for the storage of biscuits and other necessaries.
We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Thomas Scorborio, the manager of the Dog's Home, for some details as to the statistics and management of the Home, which cannot fail to be of interest. The large dogs are fed twice a day upon Spratt's Patent Dog Biscuits and boiled tripe ; the smaller varieties getting stewed beast's heads and boiled rice, and crushed Spratt's biscuits ; the puppies, in addition, being supplied with milk. The kennels and yards are washed out daily during the summer months with a solution of" Heal's Creosoted Carbolic Soap," which Mr. Scorborio has found by experience an excellent disinfectant and destroyer of vermin. The average number of dogs received per week is about six hundred, and the worthless ones are detained in the Home three days before they are destroyed by poison. The more valuable specimens are kept until claimed by their owners, or disposed of by sale, which can be effected any time after they have been three days in the Home. Each dog, on his arrival at the Home, has a collar with a brass number on put round his neck, and his fate is recorded in a book kept for the purpose, so that he can be traced if necessary. The average quantity of biscuits used per week is ten hundredweight, and of flesh about eight hundredweight ; the cost of food of all sorts amounting to nearly £15 a week, and the other expenses to at least as much more. It will be thus seen that the Dog's Home incurs heavy expenses, and it cannot recoup much from the sale of dogs, the minimum price asked being five shillings. The cost of the freehold was ,£1,500, and the erection of the kennels and paving the yards came to nearly £2,500.
The subject of flooring kennels is one which is perpetually cropping up in canine discussions ; and as a rule the supporters of the various principles are very stubborn in their convictions, and slow of conversion to any other. Asphalte, brick, cement, and even slate, have each and all their supporters ; and we will endeavour to point out the objections which appear to our mind to exist in the case of three of the above. In the first place, asphalte is liable to get soft and spongy in hot weather, and becomes very slippery when down for a long time. This may not be much of an objection to the dog, but might cause a nasty fall to any person entering the yard incautiously. For these reasons we deem asphalte objectionable, though we learn that Lord Wolverton has had Claridge's patent asphalte laid down on the floor of his celebrated blood- hound kennels at Iwerne Minster. Brick is sure to work up in time, and the urine must sooner or later work into the cracks between the bricks, and tend to render the floor foul when it should be sweet and clean. Slates are apt to crack and chip. There only remains for us cement, which we are strongly of opinion is the best flooring by far. Exception has been taken
THE HOME FOR LOST Docs.
VIEW AND PLAN OF THE BATTERSEA HOME FOR LOST DOGS.
1 6 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
to it on the ground that it is cold to a dog if he lies or stands much on it. Our experience, however, teaches us that if a low, portable, wooden bench such as we have described is furnished, no dog will, when lying down out of his barrel, select any sort of floor in preference to his wooden couch, except in warm weather, when cement will do him no harm. This form of flooring, too, is so easily washed and scrubbed down that its merits cannot fail to be appreciated by those who give it a fair trial ; and it is economical to a degree, for though the cement in itself is an expensive item, a little of it goes such a long way that all apprehension of extravagance rapidly wears oflf.
A sprinkling of sawdust over the floors of every sort of kennel is a great advantage, as it not only tends to improve the appearance of the establishment, but renders the task of cleaning the kennels more easy and efficient. Many breeders object to the use of sawdust in their establishments, on the ground that, when the dogs drag their food about, a quantity of sawdust adheres to it and gets swallowed by the dogs. We never found any ill effects arise from this ourselves, and question whether there is any probability of such occurring unless a large quantity of sawdust were laid down, which is quite unnecessary, a light sprinkling being quite sufficient.
All kennels should be thoroughly washed out at least once a week, and in the warm months some sort of disinfectant is required to clear away offensive odours. Several excellent disinfectants are objectionable for leaving a most unpleasant smell behind them ; and on the whole nothing surpasses Condy's fluid for kennel use. A dilution of this preparation effectually purifies every nook and cranny, and its presence is not perceptible to the olfactory organs like carbolic acid, which is, however, a valuable disinfectant. A new patent preparation called Sanitas has been tried at some leading shows, and its success at them is pronounced ; we have, however, had no personal experience of its merits in kennels.
It is sometimes considered desirable to warm kennels where delicate dog.o are confined during the winter nights. If gas can be laid on nothing surpasses a small gas stove ; but where this can- not be procured great advantage can be derived from the use of a mineral-oil stove, which emits no smell, and is not dangerous if kept out of the reach of the dogs. Should they overturn it, however, there is a risk of disaster from the inflammable nature of the mineral oil ; and the greatest care should therefore be bestowed upon thoroughly ensuring security in this respect.
S
CHAPTER III.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF DOGS.
HAVING got his dog comfortably housed, the next duty of the owner is to see to the internal arrangement and comfort of his kennels. Suitable benches have been provided, but as yet no allusion has been made to the bedding which should be supplied on them. Hay has been recommended, but there is a particular and great objection to it, on account of its so easily working into the coat of a long-haired dog. From an economical point of view also it is far less preferable than straw, which as a bedding for all sorts of dogs is unsurpassed. We have found wheaten straw superior to oaten when it can be obtained, as it lasts longer, and is more comfortable for the dogs to lie on.
Many breeders of the larger and hardier varieties seldom, if ever, give their dogs anything to lie upon but bare boards, either from motives of economy, or in the belief that bedding is injurious to their coats. The latter objection is certainly a fallacy, as considerably more harm is likely to befall a dog's appearance if he is deprived of a warm' and comfortable bed, than if he is snugly benched and a good night's rest ensured. The wooden bench shown in Fig. 4 should always be provided with the ledge round the front side, so as to prevent the straw falling off, which it is very apt to do when the dog makes himself comfortable in bed or leaps from it on to the ground.
Many persons are partial to pine shavings for bedding, and we have used them satisfactorily ourselves when straw has been unprocurable. The chief virtue of shavings appears to lie in the amount of turpentine which is contained in them ; and it has been stated that no fleas or other vermin can exist in a kennel where shavings are constantly in use as bedding material. This opinion is at least exaggerated, for we have found that fleas are to some extent proof against these shavings, though no doubt the odour of the turpentine is very distasteful to them. Of course, in the case of large kennels in neighbourhoods where straw is very dear and shavings cheap, it would be impossible to ignore the advantages of the latter ; but they seem to break up and get dusty so soon, besides being hard and uncomfortable to the dogs, that we cannot recommend them to be supplied to show dogs, at all events on the eve of an exhibition. Some breeders, again, use sawdust on their dogs' sleeping benches ; but this practice is a thoroughly bad one. Such bedding gets into the ears and eyes of the dogs lying on it, and causes them great annoyance, if not absolute suffering. In addition to this, the trouble of getting sawdust out of their coats is very considerable. It is, no doubt, very good for the floor of the kennel, but has no recommendation whatsoever as an article of bedding.
Some dogs require a renewal of their bedding much oftener than others, but on no account should it be left in longer than a week ; and before the clean straw is placed on the bench, the latter should be thoroughly well cleansed, and, if necessary, scrubbed out with a hard brush.
During the hot summer months bedding is quite an unnecessary luxury for most breeds, even when their kennels are out of doors. In fact, very few dogs will consent to lie on straw if the weather is very warm, and will rid themselves of it if supplied them by scratching it 3
1 8 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
outside their kennel. Under any circumstances dog owners should be most careful to see that the bedding is clean and dry, for nothing injures the gloss on a dog's coat more than a bed of frowsy, damp straw. It is also found that the animal is very likely to be attacked with rheumatism if his bench is in an unhealthy state.
FEEDING.
There is no doubt that a great deal of a dog's goodness goes in at the mouth. By this we mean that a well-nourished young dog is certain to turn out a better animal than one whose wants in this respect have been neglected. The great secrets in feeding are — firstly, wholesome food ; and secondly, variety in diet. We do not, certainly, advocate the feeding of dogs wholly upon meat ; such a diet is most injudicious, as it heats them, and in the case of sporting dogs injures their nose. Twice or three times a week, however, we do recommend meat to be given, in addition to the meal or biscuits which form the staple portion of the daily meal. Unsound, maggoty meat, such as we have seen supplied in more than one kennel, is sure to affect health sooner or later, and dogs will thrive better on a small quantity of sound food than upon an unlimited supply of bad quality. By a proper arrangement with his butcher, an owner can generally be supplied with the right sort of animal food upon really reasonable terms.
A great subject of discussion amongst breeders is how many times a day dogs should be fed. In the case of old dogs, we consider once a day quite enough, if they are given as much as they can eat then. In such a case the evening is the best time for feeding, for many reasons; especially as it allows the dogs to be put by comfortably for the night, and they will generally go to sleep quietly after feeding. Puppies, however, require food more frequently, and one or two extra meals should be supplied them.
The meat biscuits which are so largely used in most kennels form excellent diet, and can be given dry or soaked. If crushed up and steeped in boiling gravy, very few dogs will refuse them even at first, and after a time all get to like them. The chief objection to meat biscuits is, that so much depends upon the quality of meat contained in them ; for if it is bad it is worse than useless as food for dogs. There are, however, good houses which supply biscuits whose quality is in all points above suspicion, and from experience gained in our own kennels we can say with certainty that such biscuits are both wholesome and nutritious. Another good food as a basis of diet is coarse oatmeal, which should be thoroughly well boiled, or it wijl disarrange the dog's stomach. Stale bread and ship biscuit, if not weevily, are used for changes in diet with good results, but naturally the meat portion of the food is that upon which most depends. Sheeps" heads, horse-flesh, bullocks' tripes, paunches, and liver, are all excellent additions to the meal and biscuit. We recommend that the meal be boiled in the liquor in which the heads and horse-flesh have been previously cooked, and the flesh chopped up and added to it in more or less quantity, as the dog's condition requires. The biscuits which already contain meat can be soaked, and the tripe and paunches mixed with them.
Rice is a great deal given in some kennels, but its fat-producing properties are so far in excess of its bone and muscle-producing constituents, that except as an occasional change, we do not recommend it for general use. Pearl-barley is superior to rice in every way, and we have got flesh on many a sickly dog with this food combined with scraps. Boiled potatoes, if crushed and mixed with gravy, are also a gopd change.
J-iver is a food which dogs are very fond of, and it is a first-rate addition when the bowels are at all confined. It costs considerably more than the other meats we have mentioned,
FEEDING OF DOGS. 19
and tliis, in addition to its powers as an aperient, prevents its constant use in a kennel. Paunches we do not attach much importance to as either strengthening or fattening food ; but though the nourishment contained in them is small in comparison, they are liked by the dogs, and are serviceable as a cooling diet if given now and then. In all cases they should be thoroughly well washed and scalded before being given, as in many cases they contain parasites, which must be destroyed lest they injure the dog's internal organs.
From remarks which have gone before it will be seen that variety in diet is not a very difficult matter, even in a large kennel, as we have biscuits in two forms, dry and soaked, and meal boiled in soup as the staple, without reckoning the supply of horse-flesh which would remain after some had been added to the other food-. Horses suitable for slaughtering can usually be bought for from one pound to thirty shillings, and there is always something to come back from the hide and bones after the dogs have done with the latter. If boiled as soon as killed, the flesh will keep sweet for a long time ; but in large kennels it is wonderful how soon it can be disposed of.
It will be seen that more or less cooking is necessary. For one or two dogs a large saucepan will suffice, which may be fitted over an atmospheric gas-burner, if the supply is convenient. When more than this is required, very good iron boilers can be bought of most ironmongers for a few shillings, and fixed in the corner of the shed or any outhouse, by which the offensive smell of the cooking is kept away from the dwelling-house. Only in large kennels will more than this be required : for them it will generally be found cheapest in the end to have a regular boiler-house, or at least a couple of boilers regularly fixed, as in wash- houses, which should for convenience be fitted with supply and draw-off taps. The boiler, of any sort, should be placed so as to give most ready access to all parts of the establishment.
Bones from which most of the meat is scraped should be frequently supplied, but care must be taken to keep the dogs apart whilst they are gnawing them, or a fight will be the consequence. Not only do bones amuse the dog for hours, but they benefit the teeth con- siderably, and help to strengthen the jaws, Large bones are preferable, as small ones may be bolted whole and stick in the throat.
Having enumerated so many varieties of food which are all more or less wholesome, a supposititious dietary table may not be out of place. We will assume that arrangements have been made by which a certain supply of sheep's-heads and tripes can be obtained ; and that biscuits or meal are on the premises. On Sunday, then, the bill of fare may be dry, crushed biscuits, followed by some of the bones of the sheep's-heads. (If they are given at the same time the biscuits will not be touched, and the dogs not have enough food.) On Monday and Friday the liquor in which the heads were boiled may be given, mixed with meal, green vegetables, and a little tripe. Tuesday and Thursday biscuit can be given dry ; whilst Wednesday's dinner may be the meat of the heads, with a little dry biscuit ; and on Saturday rice, stale bread, or pearl-barley, can be boiled up with paunch or liver. Such a scale as this is of course only suitable for dogs that have a good amount of exercise, and where this is not the case, the amount of animal food should be reduced with discretion ; the scheme being only given as affording an idea of the method in which the many ingredients at command may be turned to account in affording a varied diet. It is always useful to have some sort of plan to go by, though some dogs will often require a particular regimen.
Dogs that are " bad doers " require special treatment, and should be offered more tempting diet in small quantities two or three times a day. If a large dish full of food is placed before a dog who feeds badly, it is very apt to sicken him, and make him refuse to eat at all ; whereas a
2O THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
little given him from his master's hand will most likely be swallowed eagerly. Cows' udder, well boiled, if given to delicate dogs, is almost always eagerly devoured, and certainly helps to put flesh on their bones. With regard to the feeding of light-fleshed dogs, the late Mr. Samuel Handley of Manchester once gave us a hint which has often proved valuable. His advice was to get some bullocks' " throttles " or gullets, and having chopped them up small, to boil with pearl-barley, and add a few currants. This is a very fattening food, and much liked.
When soft food is given it is very desirable that some boiled vegetable should be mixed with it, as this purifies the blood and keeps the bowels in good condition. Cabbage, brocoli, turnip-tops, and, when they can be got, young nettles are the best and easiest cooked, and one or other should be supplied at least twice a week. When, however, these cannot be procured, it is necessary to resort to other means, and try what mild physic will do instead. Get equal weights each of milk of sulphur and magnesia (this will give rather more magnesia than sulphur), and either mix it up with the soft food, or rub up with a little milk, and give it to the dogs. We prefer the latter plan, as many dogs do not like it in their dinner, and eat less in consequence. The dose is a tea-spoonful for a fifty-pound dog, and if mixed with milk it
FIG. 9. — FEEDING TRul GH.
should be of the consistency of cream. It is a good plan to give a dose of the above all round once a week in summer, and twice a month in winter ; and even if the vegetables are not given this is often enough, unless individual dogs may be disarranged in their bowels and require a mild aperient. This is also the best remedy we know for eruptions on the skin when they are caused by bad blood, and should then be given every day for a week, and after that alternate days until the dogs get better.
Some authorities recommend that dogs should be fed from off the ground, but we consider this a thoroughly bad plan. The best feeding vessels for single dogs are round tin baking- tins, which can be bought at any ironmonger's. By using these each dog can be given his portion, and the tin afterwards removed and washed out ready for the next day. These vessels are, however, inappropriate for the use of a number of puppies, or, in fact, any dogs when a number are fed together, and the best trough then is such a one as is illustrated in Fig. 9. It is too heavy to overturn, and the dogs cannot so easily steal each other's share, owing to the divisions.
A constant supply of fresh water is most important. The value of attention to this point can hardly be over-estimated, for though a dog will drink almost anything, he is sure to be upset by bad water sooner or later. Every owner should satisfy himself that his water-troughs are thoroughly emptied and rinsed out each morning, for they are apt to get slimy round the edges and bottom if let stand too long, the consequence being that the water is polluted before it gets to the dogs. The best sort of drinking vessel is a simple earthenware open spittoon, as shown in Fig. 10 ; these can be easily washed out, and from their shape are very dijjicult to overturn. In the case of large breeds, for which these vessels
FOOD A\TD EXERCISE.
21
would hold an insufficient supply, we strongly recommend an enamelled iron trough similar in shape to the feeding-trough shown in Fig. 9.
