,;:■: :.;, ..,■■■.;■. :. ■..;■..,■■.;,. ■ ■ ■ : " ' . ■■.■■-:,., ::..: ; \. ....; :■ ■;■:■■ - . . . , ' .:,: . i" . ■ :< ■ .. . , '■ •. ; . '. ■ ;■■'■ ■.•..■■■ - .' : ■'■ ■' ^"^ ''■ ■ ' " . ■■,' ": ■■■; ■ .■;...■ ':■■ : . .■..■■ • ' : . ■ : ■ : -:.' !. ;'".-■ - .:■■■'■"..■'■.. ■■-■' : . \ ■■', : : : : < , , . ■ . ' ■i ■<% ■", ' ' ' \ '•■ • : ' ' ' ' ■ ' ■ ' LIBRARY NEW YORK STATE VETERINARY COLLEGE ITHACA, N. Y. This Volume is the Gift of William L. Leeney from the collection of Capt. Harold Leeney Cornell University Library SF 991.W22 1879 The dog in health and disease.Comprjsing 3 1924 001 018 567 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://archive.org/details/cu31 924001 01 8567 THE DOG IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. THE DOG IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. COMPRISING THE VARIOUS MODES OP BREAKING AND USING HIM FOR HUNTING, COURSING, SHOOTING, ETC., AND INCLUDING THE POINTS OR CHARACTERISTICS OP ALL DOGS, WHICH ARE ENTIRELY REWRITTEN. By STONEHENGE, EDITOR OF "THE FIELD," AUTHOR OF "THE GREYHOUND," ETC. E\>ixa Cftntion. LONDON: LONGMANS, GEE EN, AND CO. 1879. HIS // 997 qqi BAU.ANTYNE, HANSON AND CO. EDINBURGH AND LONDON PREFACE. Among the various scientific and anecdotical writings in the English language on The Dog, it might be thought that the sub- ject was exhausted, and that nothing remained to be done by the most careful observer of the habits and external forms of the varieties of this animal. But let any one seek for specific infor- mation upon several points connected with even well-marked and generally-recognised kinds, and he will soon be brought to confess that he is lost in doubt and uncertainty. For instance, where shall we find a sufficient description of the spaniels and terriers, or of the various retrievers for which such, large sums are often given ? Who will be able to discover, from any written account, the difference between the springer and the cocker, or between the Clumber and Sussex spaniels ? Who, again, will tell us the colours and forms of the Skye and Dandie Dinmont terriers, or the characteristics of the English toy terriers, pugs, and Maltese dogs ? Yet there are thousands and tens of thousands who take a great interest in these animals, and who would spare neither money nor trouble to ascertain the exact properties of the variety to which each individual of their acquaintance belongs. Daniel, Youatt, and Pdchardson have all laboured hard to enlighten their readers upon the varieties of the canine species, and have no doubt done much towards the attainment of this end ; but, as I before re- marked, the deficiencies in their descriptions are patent to all. viii PREFACE. It is true that the hound and the greyhound, the pointer and th setter, as well as many of the foreign varieties of the dog, hav been favoured with special treatises ; but beyond them the groum is almost untrodden, or else it is choked with weeds and rubbis; which render it difficult to ascertain what is beneath them. In the following pages I have been compelled to have recours to the work of Mr. Youatt in the instances of some of the foreig: dogs, both for the descriptions and also for the engravings whia are contained in it. At the time when he wrote, the Zoologies Society of London possessed an extensive collection of dogs, whic was made use of by him to great advantage ; and I can speak t the correctness of most of his illustrations, from having compare them with the originals soon after he first gave them to the pul lie ; but unfortunately there is now no such collection in Englane As far as possible, however, throughout the First Book the de scriptions and illustrations are drawn from the life, the specime selected being of the most perfect symmetry and of the pures breed within my reach. For many of them I am indebted t gentlemen who have given up their best energies to improve th peculiar strain which has enlisted their attention, and for tl facilities which they have afforded me I here beg to record m most sincere thanks. Book I. contains the Natural History of the Dog, with minute description of the varieties which are generally reco: nised. The chief claims of this book rest upon its being a faithf transcript in writing of oral records which have been treasured i by the breeders of the dog in all its varieties, and which beii now made public, will render it comparatively easy in future ascertain the position which any particular dog can claim, ai how far it complies with the points which are attributed to PREFACE. ix These records have been carefully collected ; and I believe it will be found, that though some individuals may hold different views, yet that in each case that which I have presented is the one which is maintained by a large majority of those who have made the subject their particular study. It is impossible to attain a cer- tainty of this in every instance ; but should I be wrong, it can, at all events, be maintained that neither time, trouble, nor expense has been spared in arriving at it. Book II. describes the best methods of breeding, rearing, breaking, and managing the dog, while in health, by means of appropriate food, exercise, and lodging. This division of the subject, therefore, embraces the entering and running of the greyhound ; the breaking and working of shooting dogs ; the entering and hunting of hounds ; and the management of vermin terriers, toy, and house dogs. Lastly, in the Third Book the most modern and successful treatment of the diseases to which the dog is subject is given at length; and in terms which will, it is hoped, be intelligible to all. My readers will, therefore, perceive that I have omitted no information at all likely to be interesting to the lover of the dog. which a long experience and most extensive opportunities have enabled me to obtain. STONEHENGE. July 1st, 1859. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. Since the Eirst Edition of The Bog was published in 1859, his varieties have been studied, and their points minutely described, by a great number of breeders to an extent which was never contemplated before that time. As a consequence, I have been enabled to define them most minutely in the present edition, and I think no sufficiently-known breed, either British or foreign, is omitted from the list. In the Second Book little or no change has been attempted, for the simple reason that there is no occasion for it, since the various uses to which the Dog is put in this country by the sportsman and the dog-fancier have not been altered during the interval which has elapsed. The Third Book treats of his diseases, in which no great improvement has been effected since the publication of the Second Edition, and it is therefore printed as it then stood. It is with some considerable satisfaction that I now present to my readers my original work on The Dog brought down to the level of the present day. STONEHENGE. June loth, 1879. CONTENTS. BOOK I. THE NATURAL HISTORY, ZOOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION, AND VARIETIES OF THE DOG. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Origin — General Characteristics — Habitat — Varieties — F. Cuvier's Divisional Arrangement — Arrangement adopted by the Author CHAPTER I. WILD AND HALF-RECLAIMED DOGS, HUNTING IN PACKS. The Dingo— The Dhole— The Pariah— The Wild Dog of Africa— The North, and South American Dogs — Other Wild Dogs . . • 1 3 CHAPTER II. DOMESTICATED DOGS, HUNTING CHIEFLY BY THE EYE, AND KILLING THEIR GAME FOR THE USE OF THEIR MASTERS. The Smooth English Greyhound — The Deerhound and Rough Greyhound — The Irish Greyhound or Wolf-Dog — The Gazehound — The French Matin — The Hare-Indian Dog — The Albanian Greyhound — The Grecian Greyhound — The Russian Greyhound — The Turkish Grey- hound — The Persian Greyhound — The Italian Greyhound . . 19 CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. PAGE DOMESTICATED DOGS, HUNTING BY THE NOSH, AND BOTH FINDING AND KILLING THEIR GAME ; COMMONLY KNOWN EITHER AS HOUNDS OR TERRIERS. The Southern Hound — The Bloodhound — The Staghound— The Fox- hound—The Harrier— The Beagle— The Otterhound — The Boar- hound or Great Dane — The Dachshund — The Fox- Terrier (Rough and Smooth) — The Scotch Terrier — The Irish Terrier — The Skye Terrier — The Dandie Dinmont — The English Terrier — The Bed- ' lington — The Yorkshire Terrier . . . . -47 CHAPTER IV. DOMESTICATED DOGS FINDING THEIR GAME BY SCENT, BUT NOT KILLING IT, BEING CHIEFLY USED IN AID OF THE GUN. The Spanish Pointer — The Modern English Pointer — The Portuguese Pointer — The French Pointer — The Dalmatian — The Setter : (a) English ; (b) Irish ; (c) Black and Tan or Gordon ; (d) Welsh ; (e) Russian — The Field Spaniel : (a) The Clumber ; (b ) The Sussex ; (c) The Norfolk ; (d) The Modern Cocker— The Water-Spaniel : (a) The Southern Irish ; (b) The Northern ; (c) The English— The Poodle ■ 127 CHAPTER V. PASTORAL DOGS AND THOSE USED FOR DRAUGHT. The English Sheep-Dog— The Collie : (a) Rough ; (b) Smooth— The Drover's Dog — The German Sheep-Dog — The Pomeranian: (a) The Large Wolf-Dog ; (b) The Small or Spitz-^-The Chinese Sheep- Dog — The Newfoundland and Labrador Dog : (a) The True New- foundland ; (b) The Landseer Newfoundland ; (c) The St. John's or Labrador— The Esquimaux Dog— Iceland and Lapland Dogs . .176 CHAPTER VI. WATCH-DOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. The Bulldog— The Mastiff : (a) English ; (u) Cuban— The Mount St. Bernard : (a) Rough ; (b) Smooth— The Thibet Dog— The Lion- Dog -The Shock-Dog . . ...'.. , Q7 CONTENTS. xiii CHAPTER VII. TOT-DOGS. The King Charles and Blenheim Spaniels — The Maltese Dog — Toy- Terriers — The Italian Greyhound — The Pug-Dog . . . .218 CHAPTER VIII. CROSSED BREEDS. Retriever : (a) The Curly Coated ; (b) The "Wavy Coated— Bull Terrier- Lurcher— Dropper — Dog and Fox Cross 233 BOOK II. THE BREEDING, REARING, BREAKING, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DOG, IN-DOORS AND OUT. CHAPTER I. BREEDING. Principles of Breeding — Axioms for the Breeder's Use — Crossing and Crossed Breeds — Importance of Health in both Sire and Dam — Best Age to breed from — In-and-in Breeding — Best Time of Year — Dura- tion of Heat — Management of the Bitch iii Season — The Bitch in Whelp — Preparations for Whelping — Healthy Parturition — Destruc- tion or Choice of Whelps at Birth 251 CHAPTER II. REARING. Management in the Nest — Choosing — The Foster-Nurse — Feeding before Weaning — Choice of Place for Whelping — Removal of Dew-Claws, &c. — Weaning — Lodging — Feeding — Exercise — Home Rearing v. Walking— Food — General Treatment — Choice of Puppies after Weaning — Cropping, Branding, and Rounding . . . -275 CHAPTER III. KENNELS AND KENNEL MANAGEMENT. Greyhound Kennels — Foxhound Kennels — Pointer Kennels — Kennels for Single Dogs — House Dogs 298 xiv CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. PAGE BREAKING AND ENTERING. The Entering of the Greyhound and Deerhound — Of Foxhounds and Harriers — Breaking the Pointer and Setter — The Eetriever (Land and Water) — The Spaniel — The Vermin Dog . . . .312 CHAPTER V. THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN COURSING, HUNTING, SHOOTING, ETC. Coursing — Deerstalking — Hunting — Grouse and Partridge-Shooting — Snipe-Shooting— Covert-Shooting — Wildfowl-Shooting — Ferreting . 346 BOOK III. THE DISEASES OF THE DOG AND THEIR TREATMENT. CHAPTER I. PECULIARITIES IN THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE DOG. The Skeleton, including the Teeth— The Muscular System— The Brain and Nervous System— The Digestive System— The Heart and Lungs —The Skin CHAPTER II. THE REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG, AND THE BEST MEANS OF ADMINISTERING THEM. Alteratives — Anodynes — Antispasmodics — Aperients — Astringents— • Blisters— Caustics— Charges— Cordials — Diuretics — Embrocations —Emetics— Expectorants — Fever Medicines — Clysters — Lotions —Ointments— Stomachics— Styptics— Tonics — Worm Medicines- Administration of Remedies . 393 401 CONTENTS. xv CHAPTER III. PAGE FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. Simple Ephemeral Fever, or Cold — Epidemic Fever, or Influenza — Typhus Fever, or Distemper — Rheumatic Fever — Small-Pox — Sym r pathetic Fever ... . 421 CHAPTER IV. INFLAMMATIONS. Definition of Inflammation — Symptoms and Treatment of Rabies, Tetanus, and Turnside — Of Inflammation of the Eye, Ear (canker), Mouth, and Nose — Of the Lungs — Of the Stomach— Of the Bowels — Of the Liver — Of the Kidneys and Bladder — Of the Skin . : 439 CHAPTER V. DISEASES ACCOMPANIED BY WANT OP POWER. Chorea— Shaking Palsy — Fits — Worms — General Dropsy or Anasarca . 471 CHAPTER VI. DISEASES ARISING FROM MISMANAGEMENT OR NEGLECT. Anaemia — Rickets— Indigestion . 488 CHAPTER VII. DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS REQUIRING SURGICAL AID. Tumours — Cancer — Encysted Tumours — Abscesses — Unnatural Parturi- tion—Accidents and Operations 492 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Frontispiece. Page Smooth and Rough St. Bernard's, The Wolf, from a specimen in the Zoological Gardens, Skull of Dingo, Skull of Spaniel, . Skull of Mastiff, . . The Dingo (Youatt), Captain Daintree's " King Cob," " Cader," a Deerhound of the pure Glengarry breed, 28 inches high, 34 inches in girth, bred by W. Meredith, Esq., Torrish, Sutherland, The Hare-Indian Dog (Youatt), . The Grecian Greyhound (Youatt), The Southern Hound (Youatt), .... Head of the Bloodhound (Youatt), " Druid," the Property of the Hon. Grantly Berkeley, " Hermit," a high-bred modern Foxhound, " Grasper," a Harrier, and " Trueman," a Foxhound-Harrier, " Dahlia," a pure Foxhound, used as Harrier, " Barmaid," a Dwarf Beagle bred by Lord Gifford, "Bellman," an Otter-Hound ; Pedigree unknown, The Boarhound, The Dachshund, . The Fox-Terrier, Smooth and Rough, " Peto," a Scotch Terrier, . Skyes — Prick-eared and Drop-eared, " Rough " and " Puck," Dandies (" Puck " bred by Dr. Browne), " Lady," an English Terrier, the Property of C. Morrison of Walhan Green, ........ " Tyneside," Bedlington Terrier, the Property of T. J. Pickett, Newcastle on-Tyne, . . . "Dundreary," Blue Tan Terrier, the Property of Mrs. Foster, Bradford ..The Spanish Pointer, " Sancho," a modern English Pointer, The Dalmation Dog, *The English Setter, The Irish Setter, . The Black and Tan Setter, A Russian Setter slightlv crossed with English blood, b LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. The Clumber Spaniel, .....•• "George" and "Romp," Sussex Spaniels, the Property of E. Soames, Esq., of London, English and "Welsh Cookers, The Southern Irish Water-Spaniel, Lady Di Huddleston's " Mossoo," . The English Sheep-Dog, . The Collie (Youatt), . - The Smooth Collie, Pomeranian or Spitz Dog, . The Larger Newfoundland Dog (Youatt), The St. John's or Labrador Dog, . The Esquimaux Dog (Youatt), " Top," a pure Bulldog, the Property of C. Stockdale, Esq., " Wallace," an English Mastiff, the Property of T. Lukey, Esq., The Cuban Mastiff (Youatt), The Mount St. Bernard Dog (Youatt), The Thibet Dog (Youatt), King Charles and Blenheim Spaniels, " Psyche," a Maltese Bitch, the Property of Miss Gibbs of Morden, Italian Greyhounds, " Billy " and " Minnie," "Punch" and " Tetty," Pugs, the Property of Mr. C. Morrison of Wal ham Green, The Curly-coated Retriever, Retriever (crossed with Setter), " Madman," Bull-Terrier, . A Dog and Fox-crossed Bitch, the Property of Hewer, Esq., of Reading, .... " Half-and-Half," first Cross from the Bulldog, " Hecate," second Cross from the Bulldog, " Hecuba," third Cross from the Bulldog, . " Hysterics," fourth Cross from the Bulldog, Ground-plan of Greyhound Kennel, Elevation of Greyhound Kennel, . Plan of Kennel Bench for Hounds, Muir's Ventilating Apparatus, Diagram, .... Puzzle-Peg for young Dogs, The Skeleton of the Dog (Youatt), Teeth of the Dog at various ages, . The Maw-worm, The Round-worm, Tape-worms, . .■ . ^ ^ PAGK r6o THE DOG. BOOK I. THE NATURAL HISTORY, ZOOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION, AND VARIETIES OF THE DOG. LWELLS. ,,--= •' -^ The Wolf, from a specimen in the Zoological Gardens. INTBODUCTOKY CHAPTER. Origin — General Characteristics — Habitat— Varieties — F. • Cuvier's Divisional Arrangement — Arrangement adopted by the Author. From the earliest times we have. reason to believe that the dog has been the faithful companion and assistant of man in all parts of the world, and his fidelity and attachment are so remarkable as to have become proverbial. Before the introduction of agriculture, it was by means of the hunting powers of this animal that man was enabled to support himself by pursuing the wild denizens of the forest ; for though now, with the aid of gunpowder, he can in great measure dispense with the services of his assistant, yet, until the 4 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. invention of that destructive agent, he was, in default of the dog, reduced to the bow and arrow, the snare, or the pitfall. The dog was also of incalculable service in guarding the flocks and herds from the depredations of the Camivora, and even man himself was often glad to have recourse to his courage and strength in resisting the lion, the tiger, or the wolf. Much has been written on the origin of the dog, and Pennant, Buffon, and other naturalists, have exhausted their powers of research and invention in attempting to discover the parent stoclci from which all are descended. . The subject, however, is wrapped in so much obscurity as to- baffle all their efforts, and it is still a disputed point whether the shepherd's dog, as supposed by Buffon | and Daniel, or the wolf, as conjectured by Bell, is the progenitor of the various breeds now existing. Anyhow, it is a most unprofitable speculation, and, being unsupported by proof of any kind, it can never be settled upon any reliable basis. We shall not, there- fore, waste any space in entering upon this discussion, but leave our readers to investigate the inquiry, if they think fit, in the pages of Buffon, Linnaeus, Pennant, and Cuvier, and our most recent investigator, Professor Bell. It may, however, be observed! that the old hypothesis of Pennant, that the dog is only a domes- ticated jackal, crossed with the wolf or fox, though resuscitated by Mr. Bell, is now almost entirely exploded; for while it accounts somewhat ingeniously for the varieties which are met with, yet it is contradicted by the stubborn fact that, in the present day, the cross of the dog with either of these animals, */ produced, is incapable of continuing the species when paired: with one of the same cross breed. Nevertheless, it may be desirable to give Mr. Bell's reasons for thinking that the dog is descended from the wolf, which are as follows : " In order to come to any rational conclusion on this head, it ORIGIN OF THE DOG. 5 will be necessary to ascertain to what type the animal approaches most nearly, after having for many successive generations existed in a wild state, removed from the influence of domestication and of association with mankind. Now we find that there are several different instances of the existence in dogs of such a state of wildness as to have lost even that common character of domes- tication, variety of colour and marking. Of these, two very re- markable ones are the dhole of India and the dingo of Australia. There is, besides, a half-reclaimed race amongst the Indians of North America, and another also partially tamed in South America, which deserve attention. And it is found that these races, in different degrees, and in a greater degree as they are more wild, exhibit the lank and gaunt form, the lengthened limbs, the long and slender muzzle, and the great comparative strength which characterise the wolf; and that the tail of the Australian dog, which may be considered as the most remote from a state of domestication, assumes the slightly bushy form of that animal. " We have here a remarkable approximation to a well-known wild animal of the same genus, in races which, though doubtless descended from domesticated ancestors, have gradually assumed the wild condition ; and it is worthy of especial remark that the anatomy of the wolf, and its osteology in particular, does not differ from that of the dog in general, more than the different kinds of dogs do from each other. The cranium is absolutely similar, and so are all, or nearly all, the other essential parts ; and, to strengthen still further the probability of their identity, the dog and wolf will readily breed together, and their progeny is fertile. The obliquity of the position of the eyes in the wolf is one of the characters in which it differs from the dog ; and, although it is very desirable not to rest too' much upon the 6 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTEE. effects of habit on structure, it is not perhaps straining the point to attribute the forward direction of the eyes in the dog to the constant habit, for many successive generations, of looking for- ward to his master, and obeying his voice." w Such is the state of the argument in favour of the original descent from the wolf, but, as far as it is founded upon the breed- ing together of the wolf and dog, it applies also to the fox, which is now ascertained occasionally to be impregnated by the dog ; but in neither Gase we believe does the progeny continue to be fertile if put to one of the same cross, and as this is now ascer- tained to be the only reliable test, the existence of the first cross stands for nothing. Indeed, experience shows us more and more clearly every year, that no reliance can be placed upon the test depending upon fertile intercommunion, which, especially in birds, ' is shown to be liable to various exceptions. Still it has been supported by respectable authorities, and for this reason we have given insertion to the above extract. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. In every variety the dog is more or less endowed with a keen sight, strong powers of smell, sagacity almost amounting to reason, and considerable speed, so that he is admirably adapted for all purposes connected with the pursuit of game. He is also furnished with strong teeth, and courage enough to use them in defence of his master, and with muscular power sufficient to enable him to draw moderate weights, as we see in Kamtschatka and Newfoundland. Hence, among the old writers, dogs were divided into Pugnaces, Sagaces, and Celeres ; but this arrangement is now superseded, various other systems having been adopted in Bell's British Quadrupeds, pp. 196, 197. HABITAT. 7 modern times, though none perhaps much more satisfactory. Belonging to the division Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Ferce, family Felidce, and sub-family Ganina, the species is known as ■Canis familiaris, the sub-family being distinguished by having two tubercular teeth behind the canines on the upper jaw, with non-retractile claws, while the dog itself differs from the fox with which he is grouped in having a round pupil in the eye instead of a perpendicular slit, as is seen in that animal. The attempt made by Linnaeus to distinguish the dog as having a tail curved to the left is evidently without any reliable founda- tion, as though there are far more with the tail on that side than on the right, yet many exceptions are to be met with, and among the pugs almost all the bitches wear their tails curled to the left. The definition, therefore, of Canis familiaris caudd (sinistrorsum) recurvatd, will not serve to separate the species from the others of the genus Canis, as proposed by the Swedish naturalist. HABITAT. In almost every climate the dog is to be met with, from Kam- tschatka to Cape Horn, the chief exception being some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean ; but it is only in the temperate zone that he is to be found in perfection, the courage of the bulldog and the speed of the greyhound soon degenerating in tropical countries. In China and the Society Islands dogs are eaten, being considered great delicacies, and by the ancients the flesh of a young fat dog was highly prized, Hippocrates even describ- ing that of an adult as wholesome and nourishing. In a state of nature the dog is compelled to live on flesh, which he obtains by hunting, and hence he is classed among the Carnivora ; but when domesticated he will live upon vegetable substances alone, 8 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. such as oatmeal porridge, or bread made from any of the cereals, but thrives best upon a mixed diet of vegetable and animal substances ; and, indeed, the formation of his teeth is such as to lead us to suppose that by nature he is intended for it, as we shall hereafter find in discussing his anatomical structure. VARIETIES OF THE DOG. The varieties of the dog are extremely numerous, and, indeed, as they are apparently produced by crossing, which is still had recourse to, there is scarcely any limit to the numbers which may be described. It is a curious fact that large bitches frequently take a fancy to dogs so small as to be incapable of breeding with them ; and in any case, if left to themselves, the chances are very great against their selecting mates of the same breed as them- selves. The result is, that innumerable nondescripts are yearly born, but as a certain number of breeds are described by writers on the dog or defined by " dog-fanciers," these " mongrels," as they are called from not belonging to them, are generally despised, and, however useful they may be, the breed is not continued. This, however, is not literally true, exceptions being made in favour of certain sorts which have been improved by admixture with others, such as the cross of the bulldog with the greyhound, the foxhound with the Spanish pointer, the bulldog with the terrier, &c, &c, all of which are now recognised and admitted into the list of valuable breeds, and not only are not considered mongrels, but, on the contrary, are prized above the original strains from which they are descended. An attempt has been made by M. F. Cuvier to arrange these varieties under three primary divisions, which are founded upon the shape of the head and the length of the jaws ; these being supposed by him to vary DIVISIONAL ARRANGEMENT OF DOGS. 9 in accordance with the degree of cunning and scenting powers which the animal possessing them displays. The following is his classification, which in the main is correct, and I shall adhere to it .with trifling alterations in the pages of this book. F. Cuvier's Divisional Arrangement. I.— MATINS. Characterised by head more or less elongated ; parietal bones insensibly approaching each other ; condyles of the lower jaw placed in a horizontal line with the upper molar teeth, exempli- fied by — ■ Skull of Dingo. Sect, i . Half-reclaimed dogs, hunting in packs ; such as the dingo, the dhole, the pariah, &c. Sect. 2. Domesticated dogs, hunting in packs, or singly, but using the eye in preference to the nose; as, for instance, the Albanian dog, deerhound, &c. Sect. 3. Domesticated dogs, which hunt singly, and almost entirely by the eye. Example : the greyhound. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. II.— SPANIELS. Characteristics. — Head moderately elongated; parietal bones do not approach each other above the temples, but diverge and swell out, so as to enlarge the forehead and cavity of the brain. Skull of Spaniel. Sect. 4. Pastoral dogs, or such as are employed for domestic purposes. Example : shepherd's dog. Sect. 5. Water dogs, which delight in swimming. Examples : Newfoundland dog, water-spaniel, &c. Sect. 6. Fowlers, or such as have an inclination to chase or point birds by scenting only, and not killing. Examples : the setter, the pointer, the field-spaniel, &c. Sect. 7. Hounds, which hunt in packs by scent, and kill their game. Examples : the foxhound, the harrier, &c. Sect. 8. Crossed breeds, for sporting purposes. Example : the retriever. III. HOUSE DOGS. Characteristics. — Muzzle more or less shortened ; skull high ; frontal sinuses considerable ; condyle of the lower jaw extending DIVISIONAL ARRANGEMENT OF DOGS. n above the line of the upper cheek teeth. Cranium smaller in this group than in the first and second, in consequence of its peculiar formation. Skull of Mastiff. Sect. g. Watch dogs, which have no propensity to hunt, but are solely employed in the defence of man or his pro- perty. Examples : the mastiff, the bulldog, the pug dog, &c. As before remarked, this division is on the whole founded on natural laws, but there are some anomalies which we shall en- deavour to remove. For instance, the greyhound is quite as ready to hunt in packs as any other hound, and is only prevented from doing so by the hand of his master. The same restraint keeps him from using his nose, or he could soon be nearly as good with that organ as with the eye. So also Cuvier defines his sixth section as " having an inclination to chase and point Urds," whereas they have as great, and often a greater, desire for hares and rabbits. Bearing, therefore, in mind these trifling defects, we shall consider the dog under the following heads : — Chap. I. Wild and half-reclaimed dogs, hunting in packs. 12 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Chap. II. Domesticated dogs, hunting chiefly by the eye, and killing their game for the use of man. Chap. III. Domesticated dogs, hunting chiefly by the nose, and both finding and killing their game. Chap. IV. Domesticated dogs, finding game by scent, but not killing it ; being chiefly used in aid of the gun. Chap. V. Pastoral dogs, and those used for the purposes of draught. Chap. VI. Watch dogs, house dogs, and toy dogs. Chap. VII. Crossed breeds, retrievers, &c. The Dingo (Youatt). CHAPTER I. WILD AND HALF-EECL AIMED DOGS, HUNTING IN PACKS. i. The Dingo— 2. The Dhole— 3. The Pariah— 4. The Wild Dog of Africa— 5. The North and South American Dog — 6. Other Wild Dogs. I.— THE DINGO. It is upon the great similarity between these wild dogs and the wolf or fox that the supposition is founded of the general descent of the domesticated dog from either the one or the other. After examining the portrait of the dingo, it will at once be seen that it resembles the fox so closely in the shape of its body, that an ordinary observer could readily mistake it for one of that species, while the head is that of the wolf. The muzzle is long and i 4 WILD AND HALF- RECLAIMED DOGS. pointed, the ears short and erect. Height about 24 inches, length 30 inches. His coat is more like fur than hair, and is composed of a mixture of silky and woolly hair, the former being of a deep yellow, while the latter is grey. The tail is long and bushy, and resembles that of the fox, excepting in carriage, the dingo curling it over the hip, while the fox trails it along the ground.* While in his unreclaimed state this dog is savage and unmanageable, but is easily tamed, though even then he is not to be trusted, and when set at liberty will endeavour to escape. Many dingoes have been brought to this country, and some of its crosses with the terrier have been exhibited as hybrids between the dog and fox, which latter animal they closely resemble, with the single exception of the pendulous tail. Whenever, therefore, a specimen is produced which is said to be this hybrid, every care must be taken to ascertain the real parentage without relying upon the looks alone. II.— THE DHOLE. The native wild dog of India, called the dhole, resembles the dingo in all but the tail, which, though hairy, is not at all bushy. The following is Captain Williamson's description, extracted from his "Oriental Field Sports," which is admitted to be a very accurate account by those who have been much in India : — " The dholes are of the size of a small greyhound. Their countenance is enlivened by unusually brilliant eyes. Their body, which is slender and deep-chested, is thinly covered by a coat of hair of a reddish brown or grey colour. The tail is dark towards its extremity. The limbs are light, compact, and strong, and * The engraving of the dingo was taken from an animal in confinement, in which state the tail is seldom curled upwards. THE DHOLE. 15 equally calculated for speed and power. They resemble many of the common pariah dogs in form, but the singularity of their colour and marks at once demonstrate an evident distinction. These dogs are said to be perfectly harmless if unmolested. They do not willingly approach persons, but, if they chance to meet any in their course, they do not show any particular anxiety to escape. They view the human race rather as objects of curiosity than either of apprehension or enmity. The natives who reside near the Eanochitty and Katcunsaudy passes, in which vicinity the dholes may frequently be seen, describe them as confining their attacks entirely to wild animals, and assert that they will not prey on sheep, goats, &c. ; but others, in the country extending southward from Jelinah and- Mechungunge, maintain that cattle are frequently lost by their depredations. I am inclined to believe that the dhole is not particularly ceremonious, but will, when opportunity offers and a meal is wanting, obtain it at the expense of the neighbouring village. The peasants likewise state that the dhole is eager in pro- portion to the animal he hunts, preferring the elk to any other kind of deer, and particularly seeking the royal tiger. It is probable that the dhole is . the principal check on the multi- plication of the tiger; and although incapable individually, or perhaps in small numbers, to effect the destruction of so large and ferocious an animal, may, from their custom of hunting in packs, easily overcome any smaller beast found in the wilds of India." Unlike most dogs which hunt in packs, the dholes run nearly mute, uttering only occasionally a slight whimper, which may serve to guide their companions equally well with the more sonorous tongues of other hounds. The speed and endurance of these dogs are so great as to enable them to run down most 1 6 WILD AND HALF-RECLAIMED DOGS. of the varieties of game which depend upon flight for safety, while the tiger, the elk, and the boar diminish the numbers of these animals by making an obstinate defence with their teeth, claws, or horns, so that the breed of dholes is not on the increase. III.— THE PARIAH. This is. the general name in India for the half-reclaimed dogs which swarm in every village, owned by no one in particular, but ready to accompany any individual on a hunting excursion. They vary in appearance in different districts, and cannot be described very particularly ; but the type of the pariah may be said to resemble the dhole in general characteristics, and the breed is most probably a cross with that dog and any accidental varieties of domesticated dogs which may have been introduced into the respective localities. They are almost always of a reddish brown colour, very thin and gaunt, with pricked ears, deep chest, and tucked- up belly. The native Indians hunt the tiger and wild boar, as well as every species of game, with these dogs, which have good noses and hunt well ; and though they are not so high-couraged as our British hounds, yet they often display considerable avidity and determination in " going in " to their formidable opponents. IV.— THE EKIA, OR .WILD AFRICAN DOG. The native dogs of Africa are of all colours, black, brown, and yellow, or red ; and they hunt in packs, giving tongue with considerable force. Though not exactly wild, they are not owned by any individuals among the inhabitants, who, bein as there is no other existing hound which possesses it. The bloodhound, otter-hound, and Welsh harrier, which are probably the oldest breeds of hounds now in England, all have a tendency to dwell on the scent, and to cast backward rather than forward. Even the Gordon setter, which is supposed to be crossed with the bloodhound, exhibits this peculiarity in a marked degree, and in him it is often extremely difficult to get him away from the scent of birds gone away. On, the other hand, in the pointer crossed with the foxhound there is none of this pottering, but so much forward dash as to lead to unsteadiness on the point. The ; advocates of the two styles of hunting exhibited by the modern J foxhound and by the remnants of the old Southern hound, whether i harrier, otter-hound, or bloodhound, are of. course loud in praise of their own proteges, and as much opposed to those of their rivals ; but the fashion of the day being all in favour of progress, the foxhound "has it" by a large majority. Nevertheless my own experience leads me to put faith in the superior nose of the harrier or bloodhound; but then he wastes so much time in making out a scent, that at the end of a mile or two it would become cold as compared with its state if followed by a foxhound for the same distance, and practically there is not so much difference as at first sight would appear. Thus, with a pack composed of one half of each breed, when first laid on the cold scent of a hare, the harriers could " speak to it " with much more certainty than the foxhound; but if left to themselves, they would not long keep the lead, and at the end of half-an-hour's hunting they would all be tailed off, their rivals having worked up to their hare and been able to drive her into straight running. Still it THE HARRIER. 65 must be confessed that for those who like to watch the hunting powers of a hound regardless of time, and of riding also, the care- ful manner of the harrier, and the way in which he follows every turn and double of the hare, are of high interest ; but I regret to say that in these modern days few followers either of the fox or hare care for these things, and the kind of hound which makes hare-hunting most like fox-hunting is preferred, , and that kind is undoubtedly the foxhound. Besides this difference in style of hunt- ing, the true harrier resembles the bloodhound in tongue much more nearly than the foxhound, and their " cry " is often melo- dious to a degree never reached by any foxhound cross. The points of the harrier may be numerically similar to those of the foxhound, but it will be necessary to repeat the deviations in shape as they occur. Points of the harrier :— VALUE TAME Head, IS Elbows, 5 Neck, 5 Legs and feet, 20 Shoulders, 10 Colour and coat, 5 Chest and back ribs, 10 Stern, . 5 Loin, 10 Symmetry, 5 Hind-quarters, 10 Total, The head, as before remarked, is rather wider between the ears, and the face is longer and hollower under the eyes, which are softer and slightly larger ; ears unrounded, thin in leather, and soft in coat, falling slightly in folds, and nearly meeting on the nose, which is not quite so square as that of the foxhound. There are no absolute flews, but the lips are fuller than those of the foxhound. The neck is thinner and less round than that of the foxhound, but except in the case of the Welsh harrier no " throatiness " is E 66 DOMESTICATED DOGS. permitted. Still there is not the greyhound-like tightness so dear to the eye of the M.F.H. In the shoulders, chest, back ribs, and loin, no variation is visible, but the quarters are seldom so full and wide as those of its rival. The elbows are required to be straight, as indeed is the case with all animals kept for work. The legs and feet should, as far as possible, resemble those of the foxhound, but it is seldom that they are exhibited so extremely straight as I have described the model pasterns of the M.F.H. I need scarcely remark that my opinions on this point are the same with regard to the legs of the two breeds. As to feet, there are no two opinions on these in either breed. The colours most in demand for the harrier are black, white, and tan, commonly called. " the true hound colours,'' but all the pies are met with nearly to the same extent. The coat is generally slightly softer than that of the foxhound, and on the stern a little more fringed. The stern is carried, as in the foxhound, gaily over the back, and has a similar root and tip. In symmetry the foxhound has a slight advantage, from the extra care and expense which have so long been devoted to breeding him. The illustrations show the harrier as pure as it can be met with, and also the foxhound as used for hare-huntinc. In size most harrier packs are under 20 inches, and many are as low as 1 6 inches. The rough Welsh harrier resembles the otter-hound (to be presently described) so closely, that I have only to refer my readers to the latter. THE BEAGLE. 6? VI.— THE BEAGLE. " BAKMAID," a Dwarf Beagle bred by Lord Gifford.* Any English hound less than 1 6 inches in height is in ordinary language called a beagle, but in reality there is as great a differ- ence between a dwarf harrier or foxhound and a true beagle as between a bloodhound and a foxhound. The true beagle is a miniature specimen of the old Southern hound, except that, like almost all moderately reduced dogs as to size, he possesses more symmetry than his prototype. "Where, however, this reduction is carried to extremes in order to produce a little hound capable of being carried in the pocket of a shooting-jacket, and slow enough to allow of his followers keeping up with him on foot, there is * This beautiful little "bitch, presented to Mrs. Chapman of Cheltenham by Lord Gifford, is by Mr. Barker's " Buler" out. of his "Bluebell." Height, 12^ inches. 68 DOMESTICATED DOGS. generally a loss of symmetry and of its ordinary accompaniment, a hardy constitution. In order to get a reduction of size in any "breed, the smallest puppy in a litter is selected, and as this is also generally the most weakly, it is only to be expected that in course of time a constant repetition of such a selection will result in a loss of constitution. For this reason it has been found impossible to keep up a pack of beagles less than 9 or 10 inches in height ; and Mr. Crane of Linthorn House, Dorset, who for some years maintained one, kept exclusively for hunting rabbits, never was able to rear above one or two out of each litter, the remainder either dying in the nest or being lost after- wards from fits or distemper. Mr. J. G-rimwood, of Stanton House, near Swindon, has a very beautiful little pack of somewhat larger size, averaging nearly 1 2 inches, and usually hunting hare ; while Sir Thomas D. Lloyd, of Bromroyd, Carmarthenshire, breeds to a still higher standard. For many years Lord Caledon was famous for his beagles, with which he hunted hare in Tyrone, and they were said to be of the purest old blood ; but never having seen them, I cannot speak from my own knowledge of their merits. Mr. Everett, of Abingdon, has been the most successful on the show bench, and has attained a high reputation in the field, his little hounds being able to account for sometimes a brace of hares in the day, after showing a good run with each. Some twenty years ago Mr. Honeywood hunted over the Essex marshes on foot with pocket-beagles very little above Mr. Crane's standard, but they were often unable to get up the banks of the drains when the water was low, and frequently required assistance to save them from drowning. The nose of the beagle when thus bred down to a very low standard is apt to be lost, and, according to my experience, no pack should, on this account, be less than 1 1 inches in height, and for sport I should prefer even 1 2 inches. THE BEAGLE. 69 Foot-beagles, generally hunting "drag," sometimes hare, were kept by subscription throughout the country in almost every populous parish for the purpose of giving exercise to the rising generation, but since the coming in with a rush of lawn-tennis they have gone out of fashion for this purpose, and very few packs are now kept, except by those who love the chase pure and simple, irrespective of the exercise it gives. Like the harrier, the numerical value of the beagle's points is identical with that of the foxhound, but I shall repeat the scale for the sake of reference : — VALUE VALUE Head, 15 Elbows, 5 Neck, 5 Legs and feet, 20 Shoulders, 10 Colour and coat, 5 Chest and back ribs, . 10 Stern, . 5 Loin, . . 10 Symmetry, • 5 Hind-quarters, . 10 Total, The head is wide and rather domed. Nose short and cut off square, but slightly tapering, as shown in the annexed engraving. Ears of full length and never rounded ; they are thin in leather and hang in folds, but not so much so as in the bloodhound. In length across the head when spread out they should be from one- quarter to one-third more than the height at the shoulder. The eye is remarkably soft, rather full, and never weeping, which shows, when present, a spaniel cross. The neck is rather short and chumpy, with a tendency tf ruff in the old strains, but no absolute throatiness. There is also in them a suspicion of dewlap, but in the modern strains these points are altogether absent. Shoulders rather wide apart, and not very sloping, but strong and muscular. Chest girthing nearly double the height at the shoulder, that is 7 o DOMESTICATED DOGS. to say, about i\ to if times. Back ribs often defective, but this point should be insisted on. Loin very muscular in both directions. Hind-quarters thick and breech wide; but stifles generally straight. Elbows apt to turn out or in, as in most dwarfed breeds. This should be carefully noticed in picking puppies. Legs and feet not of quite so much importance as in the larger hounds, but still these points must not be neglected. The colours are the same as with the previously described hounds. Coat soft and shining. Stern very thick at the root and tapering to a sharp point, carried, of course, " hound-like " over the back. Symmetry very great, except as before remarked in the smallest strains. The rough Welsh beagle is a reduced Welsh harrier in every respect. VII.— THE OTTER-HOUND. Between a large Welsh harrier and an otter-hound no one but an expert could detect any difference, which, after all, will be found only to exist in the coat and feet, and then in a very slight degree. From their constant exposure to the water it is necessary that they should have some further protection than the mere long open coat of the Welsh harrier, and no doubt, from selecting those hounds which stood the water best, it has come to pass that the otter-hound possesses a thick pily undercoat, which is, moreover, of a very oily nature. If, therefore, a specimen of each breed is immersed in water, the one will come out showing his shape like a half-drowned hare, while the coat of the other stands up and is only half wet. Again, in the feet there is a difference, THE OTTER-HOUND. 7i owing also to the Master's selection of the best swimmers. A round cat-like foot is not here the desideratum, since the work is chiefly in the water, hut an open one with plenty of web, spreading, when on the ground, in a way which would horrify the huntsman of the Quorn or the Pytchly. In all other respects the otter-hound " Bellman," an Otter-Hound ; Pedigree unknown. is, like the Welsh harrier, a true descendant of the old Southern hound, and, like him, he dwells on a scent with the greatest gusto. In temper, also, he is very irritable, having so strong a tendency to fight in kennel, that, like the Kilkenny cats, there is some- times only a tail or two left in the morning when the feeder enters the kennel. In sober truth, I have known six and a half couples found dead or dying after a night's fighting, and with wounds of a most savage description, evidently made with malice 72 DOMESTICATED DOGS. aforethought. The bloodhound, as I have observed in treating of his temper, is savage enough, but he has not this peculiarly cruel tendency, which, no doubt, is developed from the selection of those hounds who best and bravest tackle their hard-biting quarry. As there are only these very trifling differences from the Welsh harrier and Southern hound, I shall not repeat the points which I have assigned to the former, the numerical value being the same, while the shape of feet and texture of coat are the only external differences, and these I have fully alluded to. VIII.— THE BOARHOUND OR GREAT DANE. In the present day there is so little use for this breed that it is very seldom kept up in any degree' of purity. Nor is it clear from examining the canvases of Teniers, who has painted him in many of his pictures, what was the exact type of that dog, so much do the several examples followed by him vary among them- selves. Judging from experience, no reliance is to be placed upon the imported specimens exhibited at recent shows, for not only do they differ among themselves, even more than Teniers' dogs, but they are also quite distinct from any of his types. The finest specimen imported into England, within my knowledge, is certainly Mr. Adcock's " Satan," a very grand upstanding dog, but he shows much more of the mastiff than the hound, and is most probably a cross between the two. An equally fine bitch was shown last year by Mr. Lotz, who imported her from Germany, and .1 was assured by that gentleman that her breed has long been kept up in great purity for hunting the boar in the Black Forest. Both of these examples agree in many points with the annexed engrav- ing, which, except in size, describes the dog better than I can do. THE BOAEHOUND OE GEEAT DANE. 73 Mr. Adcock's " Satan " measures 3 2 inches at the shoulder, and such is, I believe, the typical height ; the dog being required to hold the most powerful boar, when he has pinned him, with the aid of one or two of his fellows ; and when the strength of the The Boarhound. quarry is known, it is manifest that fully these dimensions are required. The following is Eichardson's description of the boar- hound, and he is certainly the most reliable English authority on this dog up to his time (1845) : — " This is, I think, the largest clog in existence, and it is likewise decidedly the most serviceable as a destroyer of the wolf and the boar. In this country he is but seldom seen in a state of purity ; and is, in any case, seldom recog- 74 DOMESTICATED DOGS. nised as what he really is. The Dane rarely stands less than 30 inches in height at the shoulder, and usually more. His head is hroad at the temples, and the parietal bones diverge much, thus marking him to be a true mastiff ; but, by a singular discrepancy, his muzzle is lengthened more than even that of an ordinary hound, and the lips are not pendulous, or at least very slightly so ; his coat, when thoroughbred, is rather short and fine ; the tail is fine and tapering ; the neck long ; the ears small and carried back, but these are invariably taken off when the dog is a whelp. The finest dog of this breed I ever saw was the celebrated Hector, the property of his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch. Hector stood 32 inches at the shoulder, and when I saw him was about eighteen years old, and his legs had begun to give way and his back to fall in ; so that I should say, when a young dog, he stood at least an inch and a half higher, or 33^ inches, a height equal to that of many Shetland ponies." IX.— THE DACHSHUND. Owing to the termination of the name, this little dog is often considered in this country to be a hound, but the German word hund means simply dog, and not hound, as is supposed by many. He is merely a " badger-dog," as far as name goes, and though his use on the Continent of Europe is not confined to the chase of the badger, yet a very large proportion of the dogs used for that purpose are dachshunds. In the vineyards of Germany and France the badger abounds, and he is hunted partly for sport, and partly to get rid of an intruder, who would, if left undisturbed, materially reduce the crop of grapes. The dachshund is also used by gamekeepers to drive game to the gun, and notably roe- deer, which are apt to head back if driven forcibly or with any amount of noise. For these two purposes two distinct strains are employed — the one with crooked but very strong legs, for burrowing after the badger; the other with straight ones, but still too short to give any great pace, intended for driving game. Both are terriers rather than hounds, and have the squeaky tongue of the former, so distinct from the bell-like note of the true hound. THE DACHSHUND. 75 The temper of all the dachshund strains is short and crusty, little under control of the master, and leading the animal into constant fights, both in kennel and out of it. This little dog hunts the foot-scent with his nose low on the ground, and his natural love of hunting something is so great, that he often imagines a scent where none exists ; and I have seen a young dog, which had never The Dachshund. been introduced to any kind of game, hunt a large garden for hours, with as much keenness as if half-a-dozen badgers were on foot, where he must of necessity have been imagining a scent all the time. In this feature he resembles the highly bred setter, who is inclined to make imaginary points when no real ones can be made out. 76 DOMESTICATED DOGS. His worst point is, that he cannot be made to submit to control ; and, slow as he is, he must be hunted in a leash if he is used for tracking wounded deer. Fortunately he does not care for feather, or it would be impossible to keep poultry where a dachshund is loose, for he would destroy every fowl within his reach, it being impossible to break him from the game which he fancies. This little dog was, I believe, first introduced into England by the late Prince Consort, who, about thirty years ago, imported several from the kennels of Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, and used them in the Windsor Forest coverts for pheasant-shooting. His example was soon followed; and in 1869 we find Mr. J. F. Forbes winning a prize at Birmingham in the extra class for his " Satan," who, however, was a dachsdecker rather than a dachs- hund. In the following year Mr. Fisher obtaining a similar distinction with his " Feldman," a very neat whole tan of the Saxe-Weimar breed, with which he laid the foundation of his celebrated kennel, winning with him individually between thirty and forty prizes, but succumbing in 1872 to the Earl of Onslow's " Waldmar." In 1873 a special class for this breed was made both at the Crystal Palace and Birmingham shows, Mr. Hodge's " Erdman " winning at the former, and Mr. Fisher being again in front with " Feldman " at the latter. Since that time all our important ex- hibitions have had their dachshund class, and the breed became so fashionable that in 1876 a show dachshund was worth from .£20 to £50. Of course, with, this high market value, no time was lost in importing specimens by the score ; and Mr. Schuller, I believe, brought over fully two hundred dogs in that and the following year. Latterly, however, either from the breed not being generally approved of, or from caprice, the market price has gone down, and a moderately good dog can be got for £5 or £10. THE DACHSHUND. 77 He is now seldom seen in Eotten Row led by a lady, as was the fashion in 1875-76, for it would be idle to attempt to keep one at heel there or elsewhere, such is the uncontrollable nature of his temperament. The following is the numerical value of the points of the dachshund : — VALUE VALUE Head, . 10 Stern, 10 Jaws, 10 Coat, 5 Ears, eyes, and lips, . 10 Colour, 10 Neck and body, 15 Size and symmetry,.. 5 Legs' and feet, . 20 Quality, . 5 Total, . . 100 The head is long and slightly arched. Occiput wide and skull narrowing rapidly to the eyes. Head and neck connected in a snake-like form, with a very obtuse angle, and little or no occipital protuberance. -Eyebrows low, and scarcely raised above the general line of face. The jaws are long and tapering to the nose, which is small and pointed, but cut off nearly square, not pig-jawed. The masseter muscles of the cheeks are very full, and being so, give the face an appearance of hollowness under the eyes which is not strictly present. Teeth level, strong, and even ; skin covering the face tight and without wrinkle. Ears, eyes, and lips. — The ears are set on farther back than in any English dog, and though high, by no means pricked. This position of the ear is very remarkable, and distinguishes the dachshund from all his congeners. In the hound, pointer, and setter, the front edge of the ear approaches the eye, but in the dachshund it is opposite the junction of the head and neck, or a very little in advance of that point. The ear itself is large, but not so large in proportion as that of the bloodhound, being generally about three- fourths of the 7 8 DOMESTICATED DOGS. length of the head and face ; sometimes, however, considerably more. The leather is very thin, and the hair covering it fine, soft, and glossy. The eyes are of medium size, bright and intel- ligent, without any visible " haw ; " rich brown in black tan dogs, and pale brown in the tan variety. Lips short and without flew. Neck and body. — The main characteristics of these points is their length in proportion to height and bulk. The general appearance is weasel-like, and the whole length from tip of nose to tip of tail should be four times the height, in this proportion resembling the Skye terrier. The neck is rather long, but not in proportion to the body, and it should be free from throatiness, tapering gradually from the skull to the chest. The brisket projects considerably, and is only from 2-^ to 3 inches from the ground. The chest is round and short in the back ribs, while the loin is arched and strong, the flanks being tucked up in a very peculiar manner, giving an elegant curve to the hinder parts. Shoulders strong and their points wide apart. Legs and feet.- — A good deal of controversy exists on the proper formation of these parts. Many good judges contend for fore-legs so crooked as to be clearly rickety, while others prefer a leg of more useful formation. The excuse for the crooked leg is that it compels a slow pace, and that it allows the dog to scrape the soil back between the bowed fore-legs when digging in a badger-earth. My own belief is, that the bandy leg has no such advantage ; but it must be admitted that the German fanciers, as a rule, " go in " for this peculiar formation. In any case, the legs should be strong in bone, and so short as to lift the breast-bone only for the distance above-mentioned from the ground. Even if bandy, the elbows should not turn out nor in, the latter point being a special defect, but they must stand well out from the body, so as to be, on the average, 6 inches THE DACHSHUND. 79 apart, while the knees should be not more than 2^ inches ; the closer the better. From the knees the feet turn outwards again, and are often 4 or 5 inches apart at the ground, but from pad to pad should not be more than 3^- inches. This formation is strongly commented on by German fanciers. In spite of their peculiar shape, the fore-legs must not be weak, and, in particular, the knees must be strong and the pasterns large in bone. The feet are rather large, but the pads should be firm, and should be covered with thick and hard horn. The claws should be dark. On the hind-legs there are often dew-claws, but they are not regarded as typical points. The hind- legs are longer in proportion than the fore-legs, being only slightly bent at the stifles. They are shaped with great elegance, and are by no means so muscular as the fore-legs. The second thigh is very short, and the calf well developed, but not clumsily so. Quarters wide rather than deep. Feet small and round, and inclining forward nearly on a straight line, the hocks being very slightly in and the feet out. The stem is moderately long, strong at the root, and tapering to a fine point. It is carried gaily over the back in a hound- like manner, resembling the Dandie Dinmont terrier in this respect. The coat is glossy and smooth, but hard and wiry, except on the ears, where it must be soft and silky. Colour. — The experts are by no means agreed as to the com- parative value of tan and black and tan, but between these two and any- other colour there is no room for doubt. Sometimes, even in good strains, a whole black or chocolate puppy occurs, occasionally a liver and tan of varying shade, and even a hare or badger pie ; but these colours are not fancied, and should, as far as possible, be bred out. If whole tan, the nose should be black, 80 DOMESTICATED DOGS. not flesh colour, and the nails also dark. The chocolate or liver colour is almost always attended by a flesh-coloured nose, which is supposed to indicate softness of constitution and want of courage. If black and tan, the black should be rich and un- mixed with the tan, which should be confined to the spots over the eyes and on the cheeks, the lower parts of the body and tail, and the legs and feet. On the cheek the tan should not run to the eye, which must be set in black. A black line or two extends up the legs, resembling the pencilling of the English terrier, but not in so distinct a shape. No white is permitted on the toes, breast, or forehead in a perfect specimen, but a star on the breast generally occurs. Any large quantity of white in the shape of a . " pie " indicates a cross with the French basset or German dachsdecker." Size and symmetry. — In size the dog should measure, on the average, about 40 inches from tip to tip, and 1 o inches in height. Weight from 11 to 18 lbs. The bitch is considerably less in all dimensions as well as weight. The symmetry of the dachshund is very great when the fore-legs are not too much twisted, but, in any case, the hind-quarters should be turned with elegant lines. Quality. — Few dogs show more quality than the dachshund, owing to the careful way in which he has long been bred in Germany and the bordering countries. X.— THE FOX-TERRIER (ROUGH AND SMOOTH). (a) the smooth fox-terrier. For the last ten years this pretty little dog has been the favourite companion of " Young England," and has lately -shared the favours of the other sex with the collie, the dachshund, and THE FOX-TERRIER. the black poodle ; but the last-named seems to be the fashionable dog of 1879 for both ladies and gentlemen. Probably not one per cent, of our existing fox-terriers have ever come across the scent of a fox, either in their own persons or in those of their immediate progenitors, but in most cases the strain is derived m =191111 The Fox-Terrier, Smooth and Eough. from some ancestor famous in his or her time for prowess against the reputed natural enemy of the race. Thus we find a large proportion of the modern winners at our shows going back to "Jock," "Trap," "Grove Pepper," "Grove Nettle," "Grove Tartar," the " Quorn Pussy," or some other well-known do<* or bitch regularly entered to fox; but, on the other hand, a much larger number cannot lay claim to a foxhound-kennel ¥ 82 DOMESTICATED DOGS. pedigree in the remotest degree, and are only set down in the stud book as by " Fox " out of " Vie," or some similarly indefinite parentage. Of course there are " Foxes " and " Foxes," but the particular " Fox " is quite as likely to be some unknown animal as to be the son of old " Jock," belonging to Mr. Cropper, which would entitle him to be considered A-i on the side of his sire. Such shape and colour as will entitle the possessor to a chance of a prize are considered as far more important than pedigree, and when they are sufficient, the dog is entered as by " nobody's Jack out of somebody's Jill," and all is done which is required by "the fancy." Of course a first-class pedigree enhances the value in the market ; but it is seldom that perfection in all re- spects can be attained, and as this kind of dog is now seldom used for entering a fox-earth, pedigree is not so necessary as hi the case of a greyhound, foxhound, pointer, or setter, where per- formance goes even before good looks. Until within the last thirty or forty years, terriers were at- tached in IVos and threes to most foxhound-packs, and in some countries drew the coverts with them, keeping at the tail of the pack when running if the pace was not very good, and even if it was so, generally managing to make up their leeway at each check. As the fields of horsemen became larger the poor little " follower " was constantly ridden over in his attempt to get to the front, and so it came to pass that he was usually left at home or sent to some farmhouse near the earths likely to be ■' entered on the day in question. Many packs rely on chance for the nearest terrier, and, as a consequence, the veritable fox- hound terrier entered to .his game is rare indeed. Most of the best modern strains trace back to the "Wynnstay blood or that of Mr. Foljambe, and, as a natural consequence, Mr. John Walker, formerly huntsman to Sir "Watkyns Wynn, THE FOX-TERRIER. 83 was regarded as the oracle from whom we might expect the words of wisdom required to define the properties and points of the breed. But since the above strains were mostly white and tan, what is called " the true-hound colour," viz., white marked with black and tan, was not at first so much de rigeur as it now is ; for though many white and red and white and black fox- terriers get first prizes, yet the hound colour with most judges wipes out many trifling blots which would otherwise keep the individual in the H. C. division. The origin of this colour is said by the admirers of the breed to have been a cross with the black and tan English terrier, but others allege that the beagle has been resorted to, adducing the close-falling ear as a proof of their theory. Certainly, with the exception of the Dandie Dinmont and the dog now under con- sideration, none of the terriers have ears falling close to the cheeks, and I see no reason to suppose that breeders would take the trouble in either case to obtain by selection a property entirely in opposition to that already displayed by the best examples of either. Without doubt it would be easy enough to do so in course of time, as we all know what can be done by careful selection ; but my long experience teaches me that, when such changes have occurred, they have been accidental, and not the result of a plan laid down beforehand, unless some good purpose was to be answered, which is certainly not the case with the ears of fox-terriers. Formerly they were, like all other terriers, care- fully cropped ; and no doubt it was because the natural ear kept out the earth from the internal passages that the practice was discontinued; but the half-pricked ear of the English terrier answers this purpose equally well, as it is only the soil falling from the roof of the earth which can enter the passage, not that thrown back by the feet of the dog in his digging. Hence I can 84 DOMESTICATED DOGS. only account for this departure from the true terrier form of ear in hoth of these breeds by supposing a cross with some other dog, and I believe the dachshund to be the source of the large falling ear in the one, and the beagle of the other. This theory is supported by the peculiar temper of the Dandie, to which I shall refer in treating of that breed, and by the thick, " cobby," and beagle-like frames which fox-terriers now often show, and specially those of the hound colour. As long as fox-terriers were only used for "marking" foxes at their earths, and aiding the digger in his operations, nose was not much required, for the scent of the fox is so strong as to be easily made out when in his earth; but when they became the fashionable companions of our rising generation, they were required to hunt hedgerows for rabbits, and then a cross 'with the beagle began to be of use. About thirty years ago I had several litters between the rough Scotch terrier of those days and the beagle, for retrieving purposes, and the produce exactly resembled the modern rough fox-terrier in ear and shape of body, so that the above theory on this point is not entirely unsupported by facts. As in the case of the Dandie, I do not expect a con- fession of this practice having been adopted, for, like the bulldog cross, it would be stigmatised as a derogation ; but I confess I cannot in any other way account for the peculiar close-falling ear of the modern fox-terrier. At the same time, I do not attach much importance to this explanation, nor, indeed, to any other historically reputed fact in regard to dogs. All, as it seems to me, that is necessary, is to take each breed as it exists, and esti- mate its bodily and mental characteristics by the standard of utility, either in carrying out the intentions of man as far as regards the particular kind of work required, or in pleasing his eye by symmetry and colouring. It should be remembered that in the early dog shows from 1859 to 1863, the fox-terrier was THE FOX-TERRIER. 