Having thus described the feeding of dogs where considerable numbers are kept, and which consequently require regular business arrangements to be made, a few lines may be devoted to the requirements of those who only keep one or two dogs in-doors. Inexperienced persons often inquire how to feed their pets, and the first question generally is, whether scraps from the table injure the health. From what has gone before, it may be gleaned that scraps given with judgment are a very beneficial diet. The main thing, never to be lost sight of, is that the supply of meat given a dog must greatly depend upon the life he leads ; and in the case of dogs kept in-doors, the amount of exercise they get is usually in one extreme or the other. The household pet is either the constant companion of the members of his master's family in their walks, and thereby, between one and the other, gets a good deal of exercise ; or he is a petted little toy which is considered too delicate to leave the fireside, and so gets scarcely any running about at all. In the former of these cases, a moderate amount of meat is decidedly beneficial ; in the latter, the less he gets the better, From one-quarter to one-third of meat is sufficient for most in-door dogs, and the rest of his
FIG. IO. — DRINKING VESSEL.
food should consist of bread-crumbs, vegetables, crushed-up potatoes, pie-crust, &c., &c, with a little gravy added. Bones now and then should be given to gnaw, but too much meat must not be left on them, and if an additional meal is required nothing can surpass dry biscuits. A dog will always eat when he is hungry, and tender-hearted mistresses should console themselves, if they see their dog leaving a portion of his food, by the conviction that a little wholesome diet is better for their pet than a bounteous fare of unsuitable materials. Dogs cannot speak when their food disagrees with them, and the life of many a little pam- pered toy is rendered a burden to him by the injudicious feeding of an over-indulgent master or mistress. Instead of getting a run in the open air, he is doomed to a life of unnatural inertness, and his stomach is periodically crammed with the richest and most unwholesome food which could possibly be selected for him. How can it be wondered at, then, that toy-dogs extend to such unnatural dimensions, that their teeth decay, that their bodies break out into sores, and their ears canker : causing them to become objects of disgust to all who have the misfortune to be associated with them ? Whereas, had the same dogs been fed judiciously on plainer scraps from the table, and their drink been pure water, the abominations of cream, milk, " tit-bits," &c., being eschewed, they would have been lively and handsome companions for any lady in her walks, and a gratification to those to whom they belong.
EXERCISE.
We have implied that a good and daily amount of exercise is most essential to the general health of all dogs. Some varieties can exist for a certain time without proper attention in this respect, but in the majority of breeds a liberal allowance of out-door exercise must be provided
22 THE BOOK of THE DOG.
if they are to be kept in real health and spirits. Dogs and bitches kept for breeding purposes cannot have too much open air under judicious management, and the health and future excellence of young stock is greatly affected by the liberty they obtain. The means by which the necessary amount of exercise is given the dogs must necessarily depend on the situation of the kennels and the space and time at their owners' disposal. If the establishment is in the country the task of exercising the dogs is a very easy one, the adjacent meadows offering every facility. But in towns the case is different, and means have to be devised by which comparative liberty can be obtained without risk to the dogs and annoyance to the neighbours. Under all circum- stances a covered-in run is a very desirable addition to a range of kennels, for then the dogs can be exercised in all weathers, and an admirable run for young puppies formed. Unfor- tunately few breeders can afford the space that such an erection would occupy ; but we allude to it, lest the merits of an empty barn might be overlooked when exercising comes to be considered. In the case of dogs whose temperaments are peaceful, no difficulty will be found in taking them out for an hour or two's run in the morning, when few people and conveyances are about ; and this, with a daily turn of greater or less extent in the kennel yard, will suffice for most animals. The sporting varieties will, of course, require more exercise and special treatment, which will be gone into in the chapter on breaking.
It is not good to let dogs be exposed too long to a hot summer's sun ; for lying about in it is sure to disarrange their health, and render them dull and languid. Where they are let run in yards a plentiful supply of water should always be within reach, and this should be kept in a shady corner out of the sun's rays, which heat it and render it unfit for the dogs to drink. Sometimes an awning may be of great benefit.
In many establishments one or two good dogs are kept in-doors, which are forbidden to roam about in the garden on account of the injury they would cause there. It may be required to exercise them thoroughly, and if so the owner has to resort to artificial means, using a ball, or a cat-skin tied at the end of a fishing-rod or long cane, and dangled before them. In the first case, if the dog will fetch and carry, a great amount of exercise can be gone through at the cost of a comparatively trifling exertion on the part of the owner, who has only to keep on throwing away the ball for the dog to run after. Half an hour or so a day of such violent exercise will keep most dogs in good health, but it is particularly desirable that all their leisure time should not be passed in-doors before a fire, as nothing tends to demoralise a dog more than -want of fresh air. No house is quite destitute of a yard of some sort, where a kennel can be fixed up for the dog's reception during some part of the day. Fuller description of the method of exercising by means of a skin and long cane will be given in the article on Bull-terriers, as it is a form of excitement more peculiarly adaptable to vermin dogs, partly from their disposition to worry a ball if given one to play with, and partly because less spirited dogs soon get tired of jumping at a thing they cannot reach.
GROOMING.
A great deal in a dog's appearance depends upon whether his owner has him well groomed or not. This most useful operation has probably never been resorted to by scores of exhibitors, who on showing their dogs are surprised to find that they compare unfavourably with others in the condition of their coats. Grooming, to be effective, must be constant and thorough. A casual overhauling with a dirty brush once in two or three months does not at all represent our views on the subject ; but it is very hard to convince some kennelmen of the benefit proper grooming can bestow on the dogs' coats. Latterly attention has been directed to this
GROOMING AND WASHING. 23
matter, and the result has been the appearance of several appliances which are more or less effective as aids to the canine toilet. Conspicuous amongst inventions which are really service- able is the hair-glove, and no breeder of smooth-coated dogs should be without some of these in his kennel. In the case of the long-haired varieties a coarse comb and dandy-brush are about all that are necessary. Very hard brushes, as a rule, are best avoided ; they may do no harm to a thoroughly healthy coat, but the skin even of a healthy dog is peculiarly susceptible of irritation, and any undue stimulus may start him scratching till he is almost raw. A hard brush may therefore inflame some pustule on the skin, and before the injury is discovered a dog may have disfigured himself for months to come. A hard short-bristled brush, if constantly used, is also liable to remove more hair than is necessary, and thereby injures the dog's appearance.
Many dogs are very fidgety when they are being groomed, and throw themselves about in a manner which renders the operation a tedious one. There is no remedy for this but patience, and after a dog once becomes accustomed to his morning's grooming, he soon gets to like it, and seems to look forward to the luxury. It is always desirable to chain him up when grooming is carried on, in case he breaks away and gets into mischief. The modus operandi is very simple, but we have always found it best to let the dog lie down, and do as much of his legs as possible first. The reason of this is that during the grooming of his legs a dog very often lies down and fidgets about, and in this way gets his coat all covered with sawdust or whatever may be laid on the floor of the kennel. This is not so annoying when his back and sides have yet to be groomed, and he can return to his bench neat and tidy. The legs should be thoroughly rubbed with the brush or hair-glove, care being taken to pass the hand in the direction the coat runs, or instead of benefiting the coat it will be injured by being made rougher than it was before. Attention should then be directed to the head and ears ; the back must next be done, and the proceedings terminate by brushing out the tail. Under ordinary circumstances the hair-glove is sufficient for smooth-coated dogs, but its bristles are neither long nor stout enough to penetrate the jackets of the long-haired varieties' When the latter have to be dealt with a dandy-brush will usually suffice, the comb only being resorted to when the coat is knotted and tangled up. In using the comb the operator should be as gentle as he can, for if he drags tufts of hair out he hurts the dog and injures his appearance. A thorough combing-out is an excellent practice before a dog is washed, as it helps to remove all superfluous hairs, but when the coat is wet it is always more or less tangled, and should not be combed. As we have said before, systematic grooming is at the bottom of many a dog's blooming condition, and no morning should go by without strict attention being paid to his toilet. Careful grooming also assists greatly in the destruction of fleas and other vermin, and renders the coat sweet and clean.
We may remark that these hints on grooming refer solely to general management, and no allusion is made here to any special attention show dogs may require in the course of their preparation for exhibition, as such will be fully gone into in the chapter on exhibiting. A good rub over with a large dry chamois leather after the brushing out is completed is an ex- cellent termination to the grooming, but in ordinary cases is not so essential as the brush or hair-glove.
WASHING.
No very great skill is required, under ordinary circumstances, to wash a dog, providing the necessary appliances are at hand. If the weather is warm, and the dog of a hardy constitution, the chances of his catching cold are very small, but in cold weather the chief difficulty is to get him dry before replacing him in his kennel. It should be borne in mind that almost all
24 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
dogs strongly object to being washed, and are prepared to make an effort to escape at a moment's notice. If they succeed in doing so the result is usually disastrous; for, in addition to wetting everything in the house, a dog invariably, if he can, goes outside to roll, and if he does so, has to be washed over again. Jf his collar is worn during his ablutions, it is very likely to stain his neck, as it probably requires a wash itself, and the best plan is to have a clean leather strap handy to put on your dogs whilst they are being washed, and which is reserved for this purpose only. Some people maintain that they can hold a dog by the scruff of the neck when they are washing him, but their grasp when he is covered with soap must be very precarious.
In some cases, where a number of dogs have to be washed, and the object is more to cleanse their skins than to get them up for show purposes, no tub is used, but they are merely stood over the drain grating in the kennel, and some water poured over them ; the soap is then applied, their coats rinsed out with cold water, and they are dried and sent back to their kennels. This is an unnecessarily untidy and unsatisfactory course, as, if a tub is used, there need be hardly any water spilt, and the washing can be far more thoroughly carried out. The best sort of tub is one about three feet wide across the top, and some fifteen to eighteen inches high at the sides. One end of a large barrel sawn through makes an admirable tub, and care should be taken to have a hole in the bottom, in which a cork is fitted, as by this means the dirty water can be let run off without making an unnecessary mess in the kennel. We always had our own washing-bath placed on trestles over the drain near the water- tap in the kennel. One end of an india-rubber tube was placed on the nose of the tap, and the other hung over the side of the tub ; by this plan only the hot water had to be brought in pails, and any amount of cold was at the kennelman's disposal when he required it. As soon as the water was done with the cork was removed and the dirty water poured into the drain, not a tea-cupful being spilt about the kennel, and the tub was ready for the second dog by the time the first was dried.
The ordinary appliances necessary for washing a dog are, in addition to the tub, a large sponge, an empty jam-pot or other small vessel, a lump of soap (white curd for choice), and something to dry him with. We shall allude to washing for show purposes later on. Stand the dog up in the tub, which should be three parts full of moderately hot water, to which a little soda may be added, and wet his coat thoroughly through ; this can be done by baling the water over him by means of the jam-pot above alluded to. When he is saturated with the water, commence by soaping his face and head, and get this completed and washed out before you go on to his body, legs, and tail, in the order named. Take care that the soap is well rubbed in, but be careful to let as little as possible reach his eyes. The head once done with, the rest is tolerably easy work in the case of most dogs ; but it is always well to be prepaied for efforts to escape being made. When he is well lathered all over his body and legs, and the soap thoroughly rubbed into his skin, the jam-pot must be again resorted to to remove the soap by baling the water over him. Finally, before lifting him out of the tub, it is well to give the dog a douche of cold water, as it not only cleanses his jacket of the soap, but diminishes the chances of his taking cold. Our arrangement of the india-rubber tube referred to above was here particularly serviceable, as the cold stream could be so readily applied to any part of the body.
When removed from his tub a dog is always anxious to shake himself, and rub himself on the ground ; to the first proceeding there is not much objection, but the disadvantages of the latter are obvious. Before lifting him out of the tub, he should be partially dried by
PREVENTION AND REMOVAL OF VERMIN. 25
means of the sponge, and the towels will complete this part of the operation. When there is no fear of his taking cold, the dog can be returned to his kennel, where it is desirable that some clean straw should be provided for him.
Dogs kept in the house should be washed once every week or ten days ; those out of doors about every three weeks or a month in summer, and less frequently in the cold weather. Washing is not so necessary where grooming is strictly attended to, but an occasional bath benefits a dog considerably. Many persons use brown or soft soap, but in breeds which show white this is objectionable, as it causes the coat to appear yellow after being used.
VERMIN.
If not properly attended to in the way of grooming and washing, all dogs are sure to be pestered with vermin. The remedies for clearing them of such torments are very numerous, but we have found the most ordinary means the most effective. Fleas can generally be got rid of by rubbing the dog thoroughly over with oil, from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, and then washing him in water to which a little Condy's fluid or solution of permanganate of potash has been added. The oil should be left on three or four hours, and if thoroughly applied completely settles the fleas. Carbolic acid in the water and carbolic soap are also efficacious, but a too constant application of such remedies is apt to injure the dog's coat. Quassia chips are an excellent remedy in mild cases. Get two or three ounces from a chemist, and steep in boiling water ; let them remain in it for some hours, and then drain off the liquor into the water in which the dog is to be washed.
Lice are very troublesome, and often will not yield to the above remedies. White precipitate powder will invariably destroy them, but must be used very cautiously, or it will poison the dogs. It should be applied dry to the coat, as if wet there is danger of the dog being poisoned by absorbing it into his skin. The patient should be securely muzzled, as a small dose in the mouth is sure to act fatally. The powder must be well brushed out with a dry brush in one or two hours, and care must be taken that the dog does not get wet.
Ticks are frequently found on the bodies of dogs which have been neglected, and are most troublesome to cure. They burrow into the skin, and hold on most pertinaciously. White precipitate powder has generally to be resorted to in order to get rid of them, and should be applied as stated above.
If the benches and bedding are not periodically cleaned and removed, vermin of some sort or other are sure to make their appearance in the kennels with disastrous results. The only remedy is a thorough purification ; the walls and partitions must be at once white or lime washed, and the floor, benches, and iron-work well scrubbed, a good proportion of carbolic acid or Condy's fluid being added to the water used for the purpose. If discovered in time, and stringent measures are taken for their extermination, vermin soon disappear, but when allowed time to settle down they soon spread all over the building and occupy every crack in it. No time therefore should be lost in meeting their first appearance. On the other hand, vermin are sometimes confounded with effects arising from heated blood ; and whenever a dog seems uneasy, an owner should make thorough examination, and satisfy himself that it is really vermin which cause the irritation.
Vermin will very seldom appear in dogs which are well groomed, but they must occasionally be communicated by means of dogs met in the streets, and especially at shows. An inspection of all dogs on their return from exhibitions will therefore be oftentimes profitable, as by dis- covering the presence of insects in good time a check on their advance can be made. 4
26 THE BOOK OF THE Doc.
CLEANLINESS IN THE HOUSE.
Whether a dog is an acquisition or not as a household companion very much depends upon his habits of cleanliness ; for nothing can be more offensive than an indoor pet upon whose behaviour no reliance can be placed. In the case of an old dog accustomed to live outside, and who has not been taught in his youth, we fear the inculcation of cleanly habits will be a difficult matter. The whip is the only remedy which can be applied, and its application should be neither light nor meagre. With puppies the matter is usually far simpler, and they soon acquire good manners if once convinced that punishment is the certain result of dirty habits. Before the whip is resorted to, the offender should always be taken to the place where the faux pas occurred, and the enormity of his conduct pointed out to him in stern but not passionate tones. A sound whipping should next be immediately followed by his expulsion from the room, and on his return from out of doors no further notice need be taken of his offence against good manners. After a few repetitions of this treatment the dog will understand what he is punished for, and will gradually learn to avail himself of the opportunities provided by his periodical runs outside. Some resort to the system of spreading pepper on the place where he misbehaved, and rubbing the dog's nose in it, and this is often effective in obstinate cases, but is an unnecessary severity in teaching young dogs. The opportunities for runs outside already alluded to, it need hardly be said, must be regularly given; and it must never be forgotten that a dog cannot, like most animals, void his urine by one act, but is obliged to expel it in small portions and by many separate efforts : much suffering may be caused by forgetting this. Indoor pets should always be allowed a run the last thing at night, and several outings during the day ; else they cannot be expected to be clean, and it is cruelty to punish a dog for what he cannot help. Experience has taught us one thing, which is, that one thorough whipping does more good and less harm to a dog than a series of minor corrections. He remembers it far longer, and in his heart knows he deserved it for something or other, even if he has not learnt what the actual offence is ; but if he is always being scolded and slightly punished, his master soon appears in the light of a perse- cutor, and the dog becomes either permanently cowed, or perhaps turns savage, and thereby unfitted for an indoor companion.
DOG BITES AND RABIES.
So many accidents occur in kennels from dog bites that attention may be directed to one or two simple precautions to be attended to if one has the misfortune to be bitten. The application of lunar caustic is universally recommended ; but if this or any other remedy is used it should be applied to the wound at once and thoroughly. It is no use touching the outside of a bite with a little caustic ; the stick must be well worked into the wound, and will cause considerable pain and subsequent inflammation. Often, however, this remedy is not at hand— though a stick of caustic is a useful appendage to any kennel— and other means have to be adopted. A very common practice is to plunge the injured part in hot salt and water, and keep it there for some minutes ; and this is supposed to draw the poison (if any) out of the wound. Mr. Thomas Scorborio, manager of the Dogs' Home at Battersea, informs us of a remedy which he invariably causes to be applied to any of his attendants who are bitten badly. It consists of a large poultice of carbonate of soda, made into a paste with water and applied to the wound on a piece of linen. It should be kept on the wound about
DOG BITES AND RABIES. 27
two hours, wetting the cloth with cold water every few minutes to keep the poultice moist. The thousands of stray dogs — by far the most dangerous class — which have passed through Mr. Scorborio's hands render any application which receives his support valuable ; and we may add that we have his authority for stating that an undoubtedly rabid dog bit an acquaintance of his, who at once applied a carbonate-of-soda poultice, and lived for years afterwards without suffering any ill effects. A celebrated veterinary surgeon at Bath also states that he has tried this remedy (with, so far, no failure) in many cases of bites from rabid dogs. It is unnecessary for us to go into the subject of hydrophobia here, or allude to the various recoveries which have been said to follow the treatment of alleged cases by the administration of curare, the Birling or other cures ; but, from what has been published, the benefit of prolonged and often-repeated Turkish or vapour baths should not be overlooked by any who have had the misfortune to be bitten.
One word is, however, necessary in defence of the dog. Many are annually mistaken for mad, and literally hunted to death by ignorant people, to whom the cry of "mad dog" is equivalent to positive proof that the animal is infected with rabies. Without under- rating the fearful dangers that may arise from a real case of this disease, we would at the same time caution owners not to hurriedly destroy every animal that behaves in a suspicious manner, if only for the reason that it is very desirable to know how many cases of genuine rabies really do occur. An owner, whenever an animal gives cause for suspicion, should secure it in a quiet place from which escape is impossible, and where it will not be disturbed. It is very possible the quiet may soothe the excited nervous system, and cure the eccentric behaviour which first caused suspicion. Meantime, of course, the dog should not be handled unless absolutely necessary, and ought to be carefully watched, that the development of every symptom may be noted ; it need hardly be said that competent opinion should be sought at an early stage. We need only observe here that rabid dogs often drink water greedily, contrary to the popular belief. The principal early symptoms of genuine rabies are a shrinking from light and a desire to hide ii? corners ; a propensity to gnaw and worry objects within reach, and to swallow bits oi stick, buttons, hair, filth, &c. ; a disinclination to come when called ; and often a scared and wild appearance without apparent cause. The last sign is, however, valueless as regards a dog which has been hunted in the inhuman manner too common.
CHAPTER IV.
EXHIBITING, BUYING, AND SELLING.
ANY owner who has confidence enough in the merits of his dogs to desire to show them must bear in mind that excellence in symmetry and formation will probably be thrown away if condition is bad. For exhibition purposes condition is everything. A first-class specimen, however grand he may be in many points, if his eye is dull and listless and his coat ragged, cannot fail to suffer from comparison with a dog who, though perhaps inferior in some points, is lively and vivacious, thereby showing himself off to the best advantage when he is in the ring before the judges. The latter should — even if they do not always — judge a dog as he is before them, not reckoning what his performances have been or what merit he may develop with age. In getting up a dog for exhibition, therefore, an owner should try and make him look his best, never losing sight of the purposes for which the breed exists, and trying to bring his pet into the ring not only looking well, but fit to do his duty. A sporting dog looks ludicrous when he appears fat and flabby, and displays to every one how utterly incapable he would be of doing half a day's work. A bulldog or bull-terrier loaded with flesh instead of muscle is a sorry sight ; and a black and tan or a toy terrier with a ragged staring coat cannot hope to be " in it " when competing for the prize of beauty with others of the same breed whose jackets shine like satin.
Experience can only be bought by practice, but here is a notable fact for the benefit of beginners : viz., that the most consistently successful exhibitors of late years have been those whose dogs have been shown in the best condition. We were once profoundly impressed by a hint given us by a deceased friend whose opinion in certain breeds was law. " Thoo'l have to learn, lad, hoo ta' show tha' dags," was all he said ; we marked, learned, and profited by his suggestion, and never knowingly sent a dog off to a show who .had not something in the way of condition to recommend him. To attain this desired end is difficult, merely from the fast that different dogs require different treatment ; by following certain rules, however, great progress can be made, and if due attention is paid to feeding, exercising, and grooming, the most delicate dogs can be vastly improved in both health and appearance.
To begin with, it is always bad for an owner to place too much reliance on his kennel-man. An experienced person is no doubt an acquisition in any establishment, but the master will surely rue the day when he lets absolute control over his dogs slip from his grasp. A servant is very apt to consider himself of greater importance than he really is, unless his master keeps him up to his work, and supervises the daily routine of work as far as he can. Many masters profess to be above the task of looking after their own interests, and leave their kennels entirely under the control of their men. Such individuals cannot care much for the honour of winning a prize, as whatever kudos there is gained must rest with their deputy, and it is notorious that they generally suffer in the long-run by their blind confidence. We always had a slate hanging up in the kennel, and wrote any orders there were to be given on it ; the consequence was that there was no excuse for them not being attended to, and the dogs flourished accordingly.
In getting a dog up for show, his comfort should be particularly looked after in every way.
CLOTHING FOR DOGS. 29
See that his bed is comfortable and clean for him after his return from the unusual amount of exercise which should at this time be given him. The operation of grooming too should be more thoroughly carried out than under ordinary circumstances, and if his jacket is well rubbed down day by day with a chamois leather the gloss on it will be increased. In consequence of the greater exercise he takes a little more meat can be given him, but there is always a chance of his blood getting heated, and his skin breaking out in consequence into sores, or the hair coming off. Internal as well as external remedies must be at once resorted to if there are any indications of this misfortune befalling him. Let the dog, in such a case, be given a daily dose of the sulphur and magnesia mixture which has been alluded to in Chap. III., and give him sloppy food for a time. As regards a lotion for external application, the following, for which we are indebted to Mr. Hugh Dalziel, is highly efficacious : —
Carbolic acid ... ... ... J oz.
Glycerine ... ... ... J oz.
Laudanum ... ... ... I oz.
Carbonate of soda ... ... ... I dram.
Water ... ... ... ... i^ pints.
This lotion should be dabbed very lightly indeed on the sores with a sponge, or wrung out of a piece of lint on to them frequently during the day, and it is marvellous how rapidly it dries up the raw places, and frees the dog from all irritation. If meat proves too heating, bread-and- butter is an excellent addition to a dog's daily allowance of food, and we have tried it with marked success in the case of several bad-constitutioned dogs. Let the butter be sound and good, and the bread not too new, however, or this diet may not succeed as well as the owner could wish. Cow's udder, if well boiled, is much relished by all dogs, and in getting up a light-fleshed dog upon whom a little bulk is wanted is simply invaluable, as its fat-producing properties are very high.
Cod-liver oil is most efficacious in its effects on dogs. A tablespoonful once or twice a day after food generally succeeds in putting flesh rapidly on a fifty-pound dog. This dose must be increased or diminished according to the size of the animal, and the effect it has on his condition. Suitable cod-liver oil can generally be obtained from saddlers or leather dressers, who use it in their trade. This is very much cheaper than what is obtained from chemists, and the only difference is that it is supplied unrefined.
In the case of many smooth-haired breeds, where the smoothness and brilliancy of their coats go a long way to ensure success in exhibition, it is desirable to keep them clothed for some time previous to the date of the show. Dog clothing is of various sorts, shapes, and materials ; but the best for ordinary indoor purposes are plain white calico for summer wear, and ordinary fawn- coloured — but not too thick — horse clothing, to be used in winter or cold weather. These should be taken off when out of doors if the weather is fine, but if it rains many exhibitors employ thin macintosh sheets when exercising their pets. As regards the best make, we very much incline to the pattern which buckles in front, and to which a breast-cloth can be added. When the clothing is so constructed as to pull over the head like a stocking it is sure to ruffle up the dog's coat, and furthermore the same clothing cannot be made to fit various dogs so easily as the pattern which buckles in front. Fig. 1 1 exactly represents a pattern of exhibition clothing, which in workmanship and design we consider perfection, and which we arrived at after much study and many trials. For a long time we stood alone in various of its details, especially as regards fil let-strings and embroidered crest ; but of late many others have copied our example.
3O THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
From the design it will be observed that the strap A can be buckled in front of the chest, before the breast-cloth is attached to the clothing by buckles at B B. In very warm weather the breast-cloth may be dispensed with ; but on journeys, or in cold draughty shows, one must bear in mind that it is desirable to protect the lungs of a dog as much as possible ; the breast-cloth should therefore be worn in such instances. A slit, C, in the part of the clothing at the top of the neck, should always be provided for the ring of the collar to come through, as in leading a
FIG. II. — DOG CLOTHING.
dog, or when he is tied up, the clothing should not be able to work out of its place if the dog struggles.
In sending a dog to a show, be sure his chain has two swivels on it, or else there is every chance of his being strangled before he gets home. If there is only one swivel it is apt to get choked with straw, and thereby cease to act; it then twists up and chokes the unhappy dog attached to the chain. There is an excellent chain manufactured expressly for show purposes, a sketch of which is given on the next page (Fig. 12), and which is made of various strengths, so as to suit any breed of dogs. It will be seen that there are not only two swivels, but a spring hook at each end and thpee rings in the chain, so that it can be shortened to any suitable length.
Washing his been so thoroughly gone into already that there is not much room for
TRIMMING ARTIFICES, 31
further observations here, beyond drawing the attention of our seaders to the great necessity of always now getting the dog perfectly dry before letting him go back to his kennel. The best time to wash a dog for a show is the evening before he leaves home, and he can be then secured for the night without much chance of his soiling his jacket ; but be sure to have abundance of fresh and clean straw for him to roll himself on, or he will be sure to stain himself, and all the labour of washing has to be gone through again, possibly under difficulties as regards time and place. Hand rubbing is most efficacious as a means of both drying and flattening down the coat ; and after the process of drying is partially accomplished with a sponge and towel, we strongly recommend, in the case of smooth-haired dogs, that the operation be completed by rubbing the hands over the coat in the direction the hair runs. This may seem, and is, a tedious operation ; but the dog's appearance is wonderfully improved by it. A little blue is often added to the water in which white dogs are washed, but it must be very little ; and for our own part we rarely went beyond the use of the ordinary blue-mottled white soap, as, if good of its sort, this contains quite enough blue for all practical purposes. Loaf sugar is supposed by some to add brilliancy to the coat if put in the tub ; but though we tried it, there were no adequate results to be perceived. In the case of the hard or wire-haired breeds, where a stiff, harsh coat is wanted, the addition of a little alum
FIG. 12. — DOUBLE-SWIVEL DOG-CHAIN.
in the water has a beneficial effect, and this should not be lost sight of by exhibitors of these varieties.
The delicate subject of trimming must be approached with caution, as any unwary expression regarding the various processes may be taken far more seriously than is desired. That many — in fact most — breeds of dogs can be vastly improved by various minor operations is admitted universally, and it is well known to most -exhibitors that artifices are continually being resorted to which might, if detected, lead to the disqualification of the dog if he were awarded a prize. Long- haired dogs are plucked — i.e. bad or superfluous hair removed. Terriers are stained, shaved, and singed. Tails are shaved and resined. Curly coats which should be flat are ironed out ; flat coats which should be curly have the tongs applied. White noses sometimes have lunar caustic (nitrate of silver) applied to them ; and it may be well to remark that this can be easily detected by applying cyanide of potassium : care must, however, be taken with this drug, as it is a most deadly poison, and a very little allowed to get inside the mouth would kill the dog. Unsightly patches are dyed, and drooping ears gummed. All these and other artifices have been resorted to, and are often passed over by judges, who either do not possess the perception to detect the fault, or lack the moral courage to face the uproar a disqualification would bring about. How far the more trifling of such practices are recognised or permitted it is hard to say ; but, trimming, or "faking," as it is popularly termed, is always a risky as well as an undesirable operation, and should be suppressed. In certain breeds mutilation is universal : such as docking the tail of a fox- terrier or spaniel, rounding the ears of a hound, or cropping those of a bull or English terrier. There are, however, operations performed on dogs, the only motive for which is the remedy of some fault which it possesses. For instance, a badly-carried ear is often " improved " by the application of
3 5 THE BOOK OF THE Doc.
a knife when the puppy is young ; or a tail which is carried up over the back is operated on by having some of the refractory joints so severed that it cannot be raised. Filing the teeth when they are irregular or malformed is also practised, and there can be no doubt that this is illegal, for prompt disqualification is the certain result of detection. Many artifices to which the various breeds may be especially liable will be mentioned in connection with those breeds, and it is therefore unnecessary to go into them at length in the present instance.
Another improvement is more legitimate. A few drops of oil rubbed into the palms of the hand and applied to the coat has an improving effect upon it. Care must be taken to prevent the oil showing too palpably, and only a few drops must be used, or the coat will be greasy and sticky.
FIG. 13.— TRAVELLING BOX FOR DOGS.
It is always best to send dogs on a journey securely confined in a box or basket, though in the case of large dark-coloured breeds the necessity for doing so is not so decided as when delicate or white dogs have to be considered. Their chain can be let hang loose, so that when the lid is opened there will be less chance of their escaping. Of the two arrangements, a square-sided basket is preferable when the dogs are not of a destructive disposition, as it allows more air to reach its occupant. The use of a box must be resorted to, however, when powerful and violent dogs are to be sent off, or they will eat their way out in an incredibly short time. The box or basket should be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn himself round comfortably in, and should always be provided with a lock and key and two strong handles. When the owner does not accompany his dog on a journey to a show it is a good plan to tie the key securely to one of the handles, so that the dog can be at once liberated. A couple of straps and buckles, in addition to the lock, are desirable, as they secure the box if the lock gives way, and save too heavy a strain falling on it.
An illustration of a good dog's travelling box is given in Fig. 13, where the iron gratings
TRANSIT OF DOGS.
33
used for ventilation are clearly shown. These should be in each side, the front, and lid, the back and floor only being boarded. The latter should have holes bored in it for obvious reasons. Care should be taken to ensure the ventilation gratings being Sufficiently large for their object, and they should each have a bent iron fender outside, so as to prevent any other packages being placed close alongside them in the van, by which the circulation of air would be impeded. A couple of strips of two or three inch batten should be nailed on the bottom to keep the box off the ground, as if left on a damp floor it would soon decay otherwise. It is not desirable to send more than one dog in each box, unless they are known to be peaceably inclined, for they are liable to fight and seriously hurt each other, though many boxes are so made that they can be divided into two or more compartments by sliding partitions. Some clean straw should of course be placed at the bottom of the basket or box ; and if a long journey is contemplated, a little soaked biscuit or bread may be thrown in, but no water, as it would only get spilled and be of no use. If there is a long stoppage on the road and any one is accompanying the dogs, the boxes can be opened and a drink given them ; but this is a merciful action which is too often neglected in the master's anxiety to see after his own comforts.
The direction should always be clearly affixed to the box, and it is highly desirable that not only the time of the train's departure, but also the date, be inscribed on the label thus : —
LIVE DOG. — Forward at once.
To JOHN JONES, Esq., Blanle House,
Slanktown, Per G.W.R. Near OXFORD.
3rd JUNE, 1879. By 9.30 Train, a.m.
The insertion of the date seems to convey even to the minds of railway officials that a little energy is necessary, and diminishes the chances of the dog being left behind. Never use one of the dirty draughty dens called dog boxes by railway authorities. They are a disgrace to railway organisation, and if a dog travels in one he is most likely to catch an illness in the shape of a cold, influenza, or mange.
If an owner accompanies his dog to a show he should provide himself with a few trifling articles to assist in the final toilet : a chamois leather, scissors, hair-brush, and hair-glove are all useful, and a spare chain and staple or two are often handy. Some chalk for white dogs, powdered resin for tails, and a little oil for the coats very frequently form part of this portion of the luggage, but considerable risk is involved in their application by inexperienced hands ; disqualification succeeds detection, and it is not a part of our business to assist exhibitors in their efforts to deceive the judges, who suffer enough from the art of the " faker" as it is.