85 ignored altogether, no class being assigned to him, owing to the fact that the breed, though existing in certain foxhound-kennels, was not known beyond them. Even at the great London Inter- national Show of May 30, 1 863, no class for this breed was made ; and, as far as I recollect, no fox-terrier appeared among the " white- smooth-haired terriers," as was the case at the Birmingham Show of 1 862, when the afterwards celebrated "Jock" took the first prize in that class, though not, strictly speaking, conforming to its requirements either in colour or other points. In 1863 Mr. John Walker of Wrexham, to whom I have already alluded, and Mr. Cornelius Tongue (" Cecil "), impressed upon the Birmingham Committee the importance of the breed, and ever since that time it has been growing into the notice both of the promoters of our shows and of the general public, so that it is by no means un- common to find the fox-terrier classes making up a fifth or even a quarter of a whole show in point of numbers, and drawing to their benches fully one-half of the spectators. As this breed thus crept into the favour of the public from a state of obscurity, it was to be expected that opinions on its size and shape should vary according to the point of view from which it was examined. Thus the hunting man said, " I must have a dog small enough to enter an earth; not too savage, because I want him to bark rather than to bite, for foxes are too precious in my eyes to be killed under ground. My limit in point of weight is therefore 16 lbs." "Oh!" says the young Oxonian in reply, " I don't want anything of the kind. What I require is a dog which will follow me on horseback, if I desire a companion in my rides, without being outpaced, and will hunt rabbits for me all day long. My dog should be 20 lbs. at least." Now who is to decide between these two fox-terrier fanciers ? The hunting man says, " Well and good ! I don't object to your dog, but he 86 DOMESTICATED DOGS. should not be called a /cw-terrier ; " and here I think he has his opponent hard and fast, for, as the controversy is always in refer- ence to show prizes, the definition of the class in question is always for " fox-terriers." Still, irrespective of the question of prizes, it is clear that the fox-terrier of the present day is more frequently required as a companion than as a persecutor of foxes ; and if he is to go beyond the duties of the companion, and is re- quired to hunt, his game is far more frequently the rabbit than the fox; and a dog of 20 lbs. is not too large for that purpose, nor is the beagle cross objectionable, if it really exists. The fanciers of this dog should first agree as to his duties, and then it will be' time to settle his size and other qualities ; but till then, unless an absurd stress is placed on the prefix "fox," the promoters of our shows will do well to have two or even three classes, in which the weight is made to fix the limits of each. Having adverted to this much-vexed question, it now only remains to refer to another, which some years ago agitated fan- ciers quite as much, viz., the propriety or otherwise of the bull- dog cross. Here again the distinct objects for which this terrier is kept are lost sight of; for admitting that the bull-cross spoils the fox-terrier qud fox, it does not interfere with his rabbiting or attending on his master as a companion. For bolting foxes it often incapacitates the terrier, because it makes him savagely lay hold of the fox and keep hold, thereby not only interfering with his own proper vocation, but preventing the fox from bolting if he has an opportunity. All huntsmen are agreed on this question, and dislike any cross of the bulldog beyond a very remote one ; so that as long as the fox-terrier is judged as a dog intended to go to ground after fox, so long must the bull-cross be condemned, if it is so near as to show itself in the decided form of a short full jaw and underhung teeth. But as every THE FOX-TERRIER. 87 one who has possessed a bull-terrier admits his companionable qualities and his excellent hunting powers, so it must be admitted that the fox-terrier intended as a companion is none the worse for a cross of the bull. From the strict M.F.H. point of view the following are the points of the fox-terrier : — VALCE VALUE Head, jaws, and ears, . • 15 Feet,. . 10 Neck, . 5 ' Stern, 5 Shoulders and chest, . • 15 Coat, 5 Back and loin, iS Colour, 5 Fore and hind quarters, • s Symmetry and size, . 10 Legs, . 10 Total, The head should be flat and narrow rather than wide, but not so narrow as to indicate weakness. It should taper from the ears to the nose, with a slight hollow in front of the brows, but no very marked stop. . The jaws should be rather long and taper- ing, the bone strong and the muscle closing them prominent at the cheek, but not swelling out as in the bulldog, a cross of which breed is to be deprecated. The cheek-bones should be clearly cut with a very slight hollow. Teeth level and strong. An underhung mouth indicates the bull cross, and is to be penal- ised. End of the nose black ; a cherry nose is very objectionable, and a white or spotted one almost worse. The eyes should be small and by no means prominent. Edges of the eyelids dark.. Ears small and V-shaped, set close to the cheeks with the points looking forward and downward, not hanging hound-like. Pricked, tulip, or rose ears, as being indications of the bull-cross, should never be allowed. The neck should be light yet muscular, with a pretty sweep in its upper lines. No throatiness is to be allowed. 88 DOMESTICATED DOGS. Shoulders and chest. — "Whether the dog should be 14 lbs. or 18 lbs. in weight, there can be no question that his chest must not be much larger than that of the animal whose earth he is required to enter ; and this really should be the limitation as to size rather than the weight. Thus a 20-lb. dog, if made with a chest girthing 17 or 18 inches, can enter an earth which is beyond the power of another weighing only 1 6 lbs. but measur- ing 19 or 20. inches round, and especially if the chest of the former is round while that of the latter is as keel-shaped as the greyhound's. In a little dog of 1 5 or 16 lbs., I should, therefore, consider a moderately deep chest to be an advantage, giving room for the play of his lungs without that width which is detrimental to a free gallop. On the other hand, in a 20-lb. dog the chest must be round, or it is impossible for him to do his duty as a fox-terrier, and there must be no keel for the same reason. Of course,, with the wide chest the shoulders cannot be very long and oblique, and this being the case, the dog of this formation may be excused for exhibiting them in a somewhat upright form. On the other hand, the little compact dog must be expected to possess them oblique and yet muscular, since he is required to dig, and if he is not so furnished he should suffer accordingly at the hands of the judge. Bach and loin. — The back of this dog is not required to be specially strong, but only sufficiently so to keep up his fore- quarters to their work underground, and to maintain a good pace when on the gallop. Deep back ribs are demanded, indicating a good constitution, and also as strengthening the back without increasing weight. The loin also should be of corresponding strength. The hind-quarters should be foxhound-like, that is to say, straight in the stifles rather than much bent, as in the grey- THE FOX-TERRIER. 89 hound. A long maintenance of pace is required rather than a very fast one for a short distance in both breeds, and for this purpose short levers answer better than very long ones. The hocks should be straight over the backs of the hind-feet. The quarters should not droop, and they should be full of muscle. The fore- quarters, from the shoulder- joints to the arm, should be powerful ; elbows placed quite straight and well let down. The legs should be bony and straight, so as to play freely in parallel planes. Ankles strong, and showing no diminution of size below the knee. Lower thigh and fore-arm well clothed with muscle. The feet are cat-like and of fair average size. The horn cover- ing the pads should be thick and hard. There are usually no dew claws on the hind-legs, but nevertheless a great many well- bred dogs possess them, and as in most other breeds, I do not think this a point of any great importance. The stern is carried gaily, but not quite hound-like. It is usually cropped to about one-third its natural length. The coat is hard, thick, and glossy ; skin tight without being " hide-bound," The colour is always white, with more or less marking of black mixed with tan (hound colour), lemon, or black. Brindle spots are objected to as indicating the bull-cross, and liver as indicat- ing mongrel blood. Symmetry and size.— I'D. the former point the fancier looks for proportions of the most elegant description consistent with the requisite power. Combined with these should appear a large amount of that indescribable feature called quality. As to size, I have already dilated upon it fully. 9 o DOMESTICATED DOGS. (b) the rough eox-terriek. The rough fox-terrier is still more modern than his smooth brother, as far as shows are concerned ; no distinct class for the breed having been made until 1872, when the Glasgow officials offered a prize for " the best rough fox : terrier," and their example has since been followed at all the large exhibitions of dogs at Birmingham, London, &c. Nevertheless, though not called a /oaj-terrier, the breed has existed for the last fifty years to my certain knowledge, having myself possessed and seen many specimens of it fully as long ago. The Eev. John Eussell in the West of England has long been famous for his strain of rough terriers, so closely resembling the modern dogs exhibited by Mr. Sanderson, Mr. Carrick, and Mr. Lyndsay Hogg as to be insepar- able by any ordinary test. It is true that the ears may not have complied with -modern requirements, because they were invariably cropped, and I never saw one with full ears. Mr. Eadcliffe's (Shropshire) breed of rough terriers certainly had tulip ears, and on that account were refused prizes at the London and Birming- ham shows ten years ago, perfect as they were in every other point. For these reasons I cannot positively assert that the modern rough fox-terrier is identical with the old-fashioned dog known in England as the Scotch terrier, but in all other respects he closely resembles him. The rough fox-terrier may be regarded in all respects as similar to his smooth brother, with the exception of his coat, which on the body and legs should be about twice the length of that on the smooth dog, with the addition of a thick under-pile of a woolly nature, and furnished, like that of the otter-hound, with a certain amount of oil, secreted by the glands of the skin, so as to resist the action of water. Mr. Carrick, the Master of the THE FOX-TERRIER. 9 i Carlisle Otter-hounds, purchased Mr. Sanderson's "Venture" from Mr. Wootton, who had bought the whole team in 1873, and has used him since that time with his hounds, and also as a stud- dog for improving his old breed of terriers, in which capacity he has been most useful. In the water his coat is said to stand ex- posure quite as well as the otteT-hound's ; and for those who want remarkably hardy dogs, without doubt the rough fox-terrier is better adapted than the smooth, who is often furnished with a soft silky coat which admits the rain to the skin almost in a worse manner than if it was bare. On the jaws a slight beard only is considered to be the correct thing, and in this point perhaps the modern dog is not exactly like the old-fashioned one, who had certainly a stronger and somewhat longer beard in most cases, but this difference is not enough to constitute a new and distinct breed. As far as my knowledge goes (and I have seen all the first-prize takers hitherto exhibited), the rough fox-terrier of the present day does not show quite so thick and " cobby " a body as the smooth, but his ear has the same size and shape, so that however this point has been obtained by the one, the same pro- cess must most probably have been adopted by the breeders of the other. The diminution of beard would lead to the supposition that Mr. Sanderson's dogs are a cross between the smooth fox- terrier (possibly already modified by the beagle cross) and the old-fashioned rough dog ; and their possession of the under-pile in their coats, which I do not recollect to have existed in the latter, would lead me to believe that the Bedlington has been resorted to ; but the body coat is too hard and wiry to induce the belief that this dog and the smooth fox-terrier are alone responsible for " Venture," " Turpin," and Oo. The dog attains maturity so soon that several crosses may be carried out in a very few years, and a new breed can thus be manufactured to order by any single 92 DOMESTICATED DOGS. individual, certainly within ten years, and generally in half that time, always supposing that its elementary points are already in existence. No dog is more available as a young man's companion than the subject of the present article, but he is not so well suited to the ladies' room, as his coat is apt to come off and disfigure her dress and carpet. With the single exception of the coat, the points of the rough fox-terrier resemble those of the smooth, and I need hot therefore repeat them here. It is only necessary to substitute the above description of his coat for that given in the points of the smooth dog at page 87. The numerical value is the same. XII.— THE SCOTCH TERMER. In the present day no such breed as the above is recognised at our shows, where the only representatives of it are shown, first, when used for sporting purposes as rough fox-terriers, and, secondly, as toys which no doubt have been carefully bred from the original by selecting those possessed of the most lady-like coats and of the most beautiful blue and fawn colours. In Ireland a terrier exactly resembling him is preserved and prized as he deserves, and may be considered to have, phoenix-like, risen from the ashes of the Scotch terrier. " Peto," the dog I selected twenty years ago to represent the breed, was absolutely bred in Scotland, and a better vermin-killing animal I never saw. I bred from him and a beagle bitch several litters for retrieving purposes, which they fulfilled extremely well; but as his ears were cropped, I have no knowledge of what would have been their shape when entire, nor, indeed, was the resultant cross left uncropped, as I preferred preserving the terrier character as then known rather than that of the beagle. THE SCOTCH TERRIER. 93 Up to the year 1875 an attempt was made to keep the breed before the public by nominally allotting to it a class ; but when „the prizes in it always fell to such dogs as Mrs. Foster's "Dun- dreary" and Miss Alderson's "Mozart," as was the case in 1873, the class was abandoned and special ones constituted for wire- haired terriers, to exclude the Halifax strain, which was defined ' Peto," a Scotch Terrier. as " broken-haired." But alas for our poof Scottish friend ! No sooner was the nationality dropped than Mr. Sanderson's rough breed of fox-terriers came to the front, and since that time they have kept there. As I have already remarked, I know little difference between them and the old-fashioned Scotchman, but in any case, for show purposes the latter breed is extinct. 94 DOMESTICATED DOGS. The portrait drawn for me by Mr. Wells in 1848 is a very good one, with the exception of the face, which is not quite characteristic about the jaw ; but I possess a coloured lithograph, published nearly forty years ago, of the Scotch terrier of that day, which exactly represents " Peto's " head, and, barring the ears and the colour, which was black and tan in both, would pass muster for the head of an Irish terrier of the year 1879. As this dog has never in the present day a class allotted to him, no scale of points has been drawn up, and it would be useless to do so as long as he is practically extinct. XIII.— THE IRISH TERRIER. For a long time I resisted the strong applications of several Irish friends to admit this dog as a breed distinct from the old Scotch terrier, to which I have just alluded. As, however, I find it, without doubt, highly valued in Ireland, and as it is really a well-shaped and useful-looking animal, I was at last induced to allow of his occupying a niche in the canine temple of fame, and to accept the scale of points, with their description, drawn up by a committee of Irish breeders of this dog, and signed by them. I do not quite agree with the numerical scale of points, as I see no reason for attaching more value to the head of this dog than to that of the fox-terrier ; but as I hold the committee responsible, and keep clear of all responsibility on the subject, I think it better to insert their scale and description as received from them. Mr. E. G. Ridgway of Waterford, as chairman of the above committee, has been most prominent in the above undertaking, and as he has been backed by two dozen Irish breeders and exhibitors, such unanimity may claim our adhesion, for, I believe THE IRISH TERRIER. 95 it would be almost impossible to get twenty-five English signa- tures to any similar document. Mr. Pirn's " Spuds," their most successful prize-winner, has a head so exactly resembling the coloured lithograph above-mentioned, in all but colour, that I defy any one to point out the slightest difference. Even his ears are cropped exactly to the same pattern, and, in fact, the litho might be a photo in point of accuracy. Mr. Eidgway states that the breed has been known in Ireland for fifty or sixty years ; but so has a similar one in Scotland, and I certainly possessed a specimen more than fifty years ago. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this breed now exists in Green Erin, and is prized there, as it certainly deserves ; and as a consequence I introduce it here with all honour, except as to portraiture, inasmuch as the engraving of " Peto " may well serve to illustrate both breeds. Scale of points of the Irish terrier, drawn up by Mr. Eidgway and signed by a committee of twenty-four : — VALUE Head, 20 Ears and eyes, . 5 Nose, . . • S Muzzle and jaws, . . 10 Teeth, 5 Total, . .100 Head. — Long and rather narrow across the skull, flat on the top, and perfectly free from stop or wrinkle. Ears and eyes. — Ears when uncut, small and filbert-shaped, and lying close to the head; in colour somewhat darker than the rest of the body. Hair wiry, thin, short, without fringe. Eyes small, keen, and of a hazel colour. Nose black. The muzzle and jaws long, strong, and rather pointed, but strong in make, without loose flesh or chop; VALUE Neck and chest, . . 10 Back, loin, and general shape, . • 15 Legs and feet, IO Colour and coat, 20 96 DOMESTICATED DOGS. Teeth perfectly level and even. Neck and chest. — Neck tolerably long and well arched. Chest muscular, and rather deep, hut not wide. Bach, loin, and general shape. — Back moderately long and strong, with ribs well sprung. Loin strong, and well knit to the hack and couples. General shape symmetrical. Legs and feet. — Legs moderately long, with plenty of both bone and muscle. Fore-legs well set into the shoulders, and perfectly straight. Hind-legs strong and rather straight at the stifles. Legs all round covered with short hair, not quite so long as that on the body. Feet strong, moderately round, but with toes well split, and by preference with black toe-nails. Colour and coat- — The colour most desired is red, the brighter the better, next to which comes wheaten or yellow, then grey. Brindle is considered bad, as indicating a bull-cross. The coat must be hard, rough, and wiry, without any curl. If shaggy, soft, or silky, an impure cross is to be strongly suspected. The tail, if uncut, curves gaily, but without any ring. There should be no bushiness or feather. Weight from 1 7 lbs. to 2 5 lbs. XIV.— THE SKYE TERRIER. Few breeds have excited more controversy during the last twenty years than the Skye terrier. In the year i860 I judged the tenders at Birmingham, and in a Scotch class, for which none of that breed were exhibited, I gave the first prize to a very beautiful white dog of the Hon. W. W. Vernon's, and the second to a dog imported by Major Irving, with a coat as curly and woolly as any Southdown sheep. Hereupon a controversy arose at the dinner-table, Major Irving alleging that his dog actually came from Skye, whereas Mr. Vernon did not claim more than THE SKYE TERRIER. 97 a descent from the island several generations back. My deci- sion was mainly founded on the woolly coat, which I believed then, and am since supported in that belief, to be by no means typical, but rather the contrary : while viewing the breed as toys, there can be no question that the straight and shining coat of the modern strain is far more beautiful than the woolly, matted coat of Major Irving's protege\ In the South of England, and £P ■^ ;>. •^% ■--Z-. i..^"^^ Skyea — Prick-eared and Drop-eared. notably in London, the former had long been considered to be the correct one, and I had seen many splendid specimens imported from Skye possessing it in a marked degree. Hence I acted on my previous opinions, and consider that I was quite justified in 98 DOMESTICATED DOGS. so doing ; but I am not so sure about the colour (white), which I have never since that time met with in a purely bred animal, and which I had previously tabooed in the first edition of this book, then just published. At the same time, I defined the coat as " long and straight, hard, and not silky, parted down the back, and nearly reaching the ground on each side, without the slightest curl or resemblance to wool." When, therefore, my definition of the proper colour was quoted, I was able to retort on the coat, and putting one against the other, I held my own pretty well. " Quilick," the original of my former illustration, was the son of imported parents, and when in full coat (which he was not at the time Mr. Wells drew his portrait), was a very handsome dog. I remember well his owner attempting to persuade Mr. Wells to draw on his imagination in this respect, but, like Mr. Baker, he would only copy what was before him, and the truthfulness of his work is quite as much to be relied on as that of the latter gentleman. Anyhow, the discussion waxed warm after the Birmingham Show, but it was mild in comparison with the subsequent terrific fights in relation to the same breed, as well as the Dandie, the fox-terrier, and the Bedlington. For some years after Skyes were introduced in any number, the exhibits were confined to the drop-eared variety, which alone was prized in the South. At length, owing mainly to the exer- tions of Mr. H. Martin of Glasgow, a separate class was allotted to the two divisions, which cannot well be judged one against the other in the same class, and I shall, therefore, follow the prece- dent thus established. During the year 1875, Mr. Gordon Murray attempted to force his own notions of the Skye on the doggy world, but without much success, in spite of the circumstantial way in which he supported his ideas. The portrait published by him as the real Simon Pure was so unfortunately ugly, that it certainly required a strong THE SKYE TERRIER. 99 1 backer to induce the British public to take him up, and Mr. Gordon Murray's backbone was not stiff enough, if we may judge from the results. Anyhow, I shall ignore his definitions alto- gether, and describe the two breeds without any bias towards his " Mogstads," " Drynocks," or " Camusennaries," by which out- landish names he distinguished his breeds. (A) THE SMOOTH SKYE TERRIER. Taking first the smooth Skye terrier, we may distinguish him from all other British dogs by his great length as compared with his height, which distinction he shares with the dachshund, and the now extinct turnspit. Each of these breeds when extended should measure from tip of nose to tip of tail 3 J times the height, though of course many well-bred animals fall short of propor- tion in this respect. In his native island he is said to be very useful for vermin, but in this country he is only used as a lady's pet, being mild in temper, very clean in his habits, and as free from skin-smell as a long-haired dog can possibly be, there being, indeed, few dogs, whether rough or smooth, superior to him in this respect. It is, however, very difficult to keep his coat from matting, and the trouble attending it has been a great drawback to his general introduction as a drawing-room pet. It is often alleged that the Skye terrier originated from a cross with a poodle belonging to a French vessel wrecked on the island. I confess I have no great faith in any history, but in " doggy " chronicles none whatever unless chapter and verse can be given. Points of the drop-eared Skye terrier : — VALUE VALCJ5 Head, . 15 Coat, length, IO Ears and eyes, 10 „ texture, IO Length of body and neok, 15 Colour, 5 Legs and feet, 10 Symmetry, . 15 Carriage of tail, . 10 Total, ioo DOMESTICATED DOGS. The head is smaller than it looks from the length of the coat covering it. To judge of its size, the hair must be smoothed down or wetted. It is really rather a narrow head than other- wise, flat at the top, with little or no brow. Nose rather long and pointed. Top of nose black or very dark brown, as well as roof of mouth. Teeth level and strong. Ears and eyes. — The ears are set on high, but not absolutely pricked; not large in leather, being about 3 inches down the cheek in a dog of average size. The hair on them is much longer, and, with that from the eyebrows and cheeks, falls over the eyes so as to completely conceal them, the dog peering through the hair as through a sieve. In this variety, of course, the fall of the ears is quite distinct from the erect position of the other. Eyes of medium size, in colour brown, sometimes light, at others dark, according to the colour of the coat. They always have a keen and sharp expression when the hair is separated so as to get at them. Length of body and neck. — As above remarked, the length from tip to tip should be 3 \ times the height at the shoulders. The neck in itself is long. In spite of this great length, the neck and back are muscular, and the ribs are rounded like a barrel, and the back ribs deep to the very last. The shoulders are strong and the points wide apart. Height about 9 inches, length about 30 to 33 inches. Many dogs are 10 inches high and long in proportion. Legs and feet. — As this dog is seldom actually employed at work, no great value is set on his legs and feet, but, nevertheless, the former ought to be set on straight without any turning out at the elbows, and the feet should be cat-like and well clothed with hair. No dew-claws are admitted by breeders. THE SKYE TERRIER. 101 The carriage of tail must be low, but with a slight sweep in it. It is of course raised when the dog is excited. The coat in length should nearly but nob quite touch the ground, and should not completely conceal the shape. In texture there should be an outer one of straight, coarse, but shiny hair, parted naturally down the back. Beneath this is an under coat of a soft and half- woolly nature, which keeps out water as well as that of the otter-hound. On the head there is none of this wool, and when wetted the coat adheres closely to the skin. Many imported dogs have a very woolly outside coat, like that of Major Irving's above described, but this is not liked in England. The colours most approved of are blue, black, or grizzle, after which comes silver grey tipped with brown, and then fawn tipped with brown. The symmetry of this dog is not usually very great, but it should be criticised closely nevertheless. " Quilick," whose por- trait accompanies this article, exhibits this point in a degree scarcely up to the average. (B) THE PKICK-EARED SKYE. This variety has a much larger and squarer head, united with a shorter body, being, in fact, little different in these proportions from the Dandie, except that the head is even larger in proportion than in that dog. With the exception of these variations and that of his ears, the subject of my present article is like the pre- vious one, and the points also are identical in value, the dif- ferences in shape, &c, being as follows : — The head is larger, more square and Dandie-like than that of the prick-eared dog. The coat covering it is not so long over the eyes and brows, but the beard is somewhat more marked. The eyes are rather smaller in proportion to the head. I02 DOMESTICATED DOGS. The body is shorter by fully one-fourth, the proportions being to height in this variety as barely three to one. The coat is rougher, that is to say, it does not lie so smoothly, and it does not part naturally down the back, as is the case with the drop-ear. The ears are large, pointed, and erect, with a good deal of hair on them, ending in a lynx-like tuft on their tips, which is pecu- liar to this breed of dogs. They should stand straight up without any outward inclination. The rest of the leather is covered with short hair, rather silky than hard. The colours are generally dark grizzle or badger brown, with the tips of the ears approaching to black. Sometimes a reddish fawn with darker tips is met with, but it is not so much ap- proved of. XV.— THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER. Almost all well-known breeds have altered in appearance more or less within the half-century during which I have been con- versant with them, but in no one instance have I seen such fluctuations in shape as in the subject of the present article. From the evidence afforded by Landseer's well-known accuracy, the original possessed by Sir "Walter Scott was a long, low, little dog, of a purely terrier type, and with small terrier ears, falling like those of the fox-terrier, though somewhat larger in leather. The chest is by no means wide, and there is very little to remark on as typical of the breed. There is certainly a slight top-knot, but there is no approach to the modern development, which now almost equals that of the Irish water- spaniel. An exact counter- part of Landseer's embodiment is familiar to my memory as belonging to a friend of mine forty-four years ago, and the dog THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER. 103 was said by him to have been brought from Scotland with the statement that he was of the pure breed. In the early days of dog shows, such different types of this variety were exhibited that Southern fanciers were much puzzled; and in 1867 Mr. Matthias Smith, who judged the class at Birmingham, refused to give any prize, alleging that the whole lot were mongrels. On this daring act ensued a paper war, maintained with great bold- " Rough" and "Puck," Dandies. ("Pdok" bred by Dr. Brown.) ness by Mr. Smith, who adduced certain cogent facts in support of his opinions; among others, the existence of the Landseer picture, and also of a breed in his own possession, which, however, he stated to have "prick ears." This slip brought down. on him the whole force of his opponents, and he was silenced for a time, though with a little qualification he might have held that he meant by the term to distinguish the proper ear (according to his 104 DOMESTICATED DOGS. view) from the _ large falling; hound-like ear of Mr. Mellor's " Bandy," which was among the disqualified class. Now I cer- tainly could, not entirely agree with Mr. Smith's opinion when published in 1 867-68, but he has lately resuscitated the subject, after having examined into the evidence in existence over the Border, and has published the following letter in " The Field " of November 1 6 : — THE DANDIE DINMONT. Sir, — I must ask you kindly to allow me space in your next issue for a few remarks, which cannot, I take it, fail to be of interest to those of your readers who have an interest in, and care for, the, dog called the Dandie Dinmont. It is because of late there has been much division of opinion as to what is, or what is not, the true and genuine breed of this particular dog, that I the more readily venture to state my own opinion on the matter. It will be in the recollection of most dog-fanciers that for two years in succession I had the pleasure of being one of the judges at the Birmingham Show, and also that I did, with my brother judges, disqualify and refuse to award prizes to certain dogs entered as Dandies. It is not now my intention to put myself on the defence because the course I took as a judge did not meet with the entire approval of sundry exhibitors and others, nor is it my intention to attempt to reply to the one-sided and palpably false argumentative reasoning which has since appeared in public correspondence on the subject ; but my sole object in addressing you is to give your readers the benefit of my experience and opinion, at the same time adducing statements of facts which no dis- passionate dog-fancier can possibly gainsay or deny. I would beg, then, that members of the Dandie Club, and Dandie fanciers generally, would either admit that my opinion is entirely the correct one, or, if not correct, show in a truthful and logical way that it is an erroneous one. The position, then, which I take is this : That the so-called Dandies which are constantly receiving prizes at our leading dog shows are not of the pure Dandie Dinmont breed, but are mongrels. I admit that I have devoted much time, thought, and money to make myself familiar with the numerous varieties called Dandies, and I generally allow that those judges whose knowledge of the Dandie is not so matured as my own ought not altogether to be blamed ; but if they persist in hugging ignor- ance, and pandering to that which ought to give way to an exact and true knowledge of the matter which is really within their reach, then indeed blame is their deserved portion. It is pitiable to note that from time to time THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER. 105 prizes have been awarded to dogs which differed from each other on points which admit of no difference whatever in the case of dogs of a pure and special breed ; and I am prepared to say that from time to time standards of excellence for these "hybrid" Dandies have been made so as to suit the particular animal owned by the fanciers ; and this, too, with the idea of carrying out to a greater degree the determination of some that this so-called Dandie shall be regarded as the true breed of Dandie. Further, I would say that certain gentlemen, in order to establish a breed peculiar to their own fanciful imaginations, have invented from time to time pedigrees worked out, as it would appear, from certain celebrated kennels ; indeed, so far has this gone, that many now come to regard these prize hybrids as belonging to the true and original breed of Dandies as mentioned by Sir Walter Scott in his " Guy Mannering." Never was there a greater error, and I take it that the time has come when we should try once more to raise up amongst us the true breed of the Dandie Dinmont, and repudiate as unquestionable mongrels the bandy-legged, out-elbowed dogs which too often, alas ! take off the prizes which should properly go to the genuine breed. Who does not remember the description given by Sir Walter Scott of old Davidson's dogs, which he prided himself so much on, especially the terriers Peppers and Mustards ; and then, further on in the story, how it is stated that " the Deuke himself has sent as far as Charlie's Hope to get ane o' Dandy Dinmont's Pepper and Mustard terriers " ? Now, it would seem to me that those dogs were not what the hybrid Dandies of the present day are ; for, as he says, " I had them a' regularly entered, first wi' rottens (rats), then wi' stots (weasels), and then wi' the tods (foxes) and brocks (badgers) ; and now they fear nothing that ever cam' wi' a hairy skin on't." When in Scotland a few weeks since, I made a point of going to Abbotsford, where, as your readers are aware, is the portrait of a Dandie Dinmont painted by the late Sir Edwin Landseer, which dog, when alive, belonged to the late Sir Walter Scott. I affirm that this dog was never the same dog as the mongrel Dandie prize-dog of to-day. Some of your readers may also be aware that Mr. H. Bradshaw Smith, of Blackwood House, Ecclefechan, " the best authority, perhaps, in the world," had a pure Dandie Dinmont terrier from old Davidson, and, when this dog died, had it stuffed. I have seen this dog, and I say of this, as in the case of Sir Walter's dog painted by Sir E. Landseer, that it is totally different from the sc-called Dandie of to-day. It is further stated that this gentleman has in his kennels a great many dogs descended in a direct line from the Charlie's Hope kennels of Peppers and Mustards. These dogs 1 have seen and carefully examined, and my opinion respecting them is similar to that above expressed concerning Landseer's painting of Scott's Dandy and Mr. Bradshaw Smith's " stuffed " one. Further 106 DOMESTICATED DOGS. in support of my argument, I may say that I have seen a Dandie stuffed called Old Pepper, which belonged to Mr. Pat. Lang, banker, at Selkirk. Dogs owned by Mr. Locke, of Selkirk ; by Mr. Scott, of Jedburgh ; by Mr. Miller, "a prize taker," of Moffat ; numbers owned, of different strains, by small and limited fanciers— all without one exception differ entirely from the portrait at Abbotsford and the " stuffed " one at Blackwood House. Further in support of my argument, some of the oldest breeders of the so-called Dandies admit they are mongrels, and not " pure," because it is quite a chance if in a litter of their pups one will find two alike. Matthias Smith. 125 Hyde Pakk Road, Leeds. Entirely concurring as I do with the above opinions, and having previously stated almost exactly similar ones in " The Field," I think it desirable to adduce Mr. Smith's testimony, though I con- fess I do not attach any great importance to the question of purity, nor to the Walter Scott type as the ideal of perfection. Still, if fanciers desire the original breed in all its pristine purity I agree with Mr. Smith that it is not presented to them among the prize-takers at our modern shows. But granting, as I think we must, that the modern Dandie is not purely descended from the old Teviot strain, it becomes a question what cross has been employed to produce the change. Now the variation is — (i) in ear; (2) in length of body; (3) in width of chest and bandiness of fore-legs; and (4) in temperament; and when we find all these points combined in the dachshund and in no other breed, it is a natural consequence that we should come to the conclusion that recourse has been at some time had to the latter as a cross, possibly not intentionally but from accident. But not being like Mr. Smith, quixotic enough to expect breeders of the Dandie to set to work afresh with a view to resuscitate his original shape, I am content to take him as I find him in the kennels of Mr. Bradshaw Smith, Mr. James Locke; and other well-known breeders, and, excepting with his peculiar ; THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER. 107 temperament, I have no quarrel whatever with the dog of the present day. But of this I certainly complain ; for I have found the breed as utterly unmanageable as the dachshund when once on the scent of fur. While residing in Worcestershire in the year 1865, I reared "Ehoderick Dhu," given me when a puppy by Mr. Macdona, and attempted to break him as a rabbit dog, but could never get the slightest control over him when on bunny's scent. Whether in covert or hedgerow, he would persevere until actually restrained by force ; and if he once got into a wood, it was hopeless to expect to recover him until he was compelled by hunger and exhaustion to leave off. No punishment had the slightest effect, and at length I gave up the task of breaking him as hopeless, parting with him as a show dog to Mr. Murchison, from whom I again obtained him in con- sequence of his bandy fore-legs forbidding his reaching premier honours. His end was that I lost him on Wimbledon Common, where he got on a rabbit scent, and worked it out in the scrub, regardless of voice, whistle, and every possible effort on my part to recall him. He had a mortal enmity to foxes also, and once killed five cubs in about as many minutes, to my great horror. Now such a temperament, however " varmint " it may "be con- sidered, is a bore and a nuisance, and for real use such a dog as " Ehoderick Dhu " would be quite out of the question. Mr. Bradshaw Smith's and Mr. Locke's pets are, however, not much employed in this way, and, as companionable dogs, if kept away from vermin, &c, they are unobjectionable in every way. It is, therefore, in the latter capacity that they are judged in the present day, and as such I shall consider them in the following description, commencing with their scale of points as originally "laid down by the Club specially organised for the improvement of the breed. io 8 DOMESTICATED DOGS. Points of the Dandie Dinraont : — Head, . Eyes, . Ears, Neck, . Body, . Tail, VALUE VALUE IO . Legs and feet, IO 5 Coat, . 15 5 Colour, 5 5 Size and weight, . IO 20 General appearance, IO 5 Total, The head is large, skull broad' across the ears, but tapering towards the eyes, being, however, nearly square in its after surface. The forehead is domed. The whole head is covered with soft silky hair, which is specially long between the eyes, constituting a distinct top-knot. The cheeks are very full, owing to the size of the muscles of the jaws, and the jaws taper forward, but are cut off quite square, with level teeth. The hair on the jaws is harder and darker than the top-knot, and the lighter in colour and silkier it is the better. The cheeks, starting from the ears pro- portionately with the skull, have a gradual taper towards the muzzle, which is deep and strongly made, and measures about 3 inches in length, or in proportion to skull as 3 to 5. The muzzle is covered with hair of a little darker shade than the top^knot, and of the same texture as the feather of the fore-legs. The top of the muzzle is generally bare for about an inch from the black part of the nose, the bareness coming to a point towards the eye, and being about an inch broad at the nose. The nose and inside of mouth black or dark coloured. The teeth very strong, especially the canine, which are of extraordinary size for such a small dog. The canines fit well into each other, so as to give the greatest available holding and punishing power, and the teeth are level in front, the upper ones very slightly overlapping the under ones. [Many of the finest specimens have a " swine THE DANDIE DIN MONT TERRIER. 109 mouth," which is very objectionable ; but it is not so great an objection as the protrusion of the under jaw.] Eyes set wide apart, large, full, round, bright, expressive of great determination, intelligence, and dignity ; set low and prominent in front of the head ; colour a rich dark hazel. Ears large and pendulous, set well back, wide apart and low on the skull, hanging close to the cheek, with a very slight projec- tion at the base, broad at the junction of the head, and tapering almost to a point, the fore part of the ear tapering very little, the taper being mostly on the back part, the fore part of the ear coming almost straight down from its junction with the head to the tip. They are covered with a soft, straight brown hair (in some cases almost black), and have a thin feather of light hair starting about 2 inches from the tip, and of nearly the same colour and texture as the top-knot, which gives the ear the appearance of a distinct point. The animal is often one or two years old before the feather is shown. The cartilage and skin of the ear should not be thick, but rather thin. Length of ear, from 3 to 4 inches. Neck. — Very muscular, well developed, and strong, showing- great power of resistance, being well set into the shoulders. Body. — Long, strong, and flexible ; ribs well sprung and round ; chest well developed and let well down between the fore legs ; the back rather low at the shoulder, having a slight downward curve and a corresponding arch over the loins, with a very slight gradual droop from top of loins to root of tail ; both sides of backbone well supplied with muscle. Tail — Rather short, say from 8 inches to 10 inches, and covered on the upper side with wiry hair of darker colour than that of the body, the hair on the under side being lighter in colour and not so wiry, with a nice feather about' 2 inches no DOMESTICATED DOGS. lone, getting shorter as it nears the tip : rather thick at the root, getting thicker for ahout 4 inches, then tapering off to a point. It should not be twisted or curled in any way, but should come up with a regular curve like a scimitar, the tip when excited being in a perpendicular line with the root of the tail. It should neither be set on too high nor too low. When not excited it is carried gaily, and a little above the level of the body. Legs and feet. — The fore-legs short, with immense muscular de- velopment and bone, set wide apart, the chest coming well down between them. The feet well formed, and not fiat, with very strSng brown or dark-coloured claws. Bandy legs and flat feet are objectionable, but may be avoided, the bandy legs by the use of splints when young, and the flat feet by exercise, and a dry bed and floor to kennel. The hair on the fore-legs and feet of a blue dog should be tan, varying, according to the body colour, from a rich tan to a full fawn ; if a mustard dog, they are of a darker shade than its head, which is a creamy white. In both colours there is a nice feather about 2 inches long, rather lighter in colour than the hair on the fore part of the leg. The hind-legs are a little longer than the fore ones, and are set rather wide apart, but not spread out in an unnatural manner, while the feet are much smaller. The thighs are well developed, and the hair of the same colour and texture as the fore ones, but having no feather or dew- claws. The whole claws should be dark, but the claws of all vary- in shade according to the colours of the head. [Nearly all Dandie Dinmont terriers have some white on the chest, and some have also white claws.J Size and weight. — The height should be from 8 inches to 1 1 ' inches at the top of shoulder. Length from top of shoulder .to root of tail should not be more than twice the dog's height, but, preferably, 1 or 2 inches less. Weight from 14 lbs. to 24 lbs.;' THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER. m the best weight as near 18 lbs. as possible. These weights are for dogs in good working order. Several slight additions have been made to the above by the Club since the code was first published, founded on Mr. Bradshaw Smith's notes ; but I do not think them of sufficient importance to embody them. At the present time (December 1878), the war between Mr. Matthias Smith and the modern breeders is waging fiercely, and, as far as it has yet gone, he has the best of it, being supported by the following letter in " The Field " of December 7, 1878, from a Mr. Davison, who was formerly a Border man, but has left the North more than forty years : — Sir, — I, as rather more than a sexagenarian and a Border man, and one who in almost his childhood took up with Dandies, can, I think, throw some light on the origin of the Dandies by Mr. Davidson. The Border " muggers " were great breeders of terriers — the Andersons on the English side, and the Faas and Camells on the Scotch side. In their perambulations they generally met once or twice a year at Long Horsley, Rochester (the ancient Bremnium of the Romans), Alwinton, or some other Border village. If they could not get a badger, they got a foumart, wild cat, or hedgehog, at which to try their dogs. The trials generally ended in a general dog fight, which led to a battle royal amongst the tribes represented. This afterwards led to a big drink and exchange of dogs. Jack Anderson, the head of the tribe, had a red bitch, who for badger-drawing, cat, foumart, or hedgehog killing, beat all the dogs coming over the Border. Geordy Faa, of Yethom, had a wire-haired dog terrier, the terror not only of all the other terriers in the district, but good at badger, fox, or foumart. They met at Alwinton, where Willy and Adam Bell (noted terrier breeders) had brought a badger they had got hold of at Weaford, near the Cheviots. Both the red bitch and other black terriers drew the badger every time they were put in. " Jock Anderson," says Geordy, " the dogs should be mated ; let us have a grand drink, the man first doon to lose his dog." " Done," says Jock. They sent for the whisky, which never paid the King's duty, to Nevison's at the little house, having agreed to pay two shillings a quart for it. Down they sat on the green, fair drinking ; in eighteen hours Jock tumbled off the cart-shafts, and Geordy started off with the dogs. They were mated, and produced the first Pepper and Mustards, which were presented by Geordy to Mr. Davidson (Dandie Dinmont of " Guy Mannering "). Strange II2 DOMESTICATED DOGS. to say, the produce were equally the colour of pepper and mustard. The last pair I saw of what I considered perfect Dandies were Robert Donkin's, at Ingrain, near Alnwick, just before I left the North in 1838. I'have been at shows, but could never identify any Dandies shown as at all like the original breed belonging to the Telfords of Blind Burn, the Elliots of Cottonshope, the Donkins of Ingram, and other Border 1 farmers. I am not a doggy man, but like to see all old breeds kept distinct. J. Davison. Andoveb, December 2. Thus we have the evidence of Mr. Matthias Smith, founded on a comparison of portraits and stuffed skins with modern dogs, my own opinion, depending on the portrait and a specimen sent southwards to a friend of mine forty years ago, and the above letter from Mr. Davison, all tending to prove that the modern show Dandie is not identical with the original breed. I have thrown out a suggestion that the latter, supposing it to exist, is due to a cross with the dachshund, but this is indignantly- denied by Mr. Bradshaw Smith, who maintains that it is quite impossible to have been effected without his knowledge, and that he is positive no such cross has taken place. It is certainly very remarkable that the peculiarities of the dachshund (bodily and mental) should be so fully marked as they are in the Dandie of the present day, and that they should be exactly those points in which the latter differs, or is said to differ, from the old breed. Extra length of body, bandy fore-legs, a peculiar turn of the stifles, a high loin, and long ears are all 'bodily characteristics of the two breeds, while the want of control over the hunting tendency is equally marked as a mental peculiarity. It is, however, treason to whisper such a suspicion among Dandie fanciers, and so I shall beg my readers to consider the above- unwritten, and to accept the dicta of the Dandie Club, with Mr. Bradshaw Smith as their authority, as being incontrovertible, in spite of all the proof that can be brought against them. THE ENGLISH TERRIER. ii3" XVI.— THE ENGLISH TERRIER. ' " Lady," an English Terrier, the Property of 0. Morrison of Walham Green. England has been noted for its terriers as long as we have any reliable record of our native breeds of dogs. Until the time of Daniel, who published his celebrated book on " Eural Sports " in 1 80 1, no particular colour was attached to the breed, but he describes " black and tan " as its peculiar attribute, and since his day 9 5 per cent, of the smooth terriers kept in- this country are of that colour. As in all breeds of this colour, occasionally one or two red puppies are met with, and even in the best strains more rarely a blue and fawn one will appear. White and parti- coloured English terriers are also not uncommon, but they are not prized, though the classes for " white English terriers " at H ii 4 DOMESTICATED DOGS. our shows are generally occupied by specimens more or less approaching the proper type in form. In the present day, our English terrier, to be en regie, must be either black and tan, and is then called the Manchester terrier, or pure white. The latter , is much admired by a select few, but the former prevails to a much greater extent throughout the country, Manchester, however, being still the headquarters of the breed. Since the successive advent into fashion of the Dandie, the Skye, and the fox-terrier, and to a lesser extent of the Bedlington and the Halifax terriers, the old English dbg has fallen into comparative insignificance ; but this is purely a matter of fashion, for he was, without doubt, in former times fully the equal of each and all the above-mentioned varieties,, in every point which goes to make up a companionable house-dog, as well as a dog useful out of doors for rabbit or vermin hunting. Un- fortunately, in the early part of this century, in order -to increase his elegance, recourse was had to the Italian greyhound, producing a cross intermediate between the two in shape, but retaining the delicacy of constitution and cowardice of the greyhound to such an extent as to make the dog unfit for the purposes to which young men generally put their pets. This little dog was then generally known as the spider-terrier, but he is now altogether out of fashion ; the ladies, who greatly admired him at first, having discarded him in favour of the fox-terrier, which is certainly more in accordance with their Ulster coats than the poor little trembling animal who formerly shared their caresses with his foreign parent, the pug, or the Blenheim spaniel. Whether or not show English terriers of the present time still go back to the Italian, it is admitted that they are not so hardy and courageous as the fox-terrier, the Bedlington, or the Dandie, and consequently there may be some reason for the neglect of the THE ENGLISH TERRIER. 115 breed by the public at large. Still, as a house dog pure and simple, he is not to be surpassed, being clean in his habits, free from skin smell (though he is apt to have foul breath if not care- fully fed), and easily taught tricks ; but, on the other hand, he is apt to be jealous of all rivals, whether canine or human, and is not very particular in his attacks on his foes, whether he does injury with his teeth or not. His bark also is shrill and loud, and not very readily stopped, occasioning some considerable annoyance to -visitors entering the room where he is. It niay, therefore, be gathered that, in my opinion, the Manchester and white English terriers are not such desirable companions as several of the breeds which have supplanted them. I am not now alluding to the toy black and tan terrier, which will be described in his proper place, though it cannot be dis- puted that he is only a Manchester terrier reduced in size. The subject of these remarks is a dog of about the same weight as the fox-terrier, ranging usually from 10 or 12 lbs. up to 18 lbs., or a trifle more. The points of the black and tan terrier are as follows : — Head, . Jaws and teeth, Eyes, . Ears, . Neck and shoulders, Chest, . Loin, . Total, 100 The head has a narrow, long, and flat skull, with marked brows, but no great rise at that part. It gradually tapers from the ears to the nose. The skin covering it is tightly drawn over the bones, and shows no tendency to wrinkle. 4LUE 5 Legs, . 5 Feet, 5 Coat, . 5 Colour 10 Tail, . 10 Symmetry, 10 n6 DOMESTICATED DOGS. The jaws are long, tapering gradually from the cheeks, which should not be full and bulging, indicative of a bulldog cross. Teeth level, or, if anything, a trifle overhung. Nose perfectly black. The eyes are small, sharp, and expressive, the iris being so dark a brown as to look black without a close examination. Though small, they should be set level with the edge of the orbit, and neither below nor above its surface. The ears are almost invariably cropped, and that in a way to cause great pain to the dog, not only at the time, but for many weeks afterwards. In order to give a very sharp appearance, the leather is cut away almost level with the head, leaving a thin point standing up in a manner quite unnatural to the animal in any of his varieties. To do this requires a very good eye and some practice, but however well the operation is done, the wound will contract and pucker the slip left if daily attention is not paid to it, by removing the scabs' and stretching out the puckers ; the thin and sharp point shrinks into an unsightly crumpled lump, and instead of an appearance being presented of greater sharpness than before, the reverse is exhibited. Hopes have been entertained of late years that this jpractice of cropping would be abandoned in the case of these terriers, as has been done with the pug, but I see no indications of such a happy result ; and undoubtedly a Manchester terrier, however well made and marked, would be left out of the prize list by any of our judges if exhibited with his ears entire. The operation is not usually done till the puppy is six or seven months old, as until that time it is almost impossible to get the desired shape, and this makes it all the mqre painful, as by that time the cartilages have become hard, and a sharp pair of scissors must be used with considerable force to put through them. The natural ear is thin in well-bred dogs, and falls over THE ENGLISH TERRIER. 117 outwards, but seldom lies quite close to the cheeks, often exhibiting a tendency to the rose or tulip form, and the two ears seldom matching exactly. It is a great deal on this account, I think, that the practice of cropping is kept up, for very few dogs would show neat ears if left entire ; but when they are neat, they surely ought to be prized accordingly by the judges. The neck should be light, round, and with a greyhound-like turn from the occiput to the setting on to the shoulders, tapering very slightly downwards. The under surface must be quite tight and concave, approaching the form of the cock's thropple. The shoulders must be sloping, but they are not required to be muscular, as in the fox-terrier, whose digging powers are regarded as of considerable importance. The chest is deep, with an approach to the keel-shape of the greyhound, which it also resembles in its absence of width. The round barrel-like form of some strains arises from a bull cross, used to abrogate the evils of that attending on the cross of the Italian greyhound. The back ribs are often short, but good judges penalise this tendency. The loins should be round and slightly arched, the muscle being developed in good specimens under the spine as well as above it. The flank should not be too much cut up. The legs should be light of bone, set on quite straight, with elbows and hocks well let down, and stifles well bent. The fore- arms are muscular, but not excessively so, and the lower thighs are of the same character. The feet are compact and round but hare-like, with the toes well split up, and at the same time arched. The claws should be short and jet-black. The dew-claws are generally removed. The coat is fine, short, and glossy, but not soft. The colour (including markings) is regarded as more important n8 DOMESTICATED DOGS. than any other point by the breeders and fanciers of this terrier, to such an extent as to justify the allotment of 25 out of the 100 in the scale of points. Of course, in any breed intended to be judged for its suitability to work, such an allotment would be absurd, but in a fancy article there can be no argument held on this principle, and we must be content to accept the dicta of those who have the command of the market. These gentlemen hold, first, that the black must be jet without admixture with the tan or a single white hair ; secondly, the tan must be a" rich mahogany, defined distinctly by a marked and clear line where it meets the black. But these colours encroach on each other in the following way. The black is shown over the whole of the upper surfaces and sides, except a spot of tan over each eye on the brow, and another on each cheek, in both cases being set in a circle of black ; the tan also runs along the sides of the jaws backwards to the lower parts of the cheeks and ends in the throat. Examining the tan, we find it occupying all the lower parts of the body, the under sides of the ears, a spot on each side of the front of the chest, which it thereby shares with the black. The legs are tanned up to the knees and hocks outside and inside all the way up. The feet are entirely tan with the exception of a black line on each toe called " pencilling," while just above the foot and below the knee in front of the pastern a black mark called the " thumb-mark " is exhibited. These markings are regarded as of great importance, and of course puppies exhibiting them are carefully selected and bred from, but they are seldom shown till the second or third month. The clearer the black the higher the value accorded to them. The tail is of the tobacco-pipe order, strong at the root and tapering to a fine point like the sting of a bee. It must be curved down, a curl over the back being specially disliked. THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER. 119 Symmetry in a dog regarded only for his beauty is of course valued accordingly. (B) THE WHITE ENGLISH TEREIEB. This breed until very recently has fallen into neglect, but "within the last four or five years attempts have been made to resuscitate it, with some success. In the early days of shows, and notably at Islington in 1862, Mr. White of Clapham carried all before him with his strain of pure white English terriers, but after that time few good specimens were shown until 1876, when Mr. G-. Stables of Manchester came out with a strain superior in form to that of Mr. "White, and indeed exactly resembling the Manchester terrier in shape, with more hair than Mr. White's terriers possessed. His kennel had evidently been too much inbred, and probably owing to this cause the strain seems to have died out. This dog is judged by the same scale as the Manchester terrier, except that the 30 points unequally divided between coat and colour are here equally valued, each being allotted 15. A pure and opaque white is considered essential, without any ten- dency to pink or yellow, and the skin should be so well covered that no part is bare except the belly. The eyes, nose, and claws should be as dark as in the Manchester dog. XVII.— THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER. Until within the last ten or twelve years this breed was un- known beyond the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmoreland, and it was long before the general public would 120 DOMESTICATED DOGS. admit its existence as a separate one. Even its chief admirers do not profess that it is much older than the Dandie, and only date it eighty years back or thereabouts, when it is said to have been originated from the mating of a dog " Piper," belonging to Mr. Anderson, with " Phoebe," the property of a Mr, Coates, the produce of which was " Young Piper," bred by Mr. Ainsley of Bedlington, whence the breed was continued and derived its name. ' Ttneside," Bedlington Terrier, the Property of T. J. Pickett, Neweastle-on-Tyne. The pedigrees of " Piper " and " Phoebe " have been hunted up, and are given back for several generations; but all "doggy" men know what value to attach to such prehistoric testimonials. THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER. 121 Excepting in the case of foxhounds, I confess I have little faith in them — even those of greyhounds — until the time of " Thacker," being in many instances unreliable. As Mr. Dalziel (himself a North-countryman) has remarked, if such a breed had existed in the time of Bewick, who was a native of Newcastle, surely he would have noticed its existence, and its absence from his History of British Quadrupeds is certainly an argument in favour of its modern creation. No other terrier at all resembles the Bedlington, which is a leggy dog, with hound-like ears, and at the first glance seems to be a cross between a greyhound and an otter-hound. He is very quarrelsome, and is said to be extremely plucky. Of these qualities those who have seen a class exhibited on overcrowded benches must be convinced, for in many cases dogs allowed two or three inches too much chain have half-killed each other during the first night of their being put together. Whether this kind of pugnacity could induce its possessor to face a badger in his earth, I do not pretend to say, but jprimd facie it is an argument in favour of high pluck. My own experience of the breed is nil, never having had one in my possession; but the evidence in support of their courage is beyond dispute. Still I am not aware that there is any reason to suppose it higher in them than in the Dandie or fox-terrier of a good strain, and the Bedlington must be taken to be merely an average representative of the terrier tribe in point of courage, or perhaps a little above that level. In the South his " soft " appearance for a long time set every one against him, but at last it is generally admitted that in his case, at least, appearances are deceptive. The numerical value of the points of this dog is as follows, according to the scale of the Bedlington Club : — DOMESTICATED DOGS. VALUE i 7 AHJ Head, IO Body (chest, ribs, and loin), 20 Jaws, • 5 Legs, . 