Great discontent prevails amongst exhibitors with reference to the exorbitant charge made by
34 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
railway companies for the insurance of live stock. Five per cent, is the modest request they make, and this is of course too high to be frequently paid. A reduction on this prohibitory charge could not fail to be remunerative to the companies ; and surely, where threepence is charged for effecting an insurance on a human life for a thousand pounds, fifty sovereigns is too high for that of a dog.
JUDGING.
Not many shows can afford the expense of engaging a sufficient number of judges to enable each class to be judged by a gentleman who is qualified to do so, and there are very few judges who are able to deal fairly by all breeds. The unfortunate result of this is that many varieties are unsatisfactorily placed time after time, or else certain dogs are constantly found in the same positions, from the fact of the same judges being always selected for the duty. It is unduly hard upon any good young dog to make his first appearance before a judge who has frequently awarded high honours to other dogs in the same class, and who must feel considerable diffidence in over- looking them when a stranger appears. Judges are only mortal after all, and their ideas cannot fail to become so moulded to the form of a dog they have once admired, that the order in which many dogs will be placed at our leading shows is often correctly anticipated before the event comes off; so much so, that many exhibitors reserve young dogs until they can first bring them out under a gentleman whose judgment is unbiased in favour of a certain animal, to whose good points he has already paid substantial recognition. This could be remedied by occasionally varying the monotony which seems at present to inspire the committees in the distribution of their judges' duties. A change seems now to be made in the judges every three or four years, which period represents the average length of time a dog can be shown. If, therefore, a new judge once places first a good specimen which appears simultaneously with him, that dog stands an excellent chance of remaining at the top of the tree during his show career, to the detriment of another's chance of success. The latter should, in justice, have an opportunity given him for success under 'different opinions, and if he fails to win, then the honour gained by his conqueror is doubly increased.
Point judging is strongly advocated by a large section of breeders, who aver that if a certain number of points be awarded to each property, and the dogs judged by this standard, fewer errors and complaints would arise. Whilst admitting that a standard is most essential for each breed, and that the relative value of each numerical point in the standard is made clearer by being awarded a numerical value, we cannot express any sympathy with those in favour of point judging. The impracticability of consistently awarding the identical number of marks to each dog is so obvious that it is impossible to adopt the system, and the time wasted over the calculations is enormous. The Bull-dog Club, which at its origin ostentatiously included point judging in its programme, has been obliged to abandon the idea as unsatisfactory ; and it may fairly be taken that the system is unpalatable to the majority of exhibitors throughout the kingdom. An especial objection is, that when dogs are judged by points, one notoriously defective in one portion of its anatomy can be awarded a prize, whereas under any other system he could not succeed.
At some shows the judges have been given catalogues instead of the judging books so commonly used ; and this seems to be a rational action when adopted by committees who permit exhibitors to lead their dogs into the ring. The absurdity of playing at secresy, as carried on by committees who use the blank books and yet permit the presence of exhibitors in the ring, is so conspicuous to all but themselves, that criticising such proceedings is like crushing a butterfly on a wheel ; but there are signs that some day authorities will have firmness enough to stand by their judges, and openly defend their integrity, without admitting a possibility of their acting
BUYING AND SELLING DOGS. 35
unfairly, which half-and-half precautions most certainly imply. Nothing can be more suggestive of collusion between judges and exhibitors than the exclusion of the Press from shows where the judging is held in private. Almost unbounded confidence is placed in judges by exhibitors, but when the latter are absent they cannot help wishing to know how things go on ; and there is always something repugnant to Englishmen when things are done in a corner.
BUYING AND SELLING.
There are few breeders who do not at one time or another desire to dispose of some of their surplus stock, and these very often object to offer their property openly for sale, as they object to be included in the category of dog dealers, as they term it. This is hardly a fair view of the case (though a sapient Bow Street magistrate, in his wisdom, has laid it down that any one selling a dog or owning a stud dog is a dealer in point of law), for a man may dispose of a great many puppies or full-grown dogs before he can come into competition with professional dealers. An advertisement in the sporting journals which refers to any breed of dogs of a known strain will always receive replies, and if the price asked is not too high business can generally be done. Naturally, with unknown persons there is more difficulty in effecting a sale, but there is always a market for good animals. It is undesirable to keep puppies too long if profit is to be considered. Not only does their care involve considerable time and expense after they are first weaned, but they look better then than they do subsequently, and so frequently command a relatively better price. At about seven months old most young dogs are very ugly, and are almost unsaleable : they have all the gawkiness of hobble-de-hoy-hood, and certainly are uninteresting. Many breeders, therefore, have two weedings out in their kennels : one when the puppies are first weaned, and the second after they have begun to " make up," as it is termed ; this takes place when the dogs are about a year old. At the latter age it is generally pretty easy to tell what a dog is going to turn out, so intending purchasers can judge better than they are able to do earlier in the puppies' career.
In advertising a dog for sale it is best to give notice that he can be seen by appointment, or will be sent on approval at buyer's risk and cost, on the purchase money being deposited in the hands of some respectable third party. A sight of the dog is desired by many purchasers, and obviates the risk of future disagreements relative to the animal's merits. A limited time should be named for the dog to be returned, as many quarrels have been the result of one sent on approval being kept a long time. Cases have been known where a stud dog has been sent on approval and subsequently returned as unsatisfactory, after having been surreptitiously used for breeding purposes by the pretended purchaser. It therefore behoves sellers to be on their guard, and no valuable dogs should be sent alone to unknown or unreliable people. In all cases it is desirable for advertisers to be as concise in their remarks on the dog's merits as possible. Little good can come from flattering allusions to a dog's value from the man who wants to dispose of him ; and persons have been known to exaggerate a dog's good qualities to such an extent that subse- quent disagreements have arisen between the purchaser and seller.
Buyers should on all occasions endeavour to learn something about the person from whom they purchase their dogs, for. it is the height of rashness to accept the assurances of every one who has a dog to dispose of. The worse a dog is the more he is cracked up to unknowing purchasers by certain dealers. A guarantee from a breeder whose name stands high, on the other hand, is always valuable, for it is not probable that he would mar his good name for the sake of gaining a few pounds. Dogs can often be bought for very low prices at shows, and a person who contemplates an investment in dog-flesh can do worse than claim a dog off the bench. Misrepresentation
36 THE BOOK OF THE Doc.
is here less likely to be resorted to, and elementary tricks of the trade, which might be successfully practised on beginners, are pretty sure to be avoided where so many experts have an opportunity for examining the dog. It is well to make certain that a dog is in health, and at a show a veterinary surgeon can have very good opportunities for examining him quietly on the buyer's behalf. One thing to be guarded against by purchasers is, to see they do not get old played-out dogs or barren bitches palmed off on them. A dog's age and state of health can usually be seen, but in the case of a bitch purchased for breeding purposes the difficulty is very much greater. A person who contem- plates buying a dog need not convey any suspicions of the seller's honesty to the latter in an offensive manner, but he is failing to do himself justice if, when he does not know the seller, he does not satisfy himself that the dog has not been manipulated so as to improve his appearance.
A system of dealing — for it is no better — by what may be termed " gushing letter writing " is sometimes resorted to when new exhibitors appear on the scene. The novice receives a letter couched in the most friendly terms from an individual he may perhaps have never heard of, who informs him that as he appears to be going in for showing dogs, the writer is prepared to offer him the well-known prize-winner so-and-so. Frequently the party addressed, feeling flattered by the attention, falls a victim, and becomes the possessor of some second-rate specimen whose late owner has a better at home. Exhibitors should therefore beware of dogs thus forced on them, and should remember that there is no necessity for so acting in the case of really good dogs, for which there is always a market.
The exportation of dogs from this country is now carried on to a large extent, America and Germany being our best customers. The rapidly increasing interest in all field sports in these countries has caused them to invest heavily in sporting dogs of our best and most famous strains ; but as yet they have paid but slender attention to our non-sporting classes. A good opening for the disposal of first-class dogs may therefore be looked for from these quarters ; and as we have had some experience in sending off dogs on long sea journeys, perhaps a few hints may not be out of place here. In the first place, it may be noted that as some lines of steamers refuse to carry dogs on any terms, all arrangements should be made by the owner with the company's agents some time before the proposed date of the dog's departure, so as to avoid all risk of disappointment at the last minute. The best form of package for a dog who is about to go on a voyage is a strong box, well clamped with iron at the corners, and standing on two pieces of quartering. The door should be at the front, so as to enable the box to be cleaned out easily, and should be of iron gratings to let in light and ait. A canvas blind can be tacked above the door when the dog gets on board, and this can be let down in cold or wet weather. A few holes should be bored with a centre -bit in the floor, and also high up at the back, for ventilation and sanitary purposes. Great care must be taken to have secure fastenings on the box, and the dog should always have a chain and collar on when he is at sea. An arrangement can be made with the ship's butcher to look after him, and the promise of a douceur from his new owner on the dog's safe arrival will generally ensure his being well attended to on the voyage. It is desirable that whoever is entrusted with the dog be requested to give him a run on deck when practicable, and dose him if his bowels get confined. Some ordinary black draught can be supplied for this purpose, and will meet every ordinary want.
37
CHAPTER V.
TECHNICAL TERMS.
So much ambiguity seems to exist amongst the uninitiated as regards the technical terms which are applied to the various portions of a dog's anatomy, that before proceeding to describe the points which it is desirable to look for in the respective breeds, it may be as well if the leading terms are clearly laid before our readers. With a view to facilitate the task of description the subjoined figure has been prepared, and will materially aid us in our endeavours to explain matters : —
FIG. 14. — DIAGRAM OF DOG.
1. Nose.
2. Flews or Chaps.
3. Nasal Bone.
4. Stop. 5- Skull 6. Occiput.
7- Dewlap (where such exists).
8. Brisket.
REFERENCES.
9. Top of shoulder - blades, or
"shoulder." 10. Top of Hip-joint. n. Shoulder-blade, or scapula.
12. Rump-bone.
13. Arm.
14. Elbow.
15. Fore-arm.
16. Knee.
17. Stifle-joint.
1 8. Hocks.
19. Tail, stern, brush, or flag (th<
term used depends upon the breed).
20. Chest.
21. Pasterns.
THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
FIG. 15.— BUTTON-EAR.
Apple-headed, — This term implies that the skull is round instead of flat on the top.
Blase. — A white mark up the face.
Brisket (No. 8).— The part of the body in front of the chest.
Brush. — One of the terms used for the tail ; generally ap- plied to Sheep-dogs.
Butterfly-nose. — A spotted nose.
Bulton-ear. — An ear which falls over in front, con- cealing the inside, as in Fox-terriers. (See Fig. 15.)
Cat-foot. — A short, round foot, with the knuckles high and well developed. (See Fig. 16.)
Chest (No. 20). — The chest of a dog is not what many people speak of as breast, or chest, but extends underneath him, from the brisket to the belly.
Cobby. — Well ribbed up; short and compact in proportion.
FIG. 16. — CAT-
Couplings. — The length or space between the FOOT. tops of the shoulder-blades and tops of the hip-joints, or huckle-bones. The term denotes the pro- portionate length of a dog, which is accordingly spoken of as long or short " in the couplings."
Cow-hocked. — The hocks turning inwards. (See Fig. I7-)
Dewlap (No. 7).— Pendulous skin under the throat.
Dew-claw. — An extra claw, found occa- sionally on the legs of all breeds, but es- pecially the St. Bernard.
Dish- faced. — This term describes a dog whose nasal bone is FIG- '7--cow-HocKs.
higher at the
nose than at the stop — a feature not unfrequently seen in Pointers.
Dudley-nose. — A flesh-coloured nose.
Elbow (No. 14). — The joint at top of the fore-arm.
Elbows Out. — This term almost describes itself, but will be understood instantly from Fig. 18. Bull-dogs and Dachshunds are desired with elbows so shaped, but it may occur as a fault through weakness.
Feather. — The fringe of hair on the back of some breeds' legs — notably Setters, Spaniels, and Sheep-dogs.
Flag.—h. term for the tail applied to Setters.
EV ,XT * „,, FIG. 18. — ELBOWS OUT.
Flews (No. 2).— The chaps, or overhang- ing lips of the upper jaw. The term is chiefly applied to hounds or other deep-mouthed dogs.
Fore-arm (No. 15).— This makes the
principal length of the fore- leg, and extends from elbow to pastern.
Frill.— The projecting fringe of hair on the chest of some dogs, and especially of the Collie.
Hare-foot.— A long, narrow foot, carried forward. (See Fig. 19.)
Haw. — The red inside eye-lid, usually hidden, but specially prominent in Bloodhounds.
Height. — The height of a dog is measured at the shoulder, bending the head gently down. The proper method is F[G. 19.— HARE-FOOT. to stand the dog on level ground close by a wall, and to lay a flat rule across his shoulders horizontally so as to touch the wall ; then measure to the point touched by the rule. Some people "tape" from the centre between the shoulders to the ground ; but this plan obviously adds to the real height of the dog, and is practically a fraud.
Hocks (No. 18).— The hotk-joints.
Huckle-bones (No. 10). — Tops of the hip-joints. The space between these and the tops of the shoulders is called the couplings.
Knee (No. 16). — The joint attaching the fore pasterns and fore
Leather. — The skin of the ear.
Occiput (No. 6). — The prominent bone at the back or top of the skull ; particularly prominent in Bloodhounds.
Overshot.— The upper teeth projecting beyond the lower. This fault in excess makes a clog pig-jawed, which see.
TECHNICAL TERMS.
39
Pastern (No. 21).— The lowest section of the leg, below the knee or hock respectively.
Pig-jawed. — The upper jaw protruding over the lower, so that the upper incisor teeth are in advance of the FIG. 20.— PIG JAW.
lower, an exaggera- tion of an overshot-jaw. (See Fig. 20.)
Pily. — A peculiar quality of coat found in some dogs, which show on examination a short woolly jacket next the skin, out of which springs the longer coat which is visible. This short woolly coat is "pily." When an ordinary coat is described as pily, it means that it is soft and woolly, instead of hard, which in such cases is of course a fault.
Rose-ear. — An ear of which the tip turns backward and downward, so as to disclose the inside burr of the ear. (See Fig. 21.)
Septum. — The division between the nos- FIG. 21.— ROSE-EAR. trils.
Shoulders (No. 9).— The top of the shoulder-blades, the point at which the height of a dog is measured
Skull (No. 5)- — This is formed by the frontal, parietal, and occipital bones.
Splay-foot. — The foot spread out flat and awkwardly. (See Fig. 22.)
Stern. — The tail.
Stifle-joint (No. 17).— The hip-joint.
Stop (No. 4). — The indentation between the skull and the nasal bone, near the eyes. This feature is strongly de- FIG. 22.— SPLAY-FOOT. veloped in Bull-dogs, Pugs, and Short- faced Spaniels, and con- siderably so in many oiher dogs.
Tulip-ear. — An upright or prick ear.
Undershot. — The lower inci- sor teeth projecting be- yond the upper, as in Bulldogs. (See Fig. 23.) FIG. 23.— UNDERSHOT.
CHAPTER VI.
THE MASTIFF.
THE Mastiff occupies an undoubtedly high position in the canine world ; and there are not wanting many of its partisans who solemnly avow that there exist unmistakable proofs of its being par excellence the national dog of the country. With this somewhat ambitious boast we confess ourselves unable to agree, for reasons which can be gone into hereafter ; but there can be no possible difference of opinion as regards the extreme antiquity of the breed, mention having been frequently made of it by many of the earliest classic writers. Considerable confusion appears to have existed formerly between this dog and the Bulldog, for the descriptions we find in various writers of the Molossus — a name which was conferred upon this breed in consequence of its supposed origin in Molossis in Greece — coincide very often with those we discover elsewhere of the Bulldog. According to Edmund de Langley, in his MS., " The Mayster of Game," published in the fourteenth century, two distinct breeds of dogs, the Molossus and the Alaunt, were in existence. The former appears to have been reserved for the guardianship of persons and property, whilst the latter, described by him as a short-headed dog, pugnacious, and gifted with an inclination to hang on to anything attacked by it, was used for baiting the bull. Linnaeus, in the classification which he has drawn up, on the other hand describes the Bulldog as coming under the classification of Canis Molossus, whilst the Mastiff is in the next section under the title of Canis Anglicus, also called Canis Bellicosus, and by Ray, Canis Mastivus. Dr. Caius, physician to Queen Elizabeth (and, by the way, one of the founders of Caius College, Cambridge^ in his book published about A.D. 1570, describes but one dog which can in any degree be made to resemble either the Mastiff or the Bulldog. This he alludes to under the name of Mastive or Bandogge, and a portion of his description is as follows : — " An huge dogge, stubborne, eager, burthenous of body, and therefore of but little swiftness, terrible and fearful to behold, and more fearse and fell than any Arcadian cur." This description, indefinite as it is, would seem to apply almost as well to the Bulldog as to the Mastiff: first on account of direct allusion being made to " Archadien curres," which must be taken as referring to the Molossus or Mastiff of Edmund de Langley, whose work is made use of most freely by Caius ; and, secondly, from the description he gives of the animal's character, and the remarks he makes a little further on concerning the creatures one of them had been known to overcome in single combat for the especial edification of the " Frenche King." But still, from the fact of no separate allusion having been made by Caius to another variety of the dog which in any way resembled the one in question, we are driven back upon the supposition that about this period the distinction between the Molossus and the Alaunt, or the Canis Molossus and the Canis Anglicus, had nearly died out, probably from carelessness in the breeding of the two varieties, and that the breeds were so nearly amalgamated as to be with difficulty separated, a task which Dr. Caius does not appear to have attempted.