5 Teeth, 5 Feet, S Ears, 5 Coat, IO Eyes, 5 Colour, 5 Nose, 5 Tail, . S Neck and shoulders, IO Size and weight, 5 Total, . ioo The head is long and wedge-shaped, resembling in this respect the English terrier, but with a greater proportion of jaw to skull than in that breed. There is a marked brow to the skull, and also a high occipital protuberance. The jaws are long, but not so pointed as in the English terrier. The teeth are large and regular, generally even, if not over- shot. An undershot mouth is objected to. The ears are longer than in any other terrier, filbert-shaped and lying close to the cheeks. They are set on low, and have a hound-like appearance, which has supported the theory of the otter-hound derivation. They are clothed with fine hair, slightly fringed at the edges. The eyes are always of a light brown, varying in shade with the colour of the coat. In sandy and liver- coated dogs the brown is a light hazel, while in the blues it has a yellower shade. In shape and size they are small, deeply sunk, and placed close together, with the long axis of each in the same line. The nose is large and fleshy. In colour it varies with that of the coat, being pink in the sandy and liver dogs, and black in the blues, whether whole blues or blue and tans. Neck and shoulders. — There is nothing remarkable in these points, except that the neck should be of fair length, and not THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER. 123 weak, as it is apt to be. Shoulders not loaded with wide blades. Body (chest, ribs, and loin). — The chest is rather deep, long, and flat, with shallow back ribs in many otherwise good speci- mens. Loin arched and rising above the level of the tops of the shoulder-blades ; very muscular, and with the greyhound- like continuation of the long dorsal muscles well-formed, con- necting powerfully the loin and chest. Hips wide, but not ragged. The legs are small in bone and not very muscular, generally set on straight, with elbows rather high. Hocks also high and stifles somewhat straight. The feet are large and rather flat, indicative of the otter-hound descent. Claws strong and following the colour of the nose. The coat is somewhat peculiar, resembling tangled flax in appearance and texture, and is hence called "linty." It is very open, and generally without much curl, but there is always a slight wave ; and being always more or less tangled, there is an appearance of curl at first sight, which on closer examination is seen to be a deception. Among the soft and fine hairs there are generally scattered a few coarse ones, but the fewer the better. The colours are (1) blue or slate; (2) blue and tan; (3) liver; (4) liver and tan; (5) sandy in all shades, from dark fawn down to cream. The tail is set on low, and is carried nearly straight on a level with the back. It should be thick at the root, and end in a fine point with little hair on it. Size and weight. — The size is from 1 4 inches to 1 8 inches, and the weight 1 5 lbs. to 2 5 lbs. , 124 DOMESTICATED DOGS. XVIIL— THE HALIFAX OR YORKSHIRE TERRIER. "DuNDREART," Blue Tan Terrier, the Property of Mrs. Foster, Bradford. This modern breed has sometimes been called, the " blue fawn " terrier, but this is a misnomer, as there are many Bedlingtons of that colour, and it is now almost universal among the Dandie tribe. I do not at all know why the prefix "Halifax" was applied, as both Huddersfield and Bradford have a greater claim to be considered the headquarters of the breed. According to my judgment, the whole tribe ought to be included among the " toys," since they are never used for any kind of terrier work ; but the committees of our shows make two distinct classes for them, one being distinguished as for " Yorkshire terriers," and the other for " broken-haired toy terriers," in which latter small Yorkshire terriers always carry off the prizes. Without doubt this little THE HALIFAX OR YORKSHIRE TERRIER. 125 dog is a very beautiful animal, and in that respect has a great advantage over all nondescript broken-haired terriers. Hence it is not surprising that, when exhibited in competition with them, it has always obtained the prize, reducing the old-fashioned Scotch terrier to the ranks, and excluding him from every show. The admirers of the breed allege that the Yorkshire dog is an improved Scotch terrier by careful selection ; but in my opinion other breeds have been resorted to in order to obtain the long silky coat, which often is 3 or 4 inches long on the body, and on the face extends to 6 or 7. Now I set no bounds to the skill and art of the breeder if only time is allowed him to carry out his wishes, but I scarcely think this change could be effected within the thirty years that have been occupied in its production. Indeed, it is compara- tively so easy to change externals by resorting to a cross, and so difficult to do this by selection alone, that I candidly confess the opinion that the Yorkshire terrier is not a Scotch dog improved by the latter process unassisted by a cross. As long as any distinct breed is left unmixed, every litter comes nearly true to the type; but cross it, and varieties in all directions crop up, sometimes in a direc- tion quite opposite to that intended. From the texture of coat I should guess the Maltese dog has been selected, the colour points rather to the King Charles spaniel. Possibly both crosses have been used by Mrs. Foster and her allies, but I do not pretend to fathom these mysteries, about which great reticence is main- tained. The following may be taken as the value of the points in this doo-, but they are by no means settled : — Colour, Coat, Shape, 30 Ears, . 30 Tail, . 15 Condition, 10 5 10 Total, 126 DOMESTICATED DOGS. The colour must be blue on the upper parts, with reddish tan in all the parts occupied by that colour in the English terrier. The blue in the adult is a mixture of distinct dark blue and light or silvery hairs, which in the puppy are all black. In the blue, the more distinct and free from light hairs, and the sharper the line of demarcation, the better. The tan must be a rich red, quite free from white. The coat is valued according to its length and silkiness. It is not remarkably fine, but the " sheen " on it is very great. It must be quite free from curl, and only show a very slight wave. The shape is square, with the line of back quite level. The body should not be much longer than the height. The ears when cut are small and very pointed. "When entire they should be carried quite erect, and the smaller the better. The tail is always cropped short. It should be coated with long and falling hair. Condition -is valued very highly, this dog being booted, and its coat allowed to take its own course until a short time before it is shown, but warm water and a brush put all to rights, and, with the aid of elbow-grease, glycerine, and a little dye, the required condition is soon developed. ( 137 ) CHAPTER IV. DOMESTICATED DOGS FINDING THEIR GAME BY SCENT, BUT NOT KILLING IT, BEING CHIEFLY USED IN AID OF THE GUN. i. The Spanish Pointer — 2. The Modern English Pointer— 3. The Portuguese Pointer— 4. The French Pointer— 5. The Dalmatian— 6. The Setter : (a) English ; (b) Irish ; (c) Black and Tan or Gordon ; (r>) "Welsh ; (1) Russian— 7. The Field Spaniel : (a) The Clumber ; (b) The Sussex ; (c) The Norfolk ; (d) The Modem Cocker— 8. The Water-Spaniel : (a) The Southern Irish ; (b) The Northern ; (c) The English— 9. The Poodle. I.— THE SPANISH POINTER. As in most, and indeed all other breeds of the dog, the origin of the Spanish pointer is lost in obscurity. As far as I know, there is no proof that the pointer originated in Spain ; but that he is not in a state of nature is clear, and therefore some one people must have first taught him to manifest his peculiar gift. No wild dog is in existence in which the slightest tendency to point instead of chasing his game is displayed, and that it can be taught artificially is shown in the setting spaniel, now called the setter, and even in the pig which a Hampshire gamekeeper once taught this accomplishment. But though the spaniel, the Newfoundland, and the terrier, have often been taught to point, they none of them show that rigid and cataleptic condition of the whole body which is the peculiar characteristic of the pointer, and is so strongly displayed in the Spanish and French pointers, that it is 128 DOMESTICATED DOGS. possible to throw them into "the point," by using the word corresponding with " toho," in the language of the corresponding countries. This was first made known to me at the Paris Dog Show of 1865, when the exhibitor of a French braque, on my asking if his dog was steady, threw him into a very perfect state of catalepsy by a single word. Our modern dogs are seldom so "full of point" as this, having, no doubt, lost the state of The Spanish Pointer. nervous system in which it resides by crossing with the fox- hound or greyhound. In some breeds, however, it still exists; but since the pointer has been used for grouse more than par- tridge, it has become very rare. Upwards of forty years ago, I saw six brace of pointers taken out by Lord Foley's keeper in Worcestershire, all of which pointed and backed on the slightest THE SPANISH POINTER. 129 indication of a scent, showing the genuine catalepsy both "before" and " behind." But this would have been a perfect nuisance on a moor, and indeed was rather disappointing in the stubbles, for more tban half their points were false, and yet, with a full knowledge of this defect, we were obliged to walk up to them, or leave every dog behind, like so many Chinese idols. These dogs would remain on their point for an indefinite time, probably till exhausted by want of food ; but I question whether in these days any breed could be found in which a single specimen of it would be depended on to stand even for half an hour. At that time I have seen one pointer remain standing for upwards of six hours at least. I left him standing without his master, and found him there as I left him more than six hours afterwards on my return along the same road. The old Spanish pointer, which is now quite extinct in this country, was remarkable for a large, heavy head, very long, wide, and square nose, pendant flews, large ears, slightly differing from those of the bloodhound in shape, width, and thinness, but quite as full, and with as much throatiness and dewlap as that dog. Behind the shoulders, however, the shapes of the two are quite different in character, though it would be difficult to point out the variations to an uninitiated amateur. It is, however, in the style of seeking their game that the two breeds differ most, and it is on this point entirely that the pointer must rest his claim to originality. The bloodhound (and indeed all hounds) depends on the foot-scent primarily, though he will own the body scent in the air when so strong as to prevail over that adhering to the soil. On the other hand, the pointer, if pure, disregards the foot-scent, and seeks for that of the body with his head in the air. Every experienced shooting-man expects this peculiar style of hunting in his pointers and setters, i 3 o DOMESTICATED DOGS. and knows that if it is not displayed by a dog exhibited to him for sale he must expect him to " potter " (which is a dwelling on the foot-scent) in a very short time. Even in " roading " a grouse, a well-bred pointer does not drop his nose like a hound, but winds the foot- scent with it held about - breast-high. Pro- bably from neglect in rearing, and afterwards during the summer season, the Spanish pointer in this country becomes slack in his loins, spreading in his feet, and very slow in his gallop, which pace indeed is seldom displayed, a steady trot being the usual one, even when first turned off in a large stubble field. Still a brace of these dogs when well broken would quarter a field almost while their master was walking across it, and they would, never leave a head of game behind, even on the worst scentino- day. I fear this cannot be said of any of our modern breeds, who, it is true, will beat twice as much ground as the Spanish pointer in balf the time, but in so doing will probably flush a covey or two, or possibly leave a few single birds to get up as soon as the guns are over the gate. The engraving heading this article is from a well-known portrait of the old-fashioned do°-, and exhibits him in his best form, with a strong loin and plenty of propelling power ; but though I have seen some scores of the breed in my early sporting days, I never met with such a frame among them. The head, however, is quite correct, and I have little doubt that the original of the portrait was an exceptional animal in respect of body and legs. He is represented with his tail docked, as was invariably the practice in the early part, of this century, owing to the constant lashing of it frequently causing it to bleed, to the great annoyance of the shooter and the loss of strength by the dog. MODERN ENGLISH POINTER. 131 II— THE MODERN ENGLISH POINTER. "Sanoho," a Modern English Pointer. It is possible that this comparatively light and elegant ani- mal has heen produced by careful selection from the original Spanish pointer above described, but it is more probable that in all cases a cross directly with the greyhound, or indirectly with that breed through the foxhound, has been resorted to. In any case, the result is a dog still pointing steadily, and, in many cases, with true cataleptic rigidity, but showing the pace and endurance of the foxhound, and indeed being almost as fast as a slow grey- hound. Instead of the loose heavy frame of the Spanish dog, we have a beautiful compact shape, with sloping shoulders, straight muscular limbs, and a dash which is quite distinct from the inertness of the imported animal. The head is still square 1 32 DOMESTICATED DOGS. and heavy as compared with the greyhound, and slightly more so than that of the foxhound, but flews, dewlap, and throatiness have disappeared, and the aspect is now light and sprightly, instead of being heavy and somnolent. In good strains the high style of hunting for the body-scent is retained, but too often it is replaced by the hound-like gallop, with head clown and stern trailing quietly behind, which indicates that the breeder, after resorting to the hound for pace and endurance, has not been careful to reject those puppies in whom the hound's partiality for the foot-scent has been retained. There is no excuse for this stupidity, because every breeder ought to be aware that when he puts two different animals together, though the offspring will, as a rule, partake of the qualities of both, he can at will in the next and subsequent crosses either keep or get rid' of any of them which he may like or dislike. Whether, therefore, Mr. Edge and his.cotemporaries, who produced the modern pointer, crossed the Spanish dog with the foxhound or not, they ought carefully to have got rid of low-hunting ; and this Mr. Edge undoubtedly did, but there are other kennels of nearly equal celebrity in which a low style of hunting and a trailing stern, with a tendency to work in circles rather than in straight lines, indicate unmistak- ably that the hound's faults (quoad shooting) have been retained: Such dogs I have seen receive prizes at field trials, though I would hang every one of them if I had my will; for though some useful animals will sometimes be met with retaining a disposition to hunt for a few years, yet the great majority of them at the end of their first season do nothing but potter at the hedgerows, and are thereby rendered utterly useless. Within the last thirty years the change in farming has com- pletely upset the vocation of the pointer as a partridge-dog, except in a few counties, such as Devonshire and Cornwall, THE MODERN ENGLISH POINTER. 133 » where the warm and damp climate encourages the growth of covert for birds in the autumn, and at the same time permits dogs to scent their game. As a rule, however, not a tithe of the dogs formerly kept- in the south for partridge-shooting are now in existence, in spite of the large increase of certificated sports- men, who, however, rely on walking turnips with a retriever or on " driving " for the sport they anticipate. A moderately fast and steady dog who can find birds in turnips is now a rarity, and pace is regarded as the sine qua non, because that quality really is essential to the grouse-dog. But for partridges it is better to have no dog than one which will flush every other covey and drive it off the manor without a shot. Nose, and, steadiness "before' and "behind," are the essentials in him, united with as much pace as is consistent with their display. So rare is this com- bination, that, in all the field trials I have ever seen, I have only twice seen birds found in turnips; once by that very fast dog Mr. Macdona's " Banger," and once by a bitch of Mr. Llewellyn's ; but, in the latter case, she was made to range within forty yards of the gentleman who hunted her, and as an aid to the gun would be useless. Even " Banger " has only on one day shown this power, within my knowledge of him, and on five or six other occasions has flushed his game from not moderating his pace. Mr. Price's celebrated " Drake" I never saw in turnips but once, and then he was upset by his companion refusing to back him, so that I cannot speak as to his powers in that respect ; but the noise made by such a flyer in the turnips must always cause him to flush birds, unless he moderates his pace on his own accord, as " Banger " did on the occasion in question, and as Mr. Llewellyn's bitch was made to do. For the last thirty years the shooting world has been in doubt as to the respective merits of the two strains of the pointer, i 3 4 DOMESTICATED DOGS. distinguished by their respective colours as the " liver and white " and the " lemon and white." These two colours compose 95 per cent, of the pointers kept in Great Britain, the remainder being whole liver (very rare from not being admired) and whole blacks, a celebrated kind of which has long been highly valued in the North of England. Mr. Edge, Mr. Moore of Appleby, Lord Sefton, Lord Derby, Lord H. Bentinck, Mr. Antrobus, Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, Sir E. Garth, Mr. E. J. LI. Price of Bala, and Mr. S. Price of Devonshire, have been the most prominent breeders of the liver and whites, and until about twelve years ago that colour was the favourite one; but in 1865 Mr. Whitehouse exhibited a beautiful lemon and white at the first field trial, which did his work so well as to command the admira- tion of the judges and spectators ; and the late Mr. Lang of Cockspur Street, well known as a thorough sportsman, also extol- ling the breed, the fashion changed, and "Hamlet," "Bob," "Major," and others " of that ilk," had a good time of it. Sir E. Garth, however, stuck to his colours, and producing his wonderful dog "Drake " year after year at the field trials, where he was able to beat all comers, a return has recently been effected towards the old direction, partly caused by this marvellous and exceptional animal, but aided greatly by Mr. E. J. LI. Price's " Belle " and by Mr. S. Price's " Bang," who, though not so fast as those two flyers, is fast enough for real work. With the exception of Mr. Whitehouse, no other breeder has shown any prominent lemon and whites, and he has not produced anything approaching to either of the above three dogs. " Hamlet " was in his day a very good performer, but not quite first class ; and the same may be said of his descendants, a good many of whom have at various times appeared in public. Hence it is not wonderful that the fashion should have again changed, and that the liver and white THE MODERN ENGLISH POINTER. 135 strains should now be regarded as the best, and especially as Mr. Whitehouse himself has crossed his bitches with it, and pro- duced his very useful dog " Macgregor," from which he has him- self bred. The points of the pointer are as follows : — VALUE VALUE Skull, . ' . . 10 Legs, elbows, and hocks, . 12 Nose, .... 10 Feet, . . 8 Ears, eyes, and lips, . • 4 Stern, • 5 Neck, . 6 Texture of coat, . • 3 Shoulders and chest, . 15 Colour, 5 Back, quarters, and stifles, • 15 Symmetry and quality, • 7 Total, . .100 The skull, as containing that organ in which resides the pecu- liar features of the breed, is of great importance as to size and shape, and I confess that if the body is only of a satisfactory shape as to form and speed, I can hardly think the brain can be overdone. Size, therefore, without heaviness, is to be regarded as without limit, but a heavy head, as indicated by expression, is almost sure to be attended by a bad temper and a slow pace. If, however, a large head is accompanied by a cheerful, lively countenance, I should value it highly, but unfortunately this combination is by no means common. By all means, however, prize a large head per se, but attend to the expression of the countenance the more carefully in proportion. There should be a marked brow and occipital protuberance, but the latter should not be so raised as in the bloodhound, and the top of the skull should on no account be domed, as in that breed, but, on the contrary, flat, excepting a slight furrow down the middle, separating it into two slightly rounded halves. The skull of the pointer is somewhat wider than that of the setter. The nose is the organ on the lining membrane of which the 136 DOMESTICATED DOGS. nerves of smelling are spread out, and consequently it is of equal importance with the skull. Neither of the two is of any use without the other, for a clever dog of the best temper cannot find game if he has a bad nose, while a keen sense of smell is useless if he will not display his powers from obstinacy or lazi- ness. It should be of full size to allow of nerve surface, long and broad, with nostrils large and open to allow of the air enter- ing readily. For health's sake, the end should feel cold and moist, and, as indicating hardness, it is better dark in colour, a pink nose being a mark of softness, except in the lemon and whites, who generally have it. The end should be square and not pointed (known as " snipey " or " pig jawed ") or underhung. Ears, eyes, and lips. — The ears should be moderately long in leather, but flat and filbert-shaped, not folding like those of the hound. They should be set on low, and any tendency to prick them is an abomination. The leather should be thin and flexible, and the coat covering them very soft. Eyes of middle size and depth, soft in expression, and of the various shades of brown, according to colour of coat. Lips full, but not showing any flew frothing when at work. The neck should be an elegant arch in its upper outline, and should be round, firm, and tapering to the shoulders, without 'any tendency to throatiness. A dewlap is out of the question. Shoulders and chest. — Many of the old breeds had very round barrels and upright shoulders in consequence. A moderately flat side is now approved of, and deep back ribs are regarded as all important, marking not only a strong connection with the loins, but also a strong constitution. With this formation, long, power- ful, and sloping blades may be demanded and expected. Back, quarters, and stifles. — A pointer with a weak back soon tires, though of course he may be fast and flashy. A slightly THE MODERN ENGLISH POINTER. 137 arched loin is a mark of strength, and if there is a trifling droop to the root of the tail, that strength is not likely to be less. Wide ragged hips are preferred by most pointer judges. Usually the stifles are straight, but if well bent the dog can command himself much better and stop to a scent more rapidly. Legs, elbows, and hocks. — Without good legs the best nose is comparatively useless, because the dog either cannot go at all or soon tires. Hence they should be straight and strong in bone, especially below the knees, in order to enable the animal to stop himself suddenly when on the point. They must also be well clothed with muscle on the fore-arm and lower thigh. The elbows and hocks should be well developed and set straight, neither turn- ing in nor out, but especially the former, as the turned-in elbow cramps the action most unmistakably. The feet are generally expected to be round and cat-like, but the quality of the horn covering the pads is of the most im- portance, for if thin the dog soon becomes footsore. When the pointer is wanted for grouse-shooting, he should be selected with as much hair between the toes as possible. It is in this point especially that the setter has the advantage over him, as a bare foot soon becomes sore on heather. Cceteris paribus, a cat-foot is better than a bare foot in this dog. The stem should come out of the back of full size, immediately after which it begins to taper, and ends in a decided point like the sting of a bee. The straighter it is the better, but there is generally a very slight curve. It should be carried low, and when at work should lash the sides merrily. The coat should be soft in texture, but not silky. As to colour, I have dilated on it above to a full extent. In the present fashion I should range them as — ( 1 .) liver and white, (2.) lemon and white, (3.) black and white without tan, (4.) whole i 3 8 DOMESTICATED DOGS. black, (5.) whole liver, (6.) black, white, and tan, (too hound-like for modern taste). The symmetry of the pointer is considerable, and a judge penalises its absence highly. The same may be said of that in- dispensable point quality. III.— THE PORTUGUESE POINTER. Never having seen this variety, I can only allude to it as resembling the Spanish dog, with the exception of the stern, which is bushy. IV.— THE FRENCH POINTER. This dog varies greatly throughout the several provinces of France, and is seldom of any pure breed, being crossed with the poodle, the dachshund, the basset, or some one or other of the French hounds. When he is most pure he resembles the Spanish pointer, but is seldom so large and heavy as that dog. For these reasons, it is impossible to describe even the typical French pointer, since I have shown that no such animal exists. Most of the prominent French sportsmen import English dogs, either setters or pointers, and as this has now been done for many years, no doubt these breeds are to a certain extent established in France. V.— THE DALMATIAN DOG. Though this peculiarly marked variety of the species is only- used in Great Britain as a carriage dog, in his native country he is made to stand very steadily at game, and is employed in aid of the gun exactly as are our " Pontos " and " Dons." Until THE DALMATIAN DOG. 139 very recently, his ears were invariably closely cropped, like those of the pug, which altered his appearance completely, and deprived him of his resemblance to the pointer. I am not aware that he has ever been tried in the field in England, where he has contracted a fondness for horses and carriages which JY.izh* The Dalmatian Dog. is a very prominent feature in his character. Most other dogs soon tire of hard road-work, and refuse to accompany a carriage day after day for the fifteen or twenty miles which is probably the average distance travelled by private conveyances; but the Dalmatian is always pleased to be so employed, and if he is allowed the run of the stables and enough food, has all that i 4 o DOMESTICATED DOGS. lie cares for. Of his own accord he places himself close behind the heels of the horses, where he is safe from the control of all external circumstances, and rarely leaves his berth for any temptation, except when the carriage is stopped, when he looks about him and assumes the air of any other of his kind. The English pointer also follows a carriage well, but seems to do so from his associating it with the gun, for he prefers riding in it to running behind it, and jumps into a dogcart the moment the door is opened. Not so the Dalmatian, who perhaps is wise enough to know that exercise is healthy; but anyhow there is this difference between them. 'A reference to my engraving will show that the Dalmatian differs only very slightly from the pointer, his ears being somewhat smaller, and his colour being the chief point of difference. Formerly, as appears from Youatt's engraving, the spots differed very slightly from the ticks of the pointer, but now by careful breeding they are converted into distinct circular spots,' averaging about an inch in diameter, and the more distinct they are from one another the more highly they are prized. Points of the Dalmatian dog : — VALUE Head, . .10 Neck, . . 5 Body, . . . • 5 Legs and feet, . .10 Tail, . . 5 VALCE Coat, 5 Colour, . .10 Markings, . 40 Symmetry, . .10 Total, . 100 The head may be described in the same terms as that of the pointer, having a similar central furrow and flat upper 'surface, with marked brow. A square nose, cleanly cut under the eyes, accompanies this formation ; but fanciers do not insist on length and width, nor on open nostrils. The dog is, in fact, judged THE DALMATIAN DOG. 141 for beauty and not utility, as far as this part goes. Eyes small, sharp, and dark. Ears vine-shaped, set on rather far back, some- what smaller than the pointer's, with thin leather, and quite free from folds. The neck is an exact reproduction of the pointer's. The ~body must be strong and 'compact, with a slightly arched loin, and sloping muscular shoulders. The legs and feet are the only points in which utility is con- sidered ; for as the dog is required to do a great deal of road work, the legs must be strong, straight, and working freely on the elbows and stifles. The feet, again, are imperatively demanded without spread of the toes, and possessing hard, horny pads. If thin-soled or with spreading toes, a single journey knocks this dog up; but, as usually met with, his soles are so hard as to stand a daily road journey for an indefinite term. Great substance of bone is, however, not regarded as of any importance. The tail closely resembles the correct type of the pointer's, but is usually carried higher than is approved of in that dog. The coat is short and moderately fine, but hot silky. The colour is by preference black spotted on a white ground, but liver and dark blue are also permitted. A slight stain of tan about the face and legs is also allowed. A rich jet black counts first ; then black and tan ; thirdly, liver ; and fourthly, blue ; but there is not much difference in value between the two last. The marking, however, makes the dog in the eye of the fancier, many good judges going for it alone. When perfect, the spots on the body are evenly distributed, but quite clear of one another, and should not exceed the size of a half-crown piece, nor be less than a shilling. Such absolute perfection is, however, yet in nubibus. On the tail there should be several spots without coalescing. Symmetry in this dog is regarded as a sine qud non. i 4 2 DOMESTICATED DOGS. VI.— SETTERS (ENGLISH, IRISH, SCOTCH, WELSH, AND RUSSIAN). That the setter is a spaniel taught by art to point his game is universally admitted, and Daniel in his " Rural Sports " gives a copy of a bond signed by John Harris, on October 7, 1485, in which he covenants to keep for six months and break a certain spaniel to " set partridges, pheasants, and other game, in consi- deration of ten shillings of lawful English money." Thus it is certain that four hundred years ago the setting spaniel existed in this country, and most probably he was nearly identical with our modern setter, though probably not so fast. There is reason to believe that, until the gun was used to shoot game flying, the setting spaniel was preferred to the pointer, because from his crouching attitude the net could be drawn over him more easily. On the invention, however, of the flint lock, it was found that the attitude of the pointer rendered him more visible to his master, and as the net was no longer used by sportsmen, the Spanish pointer was imported, and used in preference to the native setting spaniel. In course of time, either by crossing or careful breeding, the setter assumed the pointer's standing position, and this has now become as common with the one breed as with the other. There is a much greater variety among setters than among pointers, and not only has each division of the United Kingdom its peculiar breed of them, but there is also a Eussian strain in this country, celebrated for nose and steadiness, but too woolly coated for our early autumn work. As a rule, the setter is faster than the pointer, but not so steady, frequently requiring a day or two's work before he can be relied on. Usually he will not work long without water, and many breeds are quite useless on land where water is out of reach. From his hairy feet he stands the THE SETTER. 143 friction of the heather on moorland shootings better than the pointer, and he also bears exposure to wet and cold with more impunity. Hence the setter was always considered the grouse- dog and the pointer the partridge-dog ; but, as I have elsewhere remarked, the retriever has now superseded the latter in his proper vocation, and he must either work on the moors or not at all. I shall now proceed to describe the four varieties of the setter, beginning with — (A) THE ENGLISH SETTEE. The English Setter. In my young days the use of the setter was almost confined to i 4 4 DOMESTICATED DOGS. the moors of Scotland, Wales, the North of England, and Ireland. Almost every grouse-shooter had his own particular breed or strain, but the five I have alluded to in process of time absorbed all the rest. Gradually the setter was spread over England, but in most cases preference was given to dogs resembling those which are now far excellence, called English, that is to say, setters with no marked difference from the type of their kind, either in colour or shape. About fifty years ago the late Mr. Laverack of Manchester began to be noted for his breed, which was derived from a single pair, and he alleged that ever since that time he has bred " in and in " to them without outcross of any kind. These tfrowere named "Ponto" and " Old Moll," bred by the Rev. A. Harrison, near Carlisle, and he had kept the breed pure for thirty-four years, so that, if Mr. Laverack's account is true, the Laverack setter has been bred " in and in " for nearly a hundred years. Eearing a bad result, he said that he had at various times crossed his bitches with external blood, but always finding a fall- ing off in the produce, had gone back to his old stock. Probably, however, he occasionally made a slip in his memory, and certainly there was a curious admixture of colour in his kennel, if we are to believe his account. In other cases of inbreeding, even of much less stringency and duration than his, I have always remarked that the colour and markings were almost repeated throughout the strain, but Mr. Laverack's dogs were of all colours with a white ground, some being white and red, some white and blue, some white and black, and others again white, black, and tan. Latterly the blue Belton (a thickly ticked white and black) was the prevailing colour, but even with these a whole litter never appeared alike. His celebrated "Countess" was of this colour, but her brother and sister were black and white in large patches. It is not, however, denied that his strain were very much inbred, THE SETTER. 145 and by carefully selecting dogs with a strong tendency to natural point, his breed showed the same condition of the nervous system, and would, like the Frenchman's pointer, fall into attitude at the " toho." Unfortunately this close breeding produced a great many idiots and delicate constitutions, but if only a Laverack puppy had his senses, his limbs of good formation, and escaped the ills of teething, distemper, &c.,.he was sure to be a good dog in the field when well broken, but he required a deal of this, being naturally wild and headstrong. Since the introduction of field trials the Laverack setter has attained a very high reputation, chiefly founded on the perform- ances of " Countess " and her sister " Nellie," aided to some extent by the result of the cross between the Laverack blood and the strains of Mr. Paul Hackett of Newcastle, Mr. W. Lort (the well- known judge), Mr. Wittington, Sir Bellingham Graham, and Mr. Statter. Mr. Purcell Llewellyn has spent a great deal of time and money in carrying on the " selection of the fittest " for breeding purposes, and has produced a strain which he calls the " field trial " breed, composed of lines from all the above sources, and which has been fairly successful in this country as well as in America. Commencing with Laverack bitches pur- chased at various times, he crossed them with Mr. Statter's "Dan," which dog he purchased at the Shrewsbury field trials of 1871, together with his brother "Dick," after performing there mar- vellously well in the stake for the best brace. On the whole, it may be said that the Laverack setter has attained a higher reputation during the last fifteen years than any other English setter ; but I very much question whether it was equal to some other breeds, such as Sir Bellingham Graham's, Sir Vincent Corbett's, Mr. "Wittington's, Mr. Paul Hackett's, Mr. W. Lort's, and some others whose names escape my memory. I have 146 DOMESTICATED DOGS. myself possessed one or two setters superior even to " Countess," and one bitch quite as fast, with a better nose ; while out of a litter I bred from her, two dogs turned out A- 1 in all but pace,' which certainly was not equal to that of their mother. But Mr. Laverack was lucky in getting " Countess " and " Nellie " into the hands of a gentleman who spared nothing in obtaining success in public, for with their exception and that of Mr. Brewiss's "Dash II.," nothing else has appeared from his kennel approaching perfec- tion. His dogs were heavy and spaniel-like, as far' as I have seen ; "Dash II.," however, though showing a spaniel-form, displaying good pace, and standing in grand style. Points of the English setter : — Skull, .... IO Legs, elbows, and hocks, 12 Nose, .... IO Feet, ... 8 Ears, lips, and eyes, 4 Flag, ... 5 Neek, .... 6 Texture and leather of coat, 5 Shoulders and chest, . 15 Colour, .... 5 Back, quarters, and stifles, i5 Symmetry and quality, 5 Total, . ioo The skull of this dog differs from all others, being intermediate between that of the field-spaniel and the pointer's, indicating almost with certainty that the breed was established by a cross between the two, but, when tried nowadays, producing what is called "the dropper." Though this dog is useful enough in the first generation, and often exactly like one or the other of his parents ; yet, if the cross is persevered with, the result is always a failure. The occipital protuberance of the pointer is absent, and the brows are more distinct, the skull itself being narrower across the ears. The nose should, on the average, be at least 4 inches long from the corner of the eye to the tip, and as wide as possible, THE SETTER. 147 without the slightest approach to " snipiness," but not quite so square as the pointer's. In the best breeds the upper outline is slightly hollow, and the brows should be raised at a sharp and decided angle from it, with a leanness in front of the eyes which is very characteristic. As in the pointer, and for the same reason, the nostrils should be wide apart and patulous, and the end of the nose moist and cool. Excepting in white setters or very pale lemon and whites, the end should be always black or dark liver, and even in them it is preferred of that colour; but a pink nose may be pardoned in a whole white dog. The teeth should be quite level. Ears, lips, and eyes. — The ears should be shorter than the pointer's in leather, but the hair fringing them brings them in appearance nearly to the same length. The leather must be thin and soft, and must hang close to the cheeks, without the slightest tendency to " prick." The hair is very silky on the ears of good breeds, and is usually about two inches in length. The lips are, perhaps, not quite so full as the pointer's, but there is a decided pouch at the angle, which when on game is usually full of slaver. The eyes are of medium size, more animated than the pointer's, and of all shades of brown, the darker the better. They should be set straight across, and not at any angle. The neck has a different contour from the pointer's, not show- ing the decided convexity in either direction peculiar to that dog, and feeling thin and soft to the touch, with a slight hollow on each side. The skin is loose, but no throatiness or dewlap is allowed. Shoulders and chest. — In Mr. Laverack's breed, the chest of the dogs is usually very round and barrel-like, making their elbows stand wide apart, and tending to produce a slow pace. In the bitches no such conformation exists, and hence, perhaps, i 4 8 DOMESTICATED DQGS. the latter have generally come out better in public than the former. I have not remarked this difference in any other breed, but certainly I have seen no exception in his, nor have I ever known any other strain of setters so thick and " cobby " in the body, and so like the Clumber spaniel in outline ; of course, not to the same extent as in that dog. Mr. Laverack was so prejudiced in favour of his own breed, that in his book he even went so far as to recommend a wide chest. I very much prefer, in common with all other setter fanciers, a somewhat narrow chest, mode- rately deep in front, but with the bach ribs well let down. This formation gives the light, airy gallop of the Irish setter, and yet allows sufficient room for lungs and heart. The shoulders should be very sloping, and the blades wide at the top from before back- wards, so as to give plenty of room for the muscles moving the arm. Bach, quarters, and stifles. — A strong back is a great point in this dog, who is apt to be narrow in this part, and especially at the junction with the ribs. Eagged hips are often met with in the best strains, and, with a proper allowance of muscle) should be valued instead of the reverse. A slight arch falling to the root of the tail is a beauty in my eyes, but not set as in the " wheel-back." Wide stifles, well bent, should be looked for; and, in fact, the propellers must be attended to in every respect. Legs, elbows, and hocks. — Setters are almost always straight on their legs, with elbows well let down, and strong hocks. The absence of these points is, therefore, to be regarded as unpardon- able. Strong lower thighs are very important. The feet are the strong points of the setter, and without hard soles and plenty of hair between the toes he loses half of his recommendations. The toes are often hare-like, instead of resem- THE SETTEE. 149 bling those of the , cat ; and I am by no means sure that when so formed there is not an advantage. The flag differs from that of all other dogs, being fringed with long hair falling like, the teeth of a comb, and without the bushi- ness of other hairy tails. The. bones themselves should taper from the root, and should be curved like a scimitar when at rest, rising a little above the level of the back when " oh the point," and then displaying the comb-like appearance to which I have alluded, with a very slight curve only. The feather * should be free from curl, silky in texture, and about 6 or 7 inches long in the middle, tapering to half an inch at the extreme point. Texture and feather of coat. — The texture is an indication of breed, and should be silky, with a slight wave, but no curl. In the best breeds the coat looks and feels greasy without being really so, at least no grease is left on the hand when patting it. The feather should fringe the fore and hind legs thinly but .regularly, and also the flag, as above remarked. The colour varies greatly, and is valued according to the following scale : — ( 1 .) Black and white ticked with large splashes, known as the " blue Belton ; " (2.) orange and white freckled, known as "orange Belton;" (3.) orange or lemon and White without ticks ; (4.) liver and white ticked ; ( 5 .) black and white, with slight tan' markings, which, though the colour of the. Gordons is met with in many pure-ibred English strains ; (6.) black and white ; ()!.") liver and white without ticks ; (8.) pure white ; (9.) black ; i/td.) liver ; (11.) red or yellow. Symmetry and. quality are displayed by the setter as much as or more than any other breed. There is a very elegant outline with- artistic proportions; and even when no longer used r lis an aid to the gun, this dog delights the eye as much as the. grey- ISO DOMESTICATED DOGS. hound. He has also a most affectionate disposition, and makes an excellent companion to either sex. (b) THE IRISH SETTEE. , l <-rj//."> In the list of colours given above it will be seen that I have placed red last, though it is the special colour of the Irish setter, and without the slightest intention of undervaluing that elegant dog. But though it is considered highly beautiful in him, and really is so when of the proper blood-like shade, yet it is not appreciated in the English breeds, and indeed is very rarely met with among them. Until very recently, Irish setters were THE SETTER 151 not often seen out of their own country, a prejudice existing against them in England, where they were supposed to be difficult to break, and always inclined to be unsteady; Since the institution of shows, however, and the exhibition of the splendid specimens which we have seen in them, the Irish setter has been more highly valued, and now takes his share of the work on Scotch and Welsh moors as well as on his native mountains. I have seen several at work, and certainly have no reason to think them more unsteady than their English rivals, but neither will compare with the pointer in that respect. They are slashing goers, with heads and flags well up, and the latter lashed merrily in most cases, though, like the English dog, not invariably so. In endurance they are quite up to the best English form, but not above it, as far as I know, though I confess I have not had sufficient experience of them to settle this vexed question. The differences in shape from the English breed are not great, but sufficient to distinguish the one from the other. The most famous old strains are the La Touche, Lord Clancarty's, Lord Dillon's, Lord de Fresne's, Lord Lismore's, the Mont Hedges, the Marquis of Waterford's, and Lord Eossmore's. The value of the points is the same as in the English dog, the following being the variations in shape, &a : — The skull is narrower, and rather longer from the forehead to the occiput; occipital protuberance as marked as in the pointer-; brows very high. Nose said to be more developed in length and width ; rarely hollow above, as in the English dog. End of nose a deep mahogany colour or very dark flesh ; not black, and by preference not pink. Eyes, ears, and lips. — Eyes a rich brown, resembling the mahogany red, of the Gordon setter. They are soft but sparkling 152 DOMESTICATED DOGS. and Ml of life. A full eye is despised by Irish breeders. Ears long enough to reach nearly to the nose when extended, and more tapering than in the English dog, but not pointed ; set low and well back, and of course they should hang close to the cheeks. No hound-like folds are permitted, and the leather must be thin but free from wrinkles. Lips deep, but not to the extent of flews. Whiskers red. In proportions the Irish dog is more " on the leg," but this length is in his upper arm rather than below the elbows, which are remarkably well let down. Shoulders very good in every respect, and chest deep rather than wide, and back ribs apt to be short. Loin muscular, and well arched, with ragged though not wide hips. Quarters often sloping, but latterly level backs have been exhibited at our best shows. Legs very straight, and well set into the elbows and hocks. The feet are strong, generally of the hare-like form, and well furnished with hair between the toes. The flag is of the most elegant shape in point of bone, curve, and feather. The coat is not so satin-like as the English setter's, but more so than the Gordon's. Plenty of feather is shown on the legs, but not too much for work. The colour is a rich blood-red, without any trace of black on the ears or back, and in the whole-red strains with little or no white. Some breeds, however, are always white and red, and this colour is as highly valued by its admirers as the whole red. (C) THE BLACK AND TAN OE GORDON SETTEE. After a lengthened controversy, it is now generally admitted that the Gordon setter was originally white, black, and tan, and THE SETTER. 153 that many black and tan setters are not descended from the Gordon Castle kennels. The classes for this breed are, therefore, not now defined as for Gordon setters, but for black and tan Q/TeLr/ The Black and Tan Setter. setters whether Gordons or not, and certainly this appears to be the most sensible plan. Without attempting to sift the history of this handsome strain, I shall simply describe it as it exists in the present day, whatever may be its origin or pedigree. Although most black and tans are heavier than either the English or Irish breeds, yet they have no spaniel-like appearance, and resemble the bloodhound more than they do either the pointer or the spaniel. By many people it is supposed that this dog has been used as a cross for the purpose of getting the colour which is similar to his, but there i 5 4 DOMESTICATED DOGS. are plenty of black and tan spaniels without going outside the pale of the shooting dogs, and there can have been no necessity for adopting this expedient for colour alone. Nevertheless, I cannot help thinking that this cross has been used, and for the following reasons : — (i.) A great number of black and tan setters show the red " haw " in the corner of the eye, which is almost in itself a proof. (2.) The nose of this dog is remarkably good, but there is a tendency to seek for the foot-scent, and to potter over it at a comparatively early age. (3.) There is nothing like the endurance of the English and Irish breeds, and the style of gallop is heavy and hound-dike, rather than clever and active, as in the best strains of the setter. "With these defects, whether due to bloodhound parentage or not, it is by no means surprising that the black and tan setter does not sustain the reputation which he achieved by means of dog shows and field trials ten or twelve years ago. At the field trials he has been very lucky in getting rewards for nose alone, for certainly my dog " Bex," who won several prizes at Stafford, was not first-rate in any other respect. Like most of the Kents, his powers of scenting were wonderful, but he must do his work his own way or not at all, and after five or six hours he was completely knocked up. I have tried a good many of the strain and seen more in other hands, but I have not yet seen one which could be shot over with pleasure. They all work "to their own hook," and are never seen to cast an eye at their masters, which I hold to be the •essential feature in a dog working in aid of the gun ; but still with their fine noses they may be made very useful by those who do not mind working to their dogs, instead of making their dogs work to them. The deviations in points from the English type are as fol- lows : — THE SETTEE. IS5 The skull is heavier than that of either the English or Irish setter, with the occipital protuberance much developed, and a slight dome on the top, resembling at a humble distance that of the bloodhound. Ears rather longer also, and eyes very often furnished with " sealing wax," like that dog. The Tiose is of full width, and seldom has the concave upper line of the English dog. The flag is rather short, and is apt to be " teapotty." The coat is in many strains hard and open, and in others curly, but the best breeds are provided with coats nearly as silky as a Laverack's. In colour, the black should be jet, and the tan a deep mahogany. The tan is shown in the same places as in the Manchester terrier, already described. (d) the welsh setter. Throughout "Wales a very curly-coated setter is met with, which is said to resist the wet and cold of the mountains in a marvellous manner. I have seen several of them at various times, but, excepting this thick curly coat, I could never make out any peculiar type, and their colours are as various as Mr. Laverack's. They possess good pace, but hunt with their heads and tails down on the ground, and on this account they have never taken my fancy. Not knowing more of them than the above, 1 cannot go into further detail. 1 5 6 DOMESTICATED DOGS. (e) the bussian setter. A Russian Setter slightly crossed with English blood. Having had no further experience of this dog since I wrote the first edition of this book, I cannot do better than transcribe the description I then gave : — This dog was at one time, that is, about twenty years ago, considered to be superior to our English breed, and many of them were then introduced into the kennels of our best sportsmen, but they are now almost lost sight of again. In the year 1841, the late Mr. Lang, well known as a first-rate shot both at game and pigeons, and as a breeder of pointers and setters, wrote to the editor of the " Sporting Review " a letter warmly in praise of them, from which the following is an extract • — "In the season of 1839 I was asked for a week's shooting THE SETTER. 157 into Somersetshire by an old friend, whose science in everything connected with sporting is first-rate. Then, for the first time for many years, I had my dogs, English setters, beaten hollow. His breed was from pure Eussian setters, crossed by an English setter dog which some years ago made a sensation in the sporting world from his extraordinary performances; he belonged to the late Joseph Manton, and had been sold for a hundred guineas. Al- though I could not but remark the excellence of nxy friend's dogs, yet it struck me, as I had shot Over my own old favourite setter (who had himself beat many good ones, and had never before been beaten) for eight years, that his nose could not have been right, for the Eussians got three points to his one. I therefore resolved to try some others against them the next season ; and having heard a gentleman, well known as an excellent judge, speak of a brace of extraordinary young dogs he had seen in the neighbourhood of his Yorkshire moors, with his recommendation I purchased them. I shot to them in August last, and their beauty and style of performance were spoken of in terms of praise by a correspondent to a sporting paper. In September I took them into Somersetshire, fully anticipating that I should give the Eussians the go-by : but I was again disappointed. I found, from the wide ranging of my dogs, and the noise consequent upon their going so fast through stubbles and turnips (particularly in the middle of the day, when the sun was powerful and there was but little scent), that they constantly put up their birds out of distance, or, if they did get a point, that the game would rarely lie till we could get to it. The Eussians, on the contrary, being much closer rangers, quartering their ground steadily — heads and tails up — and possessing perfection of nose, in extreme heat, wet, or cold, enabled us to bag double the head of game i that mine did. Nor did they lose one solitary wounded bird ; whereas, with my own 1 58 DOMESTICATED DOGS. dogs, I lost six brace the first two days of partridge-shooting, most of them in standing corn. " My old friend and patron having met with a severe accident while hunting, last season, determined to go to Scotland for the next three years. Seeing that my dogs were well calculated for grouse-shooting, as they had been broken and shot to on the moors, and being aware of my anxiety to possess the breed of his Eussians, he very kindly offered to exchange them for mine, with a promise that I would reserve a brace of Eussian puppies for him. Although I had refused fifty guineas for my brace, I most gladly closed with his offer. Since then I have hunted them in company with several dogs of high character, but nothing that I have yet seen could equal them. If not taken out for six months, they are perfectly steady, which is a quality rarely to be met with. Every sportsman must know that the fewer dogs he can do his work with properly the better ; for if they are in condition they can- not be too frequently hunted, and their tempers, style of work- ing, &c, become more familiar to him. On this the whole com- fort of shooting depends. Upon these grounds I contend that, for all kinds of shooting, there is nothing equal to the Eussian or half-bred Eussian setter in nose, sagacity, and every other necessary qualification that a dog ought to possess." Since then, however, Mr. Lang lost the breed, and, I believe, for some reason or other, had also lost confidence in them. They are now very scarce in this country of pure blood, and even the cross with the English setter is seldom seen. The actual form of the Eussian setter is almost entirely con- cealed by a long woolly coat, which is matted together in the most extraordinary manner, and which would lead to the supposition that he would be unable to stand heat as well as our curly setters ; but, on the contrary, he bears it almost like a pointer. THE FIELD SPANIEL. 159 He has the bearded muzzle of the deerhound and Scotch terrier, but the hair is of a more woolly nature, and appears to be be- tween that of the poodle and the water-spaniel, or perhaps the ordinary setter, but far thinner than either, which may account for the sustenance of heat. The legs are straight and strong, and the form of the body well adapted for the pace which the setter has to keep up : but this dog is not very fast, though quite suffi- ciently so for all sporting purposes. The feet are generally rather flat, but the soles are stout, and stand work well, while the quantity of hair on them fits them to bear the friction of heather or other rough work. I have never tried one of these dogs my- self, but I have always heard the highest character of their nose and sagacity, as well as of their powers of endurance. VII.— THE FIELD SPANIEL. A great variety of these dogs exists throughout Great Britain, and, until lately, they were divided into large spaniels (springers) and small (cockers.) Nowadays, however, only four distinct varieties are acknowledged, viz. — (a) the Clumber ; (5) the Sussex ; (e) the Norfolk ; and (<£) the modern cocker. All these strains are employed to find game without pointing it, giving notice (with the exception of the clumber, who is mute) of their being " on it " by their tongues, which vary so as to enable the shooter to act accordingly. (a) the clumber spaniel. This variety has been established for a long time at the seat of the Duke of Newcastle, from which its name is derived, but it is only within the last fifty years that it has been generally known i6o DOMESTICATED DOGS. and appreciated. It is not, however, a poor man's dog, as it soon tires, and less than two or three couple would be quite useless in any covert of average size. Being mute, the Clumber spaniel is taught never to range more than from 25 to 40 yards from his master, who thus never loses sight of his team for more than a WSmimt. H^ J The Clumber Spaniel. few minutes at a time, and whatever game is stirred rises within gunshot. Since the general use of human beaters instead of canine in the lattuds which ,are now the fashion, the spaniel has been at a discount except for rabbit-shooting and for beating small spinneys for pheasants before the commencement of the regular season. Still there is work to be done by the keepers THE FIELD SPANIEL. 161 preparatory to lattues in which dogs are required, and in large establishments Clumbers are still kept for that purpose, in which their mute, steady, and quiet style of hunting make them eminently useful. The points of this breed are as follows : — VALUE VALUE Head, .... . 20 Legs, . . • . 7i Ears, . . IO Feet, . 7i Neck, . • s Colour, 5 Length of body, . • 15 Coat, . 5 Shoulders and chest, . 10 Stern, . 5 Back, .... . 10 — Total, The head is heavy as compared with that of the setter or pointer, but otherwise resembles the former, having a flat top divided by a furrow down the middle, high brows, and an occipital protuberance of a marked character. Nose very long, broad, and deep ; the nostrils being more patulous than those of any other spaniel. The end is of a dark flesh colour, sometimes apparently that of liver. Eyes large and soft, generally hazel. The ears are vine-shaped like the setter's, not lobular as in other spaniels. The leather is very long, but as there is not much feather, the whole ear does not look so large as in most other spaniels. The neck is very strong and long for so thickly-made a dog. As, however, the vertebrae generally are elongated, those of the neck partake of the same character. There is no dewlap in the skin of the neck, but there is a slight "ruff" in the hair. The length is considered a very important point, and should be at least 2\ times the height. Shoulders and chest. — In such a heavy animal good shoulders 162 DOMESTICATED DOGS. are imperative, or he will tumble over every tussock of grass in his work and tire himself in half an hour. A large chest is also looked for to give bellows-room ; but here I confess I do not see the force of the demand, as the pace is too slow to call on the wind. The back for the same reason should be muscular, but breeders go for a straight one, why, I am at a loss to know. At all events, an arched lion in a Clumber spaniel is reprobated strongly. Deep back ribs are of course necessary in so heavy a frame. The legs must be straight and strong both in bone and muscle, with elbows' well let down and set straight ; the hocks also and stifles should be bony, and neither turned in nor out. From his great width of chest the Clumber is often out at the elbows and crooked in the fore-legs, but this is a great defect. The feet are large- as compared with those of the setter, but then the extra weight to be carried must be taken into considera- tion. Strong horny soles are a great desideratum. The colour is always a white ground with yellow or orange spots. A decided lemon is, however, the correct thing, and if possible freckled ; but this is more rare than with the orange. The coat should be like that of the English setter, with a very slight wave, but no curl, abundant, but not long except in the feather of the legs and stern. The stem should be set on high, but carried low, especially when at work. It is not docked. (B) THE SUSSEX SPANIEL. This dog was almost unknown out of his own county until I drew attention to him in the first edition of this book in the year 1859. In the early dog shows no notice whatever was taken of him, and THE FIELD SPANIEL. 163 until 1 872, if shown, he was relegated to the miscellaneous classes. Since then, however, he has taken precedence of the Clumber, and has a special class at all the principal shows. Mr. Soames' " George," selected by me twenty years ago, still continues to be the type of the breed, and the only difficulty is to breed up to ' Geokoe " and " Romp,"* Sussex Spaniels, the Property of E. Soames, Esq., of London. him. A great many spaniels exhibited as Sussex, and even pos- sessing the correct golden liver colour, are no doubt more or less impure, but the same may be said of most breeds. This spaniel is much faster in his work than the Clumber, and more lasting, by which qualities he recommends himself to the general shooter. A couple or a leash will suffice for most people, and even a single * Bred by the late A. E. Fuller, Esq., of Eose Hill, Brightling, Sussex, and descended from the celebrated stock of Mr. Moneypenny, of Rolvendon. 1 64 DOMESTICATED DOGS. dog will beat a great extent of covert, if he is a good one. He is gifted with a full bell-like tongue, which he varies according to the game before him ; and by this means an experienced shooter can tell whether to expect " fur " or " feather," and can also dis- tinguish a hot scent from a stale one, by which he is considerably benefited. There is no better " all round " spaniel than this, and I am not surprised at the rise in fashion shown in his case of late years. Points of the Sussex spaniel : — • VALUE VALUE Head, • 15 Legs, • 5 Eyes, . 5 Eeet, . 5 Nose, . 10 Colour, . 10 Ears, .... • 5 Coat, . 5 Neck, ■ 5 Tail, . . 10 Shoulders and chest, . . 10 Symmetry, • 5 Back, .... . 10 • Total, . 100 The head should be wide and long, showing the central furrow very clearly, and the side arches also. The brows are high, and there is a slight occipital protuberance, but not nearly so marked as in the Clumber.' The whole head is still heavy, but not so massive as the latter's. The eyes are very full and soft, but there must be no weeping at the corners. The nose is long and wide, end liver coloured. Nostrils open, but not remarkably so. The ears are long in leather and lobe-shaped, not vine-shaped. They have more feather than the Clumber, but are still not heavily clothed. The neck is somewhat short, with a well-marked frill. It is not raised much above the level of the back. There is no throati- ness or dewlap. THE FIELD SPANIEL. 165 Shoulders 'and chest. — The shoulders are generally more sloping than those of the Clumber, owing to the chest narrowing in front. The latter is very full towards the back ribs, which are very deep, and in front is not nearly so wide and round. This makes this dog very active for his weight. The lack is more arched than the Clumber's, and very strong in its coupling with the loin and hips. The proportion of length to height is about 2\ times. The legs in front are, like those of all wide-chested dogs, apt to be broad, but this defect is not so common as in the Clumber. Still it should be carefully attended to. The feet are generally very good in this breed, neither spread- ing nor with soft pads. The toes ,are well arched, and there is plenty of hair between them. The colour is a golden liver without white, and after the first year there is generally a faded look about the 'coat. The coat is decidedly wavy, and not the slightest approach to curl should be seen. The tail is carried low ; it is usually cropped. The symmetry of this dog is by no means a prominent feature, but still it is worthy of the points allotted to it. (C) THE NORFOLK SPANIEL, A spaniel of full size, of a liver and white or black and white colour, is met with very generally in the eastern counties, but it varies too much to admit of any definite description. The chief points of difference from the Clumber and Sussex are, that the length is not so great, and that the ears are furnished with more feather, often almost reaching the ground. 