With the view of giving our readers an idea of what a real Molossus was like in appearance, we copy, in Figs. 24 and 25, two representations from an illustrated work in the British Museum,
.-
ORIGIN OF THE MASTIFF. 41
entitled " Icones Animalium," by J. F. Riedel. It cannot be said on behalf of these illustrations that they in some points much resembled a modern Mastiff, nor were they possibly intended to be more than a rough outline of what the Molossus was in days gone by. There are, however, many characteristics of the Mastiff in this Molossus, and dogs of this variety were undoubtedly the progenitors of our modern Mastiff.
Assuming therefore that there is some foundation for this theory, is it not most probable that persons finding themselves in possession of a huge dog gifted with the savage disposition described by Dr. Caius should be desirous of improving him into an animal a little more deserving of their attention and esteem ? If this were the case, by -selecting suitable specimens to breed from they had it in their power to produce a large-framed loud-voiced dog, specially adapted for the guardianship of dwellings, or a smaller animal suitable in every degree for baiting bulls, a use to which the larger variety could hardly be put on account of his great size.
FIG. 24.— CANIS MOLOSSUS. FIG. 25.— CANIS MOLOSSUS
(Both figures copied from " /cones Animalium.")
There are not wanting others who, with a show of justice, contend that the now-almost extinct Irish Wolfhound — a dog combining something of the appearance of the Mastiff with that of the rough Greyhound — was the original dog sought after by the Romans, and whose prowess was sung of by their poets. Leaving this point, however, as one incapable of solution, we shall here assume that the Bulldog and Mastiff had much of common paternity, if they did not diverge from one common ancestor ; the Mastiff being the larger and coarser variety, and the Bulldog the sturdier, lesser, and more active ; but both admirably suited for the work to which they were put.
According to many eminent breeders of Mastiffs with whom we have had conversation, the Lyme Hall breed is considered the purest and most valuable strain of blood in the kingdom ; but owing to the jealousy with which it has always been guarded by the Legh family, to which it belongs, the general public have been unable to judge of its merits by either personal observation or experience. We ourselves are of the opinion that the value of the strain must be consider- ably less than it is usually estimated at, since the breed must have greatly deteriorated by in-breeding. Nothing, however, could be more remote from our object than any wish to cast a slur on the Lyme Hall breed. Judiciously crossed with dogs of other strains, this blood has very frequently been the means of resuscitating a failing line, and has largely contributed towards the existence of the splendid animal now accepted as the beau ideal of the English Mastiff.
42 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
The sire of Mr. Lukey's Governor was of Lyme Hall origin ; and such dogs as Mr. Hanbury's Rajah and Prince, Bill George's Tiger, Mr. Wallace's Turk, and Mrs. Rawlinson's Countess, have the same blood flowing in their veins. It must, however, be added that innumerable disputes have from time to time occurred between various breeders concerning certain specimens of the Mastiff who are credited by their owners with Lyme Hall blood ; and it is patent to the most casual observer that many of the dogs which appear at shows as laying claim to the above pedigree must either be entered wrongly by their masters, or else be very imperfect specimens of the famous Legh strain.
The famous Turk, just alluded to, was undoubtedly the champion of his day ; and the highest-priced dog ever exhibited deserves more than a passing notice in this work. Five hundred pounds was the enormous sum paid for him in the earlier part of his career ; and as his pedigree includes the names of many of the most famous Mastiffs produced, we give it at length as a valuable reference for intending Mastiff breeders. We also give an illustration, the drawing for which was made in 1874, when the dog was seven years old.
PEDIGREE OF Miss AGLIONBY'S TURK, BORN 1867.
TURK,
I
Field's King. I
Lukey's Rufus.
Lukey's Governor.
Hom'i Jenny.
Gamier** Lion.
Lukey's Countess.
Gamier's Garnier's Lukey's Lukey's Eve. Bruce 1 1. Duchess.
Lukey's Lukey's
Bruce I. Nell.
Nichol's Quaker.
Miss Aglionby's Hilda.
Nichol's Venus. J
Cautley's Quaker. Nell. (See below.)
Raymond's Raymond's Sir C. Domville's Duchess.
Prince. Duchess, Oscar.
Lord Darnley's Cautley's Garrett's George's Nell. Quaker. Nell. Leo.
I I
r~ n r
Ansdell's Juno. Leo.
Thompson's Thompson's
Saladin. Duchess.
I I
Lord Darnley's Nell. -
r
Akroyd's Thompson's Sir G. Armitage's Dan. Venus. Tiger.
~
Thompson's Countess.
I Lukey's Bruce ] I. Lukey's Rell.
Lukey's
Bruce II.
1
Lukey's Dr. Ellis' Bell. Lion.
Thompson's
Juno.
1
Lukey's Lukey's Lukey's Thompson's Thompson's Lion. Thornton's
Bruce I. Nell. Nero. Bruce. Bess. I Juno.
i i r i i i i i i i • i i r : >
? 5 IT ? IT e* ? =T sr !? =r I''on' Thompson's CymLia.
3. 5* "• ?r ^»* *~ R* '
M
O •<
* \
CO CO JO 52
a & 2 2. R ' s
An excellent engraving of a Mastiff, and which we also reproduce, appeared in the Sportsman's Repository, edited by John Scott, and published in London 1820. This dog would unquestionably fail to take a prize at one of our modern shows ; but still the portrait is valuable, if only for the conclusions it enables us to draw concerning the advance made upon the Molossus by later Mastiff breeders in the earlier part of this century. From the
rV6|(, ,, ,
CELEBRATED MASTIFF BREEDERS.
45
engraving it would clearly appear that the dogs of those earlier days had at least better legs and feet than our modern specimens : that is to say, if the artist who depicted the dog in question is to be trusted.
Foremost amongst the names of celebrated Mastiff breeders appears that of Mr. T. H. V. Lukey ; who, nearly half a century ago, first turned his attention to the breeding of this dog, and whose strain on all sides has been most eagerly sought after by breeders and exhibitors alike. Closely following the name of Mr. Lukcy are those of Capt. Gamier, Lord Darnley, Rev. J.
MASTIFF IN I82O, AS DEPICTED IN THE "SPORTSMAN'S REPOSITORY."
Rowe, Miss Aglionby, Mrs. Rawlinson, Mr. E. Field, Bill George of Kensal New Town, Miss Hales, The Rev. J. VV. Mellor. Messrs. A. S. de Fivas, John Hartley, Octavius Green, T. W. Allen, J. Parkinson, J. Morris, C. T. Harris, and E. Nichols of Brook Green. One or two of these have had to overcome great difficulties in want of space, since care and experience alone cannot in the long run contend successfully against want of fresh air and exercise, and this breed of all others requires the utmost attention in its early days, so as to enable it to grapple successfully against the tendency to become cow-hocked. The blemish in question, in fact, appears to be considerably on the increase amongst Mastiffs of the present day, if those which appear at shows fairly represent the breed". Mr. Edgar Hanbury, of Highworth, Wilts, has bred some splendid dogs— Prince, by Lukey's Governor, Rajah, and his son Wolsey (the subject of our coloured plate) being conspicuous
46 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
amongst the number. Mr. H. D. Kingdon, of Wilhayne, Colyton, Devon, lays claim to the possession of the pure Lyme Hall blood : but the inferiority of such of his strain as have corne beneath our notice is so conspicuous when compared with the specimens of the gentlemen alluded to above, who undoubtedly do possess it, that we are impressed with the belief that if Mr. Kingdon's dogs are really more than " reputed " Lyme Hall Mastiffs, they signally fail to represent the type in a manner worthy of so valuable a strain.
About the year 1872 several gentlemen interested in the breeding and exhibiting of this class of dog banded together with the object of founding the present Mastiff Club. The principal aim of this Society was the improvement of the breed up to a standard of excellence agreed upon by the members, and show committees were to be invited to co-operate with the Club in their endeavours to benefit the Mastiff according to their ability. Unfortunately, considerable dissatisfaction was caused by some most arbitrary rules, one of which was to the effect that the members pledged themselves to exhibit at no dog show where others than members of the Mastiff Club officiated as judges of this variety. The result of this suicidal policy was an utter lack of support from breeders, and the exhibition held under their auspices in connection with the Northampton show of 1876 was only productive of fo.ur entries ; an almost similar fiasco occurring at Bristol in the autumn of 1877. Great exception has also been taken to the appearance of several dogs which have been exhibited by certain of the members ; and though we are not able to state positively what is the exact standard aimed at by the Club, we are, from the specimens shown by them, in a position to form an opinion concerning their type, which is not at all in harmony with that held by the members of the Mastiff Club.
Before leaving the subject of famous Mastiff exhibitors, it might be as well to add the names of some of those best known dogs from whom our future champions are destined to spring, and who themselves have been the heroes of many a hard-fought fight. Amongst them may be named Governor, Tiger, King, Lion, Turk, Nell, Quaker, Beauty, Rajah, Kay's Empress, Queen, Monarch, Punch, Granby, Bowness, Argus, Lottie, Nero, Countess, The Shah, Colonel, Wolsey, Cardinal, Mr. Banbury's Princess, Mab, and many others.
POINTS OF THE MASTIFF.
The following detailed description and valuation of the several principal points or characteristics of this breed will be found in accordance with the opinions of the majority, if not all, of the most prominent breeders, exhibitors, and owners of Mastiffs.
General Appearance, Size, and Symmetry, — In this we have to consider the special duties of the Mastiff in the present day. He is no longer a savage kept to bait " the bull, the bear, and the lion/' as history (somewhat doubtful in its accuracy as to the last-named animal) informs us he was ; nor the mere drudge of the butcher, to keep his wild and doomed cattle in the shambles, and fight for him when required ; nor even the mere chained slave — the ban-dog of the country house — whose bay, however welcome to those who approached near home, must have had an awful sameness in it to the poor brute who, night after night, month by month, and year after year, listened to the echoes of his own dismal howl as he bayed the moon, or hoarsely barked warning and defiance to all who approached with predatory aim. ,
Now, although there are still enough and to spare of the ban-dog sort, who are by their owners called Mastiffs, and may no doubt lay claim to possession of a fair portion of Mastiff blood, they are impure, and suffer so from the cruelty of close confinement that they lose even the characteristics of the breed, which a kinder and more judicious treatment would develop, both in
POINTS OF THE MASTIFF. 47
physical proportion and dignity of manner, and which are essential features of a Mastiff of the present day.
The Mastiff always has been the special guard of man's person and property ; and the qualities demanded to fill that position of trust are: size, to impress with fear; the symmetry of well-proportioned parts evidencing a combination of strength and activity ; a disposition watchful and keen, but confident in its own strength ; dignified and calm, save the warning bark, which fills every echo within its reach with its full tones, so unlike the yelping of the noisy cur.
As he is now also more used as a companion and personal guard than at any time in his history, his general appearance becomes more important ; for nothing looks worse than a poor shambling, weak-loined, cow-hocked dog. Therefore he must have size to give him a commanding appearance ; a well-knit, compact frame, which gives symmetry ; and the perfect condition shown in the firm flesh, clean and bright coat ; while the superior feeding, grooming, and general care bestowed upon him now adds greatly to his beauty ; and all combined make him the useful guard and ornament he is.
The Head is, in the Mastiff, even more than in most other dogs, a most prominent feature ; and a dog with a bad head is at once condemned. The head is decidedly large, even in pro- portion to the immense carcase, although it does not now present the great contrast to the body to be seen in old prints, modern breeders having improved the dog in body from a gaunt and wolf-like to a square-built, massive animal. The head should be broad across the skull ; the brow should be flat and not abrupt ; the eyebrows rather prominent ; the muzzle should be a medium length, cut off square, broad rather than deep ; the lips should be full, but not so hanging as in the Bloodhound ; and the teeth, which should be white and strong, ought to meet as level as possible. Many good specimens are slightly undershot, which is however a decided blemish. Whilst on this point we may refer to some remarks once made by the Rev. G. F. Hodson, after he had judged this breed at the Alexandra Palace. On that occasion, Mr. Hodson, who had most properly turned out of the ring all the cow-hocked and undershot speci- mens, remarked that he was convinced good Mastiffs were to be had without these defects, and he was determined not to be a party to the awarding of prizes to dogs so malformed. Subsequent events have proved the soundness of his decision.
The Eye should be a medium size ; it is generally a light brown or hazel. A deeply sunken eye is objectionable, as it gives a sullen look ; and if the haw is shown, it creates a suspicion of Bloodhound cross.
The Ears should be small, smooth, thin, and pendent ; and if black, as the mask should also be, it adds to the dog's beauty.
The Neck should be strong, muscular, and of fair length, and having no dewlap on the throat.
The Chest, Back, and Loin. — The chest should be deep and moderately wide, but not so much so in proportion as his congener the Bulldog, or it is apt to throw the elbows out. The back should be very strong, broad, and with strong muscles running along each side of the spine — those should be especially so connecting the back ribs with the hind-quarters. The loin is thereby broadened and strengthened ; and this most desirable point is also gained by having the ribs well set back. Some strains show a tendency to a tucked-up flank, which is one of the worst faults a Mastiff can possess. Both chest and loins should measure well, the latter not quite a third less than the former, and about equal to the dog's height at shoulder.
Legs and Feet. — Strong and straight legs are an absolute necessity, and it is a point in which many excellent dogs fail. The fore-legs are not so often crooked as the hind-legs ; but many good
48 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
puppies give way at the ankle, and have to be destroyed. Therefore, the greatest care has to be taken in rearing this breed ; and no Mastiff should ever be chained if it is desired to exhibit him. Cow-hocks are also common, and a great eyesore, and this state is almost always accom- panied with more or less wasting of the muscles of the hams, which gives a thin, almost wedge- like appearance to the hind-quarters. Some judges, we believe several members of the Mastiff Club included, consider dew-claws no disqualification ; they are, however, most unsightly appen- dages which should not be encouraged.
The Colour. — The recognised colours are brindle and fawn, and the latter at present holds the highest place in popular favour. When the fawn is bright, and the mask a decided black, with an entire freedom from white, the effect is very pleasing. Some of the fawns run into red, which is not so desirable, and such as are of that colour are generally coarse in coat. The brindles are of various shades.
The Coat should be fine, short, and even, except along the shoulder, back, and tail, where it is stronger and longer.
The Tail should be of great length, strong at the root, and gradually lessening, but not tapered as a Pointer's is.
We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. W. K. Taunton, the well-known and successful Mastiff breeder, for the following paper on mastiff breeding : —
"The following is what I consider a Mastiff ought to be, and what I should endeavour to breed for: — The head should be large and massive, skull perfectly flat and very wide across, the forehead well wrinkled, with a depression up the centre, a good stop, the eyes small, of a light brown or hazel colour, and set very wide apart ; the muzzle short and very broad, with a square, blunt finish ; lips loose, and a certain amount of flews, but not to the same extent as in the Bloodhound ; the teeth level ; ears small, set on high, and carried close to the head ; neck muscular, free from throatiness ; chest deep, good shoulders, body rather long with large girth, well-rounded ribs, wide strong loins, broad thighs showing plenty of muscle, fore legs perfectly straight with immense bone ; feet round and close ; tail tapering, not too long, and carried low. The dog should be compact and well knit together, and be the picture of muscular power and symmetry, with an open, honest countenance.