1 66 DOMESTICATED DOGS. (d) the modern cockek. English and Welsh Cockers. Although in "Wales and Devonshire a small liver-coloured cocker is still used, yet the fashion of the day in other parts of the country is to use a somewhat larger spaniel, generally of a black colour, and known as the modern cocker. This dog is now expected to be the servant-of-all-work to the shooter, and takes his turn at rabbits, pheasants, or even partridges, when he is called on, with the greatest zest. He is bred from a cross of the Sussex with the old-fashioned cocker of Devon or Wales, selecting the blacks, so as now to become almost invariably of that colour. Points of the modern cocker : — THE FIELD SPANIEL. 167 VALUE VALUE Head, . ■ 15 Eeet, . . 10 Ears, . • 5 Colour, 5 Neck, . ■ S Coat, . . 10 Body, . 20 Tail, . . 10 Length, 5 Symmetry, . • 5 Legs, . . 10 Total, . .100 The head is long, and not so heavy as either that of the Clumber or Sussex. The brow is also more sloping, and the occipital protuberance -well defined. Nose long, broad, and square. Eyes soft and gentle, but not very full, and by no means -watering. The ears are set low, and lobular as in the Sussex, which dog he resenlbles in this point. The neck is moderately long, and rises from well-formed shoulders. Body. — The chest must be deep rather than wide, girthing well, nevertheless. Back and loin strong and well coupled. The length should be slightly more than twice the height. The legs should be long and muscular. Elbows, stifles, and hocks all in one plane. The feet are round and cat-like ; hairy between the toes, and with hard horny pads. The colour, by preference, is a jet black without white. In almost every litter, however, there are one or two true liver- coloured puppies. The coat is flat and wavy, soft and silky in texture. There is a good deal of feather, but no top-knot should be permitted. The tail is always cropped, but it must be carried below the back. In symmetry this spaniel excels those already described. 1 68 DOMESTICATED DOGS. VIII.— THE WATER-SPANIEL. m0^ The Southern Irish Water-Spaniel. In England what is called the water-spaniel is of a very indefinite character; nearly all that can be said of him being, that he is a large, curly, liver-and- white spaniel, used for wild- fowl shooting. In Ireland, however, there are two varieties of this kind of dog, one chiefly known in the north and the other in the south. I shall begin by describing the Irish spaniel par excellence, viz., that used in the south. M THE WATER- SPANIEL. 169 (a) the ieish water-spaniel. This breed attracted great notice in England about fifteen years ago, and several splendid litters were, reared by Mr. Skidmore, Mr. Lindoe, Captain O'Grady, Mr. Willett, Mr. Eobson, and others ; but of late, either from delicacy of constitution or some other cause, great difficulty has been experienced in rearing puppies, so that it is seldom that a specimen is' exhibited at all coming up to the 1865-70 standard. Nor do. the Irish them- selves seem to have had better luck ; indeed, from all accounts, the fall in g off in the Emerald Isle has been even greater than in England. Those who have possessed a dog of this breed speak very highly of them, so that it does not seem that the decay is to be attributed to carelessness or neglect. According to trustworthy evidence,' Mr. M'Carthy alone seems to have the credit of originating this strain, which is very remark- able, as there is no breed of dogs in existence closely resembling it ; and how he created it I am quite at a loss to know. The bare face and tail, the marked top-knot, the long curls all round the legs, and the heavily curled coat on the body and ears, are all peculi- arities which must have, been derived from some source, but, alas ! I confess my ignorance as to its habitat. The only objection I know of is, that the breed is very quarrelsome ; but still this cannot be carried to the extent of extermination, which is what seems to threaten it. Mr. Lindoe and others who have possessed good specimens tell me that a more useful spaniel does not exist, either for land or water, and that he possesses a good nose, retrieves well, with a tender mouth, if not spoiled by bad manage- ment. Added to these good qualities is an untiring disposition to hunt, while as a companionable dog he is A- 1 . Points of the southern Irish water-spaniel : — ijo DOMESTICATED DOGS. VALUE VALUE Head, .... . IO Feet, . 5 Pace and eyes, IO Coat, . IO Ears, . . IO Colour, IO Top-knot, . IO ' Tail, . IO Chest and shoulders, 7* . Symmetry, 5 Back and quarters, • 7i Legs, . ■ 5 Total, . IOO The head is remarkable for the absence of brow, the nose being quite of the Grecian order, and making nearly a straight line with the top of the head. It is covered with long fine curls to within an inch of the eyes, when the hair becomes quite short. This is quite distinct from the wig of the poodle, in which the curls are short and crisp. Eyes small and set almost level with the skin. The face is long, with open nostrils and level teeth. It is covered with very short hair, not glossy. The ears are long, both in leather and feather. The former extends beyond the nose when drawn forward, and the latter several inches beyond it. The top-knot is a long wisp of hair falling forward between the eyes, and rising from the skin in a decided peak. Chest and shoulders. — The chest does not girth so much as in any other spaniel, a full-sized dog not measuring more than 22 inches. In the shoulders there is nothing to be noticed, from the thick coat it is difficult to ascertain their forma- tion. Bach and quarters. — The back is straight and not remarkably strong. The quarters also are not very muscular. As the dog is leggy the stifles are nearly straight. The legs are straight, but the fore-pasterns generally bend a good deal below the knee, giving an appearance of weakness. THE WATEK-SPANIEL. 171 They are clothed with short curls all round, but no feather, as in other spaniels. The feet are large, and inclined to spread, improving the swim- ming powers considerably, but not tending to bear road-work. The coat is composed of short curls of hair, without any approach to the woolliness of the poodle or to the silkiness of the land spaniel and setter. As to colour, there is only one which belongs to the pure breed, viz., a deep puce liver colour, without a white hair, except an occasional white toe. With regard to symmetry, I do not think the dog has any high claims to consideration. (B) THE NORTHERN IRISH WATEK-SPANIEL. This dog has short ears with little or no feather. The body is covered with short crisp curls. His colour is an ordinary liver or liver and white. The type is not settled clearly enough to enable me to give any more definite description. (C) THE ENGLISH WATER- SPANIEL. Since 1859 I confess that I have gained no further knowledge of this breed, and I must content myself with reprinting what I then wrote, as follows: — Water-spaniels are commonly said to have web-feet, and this point is often made a ground of distinction from other dogs, but the fact is that all dogs have their toes united by membranes in the same way, the only distinction between the water and land dogs beirg that the former have larger feet, and that the mem- brane between the toes being more lax, they spread more in 1 72 DOMESTICATED DOGS. swimming, and are thus more useful in the water. Most people would understand, from the stress laid on web-feet in the water- dogs, that the toes of the land-dogs were nearly as much divided as those of man, but there are none so formed, and, as I before remarked, the toes of all are united throughout by a strong membrane. The coat in all the water-dogs is woolly and thickly matted, often curly, and in all more or less oily, so as to resist the action of the water. This oil is rank in smell, and hence they are all unfit to be inmates of our houses, which is a strong objection even to the poodle as a toy-dog. As, therefore, we have no ground for separating the land from the water dogs by this strong line, I have not- attempted to do so, but have grouped them according to the divisions under which they naturally fall. The Old English water-spaniel is particularly fond of the water, and will enter it in almost all weathers by choice, while it never is too cold for him when any game is on it. His powers of swimming and diving are immense, and he will continue in it for hours together, after which he gives his coat a shake and is soon dry. Indeed, when he first comes out he does not seem thoroughly wet, his oiled and woolly coat appearing to set at defiance the approach of water. His nose is pretty good, and he is capable of an excellent education ; but it takes some time to break him thoroughly, as he is required to be completely under command, and is a very restless dog by nature, whereas his duties demand perfect silence. There are generally said to be two distinct breeds, one larger than the other, but in other respects alike. His points are as follows : — Head long and narrow, eyes small, and ears of medium length, covered with thick curly hair, Body- stout, but elegantly formed, with strong loins and round barrel- like chest, which is broad across the shoulders. The legs are THE POODLE. 173 rather long, but very strong, the bone being of great size and well clothed with muscle. Feet large and spreading, tail covered thickly with long curly hair, and slightly curved upwards, but not carried above the level of the back. IX.— THE POODLE. Lady Di Huddleston's "Mossoo." In this country the poodle is chiefly kept as a companion, but in France and Germany he is the main dependence of the small proprietors and farmers who indulge in la chasse as the sport par excellence of these two nations, and there he is the only water-dog i 7 4 DOMESTICATED DOGS. known. Within the last few years a good many have been im- ported into England for wildfowl shooting, but a still greater number have been introduced as ladies' pets, the fashion of the day being in favour of a poodle with a black satin jacket trimmed with Astrakan. In Eussia the poodle is chiefly used as a house-dog, and is taught many tricks there, for the amusement of the families during the long winters, when no one goes out of doors without necessity. In France and Germany there are a great many slight variations in size, colour, and general appearance, but all exhibit a neatly rounded symmetrical body, covered naturally with short crisp curls, in some cases woolly and in others silky, and exhibiting a decided wig of crisp curls over the eyes. Dr. Fitzinger, the chief German authority on the dog, enumer- ates six distinct varieties, but I shall not follow him through the whole. His chief points of difference seem, however, to reside in the size, beyond which he is rather indefinite. Both for sporting and companionable purposes, the poodle is always clipped in France and Germany during the summer, but his coat is allowed to grow during the cold season, a much more humane plan than that adopted by our English ladies, who exhibit them in satin even at Christmas, considering, I suppose, a few tufts of Astrakan enough to keep them warm. No dog is possessed of more intelligence than the poodle, and the best tricks exhibited in circuses and elsewhere are almost always performed by this breed. As a retriever he is indefatig- able, but on land he uses his brains more than his nose, and hunts in circles rather than by following the trail. He dives well, and rarely fails to find his bird in the water, while his coat is so impenetrable that he can remain immersed for an almost indefinite time. THE POODLE. 175 The very handsome specimen of the breed from which my illustration of it is drawn is a black poodle belonging to Lady Di Huddleston, and when he has been just clipped by Mr. Botherham, he exhibits the satin and Astrakan coat in perfection. Less woolly than most of his brethren, he has almost a silky skeen in his ringlets, but they are not soft like the setter's. Never- theless, with a very fine frame he unites good legs and feet, and altogether is as perfectly shaped a dog as can be imagined. " Mossoo " took the first prize at the Crystal Palace Show of 1878, beating Mrs. Compton's equally celebrated dog, who had previously taken two first prizes in Germany. He is full of tricks, like most of his breed, and is of a remarkably affectionate disposition. No points have ever been assigned to the poodle, and I confess that I have not sufficient knowledge of him to assign them. ( 176 ) CHAPTEE V. PASTORAL DOGS AND THOSE USED FOE DEATJGHT. i. The English Sheep-Dog— 2. The Collie: (a) Rough; (b) Smooth— 3. The Drover's Dog— 4. The German Sheep-Dog — 5. The Pomeranian : (a) The Large Wolf-Dog ; (b) The Small or Spitz— 6. The Chinese Sheep-Dog — 7. The Newfoundland, and Labrador Dog : (a) The True Newfoundland ; (b) The Landseer Newfoundland ; (c) The St. John's or Labrador— 8. The Esquimaux Dog — 9. Iceland and Lapland Dogs. I.— THE ENGLISH SHEEP-DOG. I cannot do better than transcribe the description of this dog which I wrote in 1859, as follows : — The English sheep-dog is tolerably represented in the annexed engraving, but there are so many different breeds that it is diffi- cult to describe him very exactly. He has a sharp muzzle, medium-sized head, with small and piercing eyes ; a well-shaped body, formed after the model of a strong low greyhound, but clothed in thick and somewhat woolly hair, which is particularly strong about the neck and bosom. The tail is naturally long and bushy, but, as it has almost invariably been cut off until of late years, its variations can hardly be known. Under the old excise laws, the shepherd's dog was only exempt from tax when without a tail, and for this reason it was always removed ; from which at last it happened that many puppies of the breed were born without any tails, and to this day some particular breeds are tailless. In THE ENGLISH SHEEP-DOG. 177 almost all sheep-dogs there is a double dew-claw on each hind leg, and very often without any bony attachment. The legs and feet are strong and well formed, and stand road- work well, m 9ft The English Sheep-Dog. and the untiring nature of the dog is very remarkable. The colour varies greatly, but most are grey, or black, or brown, with more or less white. Such is the true old English sheep-dog, but a great proportion of those in actual use are crossed with the various sporting dogs, such as the setter, which is very common, or the pointer, or even the hound ; and hence we so often find the sheep-dog as good in hunting game as in his more regular duties, while a great many are used as regular poaching dogs by night, and in retired districts by day also. M 178 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. II.— THE COLLIE (ROUGH AND SMOOTH). The (Jollie (Youatt). (A) THE ROUGH COLLIE. One of the most beautiful and useful of all our dogs is the Scotch sheep-dog or collie, an excellent engraving of which heads this article. With a fine muzzle he combines an intelligent-look- ing and rather broad head, a clear but mild eye, and- a pricked and small ear slightly falling at the tip. His body is elegantly formed, and clothed with a thick coat of woolly hair, which stands out evenly from his sides, and protects him from the rain and snow to which he is exposed in his work, clothing him round the neck with a " ruff," which is more marked in him than in any other breed of dogs with which I am acquainted. THE COLLIE. 179 Of late years the collie has descended into the South, and fairly taken us by storm, being used, however, chiefly as a com- panionable dog, though on many farms his proper, vocation is allotted to him. An attempt has been made to meet the fashion- able demand for a pretty colour by crossing him with the black and tan setter, and this cross has taken the fancy of those who require an ornamental rather than a useful dog, but it has completely de- stroyed the main features of the breed for which he was prized. Instead of a thick woolly coat with a very close undergrowth, it has given the shining but open hair of the setter, letting in the wet, so that the dog would be utterly useless on a Scotch hill. Instead of the bare legs of the true breed, which, even if wet, do not hold it in any quantity, the legs are feathered like a setter's, and would speedily be fringed with icicles if folding sheep in a white frost. The cross, however, answers the purpose for which it was intended by filling the pockets of the breeders with Southern gold, and is perfectly suited to Eotten Eow or an undergraduate's room at Oxford or Cambridga My purpose, however, is to de- scribe the collie as a sheep-dog, and, regarded from this point of view, there must be neither a setter's coat nor setter's feather. Points of the rough collie : — Head, Muzzle, Ears and eyes, Shoulders, . Chest, Loin, Legs, VALUE Feet, . . 10 Coat, . ■ 15 Colour, 10 Tail, . S Symmetry, . 5 Total, The head should be fox-like in shape, that is to say, widest at the ears and tapering rapidly to the nose. This causes the eyes to be nearer together than in most dogs, the formation being seen 180 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. also in the dingo, Esquimaux, spitz, and Chinese, sheep-dog, which last closely resembles the spitz. The top of the head is quite flat, without any furrow, and very little brow, nor is there any occipital protuberance. The skull looks small when there is much frill, but it is not really so, its great width between the ears lodging a considerable amount of brain. The muzzle tapers to a very sharp point, and the nostrils are small, leading to the belief that the powers of scent are low ; but this is not really the case, many collies being most successful and determined poachers, even when quite free from the Gordon setter cross. The teeth are strong and even, and the masseter muscles of the jaw highly developed, causing the bite of this dog to be very sharp and punishing. The hair on the face in front of the eyebrows is very short. Ears and eyes.- — The proper type of the collie's ear is a small, semi-erect, - and pointed one, the tip turning outwards and for- wards: "With the setter cross every gradation occurs, nearly up to the full Gordon allowance of leather and feather. This change of shape may or may not be considered as important according to the taste of the inspector, but it indicates without doubt a departure from the true breed, and on that account is to be deprecated. The eyes are set more closely together than usual, as above remarked, and the axes of the openings are oblique, in this also resembling the dingo, and fox. In size they are not remark- able either way, but they are sharp and cunning in expression, at the same time being altogether without fierceness. The colour is generally brown in its various shades of hazel. The shoulders are required to be of the most useful formation, that is to say, sloping and muscular. If heavy, the dog cannot be quick over rough ground, as he is required to be, and notably down-hill, nor can he stop himself suddenly in correspondence with the flock he is guarding. THE COLLIE. 181 The chest is required to be of sufficient volume for the play of lungs and heart, but to secure the shoulders of the requisite form it must not be barrel-like, nor should it be keel-shaped to the full extent, or it will strike against inequalities of the ground. The loin must be muscular for the hill-work it has to do, and a slightly arched one is particularly suited to it. Deep back ribs are not required for this kind of strength, but they also indicate the hardy constitution absolutely necessary for the sheep-dog. The legs must have no weak point anywhere. Elbows should be strong, well let down and set on straight. Stifles and hocks large, powerful, and clean. Arms muscular as well as long, and knees wide, and not with too much bend backwards, though, as in the foxhound, I object to a very upright pastern. This last must be of large bone and tendon. The hind-legs often have a double dew-claw, but this is sometimes entirely absent. The feet are hare-like, with strongly arched toes and horny pads. The coat in the true breed is very characteristic, somewhat shaggy, and very thick in its long hair, and with a woolly under- coat which becomes visible on separating the outer one. Eound the neck is a remarkable frill or ruffi which seems to have been recently copied by the ladies by means of the fur capes which have come into fashion with the collie. On the upper side there is not nearly so long a development of this frill, which is, how- ever, nearly as long at the sides as below. The fore-legs have a little feather on them, the less the better ; but the hind ones are quite bare. The colour' is black and tan, or either of these colours alone, more or less mixed with white. When black and tan, the two colours occupy their usual positions on the face as well as the legs and body. The black, except in the Gordon cross, is seldom 182 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. deep, and the tan is full, and altogether unlike the mahogany- red tan of the setter. The tail is bushy, not comb-like, as in the setter, and is carried gaily when the dog is excited. The symmetry of this dog is above the average. The illustration of this dog, which I copied from Youatt, is exactly in accordance with my ideas of the true type, and is so considered by the best North-country breeders. (b) the smooth collie. The Smooth Collie In the North of England and in some districts of the Highlands of Scotland a collie of smaller size and lighter make is preferred, THE DROVER'S DOG. 183 which is also smooth in coat. He is said to resemble his rough brother in all other respects, but certainly the numerous specimens I have seen are without the foxy characteristics in any marked degree. You cannot say wherei the difference is, for it is so slight as to elude all measurements but those of the eye. Under this delicate organ, however, the experienced judge of animals detects a difference in appearance which the ordinary observer would probably pass over. The head is not so wedge-shaped. The nose is not so straight, and the eyes, if not set in a straight line, are very slightly oblique. The coat differs in being short, hard, and quite smooth. The colour is generally a mottled grey mixed with white, but some celebrated breeds are black and tan ; occasionally it is tan and white. The numerical value of the points is the same as in the rough collie. III.— THE DROVER'S DOG. In the different grazing counties of England dogs of all sizes and types are employed to drive cattle, most of which are tail- less either by nature or art. There is no doubt that in certain strains of the pointer, as well as the sheep and drover's dog, the tail is absent beyond one or two vertebrae. Such a malformation is now very rare in the pointer, and nearly as much so in the sheep-dog, and has become so pari passu with the cessation of the custom of artificial docking. In my young days a pointer with a full tail was never seen, the reason given for the mutila- tion being that, if left entire, the dog would lash it to pieces, and, moreover, would disturb his game by the noise he made with it. in the high stubbles of those days. So with the sheep-dog : the 1 84 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. tax was formerly levied on all but bob-tails, it being supposed that no one would keep a mutilated dog for anything but real service. Since the tax was altered so as to include all dogs in its meshes, sheep-dogs have not been docked, and, as I said before, concomitantly with the cessation of the operation has been the disappearance of the natural ,; bob." But other breeds have been docked for generations without a similar result, such as the spaniel and certain breeds of terriers, among whom a natural " bob " is unheard of. On the other hand, the bulldog loses his tail, or nearly the whole of it, under the name of the " screw tail," yet he has never been submitted to the scissors as far as I know, and certainly not for the last half-century The subject is a very curious one which I confess! am altogether unable to explain. IV.— THE GERMAN SHEEP-DOG. This is a small and very variable breed, resembling greatly the spitz in appearance, but without any definite points. Y.— THE POMERANIAN (LARGE AND SMALL). (A) THE POMERANIAN WOLF-DOG. The larger Pomeranian is kept for guarding the sheep from wolves, hence called the Pomeranian "wolf-dog. He resembles the St. Bernard in shape, but has not so large a head, and his colour is almost invariably a beautiful stone-fawn, without white, and with black points. He is by no means common in this country, but I have seen a few specimens of late years which have been shown me as of pure breed, and from the high position of those who possessed them I have no doubt of the fact. POMERANIAN OR SPITZ DOG. 185 (B) THE SMALLER POMERANIAN OR SPITZ, ALSO CALLED LOUP-LOUP. Pomeranian or Spitz Dog. This pretty little dog is now very common in this country as a ladies' pet, his pretty white coat and lively manners rendering him a general favourite, except with young children, among whom he is seldom to be trusted. In his native country he is the ordi- nary sheep-dog, and is tliere preferred of a black colour, which from its rarity here is also greatly prized. I am not aware of his having ever been put to his natural occupation in this country, where he has been introduced as a pet dog altogether. He has one advantage, which is, that his coat, though long and rough, seldom becomes offensive. Points of the spitz dog : — 1 86 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. Head, . Muzzle, Ears and eyes, Shoulders, . Chest, . Loin, . VALUE 10 S 5 5 5 io 10 Coat, . • IS Colour, • 15 Tail, . • 5 Symmetry, . • 5 Total, The head resembles greatly that of the collie's, being even more taper and fox-like. There is, however, a slight furrow down the middle of the forehead, and more brow than in that dog. There is also a prominent occiput beyond the average. The muzzle is also collie-like, or rather fox-like in its formation, and the nose ought always to be black at the tip, even in per- fectly white specimens. There is generally a slight tendency in the upper teeth to be overshot. Mars and eyes. — The ears are perfectly pricked, without any falling over at the lip, as in the collie, and are, indeed, exactly like those of the fox and dingo. They should be small and neat in shape. The eyes are larger than the average of the species, dark brown in colour, and set obliquely close together. The shoulders ought to be oblique ; but for a house-dog this is of little consequence. The chest is generally round and the back ribs shallow, but, of course, these points ought to be valued accordingly when their shape is perfect. The loin is frequently defective from shallow back ribs, but the hips . are generally wide enough to give sufficient attachment to the muscles moving the back. The legs are almost always straight and muscular, with elbows well let down, good strong stifles, and clean hocks. As to the feet, they are usually small, round, and cat-like, but THE CHINESE SHEEP-DOG. 187 the soles are often thin and unfit for road-work, which may account for this dog following badly behind a horse or carriage. The coat is very remarkable, being more like fur than hair, but very coarse fur. There is an under-coat, but it also is furry rather than woolly. There is as marked a frill as in the collie, and there is nearly more feather on the fore-legs: The face is bare of all but very short hair. The colour most esteemed is a jet black without white. The only other allowable colour is a pure flake white, without any shade or spot of yellow. A red strain is met with in Germany, but it is unknown in this country. The tail is curled over the back and carried on the side, usually the left. It is heavily feathered, and rather short in dock. The symmetry of the spitz is quite up to the average of the canine race. VI.— THE CHINESE SHEEP-DOG. This dog is exactly like the spitz as met with in this country, except in colour, which is always red more or less mixed with dark brown hairs, constituting the colour of the hare's back. It is a good-tempered, inoffensive animal, and an excellent companion and house-dog. VII.— THE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR; Several varieties of this dog are met with, which I shall proceed to describe, beginning with — PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. (A) THE TRUE NEWFOUNDLAND. £ K The Larger Newfoundland Dog (Youatt). Until Sir Edwin Landseer painted his celebrated " Distinguished Member of the Humane Society ,'* the Newfoundland was always considered a black dog, with no more white than in Lord Byron's " Boatswain," or than is given in the beautiful engraving by Orrin Smith published in Youatt's book on the dog, which I admire so much that I should be sorry .to replace it even by a THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 189 life-like portrait of Mr. Maplebeck's " Leo." Landseer's authority- was, however, so high, that black and white dogs came into fashion, and continued so until a few years ago, when a correspon- dent of "The Field" started the subject, and ultimately succeeded in silencing the Landseer party. In many shows, however, the Landseer type is allotted a class to itself, but the authorities who live on the island declare that there is no native breed with a groundwork of white. I shall, therefore, follow suit, and describe each as a distinct strain ; for there can be no dispute that a large number of dogs resembling the Newfoundland are of the Landseer colour. There is another point on which great diversity of opinion exists, namely, as to size. Most people in this country like a very large and majestic animal, if they go in for size at all, and accordingly prize a Newfoundland if 30 or 3 1 inches in height. But it is alleged that the true island breed is never more than 25 inches at the shoulder, and if so, they say a 30-inch dog is not pure bred. From all that I have gathered, however, I can only con- clude that the descendants of these 25-inch dogs grow in this country to the height of 30 or even 32 inches. I shall, therefore, take it for granted that the particular breed I am now describing must be black without any great quantity of white, and that he may be of any size not less than 2 5 inches in height. The Newfoundland is a remarkably sagacious dog, and hundreds of stories are told of his' nobility of disposition, courage, ajtd affec- tion for the human race. In his native land he is chiefly employed as a beast of draught, but in England he is a companion only, and is seldom used for any other purpose. His natural love of water, and his great power of bearing immersion in it, render him an excellent water-dog ; but for wildfowl shooting and retrieving on land this variety is not so useful as the smaller or St. John's 190 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. Newfoundland, which is large enough without being cumbersome in a punt or dogcart. All have good noses, but not equal to that of the setter, and even the best retriever of pure Newfoundland breed I have ever seen trusted more to his brains than to his nose to find the game he was seeking. Still a clever brain, even with a moderate nose, makes a better retriever than the best nose in the possession of a fool. Points of the Newfoundland : — VALUE VALU Ears and eyes, • 5 Colour, • 5 Neck, . . IO Coat, . . . . s Chest, . • 5 Tail, . 5 Back, . IC Symmetry, . . 10 Legs, . 10 Eeet, . • 5 Total, . 100 The head, as containing the organ on which this breed rests his main claim for our admiration, is allotted 20 points out of the 100, and I think correctly. In the first place, it must be large in volume of skull, broad, and nearly flat at the top, with a marked brow, as is beautifully shown in Youatt's engraving. Next, there must be a look of grandeur without ferocity, mixed with intelli- gence, which is capitally rendered by Orrin Smith. A wide but also not very long muzzle accompanies this formation of skull, contain- ing strong teeth set quite level. The skin covering the head is slightly wrinkled on the forehead, but on the face is very tight and smooth, and clothed with short hair. Ears and eyes. — The ears are closely pendant, small, and covered with short hair, fringed at the edges with it, a trifle longer. Eyes small, without any redness of the " haw," brown in colour and very mild in expression. THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 191 The neck is shorter than the average, thick and strong, but cleanly cut above and below. There is no frill. The chest is barrel-like, girthing well, but short in its tack ribs, giving a loose loin. As to back, it is often long and loose ; but if so, it ought to be penalised. The legs are strong and set on straight, fore-legs feathered towards the elbows, but nearly clean below. Feet. — In swimming dogs a large foot is essential, but it should not spread under the weight of the body. We must, therefore, penalise the flat weak foot, but a moderately wide one may be forgiven if there is no absolute spreading out of the toes. The sole is very apt to be thin, which is the more remarkable in a breed used for generations as beasts of draught. Size. — As above remarked, a full size in this breed is impor- tant, and all above 25 inches is "to the good" in the account, while less than that height is a defect. Colour. — Black is the correct colour without doubt, but a rusty stain on it is said by many good judges to be inherent in the true breed. Little or no white should be allowed. The coat is shaggy and somewhat oily, smelling strongly when wet. From this oiliness it is capable of sustaining long immer- sion well. The tail is long, bushy, and curled slightly on one side. In symmetry good specimens of the Newfoundland are well up, but the average are somewhat deficient in it. (B) THE LANDSEER TYPE OF NEWFOUNDLAND. This variety differs from the above, being usually more loosely made, and possessing a less majestic appearance ; the colour also 192 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. is a white ground with black spots, and the coat is more woolly. Most dogs of this breed are also more " on the leg " than the black type. (c) THE ST. JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND OR LABRADOR DOG. The St. John's or Labrador. In Great Britain the small variety of the Newfoundland is seldom kept as a mere companion, being chiefly used as a retriever, either pure or more or less crossed with the setter or spaniel. He is then commonly known as " a retriever " of the wavy-coated kind, to distinguish him from the curly-coated cross THE ST. JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 193 with the water-spaniel. Many of these retrievers are imported direct from Newfoundland to Hull and other ports trading with that island ; others are bred in this country from imported parents, but most breeders prefer to cross them for the sake of improving the nose. There is not the same grand size and nobility of deportment as in the large breed, very few standing more than 2 2 or 23 inches high, nor is there the same mental development, as indicated by the head, which is not so massive in proportion to the body. The colour is always black without white, and Mr. Bond Moore, who is considered to be the highest authority on the breed, would disqualify a dog for a white toe or white spot of the smallest kind on the breast or forehead. This is very absurd in a dog intended for use. Fancy dogs may be measured by any rule, however artificial, but a shooting dog should only be judged by points which are relevant to his work. The following are the points of the Labrador dog : — VALUE Skull,. ■ is Feet, . Nose and jaws, . • 5 Tail, . Ears and eyes, S Coat, . Neck. . 5 Colour, Shoulders and chest, . . 10 Symmetry . Loins and back, . . 10 Temperament Quarters and stifles, . . 10 Legs, knees, and hocks, . io Total, . 100 The skull is wide, but not so much so as in the larger variety ; flat at the top, but with a slight furrow down the middle ; moderately long, with a brow only just rising from the straight line ; a very slight occipital protuberance. Nose and jaws. — These must be long enough to carry a hare, and wide enough for the development of the nasal organ of scent, with open nostrils. Teeth level. Ears and eyes. — The ears are small and pendant close to the i 94 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. ■head. The hair short, with a very slight fringe at the edge. Eyes of medium size, intelligent and soft. Neck, moderately long, that is to say, as long as it can he got ; imported and pure Labradors being very often too short to stoop for a scent without difficulty. Shoulders and chest. — The chest is apt to be barrel-like, but it is better somewhat narrow and deep, giving lodgment for more oblique shoulders, and rendering the "dog better able to stoop., The back and ' loins should be strong and well coupled, with deep back ribs. Quarters and stifles.. — Bent stifles are seldom met with in this breed, but they should not be confined in width. The quarters are generally straight, but a slight slope is by no means a dis- advantage. Legs, knees, and hocks.. — These ought always to be straight, mus- cular, and strong in bone. The feet are large, and should be specially attended to, as they are apt to be flat and thin-soled. The tail is bushy without setter, feather. It is carried high during excitement, but should not be curled over the back. The coat is moderately short, but wavy, from its length being too great for absolute smoothness. It is glossy and close, admit- ting wet with difficulty to the skin, owing to its oiliness, but pos- sessing no under-coat. The colour is a rich jet black without rustiness. No quantity of white is admissible, but the best-bred puppies often have a white toe or star. Symmetry is of some importance, as indicating adaptation to the work this dog has to do. It is often considerable. Temperament. — Without a good disposition and temper, no dog THE ESQUIMAUX DOG. 195 can be made into a good retriever, and therefore this point should be carefully examined in it. VIII;— THE ESQUIMAUX DOG. The Esquimaux Dog (Youatfc). This dog is the only beast of burden in the northern parts of the continent of America and adjacent islands, being sometimes employed to carry materials for hunting or the produce of the chase on his back, and at others he is harnessed to sledges in teams varying from seven to eleven, each being capable of drawing a hundredweight for his share. The team are harnessed to a single yoke-line by a breast-strap, and being without any guide-reins, 196 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. they are entirely at liberty to do what they like, being only re- strained by the voice of their master and urged forward by his whip. A single dog of tried intelligence and fidelity is placed as leader, and upon him the driver depends for his orders being obeyed. In the summer they are most of them turned off to get their own subsistence by hunting, some few being retained to carry weights on their backs ; sledges are then rendered useless by the absence of snow ; and as there is a good subsistence for them from the offal of the seal and the walrus which are taken by the men, the dogs become fat at this season of the year. The Siberian and Greenland dogs are nearly similar to those of Kamtschatka, but somewhat larger, and also more manageable, all being used in the same way. The Esquimaux dog is about 22 or 23 inches high, with a pointed, fox-like muzzle, wide head, pricked , ears, and wolf-like aspect ; the body is low and strong, and clothed with long hair, having an under-coat of thick wool ; tail long, gently curved, and hairy ; feet and legs strong and well formed ; the colour is almost always a dark dun, with slight dis- position to brindle, and black muzzle. IX.— ICELAND AND LAPLAND DOGS. These are nearly similar to the Esquimaux, but rather larger, more wolf-like, and far less manageable. ( 197 CHAPTEE VI. WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. i. The Bulldog— 2. The Mastiff : (a) English ; (b) Cuban— 3. The Mount St. Bernard: (a) Rough; (b) Smooth— 4. The Thibet Dog— 5. The Lion- Dog— 6. The Shock-Dog. The peculiarity of this division is, that the dogs composing it are solely useful as the companions or guards of their owners, not being capable of being employed with advantage for hunting, in consequence of their, defective noses, and their sizes being either too large and unwieldy or too small for that purpose. For, the same reason they are not serviceable as pastoral dogs or for draught, their legs and feet, as well as their powers of maintain- ing long-continued exertion, being comparatively deficient. These dogs nearly all show a great disposition to bark at intruders, and thereby give warning of their approach ; but some, as the bulldog, are nearly silent, and then their bite is far worse than their bark. Others, as, for instance, the little house-dogs, generally with more or less of the terrier in them, are only to be used for the purpose of warning by their bark, as their bite would scarcely deter the most timid. The varieties are as follows : — WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. I.— THE BULLDOG. "Top," a pure Bulldog, the Property of C. Stockdale, Esq. F. Cuvier has asserted that this dog has a brain smaller in proportion than any other of his congeners, and in this way- accounts for his assumed want of sagacity. But though his authority is deservedly high, I must beg leave to doubt the fact as well as the inference ; for if the brain is weighed with the body of the dog from which it was taken, it will be found to be rela- tively above the average, the mistake arising from the evident disproportion between the brain and the skull. The whole head, including the zygomatic arches and cheek-bones, is so much larger than that of the spaniel of the same total weight of body, that the brain may well look small, as it lies in the middle of the various processes intended for. the attachment of the strong muscles of the jaw and neck. I have recently been able to THE BULLDOG. 199 obtain the fresh brain of a pure bulldog for the purpose of com- parison (1879), and from an examination I have no doubt of the fact being as above stated. The mental qualities of the bull- dog may be highly cultivated, and in brute courage and unyield- ing tenacity of purpose he stands unrivalled among quadrupeds, and with the single exception of the game-cock, he has perhaps no parallel in these respects in the brute creation. Two remark- able features are met with in this breed: First, they always make their attack at the head ; and, secondly, they do not bite and let go their hold, but retain it in the most tenacious manner, so that they can with difficulty be removed by any force which can be applied. Instances are recorded in which bulldogs have hung on to the lip of the bull (in the old days of baiting that animal) after their entrails had been torn out, and while they were in the last agonies of death. Indeed, when they do lay hold of an object, it is always necessary to choke them off, with- out which resource they would scarcely ever be persuaded to let go. From confinement to their kennels they are often deficient in intelligence, and they can rarely be brought under good control by education ; and, from the same circumstance, they show little personal attachment, so that they are almost as likely to attack their friends as their enemies in their fury when their blood is put up. Many a bulldog has pinned his master's leg in revenge for a tread on his foot, and it is very seldom that liberties can be taken with him by any one. There is an old story strongly characteristic of this tendency, which will illustrate this passion for pinning, and also the fondness of the lower orders in some districts for the fighting and baiting propensities of their dogs. A Staffordshire coalminer was one day playing with his bulldog, an unentered puppy, when the animal became angry and pinned his master by the nose. On this the bystanders became alarmed, 2oo WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. and were going to treat the dog roughly, but the owner inter- fered with, " Doan't touch un, Bill ; let un teaste blood, an' it'll be the meaking on him." And so the puppy was allowed to hang on and worry his master's nose to his heart's content. Most writers, whether political or otherwise, are fond of dilat- ing on the " bulldog courage " of Englishmen, yet, in the same breath, they vilely asperse the noble animal from whom they draw their simile. The bulldog has been described as stupidly ferocious, and showing little preference for his master over strangers ; but this is untrue, he being an excellent watch, and as a guard unequalled, except perhaps by the bull-mastiff, a direct cross from him. Indeed, he is far from being quarrelsome by nature, though the bull-terrier in many cases undoubtedly is so, and I fancy that some writers have taken their description from this dog rather than from the pure bulldog, which has been at all times rather a scarce animal If once the pure breed is allowed to drop, the best means of infusing fresh courage into degenerate strains will be finally lost, except with the addition of extraneous blood which may not suit them ; for I believe that every kind of dog possessed of very high courage owes it to a cross with the bulldog ; and thus the most plucky greyhounds, foxhounds, mastiffs, pointers, &c, may all be traced to this source. Though bull and badger baiting may not be capable of extenua- tion, to them we owe the keeping up of this breed in all its purity ; and though we may agree to discontinue these old- fashioned sports, yet I am sure my brother sportsmen will see the bad taste of running down a dog who, with all his faults, is not only the most courageous dog, but the most courageous animal in the world. An attempt has recently been made by Mr. Adcock, who is a most enthusiastic lover and breeder of the bulldog, to show that THE BULLDOG. 201 he was originally much larger than the English bulldog of the first half of the present century. My own opinion is that he has altogether failed, and that, instead of 70 or 80 lbs., which is the weight he insists on, 45 to 50 lbs. should be considered correct. The Bulldog Club have arrived at the same conclusion, and have recorded its opinion in their scale of points, which 1 have slightly modified, however, where I consider it erroneous. Points of the bulldog : — VALUE VALUE Skull, . . 20 Shoulders and chest, . . 10 Stop, • 5 Back, . Eyes, . • 5 Tail, .... Ears, . • 5 Fore-legs and feet, Face, upper jaw, and nos- Hind-legs and feet, trils, ■ S Size, .... Chop, . • 5 Coat and colour, . Mouth and lower jaw, • 5 Symmetry and action, Neck,,. • 5 Total, The skull should be as large in all its proportions as it can be obtained. In shape it should be square. In measuring the skull, it is usual to take the girth round the eyes, and also round the ears, and then to measure the distance between the eye and ear passage, which is the true test of the length of the brain cavity. The skin covering the skull should be well wrinkled. The stop (which is the indentation between the eyes, remark- able in this breed) must be deep, broad, and long — that is to say, it should extend well up into the top of the skull, which is technically called a "well broken-up face." The eyes are large and of a dark colour, but they should not absolutely protrude, constituting what is called a "goggle eye.'' They should be wide apart and set straight across, and not obliquely. 202 WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. The ears must, in any case, be small. They must be one of three shapes, -which are as follows, and are valued in the order given below : — First, the " rose " ear, in which the tip falls outwards, not quite half-way down; secondly, the "button," where the tip falls forward, almost completely hiding the inside ; and thirdly, the " tulip," which stands erect like that of the fox, or, in the dog, the spitz and Esquimaux. In all cases the ears should be set on very high, but not carried absolutely on the top of the skull. Face, upper jaw, and, nostrils. — The upper jaw should be full in the cheek-bones ; the nasal bones and their cartilages must be very short, sloping back at an angle of 45 from the upper teeth. This shortness of face is a point greatly insisted on, and has been " bred to " by selection since the time of Mr. Stockdale's " Top," who was, in his day, considered perfect in this respect. At present, his face would be too long for what is regarded as perfec- tion in this respect. The shortness of face was originally selected in order to give the dog the power of breathing when holding the bull by the soft and swelling lip; which, with an ordinary square nose, would plug up the nostrils. Why, since bull-baiting was given up, this point should be of any further importance, I am at a loss to know, but modern breeders have out-Heroded Herod. The nose should be broad, moist, and of a black colour. Those which are pink, called " Dudley," or " Butterfly," that is, parti- coloured, are objected to. The chop (upper lip) should cover the teeth, and, if possible, hang down over them. The mouth and lower jaw must be wide, and the latter square and turned up in front of the upper jaw like a spoon. The tusks should be set very wide apart, and be of full size. The incisors should be even and regular, but are very often the reverse. THE BULLDOG. 203 The neck should be long, considering the thickness of the body. It should be well arched, with a strong muscular develop- ment. In front there should be a strong double fold of skin (dew-lap). Shoulders and chest. — The blades must be long and strong, but they are not oblique, owing to the great width of chest. This must be very wide and moderately deep, giving a great girth. From this formation the brisket forms one side of a triangle, which is almost or quite equilateral, the other two sides being made up by the ribs. The hack should be short and arched at the loin, or, as it is called, " roached." It should be strongly connected with the loin by the long dorsal muscles, which should be readily traceable almost into the neck. The back ribs are short, giving the dog a tucked-up appearance in the flank. The tail must be set low, and should be fine and rather short. A slight twist is admired, but this often degenerates into a decided " screw," or abortive tail, which is not penalised, but still is not admired. It should not be carried high or much curved upwards. Fore-legs and feet. — The fore-legs are so wide apart as to make this dog look out at his elbows, even if they are quite straight, the true arm widening from the joint. The fore-arm is bowed in appearance from the development of muscle called the " calf " on the outside, but the bone should really be straight. The ankles should be upright, but are often very much down from want of exercise during rearing. The feet should be well split up in the toes, which should properly be arched ; but such a formation is seldom seen, and many breeders even " go in " for a splay foot. Hind-legs and feet. — The stifles should turn out, and the hocks 204 WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. in the latter case should be set low. The feet with this formation turn out ; they should resemble those of the fore-legs. The size should not exceed 50 lbs. in the dog and 40 lbs. in the bitch. Coat and colour. — The coat must be short, fine, and close. The colour most prized is white, or white more or less marked with any of the following colours, viz., brindle, fallow, or red. If with black face (smut), so much the better ; but a whole black or black and white colour is objected to. Whole brindle, fallow, or red is approved of. Symmetry and action. — The symmetry of this dog is a matter of fancy, but the action required is peculiar, being a roll depen- dent on the width and lowness of the fore- quarters and the small size of the hind-quarters as compared with the fore. II.— THE MASTIFF. Admirers of the mastiff consider him to be indigenous to Great Britain, but I confess I see no reliable grounds for such an opinion. There are two distinct varieties — the English and the Cuban. (A) THE ENGLISH MASTIFF. This dog is a very handsome and noble-looking animal as now bred) having lost the weak formation of back which formerly attached to him, by careful breeding in the hands of Mr. Lukey, Mr. Edgar Hanbury, Captain Gamier, and others. Mr. Lukey was, no doubt, the first in this undertaking, and though perhaps his dog " Wallace," which I selected twenty years ago as the type of the breed, has since been slightly surpassed by his own " Go- vernor," still I think it desiiable to retain him as my illustration, THE ENGLISH MASTIFF. 205 showing as he does, how little has been done since his time. Mr. Lukey's account to me of the origin of his breed is as follows:— "In 1835, I bought of the late George White of " Wallace," an English Mastiff, the Property of T. Lukey, Esq. Knightsbridge a brindled mastiff bitch, at a high price (^40), from" the Duke of Devonshire's stud. I bred from her with a fawn black-muzzled dog, < Turk/ the property of the late Lord 206 WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. "Waldegrave, a splendid high-couraged dog. I kept two brindled bitch pups; and with great interest and considerable cost I obtained the use of 'Pluto,' the Marquis of Hertford's well- known mastiff dog, considered by judges the finest and best-bred dog of his day, and valued immensely by the Marquis. I have not had any other cross but the ' Turk ' and ' Pluto ' breed, having kept bitches from the one and dogs from the other. " Wallace," the grandsire of the dog engraved, was an immense animal, standing 33 inches at the shoulder, 50 inches round the body, and weighed 1 7 2 lbs. The Nepaulese Princes bought his brother and sister at eight months old, and gave £105 for them. The late Pasha of Egypt for five successive years had two pair of whelps (brindled) sent spring and autumn from Southamp- ton. — T. L." The mastiff, like the bulldog, has had his would-be improvers in the wrong direction, among whom may be reckoned Mr. King- don, who, in his attempt to go back to what he calls the " pure breed," has produced a miserable substitute for such a shape as that of " Wallace," " Governor," " Prince," and their like. I shall not, however, go farther into this question, which has lately been settled in favour of the Lukey type, mainly by the aid of Cap- tain Gamier, Mr. E. Hanbury, and Mr. Lukey himself. Captain Gamier thus writes of his own strain : — " I bought of Bill George a pair of mastiffs, whose produce, fey good luck, afterwards turned out some of the finest specimens of the breed I ever saw. The dog ' Adam ' was one of a pair of Lyme Hall mastiffs, bought by Bill George at Tattersall's. He was a different stamp of dog to the present Lyme breed. He stood 30^ inches at the shoulder, with length of body and good muscular shoulders and loins, but was just slightly deficient in depth of body and breadth of forehead ; and from the peculiar forward lay of his small ears, and from his produce, I have since suspected a remote dash of boarhound in him. The bitch was obtained by Bill George from a dealer in Leadenhall Market. Nothing was known of her pedigree, but I am as convinced of its purity as I THE ENGLISH MASTIFF. 207 am doubtful of that of the dog. There was nothing striking about her. She was old, her shoulders a trifle flat, and she had a grey muzzle, but withal stood 29 inches at the shoulder, had a broad round head, good loin, and deep lengthy frame. From crossing these dogs with various strains I was easily able to analyse their produce, and I found in them two distinct types — one due to the dog, very tall, but a little short in the body and high on the leg, while their heads were slightly deficient in breadth ; the other due to the bitch, equally tall, but deep, lengthy, and muscular, with broad massive heads and muzzles. Some of these latter stood 33 inches at the shoulder, and by the time they were two years old weighed upwards of 190 lbs. They had invariably a fifth toe on each-hind leg, which toe was quite distinct from a dew-claw, and formed an integral portion of their feet. By bad management, I was only able to bring a somewhat indifferent specimen with me on my return to England from America, a badly- reared animal, who nevertheless stood 32 inches at the shoulder, and weighed 170 lbs. This dog, ' Lion,' was the sire of ' Governor ' and ' Harold/ by Mr. Lukey's bitch Countess, and so certain was I of the vast size of the breed in him, that I stated beforehand, much to Mr. Lukey's incredulity, that the produce would be dogs standing 33 inches at the shoulder — the result being that both ' Governor ' and his brother ' Harold ' were fully that height. In choosing the whelps, Mr. Lukey retained for himself the best-marked one, an animal that took after the lighter of the two strains that existed in the sire ; ■ for ' Governor,' grand dog and perfect mastiff as he was compared to most others of the breed, was nevertheless shorter in the body, higher on the leg, and with less muscular development than ' Harold,' while his head, large as it was, barely measured as much round as did his brother's. I, who went by the develop- ment of the fifth toe (in this case only a dew-claw), chose ' Harold,' a dog which combined all the best points except colour of both strains, and was a very perfect reproduction on a larger scale of his dam ' Countess.' This dog was the finest male specimen of the breed I have met with. His breast at ten months old, standing up, measured 13 inches across, with a girth of 41 inches, and he weighed in moderate condition 140 lbs., and at twelve months old 160 lbs., while at 1 3^ months old ' Governor ' only weighed in excellent condition 1 50 lbs., with a girth of 40 inches ; and inasmuch as ' Governor' eventually weighed 180 lbs. or even more, the size to which Harold probably attained must have been very great. His head also in size and shape promised to be perfect. " I will mention three other dogs. The first, Lord Waldegrave's ' Turk,' better known as ' Couchez,' was the foundation of Mr. Lukey's breed. This doc has frequently been described to me by Bill George and Mr. Lukey, and I have a painting of his head at the present moment. ■ He stood about 29^ inches or 30 inches at the shoulder, with great length and muscular develop- ment and, although he was never anything but thin, weighed about 130 lbs. Muzzle broad and heavy, with deep flews ; skin over the eyes and about the 2o8 WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. neck very loose ; colour red, with very black muzzle. He was a most savage animal ; was fought several times with other animals, and was invariably victorious. The second was a tailless brindled bitch, bought by Mr. Lukey from George White of Knightsbridge. She was a very large, massively-built animal, standing 30 inches at the shoulder. .Her produce with ' Couchez ' were remarkably fine. 'Long-bodied, big-limbed, heavy-headed bitches. They were mastiffs Mr. Lukey had in those days ! ' is Bill George's eulogium of them. This bitch was bred by the Duke of Devonshire, and must therefore have been one of the Chatsworth breed. The third animal, ' L'Ami,' was a brindled dog of such vast size and weight that he was taken about and shown in England in the year 1829, the price of admission being one shilling. Of the head of this dog also I have a drawing, and it shows him to be very full and round above the eyes, with a broad, heavy muzzle and remarkably deep flews, the ears being cropped close. This dog, with the exception of rather heavier flews, answered exactly to the type of Vandyke's mastiff." The mastiff has been crossed with the bulldog in many cases, some modern strains being largely imbued with that blood, which is shown in the small semi-erect ear, in the turned-up nose, and in general shape. There is no objection to a slight infusion of this blood, which amalgamates remarkably well with that of the mastiff, but a bloodhound cross is to be strongly deprecated on account of the savage temper transmitted with it. Hence a Ion"-, narrow, domed head, with a large ear and a red " haw," which are all bloodhound points, are to be carefully eschewed. As I shall presently state, the Cuban mastiff, being crossed, with the blood- hound, is for that reason to be avoided in breeding English mastiffs. The points of the English mastiff are : — Size, . Colour, Coat, . Tail, . Symmetry, Temperament, VALUE Head, .... . 20 Eyes, .... • 5 Ears, . 5 Muzzle 5 Neck, .... 5 Shoulders and chest, . . 10 Legs and feet, . 10 Loins, .... . 10 Total, THE ENGLISH MASTIFF. 209 The head is massive in all directions, but should be specially flat, and free from bloodhound dome or occipital protuberance. There is, however, a slight furrow down the middle, as will.be seen in the head of " Wallace." Brows sharp but low. Eyes. — These are small, and not at all prominent, but they must not show the sunken setting of the bloodhound type, and on no account " the sealing wax " or red " haw." The expression though grand is mild, and without sourness. In colour they are brown of various shades. The ears must be small and pendant, tolerably close to the cheeks, but not so much so as if of larger dimensions. There must be no folds in them, but one even vine-shaped flap of carti- lage, covered with smooth skin and short, soft hair. The muzzle is of average length, cut square at the end, with level teeth ; but many good dogs have a slight protuberance of the lower ones, and this should not be considered a defect. There should be a full lip above and below, but no absolute flew. The neck is very muscular, and turned with elegance, consider- ing its massive proportions. At its junction with the head there is a prominence as in the pointer, but no large occipital protuber- ance as in the bloodhound. No throatiness or dewlap is permis- sible. Shoulders and chest. — Massive proportions, which are essential in this breed, necessitate a full chest, and with this the shoulders cannot be very oblique ; but they must be full of muscle to make up for this deficiency. Legs and feet. — This dog being generally chained up, his feet and legs suffer accordingly, and in most cases there is a defi- ciency in them. A great many otherwise fine mastiffs are complete cripples in their hind-quarters, and not much better before. Flat splay feet accompany these defects, which should be penalised 2io WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. highly. , I need scarcely say that, instead of weak understandings, so large a dog requires them specially strong in all directions. Straight, muscular legs, with elbows and hocks neither in nor The Cuban Mastiff (Youatt). out, are desired, and also round, cat-like feet, when you can get them. Dew-claws may or may not be present. The loin also should be wide and deep, with back ribs propor- tionately long ; but such a formation is exceptional. Size is of the highest importance, and in the dog should not be less than 29 inches, other bitch 27. THE MOUNT ST. BERNARD DOG. 211 The colour is either stone-fawn with black points or brindled. Occasionally a red puppy is met with, but it is not considered the correct thing. No white should be permitted as a rule, but a white toe will occur occasionally. The coat is fine and short;-except on the tail, where a slight roughness is permissible. The tail is long, strong at the root, and tapering, with a slight bend, but no curl or twist. It is pendant, except under excite- ment. The symmetry of the mastiff, considering his size, is of a high order. Temperament should be specially attended to. In a show it can only be judged by the expression of the countenance, unless the dog is absolutely savage. (B) THE CUBAN MASTIFF. The Cuban mastiff closely resembles the English breed, but is to all appearance crossed with the bloodhound. (See cut.) III.— THE MOUNT ST. BERNARD DOG. Closely allied to the mastiff, but resembling the Newfound- land in temper and in his disposition to fetch and carry, is the Mount St. Bernard breed, until lately confined to the Alps and the adjacent countries, where he is used to recover persons who are lost in the snowstorms of that inclement region. "Wonder- ful stories are told of the intelligence of these dogs and of the recovery of travellers by their means, which are said to extend almost to the act of pouring spirits down the throats of their patients ; but, however, there is no doubt that they have been 212 WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. and still are exceedingly useful, and the breed is kept up at the monastery of Mount St. Bernard. The coat varies a good deal in length, there being in England two distinct varieties founded 7 £i The Mount St. Bernard Dog (Youatt). upon this point, viz., the rough and the smooth. Mr. Macdona, who has been at great trouble and expense to import both of the best Swiss strains, leans to the rough, but there are many who still adhere to the smooth variety. I shall now describe each in order. THE MOUNT ST. BERNARD DOG. 213 (A) THE EOTJGH ST. BEENAED. {See Frontispiece.) I shall not attempt to settle the vexed question whether the rough or smooth variety is the genuine one, believing that both, as now existing, are completely modern creations. From the engraving given by Youatt, which is reproduced on the opposite page, we should be led to believe that the old breed was certainly not smooth, but, as I said before, no existing strain can be traced back more than thirty or forty years, and as it has always been limited until lately to a very small district, there is no reason to consider it as anything more than a strain of mastiff crossed at the discretion of the monks of St. Bernard. It is not even pretended that they have kept up their breed without out- cross, but having lost it for a time, they obtained a dog of the old strain which had been kept in another kennel, and used him in their stud, but the bitches from which they bred to him were not pure bred. Mr. Macdona began by importing " Tell " and his sister "Hedwig," both rough; he then obtained his smooth " Monarque," after which Mr. Murchison obtained his rough dog " Thor " and Miss Hales her " Jura." From these sources the various strains now occupying the show benches of the chief shows have been obtained. " Thor," though of a bad colour (red and white), has been more successful as a sire than " Tell," and most of the best dogs of the present day are descended from him. Both the rough and smooth greatly resemble the mastiff, but specially the latter, the former showing a cross with the New- foundland, and both being, from their narrow head, sunken eyes, and frequent exhibition of " sealing wax," most probably crossed with the bloodhound, whose fine nose was no doubt the tempta- tion. 214 WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. Points of the rough St. Bernard : — Head, . VALUE . 20 Size, : . . • VALUE . IO Ears and eyes, Line of poll, Neck, . Body, . Legs and feet, Dew-claws, . . IO IO ■ 5 • 5 IO • 5 Symmetry, . Temperament, . Colour, Coat, .... Total, . IO 5 5 5 . 200 The head is as large as that of the mastiff, except in width, which is considerably less. There is a marked occiput and also a higher brow than in the mastiff or Newfoundland. The muzzle is long and cut square, with lips slightly pendulous. Teeth level. ' Ears and eyes. — The ears are slightly larger than the mastiffs, but should have no folds. They are pendant, and very slightly rougher than the rest of the body. Eyes full, but set deeply, and showing the " haw," which is sometimes red, but not by prefer- ence. Line of poll. — This line, which is supposed to resemble the white band of the Benedictine monk, is of course wholly arbi- trary, but it is strongly insisted on by the monks ; it is not often met with in the English-bred strains. The neck is of ordinary shape, with a slight tendency to throati- ness, no doubt due to the bloodhound cross. The body is large and massive, with a somewhat deeper chest and better shoulders than in the mastiff. Legs and feet. — These are generally good, owing to the exercise given to the dog in his native country. The feet are very large, but not spreading, and are said to be bred of this size to keep the dog from sinking into the snow. Double dew-claws on the hind-legs are considered by many good THE MOUNT ST. BERNARD DOG. 215 judges to be absolute indications of true breeding, and their absence they think should condemn a dog to exclusion from the class awarded to this breed in a show. My own opinion is, that dew-claws are not to be relied on in any breed, and that when present in the St. Bernard, they only indicate a cross with the Newfoundland, who certainly possesses the double dew-claw in many instances of dogs imported from the island. Size is as important as in the mastiff, and is about the same. In symmetry the rough St. Bernard is quite up to the ave- rage, and he is far more active and graceful than any large English dog. The temperament is mild and gentle, but not so much so as in our English mastiff. In colour there is a considerable variety. Most people prefer the rich orange-tawny mixed with brown, but not brindled, as exhibited by " Tell," " Hedwig," " Alp," " Gessler," and many of their descendants. " Thor " and his family are, most of them, red and white. Others, again, are brindled or fawn, or these colours more or less mixed with white, sometimes almost entirely of the latter colour. The coat is wavy upon the body, and very bushy on the tail, with a little feather on the legs. (B) THE SMOOTH ST. BERNARD. (See Frontispiece.) This variety differs from the rough chiefly in coat, which is quite smooth. There is, perhaps, less of the bloodhound and more of the mastiff than in the rough strain, with an equal pro- portion of the Newfoundland, sinking his rough coat. The points are the same in value as in the rough variety. 2l6 WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. IV— THE THIBET DOG. The Thibet Dog (Youatt). This animal to some extent resembles the English mastiff in general appearance, and being also put to the same use, the two may be said to be nearly allied. According to Mr. Bennet, he is bred on the Himalaya mountains, on the borders of Thibet, for the purpose of guarding the flocks and the women who attend them. The portrait annexed sufficiently describes the shape, of this dog, whose colour is a dark black, and his coat is somewhat rough. THE LION-DOG— THE SHOCK-DOG. 217 V.— THE LION-DOG. This little dog appears to be a cross between the poodle and the Maltese dog, being curly like the former, but without his long ears and square visage. He is now very seldom seen in this country, and is not prized among fanciers of the canine species. Like the poodle, he is generally shaved to make him resemble the lion. VI— THE SHOCK-DOG. This dog also is now almost unknown, but formerly he was very generally kept as a toy-dog. He is said to have been a cross between the poodle and small spaniel, both of which varieties he resembled in part. ( 218 ) CHAPTER VII. TOY-DOGS. I. The King Charles and Blenheim Spaniels— 2. The Maltese Dog— 3. Toy- Terriers— 4. The Italian Greyhound— 5. The Pug-Dog. I. -TOY- SPANIELS. Two breeds are known and recognised under this head, namely, the King Charles and the Blenheim spaniels, the former being slightly the larger of the two, and by most people considered the more handsome. To an ordinary observer, the chief points of distinction in the King Charles are the colour, which is black and tan more or less mixed with white, the less the better ; and the length of the ears, which is greater than in the Blenheims, the latter being also lighter in frame, and always yellow or red and white. Both are small, delicate dogs, and though they have pretty good noses, and will hunt game readily, yet they so soon tire that they are rarely used for the purpose, and are solely kept for their ornamental properties. They make good watchdogs indoors, barking at the slightest noise, and thus giving notice of the approach of improper persons ; nor, though they are some- what timid, are they readily silenced, as their small size allows of their retreating beneath chairs and sofas, from which asylum TOY-SPANIELS. 219 they keep up their sharp and shrill note of defiance. The great objection to these handsome little creatures as pets is, that they follow badly out of doors, and as they are always ready to be fondled by a stranger, they are very liable to be stolen. Hence many people prefer the toy-terrier or the Skye, which is now l<«^lllMllllll«iw«^lirTTTr King Charles and Blenheim Spaniels. introduced very extensively as a toy-dog, and might with equal propriety be inserted in this chapter as in that which he occupies. The King Charles and Blenheim spaniels are often crossed, and then you may have good specimens of each from the same litter ; but if true, their colours never vary. 220 TOY-DOGS. Points of the King Charles and Blenheim : — VALUE VALUE Head, IO Colour, IO Stop, . IO Coat, . IO Nose, . IO Feather, IO Lower jaw, . 5 Size, . 5 Ears, . IO Symmetry, . , 5 Eyes, . 5 Compactness, IO Total, IOO The head. — In this breed, probably from crossing with the bulldog and Chinese pug, or from inter-breeding, the head has within my memory become almost a perfect hemisphere. It was always inclined to be rounded in its upper surface, but it is now raised to a dome far beyond that of the bloodhound, and only equalled by the small stunted smooth terrier of the apple-headed variety. Occasionally this dome is more than a half circle, and projects over the brows. The stop is also lately introduced, probably from the bulldog, and is as pronounced as in that breed, or even more so. The nose, again, is shortened from the same cause, and turned up in true bulldog style. There is no remnant of the true spaniel type in anything about the head but the eye and ear. The colour of the end must be black, and it should, be deep and wide, with open nostrils, the mouths of which face forwards and upwards as in the bulldog, without the same excuse for this formation, as the King Charles is certainly not used for bull- baiting. The lower jaw has also changed its shape, and is now re- quired to be wide and turned up, again imitating the bull type. This formation is said to give room for the lodgment of the tongue, which would otherwise protrude '; why, I am at a loss to TOY-SPANIELS. 221 know ; but the fancy wills it, and we must follow suit in a fancy article. The ears should be almost long enough to touch the ground with the head in position. They are set low, and are carried very close by virtue of their weight. The King Charles slightly exceeds the Blenheim in length of ear, the average in his case being 24 inches across, and that of the Blenheim 22. The eyes are set square and wide apa^t. They are large, languishing, dark brown in colour, with very large pupils, and always inclined to weep at the inner angles. Compactness in shape is a very important point, a " cobby " dog being the ne plus ultra in this respect. Short, strong legs, and a great girth of chest and loin, are, of course, the chief features in this formation". The colour in the King Charles must be a rich jet black, with deep tan markings in the usual places, as described in the article on the black and tan setter. No white is permitted, and the old- fashioned black, tan, and white in equal proportions is now quite out of fashion. In the Blenheim the colour must have a ground- work of white, which must be pearly, not dead. On this rich chestnut markings must be evenly distributed in large patches. The ears and cheeks should be wholly red, with a white blaze down the forehead, in the centre of which there should be a spot of red about the size of a sixpence. The coat should be long, soft, silky, and wavy, but without decided curl. The Blenheim has a profuse mane flowing down in front of the brisket. The feather is profuse on the ears, backs of the legs and toes, in which last it projects far in front of the nails. The feather on the ears of the King Charles is considerably longer than on that of the Blenheim, as already mentioned. 222 TOY-DOGS. The size of the two breeds is the same, namely, from 5 lbs. to 1 o lbs. ; ceeteris paribus, the smaller the better. The symmetry is above the average in these dogs, which do not seem to suffer from defective rearing, &c, as is the case with the toy-terrier. II.— THE MALTESE DOG. This beautiful little dog is a Skye terrier in miniature, with, however, a far more silky coat, a considerably shorter back, and a tail stiffly curved over the hip ; actions lively and playful, and altogether rendering it a pleasing pet. The breed was so scarce some time ago as to induce Sir E. Landseer to paint one as the last of his race, since which several have been imported from Malta, and, though still scarce, they are now to be obtained with comparative ease. Of late years, Mr. Mandeville and Mrs. Monk have been the most successful on the show bench, but I have seen none superior to Miss Gibbs' " Psyche." The little bitch from which the annexed portrait was sketched was the property of Miss Gibbs of Morden, and was descended from parents imported by Mr. Lukey direct from Manilla. Points of the Maltese dog : — Eyes, . Ears, . Nose, . Coat, . Colour, VALUE 5 S 5 30 20 VALUE Size, . • 15 Tail, . • IS Symmetry, . • 5 Total, 100 The eyes are black, full, but without weeping. THE MALTESE DOG. 223 The ears are moderately long, but not spaniel-like, the hair on them mixing with that of the neck, as in the Skye terrier. The nose is short and the end black, as also is the roof of the mouth. ' ' Psyche, " * a Maltese Bitch, the Property of Miss Gibbs of Morden. The coat is long and silky, no woolliness being permitted. No curl is allowed. * "Psyche," the original of the engraving, was bred by Mr. Lukey, of Morden, direct from the parent stock, being by " Cupid " out of " Psyche," who were both brought from Manilla in 1841, and bought there at a high price by Captain Lukey of the East India Company's Service. They were intended as a present for the Queen, but after being nine months on board ship were found on their arrival in England not presentable, from their coats having been entirely neglected during the voyage. "Psyche" is now (1859) twenty months old, pure white, weighs 3J lbs., measures in length of hair across the 224 TOY-DOGS. The colour should be pure white, semi-transparent. Fawn patches are often met with, but must be penalised. The size should not exceed 5 or 6 lbs. The tail is short, and curled tightly over the back, as in the pug. It is heavily feathered. The symmetry is not easily discernible, but the dog should be well formed, and as " cobby " as the King Charles. III.— TOY-TEEEIEES. Toy-terriers are of the various kinds known as black-tan, smooth, blue-fawn or Yorkshire, and broken-haired. Skyes are also considered as toys, and even Dandies and fox-terriers, which last are now frequently made such by young ladies of the present clay. All these breeds, when toys, have the same points as their larger brethren, and differ only in size, which should not exceed 5 or 6 lbs. at most. The most beautiful of all is, perhaps, the Yorkshire when his coat is in full condition, but this cannot, be preserved for any length of time. The smooth English terrier, not exceeding 6 lbs. in weight, is much prized ; and when he can be obtained of 3^ or 4 lbs. weight, with perfect symmetry, and a good rich black and tan colour without a white hair, he is certainly a very perfect little dog. The black lines (" pencil- ling ") of the toes, and the richness of the tan on the cheeks and legs, are points much insisted on. Most of the toy- terriers now shoulders 1 5 inches, and when in her gambols presents in appearance a ball of animated floss silk, her tail falling on her back like spun glass. Of all the canine pets this breed is the most lovable, being extremely animated and sagacious, full of natural tricks, and perfectly free from the defects of the spaniel, viz., snoring and an offensive breath, being naturally cleanly and capable of instruction. TOY-TERRIERS. 225 sold are either crossed with the Italian greyhound or the King Charles spaniel. If the former, the shape is preserved, and there is the greatest possible difficulty in distinguishing this cross from the pure English terrier; indeed, I am much inclined to believe that all our best modern toy- terriers are thus bred. They have the beautiful long sharp nose, the narrow forehead, and the small sharp eye, which characterise the pure breed; but they are seldom good at vermin, though some which I have known to be half Italian have been bold enough to attack a good strong rat as well as most dogs. Many of these half-bred Italians are used for rabbit- coursing, in which there is a limit to weight, but it is chiefly for toy purposes that long prices are obtained for them. When the cross with the spaniel has been resorted to, the fore- head is high, the nose short, and the eye large, full, and often weeping, while the general form is not so symmetrical and com- pact ; the chest being full enough, but the brisket not so deep as in the true terrier or in the Italian cross. IV.— THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND. This little dog is one of the most beautifully proportioned ani- mals in creation, being a smooth English greyhound in miniature, and resembling it in all respects but size. It is bred in Spain and Italy in great perfection, the warmth of the climate agreeing well with its habits and constitution. In England, as in its native country, it is only used as a pet or toy-dog, for though its speed is considerable for its size, it is incapable of holding even a rabbit. The attempt, therefore, to course rabbits with this little p 226 TOY-DOGS. dog has always failed, and in those instances where the sport (if such it can be called) has been carried out at all, recourse has been had to a cross between the Italian greyhound and the terrier, Italian Greyhounds, "Billy" and "Minnie." which results in a strong, quick, little dog, quite capable of doing all that is required. The chief points characteristic of the Italian greyhound are shape, colour, and size, and the scale must, therefore, be altered from the English dog as follows: — Scale of points of the Italian greyhound : — THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND. 227 Head, . Neck, . Ears and eyes, Legs and feet, Fore-quarters, Hind-quarters, VALUE • S 5 ■ 5 Tail, . . Coat, . Colour, VALUE • 5 5 15 . 10 . 10 Symmetry, . Size, . IS • 15 . 10 Total, In shape he should as nearly as possible resemble the English greyhound, as described at page 19 et seq. The nose is not usually so long in proportion, and the head is fuller both in width and depth. The eyes, also, are somewhat larger, being soft and full. The tail should be small in bone and free from hair. It is scarcely so long as that of the English greyhound, bearing in mind the difference of size. It usually bends with a gentle sweep upwards, but should never turn round in a corkscrew form. The colour most prized is a golden fawn. The dove-coloured fawn comes next ; then the cream colour and the blue fawn, or fawn with blue muzzle ; the black-muzzled fawn, the black- muzzled red, the plain red, the yellow, the cream-coloured, and the black ; the white, the blue, the white and fawn, and the white and red. Whenever the dog is of a whole colour, there should be no white whatever on the toes, legs, or tail ; and even a star on the breast is considered a defect, though not so great as on the feet. The size most prized is when the specified weight is about 6 or 8 lbs. ; but dogs of this weight have seldom perfect symmetry/ and one with good shape and colour of 8 lbs. is to be preferred to a smaller dog of less perfect symmetry. Beyond 12 lbs. the dog is scarcely to be considered a pure Italian, though sometimes exceptions occur, and a puppy of pure blood with a sire and dam of small size may grow to such a weight as 1 6 lbs. 228 TOY-DOGS. The hlack dog from which the engraving at the head of this article was taken was remarkable for a degree of inbreeding rarely seen, as will be evident from the annexed pedigree. He was of a black colour, was very handsome, and was considered by " fanciers " to be perfect in all his points. The engraving gives his propor- tions most exactly, but represents him as altogether too large, he being in reality only 14^ inches high, and 8f lbs. in weight. Pedigrees of Mr. Gowan's " Silly " and Mr. Hartley's " Minnie. " /Prince* (Gowan's). BILLY t [Gowan's, 22 Dean } Street, Fetter Lane). Bill (Anderson's), came from Italy. 1 Bill (as above). Fly (Barker), came from \Italy. . VIOLA / f BILL (Gowan's). ) I (as above). I Chum I \ ISt.ehhin'*V ' , I Myktle I I (Thorn's). ' (Stebbin's). Bill (as above). Zido (Thorn's). Bill (as above). A bitch from Italy. MINNIE < ( Bill, whose.pedigree is already furnished. ) ( Prtnrr. ( Jenny. (■ Chabley. ( Jenny. ( Pkinoe. Imybtle. * Took a prize of a silver collar in 1851. t Took a silver collar in 1856. THE PUG. 229 V- THE PUG. This curly-tailed and pretty little toy-dog was out of fashion in England for some years, but has recently come again into such vogue that a good pug will fetch from 20 to 35 guineas. The British breed, however, which is one of those known to have existed from the earliest times, was never entirely lost, having ;u larato" m ftM.fjfld _ jSsmm "Pdnch " and " Tetty," * Pugs, the Property of Mr. C. Morrison of Walham Green. been carefully preserved in a few families. The Dutch have always had a fondness for the pug-dog, and in Holland the breed is common enough, but the same attention has not been paid to it as in England, and yellow masks, low foreheads, and pointed * " Punch," out of Mr. Morrison's " Minnie ; " " Tetty," out of his " Mouse ; " both by his "Charlie." 230 TOY-DOGS. noses are constantly making their appearance in them, from the impure blood creeping out, and showing evidences of the crosses which have taken place. For the sketch of the very beautiful pair of these dogs which is engraved on the previous page, I am indebted to one of the first toy-dog breeders of modern days, the late Mr. Morrison of Walham Green, who was long engaged in bringing his stock to their present state of perfection, and whose admirable management was shown in the healthy appearance of all of them. These dogs are not remarkable for sagacity dis- played in any shape, but they are very affectionate and playful, and, like the Dutch and Flemish cows, they bear the confinement of the house better than many other breeds, racing over the car- pets in their play as freely as others do over the turf. For this reason, as well as the sweetness of their skins and their short and soft coat, they are much liked by the ladies as pets. In opposition to this Morrison strain is that of Lord Willoughby D'Eresby, which was obtained from a totally different source, and varies in colotir, being a light stone-fawn, while that of Mr. Morrison is a yellow fawn. Both strains are now somewhat out of fashion, and instead of being worth £30 or ^40 a piece, the average price has fallen to £5, or a trifle more. The points are as follows : — VALUE VALUE Head, . . IO Mask and vent, . • 7i Ears, . s Trace, . . s Eyes, . • 5 Wrinkles, . • 24 Neck, . 5 Coat, .... 10 Moles, • 5 Tail, . . *. . 10 Body, . . . 10 Symmetry and size, . 5 Legs and feet, 10 Colour, . 10 Total. . . 100 The head is round and of great size, second only in proportion THE PUG. 231 to that of the bulldog. Pace short, but not retreating, the end being square. Teeth level. Tongue large and often hanging out. Cheeks full and muscular. The ears are small and vine-shaped, formerly cropped close, but now always entire ; black in colour at all but the roots. The eyes are full and soft in expression ; in colour dark brown. No weeping permitted. The neck is full and strong, but clean cut. A mole of a black colour must be present on each cheek, with several strong black hairs growing from it. These are usually reduced to three by pulling. The body is thick, square, and- strong, of the kind called " cobby," or punchy in a very high degree. Legs and feet. — The legs are straight and small in bone. Feet narrow, with toes well split up. Those of the Willoughby strain are cat-like, of the Morrison hare-like. The nails must in all cases be dark, and there should be no white on the toes or any other part. The colour is fawn with black points, to be presently described. The difference in shade of fawn has already been noticed. Mask and vent. — These must be black with well-defined edges. In the "Willoughby strain the black extends above the brows, and is not so well defined as in the Morrison. Wrinkles across the forehead. — There should be distinct wrinkles in the skin, deepened by black lines. A trace or black line along the back should always be shown, the clearer the better. If this spreads over the back, it is called a " saddle-mark," which is considered a beauty in the Willoughby pug and a defect in the Morrison. The coat is short, soft, and glossy, except in the tail, where it is longer and rougher. A small tail is objected to. 232 TOY-DOGS. The tail must curve tightly, so as to lie flat on the side of the loin, with a little more than one turn. Symmetry and size. — The symmetry is of a high order ; size, I o to 12 inches ; weight, i o to 14 lbs. ( 233 ) CHAPTER VIII. CROSSED BREEDS. I. Retriever : (a) The Curly-Coated ; (b) The Wavy-Coated— 2. Bull-Terrier — 3. Lurcher — 4. Dropper — 5. Dog and Fox Cross. Although many of the breeds which have been enumerated in the preceding chapters were most probably originally the produce of crosses between distinct varieties, yet at present they are con- tinued by breeding from a sire and dam of the same kind, whereas, with those which we are now considering, there is con- stantly a necessity for having recourse to the original breeds. For instance, many breeds of the greyhound are known to be crossed with the bull, and the identical animal with which the cross first commenced is well ascertained, as in the case of Sir James Bos well's " Jason," Mr. Etwell's " Eurus," &c. ; so also with the foxhound, though here the particular cross is not so well ascertained, but it is admitted to have taken place within the last century. Yet these are not called mongrels, and the breed, instead of being despised as such, is more highly prized than those of the pure strain which formed one side of the parent stock. The term mongrel may more properly be applied to those chance crosses which occur from accident or neglect, the bitch selecting her own mate, and being guided by caprice, without reference to the fitness of the match in reference to the progeny resulting. Hence we see the monstrosities which disgrace our 234 CROSSED BREEDS. streets, animals which might puzzle the most learned in dog-lore to say in what proportions they are allied to recognised varieties of the 'species Oanis, but which are sometimes highly valuable in point of utility, and are often broken by the poacher to perform the most difficult feats. Indeed, it often happens that a poach- ing labourer — who is the worst kind of poacher — selects some mongrel in preference to a better bred dog, in order to escape notice; but the gamekeeper should never despise the most wretched-looking animal on his beat, if the cur has size and strength to do what is required. I.— THE RETRIEVER. In speaking of the retriever, it is generally understood that the dog for recovering game on land is meant, the distinct kind known as the water-spaniel being already alluded to at page 168. "With regard to the' propriety of using a separate dog for retrieving in open or covert shooting, there is great difference of opinion, but this subject will be better considered under the next division of this book, and I shall now confine myself to a description of the crosses used solely as retrievers, including the New- foundland, alluded to at page 191, and the ordinary cross be- tween that dog and the setter, and that between the terrier and the water-spaniel, which is recommended by Mr. Colquhoun, and which I have found especially serviceable. The qualities which are required in the regular retriever are : great delicacy of nose and power of stooping (which latter is often not possessed by the pointer) ; cleverness to follow out the windings of the wounded bird, which are frequently most intri- cate, and puzzle the intelligence as well as the nose to unravel them ; love of approbation, to induce the dog to attend to the THE RETRIEVER.. 235 instructions of the master ; and an amount of obedience which will be required to prevent his venturing to break out when game is before him. All these are doubtless found in the retriever, but they are coupled with a large heavy frame, requir- ing a considerable amount of food to keep it, and space in the dogcart when he is to be conveyed from place to place. Hence, if a smaller dog can be .found to do the work equally well, he should be preferred ; and as I think he can, I shall describe both. The large hlack retriever, if crossed, is known by his resemblance to the small Newfoundland and the Irish water-spaniel or setter, between two of which he is bred, and the forms of which he partakes of in nearly equal proportions, according to the cross. Hence the modern retriever is distinguished as either the curly- coated or wavy-coated, separate classes being made for them at. most of our shows, and sometimes a third depending on colour alone. (a) the curly-coated retriever. This variety of the retriever is always a cross between the St. John's Newfoundland and a water-spaniel, which is generally Irish. Hence it has become a necessary point that his face shall be bare, and his tail free from feather and sting-like, as in the Irish breed. We cannot trace with certainty the founda- tion of the curly retriever, but from his appearance and the pro- minence of the above points, no doubt can be entertained that his origin is as I have described. A cross with the poodle has been probably attempted, but it is said to spoil the coat, though I should fancy it would improve the utility of the dog as a retriever. At present the wavy-coated variety is in fashion, the' prevailing 236 CROSSED BREEDS. opinion being that he is more under control and has a softer mouth. Almost all shooters now depend on a retriever for fetch- ing their game, and as sometimes there are more than half-a- dozen out, their qualities are of considerable importance, espe- cially as time is never allowed for retrievers, and if it is not done The Curly-Coated Retriever. at once, the task is given over to the keepers, for otherwise • a whole line of shooters would be kept idle, which in the present day would be thought a nuisance. Formerly we used to consider the retrieving of a wounded bird or hare quite as important and interesting as the shooting of others, but all this is changed, and THE RETRIEVER 237 of course we must take the shooting world as we find it. Any- how, the curly-coated retriever is rare, both on the show bench and in the field, as compared with his numbers fifteen years ago. Points of the curly-coated retriever: — Skull, . Nose and jaws, . Ears and eyes, Neck, . Shoulders and chest. Loins and hack, . Quarters and stifles, Legs, knees, and hocks, VALUE 10 10 5 5 10 10 5 5 Feet, . Tail, . Coat, . Colour, Symmetry, Temperament, Total, The shull is long and wide, with scarcely any brow, the slightest possible rise being only visible at that point. Nose and jaws. — These must be long for carrying purposes and wide for scenting powers, with open moist nostrils and level teeth. The ears must be of moderate length, without much hair on them, and neither vine-shaped nor lobular, but intermediate. The eyes are of medium size, soft, and intelligent in expression. The neck should be long enough to allow stooping for a scent without difficulty : a chumpy-necked retriever is not admired. Shoulders and chest. — The chest is round and not very deep. Shoulders rather short but muscular. The lack and loin are usually strong and well knit, with fairly deep back ribs. Quarters and stifles. — The former are strong, and the latter should be set wide apart, to allow the dog to command himself in his work. legs, knees, and hocks. — All these parts must be bony and strong the legs well clothed with muscle. 238 CROSSED BREEDS. The feet are apt to be spreading from the Irish cross, but they should have the toes well up, and strong horny pads. The tail is free from feather, but covered up to within six inches of the point with short crisp curls, which gradually dis- appear towards the tip. A stiff (and not a limp) tail is a sine qua non, without any great curl upwards, and it should be quite free from any side bend. The coat is not woolly, but of crisply curled hair, each curl being distinct, as in the Astrakan sheep, but even more regularly so. It is frequently oiled or glycerined for show purposes, which the hand readily detects. The whole face and forehead, up to the setting on of the ears, is covered with very short hair, which should shine in a way to show that it is not clipped. With this exception the whole of the upper part of the body is covered with the above-described curls. Sometimes the back is " saddle- marked '' by the absence of them, and this is considered a grave defect. The colour is either jet black or liver, the latter being con- sidered inferior in value, though both are admitted to be true to the breed. The former is derived from the Newfoundland, the latter from the water-spaniel. The symmetry is not very remarkable. As to temperament, great attention should be paid' to it, as the breed is apt to be deficient in this respect. (b) the wavy-coated eeteievee. This fashionable breed, now considered a necessary adjunct to every shooter, even if he only attends a lattui or a " drive," is often pure St. John's or Labrador, at other times he is more or THE BULL-TEREIEE. 239 less crossed with the setter. The former has already been. fully- described at page 191, and the latter only differs from him in Retriever (crossed with Setter). length and feather of ears, which are more or less setter-like. It is, therefore, needless to describe the breed further. II.— THE BULL- TERRIER. Many of our smooth terriers are slightly crossed with the bull- dog, in order to give courage to bear the bites of the vermin which they are meant to attack. When thus bred, the terrier 240 CROSSED BREEDS. shows no evidence of pain, even though half-a-dozen rats are hanging on to his lips, which are extremely tender parts of the body, and where the bite of a mouse even will make a badly bred dog yell with pain. In fact, for all the purposes to which a " Madman," Bull-Terrier. terrier can be applied, the half or quarter cross with the bull, commonly known as the "bull-terrier" or "half-bred dog," is of more value than either of his purely bred progenitors. °Such a dog, however, to be useful, must be more than half-terrier, or he will be too heavy and slow, too much under-jawed to hold well with his teeth, and too little under command to obey the orders of his master. Sometimes the result of the second cross, THE BULL-TERRIER. 241 which is only one quarter bull, shows a great deal of the shape peculiar to that side ; and it is not till the third or fourth cross that the terrier shape comes out predominant : but this is all a matter of chance, and the exact reverse may just as probably happen, if the terrier was quite free from the stain of the bull, which is seldom the case ; and this may account for the great predominance of that side in most cases, as we shall see in investigating the subject of breeding for the kennel in the next book. This was the fighting dog of former days, possessing the courage of the bulldog added to the quickness of the terrier, and being without the tenacity of grasp of the former, which prevented his doing the mischief to his antagonist that was required. The bull-terrier, barring his tendency to quarrel, is a very excellent companion, but this makes him a nuisance out of doors, and few gentlemen will now keep him for that purpose. He is still, however, largely patronised for some purpose or other, as he is shown in considerable numbers both at Birmingham and in London. Points of the bull-terrier : — VALUE VALUE Skull, • '5 Feet, . 5 Face and teeth, IO Coat, 5 Ears, . 5 Colour, 5 Neck, . 5 Tail, . S Shoulders and chest. 15 Symmetry, . 10 Back, . 10 Legs, .... 10 Total, 100 The skull must be fiat, and should taper regularly from its greatest width between the ears to the nose, giving a peculiar shape to the jaws, which is characteristic of the breed. There is 242 CROSSED BREEDS. scarcely a vestige of brow ; no stop, and no hollow down the middle, except between the eyes, where the skull is slightly " broken up." The eyes are small, dark, and sparkling. Face and teeth. — The jaws must be long and powerful, without any hollow under the eyes. The teeth should be level and very strong. It is equally objectionable whether they are over or under hung. The end of the nose should be black, but it is often mottled in good breeds. The upper lip should be as tight as possible, free from any approach to chop ; the under lip must be also small. The ears are always cropped, and if so, they must be cut to a fine point, which should stand well up, and they should match exactly. If uncropped, they are often very large and unsightly. The neck is long but strong, with a nice curve above, and no throatiness below. Shoulders and chest. — There is nothing remarkable here, except that the back ribs are generally short. The lack, in spite of the short back ribs, is generally well let into the chest and coupled to the hips. The long dorsal muscles run in full bundles right up to the space between the shoulder- blades. The legs before and behind are straight, bony, and muscular. The feet are generally hare-like from the terrier descent. The toes, however, are well arched, and do not spread. The coat is short, close, and hard. The colour must be a pure white, without mark of any kind. Of course spots will occur in this as in all white breeds, but they are severely penalised by show judges. The tail is set on low. It is small in bone, and should be curved straight out horizontally. The symmetry of the bull-terrier is of a high order. THE LUECHER. 243 III— THE LURCHER. Although this dog is not used by the fair sportsman in this country, yet he must be recognised as a distinct and well-known cross. From his great speed, combined with his good nose and his silence, he is par excellence the poacher's dog ; but he is very little better than the pure-bred greyhound accustomed to the same kind of work and with the same amount of practice. I have known a great many greyhounds which would never miss a hare if once sighted, or even put on the fresh scent, dropping their noses, and hunting out all the turns of the hare nearly as well as the beagle. Hence it is not to be supposed that the nose of the lurcher is derived from the sheep-dog's side only, for both being good, he may be readily said to owe it to each in due proportions. When the lurcher is bred from the rough Scotch greyhound and the collie, or even the English sheep-dog, he is a very handsome dog, and even more so than either of his progenitors when pure. He is also a most destructive animal, showing speed, sagacity, and nose in an extraordinary degree, from which causes the breed is discouraged, as he would exterminate all the furred game in a very short time. A poacher possessing such an animal seldom keeps him long, every keeper being on the lookout, and putting a charge of shot into him on the first opportunity ; and as these must occur of necessity, the poacher does not often attempt to rear . the dog which would suit him best, but contents himself with one which will not so much attract the notice of those who watch him. It is needless to describe the points of the lurcher, further than to remark that he partakes of those of the greyhound in shape, combined with the stouter frame, larger ears, and rougher coat of the sheep-dog, but varying according to the breed of each employed in producing the cross. Formerly these lurchers were invariably 244 CROSSED BREEDS. deprived of their tails, in order to pass muster as sheep-dogs, and some are still thus cropped ; but as hundreds of these farmer's friends are now suffered to enjoy their full proportions, the lurcher, when he does exist, is also full-tailed. The colour varies greatly, and may be any one of those belonging to either of the breeds from which he springs. IV.— THE DROPPER. This is a cross of the pointer with the setter, which at one time was supposed to be superior to either, but is now seldom met with ; for, though the individual is useful enough, he is not ornamental, and has the inconvenience of being unfitted for breeding purposes, the second cross being invariably a failure. V.— THE DOG AND FOX CROSS. A Dog and Fox-crossed Bitch, the property of Hewer, Esq. of Beading. THE DOG AND FOX CROSS. 245 It is now generally admitted that the dog and fox will breed together, but so little is known with certainty of the resulting produce that it is scarcely desirable to attempt a minute descrip- tion. Still it will be perhaps interesting to allude to the best authenticated specimen within my knowledge, which is now the property of Mr. Hewer of Eeading. She is a daughter of the first cross, which was described by Mr. Tomlin in " Bell's Life " in the year 1855, and is by an ordinary terrier dog. Letter by R. Tomlin, Esq., on the subject of the Bog and Fox Cross. "Mr. Editor,— As your 'Life' is the only 'Old Curiosity Shop ' for the reception of 'fancy articles,' I venture to forward you one respecting the fox and dog cross, and although somewhat out of season, it may perhaps prove interesting to the sportsman and the naturalist. In 1853 various accounts appeared in ' Bell's Life in London ' of the fox and dog cross, the fact heing established by a gentleman of Kent, who then possessed a vulpo-canine bitch which had produce by a dog (vide ' Bell's Life,' Dec. 1853 and Feb. 1854). This bitch (half fox, half dog), now in my possession, had produce in the month of February last by a terrier dog. The produce are two dog whelps and three bitches, some of which were (to ease the dam) suckled by a cur bitch. Two of the litter prove in nature shy as a fox ; three of them dog-like in appearance, colour, and perfectly quiet, and follow well at heel. Still they have the real fox-muzzle and ' fox-action,' about which (to those who have well studied it in the hunting-field) there exists but little mistake. Many there are who doubt the existence of any such animal as that between fox and dog. I am, however, in perfect condition to prove (by the living articles themselves) that the fox is merely a separate species of the genus dog, and intercopulates with the bitch, producing not a hybrid or mule animal, but one which will propagate its species to the very end of the chapter. — Yours, &c. Robert Tomlin. "Petebbobough, June 1855." The following letter, sent by Mr. Tomlin to the above paper in 1857, refers to this particular bitch, which formed one of the litter therein-mentioned : — 24 6 CROSSED BREEDS. Second Letter on the above subject. "Me. Editor,— In 1855 you were good enough to describe in 'Bell's Life' some history of a vulpo-canine bitch in my possession at Peterborough which had bred whelps, and as you are at this period of the year ' for the fox and nothing but the fox,' perhaps you can spare a niche in your ' fancy columns ' for a subject that may not be considered out of season. The vulpo-canirie vixen is now, like all the fox genus, in full coat, and a beautiful-looking animal, higher on the leg than our common foxes, with more frame and size, and looks like going a slapping pace, and carries that unmistakable odour which accompanies ' the beast of stinking flight.' She bred a litter of whelps in the spring of the years 1855 and 1856 (got by a 'lion-tawny' coloured terrier dog), and goes ' on heat ' only at one regular period. Her produce are endued more or less with the natural shyness and timidity of the vulpine species, and which it appears somewhat difficult to remove. The formation of their heads is faultless — long and punishing ; in fact, the appearance of these animals re- sembles terrier dogs, with the perfect head and countenance, back, body, and feet of the fox. The vulpo-canine bitch is now suckling four whelps (got by a good white terrier dog), and as their colours are likewise good — white ' with black and pied ear-patches ' — it is likely to prove a better cross of its sort than the two former litter of whelps which the bitch reared, they being all of foxy, wild, dark-looking colours ; and as the terrier dog which got them was somewhat wicked and crafty in nature, I am now inclined to think that, ' as like begets like,' he was not altogether a suitable partner for the vulpo-canine bitch — an animal but one remove from the ' veritable fox itself,' as wild, too, as the wildest fox which ever broke away in a state of nature from any ' ever- green gorse covert,' with a pack of hounds in pursuit, all eager for the fray.— Yours, &c. Robert Tomlin. " Dane Coubt, Isle op Thanet, January 1857." The original of the engraving which heads this article has all the crouching look of the fox, "with many of the wild hahits of that animal. Mr. Hewer tells me that up to six or eight months old she would hiss and spit like a kitten, but has quite lost that peculiarity now. She still often disappears into the adjacent coverts for a day or two, after which hunger compels her return. She has bred a litter by a terrier, but has not been put to one of THE DOG AND FOX CROSS. 247 her own cross, which is necessary to be done before Mr. Tomlin's assertion is to be accepted, that the individuals of the dog and fox cross will breed inter se. And this being the only proof of a distinction of species which is now recognised, until the experi- ment is carried out successfully we are not in a position to admit that the dog and fox belong to the same species. BOOK II. THE BREEDING, BEARING, BREAKING, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DOG, IN-DOOBS AND OUT. CHAPTER I. BREEDING. Principles of Breeding — Axioms for the Breeder's Use — Crossing and Crossed Breeds — Importance of Health in both Sire and Dam — Best Age to breed from — In-and-in Breeding— Best Time of Year — Duration of Heat- Management of the Bitch in Season — The Bitch in Whelp — Preparation for Whelping — Healthy Parturition — Destruction or Choice of Whelps at Birth. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. The principles upon which the breeding of the dog should be conducted are generally in accordance with those necessary for the production of other domestic animals of the class Mammalia, remembering always that it is not reliable to argue from one class of animals to another, because their habits and modes of propa- gation vary so much as to interfere with the analogy. Thus as the pigeon, in common with other birds, does not rear her young with the produce of her own body to the same comparative size as most of the individuals of the class Mammalia, the mother has not so much more to do with the process than the father as is the case with the bitch, mare, and cow, &c, where the quantity and quality of the milk are to be taken into the calculation. Hence, in selecting a sire and dam for breeding purposes among dogs, the bitch is most to be considered, for many reasons ; one being that she usually continues the property of the breeder, while the sire 252 BREEDING. can be changed each time she breeds ; but the chief argument in her favour being founded upon the supposition that she really impresses her formation upon her progeny more than the dog. This, however, is a vexed question in natural history as well as in practical breeding, but from my own experience I am strongly of opinion that it is true. Many horses and dogs may be instanced which have got good stock from all sorts of mares and bitches ; but in opposition to this may be instanced the numbers which have had enormous opportunities of showing their good qualities, but while they have succeeded with one or two they have failed with the larger proportion of their harems. So with mares and bitches; some have produced, every year of their breeding lives, one or more splendid examples of their respective kinds, altogether independent of the horse or dog which may be the parent, so long as he is of the proper strain likely to hit with hers. It is usually supposed that the sire impresses his external formation upon his stock, while the bitch's nervous temperament is handed down ; and very probably there is some truth in the hypothesis. Yet it is clearer that not only do the sire and dam affect the progeny, but also the grandsires and granddams on both sides, and still further than this up to the sixth and perhaps even the seventh generations, but more especially on the dam's side, through the granddam, great- granddam, &c. There is a remarkable fact connected with breeding which should be generally known, which is that there is a ten- dency in the produce to a separation between the different strains of which it is composed ; so that a puppy composed in four equal proportions of breeds represented by A, B, c, and D, will not repre- sent all in equal proportions, but will resemble one much more than the others, and this is still more clear in relation to the next step backwards, when there are eight progenitors : and the litter which, for argument's sake, we will suppose to be eight in number, may GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 253 consist of animals each " going back " to one or other of the above eight. This accounts for the fact that a smooth terrier bitch put to a smooth terrier dog -will often " throw " one or more rough puppies, though the breed may be traced as purely smooth fox- two or three generations, beyond which, however, there must have been a cross of the rough dog. In the same way colour and par- ticular marks will be changed or obliterated for one, two, or even three generations, and will then reappear. In most breeds of the dog this is not easily proved, because a record of the various crosses is not kept with any great care ; but in the greyhound the breed, with the colours, &c, for twenty generations, is often known, and then the evidence of the truth of these facts is patent to all. Among these dogs there is a well-known strain descended from a greyhound with a peculiar nose, known as the " Parrot-nosed bitch." About the year 1825 she was put to a celebrated dog called " Streamer," and bred a bitch called " Euby," none of the litter showing this peculiar nose ; nor did ■" Euby " herself breed any in her first two litters ; but in her third, by a dog called " Blackbird," belonging to Mr. Hodgkinson, two puppies showed the nose (" Blackbird " and " Starling "). In the same litter was a most celebrated bitch, known as " Old Linnet," from which are descended a great number of first-rate greyhounds. In these, however, this peculiarity has never appeared, with two exceptions, namely, once in the third generation, and once in the fifth, in a dog called " Lollypop," bred by Mr. Thomas of Macclesfield, the possessor of the whole strain. One of the bitches of this breed is also remarkable for having always one blue puppy in each litter, though the colour is otherwise absent, never having been seen since the time of the above-mentioned " Ruby," who was a blue bitch. These facts are very remarkable as showing the tendency to " throw back " for generations, but, as they are well known and 254 BREEDING. fully recognised by all breeders, it is unnecessary to dilate upon them, and the above instances are only introduced as absolutely proving to the uninitiated what would otherwise depend upon dogmatic assertion. AXIOMS FOR , THE BREEDER'S USE. But it may be asked, — What, then, are the principles upon which breeding is to be conducted ? To this, in many of the details, no answer can be given which can be relied on with cer- tainty. Nevertheless, there are certain broad landmarks estab- lished which afford some assistance, and these shall be given, taking care to avoid all rules which are not clearly established by general consent. 1. The male and female each furnish their quota towards the original germ of the offspring ; but the female over and above this nourishes it till it is born, and, consequently, may be supposed to have more influence upon its formation than the male. 2. Natural conformation is transmitted by both parents as a general law, and likewise any acquired or accidental variation. It may therefore be said that, on both sides, "like produces like." 3. In proportion to the purity of the breed will it be trans- mitted unchanged to the offspring. Thus a greyhound bitch of pure blood put to a mongrel will produce puppies more nearly resembling her shape than that of the father. 4. Breeding in-and-in is not injurious to the dog, as may be proved both from theory and practice ; indeed it appears, on the contrary, to be very advantageous in many well-marked instances of the greyhound, which have of late years appeared in public. 5. As every dog is a compound animal, made up of a sire AXIOMS FOR BREEDER'S USE. 255 and dam, and also their sires and dams, &c., so, unless there is much breeding in-and-in, it may he said that it is impossible to foretell with absolute certainty what particular result will be elicited. 6. The first impregnation appears to produce some effect upon the next and subsequent ones. It is therefore necessary to take care that the effect of the cross in question is not neutralised by a prior and bad impregnation. This fact has been so fully estab- lished by Sir John Sebright and others that it is needless to go into its proofs. By these general laws on the subject of breeding we must be guided in the selection of the dog and bitch from which a litter is to be obtained, always taking care that both are as far as possible remarkable, not only for the bodily shape, but for the qualities of the brain and nervous system which are desired. Thus, in breeding the pointer, select a good-looking sire and dam by all means, but also take care that they were good in the field ; that is, that they possessed good noses, worked well, were stout, and if they were also perfectly broken so much the better. So, again, in breeding hounds, care must be taken that the animals chosen are shaped as a hound should be ; but they should also have as many of the good hunting qualities, and as few of the vices of that kind of dog ; and if these points are not attended to the result is not often good. To secure these several results the pedigrees of the dog and bitch are carefully scanned by those who are particular in these matters, because then assurance is given that the ancestors, as far as they can be traced, possessed all those qualifications without which their owners would not in all human probability retain them. Hence a pointer, if proved to be descended from a dog and bitch belonging to Lord Sefton, Lord Lichfield, or any well- 256 BREEDING. known breeder of this dog in the present day, or from Sir H. Goodrich, Mr. Moore, or Mr. Edge, so celebrated for their breeds some years ago, would be valued more highly than another with- out any pedigree at all, although the latter might be superior in shape, and might perform equally well in the field. The importance of pedigree is becoming more fully recognised every year, and experienced breeders generally refuse to have anything to do with either dog or bitch for this particular purpose, unless they can trace the pedigree to ancestors belonging to parties who were hnovm to he themselves careful in their selections. In most cases this is all that is attempted, especially in pointers, setters, spaniels, &c, but in greyhounds and foxhounds of first-class blood the genealogy may generally be traced through half a dozen kennels of known and established reputation; and this same attention to breed ought to prevail in all the varieties of 4;he dog whose performances are of importance, and indeed without it the reproduction of a particular shape and make cannot with anything like certainty be depended on. Hence the breeders of valuable toy dogs, such as King Charles spaniels, Italian greyhounds, &c, are as careful as they need be, having found out by experience that without this attention they are constantly disappointed. CROSSING AND CROSSED BREEDS. Crossing is practised with two distinct objects in view : — 1st, To prevent degeneration in consequence of keeping to the same blood, or what is called " in-and-in " breeding ; and 2dly, "With the view of improving particular breeds when they are deficient in any desirable quality, by crossing with others which have it in perfection, or often in excess. The first of these will be better CROSSING AND CROSSED BREEDS. 257 understood after alluding to the practice of " in-and-in " breeding, but the second may now be considered with advantage. Among dogs, as among horses, certain varieties are remarkable for particular qualities, and as the latter are more numerous in the species Canis familiaris than in the horse, so there is a greater opportunity for alteration. Thus in the horse there are speed, stoutness, courage, temper, and shape (which includes action) to be considered ; but in the dog there are also, over and above these, nose and sagacity, the presence or absence of which in some breeds is of the greatest importance. Now it happens that there are certain old strains which have some of these qualities deve- loped in a very high degree, but are deficient in others, and there- fore they are only adapted to those breeds in which the qualities they are deficient in are in excess. It is by a knowledge of these properties, and by taking advantage of them, that our modern breeds have been brought to the perfection at which they have arrived ; carefully combining the plan with the principle of selection, which is the great secret in all kinds of breeding. In this way the foxhound has been produced by introducing the speed of the greyhound, and in like manner the courage of the bull- dog has been added to the speed of the greyhound, to establish the present high form of that animal. So also the terrier, though ardent enough in pursuit of vermin, is too great a coward to bear their bites without flinching unless he is crossed with the bull- dog ; and hence the bull-terrier is the most useful dog for that purpose. Although many breeds of terrier so crossed are not admitted to contain the bull strain, still it is notorious that a vast proportion, if not all, have been crossed in this way some generations back, and I firmly believe that without this blood in their veins they are utterly useless. It might naturally be supposed by any person who has not E 258 BEEEDING. been convinced to the contrary, that it would take several crosses to get rid of the heavy form of the bull- dog when united with the light and graceful shape of the greyhound. But on actually trying the experiment it will readily be seen that in the third generation very little trace remains of the bull-dog, while in the fourth there is none whatever apparent in external form. My friend the late Mr. Hanley, of the ist Life Guards, was the last who tried the experiment, and having kept a daguerreotype of every individual used in it, which he kindly placed at my service, I have been enabled to present to my readers .perfectly trustworthy proofs of the correctness of this assertion. The bull- dog " Chicken " used was a very high-bred animal, and of him also Mr. Hanley has preserved a daguerreotype, but as his blood is very similar to that of Mr. Stockdale's " Top " (see page 198), I have not thought it necessary to engrave him. The Bitch " My," put to " Chicken," was also highly bred ; but the most satisfactory proceeding will be to insert the whole pedigree at length, as shown on next page. That the illustrative engravings are literal copies of the above- mentioned daguerreotypes is a fact which should be plainly stated ; in the first place, because, without a knowledge of it, the strangely uncouth forms of the first two would hardly be accepted ; and in the second, to account for the attitudes in which the whole four are represented. From " Chicken " and " Fly " came the following thick and clumsy-looking animal, which was named " Half-and-Half," being the first cross. The next step was to' put this " Half-and-Half" to a well-bred dog belonging to Mr. Hanley, called " Blunder," whose descent is shown in the extended 'pedigree. From these came the second cross, " Hecate," a white bitch still presenting some slight charac- 8 S ~> S ^ * -a 2-° -BE w ^ — tuft. CQ m' *g» am in -III 2 * — o j. w -3 s s— S | " s ■ ■J d -S?8 s — m,s o ,9 13 <5 **■ 8 s ' 260 BREEDING. teristics of the' bulldog breed, but by an ordinary observer this would be scarcely noticed. There is, however, a remarkable want of symmetry and true proportion in this bitch, which the portrait conveys exactly. ' HALF-AND-HALF,"* first Cross from the Bulldog. She was again put to " Preston," a' very fast dog belonging to, her owner, and from them the produce was " Hecuba," a large black bitch of good shape, and, as I before remarked, scarcely distinguishable from the pure greyhound. She was very fast, but could not work very cleverly, and her staying powers were very limited indeed. Mr. Hanley sent her to the celebrated dog " Bedlamite," expect- ing in this fourth cross to have some good runners, but they were * From a daguerreotype in the possession of Hugh Hanley, Esq., ist Life Guards'. CROSSING AND CROSSED BREEDS. 261 all remarkably deficient in stoutness, though fast as well as clever. One of them is represented on the next page, having run in public as "Hysterics." This bitch has been put to " Banter," a son of " Bedlamite ; " " Hecate,"* second Cross from the Bulldog. but the result of this, the fifth cross, is not as yet, I believe, more satisfactory than the fourth. Before resorting to any particular strains, with a view of im- proving upon defects, it is necessary to consider what breeds are remarkable for each quality which is likely to' be desired, — namely, speed, courage, nose, and sagacity. Of these, the first is so remarkably prominent in the greyhound, that there is no neces- sity for going further, and whenever it is desired to increase the * From a daguerreotype in the possession of Hugh Hanley, Esq., 1st Life Guards. 262 BREEDING. pace of any kind of dog, no discussion would arise as to the best means of effecting the object, this breed being immediately selected. So also the bulldog is proverbial for courage, and fortunately he is so formed as to \e readily made to amalgamate with other breeds. Even the greyhound recovers his peculiar shape com- pletely in the fourth generation, and in the third it would be difficult to discover any certain proof of the existence of the cross. " Heou,ba," third Cross from the Bulldog. With regard to nose, there may be a difference of opinion depending upon the purpose to which it is devoted ; but as it is seldom that this quality is wanted to be engrafted on speed or courage, the reverse being the usual course, it is scarcely necessary to dilate upon it. Thus it may be desirable to alter or improve the nose of the hound, the pointer, the setter, the spaniel, or the CROSSING AND CROSSED BREEDS. 263 terrier, and in that case it would only be necessary to have recourse to the best specimens, as regards nose, in each breed, because there is a peculiarity attending on each mode of using the nose, which renders it more adapted to the work to be done than any other. Hence the pointer, when crossed with the foxhoimd, is apt to hunt too low, besides other faults which interfere with the 'Hysterics," fourth Cross from the Bulldog. usefulness of the cross, and the same may be said of the cross with the setter and spaniel. So that it may be laid down as a rule, that in the article nose, it is not safe to look beyond the particular breed for improvement in this important quality. Sagacity may be looked for in several breeds, but it is most highly developed perhaps in the poodle, the Newfoundland, aud 264 BREEDING. , the terrier; chiefly, I imagine, because these dogs are more fre- quently the, companions of man than the sporting dogs, which' are kept in kennels. No dog is more capable of being taught than the half-bred bull-terrier, although the bulldog is by no means so, and, as he is almost always tied up, the reason is obvious enough. Solitary confinement makes all animals, and even man himself, more or less idiotic, and if any dog is to be rendered as sagacious as possible, he must be constantly associated with his master. Hence it is that the poacher's dog is so much more clever than the fair sportsman's, for, being the constant companion and friend of his master, he understands every word he says, and is ready also to communicate his own ideas in return. To sum up, it may be assumed that the following breeds may be taken as types of the qualities so remarkable in each, and may be resorted to when any other kind is deficient in them. Thus, speed is typified in the greyhound, courage in the bulldog, and nose or scenting power in the bloodhound ; for hunting purposes, the pointer or setter, when required in conjunction w _ ith setting ; and the spaniel or terrier, for finding or " questing '' both fur and feather. Lastly, sagacity is displayed in the poodle, Newfound- land, and terrier, chiefly because they are the constant associates of man. IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH IN BOTH SIRE AND DAM. Health in both parents should be especially insisted upon, and in the bitch in particular there should be a sufficiently strong constitution, to enable her to sustain the growth of her puppies before birth, and to produce milk enough for them afterwards, though in this last particular she may of course be assisted by a foster-nurse. IN-AND-IN BREEDING. 265 BEST AGE TO BREED FROM. The lest age to breed from, in almost all breeds, is soon after the sire and dam have each reached maturity. "When, however, the produce is desired to be very small, the older both animals are, the more likely this result is, — excepting in the last litter ■which the bitch has, for this being often composed of only one or two puppies, they are not smaller than the average, and sometimes even larger. All bitches should be allowed to reach full maturity before they are allowed to breed, and this period varies according to size, small dogs being adult at one year, whereas large ones are still in their puppyhood at that time, and take fully twice as long to develop their proportions. The mastiff is barely full grown at two years ; large hounds at a year and a half ; greyhounds at the same time ; pointers and setters from a year and a quarter to a year and a half; while terriers and small toy dogs reach maturity at a year old, or even earlier. IN-AND-IN BREEDING. The questions relating to in-and-in breeding and crossing are of the greatest importance, each plan being strongly advocated by some people, and by others as strenuously opposed. Like many other practices essentially good, in-breeding has been grossly abused ; owners of a good kennel having become bigoted to their own strain, and, from keeping to it exclusively, having at length reduced their dogs to a state of idiotcy and delicacy of constitution which has rendered them quite useless. Thus I have seen in the course of twenty years a most valuable breed of pointers, by a persistence in avoiding any cross, become so full of excitability that they were perpetually at " a false point,'- and 266 BREEDING. backing one another at the same time without game near them; and, what is worse, they could not be stirred from their position. This last was from a want of mental capacity, for it is by their reasoning powers that these dogs find out when they have made a mistake, and without a good knowledge-box the pointer and setter are for this reason quite useless. But the breed I allude to, when once they had become stiff, were like Chinese idols, and must absolutely be kicked or whipped up in order to make them start off beating again. Mr. A. Graham, who has had a long experience in breeding greyhounds, and was at one time so successful as to obtain the name of " The Emperor of Coursers," has laid down the rule that " once in and twice out " is the proper extent to which breeding in the greyhound should be carried, and probably the same will apply to other breeds. Sometimes a sister may be put to a brother even, when there was no previous near relationship in their sire and dam; but though this has answered well two or three times, it is not to be generally re- commended. A father may in preference be put to a daughter, because there is only half the same blood in them, when the sire and dam of the latter were not related ; or an uncle to a niece ; but the best plan is to obtain a dog which has some considerable portion of the same blood as the bitch, but separated by one or two crosses ; that is to say, to put two animals together whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers were brothers, but whose mothers and grandmothers were no relation to each other. This relationship will do equally well on the dam's side, and the grand- mother may be sister to the grandsire, quite as well as having the two grandsires brothers. The practice of breeding-in to this extent has been extensively adopted of late years, and has answered well with the greyhound, in which breed, as used for public coursing, the names of "Harriet "Wilson," "Hour- -IN-AND-IN BREEDING. 