" I consider 30 to 31 inches a fair average height for a dog, but should prefer one 32 or 33, provided the extra height is accompanied by a proportionate increase in bone and size throughout. The increase in the size of a dog standing 32 inches over one 30 inches should be far greater in proportion than the increase in size of one 30 inches over one 28 inches. Size in a Mastiff is a great desideratum, but not mere height alone. Bitches generally stand two to three inches lower. I like a fine coat.
" It cannot be denied that the colour most admired at the present day is fawn with black muzzle and ears, the black commencing just below the eye. At the same time, I cannot help thinking the brindle would become somewhat more popular if better specimens of this colour were more frequently exhibited. I do not recollect to have seen an illustration of a brindle in any book or paper with the exception of Mr. Lukey's Wallace, and I do not hesitate to say that a very large number of the public do not recognise a Mastiff when of this colour. This is a fact I think to be regretted, because most of the oldest breeders and best authorities are agreed that the brindle was the original and is the true colour of the Mastiff, and, in the opinion of some judges, many of the finest specimens of the breed have been of this colour ; in addition to which, it must be admitted that most, or at least many, of our
BREEDING MASTIFFS.
49
best and purest fawns are descended from brindled ancestors. I would, therefore, impress upon breeders the advisability of not neglecting this colour too much, and allowing it to die out, feeling sure that, sooner or later, it will be well to have recourse to it to cross with fawn, in order to preserve the black muzzle so much admired, and without which, I fancy, the fawn will lose much of its attraction.
" It may be taken as a fact, that the female, in breeding, whether it be in the case of horses, cattle, or do«-s, is quite as important an element as the male, and if it be wished to improve, or even to keep up without deterioration any breed, it will be necessary to pay quite as much if not even
MRS. RAWMXSON'S COVXTESS.
more attention to the quality of the dam as to that of the sire. This seems to me to be a fact too much overlooked by the committees of the various shows which are ostensibly held with a view to improve the various breeds of dogs. Yet it is but seldom that separate classes are provided for bitches ; and exhibitors knowing full well that these have a poor chance of winning when in competition with dogs, it is but seldom really good specimens are to be seen. Many seem to be under the impression that in order to become successful Mastiff breeders all they have to do is to obtain a bitch of some sort — good, bad, or indifferent, but if the sire be a prize winner, so much the better. They then look through the prize list to discover the dog that has won the greatest number of prizes ; and in due course, without ever considering whether they are likely to suit one another or not, send their bitch to this dog, and then anxiously await the arrival of the future champions. Such a plan, I need scarcely say, can but lead to disappointment ninety-nine times out of a hundred. Although there may be a litter of puppies, they will, in all probability, not
50 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
repay the cost and trouble of rearing them. Good bitches are at all times scarce, and are not to be had for a mere trifle, although, of course, occasionally bargains are to be met with in these as in everything else ; but it should be remembered that low-priced articles are frequently the dearest in the end.
" In selecting a bitch, particular attention should be paid to her breeding ; the pedigree should be scanned carefully, to make sure she is well bred not only on the sire's but also on the dam's side, and that their ancestors, again, are descended from blood of undoubted purity. Having satisfied yourself on this point, see that the bitch is well made throughout, and likely to prove a good brood bitch ; long in the body and great width across the loins. If there be any blemish, ascertain, if possible, if it be the result of accident or bad rearing, or hereditary. The new purchase having arrived home, study her carefully ; not with a view to discover her good points, which will probably be apparent enough, but in order to find in what respect she is deficient. It is, in my opinion, far better to breed from a well-made bitch with a pedigree on which you can rely, but which for some reason may be an animal not capable of winning prizes, than from a bitch, perfect in appearance and winner of several first prizes, but of whose pedigree you know nothing, or as to the correctness of which you are in doubt ; for it is like groping about in the dark to find out what blood will best suit her.
" The next step is to endeavour to find out the dog most likely to suit your bitch. Never mind whether he be a champion or not. Unless the bitch be very much in-bred, I would advocate selecting a dog that has a good deal of the same blood in him ; and I like, if possible, to see some of his stock, taking care at the same time to ascertain what sort of bitches they are from, as this would be some assistance in forming a judgment as to whether he would be likely to suit your bitch. Endeavour to select a dog good in those points where the bitch is deficient ; and if there be any special fault I wish to breed out, I should select a sire coming from a strain where this fault does not appear, or, if anything, from a strain slightly faulty in the opposite direction. What I mean is this : supposing I had a bitch deficient in head but with good body, &c., the simple fact of putting her to a perfect-headed dog would not necessarily have the desired effect of obtaining good- headed puppies, and especially so if the dog come from a strain not noted for its good heads ; but if I could secure the services of a moderate-headed dog, provided I were satisfied he came from a family known to be good in this particular point, I should be more sanguine of success, although it would very probably be requisite to put a daughter of this pair to a good-headed dog of the same blood as the sire before I attained what I wanted.
" The aim of the breeder should be to breed animals as nearly perfect in all points as possible, and I should consider it a great error to breed with a view to perfection in one or perhaps two points to the neglect of all others. A Mastiff with the grandest head in the world is useless unless he has a body and legs in accordance. Neither should a breeder be bigoted as regards one particular strain, for some of the best results have been attained by crossing various strains ; but this requires care and judgment, and must not be attempted in a haphazard sort of way.
" The most common faults which I notice in many Mastiffs are — want of breadth in muzzle, want of bone, deficiency in size (I mean body, &c., not height), over-large ears, together with bad legs and cow-hocks ; these latter, however, being most frequently caused by want of exercise and bad rearing, and I believe that many, in their over-anxiety to have puppies of heavy weight, are too apt to overload the body to the detriment of the legs. So long as they have plenty of nourishing food and are in good health, it is an error to get Mastiff puppies too fat when young ; this can be done later on.
" Size, bone, good shape, and correct skull, may be best obtained by the aid of such a dog
BREEDING MASTIFFS. 51
as Mr. Green's champion Monarch, one of the largest, and at the same time, best made dogs that at the moment occurs to me. Against these advantages may be placed the probability of not obtaining from him the breadth of muzzle, so much looked for by judges of the present day ; and this defect I would endeavour to remedy by putting bitches from him to such a dog as Rajah or one of his descendants, such as Wolsey, or The Shah. A happy result of such a course was to be seen in Mr. Fletcher's Lady Love, first prize at the Alexandra Palace Show of 1879; she being by the Shah, out of Norma by Monarch, and not only good in head and muzzle, but also in bone, body, loins, &c. To take another example from a different type, size and bone may undoubtedly be obtained from Big Ben, inherited, I believe, on his dam's side, from the Duke of Devonshire's strain. Many of Big Ben's immediate descendants, however, do not please me in other points, being, in my opinion, bad in skull, coarse in coat, and in many cases weak behind. To these objections I consider my dog Cardinal merely an exception ; but at the same time I think excellent results may be looked for in combining Big Ben's blood with that of King's descendants, either through Turk or Rajah. This latter dog (Rajah) has, undoubtedly, done much to improve the head in many Mastiffs. Many of his descendants, however, are considerably undershot ; and although I am not prepared to carry my objections to this as far as some, still I would endeavour to avoid it, as I see no advantage in it.
"If two bitches were offered to me for breeding, one with a good head but deficient in length of body and width of loins, and the other good in body but with inferior head, I would select the latter, believing that I should be more likely to obtain the improvement in the head through a suitable sire, than to add the other points. Of course I am speaking of two animals of equal pedigree. It will be gathered from what I have said, that having a bitch with good head, and deficient in other points, I should go to a well-made dog like Monarch ; whilst on the other hand, good-made bitches I would put to such dogs as Rajah if young (Rajah is now nine years old) ; or Wolsey, or The Shah (where, however, we are likely to get that dog's fault in skull as well as want of mask). I have never seen any of the Lyme Hall, or so-called dogs, but if they resemble the dogs which are selected at shows as being the correct type by certain authorities, I do not fancy I should admire them.
" One thing, I think, some make a mistake in, is in not persevering in a certain cross, but having mated a dog and bitch together — say for instance Rajah and a Monarch bitch — and not at once getting what they want, they throw it up in disgust ; whereas, if they would only try the bitches from such a cross again with the sire's blood, the result may be found just what is wanted.
"As regards in-breeding, it is difficult for me to give an opinion, for, in the first place, I have not yet had an opportunity of trying it myself, and if I turn to the stud-book to see how it has answered with others, I am met with this difficulty— viz., that I know instances in which the numbers of certain well-known sires— such as Turk for example — have slipped in somehow after the name, although it is not known what Turk is the ancestor, or anything respecting his breeding. To what extent this has been done I know not, and it may be that where in-breeding has apparently been carried to some extent, the ancestors are not related- However, I am of opinion that in-breeding, if judiciously carried out, proves beneficial, and I am about trying it. I base this opinion on one or two instances where it has undoubtedly been carried out advantageously, and on some promising litters of puppies from my dog, where the parents are half brothers and sisters, having a very considerable quantity of the same blood both on their sire's and dam's sides."
52 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
As regards the subjects for illustration, Wolsey is a dark brindle dog, bred by Mr. Edgar Hanbury of Eastrop Grange, Highworth, Wilts. He was born in 1873, an<3 is by Hanbury's Rajah out of Queen by Druid, out of Phyllis by Wolf, out of Phoebe by Lukey's Governor. Rajah by Griffin out of Phyllis. Griffin by Hanbury's Prince out of Rovve's Nell by Rufus, out of Field's Nell by Governor. Amongst the numerous prizes which Wolsey has won are first and special cups, Birmingham, 1875 ; first, Crystal Palace, Bristol, and Brighton, as well as champion prize and cup at Birmingham, 1876 ; Alexandra Palace champion prize, and Agricultural Hall, Islington, champion prize, 1877 ; Crystal Palace champion prize, 1878. Latterly, this grand dog, the flattest- headed mastiff of his day, has suffered from an affection of the muscles in his loins, and has, we believe, retired from the show-bench with his well deserved honours thick upon him. Exception has been taken to a so-called "sour" expression of countenance, but this proceeds chiefly from his colour, and a rather deeply-sunken eye. As regards his temper, we have handled him frequently and always found him most amiable. It will be seen that Mr. Hanbury resorted to in-breeding in his production. His father and mother were out of the same bitch, Phyllis, whilst on his father's side he is still more closely allied to the blood of Mr. Lukey's Governor. Wolsey's measurements are — Weight, I361bs. ; length, from tip of nose to stop, 4 inches; stop to occiput, 9 inches; length of back, from shoulders to setting on of tail, 31 inches; girth of muzzle, 20} inches ; girth of skull, 29^ inches ; girth of neck, 27 inches ; girth of body, from shoulders round brisket, 41 J inches; girth of body, from shoulders behind forearms, 43 inches; girth round loins, 32 £ inches; girth of hind legs round stifle-joint, 21 inches; girth of forearm, 3 inches ; below elbow, 10 inches; girth round pastern, "j\ inches ; height at shoulder, 30^ inches; height, elbow to ground, 16^ inches; height, top of loins to ground, 30! inches ; height, hock to ground, 9^ inches; length of tail, 21 inches.
Mrs. Rawlinson's Countess, an engraving of which is given on page 49, is a fawn coloured bitch, and an excellent specimen of the Mastiff. She was bred by Mr. Morris of Oswcstry, and was whelped in 1872. Her pedigree shows that she is by Sultan out of Flora, a pure-bred bitch of the highly-prized Lyme Hall strain ; Sultan by Turk out of Duchess, by Quaker out of Venus. Her chief performances are — first, Crystal Palace and Manchester, 1873 ; first, Dublin, and divided champion prize, Darlington, 1876; and first prize, Hanover, 1879. Her measurements are as follows: — Tip of nose to stop, 3^ inches; stop to occipital bone, 6 inches; length of back, ?.<)\ inches; girth of muzzle, 17 inches; girth of skull, 25 J inches; girth of neck, 23 inches; girth round chest behind fore-legs, 42 inches ; girth round stifle, 19 inches ; girth of arm, II inches; girth round pas'ern, 6J inches; height at shoulders, 31 \ inches; height at elbows, i8J inches; height at loins, 31 \ inches; height at hock, 9^ inches; length of tail, 2oi inches.
SCALE OF POINTS FOR MASTIFFS.
Value.
Head, muzzle, eyes, and cars ... ... ... ... •• '3
Neck, chest, back, loin, and stern ... ... ... ... 15
Legs and feet ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10
Coat and colour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5
General appearance ... ... ... ... ... ... 5
Total ... ... ... 50
53
CHAPTER VII.
THE ST. BERNARD.
AMONGST the great diversity, both physical and mental — in size, character, and adaptability to our various requirements, taste, or mere whims and fancies — which the canine family offer to the philo-kuon, the dog of St. Bernard stands out in bold relief by his picturesque arrangement of colours, but still more by his immense size and grand proportions. His tout ensemble offers a strongly-marked contrast — weighing, as he often does, 150 to 160 pounds — to his diminutive brother the black-and-tan toy Terrier, who with his more sober tints sometimes fails to turn the scale at two pounds, and whose fragile form appeals for protection, instead of acting, as his giant relative does, the rdle of protector. A greater weight than even 160 pounds may have been obtained in isolated instances, but this was probably when the dog was in a very fat condition. When we consider the above two distinct and now pure breeds, distant in many respects from each other as can well be imagined, it almost staggers the belief in the common origin of the domesticated dog ; but like many other facts that present difficulties at first sight, this also disappears or is greatly lessened by reflection.
We have, most of us, to consider in dealing with difficulties of this kind, that our personal experiences of the changes which take place in animal forms, by careful selection and other influences, is, by the necessity of our existence, limited. Yet how rapid the descent from the ail-but perfect form of the pure-bred dog to the graceless and unshapely mongrel, where the animal is left to stalk uncared for at a time when the greatest watchfulness is required, must be patent to all. On the other hand, although improvement is always comparatively slow, none of us who have taken any interest in, or closely watched the progress of the breed under consideration, can have failed to mark the steady improvement which has taken place. Their faults have been eliminated, and desired qualities developed, under the patient care and intel- ligent skill of the breeder ; so that could Mr. Macdona's Tell or Mr. J. Murchison's equally fortunate import Thor revisit the scenes of their victories, they would meet with numbers of their progeny even superior to themselves. We have simply to remember these facts, as occurring in a very short space of time, to prove how wonderfully plastic the dog is in the hands of man, and how amenable to surrounding and often accidental influences. And to remember also that from time immemorial he has been subject to man, will reconcile us to the fact that the tiny Toy and the gigantic St. Bernard are indeed of the same race and family.
It is not, however, to his physical excellence, his stately form, superbly grand and beautiful exterior, alone, that the St. Bernard owes his present position as first favourite with such numbers. The work in which he has been engaged for centuries has surrounded him with almost a religious halo in the popular mind. Here, where he has been naturalised, his gentle manners and the benevolent and magnanimous character which his countenance expresses and his conduct endorses, fully sustain the prestige with which he was introduced to us. Stories of the intelligence displayed by the St. Bernard in his search
54 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
for benighted travellers are as well authenticated as they are widely known, and would simply become irksome by repetition, and we therefore forbear from inflicting them upon our readers.