267 " Screw," " Sparrowhawk," " Vraye Foy," " Motley," " Miss Hannah," and " Eival " speak volumes in its approbation, all being in-bred and all wonderfully successful. The last-named bitch is a remarkable instance, being by a half-brother out of a half-sister, and yet continuing honest up to her sixth season, when she broke a toe in running the last course but one in a large stake at Ashdown. In her case, too, the blood of the dam was somewhat notorious for a tendency to run cunning; and indeed the same might be said of nearly all the strains of which she was composed ; nevertheless, throughout her career she was entirely free from this vice, and left off without a stain. She has, however, unfortunately refused to breed ; but, as I have never known this peculiarity confined to in-bred bitches, I do not allege the fact as arising from her close in-breeding. Thus I have shown that in practice in-and-in breeding, within certain bounds, is not only not prejudicial, but absolutely advantageous, inasmuch as it does not injure the nervous temperament and mental qualities of the produce ; and that the body does not suffer is a well-known fact, easily capable of proof by examining the external forms of the dogs so bred. Theoretically, also, it ought to answer, because we find in nature gregarious wild animals resorting to in-breeding in all cases, the stag adding his daughters to his harem as long as he has strength enough to beat off his younger rivals. In the same way the bull and the stallion fight for supremacy, till at length from age or accident they are beaten off, and a younger and more vigorous animal masters them and their female attendants. Yet this seems Nature's mode of insuring a superior sto.ck, and pre- venting the degeneration which we see take place among human beings, when a feeble pair take upon themselves the task of pro- ducing a family. It would appear that man is an exception to the general rule, for there is a special revelation prohibiting inter- 268 BREEDING. marriages, while we find them constantly going on among brutes, and especially, as above remarked, among gregarious animals. Hence it should not lead us to reason by analogy from one to the other, nor because we find that first cousins among our own race are apt to produce defective children, bodily and mentally, should we conclude that the same evil results will occur when we breed from dogs or horses having the same degree of relationship to their mates. At the same time, when all that can be desired is obtainable without in-breeding, I should be .inclined to avoid it; always taking care to resort to it when it is desired to recover a particular strain, which is becoming merged in some other pre- dominant blood. Then by obtaining an animal bred as purely as possible to the desired strain, and putting him or her to your own, it may be expected that the produce will " go back " to this parti- cular ancestry, and will resemble them more than any other. BEST TIME OF YEAR. The best time of the year for breeding dogs is from April to Sep- tember, inasmuch as in the cold of winter the puppies are apt to become chilled, whereby their growth is stopped, and some disease very often developed. Among public greyhounds there is a particular reason for selecting an earlier period of the year, because as their age is reckoned from the i st of January, and as they are wanted to run as saplings or puppies, which are defined by their age, the earlier they are born the more chance they have in competition with their fellows of the same year. Hounds and game dogs are wanted to begin work in the autumn, and as they do not come to maturity till after they are a year old, they should be whelped in the spring. This is more especially the case with pointers and setters, which are then old enough to have their DURATION. OF HEAT. 269 education nearly completed at " pairing time " in the spring of the next year, when only their breaking can properly be carried on, as birds then lie like -stones and allow the dog to be reached, and properly kept under by his breaker. Toy dogs, and all small dogs, which are reared in the house, may be bred almost at any time of the year, but even they are stronger and healthier if born in the summer months, because- the puppies may then be supposed to get more air and sun than they could do in the winter, when the warmth of the fire is essential to their well-doing. DURATION OF HEAT. The duration of the period of heat in the bitch is about three weeks, during the middle week of which she will generally take the dog; but about the eleventh or twelfth day from the first commencement, is, on the average, the best time to put her to him. During the first three or four days of the middle week the bitch " bleeds " considerably from the vulva, and while this is going on she should not be allowed access to the male, nor will she generally if left to herself, but as soon as it subsides, no time should be lost, as it often happens that very shortly after- wards she will refuse him altogether, and thus a whole year may be lost. Most bitches are " in heat " twice a year, at equal periods, some every five, or even every four, months ; others every seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve months ; but the far greater proportion of bitches of all breeds are " in season " twice a year pretty regularly. There is, therefore, a necessity for ascer- taining the rule in each bitch, as it varies so considerably ; for, when it is known, the calculation can better be made as to the probability of the heat returning at the desired time. The period between the first and second " heats " will generally indicate 27 o BREEDING. the length of the succeeding ones, hut this is not invariable, as the " putting by " of the animal will sometimes throw her out of her regular course. MANAGEMENT OP THE BITCH IN SEASON. When bitches are not intended to breed, they are carefully "put. by," that is to say, they are secluded from the dog, and during that time they are in great measure deprived of their usual exercise. From this circumstance they are very apt to get out of health, and some injury is thereby done to their offspring as well as themselves. At this time they ought, from their general feverishness, as well as from their deprivation of exer- cise, to be kept rather lower than usual, and very little meat should be given. Slops and vegetables, mixed with biscuit or oatmeal, form the most suitable diet ; but, if the bitch has been accustomed to a great deal of flesh, it will not do to deprive her of it altogether. Bearing in mind then this caution, it is only necessary to remember that she must be lowered in con- dition, but not so starved as to do harm by the sudden change. After the end of the period, a little cooling medicine will often be required, consisting of a dose of oil or salts. (See Aperients.) MANAGEMENT OF THE BITCH IN WHELP. When it is clearly ascertained that the bitch is in whelp, the exercise should be increased and carried on freely till the sixth week, after which it should be daily given, but with care to avoid strains either in galloping or jumping. A valuable bitch is often led during the last week, but somehow or other she ought to have walking exercise to the last, by which in great PREPARATION FOR "WHELPING. 271 measure all necessity for opening medicine will be avoided. During the last few weeks her food should be regulated by her condition, which must be raised if she is too low, or the reverse if she is too fat, the desired medium being such a state as is compatible with high health, and neither tending towards ex- haustion nor inflammation. Excessive fat in a bitch not only interferes with the birth of the pups, but also is very liable to interfere with the secretion of milk, and, if this last does happen, aggravates the attendant or "milk" fever. To know by the eye and hand how to fix upon this proper standard, it is only neces- sary to feel the ribs, when they should at once be apparent to the hand, rolling loosely under it, but not evident to the eye so as to count them. It is better to separate the bitch from other dogs during the last week or ten days, as she then becomes restless, and is instinctively and constantly looking for a place to whelp in, whereas, if she is prevented from occupying any de- sirable corner, she is uneasy. At this time the food should be of a very sloppy nature, chiefly .composed of broth, or milk and bread, adding oatmeal according to the state of the bowels. PREPARATION FOR WHELPING. The best mode of preparing a place for the bitch to whelp in is to nail a piece of old carpet over a smooth boarded floor, to a regular "bench," if in a sporting kennel; or on a door or other flat piece of board raised a few inches from the ground, if for any other breed. When a regular wooden box or kennel, as these are called in ordinary language, is used for the bitch, she may as well continue to occupy it, as she will be more contented than in a fresh place ; but it is not so easy to get at her there if anything goes wrong with either mother or whelps, 2 7 2 BREEDING. and on that account it is not a desirable place. A board, large or small, according to the size of the bitch, with a raised edge to prevent the puppies rolling off, and supported by bricks a few inches from the ground, is all that is required for the most valuable animal ; and if a piece of carpet, as before-mentioned, is tacked upon this, and some straw placed upon all, the height of comfort is afforded to both mother and offspring. The use of the carpet is to allow the puppies to catch their claws in it as they are working at the mother's teats ; for without it they slip over the board, and they are restless, and unable to fill themselves well ; while at the same time they scratch all the straw away, and are left bare and cold. HEALTHY PARTURITION. Dioring whelping, the only management required is in regard to food and quiet, which last should as far as possible be en- joined, as at this time all bitches are watchful and suspicious, and will destroy their young if they are at all interfered with, especially by strangers. While the process of labour is going on no food is required, unless it is delayed in an unnatural manner, when the necessary steps will be found described in the Third Book. After it is completed, some lukewarm gruel, made with half milk and half water, should be given, and repeated at intervals of two or three hours. Nothing cold is to be allowed for the first two or three days, unless it is in the height of summer, when these precautions are unnecessary, as the ordinary temperature is generally between 60° and 70° of Fahrenheit. If milk is not easily had, broth will do nearly as well, thickening it with oatmeal, which should be well boil'ed in it. This food is continued till the secretion of milk is fully established, when HEALTHY PARTURITION. 273 a more generous diet is gradually to be allowed, consisting- of sloppy food, .together with an allowance of meat somewhat greater than ■ that to which she has. been accustomed. This last is the best rule, for it will be found that no other useful one can be given ; those bitches which have been previously accustomed to a flesh diet sinking, away if they have not got' it at this time, when the demands of .the puppies for milk drain the system considerably ; and those which have not been used to it being rendered feverish and dyspeptic if they have an inordinate allow- ance of it. A bitch in good health, and neither over-reduced by starvation nor made too. fat by excessive feeding, will rarely give any trouble at this time ; but, in either of these conditions, it may happen that the secretion fails to be established. (For the proper remedies, see Parturition, in Book III.) From the first day the bitch should be encouraged to leave her puppies twice or thrice daily to empty herself, which some, in their excessive fondness for their new charge, are apt to neglect. When the milk is thoroughly established, they should be regularly exercised for an hour a day, which increases the secretion of milk, and , indeed will often bring it on. After the second week, bitches will always be delighted to leave their puppies for an hour or two at a time, and will exercise themselves if allowed to escape from them. The best food for a suckling bitch is strong broth, with a fair proportion of bread and flesh, or bread and milk, according to previous habits. DESTRUCTION OR CHOICE OF WHELPS AT BIRTH. Sometimes it is desirable to 'destroy all the whelps as soon as possible after birth, but this ought very seldom to be done, as s 274 BREEDING. in all cases it is better to keep one or two sucking for a short time, to prevent milk fever, and from motives of humanity also. If, however, it is decided to destroy all at once, take them away as fast as they are born, leaving only one with the mother to engage her attention, and when all are born, remove the last before she has become used to it, by which plan less cruelty is practised than if she is permitted to attach herself to her offspring. Low diet and a dose or two of mild aperient medicine, with moderate exercise, will be . required to guard against fever, but at best it is a bad business, and can only be justified under extraordinary circumstances. 275 ) CHAPTER II. REARING. Management in the Nest— Choosing— The Foster-Nurse— Feeding before Weaning— Choice of Place for Whelping— Removal of Dew-Claws, &c — Weaning— Lodging— Feeding— Exercise — Home Rearing v. Walking- Food — General Treatment — Choice of Puppies after Weaning — Cropping, Branding, and Rounding. THE MANAGEMENT OF WHELPS IN THE NEST. This, till they are weaned, does not require much knowledge or experience beyond the feeding of the mother, and the necessity for removing a part when the numbers are too great for her strength to support. For the first fortnight, at least, puppies are entirely dependent upon the milk of their dam or a foster-nurse, unless they are brought up by hand, which is a most troublesome office, and attended also with considerable risk. Sometimes, how- ever, the bitch produces twelve, fourteen, or even sixteen whelps, and these being far beyond her powers to suckle properly, either the weak ones die off, or the whole are impoverished, and rendered small and puny. It is better, therefore, especially when size and strength are objects to the breeder, to destroy a part of the litter, when they are more than five or six in the greyhound, or seven or eight in the hound or other dog of that size: In toy-dogs a small size is sometimes a desideratum, and with them, if the strength of the dam is equal to the drain, which it seldom is, almost any number may be kept on her. For the first three or four days, the bitch will be able to suckle her whole litter ; but if there are more 276 REARING. puppies than she has good teats, that is, teats with milk in them, the weak ones are starved, unless the strong ones are kept away in order to allow them access, so as to fill themselves in their turn. To manage this, a covered basket, lined with wool if the weather is at all cold, should be provided ; and in this one-third or one-half of the puppies should be kept, close to the mother, to prevent either from being uneasy, but the lid fastened down, or she will take them out in her mouth. Every two or three hours a fresh lot should be exchanged for those in the basket, first letting them fill themselves, when they will go to sleep and remain contented for the time fixed above, thus allowing each lot in its turn to fill itself regularly. At the end of ten days, by introducing a little sweetened cow's milk on the end of the finger into their mouths, and dipping their hoses in a saucer containing it, they learn to lap ; and after this there will be little difficulty in rearing even a dozen ; but they will not, however carefully they may be fed in aid of the 1 mother, be as large as if only a small number were left on her, and therefore greyhound breeders limit their litters to five, six, or at most seven ; destroying the remainder, or rearing them with a foster-nurse. CHOICE OF WHELPS. To choose the whelps in the nest which are to be kept, most people select on different principles, each having some peculiar crotchet to guide himself. Some take the heaviest, some the last born ; others the longest of the litter ; while others again are entirely guided by colour. In toy-dogs, and those whose appearance is an important element, colour ought to be allowed all the weight it deserves, and among certain toy-dogs the value is often affected a hundred per cent, by a slight variation in the markings. So also CHOICE OF WHELPS. 277 among pointers and setters, a dog' with a good deal of white should be. preferred, on the score of greater utility in the field, to another self-coloured puppy which might otherwise be superior in all respects. Hounds and greyhounds are, however, chosen for shape and make, and though this is not -the same at birth as in after-life, still there are certain indications which are not to be despised. Among these the shoulders are more visible than any others, and if on lifting' up a puppy by the tail' he puts his forelegs . back beyond his ears, it may be surmised that there will be no fault in his shape in reference to his fore-quarter, supposing that his legs are well formed and his feet of the proper shape, which last point can hardly be ascertained at this time. The width of the hips, and shape of the chest, with the formation of the loin, may also be conjectured, and the length of the neck is in like measure shadowed forth, though not with the same certainty 1 as the shoulders and ribs. A very fat puppy will look pudgy to an inexperienced eye, so that it is necessary to take this into con- sideration in making the selection ; but fat is a sign of strength, both actual and constitutional, when it is remarkably permanent in one or two among a litter, for it can only be obtained either by depriving the others of their share of milk by main force, or through such constitutional vigour as to thrive better on the" same share of aliment. . The navel should be examined to ascertain if there is any rupture, and this alone is a reason -for deferring the choice till nearly the end of the first week, up to which time there is no means of judging as to its existence. Indeed, if possible, it is always better to rear nearly all till after weaning, either on the dam herself or on a foster-nurse, as at that time the future shape is very manifest, and the consequences of weaning are shown, either in a wasting away of the whole body, or. in a recovery, from its effects in a short time. Sometimes, however, 27 8 BEARING. there are not conveniences for either, and then recourse must be had to an early choice on the principles indicated above. THE FOSTER-NURSE Need not be of the same breed as the puppies which she is to suckle, and at all times a smooth-skinned bitch is superior for the purpose to one with a rough coat, which is apt to harbour fleas, and in other ways conduce to the increase of dirt. For all large breeds the bull terrier (which is the most commonly kept among the class who alone are likely to sell the services of a nurse) answers as well as any other, and her milk is generally plentiful and good. For small breeds any little house dog will suffice, taking care that the skin is healthy, and that the constitution is not impaired by confinement or gross feeding. Greyhound pup- pies are very commonly reared by bull-bitches without any dis- advantage, clearly proving the propriety of the plan. It may generally be reckoned, in fixing the number which a bitch can suckle with advantage, that, of greyhound or pointer puppies, for every seven pounds in her own weight the bitch can do one well ; so that an average bull-terrier will rear three, her weight being about twenty-one pounds, and smaller dogs in proportion. When the substitution is to be made, the plan is to proceed as follows : — Get a warm basket, put in it some of the litter in which the bitch and her whelps have been lying, then take away all her own progeny, and, together with the whelps to be fostered, put all in the basket, mixing them so that the skins of the fresh ones shall be in contact with the bitch's own pups and also with the litter. Let them remain in this way for three hours, during which time the bitch should be taken out for an hour's walk, and FEEDING BEFORE WEANING. 279 her teats ■will have become painfully distended with milk. Then put all the pups in her nest, and, carefully watching her, let hex go back to them. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, she will at once allow them all to suck quietly, and if she licks all alike, she may be left with them safely enough; but if she passes the fresh ones over, pushing them on one side, she should be muzzled for twelve hours, leaving all with her, and keeping the muzzle on excepting while she is fed, or watched till she is observed to lick all alike. On the next day, all but one of her own puppies may be withdrawn, with an interval of one hour or two between each two, and taking care that she does not see what is done. After two days the last may also be taken away, and then she acts to her foster- puppies in every way the same as to her own. Some people squeeze a little of the bitch's milk out of her teats, and rub this over the puppies, but I have never seen any advantage in the plan, and, as I have never had any difficulty in getting puppies adopted, I do not recommend any other than that I have described. In most cases the foster-bitch is strange to those about her, having been brought from her own home, and in that case a muzzle is often required for the safety of the servants watching her as well as for the whelps ; but if she seems quiet and good-tempered, it may be dispensed with even here. FEEDING BEFORE WEANING. The food of whelps before weaniTU/. should be confined at first to cow's milk, or, if this is very rich, reduced with a little water. It is better to boil it, and it should be sweetened with fine sugar, as for the human palate. As much of this as the whelps will take may be given them three times a day, or every four hours 28p REARING. if they, are a large litter. In the fourth week get 'a sheep's head, boil it in a quart of water till the meat comes completely to pieces, then carefully take away every particle of bone, and break up the- meat into fragments no larger than a small horse-bean ; mix all up with the broth, thicken this, to the consistence of cream with fine wheat flour, boil for a quarter of an hour, then cool and give alternately with the milk. At this time the- milk may also be thickened with flour , and as the puppies grow, and-the milk of the bitch decreases in quantity, the amount of milk and thickened broth must be increased each day, as well as more fre- quently given. Some art, fouuded on experience, is required not to satiate the puppies ; but, by carefully increasing the quantity whenever the puppies have finished it greedily the last time or two, they will not be overdone. In no case should the pan con?- taining the food be left in the intervals with the puppies, if they have not cleared it out, as they only become disgusted with it, and next time refuse to feed. A sheep's head will serve a litter ■ of large- sized puppies two days up to weaning, more or less according to numbers and age. CHOICE OF PLACE FOR WHELPING. The whelping-place, up to the third week, may' be confined to a square yard or two, floored with board as already described. After the third week, when the puppies begin to run about, access should be given them to a larger run, and an inclined plane should be arranged for them to get up and down from their, boarded stage. If the weather is cold, the best place for a bitch to whelp is in a saddle-room warmed ■ by a stove ; or an empty stall, with a two-foot board placed across the bottom, opposite the REMOVAL OF DEW-CLAWS, ETC. 281 stall-post, so as to prevent the puppies getting among the horses. In either case there is an amount of artificial heat, which con- duces to the growth of the puppies, and allows them to be reared sufficiently strong to bear auy cold afterwards with impunity. If the 'Weather is not cold, an ordinary horse-box is the best place which can be chosen, fixing the boarded stage at a distance from the door, and either sanding or slightly littering the brick floor, according to the weather ; but the latter is to be preferred, ex- cepting in a very hot summer. In these boxes puppies take a vast -amount of exercise, which they require for health, and to give that appetite without which sufficient food for growth is not taken, REMOVAL OF DEW-CLAWS, ETC. Before weaning, any cropping which is intended, whether of the dew-claw -or tail, should be practised, but the ears should be left alone till the third or fourth month, as they are not suffi- ciently developed before. If, however, the operator does not understand his business thoroughly, it is better to leave the tatter organs alone, till a later period, as otherwise the proper quantity may not be cropped or rounded, as the case may be. Indeed, even the most skilful hand will hardly ever manage either the one or the other well before the fifth month ; and in hounds it is usual to defer it till they are nearly full grown, as they often lose a considerable quantity of blood, which interferes with their growth. But the tail and dew-claws may always be best done, and with least pain, while with the dam; besides which, her tongue serves to heal the wound better than that of the young puppy, who has hardly learnt to use it. Eegular dog-fanciers bite off the tail, but a pair of scissors, answers equally well; and 282 BEARING. the same may be said of the dew-claw. If, however, the nail only is to be removed, which it always ought to be, the teeth serve the purposes of a pair of nippers perfectly, and by their aid it may be drawn out, leaving the claw itself attached, but rendered less liable to injury, from having lost the part likely to catch hold of any ..projecting body. WEANING. When weaning is to be commenced, which is usually about the fifth or sixth week, it is better to remove the puppies altogether, than to let the bitch go on suckling them at long intervals, By this time their claws and teeth have become so sharp and so long, that they punish the bitch terribly, and therefore she does not let them fill their bellies. Her milk generally accumulates in her teats, and becomes stale, in which state it is not fit for the whelps, and by many is supposed to engender worms. The puppies have always learned to lap, and will eat meat, or take broth or thickened milk, as described in the last chapter ; besides which, when they have no chance of sucking presented to them, they take other food better, whereas, if they are allowed to suck away at empty teats, they only fill themselves with wind, and then lose their appetites for food of any kind. But, having determined to wean them, there are several important particulars which must be attended to, or the result will be a failure, at all events for some time. That is to say, the puppies will fall away in flesh, and will cease to grow at the same rate as before. In almost all cases, what is called the " milk-fat " disappears after weaning, but still it is desirable to keep some flesh on their bones, and this can only be done by attending to the following directions, which apply to dogs of all kinds, but are seldom rigidly carried NECESSITY FOR "WARM AND DRY LODGING. 283 out, except with the greyhound, whose size and strength are so important as to call for every care to procure them in a high degree. In hounds, as well as pointers and setters, a check in the growth is of just as much consequence ; but as they are not tested together as to their speed and stoutness so closely as grey- hounds are, the slight defects produced in puppyhood are not detected, and, as a consequence, the same attention is not paid. Nevertheless, as most of these points require only care, and cost little beyond it, they ought to be carried out almost as strictly in the kennels of the foxhound and pointer as in those devoted to the longtails. These chief and cardinal elements of success are, — 1st, a warm, clean, and dry lodging; 2dly, suitable food; 3dly, regularity in feeding ; and 4thly, a provision for sufficient exercise. NECESSITY FOR WARM AND DRY LODGING. All puppies require a dry lodging, and in the winter season it should also be a warm one. "Greyhound whelps, up to their third or fourth month, are sometimes reared in an artificial tem- perature, either by means of a stove, or by using the heat of a stable, the temperature chosen being 6o° of Fahrenheit. Beyond this age, it can never be necessary to adopt artificial heat in rearing puppies, because for public coursing they are required to be whelped after the last day of the year, and four months from that time takes us on to May, when the weather is seldom cold enough to require a stove ; and then during the summer months they are . gradually hardened to the vicissitudes of the weather, and as they become older their growth is established, and they are no longer in danger of its being checked. It is true that some few coursers always keep their kennels at 6o° ; but oh the 284 RE AKIN G. whole, as we shall hereafter find, the plan is not a good one, and need not be considered here. But far beyond the warmth is dryness essential to success. Dogs . will bear almost any amount of cold if unaccompanied by damp, provided they have plenty of straw to lie in ; but a damp kennel, even if warm, is sure to lead to rickets or rheumatism, if the puppies escape in- flammation.of some one or more of the internal organs. Take care, therefore, to give a dry bedstead of boards, lined with the same material towards the wall (the cold of which strikes inwards and gives cold), and raised somewhat from the floor, which will otherwise keep it damp. Puppies soon learn to lie on this, and avoid the cold stones or bricks, except in the heats of summer, when these do no harm. The stone or brick floor should be so made as to avoid absorption of the urine, &c, which can only be effected by employing glazed tiles or bricks that are not porous, or by covering the whole with a layer of London or Portland cement, or with asphalte, which answers nearly as well. Care should be taken that there are no interstices between the boards, if the kennel is made of them ; and in every way, while ven- tilation is provided, cold draughts must be prevented. Clean- liness must also be attended to rigidly by sweeping out the floor daily, and washing it down at short intervals, and by changing the litter once a week at the least. In the summer time, straw is not desirable, as it harbours fleas ; and, if the boardeA|^or. is not considered sufficient, a thick layer of deal sawdust will be the best material, as it is soft enough, without harbo^i^ng ver- min of any kind ; the only objection to it being that the puppies are apt to wet it often, after which it becomes offensive. FEEDING. 285 FEEDING. The feeding of puppies is all important, and, unless they have plenty of food sufficiently nourishing to allow of a proper growth, it is impossible that they should become what they might be if fed with the best materials for the purpose. From the time of weaning to the end of the third month, when a decision must be arrived, at as to their subsequent management, very little deviation is re- quired from the plans described at pp. 279, 280; that is, the puppies should be fed every four hours upon the thickened broth made from sheep's head, and thickened milk alternately. After that time, however, their food must be given them rather stronger and of a somewhat different nature, as we shall find in its proper place. This food will be required for any kind of dog, but a single puppy may very well be reared upon thickened milk, with the scraps of the house in addition, including bones, which it will greedily pick, and any odds and ends which are left on the plates. Regularity of feeding' in puppies, as in adult animals, is of the utmost importance ; and it will always be found that if two puppies are equally well reared in other respects, and one fed at regular hours, while the other is only supplied at . the caprice of servants, the former will greatly excel the latter in size and health, as well as in the symmetrical development of the body. It is also very necessary to avoid leaving any part of one meal in the pans or feeding-troughs till the next, as nothing disgusts the dog more than seeing food left in this way The moment the puppies fill themselves, take away the surplus ; and, indeed, it is better still to anticipate them by stopping them before they have quite done. All this requires considerable tact and experience, and there are very few servants who are able and willing to carry out these directions fully. 286 REARING. EXERCISE. Exercise is necessary at all ages, but the fully-developed dog may be confined for some little time without permanent injury, the formation of his feet and the texture of his bones and muscles being then finally settled. On the other hand, the puppy will grow according to the demands made upon his mechanism, and if the muscles are left idle they do not enlarge ; while the feet remain thin and weak, with the tendons and ligaments relaxed, so that they spread out like a human hand. Growing puppies should be provided with an area sufficiently large for them to play in, according to their size, and under cover up to the end of the third month ; after which, if they have a- sheltered sleeping-place to run into, they will generally avoid heavy rain. Young puppies play sufficiently in a loose box or similar enclosure ; but, after the time specified above, they' must either have their entire liberty, or be allowed the run of a large space, the alternative being bad feet, defective development, and weak joints. HOME REARING VERSUS WALKING. When one or two puppies only are to be reared, they may be readily brought up at home, excepting in towns or other confined situations' where due liberty and a proper amount of sun and air cannot be obtained. But where a larger number are to be reared, as in the case of hounds, greyhounds, pointers and setters, &c, there is a difficulty attending upon numbers, as a dozen or two of puppies about a house are not conducive to the neatness and beauty of the garden ; besides which, the collection together in masses of young dogs is prejudicial to their health.. To avoid this HOME REARING VERSUS WALKING. 287 evil, therefore, it is customary to send puppies out at three or four months of age to be kept by cottagers, butchers, small farmers, &c, at a weekly sum for each, which is called " walking "■ them. Young greyhounds may be reared in a large enclosure, which should be not less than thirty or forty feet long, with a lodging- house at one end ; but hounds do not take exercise enough in a confined space, and should invariable be sent out. It is only there- fore in reference to the rearing of greyhounds that the two plans can be compared, or perhaps also with pointers and setters, if they are taken out to exercise after they are four or five months old. The two plans have been extensively tried with the longtails, and in my own opinion the preference should be given to the home rearing if properly carried out, because it has all the ad- vantages of the " walk " without those disadvantages attending upon it, in the shape of bad habits acquired in chasing poultry, rabbits, and often hares, during which the puppy learns to run cunning. One of the first symptoms of this vice is the waiting to cut off a corner, which is soon learnt if there is the necessity for it, and even in mutual play the puppy will often develop it. Hence I have seen a " walked " greyhound, with his very first hare, show as much waiting as any old worn-out runner, evi- dently acquired in his farm-yard education, or possibly from having been tempted after a hare or two by the sheep-dog belonging to the farm. Moreover, the home-reared puppy, being confined in a limited space during the greater part of his time, is inclined to gallop when first let out, and takes in this way more exercise than those brought up on the other plan ; so that, after consider- inc both methods, I have come to the conclusion that the home rearing is preferable on the whole, though there is no doubt that good dogs may be reared in either way. The best plan is to. fence off a long slip of turf; or, if a small 288 REARING. walled enclosure can be procured, fence off about a yard or two all round, by which last plan an excellent gallop is secured, with- out the possibility of cutting corners, and with a very slight loss of ground. An admirable plan is to build four large sleeping- rooms in a square-block, and then all round this let there be a run two yards wide, which may be separated into four divisions, or thrown into one at will. If the latter, the puppies will exer- cise themselves well round and round the building, which is a practice they are very fond of ; and, even if two or more lots are wanted to occupy the compartments, the whole can be thrown open to each lot in turn. When this plan is adopted the run should be paved, so that the expense is much greater than in the other mode, in which the natural soil is allowable, because the puppies are not kept on it long enough to stain it. (See page 299.) THE FOOD OF PUPPIES AT HOME OR "AT WALK," AND ITS PROPER PREPARATION. Whether at home or out, puppies require the same kind of food, and the more regularly this is given as to quantity and quality, as well as the times of feeding, the more healthy the puppy will be, and the faster he will grow. Many people consider milk to be by far the best article of food for growing puppies, and undoubt- edly it is a good one, but it is not superior to a mixed diet of meal and animal food in proper proportions, and occasionally varied by the addition of green vegetables. Indeed, after three months, or at most four, puppies may be fed like grown dogs as to the quality of their food, requiring it, however, to be given them more frequently the younger they are. Up to six months they require it three times a day, at equal intervals, and after that a^e FOOD OF PUPPIES. 289 twice ; for although there is a difference of opinion as to the propriety of feeding the adult once or twice a day, there is none about the puppy demanding a supply morning and evening. In all cases, they should be encouraged to empty themselves (by allowing a run, if they are confined to kennel) just before feed- ing, and for an hour or two afterwards they are best at rest. If milk is given, it may be thickened by boiling in it oatmeal or wheat-flour, or both together, or biscuits may be scalded and added to it ; but no flesh is needed in addition, bones only being required to amuse the dog and to clean his teeth by gnawing them. With these any dog may be very well reared, but the plan is an expensive one, if the milk has anything like the ordinary value attached to it, and if it has to. be purchased, the cost is generally quite prohibitory of its employment. Besides milk, the following articles are employed in feeding dogs, each of which will be separately considered, as to price and value. Of these, Indian meal is by far the best in proportion to its price (being quite equal to anything but the very best wheat- flour, which is perhaps slightly more nourishing), and, being so much cheaper, is, on that account, to be preferred. It requires to be mixed with oatmeal, in about equal proportions, or less of the latter if the bowels are at all relaxed. The usual price of Indian meal is about £10 or ^12 per ton, half that of wheat and the same as that of barley, to which it is greatly to be preferred, being far less heating, and producing muscle in larger proportion. Oatmeal is considerably dearer, though the grain itself is cheaper ; but the quantity of meal obtained, owing to the amount of chaff, is so small, that when this is got rid of the meal is necessarily sold at a higher price, being from £\2to£i% per ton, according to the season. But a much larger bulk of thick stuff, commonly called " puddings," is produced by oatmeal than can be obtained from any 2 9 o BEARING. other meal in proportion to weight, the absorption of water being greater, and also varying in different qualities of oatmeal itself ; so that, after all, this meal is not so expensive as it looks to. be, when comparing an equal weight of it with barley or Indian meal. The real coarse Scotch oatmeal yields the greatest bulk of puddings, and is to be-preferred on that account ; besides which, it appears to agree best with dogs, and altogether is a very superior article ; but in any case it ought to be nearly a year old. It may, there- fore, be considered that Indian meal or Scotch oatmeal, both of which may always be procured from the corn-dealers, will be the best meal, unless the price of wheat-flour can be afforded, when the best red wheat should be coarsely ground and not dressed, and in this state made into biscuits or dumplings, or used to thicken the broth. If Indian meal is employed, it must be mixed with the water or broth while cold, and then boiled for at least an hour, stirring it occasionally to prevent burning. If it is intended to mix oat- meal with the Indian meal, the former may be first mixed with cold water to a paste, and then stirred in after boiling the latter for three quarters of an hour ; then boil another quarter, reckoning from the time that the contents of the copper came to the boiling point a second time. Wheat-flour should be boiled from fifteen to twenty minutes, and may be mixed with the oatmeal in the same way as the Indian nieal. Oatmeal pudding, and porridge, or stirabout, are made as follows ; the first name being given to it when so thick as to bear the weight of the body after it is cold, and the last two to a somewhat thinner composition. In any case the meal is stirred up with cold water to a thick paste, and, when quite smooth, some of the broth should be ladled out and added to it, still stirring it steadily. FOOD OF PUPPIES. 291 .Then return the whole to "the copper, and stir till it thickens, ladle out into coolers, and let it " set," when it will cut with a spade and is quite solid. The directions as to length of time for the boil- ing of oatmeal vary a good deal, some preferring at least half an hour's boil, while others are content with ten or fifteen minutes, but for most purposes from a quarter to half an hour is the proper time, remembering that this is to be reckoned from, the moment that the water boils. The animal food used should be carefully selected to avoid in- fectious diseases, and the flesh of those creatures which have been loaded with drugs should also be avoided. Horseflesh, if death has been caused by accident, is as good as anything, and in many cases of rapid disease the flesh is little the worse ; but though in foxhound kennels there is little choice, yet for greyhounds those horses which have been much drugged for lingering diseases, and those also which are much emaciated, are likely to do more harm than good. Slipped calves and lambs, as well as beef and mutton, the result of death from natural causes, make an excellent change, but are seldom better than bad horseflesh. Still, as variety is essential to success in rearing, they should not be rejected. Flesh may be kept for a long time, even in summer, by brushing it over with a quicklime wash, or dusting it with the powder, and then hanging it up in trees with thick foliage, carefully watching the attacks of the flies, which will not blow in the lime. In this way I have kept the shank ends of legs and shoulders good for six weeks in the height of summer, and in winter for three months. Whatever this kind of food is composed of, it should be boiled, with the exception of paunches, which may be given raw, but even they are better boiled, and I think an occasional meal of well- kept horseflesh is rather a good change. The flesh with the bones should be boiled for hours, till the meat is thoroughly done ; then 229 BEARING. take it out and let it hang till cold, 'cut or strip it from the bones and mix with the puddings or stirabout according to the quantity required. The broth should always be used, as there are important elements of nutrition dissolved in it, which are absent in the boiled flesh. It is, therefore, necessary to make the puddings or stirabout with it or to soak in it the biscuit, when this is the food selected. The bones should be given for the dogs to gnaw, together with any others from the house which can be obtained, but taking care to remove all fragments small enough for them to swallow whole. Bones should be given on grass or clean flags. The comparative value of the various articles of diet enumerated above; according to the authority of Liebig, is as follows : — Materials used for Materials used in The proportions in making muscle, bone, respiration, or in &c. forming fat. Parts. Parts. Cow's milk are as 10 to 30 Fat mutton „ IO 27 to 45 Lean mutton „ IO !9 Lean beef ., IO 17 Lean horseflesh „ IO 15 Hare and rabbit „ IO 2 to 5 Wheat-flour „ IO 46 Oatmeal „ IO 5° Barley-meal „ IO 57 Potatoes „ IO 86 to 115 Rice „ IO 153 From this high authority it appears that barley-meal is supe- rior both to wheat-flour and oatmeal in fat-making materials, but it is greatly inferior in muscle-making power, and hence, in dogs where fat is not required, it is of inferior value. Science and prac- tical experiment here go hand in hand, as they always do when FOOD OF PUPPIES. 293 the former is based upon true premises. In cow's milk, which is the natural food of the young of the Mammalia, the proportion is 30 to 10, and this seems to be about what is required in mixing the animal and vegetable food. Now, by adding equal weights of wheat-meal and lean horseflesh, we obtain exactly the same pro- portions within the merest trifle ; thus — Wheat-flour ... ... 10 46 Horseflesh. ... ... 10 15- 20 61 being equal to 10 of muscle-making to 30^ of fat-making matter; and this is practically the proportion of animal food to meal which best suits the dog's stomach and general system. The reader is not to suppose that a dog is to be fed on equal parts of cooked meat and puddings, but of raw meat and dry meal, which when both are boiled would, by the loss of juice in the flesh and the absorption of water in the meal, become converted into about two quantities by weight of pudding to one of cooked meat. Even this proportion of flesh is a large one for growing dogs which have not much exercise, but those which are " at walk " or which have their liberty in any situation will bear it. Most people prefer a much smaller proportion of meat, especially for hounds, pointers, setters, and spaniels, which depend on their nose, this organ being supposed to be rendered less delicate by high feeding. From long experience in this matter, however, I am satisfied that, while the health is maintained in a perfect state, there is no occasion to fear the loss' of nose, and that such may be avoided with the above diet I am confident from actual practice. At the same time it must not be forgotten that all dogs so fed require a great supply of green vegetables, which should be given once or twice a week dur- ing the summer, without which they become heated, and throw 294 REARING. out an erruption as a proof of it, the nose also being hot and dry. Green cabbage, turnip-tops, turnips, nettle-tops, or carrots, as well us potatoes, may all be given with advantage boiled and mixed with the meal and broth, in wliich way they are much relished. Greaves, bought at the chandler's, and consisting of the refuse of the fat melted to make tallow, make a very common article for flavouring the meal of sporting dogs of all kinds. Beyond this they have little value, but they certainly afford some degree of nourishment, and are not altogether to be despised. They are boiled in water first till soft, and then mixed with the meal to form the stirabout or pudding. With oatmeal they form a good food enough for pointers and setters, as they are not so heating as flesh. The quantity by weight which is required by the growing puppy daily of such food as the above, is from a twelfth to one- twentieth of the weight of its body, varying with the rapidity of growth, and a good deal with the breed also. Thus a 1 2 lb. dog will take from five-eighths of a pound to a pound, and a 36 lb. dog from two pounds to three pounds. When they arrive at full growth, more than the smaller of these weights is very seldom wanted, and it may be taken as the average weight of food of this kind for all dogs in tolerably active exercise. Spratt's or other meat biscuits are now in very general use for puppies above four or five months old as well as for adult dogs. Tor shooting dogs, those made with 2 5 per cent, of meat are far too strong; 10 per cent, is quite enough. GENERAL TREATMENT. During the whole time of growth, the only general management CHOICE OF PUPPIES AFTER WEA;N~IS~G. 295 required is, firstly, a habit of obedience, the do? being taught his kennel name, to follow at heel, and to lead. Some breeds require more than this ; as, for instance, the pointer and setter, which will be mentioned under the head of breaking. Secondly, great clean- liness in all respects, the kennel being kept scrupulously clean by washing the floor, and at least once a year lime-washing the walls, while the skins are freed from any vermin which may be found by the means described in the Third Book. In the summer a straw bed is seldom required, but in the winter it must be given for the sake of warmth, and changed once or twice a week. Physic is not needed as a regular practice, if feeding is conducted on the above plan, and the exercise is sufficient; but if the puppies are dull, a dose of castor oil occasionally will do good CHOICE OF PUPPIES AFTER WEA>"ES~G THEM. Puppies of all kinds vary in form so much between the weaning time and the period of full growth, that there is great difficulty in making a choice which shall be proved by subsequent events to be on reliable grounds. All young ani m al s grow by fits and starts, the proportions varying with the stage of development in which any part is at the time of examination. Thus at the fourth month a puppy may look too long, but during the next month he may have grown so much in the lees that he no lomer looks 50. A2ain- another may be all legs and wings in the middle of his growth, but he may finally grow down to a strong, low, and mus- cular dog. So also with the fore and hind quarters, they may orow alternately, and one month the fore quarter may be low, and the next the hind. Xone but an experienced eye, therefore, can pretend to foresee, after the period of weaning, what will be the 2 9 6 BEARING. final shape ; but either soon after that time, or a day or two after birth, a pretty good guess may be given, subject to the continua- tion of health, and to proper rearing in all respects. Bad feet can soon be detected, but the limbs grow into a good shape after most extraordinary deviations from the line of beauty, particularly in the greyhound, which is often apparently deformed in his joints when half grown. The most unwieldy-looking animals often fine down into the best shapes, and should not be carelessly rejected without the fiat being pronounced by a breeder of experience. CROPPING, BRANDING, AND ROUNDING. If terriers are to be cropped, the beginning or end of the fourth month is the best time to choose ; and, before sending out to walk, hounds are branded with the initials of the master or of the hunt, a hot iron shaped like the letter itself being used. Both cropping and rounding require practice to perform them well, a large sharp pair of scissors being used, and care being necessary to hold the two layers of skin in the ear in their natural position, to prevent the one rolling on the other, and thus leaving one larger than the other. Foxhounds have so much work in covert that rounding is imperatively called for to prevent the ears from being torn, and it always has been adopted as a universal practice, different huntsmen varying in the quantity removed. Some people after cutting one ear lay the piece removed on the other, and so mark . exactly the amount which is to be removed from it ; but this is a clumsy expedient, and, if the eye is not good enough to direct the hand without this measurement, the operation will seldom be effected to the satisfaction of the owner of the dog. It is usual to round foxhound puppies after they come in from their walks ; CROPPING, BRANDING, AND ROUNDING. 297 but it would be far better to perform the operation before their return, as it only makes them more sulky and unhappy than they otherwise would be, and is a poor introduction to their new masters. The men could easily go round to the different walks during the summer, and it would insure a supervision which is often required. ( 298 ) CHAPTER III. KENNELS AND KENNEL MANAGEMENT. Greyhound Kennels— Foxhound Kennels— Pointer Kennels— Kennels for Single Dogs — House Dogs. Between the kennels intended for the various kinds of dogs, and the methods of management therein, some considerable difference exists, though the same principles are adopted throughout. Thus, packs of foxhounds are often kept to the number of 80 or even 1 00 couples, and these must be managed rather differently to the three or four brace of greyhounds or pointers, which usually con- stitute the extent of each of these kinds in one man's possession, or at all events in one building. Besides this, foxhounds are much more exposed to the weather than greyhounds, which are usually clothed out of doors, and otherwise protected by dog-carts, &c. The former, therefore, must be hardened to the duties they have to perform, while the latter may be brought out in more vigorous health, and with their speed very highly developed, but at the same time in so delicate a condition as to be liable to take cold if allowed to remain in the rain for any length of time. Hence it will be necessary to describe the kennels for greyhounds, hounds, pointers, &c, separately. GREYHOUND KENNELS. Every kennel intended for greyhounds should be thoroughly GREYHOUND KENNELS. 299 protected from the weather, and should have the yard covered in as well as the lodging-house. The plan which has been indicated at page 287, as useful for the kennel intended to rear puppies, is also best adapted for their future keeping, and this it will be desir- able to describe more fully here. The central square, comprised between the four angles abed, is divided into four lodging-houses, having a ventilating shaft in the middle, with which they all communicate. These are filled up with benches separated by low partitions as shown in the diagram, Ground Plan of Greyhound Kennel. and raised about a foot from the ground. Each opens into a yard, with a door of communication so arranged as to be left partly open without allowing the slightest draught to blow upon the beds. These yards, ab, be, cd, da, are all roofed in, and bounded on the outer side by open pales guarded by coarse wire net, to prevent the teeth of the inmates gnawing them. They are separated by narrow partitions, which slide up to allow of the dogs having the whole run ; or they may be; left down, and the upper part open, so as to 300 KENNELS AND KENNEL MANAGEMENT. encourage the puppies to fence, by the necessity for jumping over them in pursuing one another. The floors should be of glazed tiles, adamantine clinkers, Dutch clinkers, Broseley bricks, or cement, the last being the most clean and free from absorption, which ought always to be entirely prevented. Each sleeping-place and yard should have a trapped drain, so as to carry off any wet directly it falls, and the former should be built exteriorly of brick cemented at least a foot from the ground, with board partitions Elevation of Greyhound Kennel. between them. A window should be in each, which is capable of being opened, and the ventilation should be secured by the plan introduced by Mr. Muir, whose address is 1 1 Ducie Street, Exchange, Manchester. This always secures a down-current as well as an up- current, so that there is little or no necessity for having the door open except for cleanliness, but in very windy weather the ventilation on the side of the wind shoidd be closed, or the down-draught will be enough to chill the greyhounds. As these kennels are to be paved with a non-porous material, the soil FOXHOUND AND HARRIER KENNELS, ETC. 301 is not of much consequence, but the situation should be dry and healthy, and the shade of a large tree is to be obtained if possible, The kennel management of the greyhound consists in little more than the adoption of cleanliness, which should be of the most scrupulous kind, together with regular feeding. Water is by some people constantly left for them to get at, but others object to it for dogs in training, and they then only give it with the food, My own opinion is decidedly in favour of the constant supply, as it is. impossible to prevent these animals from getting to it when at exercise ; and I am sure that, when they are kept from it in-doors, they take too much while they are out. On the contrary, if it is regularly supplied to them, they take very little, and are quite careless about it at all times. The, dressing and management of the feet form a part of the training of the greyhound, and will be treated of under the head of Coursing. FOXHOUND AND HARRIER KENNELS, ETC. Unlike the greyhound kennel in many respects, that which we are now considering must be adapted for from, thirty to a hundred couples of hounds, and the accommodation should therefore be more extensive, while a less degree of protection from the weather is desirable, because these hounds must be constantly exposed to long-continued wind and wet, and should therefore be hardened to them. The annexed description of the most desirable plan for kennels is chiefly derived from "Scrutator," who is, I believe, the most trustworthy as well as the most recent writer on the subject. The kennel should be placed upon some high and dry situation ; the building should face the south, and there should be no large 302 KENNELS AND KENNEL MANAGEMENT. trees near it. To hunt three or four days a week, you will require about forty couples of hounds according to the country. The lodging-rooms should be four in number, by which you will have a dry floor for the hounds to go on to every morning (the pack in the hunting season being in two divisions), instead of its being washed down whilst the hounds are left shivering in the cold on a bleak winter's day, which I have seen done when the huntsman has been too busy to walk them out during this process. Nothing is more prejudicial to hounds than damp lodging- rooms, a sure cause of rheumatism and mange, to which dogs are peculiarly liable. I have seen them affected by rheumatism in various ways, and totally incapacitated from working; some- times they are attacked in the loins, but more often in the shoulders, both proceeding either from a damp situation, damp lodging-room, or damp straw, often combined with the abuse of mercury in the shape of physic. In building kennels, there- fore, the earth should be removed from the lodging-room floor to the depth of a foot at least, and in its place broken stones, sifted gravel, or cinders, should be substituted, with a layer of fine coal-ashes, upon which the brick floor is to be laid, in cement or hot coal-ash mortar, taking care to use bricks which are not porous, or to cover them with a layer of cement, which last is an admirable plan. Outside the waljls and close to them, an air-drain about three feet deep should be constructed with a draining pipe of two inches bore at the bottom, and .filled up with broken stones to within six inches of the surface. This drain is to be carried quite round the building, and should fall into the main sewer. For a roof to the building I prefer thatch to tiles as affording more warmth in winter and coolness in summer ; but as slate or tiles are more agreeable to the eye, FOXHOUND AND HABRIER KENNELS, ETC. 303 a thin layer of reed placed under the tiles will answer the purpose. Over the centre of the lodging-rooms should be a sleeping- apartment for the feeder, which being raised above the level of the other roof will break the monotony of its appearance. At the rear of the kennel should be the boiling-house, feeding- court, straw-house, and separate lodgings for bitches. In front of the kennels, and extending round to the back door of the feeding-house, should be a good large green yard enclosed by a wall or palings. The former I prefer, although more ex- pensive, because hounds, being able to see through the latter, will be excited by passing objects ; and young hounds, for whose service the green yard is more particularly intended, are inclined to become noisy, barking and running round the palings when any strange dog makes his appearance. In the boiling-house will be required two cast-iron boilers, one for the meal, the other for flesh. Pure water must be in some way conducted to the kennels, both for cleanliness and for the preparation of food, and this should be laid on at the service of the kennel-man at all parts, so that there may be no excuse on the score of trouble in carrying it. There must also be coolers fixed in proportion to the number of hounds, each couple requiring from half a foot to a foot superficial, according as it is intended to make the puddings daily or every other day. Stone or iron feeding- and water-troughs are the best; the latter should be .fixed high enough to keep them clean To each lodging-room there should be two doors : one at the back with a small sliding panel and high up, through which the huntsman may observe the hounds without their seeing him; and aaether in the front with a large opening cut at the 304 KENNELS AND KENNEL MANAGEMENT. bottom, high enough and wide enough for a hound to through easily, and which should always be left open at night to allow free egress to the court. In addition there must also be another between each of the rooms, so as to throw two into one in the summer for the purpose of making them more airy. The benches should be made of pine or oak spars, and if they are made to turn up according to the following plan several advantages result, being described by a correspondent signing himself " Lepus," in the columns of " The Field," as follows : — <■ < "kennel benches. ' My benches are made of inch deal, cut into widths of three Plan of Kennel Bench for Hounds. A A folds to B B ; o c folds to D D ; E, hook to fasten bench back. inches, and nailed half an inch apart to two transverse pieces, to which hinges are fixed to connect the bench with a board six FOXHOUND AND HARRIER KENNELS, ETC. 305 inches wide, fastened firmly to the wall about a foot from the ground. In front is a piece of hoard about three inches in width to keep the straw from drawing off with the hounds. To prevent the hounds from creeping under, I nail two long laths the length of the bench across in front of the legs, which are hung with hinges in front of the bench, so that when the bench is hooked back they fall down and hang fiat. By having the six-inch board between the hinges and the wall, it prevents the former from being strained when the bench is hooked back with straw upon it." In some establishments there is a separate kennel for the young hounds, with a grass yard attached, for their own .use, and it is certainly very advantageous ; but with a little man- agement the buildings above recommended will be sufficient, and with a saving of considerable expense. The hounds during the hunting season will not require it at all, as .they should be walked out several times a day into a paddock or field, and should not be allowed to lie about anywhere but on their benches. In the rear of the kennels should be a covered passage into which the doors of the middle kennel should open, and leading to the feeding-house, which stands under the same roof as the boiling-house, only separated from it by a partition. This pas- sage should be so constructed as to make a foot bath for the hounds as they pass through after hunting, the bricks being oTadually sloped from each end to the centre, where it should be a foot deep, with a plugged drain in the lowest part, to let the hot liquor or water off into a drain. On each side of this passage should be a paved court with a small lodging-house at each end ; one for lame hounds, and the other for those which are sick. The ventilation of the rooms composing the lodgings of the 3°6 KENNELS AND KENNEL MANAGEMENT. hounds must be carefully attended to, and for this purpose the shaft alluded to at page 300 is by far the best adapted. It resembles in . external appearance that usually placed above well constructed stables, &c. ; but there is this important internal alteration, that the square is divided perpendicularly into four Muir's Ventilating Apparatus, a, b, c, d, the four divisions of shaft ; e, /, board for distributing down current. triangular tubes, one of which is sure to be presented to the wind from whatever quarter of the compass it is blowing, while the opposite one allows the foul air to escape, to make room for that descending through the first-named tube. When this is once con- structed, it only remains to lead a metal tube from each of these four compartments to every one of the lodging- rooms, which will FOXHOUND AND HARRIER KENNELS, ETC. 307 thus be as effectually ventilated as if each had an apparatus to itself. To carry this out well the lodging-rooms should be in a block, and then there will be a corner of each meeting in a common centre, above which the ventilator should be placed with the arrangement of tubes above described. The kennel management of hounds is a much more difficult and important affair than is generally supposed, as upon its proper performance, in great measure, depends the obedience of the pack in the field. Sometimes it is entirely committed to the care of the feeder, but every huntsman who knows his business will take as much pains with his hounds in kennel as out, and though he will not of course prepare the food, yet he will take care to super- intend it, and will always " draw " his hounds himself, for no one else can possibly know how to feed them. During the season this duty must of necessity devolve on the feeder or kennel-man on the hunting days, but the huntsman should always carry it out himself whenever he can. Hounds cannot be too fond of their huntsman, and though " cupboard love " is not to be encouraged in man, yet it is at the bottom of most of that which is exhibited by the dog, however much it may appear to take a higher range when once it has been properly developed. The regular daily kennel discipline is as follows : — With the four lodging-rooms described there should always be two dry and clean in the early morning, having been washed the day before. Into these the general pack should be turned, as soon as the doors are opened, or, if the morning is not wet, directly after a short airing in the paddock. The feeder then sweeps out the room in which they have slept, and afterwards mops it clean, drying the floor as much as possible, so that by ten or eleven o'clock it is fit for the hounds to re-enter. The men then get their breakfast, and directly afterwards the hounds are taken out to exercise, or the 3 o8 KENNELS AND KENNEL MANAGEMENT. hunting hounds to their regular day's work. If the former, they are brought back to kennel at eleven o'clock, fed, and returned to their regular lodging-room, or in some kennels they are still kept in a separate room during the day and night, always taking care that they are not turned into a room while the floor is damp, and that strict cleanliness is practised nevertheless. The hour of feed- ing is generally fixed for eleven o'clock, but for the day before hunting it should be an hour or two later, varying with the dis- tance they have to travel. Water should be constantly provided, taking care that the troughs are raised above the height at which dogs can pass their urine into it, which they will otherwise be constantly doing. As before remarked, iron troughs are the best. After feeding the hounds should remain quiet for the rest of the day, only stirring them in removing them from their day-room to their night-room, if two are allowed, which, I think, is an excellent practice. The food of hounds is composed of meal flavoured with broth, to which more or less flesh is added, or with greaves as a substi- tute when flesh cannot be obtained. The relative value of the various meals is described at page 290, but I may here remark that old oatmeal is the recognised food of hounds, though Indian meal is an excellent substitute. After boiling the flesh till the meat leaves the bones readily, take all out with a pitchfork, and put it to cool, skim all the fat off the broth, and fill up with water to the proper quantity ; next mix the meal carefully with cold water, and then pour this into the hot broth, keeping it con- stantly stirred till it thickens ; after which it should be boiled very gently till it has been on the fire for half an hour, continuing the stirring to prevent its burning. Lastly, draw the fire and ladle out the stuff into the coolers, where it remains till it has set, when it acquires the name with the solidity of "puddings." There FOXHOUND AND HARRIER KENNELS, ETC. 309 should always be two qualities made, one better than the other for the more delicate hounds, which must be apportioned by the hunts- man properly among them. This may be reduced with cold broth when wanted, to any degree of thinness ; and the meat, being cut or torn up, is mixed with it. In feeding the hounds, the huntsman, having the troughs supplied with the different qualities of food, orders the door to be thrown open which communicates with the lodging-room; then, having the hounds under proper control, they all wait till each is called by name, the huntsman pronouncing each name in a decided tone, and generally summoning two or three couples at a time, one after the other. When these have had what he con- siders sufficient, they are dismissed and others called in their turn ; the gross feeders being kept to the last, when the best and most nourishing part has been eaten. By thus accustoming hounds in kennel to wait their proper turn, and to come when called, a control is obtained out of doors which could never be accomplished in any other way. Once a week, on a non-hunting day in the winter, and every three or four days in the summer, some green food, or potatoes or turnips, should be boiled up with the pud- dings, and serves to cool the hounds very considerably. If this is attended to very little physic is required, except from accidental causes. A regular dressing and physicking is practised in some kennels, the former to keep the skin free from vermin and eruptions, and the latter with the same view, but also to cool the blood. This is by no means necessary, if great care is taken with regard to cleanli- ness, feeding, and exercise ; and in the royal kennels neither one nor the other is practised; excepting when disease actually appears, and not as a preventive measure. When it is considered desirable 3 io KENNELS AND KENNEL MANAGEMENT. to adopt either or both, directions for their use will he found given in the next Book. POINTERS AND SETTEES. These dogs do not require a covered yard, and may be treated in all respects like hounds, the only difference being in regard to numbers. More than three or four brace should not be kept together if it can be avoided, as they are apt to quarrel when not thoroughly exercised or worked, and then a whole lot will fall upon one and tear him almost to pieces. The rules of cleanliness, feeding, &c, are the same as for hounds. SINGLE DOGS KENNELLED OUT OF DOORS. "Where . a single dog is kept chained up to what is called a kennel, care should be taken to pave the ground on which he lies, unless he can be moved every month, or still more frequently, as in course of time his urine stains the ground so much as to pro- duce disease. It should always be borne in mind that the dog requires more exercise than he can take when chained up, and he should therefore be set at liberty for an hour or two daily, or at all events every other day. HOUSE DOGS. The great bane of dogs which are at liberty to run through the house is, that they are constantly receiving bits from their kit- chen, as well as from their parlour, friends. The dog's stomach is peculiarly unfitted for this increasing demand upon it, and, if the HOUSE DOGS. 311 practice is adopted, it is sure to end in disease before many years are passed. The rule should be strictly enforced, to avoid feeding more than once or twice daily, at regular hours, and then the quantity and quality should be proportioned to the size of the dog and to the amount of exercise which he takes. About one- twentieth to one-twelfth of the weight of the dog is the proper amount of food, and all beyond this is improper in most cases, though of course there are some exceptions. Dogs are very cleanly animals, and often refuse to dirty a carpet or even a clean floor ; they should therefore be turned out at proper times to relieve themselves, the neglect of which is cruel, as well as injurious to the health. I have known dogs retain their excretions for days together, rather than expose themselves to the anger which they think they should incur, and I believe some high-couraged animals would almost die before they would make a mess. Long-haired dogs, when confined to the house, are apt to smell disagreeably if they have much flesh, and they should therefore be chiefly fed upon oatmeal porridge, with very little flavouring of broth or meat mixed up with it. ( 312 ) CHAPTER IV. BREAKING AND ENTERING. The Entering of the Greyhound and Deerhound— Of Foxhounds and Harriers — Breaking the Pointer and Setter— The Retriever (Land and Water)— The Spaniel— The Vermin Dog. With the exception of the greyhound, sporting dogs require some considerable education to the sport in which they are to be en- gaged. Unlike the hound and the dogs intended for the gun, greyhounds have only their instinctive desires to be developed, and as no restraint is at any time placed upon these, except that depending upon mechanical means which they cannot get rid of, nature has uncontrolled sway. Hence their entering is a very easy process ; nevertheless, there are some precautions to be taken which it is necessary to describe. The deerhound, as well as the greyhound, is held in slips, a single one being used for him, and a double slip, or pair of slips as it is called, for the two greyhounds which form the complement for coursing the hare, a greater number being considered unfair, and therefore unsportsmanlike. These slips are so made that by pulling a string the neck-strap is loosed, and the two dogs are let go exactly at the same moment. They are always used in public coursing, but in private the greyhounds are sometimes suffered to run loose, waiting for the moment when the hare is put up by the beaters or by the spaniels, which are occasionally employed. Hounds also are coupled under certain circumstances, but they are GREYHOUND AND DEERHOUND. 313 never slipped at the moment when game is on foot, and they must therefore be made steady from " riot." THE ENTERING OF THE GREYHOUND AND DEERHOUND. Whether for public or private coursing, the greyhound should not be suffered to course a hare until he is nearly at maturity ; but as the bitches come to their growth before the dogs, they may be entered earlier than the latter. About the tenth month is the best time for forward bitches, and the twelfth or fourteenth for dogs. If therefore a greyhound is to be allowed to see a hare or two at this age, he or she must be bred early in the year, in order to have a brace late in the spring, so as to be ready for the next season. Some people invariably prefer keep- ing them on to the autumn, and for private coursing there is no reason whatever for beginning so early ; but public coursers begin to run their dogs in puppy stakes in the month of October, prior to which there is so little time after the summer is passed, that they prefer beginning in the spring if their dogs are old enough, and if they are not they will not be fit to bring out in October. Before leing entered the dogs must be taught to lead quietly, as they cannot be brought on to the ground loose, and if not previously accustomed to it, they knock about and tear themselves dreadfully, and moreover will not go quietly in slips. As soon therefore as the ground is soft, after they are six or eight months old, they should have a neck-strap put on, and should be led about for a short time daily, till they follow quietly. Some puppies are very violent, and will fight against the strap for a long time, but by a little tact they soon give in, and follow their leader without resistance. The coursing-field is the best 3 i 4 BREAKING AND ENTERING. school for this purpose, as the puppies have something to engage their attention, and until they will bear their straps without pull- ing against them their education in this respect is not complete. A dog pulling in slips will do himself so much harm as often to cause the loss of a course, and therefore every precaution should be taken to avoid this fault. The leader should never pull against the puppy steadily, but the moment he finds him beginning to hang forward, give him a severe check with the strap, and repeat it as often as necessary. It is a very common defect, but never ought to occur with proper management ; though when once established it ' is very difficult to get rid of. Two or three days' leading on the coursing-field will serve to make any puppies handy to lead if properly managed, and they may then be put in slips with perfect safety. The condition of the puppy at the time of entering is too often neglected, but it should be known that a fat over-fed puppy without previous exercise may be seriously injured even by a short course, which, moreover, can never be assured under any circumstances, as the hare will sometimes run in a different direc- tion to that which is expected. A sapling, as the young greyhound is called to the end of the first season after he is whelped, should never be trained like an old one, as the work is too severe, and his frame is not calculated to bear it, but he may be reduced in flesh by light feeding, and allowed to gallop at liberty for two or three hours a day, giving him that amount of walking exercise and as much galloping as he likes to take. With these precautions, he will be fit to encounter any hare in a short course, which is all that should ever be allowed, as far as it is possible to foresee what will happen. Whether an old assistant or a young one shall be put down with GREYHOUND AND DEERHOUND. 315 a sapling is a subject which admits of some discussion. If the former, the young dog has small chance of getting to work at all, and if the latter, he may have so little assistance as to he greatly distressed. Few people like to put down an honest old dog with a sapling, and a cunning one soon teaches the tricks which he himself displays. Sometimes young dogs have great difficulty in killing, and want the encouragement afforded by blood ; in such a case, a good killer may be desirable, but with no other object could I ever put down an old dog with a sapling. Before they are going to run in a stake, an old dog of known speed should be put in slips with the puppy, in order to arrive at a knowledge of the powers of the latter, but this is with a view to a trial, and not as part of the entering of the grey- hound. When a sapling has rim enough hares to know his work, and has killed a hare, or been present at the death of one, he may be put by as properly entered ; and the number required will average about five or six — more or less according to the cleverness of the particular animal, which will generally depend upon his breed. The deerhoiind is entered at his game on the same principles as the greyhound, but as red deer are more scarce than hares it requires more time. It is always better to slip him with an older companion, but beyond this precaution everything must be left to his natural sagacity. As his nose is to be brought into play, and as he may possibly cross the scent of hares or other gamg, he must be made steady from all " riot," and, if possible, should be taken up, in couples, to the death of a deer once or twice and " blooded," so as to make him understand the nature of the scent. His in- stinctive fondness for it will, however, generally serve him without this, but the precaution is a good one, and may save some trouble and risk. He will not do much in aid of his older companion in 3 i6 BEEAKING AND ENTERING. hunting the animal he is slipped at, but when " at bay " he is soon encouraged by example to go in and afford his help, and this is the time when a second deerhound is chiefly wanted. THE ENTERING OF FOXHOUNDS AND HARRIERS. The first thing to be done with hound puppies, when they come into kennel, is to get them used to their new masters and to their names, which ought to have been given them " at walk." For some little time the puppy often refuses to be reconciled to its confine- ment in his new home, and sulks by himself in a corner, refusing to eat and to follow his feeder or huntsman. This, however, soon goes off; but till it does there is no use in attempting to do any- thing with the dog. When the puppies are quite at home they may be taken out by the feeder, at first in couples, and then by degrees removing these and allowing them to run free. For some time it will be prudent to take only six or seven couples at a time, as when any " riot " makes its appearance there is enough to do even with this number, and more would be quite unmanageable. Indeed, the huntsman will do well to take out only a couple or two at a time into the paddock with him, till they are thoroughly ac- customed to his voice, and have found out that he must be obeyed, As soon as they are tractable on the road they may be walked among sheep and deer, where they should at first all be in couples, and then only one or two should be loosed at a time ; but before long the whole pack should be accustomed to resist the temptation, till which time they are unfit to be entered. It is also highly necessary that foxhounds should in the same way be broken from hare and rabbit ; but too much must not be attempted with them until they are entered to fox, as their spirit and dash would be FOXHOUNDS AND HARRIERS. 317 discouraged, if the whip or rate were always being used without the counter-cheer in favour of some kind of game. All hounds require daily exercise, without which they cannot be preserved in health, nor can their high spirits be controlled, as if they are not exercised they will be always requiring the whip. If, however, the huntsman takes them out daily in the morning on the road, which hardens their feet, and in the evening in the paddock, they are so orderly that anything may be done with them. For this purpose the men should be mounted in the morn- ing, but in the evening they may be on foot. Cub-hunling, which is the name giving to the process by which young hounds are entered, begins in August as soon as the corn is cut, and the time will therefore vary with the season and the country. In some places, as in the New Forest, for instance, it may be carried on at any time, but this month is early enough. It is better to take out the old hounds once or twice till they have recovered their summer idleness, as a good example is everything to the young hound. "When the young entry are to be brought out, it is very desirable to find as quickly as possible, and some cautious huntsmen go so far as to keep them coupled till the old hounds have found their fox ; but if they have been made steady from " riot " there is no occasion for this. If, however, they have never been rated for "riot," there is no great harm in their hunting hare or anything else at first, till they know what they ought to do ; after which they must be rigidly kept to their game. But cub-hunting is not solely intended to break in and " enter " the hound, it has also for its object to disperse the foxes from the large woodlands which form their chief holds in all countries ; and, as these cannot show good sport during the season, they are well routed before it commences, to drive the foxes into smaller coverts, while at the same time the hounds may be ren- 3 i8 BREAKING AND ENTERING. defed steady, and by practice enabled to work tbeir fox. Very often . the master will take advantage of an opportunity to have a nice little burst to himself ; and, if the hounds are not made to hustle the foxes through the large woodlands, good after sport cannot be expected. Independently of the above object, cub-hunting is prac- tised in August, September, and October, firstly, in order to give the young hounds blood, which they can obtain easily from a litter of fat cubs ; secondly, to break them from " riot," while they are encouraged to hunt their own game ; arid, thirdly, to endeavour to break them off sundry faults, such as skirting, &c. ; or, if apparently incurable, to draft them at once. These objects are generally attained by the end of October, when the regular season begins. Harriers and beagles are entered to hare on the same principle, the scent of the fox and deer, as well as that of the rabbit, being " riot " to them, and strictly prohibited! Otterhounds also have exactly the same kind of entry, although the element they work in is of a different character. THE BREAKING OF THE POINTER AND SETTER. The following observations on the breaking of these dogs appeared in " The Field," during the spring of 1858, and are be- lieved to embody the general practice of good breakers : — As the method is the same for each kind, whenever the word pointer is used, it is to be understood as applying equally to the. setter. It is scarcely necessary for me to remark that no single life would suffice to bring the art of breaking dogs to all the per- fection of which it is capable, when the various improvements of succeeding generations are handed down from one to the other ; and therefore I neither pretend to be the inventor of any me- POINTERS AND SETTERS. 319 thod here detailed, nor do I claim any peculiarity as my own; All the plans of teaching the young dog that will be found described by me are practised by most good breakers; so that there will be nothing to be met with in my remarks but what is well known to them. Nevertheless, they are not generally known; and there are many good shots who are now entirely dependent upon dog-dealers for the supply of their kennels, and who yet would infinitely prefer to break their own dogs, if they only knew how to set about it. Others, again, cannot afford the large sum which a highly accomplished brace of pointers or setters are worth in the market ; and these gentle- men would far rather obtain two or three good puppies and break them with their own hands, with expenditure of little more than time, than put up with the wretchedly broken ani- mals which are offered for sale by the dozen at the com- mencement of every shooting season. To make the utmost of any dog requires great experience and tact, and therefore the ordinary sportsman, however ardent he may be, can scarcely expect his dogs to attain this amount of perfection ; but by attending to the following instructions, which will be given in plain language, he may fairly hope to turn out a brace of dogs far above the average of those belonging to his neighbours. One advantage he will assuredly have when he begins the actual war against the birds in September, namely, that his dogs will cheerfully work for him, and will be obedient to his orders ; but at the same time he must not expect that they will behave as well then as they did when he considered their education com- plete in the previous April or May. No one who values " the bag " above the performance of his dogs will take a young pointer into the field at all, till he has been shot over for some time by a man who makes it his business to break 3 2o BREAKING AND ENTERING. and who is not himself over-excited by the sport. It is aston- ishing what a difference is seen in the behaviour of the young dog when he begins to see game falling to the gun. He may go out with all the steadiness which he had acquired by two months' drilling in the spring ; but more frequently he will have forgotten all about it, unless he is well hunted in the week previous to the opening of the campaign. But no sooner has he found his birds or backed his fellow-pointer, and this good behaviour has been followed by the report of the gun, heard now almost for the first time, and by the fall of a bird or two within a short distance, than he becomes wild with excitement, and, trying to rival the gun in destructiveness, he runs into his birds, or plays some other trick almost equally worthy of punishment. For this there is no remedy but patience and plenty of hard work, as we shall presently find ; and I only mention it here, in order that my readers may not undertake the task without knowing all its disagreeables as well as the advantages attending upon it. Supposing, therefore, that a gentleman has determined to break a brace of pointers for his own use, without assistance from a keeper, let us now consider how he should set about it. In the first place, let him procure his puppies of a breed in which he can have confidence. He will do well to secure a brace and a half, to guard against accidents or defects in growth. Let these be well reared up to the end of January, or, in fact, until the birds are paired and will lie well, whatever that time may be. They should be fed as directed in the last chapter. A few bones should be given daily, but little flesh, as the nose is certainly injuriously affected by this kind of food ; and without attention to his health, so as to give the dog every chance of finding his game, it is useless to attempt to break him. The POINTERS AND SETTERS. 321 puppies should either be reared at full liberty at a good walk, or they should have an airy yard, and should then be walked out daily, taking care to make them know their names at a very early age, and teaching them instant obedience to every order, without breaking their spirit. Here great patience and tact are required ; but, by the owner walking them out himself two or three times a week and making them fond of him, a little severity has no injurious effect. In crossing fields the puppies should never be allowed to " break fence," even if the gates are open, but should be called back the moment they attempt to do so. These points are of great importance, and by attending to them half the difficulty of breaking is got over ; for, if the puppy is early taught obedience, you have only to let him know what he is required to do, and he does it as a matter of course. So also the master should accustom his puppies from the earliest age to place a restraint upon their appetites when ordered to do so ; and if he will provide himself with pieces of biscuit, and will place them within reach of the dog, whilst he prevents his taking them by the voice only, he will greatly aid the object he has in view. Many breakers carry this practice so far as to place a dainty morsel on the ground before the dog when hungry, and use the word " Toho " to restrain him ; but this, though perhaps hereafter useful when inclined to run in upon game, is by no means an unmixed good, as the desire for game in a well-bred dog is much greater than the appetite for food, unless the stomach has long been deprived of it. Besides these lessons prior to breaking, it will be well to teach the dog to come to heel, and to keep there, also to run forward at the word of command, to lie down when ordered, and to remain down. All these several orders should be accompanied by the appropriate words afterwards used in the field, viz. — 3 22 BREAKING AND ENTERING. WORDS OF COMMAND USED TO THE POINTER AND SETTER. i. To avoid breaking fence — "Ware fence." 2. To come back from cbasing cats, poultry, bares, &c. — " Ware cbase.'' 3. To come to heel and remain there — "To heel," or "Heel." 4. To gallop forward — " Hold up." 5. To lie down — "Down," or "Down charge." 6. To abstain from taking food placed near, equally applied to running in to birds — "Toho." When these orders are cheerfully and instantly -complied with by the puppy, it will be time to take him into the field, but not till then. Many breakers during this period accustom their dogs to the report of the gun, by firing a pistol off occasionally while they are a short distance off, and in a way so as not to alarm them. This is all very well, and may prevent all danger of a dog becoming " shy of the gun ; " but with . a well-bred puppy, properly reared, and not confined too much so as to make him shy in other respects, such a fault will seldom occur. Never- theless, as it does sometimes show itself, from some cause or other, the above precaution, as it costs little trouble or expense, is not to be objected to. It is also advantageous to accustom the do^ to drop when the pistol is discharged, and, if he is of high courage,*- he may be drilled to this so effectually that he never forgets it. By the aid of a " check cord," wherever the dog is when the pistol is discharged, he is suddenly brought up and made to drop with the command " Down charge - T " and in process of time he associates one with the other, so that whenever he hears a gun he drops in an instant. Timid dogs may, however, be made shy in this way, and unless the puppy is evidently of high courage, it is POINTERS AND SETTERS. 323 a dangerous expedient to resort to ; as, instead of making the dog, it may mar him for ever. Next comes the teaching to " range," which is about the most difficult part of breaking. Many sportsmen who have shot all their lives are not aware of the extent to which this may be, and indeed ought to be, carried : and are quite content if their dogs "potter" about where they like, and find game anyhow. But the real lover of the dog, who understands his capabilities, knows that for perfect ranging the whole field ought to be beaten systematically, and in such a way as to reach all parts in suc- cession, the dog being always as near to the gun as is consistent with the nature of the ground, the walking powers of the man, and the degree of wildness of the game. All these varying points of detail in the management of the dog while beating his ground will, however, be better considered at a future stage of the in- quiry ; so that at present, taking it for granted that what I have assumed is the real desideratum, we will proceed to inquire how this mode of ranging is best taught. It must be understood that what we want is, — first, that the puppy should hunt freely, which soon comes if he is well bred ; secondly, that he should range only where he is ordered, and that he should always be on the look-out for his master's hand or whistle to direct him. This also is greatly dependent on breed, some dogs being naturally ''wilful, while others from their birth are dependent upon their master, and readily do what they are desired. Thirdly, great pains must be taken to keep the puppy from depending upon any other dog and following him in his line, and also from "pot- tering," or dwelling on " the" foot-scent," which, again, is a great deal owing to defective blood. Now, then, how are these points to be attained ? By a reference to the annexed diagram, the principle upon which two dogs should beat their ground is laid 3=4 BREAKING AND ENTERING. down; the dotted line a a a a representing the beat of one, and the plain line hbbb that of the other dog. But, with a raw puppy, it is useless to expect him to go off to the right while his fellow proceeds to the left, as they afterwards must do if they perform their duty properly ; but, taking an old dog into a field with the puppy, the former is started off with the ordinary words " Hold up " in either line laid down, which, being properly broken, he proceeds to follow out, accompanied by the puppy, who does not at all understand what he is about. Presently the POINTERS AND SETTEES. 325 old dog " finds," and very probably the young one goes on and puts up the birds, to the intense disgust of his elder companion, but to his own great delight, as shown by his appreciation of the scent, and by chasing his game till out of sight. At the present stage of breaking, the puppy should by no means be checked for this, as he knows no better, and the great object is to give him zest for the work, not to make him dislike it ; so that, even if he runs in to half a dozen pairs of birds, it will do him no harm, however jealous it may make the old dog. As soon, however, as the young one seems decidedly inclined to go to work by himself, take up the old dog, and hunt the young- one till he is thoroughly tired or till he begins to point, which he will often do 'before that time arrives if he is well enough bred. At first, when he comes upon a scent, he will stop in a hesitating way, then draw rapidly up and flush his birds, chasing them as before ; but gradually, as he tires, he gains steadiness, and after a time, he assumes the firm attitude of the true pointer or setter, though this is seldom shown in perfection for the first two or three days. Let it be clearly understood, that the present lesson is solely with a view to teach the range, steadiness in the point being at first quite subordinate to this quality, though in well-bred dogs it may often be taught at the same time. Hundreds of puppies are irretrievably spoiled by attempting to. begin with teaching them to stand, when, by undue hardship and severity, their relish for hunting or beating the ground is destroyed ; and they are never made to do this part of the work well, although their noses are good enough when they come upon game, and they stand for a week if allowed to do so. Keep to the one object till the puppy will beat his ground as shown in the diagram, at first single-handed, and then crossing it with another do 0, ; but it seldom answers to use two together until steadiness ' 3 26 BREAKING AND ENTERING. at " the point " is attained, as there are few old dogs which will beat their ground properly long together when they find that they are worked with a young one which is constantly flushing his birds or committing some other faux pas. For these reasons it is better to work the young ones at first singly, that is, as soon as they will work ; and then, after they range freely and work to the hand and whistle, turning to the right or left, forwards or backwards, at the slightest wave of the hand, and when they also begin to point, it is time enough to " hunt them double." , In order to complete the education of the pointer in ranging or beating his ground, it is not only necessary that he should " quarter " it, as it is called, according to the method inculcated at page 3 2 3 et seq., but that he should do it with every advantage of the wind, and also without losing time by dwelling on a false scent, and, above all, avoiding such careless work as to put up game without standing to a point at all. I have before explained the principle upon which a field is to be " quartered," and, de- scribed the way in which the dog is to be set to do his work, by the hand and voice, aided by the whistle. As a general rule, pointers find their game by the scent being blown to them from the body, constituting what is called a " body-scent," and not from that left by the foot on the ground, which is called a " foot-scent." Hence it is desirable in all cases to give the dog the wind, that is to say, to beat up towards the wind's eye ; and therefore the breaker will put his dogs to work in that direction ; and then, though they do not always beat directly towards the wind, yet they have it blowing from the game towards them in each of their crossings. (See diagram on page 324.) But suppose, as it sometimes happens, that the sportsman cannot well do this, as when birds are likely to be POINTERS AND SETTERS. 327 on the edge of a manor, with the wind blowing on to it from that over which he has no right of shooting ; — here, if he gave his dog the wind in the usual way, he would drive all the birds off his own beat ; and, to avoid this, he begins at the edge of it, and makes his pointers (if they are well enough broken) leave him and go up the other side to the far end of the field (if not too long), and then beat towards him in the usual way. It is true that the necessity for this kind of beating does not often occur ; but sometimes a considerable number of shots are lost for want of teaching it, and the perfect dog should understand it thoroughly. When, therefore, the puppy has learnt to range in the ordinary way, and will work to the hand well, as before described, give him a lesson in this kind of beating ; and, if any difficulty occurs, send a boy to lead him until he is far enough away, and then let the biped loose his charge, first catching the dog's eye yourself, so as to make him aware that you are the person he is to range to. In a few lessons he soon begins to find out the object of this departure from the usual plan, and by a little perseverance he will, of his own accord, when he finds he has not got the wind, work so as to make a circuit and get it for himself. Nevertheless, a good dog, who has a master as good as himself, should always wait for orders, and there is always some excuse for very clever ones becomiug headstrong when they are constantly misdirected. Let me again repeat what I have observed on the importance of teaching, at first, the correct mode of quartering the ground, and of per- severing (without regard to standing or pointing) in the lessons on this subject alone, until the puppy is tolerably perfect in them. At the same time it is true that some little attention may be paid to the " point ; " but this is of far less conse- quence at the early stage which we are now considering. In- 32 8 BKEAKING AND ENTERING. deed, in most well-bred dogs, it comes naturally; but none beat to the hand without an education in that particular depart- ment. But at this stage it will be frequently needful to correct various faults which are apt to show themselves in young dogs, such as (i) " hunting too low," leading to "pottering or dwell- ing on the foot-scent ; " (2) hunting too wide from the breaker ; and (3) "blinking," or leaving the game as soon as found, which last is a fault depending on undue previous severity. With regard to the first of them, there is, unfortunately, no certain remedy for it ; and the puppy which shows it to any great ex- tent after a week or ten days' breaking will seldom be good for much, iu spite of all the skill and trouble which an expe- rienced breaker can apply. The method of cure most commonly adopted is that called hunting with a " puzzle-peg " on, which is shown applied in the annexed cut. It consists of a piece of strong wood, such as ash or oak, attached to the neck by a leather collar, and to the jaw by a string tied just behind the tusks or canine teeth, so as to constitute a firm projection in continuation of the lower jaw ; and as it extends from six to nine inches beyond it, the dog cannot put his nose nearer to the ground than that amount of projection will allow of. The young dog should be well accustomed to it in kennel and in the field, before he is hunted in it ; for when it is put on for the first time it inevitably " cows " him so much as to stop all disposition to range ; but by putting it on him for an hour or two daily while he is at liberty and not expected to hunt, he soon becomes tolerably reconciled to it, and will set off on his range when ordered or allowed. With it on, a foot-scent can seldom be made out, unless pretty strong ; but, at all events, the dog does not stoop to make it out in that spaniel-like style POINTERS AND SETTERS. 329 which occasions its adoption. Nevertheless, when it is left off, the old tendency to stoop most frequently reappears, more or less, and the sportsman finds that all his care has been thrown away. Still I have known it cure this fault, and if it fails I have no other suggestion to offer but sixpennyworth of cord or " a hole in the water." If used at all, it must be kept on for many days together, that is to say, while at work, and when left off it should be occasionally reapplied if the dog shows the slightest tendency to put his nose down, or dwell on the scent where birds have been rising or have "gone away." I may here remark that " false pointing " is altogether different from this low hunting, though often coupled with it; but this we shall come to after describing the nature of, and mode of teach- ing, that part of the pointer's education. There is a wonderful faculty in some breeds of feeling a body-scent at long distances, while they have no perception of the foot-scent, and this is the quality which ought to be most highly prized in the pointer 330 BREAKING AND ENTERING. or setter, unless lie is also wanted to retrieve, in which latter case such a nose will be found to be defective. But of this also we shall come to a more close understanding in a future part of this inquiry. In addition to the use of the " puzzle-peg," — which should only be resorted to in extreme cases, and even in them is, as I before remarked, of doubtful 1 utility, — the voice should be used to cheer the dog when he dwells on the scent too long, or carries his nose too low. " Hold up ! " may be cried in a cheering way, and the dog encouraged with the hand waved forward as well. Colonel Hutchinson recommends the previous inculcation of the perception of height, — in fact, to make the dog understand that you mean, when you use the word " Up," that he should raise his head. But this is a refinement in dog-breaking which possibly may be carried out, yet which, I confess, I think- practically inoperative. Few of us would like to teach our hacks to lift their knees, by giving them to under- stand the nature of height, and then telling them to lift them. We should certainly find it much more simple to select hacks with good action, or to breed them even, rather than to convert our colt-breakers into circus-men. If there were no other method of attaining the object, by all means adopt it ; but, when a far easier one is at hand, I should certainly select it in pre- ference. Nevertheless, it may serve to prove the teachableness of the dog; and, knowing the extent to which his education may be carried by patience aud perseverance, I have no doubt that Colonel Hutchinson's plan is capable of execution, if the time and trouble necessary for it were properly remunerated. But we must now proceed to the second fault, which consists in ranging too far from the breaker. This may readily be cured, either by compelling attention to the hand and voice, with the aid of the whip in bad cases ; or by attaching to the POINTERS AND SETTERS. 331 dog's collar a long cord, which is then suffered to trail on the ground, or is held in the hand of the breaker, when the do" is very wild. Twenty, thirty, or at most forty, yards of a small box-cord will suffice for this purpose, and will soon tire down the strongest and most unruly dog. Indeed, an application of it for a short time will make many dogs give in entirely ; but some high-couraged ones, and setters especially, will persevere with it on till they are fairly exhausted. This " check-cord," as it is called, is also necessary in some dogs, to perfect their educa- tion in other respects, and, indeed, is chiefly wanted at a later period of breaking, not being often required at this stage. Having described the mode of teaching pointers and setters to beat their ground, I have now to consider the best modes of teaching them (1) to point, set, or stand (which are different names for the same act), (2) to back, (3) to down charge, (4) to retrieve, if considered desirable, and (5) how to remedy certain faults, such as blinking, &c. Pointing, setting, or standing is taught as follows. It will, of course, be discovered in practice that, in teaching the range, most dogs begin to point, and nineteen out of twenty, if well-bred, be- come steady enough, without the gun, before they are perfect in the proper mode of beating their ground. For these, then, it is unnecessary to describe any other means of teaching their trade ; but there are some few exceptions, in which, even after a fort- night's work, the dog is still deficient in this essential, and, though he beats his ground in ever so perfect a manner and finds his birds well enough, yet he invariably runs them up, sometimes with great zest and impudent disregard of his breaker, and at others with evident fear of the consequences. Here, then, something more must be done, and it is effected by taking the young dog out with a steady companion and hunting them together; then, keeping 332 BREAKING AND ENTERING. the old dog within forty yards, let him, if possible, be the one to find, and take care to walk up to him before the young one comes up-, which he is sure to do as soon as he catches his eye on the point. Now use your voice in a severe but low tone to stop him ; and, as he has been accustomed to halt with the word " Toho ! " he will at once do so, generally standing in a cautious attitude, at a distance varying with his fear of his breaker and the amount of courage which he possesses. If the birds lie close, let him draw up and get the scent ; and the excitement will then be so great, that, if he is under sufficient command to be held in check by the " Toho ! " he will be sure to assume the rigid condition cha- racteristic of his breed. Now go quietly up to him, pat him, and encourage him, but in such a tone as to prevent his running in, — still using the " Toho ! good dog ; toho ! " — and keeping him for a few minutes where he is, so long as he can scent his birds, which he shows by champing and frothing at the mouth. After the lapse of this time, walk quietly forward, keeping your eye on him, and still restraining him with the " Toho," put up the birds, and then, if possible, make him drop with the words " Down charge ! " the meaning of which he has already been taught. But, if he is very wild and of high courage, do not attempt this at first, as it is better to proceed step by step, and to teach each department thoroughly before another is commenced. In this way, by perseverance and hard work (which last is the keystone of the breaker's arch), any dog, whether of the special breeds used for the purpose or not, may be made to point when he finds game ; but none but the pointer and setter become rigid or cataleptic, a peculiarity which is con- fined to them. In very high-couraged dogs a check-cord, thirty or forty yards in length, is sometimes suffered to trail on the ground, or is held by the breaker, so as to assist the voice in POINTERS AND SETTERS. 333 stopping the dog when he is wanted to make his stand ; but the cases where this is wanted are so rare as scarcely to require any allusion to it, if the breaker is sufficiently industrious to give work enough to his charge. This part of the education is gener- ally effected in a couple of lessons, without trouble, and, indeed, the young dog often points steadily enough at the first or second scenting of game. Backing. — When a dog has acquired the merely instinctive property already described, he is said to be " steady before," and may be used alone or single-handed without any further edu- cation ; but when he is to be hunted with other dogs he requires to be made " steady behind," that is to say, he must be taught to " back " another dog as the latter stands. In very high-bred dogs this property, like the former, is developed very early ; but, the more hardy and courageous the breed, the longer they gener- ally are in acquiring it, and therefore the young breaker should not be discouraged if he finds that his puppies give him some trouble after they have learnt to stand perfectly steady. Backing is usually taught in the same way as described for standing, that is to say, by hunting with an old steady dog, taking care that he is one whose find is to be depended on, and then stopping the young one with the voice and hand, or with the aid of a check- cord if necessary. The great art consists here in managing to o-et between the two dogs at the moment when the old one stands, and thus to be able to face the puppy as he rushes up to share the scent with his rival, which he at first considers his companion to be. Jealousy is a natural feeling in all dogs from their desire to obtain approbation ; but it must be eradicated in the pointer and setter, or they never become steady together, and whichever finds first the other tries to run up and take the point from him. To avoid this failing, leave the dog which first finds alone, and 334 BREAKING AND ENTERING. walk jip to the one which you have stopped, pat and encourage him with the word " Toho ! " in a low but pleased tone ; let him not on any account creep forward a step, but keep him exactly where he is for some minutes, if the birds lie well. Then walk forward to the old dog, but take no notice of him, and, with your eye still on the puppy, put up the birds, having stopped him with voice and hand if he moves a limb. Supposing the old dog has pointed falsely, the young one is materially injured, inasmuch as he has lost confidence in him, and next time he is with more difficulty restrained from running in to judge for himself ; hence the necessity for a good nose in the old dog, who ought to be very steady and perfect in all respects. It will thus be seen that very little art is required in carrying out this part of the education, which really demands only hard walking, patience, and persever- ance to complete it in the most satisfactory manner. It should be pursued day after day, till the young dog not only finds game for himself and stands quite steadily, but also backs his fellows at any distance, and without drawing towards them a single step after he sees them at point. When this desirable consummation is effected to such an extent that the puppy will back even a strange dog, and has already learnt to beat his ground properly, as explained in my previous remarks, he is as steady and well broken as he can be without the gun, and may be thrown by until a fortnight before the shooting season, when he ought to be taken out again for two or three days, as in the interval he will gener- ally have lost some of his steadiness. Still he will only require work to restore it, as he knows what he ought to do ; and with patience, joined if necessary with a little punishment, he soon re-acquires all that he had forgotten. Many masters now fancy that all is done towards " making the pointer : " but, on the con- trary, they find that after birds are killed the puppy which was POINTERS AND SETTERS. 335 previously steady becomes wild and ungovernable, and spoils the day's shooting by all sorts of bad behaviour. Hence it is that breakers so often are blamed without cause ; but when it is found by experience that such conduct is the rule, and not the exception, young dogs are left by their owners to be shot over by a keeper for a few days, or even longer, before they are taken into the field. Another reason for this wildness may be assigned ; namely, the dogs are often hunted in the commencement of the season by almost perfect strangers, two or three guns together ; whereas, if their breaker had the management, they would be under much more control, and especially if he went out quietly by himself. Here again is another reason for gentlemen breaking their own clogs, or, at all events, finishing their education by giving their dogs and themselves a few lessons together. Down charge, as already described, ought to be taught from a very early period, the dog being made to drop at the word or elevation of the hand of his master, without the slightest hesitation. It is not, therefore, necessary to dwell upon this part of his education, further than to remark that after each point, or, indeed, directly after birds rise under any circumstances, the dog should be made to drop by the voice, using the order " Down charge ! " or by raising the hand if the eye of the dog can be caught. When this practice is made habitual, there is little trouble in carrying out the order until the gun is added ; but then it will be found that great patience and forbearance are required to prevent the dog from running to his birds, as they drop ; for, if this is allowed, it is sure to make him un- steady in every case as soon as his eye catches sight of game whether after the point or not. It is now that the advantage of having made the dog drop to the gun is manifested, for the first thing he thinks of when the gun is fired is the necessity 336 BREAKING AND ENTERING. for dropping, and if this is encouraged all goes on well. Too often the shooter himself produces unsteadiness, by disregarding his dog at the moment when he ought to attend to him most particularly, and by running in himself to take care of his " bag," considering that more important than the steadiness of his dog. It is true that a runner is sometimes lost by the delay of a few seconds while the discharged barrel is reloaded ; but in the long run, the shooter who keeps his dog down till he has loaded will bag the most game. The faults which chiefly require correction at this stage are : blinking, shying the gun, pottering at the hedges, hunting too wide, and chasing fur. The vice of* blinking has been caused by over-severity in punishment for chasing poultry, &c, and takes a great deal of time to remove. Indeed, until the dog sees game killed, he seldom loses the fear which has produced it. It is therefore frequently useless to continue the breaking in the spring, although such a dog sometimes becomes very useful by careful management in the shooting, season. Generally speaking, it is occasioned by undue severity, either applied for chasings cats or poultry, or for chasing game when first hunted. The former kind of castigation should be very cautiously applied, as the puppy is very apt to associate the punishment given for the chasing of game with that due to the destruction of poultry or cats ; and as he has been compelled to leave the latter by the use of the whip, and has been afterwards kept "at heel," so he thinks he must do so now, and in fear he comes there, and consequently " blinks his birds." This defect is only to be remedied by instilling confidence, and by avoiding punishment ; but it is often one which gives great trouble before it is got over. It is not so bad as the obstinately refusing to work at all, but is only next to it. Both occur in dogs which are POINTERS AND SETTEES. 337 deficient in courage, and both require the most delicate and encouraging treatment to remove them. Let such dogs run "riot," and commit any fault they like, without fear for a time ; then afterwards (that is, when they begin to be quite bold, and are full of the zest for game) begin very cautiously to steady them, and something may yet be done. In very bad cases all attempts at breaking must be given up at " pairing time," and the gun must be relied on as a last resource, the killing of game having sometimes a wonderful effect in giving courage 'to a dog which has been depressed by undue correction. Punish- ment is not to be condemned altogether, for in some breeds and individuals without the whip nothing could be done; but it should be very cautiously applied, and the temper of each dog should be well studied in every case before it is adopted. Kindness will effect wonders, especially where united with firm- ness, and with a persevering determination to compel obedience somehow ; but, if that " how '' can be effected without the whip, so much the better ; still, if it cannot, the rod must not be spared, and, if used at all, it should be used sufficiently. Shyness of the gun will generally also go off in time ; but, as it seldom occurs except in very timid and nervous dogs, they do not often become very useful even when they have lost it. The best plan is to lead a shy dog quietly behind the shooters, and not to give him an opportunity of running off, which he generally does on the first discharge. When game falls, lead him up and let him mouth it ; and thus, in course of time, he connects cause with effect, and loses that fear of the report, which he finds is followed by a result that gives him the pleasure of scenting fresh blood. Pottering at the hedges in partridge-shooting is the result of using dogs to find rabbits, or of allowing them to look for 338 BREAKING AND ENTERING. them, which they always are ready to do, especially if permitted to chase or even to retrieve hares. There is no remedy for it, and a potterer of this kind is utterly worthless and irreclaimable. Hunting too wide for close partridge-shooting may be easily remedied by constantly keeping in the dog by the whistle and hand ; and, if he has been properly taught to range at command, little trouble is required in making him change from the wide beat, necessary in countries where game is scarce, to the con- fined and limited range of sixty yards, which is best where it is thick on the ground. Chasing fur, and also running in to dead Urdu, are often most unmanageable vices ; but either can generally be cured by patience and severe treatment, aided if necessary by the check-cord, or in very bad cases by the spike-collar in addition. When these are used it is only necessary to work the dog with them on, the cord either trailing loosely on the ground or held in an assistant's hand. Then, the moment the dog runs in, check him severely, and, if he is not very bold, the plain collar will suffice, as it may be made by a sharp jerk to throw him back, to his great annoy- ance ; but the spike-collar punishes far more, and if it is used will soon give the dog cause to leave off his malpractices. BREAKING TO RETRIEVE. Retrieving, in my opinion, should be invariably committed to a dog specially kept for that purpose ; but, as this is not the universal practice, it will be necessary to say a few words on this subject. When pointers or setters are broken to retrieve, in addition to those cpialities peculiar to them they should always be so much under command as to wait "down charge" until they are ordered on by the words " Seek dead ;" when they at BREAKING TO RETRIEVE. 339 once go up to the place where they saw their game drop, and, taking up the scent, foot it till they find it. Some breeds have no nose for a foot-scent, and, if ordered to " Seek dead," will beat for the body-scent as they would for a single bird ; and, when they come upon the lost bird, they " peg " it with a steady point in the same way. This does not injure the dog nearly so much as the working out a runner by the foot-scent ; but a retrieving pointer of tins kind is of little use for any but a badly-wounded bird which has not run far. Few pointers and setters will carry game far, nor indeed is it worth while to spend much time in teaching them to do so ; and when they are set to retrieve it is better to follow them, and help them in their search, so as to avoid all necessity for developing the " fetch and carry " quality which in the genuine retriever is so valuable. But it is chiefly for wounded hares or running pheasants that such a retriever is required ; and as the former spoil a pointer or setter, and are sure to make him unsteady if lie is allowed to hunt them, it is desirable to keep clear of the position altogether, while pheasants are so rarely killed to these dogs that their retrieval by them need not be considered. The regular land retriever requires a much more careful education, inasmuch as he is wanted to abstain from hunting, and from his own especial duties, excepting when ordered to commence. The breed generally used is the cross of the New- foundland with the setter or water-spaniel, but, as I have described at page 234, other breeds are equally useful. In educating these dogs they should be undertaken at a very early age, as it is almost impossible to ensure perfect obedience at a later period. The disposition to "fetch and carry," which is the essence of retrieving, is very early developed in these dogs, and without it there is little chance of making a puppy perfect in his vocation. 340 BREAKING AND ENTERING. Young dogs of this breed will be seen carrying sticks about, and watching for their master to throw them, that they may fetch them to him. This fondness for the amusement should be encouraged to a certain extent, almost daily, but not so far as to tire and disgust the dog, and care should always be taken that he does not tear or bite the object which he has in charge. On no account should it be dragged from his mouth, but he should be ordered to drop it on the ground at the feet of his master, or to release it directly it is laid hold of. The con- sequence of pulling anything out of the young retriever's mouth is that he becomes " hard bitten," as it is called ; and, when he retrieves a wounded bird, he makes his teeth meet, and mangles it so much that it is utterly useless. A dog which is not naturally inclined to retrieve may be made so by encouraging him to pull at a handkerchief or a stick ; but such animals very seldom turn out well in this line, and it is far better to put them to some other task. As soon as the puppy has learnt to bring everything to his master when ordered, he may be taught to seek for trifling articles in long grass or other covert, such as bushes, &c. ; and, when he succeeds in this, get some young rabbits which are hardly old enough to run, and hide one at a time at a little distance, after trailing it through the grass so as to imitate the natural progress of the animal when wounded. When putting the young retriever on the scent at the commence- ment of the " run," let him puzzle it out till he finds the rabbit, and then make him bring it to his master without injuring it in the least. Encouragement should be given for success, and during the search the dog should have the notice of his master, by the words " Seek ! seek ! seek dead ! " &c. A perseverance in this kind of practice will soon make the dog very clever in tracing out the concealed rabbits, and in process of time he may BREAKING TO RETRIEVE. 341 be entrusted with the task of retrieving a wounded partridge or pheasant in actual shooting. But it is always, a long time before the retriever becomes perfect, practice being all important to him. Most shooters now use a slip for the retriever, at battues and other shooting parties, the keeper leading him in it till he is wanted, which is a good plan when a keeper is always in attendance. In any case, however, these dogs should be made to drop "down charge," as the gun may be used while they are at work, and if they are not broken to drop they become excited, and often flush other game before it is reloaded. The breaking of the Water-Spaniel or Retriever is also a complicated task, and, as he has to hunt in the water and on the banks, his duties are twofold. These dogs are used in the punt as well as on the edge of the water, but, when the educa- tion is finished in the river, the pupil will generally do what" is wanted from the punt. As in the land retriever, so in this variety, the first thing to be done is to get the puppy to " fetch and carry "well ; after which he may be introduced to "flappers " iu July and August, when the water is warm, and he does not feel the ill effects and disagreeables attendant on a cold winter's day with a wet coat. The young birds are also slow and awkward in swimming and diving, so that every encouragement is afforded to the dog, and he may readily be induced to continue the sport, to which he is naturally inclined, for hours together. The chief difficulty at first is in breaking the water-spaniel from rats which infest the banks of most streams, and which are apt to engage the attention of most dogs. The dog should be taught to beat to the hand, and, whenever a flapper is shot and falls in the water, then he must be encouraged to bring it to land without delay. No art must be neglected to induce him 342 BREAKING AND ENTERING. to do this, and, failing every other plan, the breaker must him- self enter the water; for, if the dog is once allowed to leave a duck behind him, he is much more difficult afterwards to break. Indeed, perseverance in the breaker is necessary at all times, to insure the same quality in the pupil. The object in teach- ing the range to hand to the spaniel is, because without this there will often be a difficulty in showing him where a bird lies in the water, the eye of the dog being so little above its level, and the bird very often so much immersed, that when there is the slightest ruffle he can scarcely see it a yard from his nose. As in all other cases, the water-retriever must be strictly " down charge," and he must be thoroughly steady and quiet at heel, or he will be sure to disturb the water-fowl when the shooter is in ambush waiting for them. The slightest whine is fatal, and the dog should, therefore, be taught to be as quiet as a mouse until ordered to move. THE ENTERING AND BREAKING OF THE COVERT SPANIEL. The breaking of all spaniels should be commenced as early as possible, as they are naturally impetuous, and require con- siderable restraint to keep them near enough to the shooter while they are at work. After teaching them the ordinary rules of obedience, such as to " come to heel," to " hold up," to drop " down charge," &c, which may all be done with the pistol and check-cord, aided if necessary by the spiked-collar, the next thing is to enter them to the game which they are intended to hunt. Generally it is the practice to use spaniels for phea- sants, cocks, and hares, disregarding rabbits, which take their chance with the shooter. The spaniel, therefore, is not expected THE COVERT SPANIEL. 