In more than one leading book on the dog, the Rev. J. C. Macdona of Cheadle is credited — if not directly, at least by inference — with the honour of having first introduced the St. Bernard dog into this country some twelve or fifteen years ago. As far as our memory carries us, how- ever, the popular lecturer, the late Mr. Albert Smith, had some considerable time previous to that date done much to familiarise his friends and audiences with this noble breed. In making this statement, we do not wish it to be for one moment understood that we are desirous of depriving Mr. Macdona of the well-deserved glory due to him for his successful visits to the Hospice of St. Bernard, nor are we at all certain even that the dogs brought to this country by Mr. Smith were actually the first that ever reached our shores. Owing to the misfortune that befel the monks by the loss of their original strain — to which attention will be drawn hereafter — it is quite possible that dogs as purely bred as those now in the Hospice, and displaying all the St. Bernard characteristics, can be found in the neighbouring valleys close at hand. In support of this theory we may mention the name, presently quoted, of M. H. Schumacher, of Berne, Switzerland, from whose kennels were obtained those two grand specimens Thor and Miss Hales' Jura, and also the smooth-coated Monarque, who was, whilst in the flesh, the king of his class, winning at all the important shows throughout the country. At the international dog show in Paris, 1878, we had the pleasure of seeing from M. Schumacher's kennels one of the finest specimens of the smooth-coated variety ever exhibited. Although the gentleman named is the best known in England of any foreign breeder, there are many others of less fame, and by more than one noble family the breed has been kept up from which the Hospice itself has at times recouped the losses attendant on the charitable but most dangerous work in which these dogs are used. We are uncertain whether Mr. Albert Smith obtained his dogs from the Hospice, or from one of the outside sources to which we have referred. Little indeed in the way of particulars have we been able to glean of his dogs, for it must not be lost sight of that in Mr. Albert Smith's day dog shows were quite in their infancy, and many good specimens of every breed were destined never to emerge from the semi-obscurily of a purely local reputation. The precise date of the importation of this highly-popular variety of dog is, however, a matter of secondary importance, for their firm establishment in this country is now an indisputable fact, as their presence in large numbers at our leading shows proves. The Rev. J. Gumming Macdona's Tell — the first he ever exhibited — created such a furore amongst the visitors to the exhibition where he appeared, that other gentlemen were not slow in following his owner's example. Amongst these was Mr. J. H. Murchison, whose name appears most strangely to have been entirely overlooked by writers on the breed, but who deserves lasting credit in connection with these dogs, if only for the benefit he conferred upon them by the importation of Thor and Jura into this country. The result of an alliance between these was Mr. Armitage's grand dog Oscar ; and Thor has further distinguished himself by begetting the champions Hector, Shah, and Dagmar, from Mr. Gresham's Abbess, as well as Simplon and many other most excellent specimens of the breed from various other females. As in the case with Sheep-dogs, both rough and smooth specimens frequently appear in the same litter ; and we cannot help noticing as one of the most remarkable instances of good fortune or good judgment in breeding, the three dogs just referred to of Mr. F. Gresham. Abbess, smooth-coated, threw him in one litter by Thor, rough-coated, or the smooth-coated champion Shah, the rough-coated champion Hector, and one of the best
ORIGIN OF THE ST. BERNARD. 55
rough bitches ever seen— Dagmar — now unfortunately dead. Since Mr. Macdona's disposal of the majority of his dogs, Mr. F. Gresham has been left in undisputed possession of the field, and his wonderful collection of St. Bernards, at Shefford, near Bedford, cannot be rivalled in any part of the world. In addition to Monk and Abbess, both great prize winners — and the latter we believe the best St. Bernard for some time before the public— Mr. Gresham has a grand young dog in Cyprus, sired by Monk, and several others only second to his cracks. At the present time there appears a chance of the public often seeing Mr. Macdona once more amongst the list of prize winners with his grandly-framed dog Bayard. Mr. J. Russell, M.D., has also sonic uncommonly fine specimens ; whilst Mr. W. A. Joyce, of Tulse Hill, certainly should make his mark- as a breeder in rough bitches with his magnificent trio — Queen Bertha, Queen Bess, and Queen Mab. Among other notabilities of the present we must not omit Mr. A. C. Armitage's grand dog Oscar, Dr. Russell's Mentor and Cadwallader, Mr. S. W. Smith's Barry, Dr. D. E. Seton's Moltke, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales's Hope, H.S.H. Prince Albert Solms' Courage, Mr. Youile's Simplon, and Mr. De Mourier's Chang ; and among the finest bitches we may enumerate Messrs. Gresham and Tatham's Abbess, Augusta, and Gruyere, Mr. Tinker's Mab, the late Miss Aglionby's Jura, and Dr. Russell's Murcn.
The origin of this dog is a matter of great uncertainty, and the monks of St. Bernard are themselves unable to throw any light upon the matter. Beyond pointing out to their visitors the portrait of Bernard de Meuthon, in which he is accompanied by a dog possessing many Bloodhound characteristics, they seem to be incapable of giving any information on the subject. The value of any reliable data, even if such existed, would however be sensibly diminished from the fact that in the early part of this century the breed nearly died out, and the monks were compelled to re-cross the few remaining dogs they had left in their possession with others which they obtained from outside the Hospice. According to one eminent authority, a cross with the Newfoundland was first tried by the monks in their dilemma, but was subsequently abandoned when it failed to succeed. Other good authorities, as will presently be seen, and apparently with reason, attribute more to this cross ; and to it we are most probably indebted for the existence of Mr. Macdona's Meuthon, a black-and-tanned dog, something after the stamp of a Thibet Mastiff, and a considerable winner in his day. This was doubtless more on account of his ample proportions than of his colour, which would keep him in the background in the present time. Another writer gives it as his opinion that the blood of the Pyrenean Wolf- hound was introduced at this later time into the breed, and still remains there. The ten- dency to a lanky, wolf-like form, with lightish frame and tucked-up flanks, combined with a light tapering muzzle, which crops out in undoubtedly well-bred litters, lends some strength to this theory ; but mere conjectures, based on hearsay evidence, can have but little effect on the future of the St. Bernard, who has for ten years occupied the proud position of the most eagerly-sought-after large dog of the day, and whose popularity, instead of diminishing, is decidedly on the increase, if steadily-increasing entries at shows are to be cited as authorities.
The most authoritative and probable account of the origin of the modern St. Bernard is that derived from M. Schumacher; and we are gratified, considering the great interest of the question, that the Rev. J. Cumming Macdona, of Cheadle Rectory, Cheshire, whose great services to this breed in days of yore have been duly chronicled above, has been kind enougn to forward us the narrative of this gentleman, who is the greatest authority abroad on this class of dog. His views and statements are contained in a long letter, dated Holligen, 291!) of August, 1867, and we are glad to be in a position to make the following extracts from it : —
56 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
"According to the tradition of the holy fathers of the great Saint Bernard, their race descends from the crossing of a bitch (a Bulldog species) of Denmark and a Mastiff (Shepherd's dog) of the Pyrenees. The descendants of this crossing, who have inherited from the Danish dog its extraordinary size and bodily strength of the one part, and from the Pyrenean Mastifl the intelligence, the exquisite sense of smell, and at the same time the faithfulness and sagacity, of the other part, have acquired in the space of five centuries so glorious a notoriety through- out Europe that they well merit the name of a distinct race for themselves.
" In winter the service of the male dogs (the females are employed or Engaged only at the last extremity) is regulated as follows : — Two dogs, one old and one young, travel over every morning the route on the Italian side of the mountain towards Aosta. Two more make the voyage on the Swiss side towards Martigny, to a distance of about nine miles from the Hospice. They all go just to the last cabins of refuge that have been constructed for the benefit of travellers. Even when the snow has fallen during the night the dogs find their way surely and correctly, and do not deviate from the beaten way a yard. The marks of their feet leave a track which is easy for travellers to follow as far as the Hospice. Two dogs are made to go over the same road together, so if one perishes it is replaced by another — a young one, who is instructed and trained by the survey dog, of which he is the pupil. When the dogs arrive at the cabins of refuge they enter them to see if there a/e any travellers seeking shelter there, in which case they entice them to follow. If they find any travellers who have succumbed to the cold, the dogs try to revive them by imparting warmth in licking their hands and face, which not seldom produces the desired effect. If these means are inefficient, they return in all speed to the Hospice, where they know how to make themselves understood. . . . The monks immediately set out, well provided with means of recovery.
"In 1812 a terrible snow-storm took place, and the aid of the monks and dogs was so con- stantly required, that even the female dogs, the most feeble animals, were called into requisition, and perished. There were a sufficient number of males left, but not a single female. How was the breed to be kept up? The monks resolved to obtain some females of the Newfoundland breed, celebrated for their strength, and accustomed to a cold climate. This idea turned out useless when put in practice, because the young dogs had long hair. In winter this long hair so collected the snow that the poor beasts succumbed under its weight, and perished. The monks then tried crossing one of their own dogs with the offspring of the cross breed, with their short stubby hair. At last this plan succeeded. From that bastard female dog they have reconstituted the race of dogs that are now at the Hospice. 'These dogs, notwithstanding their cross with the New- foundland, have the same valour and courage as the ancient race, because, by an intelligent and systematic choice, they rear for service and reproduction only the pups who approach the nearest, by their exterior form and appearance, to the original and fatherly race. Those that proved themselves unable to sustain the work, or who, from their long hair, were disabled, were either given as souvenirs to friends of the Hospice, or else sold. Of such are those that have been sold to M. de Pourtales, at Mettlin, near Berne, and to M. Rougemont, at Loewenberg, near Morat. These dogs come directly from the Hospice, where they are not fit for work on account of their long hair, but are distinguished by their colossal size and excellent qualities. They always retain in the Hospice the finest dogs, and train them for service ; those who do not possess all the marks of genuine breed are given away or sold, because among the number they still find some pups with long hair, who thus reveal their motherly ancestry.
" It is now some ten years since it could be read in many of the papers that a Mr. Essig, of Leonberg, had presented to the Hospice a couple of dogs of the celebrated Leonberg
THE MODERN ST. BERNARD. 57
breed, which is extraordinarily large and handsome. His intention was laudable and worthy of acknowledgment. But these dogs shared the same fate as those of Newfoundland some fifty years previous. Their long hair was their ruin ; they perished ; and at present there does not exist in the Hospice a single trace of these beautiful dogs of Leonberg.
" As already said, the Count of Rougemont, at Loewenberg, near Morat, possessed a couple of superb dogs, which were presented to him from the Hospice, because they were not good enough for the work on account of their long hair. These dogs were very large and very handsome ; the colour of their coats was a red-brown, and they had white spots on their feet, their necks, their breasts, and their noses (? muzzle). They were on the paternal side of the ancient Bernardine race, and on the maternal side of the Newfoundland race. Several litters of pups were reared from this couple, which were given away and sold, and thus became spread about. In 1854 the female dog gave birth, among others, to a little pup of wretched appearance, spotted white and brown, which was not at all valued by the owner. This wretched-looking little pup was sold as a miserable abortion to Mr. Klopfenstein, of Neunegg, who trained it with care and attention. It prospered marvellously, and, growing up, attained a striking likeness to Barry, the most beautiful specimen of the ancient unmixed race, which is now preserved in the museum at Berne. Its resemblance was so remarkable in regard to external appearance and colour of its hair, that when I saw the dog for the first time I resolved to obtain it at whatever sacrifice.
"I bought, then, this dog in 1855, it being a year old, and called it Barry, on account of its striking resemblance to its illustrious ancestor. I entrusted it to Baron Judd, at Glockenthal, near Thun, and both of us reared some young dogs during many years, but without success. Never could we get young dogs resembling the original race, until 1863, when a pup was born from the bitch Weyerman, of Interlaken, of which Barry was the father. This pup, named Sultan, which was the image of Barry, came into my possession.
" I bred from Sultan without success until I received a bitch from Saint Galles whose father had been one of the St. Bernard dogs. This bitch, named Diana, with Sultan, produced such beautiful pups, that at last I saw my end achieved. At the second birth were two, male and female, so surpassingly fine that I resolved in silence to present them as a gift to the Hospice, in the belief that these dogs, habituated now to the fourth generation to a temperate climate, well selected from generation to generation, would invigorate and regenerate the ancient race with the descendants of its proper blood. The gift was accepted. I took them when they were seven years old, in January, 1866, to Martigny, where some of the old brothers pass the winter. The oldest of the monks received me with this exclamation : ' Mais, man Dieu, cest comme le vieux Barry ! ' (Why, it is exactly like the old Barry !). I asked him which Barry he alluded to. ' Why,' said he, ' to the one that is stuffed at Berne ; ' and then he continued to relate that in the year 1815 he had himself taken Barry, then living, on foot to Berne, where he was killed and stuffed. The old man wept with joy, and said, without ceasing : ' fa donnera Barry, le vrai vieux Barry ; queje suis heureux! ' (This is Barry, the genuine old Barry, how happy I am!). There are at the present time (1867) at the Hospice some young pups of Barry that promise well, and which will be, according to all appearances, still finer and larger than Barry himself."
Thus far M. Schumacher, a gentleman whom St. Bernard breeders regard, apparently with justice, as the re-founder of their favourite race. His views being so universally respected, his information on the subject is especially valuable. We therefore attach con- siderable importance to his remarks on colour. The puppy Barry, it will be seen, was 8
58 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
descended from parents marked with white, and he in his turn showed great resemblance to the old Barry of 1815. It is also clear, if this account is to be received as a correct statement of facts, that the extremely long hair of the English " rough-coated " dogs is foreign to the breed as kept up at the Hospice, being due entirely to the Newfoundland cross, and rigorously excluded by the monks, who cultivate a short, or rather we should call it a medium-cozted dog. This fact is so far corroborated by the excellent engraving, by the celebrated German artist Specht, of the Hospice St. Bernards, where we have a medium, or rather short coat, while the immense development of bone is clearly seen, and white is included in the colour. In all respects, in fact, the noble animal portrayed by Specht is precisely that described by Schumacher. It is plain, in brief, if we follow Schumacher, that the long coat of modern English specimens, while due to the same blood, has been developed apart from all accepted rules of Hospice breeding, and by cultivating that very Newfoundland element in the strain which the monks persistently endeavour to eliminate or keep down. This much, we say, is clear, but at the same time it does not follow that the magnificent " rough coated " St. Bernard, as we have become familiarised with him at English shows, is an undesirable type to keep up. Those who have seen it in perfection will probably think the contrary ; and having endeavoured to establish the facts, as far as they can be ascertained, we can see no reason to run counter to the public judgment, though it seems desirable to make clear that the extremely long-haired dogs are not the type cultivated at the Hospice, and will probably, after a few more generations of selection, be no longer procurable from that source.
Mr. Fred. Gresham has kindly supplied the following as his opinion concerning some controverted points : —
" The question as to whether the white markings should be considered as a sine qua non with the St. Bernard or not having been largely canvassed lately by the admirers of the breed, I am happy to give my views on the subject, and my reasons for arriving at them. That the monks place considerably more value on those dogs that have the white muzzle and line through pole and collar, there is not a shadow of a doubt, the fact having been handed down to us by our greatest authorities on the dog. In addition to which, gentlemen who have visited the Hospice for the express purpose of acquiring information on the St. Bernard, have been given to understand that the monks do not consider one perfect without them.
" In a conversation lately held with Mr. Neville Wyatt, a gentleman greatly interested in the breed, and who had then only just returned from Mount St. Bernard, where he had been for the purpose of consulting with the monks about the marking and also dew-claws, Mr. Wyatt said that he was given distinctly to understand that the dogs possessing the white markings were greatly preferred, but that if the markings could not be obtained, a dog would not be discarded from their kennels. He also said that he particularly noticed that almost every one, if not all the dogs he saw there, had a considerable amount of white, thus proving that the correct markings were being aimed at, and carrying out my opinion that too much white is preferable to too little.
"As regards dew-claws on the hind legs, the Rev. C. Bowling, of Houghton Rectory, Bedfordshire, when visiting the Hospice, was informed by one of the monks that they were considered of the utmost importance. Mr. Wyatt also said they were greatly esteemed if they could be got, and double if possible. The most successful breeders in England have obtained dew-claws fully developed, the exception being to find one puppy in a litter without them ;
ST. BERNARDS OF THE HOSPICE.
o
VI
ST. BERNARDS AT THE HOSPICE. 61
therefore, why wish to dispense with them ? The monks acknowledge that they do not object to the hind feet of the St. Bernard being slightly turned out, as it gives greater resistance to the snow. My experience is that the more fully developed the dew-claws, the more the feet are out-turned, the dew-claws forming a part of the foot, and giving six toes to cover the ground instead of four.
" In breeding, it is always advisable to choose a sire particularly good in those points in which the dam is deficient. A young sire should be put to an aged dam, and vice vers&. It is not desirable to breed from relations, except in cases where the animals are very strong and healthy ; but at the same time an experienced breeder may in-breed to advantage, but it requires caution. The rough and the smooth St. Bernard may be crossed together, and the progeny, as a rule, are either decidedly rough or decidedly smooth. In my opinion the introduction of the rough blood tends to improve the stamina and size of the smooth. The most important thing is to select high-class sires and well-bred dams.
" In temper I have always found the St. Bernard most kind and affectionate, and am of opinion that it is not natural to the breed to be savage. Not one in my own kennel has ever shown the slightest ill-temper to strangers. As a matter of fact, I consider them superior to Newfoundlands in docility and obedience, and their affection for children is a remarkable trait in their disposition."
On referring again to Specht's admirable drawing of the Hospice St. Bernards, it will be seen how exactly the dog in the foreground answers to Mr. Gresham's description as regards the carriage of the hind feet, which are distinctly turned out ; and it appears to us indisputable that the remark is founded in reason. A St. Bernard should certainly not be " cow-hocked " in the ordinary application of the phrase, but there is in many fine specimens this inclination to turn their hind feet out, which naturally draws their hocks apparently together. This is however not considered a blemish by many leading judges, especially as the presence of the dew-claws tends to the development, and this peculiar formation obviously adds to the power of the dog in walking over snow. In regard to other points, it is needless to say that with but few exceptions such gaunt-looking specimens as we have before referred to do not appear at great gatherings of the clans. Occasionally those who have bought pups on the strength of pedigree only, and with but little knowledge of their qualities, exhibit them, which is ample proof that many such are whelped ; but it is the interest of breeders to eliminate this stamp of dog, and many are consequently put down.
As regards our illustrations, Bayard, the property of the Rev. J. Gumming Macdona, is a handsome medium length rough-coated orange-and-white dog. He was born in 1877, and bred by Mr. King in 1877, being by Bosco out of Juno by Wonder out of Juno by Thor, Bosco by Bruno out of Silverhorn by Thor. His chief performances are, first prize Crystal Palace and first prize Chesterfield, 1878. Bayard's weight is 150 Ibs., and his measurements are — Tip of nose to stop, 4j inches ; stop to occipital bone, 8| inches ; shoulder-blades to setting on of tail, 31 \ inches ; girth of muzzle in front of eyes, i6\ inches; girth of skull, 25 inches; girth of neck, 25 inches ; girth of brisket in front of fore-arms, 45 inches ; girth round chest behind fore-arms, 40 inches ; girth round loins, 34 inches ; girth of hind-leg at stifle, i6J inches ; girth of arm three inches below elbow, 12 inches; girth of fore-arm, 8£ inches; girth round pasterns, 8 inches; height at shoulders, 32^ inches ; height at elbows, i6| inches ; height at loins, 32^ inches ; height at back, 9^ inches ; length of tail, 28 inches.
Barry, the property of G. W. Fetter, Esq., has never been exhibited, and is of a more rough-
62 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
coated type. He is by Mentor (2444) out of Dagmar (5350), the latter being by Thor out of the subject of the next paragraph. It is interesting to trace his pedigree, the earlier links supplying strong collateral evidence of the correctness of M. Schumacher's account, quoted above. Mentor is by Hope out of Hedwig by Alp out of Hospice, Hope again being by Tell out of Hospice. Hospice was bred by the monks of St. Bernard ; and her pedigree is given as by " Barry (des- cended from OLD BARRY) out of Juno ;" Barry being by Soiildan out of Diane. These are quite evidently M. Schumacher's Sultan and Diana. Alp again is out of Hedwig ; and Hedwig was bred by Mr. Schindler out of Diane. Still, again, Thor is by Leo by " Souldan " (Sultan), thus again tracing to Old Barry through the dogs described by M. Schumacher.
Abbess, the property of F. Gresham, Esq., is (or perhaps more correctly speaking, has been) the best St. Bernard bitch of her day. She is a smooth-coated brindle-and-white, and was born in 1870, being bred by her owner. Her pedigree is — by Leo out of Bernie, by the Rev. J. Gumming Macdona's Bernard out of Bernardine, imported by Mr. Hooper. Abbess's chief performances are — first Birmingham, 1872; first Birmingham, 1873; first Hull, 1874; first Dublin, first Maidstone, first Birmingham, 1876 ; first and cup, Bath ; first Chesterfield, and champion prize Alexandra Palace, 1877. The weight of Abbess is 150 Ibs., and her measurements are : — Stop to nose, 4^ inches ; stop to occipital bone, 6| inches ; length of back, 32 inches ; girth of muzzle in front of eyes, i6f inches ; girth of skull, 27 inches ; girth of neck, 29 inches ; girth of brisket in front of fore-arms, 42 inches ; girth of chest behind fore-arms, 41 inches ; girth of loins, 34 inches ; girth of hind-leg round stifle, 19 inches ; girth of arm three inches below elbow, 10 inches ; girth of fore-arm, 7\ inches ; girth of pastern, 6| inches ; height of shoulders, 30^ inches ; height at elbow, 16 inches ; height at loins, 30 inches ; height at hock, 7£ inches ; length of tail, 25 inches.
The following are the points of the St. Bernard : —
Head. — The head is large, square, and massive ; the face not too long but square at the muzzle, with flew approaching that of the Bloodhound, but not so heavy. The stop distinct, showing off the the great height of brow and occipital protuberance, which is specially marked. Ears of medium size, carried close to the cheeks. Eyes, dark, bold, and intelligent, sometimes showing the haw, in that respect also partially resembling the Bloodhound.
Neck and Shoulders. — The neck is lengthy, slightly arched on the top, with well-developed dewlap, sloping shoulders, and wide chest.
Legs, Feet, and Dew-claws. — Legs straight, with large feet, and double dew-claws if possible, but at least single. The more fully developed the dew-claws the more inclined the dog is to turn his hind feet out, the dew-claws in such cases making one or two extra toes. The monks do not object so much to this, as it gives greater resistance to the snow, but the feet are turned out without being cow-hocked.
General Appearance. — Its appearance is showy and gay, giving the observer an impression that the dog is possessed of intelligence, strength, and activity, in a marked degree.
Colour. — Orange-tawny or red is most fashionable with the public. Many breeders prefer a brindle either dark-red or grey, particularly if tiger-marked, which gives a very showy appear- ance when relieved by the white markings. The latter are delineated as follows — the muzzle white, with white line running up poll to neck, which should be encircled by a white collar, white chest, feet, and tip of tail. These markings are very much valued by the monks, as representing the scapula, chasuble, and other vestments peculiar to the order.
Temperament. — In temperament, if carefully and properly reared, they are mild and affectionate,
POINTS OF THE ST. BERNARD. 63
more so than almost any other class of dog ; easily taught, and obedient to the slightest command of their masters.
Coat. — In the rough-haired, the coat is shaggy but flat in texture in order to resist the snow ; and in the smooth, close and hound-like.
SCAT.E OF POINTS FOR ST. BERNARDS.
Head
Neck and shoulders
Legs and feet
Dew-claws
General appearance and colour
Coat
Temper ...
Total
Value. 10
5 10
5 10
5 5
50
CHAPTER VIII. THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.
THE dog of which we have now to treat is one of the oldest favourites with the British public. He was chosen as a companion and guard from among the classes of dogs we may describe as representing the major canines, when the MastifFs popularity was for years in abeyance, and the noble Bloodhound's grand qualities as a detective police above the reach of bribery were for a time eclipsed by the novel glare of Peel's blue-liveried peace preserver. His hunting qualities were ignored by all but a few favoured sportsmen who, knowing his worth, used him, and thereby preserved him ; and long before the St. Bernard, with all his excellences, was known in England except to the learned and the travelled, the Newfoundland, with his grand appearance, noble mien, and majestic bearing, had taken possession of popular fancy. As a proof that he still holds it, we are quite certain that there are more Newfoundlands, or dogs so called, kept as guards and big pet dogs in this country by the general public, outside of those who are au fait in canine matters, than of any other breed of corresponding size.
If we are right in this, it may be asked why then are Newfoundland classes so sparsely filled in comparison with the classes set apart for those other breeds to which we have alluded ? To this we can only reply that in dogs, as in other things, dame Fashion exercises the same extensive sway. We have no doubt, as the proverb assures us, that "every dog has his day." The Newfoundland's day, as the great feature of our leading shows, is yet to come, and we must recognise the fact that the at-present dethroned monarch has a powerful rival in the picturesquely-marked St. Bernard, who has for the present displaced him. It has also to be remembered that, Newfoundland owners being comparatively unskilled in caniological points, it has generally happened that there have been pne or more super-excellent dogs going the rounds of the shows, against whom mediocre ones stand no chance of getting a prize, and they have consequently been frightened away.
As a companion dog the Newfoundland answers every purpose. As a rule he is docile, and always sagacious and faithful to his master, but a terror to tramps and evil-doers, and therefore one of the best watch-dogs that can be kept about a country house. His colossal size strikes awe to the hearts of the vagabond and prowler, and his fine discriminating intelligence soon dis- tinguishes the friendly visitor, and bids him welcome. As a retriever he is unexcelled, although too heavy for field work ; but he has done great service in producing for us our modern un- equalled and justly-admired breed of flat and wavy-coated field Retrievers.
It is, however, in the water that this semi-aquatic dog is to be seen in all his glory. No sea is too rough for him to venture in. It is a fine sight to witness one of these intrepid swimmers buffeting the waves, carrying life and safety to the perishing, a work to which the Newfoundland seems to take instinctively, and in the performance of which he at once shows his high courage and benevolence of disposition, appearing to take pride in the display. We consider the qualities of the Newfoundland as a means of saving life
.
HUM
TRAINING NEWFOUNDLANDS. 65
have not been sufficiently utilised around our coasts ; nothing is easier than to train him by means of an effigy to bring drowning people out of the water, and one or two would prove of great value at our bathing stations and in connection with our lifeboats. Water trials for these dogs have been tried at Maidstone and Portsmouth, but from various causes they proved unsuccessful. Such trials, however, if judiciously carried out, would, we are sure, prove both interesting and useful. The idea of instituting such contests originated with Mr. Hugh Dalziel, and it is to be regretted it has not met with the support it deserves. There is no dog that earlier displays intelligence, and his education may be commenced almost as soon as he leaves his dam. A Newfoundland's instinct for fetching and carrying is soon exhibited in his manner of playing with bones, pieces of wood, a ball, or anything he can pick up. He is continually running about with one or other of these things in his mouth, indulging in all sorts of antics, throwing his plaything up and catching it, hiding it when tired, to be brought out again when the spirit of play returns to him.
To take advantage of these natural propensities, and develop them, is the easy task of the judicious teacher. In doing so it is well to keep to one article — a piece of wood, round which some cloth is tied to make it soft to the mouth, and prevent it hurting the teeth, at the same time that it assists in bringing him up tender-mouthed, a most important point to be gained, and one which the use of a hard material in early lessons makes almost impossible of subsequent attainment. The lessons are easily imparted with a little patience and perseverance. This is the modus operandi : — Take the object in your hand, and having called the pup to you, show it him, gently shaking it before him, when he will at once want to take it in his mouth. Instead of letting him take it from your hand, throw it, when his attention is on it, a few yards away ; he will be sure to scamper after it, when your next part is to coax him back to you, as his natural inclination will be to stop and play with it. If he does not come to you, go to him, and, taking hold of the ball with one hand, with the other very gently lead him back to where you threw it from, and then, with as little force as possible, take it away, place it on the ground, do not allow him to touch it, but pat him and praise him ; in a few minutes repeat the operation, and continue until he gets tired of it, at the first signs of which stop the lesson. If this is repeated twice a day the puppy will soon be perfect, and will like the lessons all the better if at the end of each you reward him with some tit-bit. You must then gradually extend the lesson out of doors, throwing the ball into grass, or elsewhere, that he may have to seek for it ; and go on until he will " seek " at the commanding use of that word, with a wave of the hand to guide him in the direction in which you have previously hidden the ball. These should be strictly private lessons, as the presence of any other man or dog will distract the pupil's attention, and spoil all. Lessons in the water are taught on the same plan ; and diving by using a bone, or other white substance that will sink, beginning by at first dropping it into very shallow clear water. We have seen a dog trained in the manner we have briefly described (he was a fine pup, son of imported parents), so that at six months old he would go back two miles and fetch an article which he had not seen hidden ; and he was so tender-mouthed that we have seen him carry a winged crow a mile without hurting him — no easy task when the temper of the crow and the strength of his bill are considered.
Of the dogs imported of late years we cannot speak very highly, none of them being equal to our home-bred specimens ; and we look for improvement by careful breeding with these, rather than from the introduction of blood from abroad. An exception may he 9
66 THE BOOK OF THE DOG.
found in Moldau, a dog imported by Mr. Richard Lord from Hanover. In frame this dog is a grand specimen, but he is blemished by showing white on his feet and chest. We may, however, with marked advantage exchange blood with our American friends, if, as we are informed, fine specimens exist in the United States, where dog shows are now popular, and this breed is being carefully cultivated.
Mr. William Coats, of North Shields, one of the most successful breeders of this variety, and certainly an ardent admirer of the Newfoundland, has kindly supplied us with the following notes on breeding this class of dog : —
" In breeding I must have a powerfully well-built bitch, with plenty of bone and a good coat. Her ears must sit close to her head, which was the characteristic of Leo's mother. His father I did not like so well : he was a great lanky dog, but had a very grand head. Whilst on the subject of colour, I can truly say that I have never seen a pure-bred New- foundland with a y^-black coat. I have made the acquaintance of some pretty dogs which have been jet-black ; but the veriest mongrel has generally the blackest coat. Under any circumstances the coat must be flat and straight. As to size — if you ask any practical breeder of Newfoundlands what he thinks of your puppy, he will almost invariably say in his criticism, 'he doubts whether he is going to be big enough.' Some writers endeavour to write down all large Newfoundlands, simply because they are ignorant of what the breed should be, or are interested in the success of mongrels who are not big.
"With respect to breeding, I do not hold with some authorities in their respect for in-breeding. When I have not a dog of my own sufficiently far removed in blood, I always seek the most powerfully-built dog of the breed I can find elsewhere. The strains I like best are those of Robinson's Carlo, and Windle's Don ; and these have provided most of the blood on the dog's side which I now possess. I always try to produce them as big as I can in stature and bone, with a head and tail resembling those painted by Landseer.
"As regards my experience of the habits and temperament of the breed, I can safely say that I have never had a bad or cross-tempered one ; all have been of the most docile character. All Newfoundlands love water, and take to it naturally. Living, as I do, near the sea, my dogs have every opportunity of obeying their natural instinct. When they were missing we generally found them at the sea or river side, or _else they came home dripping wet, their jackets telling where they had been."
To Mr. T. Loader Browne, of Chard, we are indebted for the following valuable notes, which his position as an authority renders highly interesting : —
" No doubt there is a great difficulty in breeding dogs up to anything like a perfect standard ; and I think this is particularly the case with Newfoundlands, where size is a leading feature. It is comparatively easy to breed tolerably perfect small dogs ; but he is fortunate who obtains one first-class large one out of thirty. My idea of a Newfoundland is that he cannot be too large in size, if he be symmetrical ; but I would not sacrifice any recognised point to size, much less favour a long-backed, weak-loined animal that cannot turn quickly in the water. My reason for advocating large size is that, viewing him as a water dog, capable of saving life, his extra size and proportionate strength give him greater facility in buoying up and landing a drowning person. Any one, in such a case, would rather see a very large dog, say 33 inches at the shoulder, coming to his rescue, than a smaller one of 27 inches. Also, he makes a nobler
MR. LOADER BROWNE ON BREEDING. 67
companion, and a more powerful and efficient guard, whilst as a show dog he is certainly grander and more imposing on the bench. I know some judges do not insist on extraordinary size, and support their opinion by stating that he is not found so in his native country ; but this appears of little weight, as it merely arises from careless breeding ; and granting he is more useful for being large, there is no reason why he should not be increased in size, just as other prize stock has been improved within the last half-century. As to colour, the rusty-dun shade is very objectionable, and detracts much from the beauty of the dog ; and without going so far as some in saying it arises from a cross with the St. Bernard, I cannot agree with those who maintain it is a sign of pure breeding. No doubt there are many dogs of this colour in Newfoundland, but there are also others of a glossy black. I have reason to believe there is no great care shown in breeding them, but that they vary a great deal in size, colour, and coat ; so that every imported dog must not be considered to represent the true breed, which could only be the case if the islanders made a speciality of their dogs, as the Jersey men do of their cows, not allowing any other breed to be imported into the island — not of course that this would be worth the trouble of doing. I think the coat should be of a glossy jet-black colour, and composed of rather coarse, not silky hair, long, straight, shaggy, and dense, but without much under-coat. It is astonishing how quickly this description of coat will dry, as compared with one that is curly ; on account of the oily, glossy nature of the hair, very little water can remain in the coat, and that on the surface drips off and nearly disappears with the usual shake.
" The following are some of the defects frequently met with in breeding, but which certainly may be lessened and nearly eradicated by careful mating of the parents, of course never selecting both where the same defect exists, or it will undoubtedly appear in an exaggerated form in their progeny. Where there is a weak point in one of the parents, choose the other where this point is exceptionally strong : —
" Weakness of loin and shortness of the back ribs, both highly objectionable, and generally acknowledged to be a failing of this breed.
" The muzzle being too short, giving the dog a pug-faced appearance ; in other cases too long and snipy. It should be a happy medium, with the mouth large and capacious,