343 to " speak " to them, and if he can be induced to give a different note at each of the three varieties above-mentioned, he is all the more highly prized. These dogs are better taken out first into small coverts or hedgerows (provided there are not too many rabbits iu the latter), as they are more under command here than in large woodlands ; self-hunting should be strictly discouraged, that is to say, the dog should neither be allowed to hunt by himself nor for himself, but should be made to understand that he is always in aid of the gun, and that he must keep within shot. For this purpose spaniels must be taught not to press their game till the shooter is within range, which is one of the most difficult things to teach them. When they are to be kept exclusively for "feather," they must be stopped and rated as soon as it is discovered that they are speak- ing to "fur." This requires a long time, and therefore few spaniels are worth much till they have had one or two seasons' practice, from which circumstance it should not occasion surprise that a thoroughly broken Clumber spaniel fetches from 30 to 40 guineas. When they are too riotous and hunt too freely, these methods of sobering them are adopted : — 1 st, to put on a collar, and slip one of the fore legs into it, which compels the dog to run on three only; 2ndly, to buckle a small strap, or tie a piece of tape, tightly round the hind leg above the hock, by which that limb is rendered useless, and the dog has to go upon three also ; and, 3rdly, to put on a collar loaded with shot. If either of the legs is fastened up, it must be occasionally changed, especially if the strap is adopted, as it cramps the muscles after a certain time, and, if persisted in too long, renders the dog lame for days afterwards. On the other hand, when the puppy is slack in hunting, put him on the scent of pheasants as they are going off their feed, when they generally run back 344 BREAKING AND ENTERING. into covert, and at that time the scent is very strong, especially in the evening. The birds soon rise into the trees, and after that are no longer disturbed by the dog. In hunting hedge- rows, the young dog should at first be kept on the same side as the shooter, so that his movements may be watched ; but, as soon as he can be trusted, he should be sent through to the other side, and made to drive his game towards the gun, always taking care that the dog does not get out of shot. In first introducing a young dog to a large covert, he must be put down with a couple of old ones which are very steady ; and, at the same time, he should have a shot-collar on, or one of his legs up. Without this precaution he will be sure to range too wide, and, if he gets on the scent of a hare, he will probably follow her all over the covert, to the entire destruction of the day's sport ; but, by the above precautions, he is prevented doing this, and by imitating his fellows, he soon learns to keep within the proper distance. Here, as in all dogs intended for the gun, the great principle is to make them understand that it is the instrument of destruction, not themselves, and that it is only by paying proper attention to the gun that they can be ex- pected to succeed in obtaining game. In working spaniels in covert great quiet is desirable, as game will never come within distance of the shooter if they hear a noise proceeding from him, and hence the constant encouragement to the dogs, which some sportsmen indulge in, is by no means necessary. If the spaniel is properly broken, he can hear his master as he passes through the underwood, and he will take care to drive the game towards him, while, if he is slack and idle, the voice does him little good, and prevents the only chance of getting a shot which might otherwise occur. In battue shooting, spaniels, if employed, are in aid of the beaters, not of the shooters, most VERMIN DOGS. 345 of whom do not even know the dogs' names, and the latter cannot, therefore, be expected to work to them ; but as they go forward with the beaters in line, they must be kept from getting on too far, or they will often drive game back. For this work, however, they do not require to be nearly so thoroughly broken as for hunting to the single shooter, for which purpose they must know him, and should in fact be broken by him. THE ENTERING AND BREAKING OF VERMIN DOGS. Terriers are entered to vermin with great facility, and require very little breaking, unless they are intended to be used with ferrets, when they must be broken to let these animals alone, as they are apt to make their appearance occasionally in passing from one hole to another. It is only necessary to let the ferret and the terrier be together in a yard or stable, cautioning the latter not to touch the former, for a few times, and the young dog soon learns to distinguish his friends from his foes. Some terriers are not hardy enough to brave the bites which they are liable to in ratting, &c, and, indeed, the true terrier without any cross of the bull-dog is a great coward, so that he is quite useless for the purpose. In such a case he must be encouraged by letting him kill young rats first, and as he gains confidence he will perhaps also increase in courage. If, however, the terrier is well bred, he will seldom want anything but practice. ( 346 ) CHAPTER V. THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN COURSING, HUNTING, SHOOTING, ETC. Coursing — Deerstalking — Hunting — Partridge and Grouse-Shooting — Snipe-Shooting — Covert-Shooting — Wildfowl-Shooting — Ferreting. PRIVATE COURSING. Between private and public coursing there is a considerable dif- ference, not only in the methods adopted, but also in the kind of greyhound most useful for each. In the first place, the private courser will not like the expense of rearing a fresh set of greyhounds each year, but will expect them to last several seasons ; and hence speed and cleverness must to some extent be sacrificed to honesty, which is the sine qud non of the private greyhound, excepting for those who course for currant jelly purposes only. It is true that a cunning old dog, if fast and clever, will kill more hares than any other, but he will do it in a way to disgust every sports- man, and such an animal is not to be recommended on any account. If, therefore, the private courser regards the sport inde- pendently of the obtaining hares, he will see that his greyhounds combine as many good qualities as possible, with an amount of honesty which will carry them through three or four seasons without lurching. These, however, are only now to be obtained from private sources, for every strain of public greyhounds with which I am acquainted will show a tendency to lurch after a PRIVATE COUBSIXG. 347 couple of seasons, if used as much and as freely as the greyhounds of most private coursers are expected to be. The feeding of these greyhounds should be on oatmeal porridge, with more or less wheat-flour or Indian meal, as described at page 289, and flavoured with greaves, or with broth made from flesh of some kind. If half a pound a day, or rather more, of flesh can be given in addition, they will be so much the better, but in that ease they ought to have a couple of hours' exercise every day, without which they become fat and unwieldy. Vegetables should be carefully given, as in all cases with dogs, and due at- tention should be paid to cleanliness. In fact there is no reason why the system adopted in the feeding of the public greyhound should not be fully carried out. The sport of private coursing may be conducted exactly on the same principles as public coursing, excepting that stakes are not usually run for, but in almost all cases the dogs are matched together, without which the sport is tame and uninteresting. The essence of coursing is the competition between the two dogs engaged, that being the number which is considered fair to the hare, and coursing with more than two being by general consent stamped as poaching ever since the days of Arrian, A.D. 150. When, therefore, grey- hounds are kept with this purpose, it promotes the object of sport if two or more gentlemen will meet together to run their dogs in competition with one another ; and, when this is done, there is often quite as much excitement produced as in the most important public meeting. But then there must be a person appointed to act as judge, for without this functionary there must be endless disputes as to the respective qualifications of the greyhounds engaged. With him, if he understands the points of the course, it is only necessary to conduct the beating of the 348 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. ground properly, and to appoint a proper person to slip the greyhounds, and then everything is en rigle. In beating the ground, when there are no gentlemen present on horseback, five or six beaters must be provided, whose task is somewhat onerous, if there is much ploughed land, especially in clay districts when wet. In any case a line should be formed, with one person at every twenty yards, and then walking abreast from one extremity of the field to the other, so as either to find the hare sitting, or to put her up from her form. The proper direction of this line of beaters, so as to drive the hare in the best direction, requires some considerable experience and tact. Thus, when there is a covert near, the beat should be from, it, so as to compel the hare to go in the opposite direction, by which a suffi- ciently long course is often insured, whereas otherwise she would be safe before she was well reached. At the end of this beat the men should return over the beaten ground, taking what is called a " dead beat," and then again beating from covert. When the part of a field is beaten near the hedge, the line on that side should be extended forwards ; and, if there is a horseman present he should walk up close to the hedge, thirty yards in front of the others, so as to prevent the hare at once running through it. Hares may often be driven out of turnips, clover, or small coverts, by a line of beaters driving them towards the dogs, which are held at a particular spot, and kept as much as possible out of sight. The slipper uses the same kind of slips as are adopted in public coursing, and slips his dogs in the same way, adapting the length of the slip allowed to the nature of the ground. It is a very bad plan to let the greyhounds run loose while the hare is looked for, as the two rarely start on even terms, and consequently they can- not be compared together. Unless, therefore, coursing is pursued solely to get the hare, slips are indispensable. • PUBLIC COURSING. 349 When private coursing is conducted in the above way, it is quite as good a sport as the public kind ; but too often it degene- rates into a series of mobbings of the hare, followed by perpetual squabblings of the owners of the dogs engaged, as to their re- spective merits or demerits. PUBLIC COURSING. This amusement has now become very general since the last alteration of the Game Laws, which permitted any person to course a hare withovit a certificate. It differs from private coursing, firstly, in requiring rather a different greyhound, and, secondly, in being governed strictly by rules which settle all the preliminaries.. The public greyhound, to be successful, must be a dog which can beat his competitors in the stake in which he is engaged, even if he never runs afterwards respectably. Hence, unlike the dog which we have been just considering, everything is sacrificed to this point, and it has at last come to pass that the animal has been bred to such a degeee of cleverness combined with speed that he very soon runs cunning, and is then no longer useful, because he will not exert his powers. The consequence is, that a great many dogs begin by running with extraordinary pace and working powers, but after winning one or two stakes they are not to be depended on. This is so common, that, as a rule, most coursers do not think it worth their while to keep their dogs for more than one season, and bring up a succession of puppies one year after another, reserving only one or two old ones to their second season. It must be remembered that this animal is kept for a specific purpose, namely, to compete with his fellows in killing the hare under certain conditions, which are defined by general consent and lo,id down in certain specified rules. Hence it is not 350 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. the greyhound which will most certainly pull down his hare that is always to be prized, but he that will comply with these rules most fully in the act of running her, and will, in other words, score most points ; and, in effecting this, four cardinal vir- tues must be combined as far as possible, consisting in speed, work- ing power, bottom, and courage. It is almost impossible to obtain the fullest development of these several qualities in one individual, and therefore all that can be done is to sacrifice those which are of the least importance. Thus, excessive speed, as shown from the slips, is hardly consistent with a high degree of working power, or with a capability of lasting throughout a long course ; and for this reason extremely fast dogs are not adapted to down countries, where the hares are not only stout but short in their turns. In some localities, however, where there is no room for a long course, or where the hares are weak, a fast dog, even if he is not stout, and probably even if he is a bad worker, will be able to win a stake ; but wherever the hares are good, and there is scope for them to display their powers, there must be both bottom and working power displayed in order to ensure success. The best plan in breeding greyhounds is to obtain a brood bitch of stout blood and good working powers, combined with as much speed as possible, but still laying the most stress on the first two qualities, and then put her to a dog essentially fast, but in him also looking to bottom and working power, though secondary to speed. Courage is essential in all greyhounds, and may be obtained equally well whether the breed is fast or slow, clever in working or the reverse. It must exist with bottom, but may also be developed without it, some very soft greyhounds being high couraged, and going till they drop from the exhaustion of their delicate frames. In look- ing for these several qualities it is necessary to observe that speed depends upon the formation of the body and limbs, which must PUBLIC COURSING. 351 be of the most perfect make, as described under the head of the points of the greyhound at page 22 ; but with the most perfect shape there is often a want of speed, apparently owing to the absence of that nervous stimulus which sets the frame in motion. Such dogs want quickness and elasticity in using their organs, and, though they often move elegantly, there is a deficiency in the rapidity of repetition in the muscular contractions which constitute high speed. Hence the necessity for attending to breed, and to its purity, which is the only guarantee (short of an actual trial) that the perfect frame will give perfect action. The same remarks apply to working power : a dog may look to be exceedingly cleverly made, with good shoulders, and all the other parts essential to this faculty, and yet there may be a want of cleverness and tact, as well as a deficiency in courage, which will render him absolutely use- less. But when the breed is known to be almost invariably good in these respects, and the formation of the individual is good, there is a reasonable ground for expecting that he will exhibit them in more or less perfection. ^Nothing is more provoking than to find a splendidly-formed dog beaten in his trial by a wretched- looking brute, the sole advantage attending the latter being that he is descended from good blood, while the former perhaps owns a sire and dam of well-known and ascertained imperfect nervous organisation. WMn the young courser determines upon getting together a kennel of greyhounds, he must therefore carefully attend to all these points : but with all his care he will be disappointed unless he knows how to manage them, or can entrust them to some one who does. Public greyhounds, as I have already explained, are easily spoiled by using them too frequently ; and yet they must have some amount of practice before they run in a stake, or they will inevitably be beaten from awkwardness. Some breeds are 352 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. naturally more clever than others, and take less time in coming to their best, so that, if they have as many courses as would barely suffice in many cases, they would be past their prime. All this therefore requires considerable practice, and theoretical know- ledge as well; and, for this reason, the young courser should not fancy that he can at once compete on even terms with the expe- rienced hand. Let him therefore content himself with creeping before he runs, and let him undertake a brace or two at the most for a season, before he rushes into the thick of the contest. No one can hope for much success who keeps a very large kennel under the management of one man, because he cannot do justice to more than eight or ten running dogs ; but at first he had better content himself with half that number, and he will find afterwards that he has made many mistakes about these. It is also very difficult to purchase good dogs, though occasionally they may be met with ; but when a young courser begins he wants the experience which is required to know how to select them. On all these accounts, therefore, he had better begin by sporting a brace, and in the meantime he can be bringing forward a moderate number of puppies bred by himself, which will be ready for work in a year or two. The kennel management of greyhounds has been described at page 298, and it only remains to describe the method of training which is adopted for the purpose of enabling them to bear the severe work often experienced in going through a stake. Many a greyhound will run one course quite as well without training as with, that is, if it is not a long one ; but there are few untrained pogs that will go on through a series of courses as well as if they had had the pains bestowed upon them which a man of expe- rience would be able to give. It is often said that certain dogs have run better untrained than trained, but this only shows that PUBLIC COrUSDCG. 3;3 the training in their particular ease was mismanaged ; for if they had been treated properly, they would not have been worked to the extent which produced the change for the worse. Scarcely any two dogs require the same treatment, and the chief art in training is to. discover the exact amount which each will bear and require in order to bring him out to the best advantage. It must therefore be understood, xhat "by training is here meant the act of preparing a dog for certain public performances in the way test fitted for each individual; and that it does not by any means consist in putting him through a specified course of physic, diet, and work, which, in his ease, may be altogether unsuited to bim Btforz commencing to train a greyhound, it is necessarv to consider what condition he is in at the time, and what amount of work he is likely to bear, judging from his breed, and also from his bodily formation. Ihe first thing to be done is to see that his health is good, and that his liver and kidneys are doing their work properly, without which it is useless to attempt to train h™ If he is known to be descended from a stock which has been accustomed to severe preparatory work, and if he also has a stout frame and good net. it may reasonably be expected that he will bear as much training as his progenitors, and he may be treated accordingly. If, on the other hand, he conies of a soft strain, that has never been used to road -work, and of which the dogs composing it have always trained themselves in their play to the highest pitch of which their frames are capable, then it will be safer to follow suit, and to take the descendant of these latter animal g out for two or three hours a day on the greensward, simply keeping him moving, and encouraging him to plav with his fellows till he is tired. Less than three hours' exercise can never be sufficient, as lie dog is only compelled to walk, and any fester pace is voluntary, and will not be z 354 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. attempted if he is at all exhausted. From this it will appear that the trainer's art greatly consists in apportioning the proper quantity of work, which he can only do by studying the con- stitutions and breeding of the dogs under his charge ; after which he will determine in his own mind the probable amount of work which each will bear, arid will proceed to put his theory into practice, always carefully watching the progress which is made, and altering his plans as he goes on, according as he finds that he has calculated erroneously. One great guide which he has is the weight which is gained or lost; for if he finds the clog is putting on flesh when he wants some off, or if he is losing it when he is already too light, there must be some alteration made, or the dog will- not come out fit for his duties. Thus, then, the trainer first fixes in his mind the weight to which he wishes to bring his dog on a certain day, and then, by apportioning the work, physic, and food according to his ideas of the dog's constitution, he endeavours to attain that standard of proportion ; altering his plans as he goes on if necessary. It must, however, always be remembered, that train- ing should not attempt to produce an unnatural condition, but rather the highest state of health consistent with that free play of the lungs and heart which will enable the dog to continue his highest speed for the longest time, and guarantees the retention of his spirit and courage, so as to induce him to exert it. Work for training purposes is effected in two ways : the object being to get rid of the superfluous fat, which interferes with muscular action, and with the free play of the lungs ; and also to accustom the muscles, ligaments, and tendons to severe and long -continued exertions. These two methods are often combined ; and indeed though the one by means of slipping is effectual by itself, yet the other, or horse-exercise alone, will PUBLIC COURSING. 355 not' develop the wind sufficiently, and, if it is adopted, it must be aided by slipping the dogs as well. Horse-exercise is chiefly confined to countries where the courses are very long and severe, and where also much of the work can be given on turf, so that it is only in down countries that it is very available, but there it is almost essential to full success in training the greyhound.- The amount of this kind of exercise which a greyhound of stout blood will take with advantage is very great, and it is sometimes more than one horse will be able to lead ; but this is not often the case. Few greyhounds will be the better for more than fifteen miles every other day, and this is quite within the compass of a horse's powers, especially when it is considered that not more " than two or three miles of this dis- tance should be at the gallop. But the great object of horse- exercise is not to produce a fast pace, so much as to insure a sufficiency of slow work; for there are few trainers who will walk fifteen or sixteen miles a day on foot, and yet in order to keep the dogs out for four hours they ought to do so. A certain amount of road-work is essential to the hardening of the feet, but this should be commenced two or three months prior to the time of training, as it cannot be done without time to cause the growth of the thick horny matter which covers the sole of the foot. If, therefore, horse-exercise is to be adopted, it is better to commence it two or three months before the meeting for which the dog is to be trained, and after giving him two or three days a week, up to within a fort- night of the time, discontinue it, and proceed to develop the highest degree of wind, by slipping the dog to its trainer's call. A short gallop of a couple of miles on turf will be nearly as beneficial, but the long dragging road-work, which will serve to prepare the dog earlier in his training, is now to be die- 356 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. continued, because it interferes with the spirit, and will render him disinclined to exert himself with that fiery courage which is requisite for success. The slipping-work is effected by the aid of an assistant, who leads the greyhounds off in one direc- tion, while the trainer walks to another point ; and when half a mile apart or thereabouts the dogs are let loose, one after another, the trainer whistling and shouting to them, so as to excite them to their highest speed. The assistant should be a stranger to them, and it is better to buckle a stirrup - leather round his waist with the noose at the end of each leading-strap inserted, so that he may have both his hands at liberty to unbuckle the collars in succession. If there is a gently sloping valley com- posed of ground similar to that over which the public coursing is to take place, it is better to select it, as the dog then sees his trainer plainly, and also finishes up-hill, which is of great service in "opening the pipes." By means of these two kinds of work properly proportioned, and taking care not to overdo them, the dog is at last rendered equal to any ordinary amount of exertion; but, in hardy animals which are allowed to eat as much as they like, the work which would reduce them sufficiently would make them stale in their joints, and dull in spirit, so that it is found necessary to call in the aid of physic and a reduction of food. The physic proper for a dog in training should be of such a nature as simply to cause an increase of his secretions, with- out rendering him liable to catch cold. Hence, mercury should be carefully avoided; and jalap, salts, or aloes, will be found to be the best. Some people use emetics, but these do not reduee the weight of the dog, and they are solely useful in giving tone to the stomach, which they certainly appear to do. Even within two or three days of running, they are often given,. PUBLIC COURSIXG. 357 and will then render the dog lively and full of spirits, when he would otherwise be dull and disinclined to exert himself. The trainer, throughout, should watch the secretions, and if he finds that they are deficient he may give a dose of aloes or jalap; but if in good order it is better to avoid medicine, if the weight can be kept down by other means. The diet is of the greatest importance, and indeed it is in this point that more mistakes are made than in any other. If a hardy dog is fed as heavily as his inclination prompts him, no kind of work will reduce him without also destroying his elas- ticity and fire, and hence it is found necessary to limit his food. For this reason reduction of food is indispensable in most cases, and in very few will the dog in training require the same quantity as before, though the quality can hardly be too good provided it does not upset his stomach. These animals are extremely liable to become bilious, and suffer from disorder of the stomach and liver, just as man does. Hence it follows that any concentrated food like eggs or strong soup, although in theory it may be better than meat and bread, is inadmissible, because, being so prone to dyspepsia, just at the time when the grey- hound is wanted to run he is off his feed, sick and sorry. The dog naturally requires variety in his feeding, but the change should be always gradual in the proportions- of the elements of which it is composed. The changes may be rung on beef, mutton, and horseflesh, as often as may be convenient, but the propor- tion of flesh to meal must be very carefully kept at the same ratio. For the dog in high training lean mutton is the best of all flesh, as it is" milder than either of the others, and though quite as nourishing, yet it is less heating ; so that careful trainers prefer it to all others, especially when from home, as it can always be procured at the butcher's, while good horseflesh must be carried 358 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. about, - and is on that account troublesome to get. But if a good leg of well-hung horseflesh from a tolerably healthy horse can be procured, it is very nearly as good as mutton, and far better than beef, being more tender, and I think not so heating. No one, however, who wishes to take advantage of every chance in his favour, should use bad meat ; and the difference between the one and the other cannot exceed 6d. per day per dog, which at a meeting lasting a week amounts to. 3s. 6d. per head. About three quarters of a pound of dressed meat, and the same quantity of biscuit or bread soaked in jelly, will be sufficient on the average for most dogs in training ; but some take more and some less, so that this can only be taken as an approximation -to what each animal requires. The water which is given should be boiled, by which it deposits its lime, when over-abundant^ and unless this precaution is taken the change of water often upsets the dog's kidneys. Many people do not leave water in the dog's kennel while in training, but I prefer the plan, takiDg care to remove it on the morning of running, after the kennel is first entered. The amount of friction on the skin which is of service during the course of training is very considerable, and each dog ought to have half an hour a day after his exercise, first washing the feet, and if necessary touching their pads with a little tar- ointment. Then taking the dog between the knees, and putting on a pair of hair gloves, rub him well in the direction of the hair, applying the pressure over the large muscles, especially those of the shoulders, loins, and haunches, and avoiding the bones as much as possible. The spine or backbone should be left between the two hands in rubbing the loin, but the ribs as a matter of course must be included. After this friction has PUBLIC COURSING. 359 been continued, rub all over gently with a linen rubber and again put on the clothing. Bogs in training are clothed, because they are more liable to cold than at other times, and also because their strange lodgings are seldom so free from draughts as their regular kennels. The clothing is made in one sheet which covers them from the head to the tail, but when in kennel the head and neck part is turned back over the shoulders. The clothing is necessary to put on when the dogs are carried out to the coursing-field, as they are often kept standing about in the cold for hours. A waterproof cloth is of great service in wet weather. This clothing can be obtained at almost any saddler's throughout the country. The following summary will be useful in giving general directions for training the greyhound. 1. Give no more physic than just enough to freshen the stomach, unless it is wanted as a means of reduction. 2. When used in this way, try mild physic before giving stronger. 3. Give about three quarters of a pound of mutton or horse- flesh daily, mixed with as little bread as will suffice for health. The quantity of bread necessary may be known by the coloui of the faeces, which ought to continue of a good gingerbreaG colour, and which become black, or nearly so, when the flesh is overdone. 4. Eeduce the dog more by increase of work and reduction of food, than by physic. 5. Give as much horse or other exercise as the stoutness of the dog will enable him to bear, without overdoing him. 6. Use plenty of friction. 7. Feed from one to three o'clock on the day before' run- ning. 360 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 8. Do not give more than walking exercise on the day before running, or on the morning prior to the course. Greyhounds require very careful management at the meeting when they are to run, inasmuch as there are many strange circumstances which often affect their health. In the first place, the travelling is apt to upset them, especially if by railway, the excitement of which is too much for irritable dogs, and therefore they should be moved to their new quarters several days before they are wanted. It is customary to feed rather more lightly than usual on the day before running, but this plan is often carried to extremes, and the dog runs weak in consequence. After running very little is needed, except to get the dog home, and feed him for next day if he is required. If, however, there is much distress, and the dog has to run again, a cordial must be given, which is sometimes egg and sherry. The egg I do not believe to be useful, as it has a tendency to make the dog bilious, but a little sherry or spirit and water may be employed ; what is far better is some kind of spice mixed with a little mutton or by itself, and given about a half an hour before the dog will be wanted; using plenty of friction just before he is put in the slips. Cold tea, with or without the addition of a little spirit, is also an excellent restorative. Spiced-Meat Ball. Take of Caraway seeds, 10 grains. Cardamoms, 10 grains. Grains of Paradise, 5 grains. Ginger, 5 grains. Lean boiled knuckle of mutton, \ oz. Bruise the seeds in a mortar, and then mix with the mutton, and form it into a ball. NATIONAL COURSING CLUB. 361 Common Cordial Ball. Take of Cumin seeds, 10 grains. Coriander seeds, 10 grains. Caraway seeds, 10 grains. Grains of Paradise, 10 grains. Saffron, 1 drachm. Syrup, enough to form a hall. Bruise in a mortar, and mix well together, then make up into a ball. THE NATIONAL COURSING CLUB. Public coursing is conducted under certain rules which have recently been revised by a committee appointed at the Great Waterloo Meeting held at Liverpool in 1858. These supersede all previous rules, with the exception of those of Mr. Thacker which relate to the decision of courses, which, by Eule 1, are now approved of. The committee thus appointed have resolved themselves into a National Coursing Club, to be elected each year at the Waterloo Meeting. . The National Coursing Club has now been established, and all complaints of whatever description connected with coursing, or any matters in dispute, can be referred to it for arbitration and adjustment. The National Club consists at present of the members selected at the Waterloo Coursing Meeting in February 1858, together with several other influential noblemen and gentlemen who have been added to it, and whose names have been made known. The Club is now kept up on the elective principle, the various Coursing Clubs electing members in rotation, and eight retiring every year. • Two General Meetings of the Club shall be held in each year — viz., one in London during the Epsom Eace-week, and one at 362 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. Liverpool during the Waterloo Coursing Meeting — for the de- spatch of business, and for the revision and alteration of rules ; but the Secretary shall be authorised, upon a requisition addressed to him in writing by any three of the secretary and stewards of a meeting, or upon a remonstrance signed by six public coursers who may happen to be present, to summon such special meetings as may be necessary from time to time, at the earliest convenient opportunity, for adjudication upon such questions as may be referred to the Club. The National Coursing Club Tecommends that the following code of laws shall be adopted universally for the guidance both of open and club meetings, clubs merely adding such special or local regulations as may be required to adapt the national code to their own peculiar use ; in fact, it is generally used through- out the kingdom : — CODE OF RULES. i . Secretary and Stewards. — The Secretary of any proposed open meeting shall associate with himself a Committee of not less than three members,' to settle preliminaries. The management of the meeting shall be entrusted to this Committee in conjunction with Stewards, who shall be elected by the subscribers present the first evening of a meeting. The Stewards alone shall decide any dis- puted question by a majority of those present, subject to an appeal to the National Club. The Secretary, if honorary, shall be a mem- ber of Committee and a Steward ex officio. No Steward shall have a right to vote during a meeting in any case relating to his own dogs. The Secretary shall declare, as soon as possible, how the prizes are to be divided ; and shall give a statement of expenses, NATIONAL COURSING CLUB RULES. 363 if called upon to do so, within fourteen days after the meeting, by any six of the subscribers. 2. Election of Judge. — The Judge may either be elected by the Secretary and Committee appointed under Eule 1, in which case his name shall be announced simultaneously with the meeting, or his appointment shall.be determined by the votes of the sub- scribers taking nominations ; but each subscriber shall have only one vote, whatever the number of his nominations. Not less than ten days' notice of the day of election shall be given to the sub- scribers, and the appointment shall be published at least a fortnight before the meeting. The names of the subscribers voting, with the votes given by them, shall be recorded in a book open to the inspection of the Stewards, who shall declare the number of votes for each Judge, if called upon to do so by any of the subscribers. When a Judge is prevented from attending or finishing a meeting^ the Committee and the Stewards (if appointed) shall have the power of deciding what is to be done. 3. Description of Entry. — Every subscriber to a stake must name his dog at or before the entry, giving the names (the running names if they had any) of the sire and dam of the dog entered, and also in puppy stakes the name of the dam's owner. The Secretary shall - publish on the cards the names of those who are subscribers, but do not comply with these conditions. These nominations shall not be drawn, but must be paid for. For Pro- duce Stakes the names, pedigrees, ages, and colours, and distin- guishing marks of puppies, shall be detailed in writing to the Secretary of a meeting at the time of entry. Every subscriber must also, if required, state in writing to the Secretary, before or during the meeting for which such entry is made, the names and addresses of the parties who reared .his puppies ; and any puppy whose marks and, pedigree shall be. proved not to correspond with 364 EMPLOYMENT OE THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. the entry given shall be disqualified, and the whole of its stakes or winnings forfeited. No greyhound is tp be considered a puppy which was whelped before the 1 st of January of the year preceding the commencement of the season of running. A sapling is a grey- hound whelped on or after the 1 st of January of the same year in which the season of running commenced. 4. Payment of Stakes. — All moneys due for nominations taken must be paid at or before the entry, whether the stakes fill or not> and although, from insufficient description or any other cause, the dogs named may be disqualified. No entry shall be valid unless the amount due for it has been paid in full. For all Produce and other Stakes where a forfeit is payable no declaration is necessary ; the non-payment of the remainder of the entry money at the time fixed for that purpose is to be considered a declaration of forfeit. The Secretary is to be responsible for the entry money of all dogs whose names appear upon the card. 5. Alteration of Name. — If any subscriber should enter a greyhound by a different name from that in which it shall have last run in public, he shall give notice of the alteration to the Secretary at the time of entry, and the Secretary shall place on the card both the late and the present names of the dog. If notice of the alteration be not given, the dog shall be dis- qualified. 6. Pbefix of " Ns." — Any subscriber taking an entry in a stake and not prefixing the word " Names " to a greyhound which is not his own property, shall forfeit that greyhound's chance of the stake. He shall likewise, if requested, deliver in writing to the Secretary of the meeting the name of the bond fide owner of the greyhound named by him, and this communication is to be produced should any dispute arise in the matter. 7. Death of a Subscriber. — The death of a subscriber shall NATIONAL COURSING CLUB RULES. 365 only affect his nominations, if it occur before the draw, in which case, subject to the exceptipns stated below, they shall be void whether the entries have been made or not, and any money received for forfeits or stakes shall be returned. If he has parted with all interest in the nominations, and dogs not his property are entered, paid for, and drawn in ignorance of his being no longer alive, such entries shall not subsequently be disturbed. When dogs, who have been entered in Produce Stakes, change owners with their engagements and with their forfeits paid, the new owner, if otherwise entitled to run them in those stakes, shall not be prevented from doing so by reason of the death of the former owner. 8. Draw. — Immediately before the greyhounds are drawn at any meeting, and before nine o'clock on every subsequent evening during the continuance of such meeting, the time and place of putting the first brace of dogs into the slips on the following morn- ing shall be declared. A card or counter bearing a corresponding number shall be assigned to each entry. These numbered cards or counters shall then be placed together and drawn indiscri- minately. This classification once made, shall not be disturbed throughout the meeting, except for the purpose of guarding, or on account of byes. Dogs whose position on the card has been altered in consequence of guarding or of byes must return to their . original position in the next round, if guarding does not prevent it. 9. Guarding. — When more than one nomination in a stake is taken in one name, the greyhounds, if bond fide, the property of the same owner, shall be guarded throughout : this is always to be arranged, as far as possible, by bringing up dogs from below to meet those which are to be guarded. This guarding is not, however, to deprive any dog of a natural bye to which 366 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. he may be entitled, either in the draw, or in running through the stake. I o. Byes. — A natural bye shall be given to the lowest available dog in each round. No dog shall run a second such bye in any stake, unless it is unavoidable. When a dog is entitled to a bye, either natural or accidental, his owner or nominator may run any greyhound he pleases to assist in the course, provided always that in sapling stakes only a sapling may be used, and in puppy stakes none older than a puppy. But if it is proved to the satisfaction of the Stewards that no puppy can be found in time to run an acci- dental bye, the owner shall have the power of substituting an old dog. No dog shall run any bye earlier than his position on the card entitles him to do. The Judge shall decide whether enough has been done to constitute a course, or whether it must be run again. If at the commencement of any round in a stake, one dog in each course of that round has a bye, those byes shall not- be run, but the dogs shall take their places for the next round as if the byes had been run. 1 1 . Postponement of Meeting. — A meeting appointed to take place on a certain day may, if a majority of the Committee and the Stewards (if appointed) consider the weather unfit for coursing, be postponed from day to day ; but if the running does not commence within the current week all nominations shall be void, and the expenses shall be paid by the subscribers, in proportion to the number of nominations taken by each. In the case of Produce Stakes, however, the original entries shall continue binding, if the meeting is held at a later period of the season. 1 2. Taking Dogs to the Slips. — -Every dog must be brought to the slips in its proper turn, without delay, under a penalty of £i. If absent for more than ten minutes (according to the report of any one of the Stewards) its opponent shall be entitled to claim the NATIONAL COURSING CLUB RULES. 367 course, and shall in that case run a bye. If both dogs be absent at the expiration of ten minutes, the Stewards shall have power to disqualify both dogs, or to fine their owners any sum not exceed- ing £5 each. No dog shall be put into the slips for a deciding course until thirty minutes after its course in the previous round, without the consent of its owner. 1 3. Control of Dogs in Slips. — The control of all matters con- nected with slipping the greyhounds shall rest with the Stewards of a meeting. Owners or servants, after delivering their dogs into the hands of the Slipper, may follow close after them, but not so as to inconvenience the Slipper, or in any way interfere with the dogs, under a penalty of £1. Neither must they halloa them on while running, under the same penalty. Any grey- hound found to be beyond control, and mischievous in slips, may, by command of the Stewards, be taken out of the slips and disqualified. 14. Greyhounds of Same Colour to wear Collars. — When two greyhounds drawn together are of the same colour they shall each wear a collar, and the owners shall be subject to a penalty of 1 os. for non-observance of this rule ; the colour of the collar to be red for the left-hand side, and white for the right-hand side of the slips. After the first round, the upper dog on the card for the day will be placed on the left hand, and the lower dog on the right hand, of the slips. 1 5 . The order to slip may be given by the Judge, or by a Slip Steward, or the Stewards of a meeting may leave the slip to the sole discretion of the Slipper. The length of slip must necessarily vary with the nature of the ground, but should never be less than from three to four score yards, and must be maintained of one uniform length, as far as possible, throughout each stake. 16. The Slipper. — If one greyhound gets out of the slips, 368 EMPLOYMENT OP THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. the Slipper shall not let the other go. In any case of slips breaking, and either or both dogs getting away in consequence, the Slipper may be fined not exceeding £i, at the discretion of the Stewards. 17. The Judge shall be subject to the general Eules which may be established by the National Coursing Club for his guidance. He shall, on the termination of each course, immediately deliver his decision aloud, and shall not recall or reverse his decision, on any pretext whatever, after, it has been declared ; but no decision shall be delivered until the Judge is perfectly satisfied that the course is absolutely terminated. 18. He shall decide all courses upon the one uniform principle that the greyhound which does most towards killing the hare dur- ing the continuance of the course is to be declared the winner. The principle is to be carried out by estimating the value of the work done by each greyhound, as seen by the Judge, upon a bal- ance of points according to the scale hereafter laid down,, from which also are to be deducted certain specified allowances and penalties. 19. The points of the course are — a. Speed — which shall be estimated as one, two, or three points, according to the degree of superiority shown. [See Definition below, a.] b. The Go-by. — Two points, or, if gained on the outer circle, three points. c. The Turn. — One point. d. The Wrench- — Half a point. e. The Kill. — Two points, or, in a descending scale, in pro- portion to the degree of merit displayed in that kill, which may be of no value. /. The Trip. — One point. DEFINITION OF POINTS. 369 Definition of Points. a. In estimating the value of speed to the hare, the Judge must take into account the several forms in which it may he displayed, viz. : — 1. Where in the run up a clear lead is gained by one of the dogs, in which case one, two, or three points may he given according to the length of lead apart from the score for a turn or wrench. In awarding these points, the Judge shall take into consideration the merit of a lead obtained by a dog which has lost ground at the start, either from being un- sighted or from a bad slip, or which has had to run the outer circle. 2. Where one greyhound leads the other so long as the hare runs straight, but loses the lead from her bending round decidedly in favour of the slower dog of her own accord, in which case the one greyhound shall score one point for the speed shown, and the other dog score one point for the first turn. 3. Under no circumstances is speed without subsequent work to be allowed to decide a course, except where great supe- riority is shown by one greyhound over another in a long lead to covert. If a dog, after gaining the first six points, still keep possession of the hare by superior speed, he shall have double the prescribed allowance for the subsequent points made before his opponent -begins to score. b. The Go-by is where a greyhound starts a clear length behind his opponent, and yet passes him in a straight run, and gets a clear length before him. 2 A 370 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. c. The Turn is where the hare is brought round at not less than a right angle from her previous line. d. The Wrench is where the hare is bent from her line at less than a right angle : but where she only leaves her line to suit herself, and not from the greyhound pressing her, nothing is to be allowed. e. The merit of a kill must be estimated according to whether a greyhound, by his own superior dash and skill, bears the hare ; whether he picks her up through any little accidental circumstances favouring him ; or whether she is turned into his mouth, as it were, by the other greyhound. /. The Trip, or unsuccessful effort to kill, is where the hare is thrown off her legs, or where a greyhound flecks her, but cannot hold her. 20. The following allowances shall be made for accidents to a greyhound during a course ; but in every case they shall only be deducted from the other dog score : — a. - For losing ground at the start, either from being unsighted, or from a bad slip, in which case the Judge is to decide what amount of allowance is to be made, on the principle that the score of the foremost dog is not to begin until the second has had an opportunity of joining in the course. b. Where a hare bears very decidedly in disfavour of one of the greyhounds after the first or subsequent turns, in which case the next point shall not be scored by the dog who may be unduly favoured, or only half his point allowed, according to circumstances. No greyhound shall receive- any allowance for a fall, or an accident of any de- scription whatever, with the exception of being ridden over by the owner of the competing greyhound or his servant, NATIONAL COURSING CLUB RULES. 371 provided for by Rule 24, or when pressing his hare, in which case his opponent shall not count the next 'point made. 2 1 . Penalties are as follows : — a. Where a greyhound, from his own defect, refuses to fol- low the hare at which he is slipped, when he shall lose the course. 0. Where a dog wilfully stands still in a course, or departs from directly pursuing the hare, no points subsequently made by him shall be scored ; and if the points made by him up to that time be just equal to those made by his antagonist in the whole course, he shall thereby lose the course ; but where one or both dogs stop with the hare in view, through inability to continue the course, it shall be decided according to the number of points gained by each doa; during the whole course. c. If a dog refuses to fence where the other fences, any points subsequently made by him are not to be scored ; but if he does his best to fence, and is foiled by sticking in a meuse, the course shall end there. When the points are equal, the superior fencer shall win the course. 22. If a second hare be started during a course, and one of the dogs follow her, the course shall end there. 23. Geeyhound getting Loose. — -Any person allowing a grey- hound to get loose, and join in a course which is being run, shall be fined ,£1. If the loose greyhound belongs to either of the owners of the dogs engaged in the particular course, such owner shall forfeit his chance of the stake with the dog then running, unless he can prove, to the satisfaction of the Stewards, that he had not been able to get the loose greyhound taken up after run- ning its own course. The course is not to he considered as neces- sarily ended when a third dogs joins in. 372 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 24. Biding over a Greyhound. — If any subscriber, or his servant, shall ride over his opponent's greyhound while running a course, the owner of the dog so ridden over shall (although the course be given against him) be deemed the winner of it, or shall have the option of allowing the other dog to remain and run out the stake, and in such case shall be entitled to half its winnings, if any. 25. A "no course " is when by accident or by the shortness of the course the dogs are not tried together, and if one be then drawn the other must run a bye, unless the Judge on being appealed to shall decide that he has done work enough to be exempted from it. An undecided course is where the Judge considers the merits of the dogs equal, and if either is then drawn, the other cannot be required to run a bye ; but the owners must at the time declare which dog remains in. (See Bule 27.) The Judge shall . signify the distinction between a " no course " and an " undecided," by taking off his hat in the latter case only. After an undecided or no course, if the dogs before being taken up get on another or the same hare, the Judge must follow, and shall decide in favour of one, if he considers that there has been a sufficient trial to justify his doing so. A " no course " or ," undecided " may be run again immediately, or if claimed on behalf of both dogs, before the next brace are put into the slips, or in case of no course, if so ordered by the Judge, otherwise it shall be run again after the two next courses unless it stand over to the next morning, when it shall be the first course run ; if it is the last course of the day, fifteen minutes shall be allowed after both dogs are taken up. 26. The Judge shall render an explanation of any decision only to the Stewards of the meeting, if required, through them before the third succeeding course, by the owner, or nominator, or repre- sentative of the owner or nominator of either of the greyhounds NATIONAL COURSING CLUB RULES. 373 engaged in the course. The Stewards shall, if requested to do so, express their opinion whether the explanation is satisfactory or not, and their opinion in writing may be asked for and published afterwards, but the decision of the Judge, once given, shall not be reversed for any cause. - 27. Withdrawal of a Dog. — If a dog be withdrawn from any stake on the field, its owner, or some one having his authority, must at once give notice to the Secretary or Flag Steward. If the dog belong to either of these officials, the notice must be given to the other. 28. Impugning Judge. — If any subscriber openly impugns the decision of the Judge on the ground, except by a complaint to the Stewards, according to Eule 26, he shall forfeit not more than £5, nor less than £2, at the discretion of the Stewards. 29. Stakes not Run Out. — When two greyhounds remain in for the deciding course, the stakes shall be considered divided if they belong to the same owner or to confederates, and also if the owner of one of the two dogs induces the owner of the other to draw him for any payment or consideration ; but if one of the two be drawn without payment or consideration, from lameness, or from any cause clearly affecting his chance of winning, the other may be declared the winner, the facts of the case being clearly proved to the satisfaction of the Stewards. The same rule shall apply when more than two dogs remain in at the end of a stake, which is not run out ; and in case of a division between three or more dogs, of which two or more belong to the same owner, these latter shall be held to take equal shares of the total amount received by their owner in the division. The terms of any arrange- ment to divide winnings, and the amount of any money given to induce the owner of a dog to draw him, must be declared to the Secretary. 374 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 30. Wixners of Stakes Burning Together. — If two grey- hounds shall each win a stake, and have to run together for a final prize or challenge cup, should they not have run an, equal number of ties in their respective stakes, the greyhound which has run the smaller number of courses must run a bye, or byes, to put itself upon an equality in this respect with its opponent. 3 1 . Objections.— An objection to a greyhound may be made to any one of the Stewards of a meeting at any time before the stakes are paid over, upon the objector lodging in the hands of such Steward, or the Secretary, the sum of .£5, which shall be forfeited if the objection proves frivolous, or if he shall not bring the case before the next meeting of the National Club, or give notice to the SteAvards previous thereto of his intention to with- draw the objection. The owner of the greyhound objected to must deposit equally the sum of £5, and prove the correctness of his entry. All expenses in consequence of the objection shall be borne by the party against whom the decision may be given. Should an objection be made which cannot at the time be substan- tiated or disproved, the greyhound may be allowed to run under protest, the Stewards retaining his winnings until the objection has been withdrawn, or heard and decided. If the greyhound objected to be disqualified, the amount to which he would other- wise have been entitled shall be divided equally among the dogs beaten by him ; and if a piece of plate or prize has been added, and won by him, only the dogs which he beat in the several rounds shall have a right to contend for it. 32. Defaulters. — No person shall be allowed to enter or run a greyhound, in his own or any other person's name, who is a defaulter for either stakes, forfeits, or bets, or for money due under an arrangement for a division of winnings, or for penalties regu- larly imposed for the infraction of rules by the Stewards of any NATIONAL COUESING CLUB RULES. 375 meeting, or for any payment required by a deeision of the National Club, or for subscriptions due to any club entitled to have repre- sentatives in the National Club. As regards bets, however, this rule shall only apply when a complaint is lodged with the Secretary of the National Club within six months after the bet becomes due. On receipt of such complaint the Secretary shall give notice of the claim to the person against whom it is made, with a copy of this rule, and if he shall not pay the bet, or appear before the next meeting of the National Club, and resist the claim success- fully, he shall be considered a defaulter. 33. Judge or Slipper Interested. — If a Judge or Slipper be in any way interested in the winnings of a greyhound or grey- hounds, the nominator in each case, unless he can prove satisfac- torily that such interest was without his cognisance, shall forfeit all claim to the winnings ; and if any nominator or owner of grey- hounds shall give, or offer, or lend money or anything of value to any Judge or Slipper, such owner or nominator shall not be allowed to run dogs in his own or any other person's name during any subsequent period that the Club may decide upon. 34. Any person who is proved to the satisfaction of the National Club to have been guilty of any fraudulent or discreditable conduct in connection with coursing, may, in addition to any pecuniary penalty to which he may be liable, be declared incapable to run or enter a greyhound, in his own or any other person's name, during any subsequent period that the Club may decide upon. 35. Bets on an Undecided. — All bets upon an undecided course shall stand, unless one of the greyhounds be drawn. All bets upon a dog running further than another in the stake, or upon the event, shall be p. p., whatever accident may happen ; but bets upon a deciding, as upon every other single course, are off if the course is not run. 37 6 EMPLOYMENT OE THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 3 6. " Bets on Stakes Divided.- — Where money has been laid against a dog winning a stake, and he divides it, the two sums must be put together, and divided in the same proportion as the value of the stakes. DEER-STALKING. It is needless to dilate upon the employment of this dog in deer-stalking, as his perfection depends entirely upon his amount of experience, and the degree of nose and sagacity which he naturally possesses. HUNTING. Fox-hunting has now become a science in itself, and it would be useless to attempt any minute detail here of all the features which attend upon it. I have already alluded at some length to the duties and peculiarities of the foxhound, in the description of the hound himself at page 5 5 , and of the mode of entering him at page 3 1 6, beyond which I must refer my readers to the pages of Beckford and Somerville, among the old authorities, and to " Nimrod," Col. Cooke, the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, Mr. Delme Eadcliffe, and lastly " Scrutator," among the modern writers on this subject. A treatise on Hunting must comprise at least as large a volume as the present, and, therefore, I may well be excused from going into it. For the same reason hare- hunting, both with harriers and beagles, must be passed over, as well as otter-hunting, beyond the notices which are given of the hounds used in these sports, at pages 62-72. THE USE OP THE DOG IN SHOOTING. The dogs used in aid of the gun are : the pointer, the setter, in grouse and partridge-shooting ; the spaniel, beagle, and terrier, GROUSE AND PARTRIDGE-SHOOTING. 377 in covert-shooting ; either of the above in snipe-shooting ; and the water-spaniel or retriever in wildfowl-shooting. GROUSE AND PARTRIDGE-SHOOTING. In open shooting, whether of the grouse or partridge, there is a great difference of opinion respecting the choice of a dog, that is, whether the pointer or setter shall be selected, and, if either, the particular breed. In order to arrive at any conclusion on this gucestio vexata, it is desirable to consider what are the chief differences between the two kinds of shooting, and also between the two kinds of dog which have to beat the respective grounds on which partridge and grouse are found. Every sports- man knows that the former are chiefly met with in cultivated corn-lands, and especially on a light sandy soil suited to barley, such as that of Norfolk and part of Suffolk. Here these birds are preserved in immense numbers ; and there is no heather, or other rough undergrowth of any kind, to scratch the skin or to wear away the hair on the legs, the only parts which suffer at all being the pads of the feet. Indeed in too many cases, ac- cording to my opinion, the dog is dispensed with altogether in actual shooting ; and the birds being driven into the turnips by spaniels assisted by a man on horseback, are afterwards walked up by the shooters, who require only a retriever to find the wounded birds. In wilder districts where the birds are more scarce the pointer or the setter is used, but he is always worked within fifty or sixty yards of his master, and is never on any account suffered to " break fence." Hence the amount of ground beaten is comparatively small, but it is of such a nature, being composed almost entirely of stubble, fallow, or turnips, that it requires a good nose to find game, while at the same time the 378 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. scent of the partridge is very mild as compared with that of the grouse ; on the other hand, this latter bird is found where they are scattered indiscriminately over the heath-covered slopes, and where dogs are essential to success, because there are no turnips or other cover to drive them into, and they are as likely to be on one spot as another. Hence every inch of ground must be beaten, and often a day's sport covers two or three thou- sand acres or even more. The scent of the grouse is also stronger than that of the partridge, and from the nature of the heather he is disposed to lie closely, unless made wild by constant dis- turbance, so that with good dogs he is seldom put up out of shot. The heather is very rough and irritating, and as it works up between the toes it makes the interspaces extremely sore if they are not well covered with hair. From these varying circumstances it results that a careful dog, not ranging too wide, but going steadily to work, and keeping at it at such a pace as to make sure of not flushing a bird, per- fectly steady " before and behind " and " down charge," is the dog for partridge-shooting ; while a wider ranger, with perhaps a trifle less delicacy of nose, will be preferred for grouse-shooting, espe- cially if he will last for a longer time at his work, and will bear the constant friction of the heather. Now it is clear to every one who has had much experience of the two kinds of dog, that the pointer has the more delicate nose ; for though some setters may compete with any pointer in this particular, yet, on the whole, the average of setters are inferior to the average of pointers in powers of scent. The pointer is also more easily broken, and when per- fect, remains so with more certainty, but he has the disadvantage of more readily tiring, and his toes sooner become sore if used in heather. On the whole, therefore, though there are numerous exceptions, the pointer is more suited to partridge-shooting, and GROUSE AND PARTRIDGE SHOOTING. 379 the setter to grouse. If, however, the sportsman has a fancy for or against either, and selects the smooth dog for the moors, he should fix upon a strong coarse-haired dog, and those with a cross of the foxhound seem to be generally preferred ; but they have some of the disadvantages of the setter, being much more difficult to break than the genuine pointer, but are far more hardy and enduring. Indeed, some of this breed will beat the setter in pace and endurance ; while the nose of the hound, being as good as that of the pointer, or nearly so, does not lower the power of scent, but it has a tendency to make the dog lose that fine handsome range which the true breed possess, as displayed in the high carriage of the head when at work, which is so beautiful to the eye of the sportsman. With regard to the peculiar breed of each which is to be selected, I should advise the modern pointer without the fox- hound cross (or, if any, very remote), taking care that there is endurance enough to carry the dog through a good day's shooting. On the average, few pointers will beat as they should do for more than four or six hours, and even this amount of work cannot be maintained for many days together. I have had one or two dogs which no one man could tire, but these were light greyhound-like animals ; and though they could do wonders on' a good scenting day, they were useless on a dry September afternoon, without any wind stirring. It is true that few dogs will find game on such a day ; but there are some which will reduce their pace accordingly, and these are generally to be found among the true pointers, bred with as large heads as possible, consistently with the possession of frames suited to go through their work. They need not be very fast, but they should keep at their work steadily, and in that way will cover a vast deal of ground in a short time, never flushing even a single bird, and rarely leaving one behind them. Such a do°- if well matched with another, is the one to kill game to ; and 3 8o EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. if the sportsman will only give the brace time to try their ground, and will avoid spoiling them by running into wounded birds and other indiscretions, he will find that for all kinds of open shoot- ing they are invaluable. Irish setters are thought very highly of by some people ; but those which I have used have been head- strong and unruly, while I never found any superiority in their noses, nor is their endurance, as far as I have seen, greater than that of our best English breeds. With a dog formed like the animal from which the engraving at page 150 was taken, great endurance may be expected, and his nose was equal to any emer- gency. The Eussian setter I know very little of, so can give no reliable opinion on his merits. In conducting the beat, whether for partridge or grouse, it is always desirable to give these dogs the wind, inasmuch as they generally find their game by the scent wafted to them in the air, and not by the foot-scent. Sometimes they are obliged to " road " a running bird, especially with grouse, which will often take the pointer or setter a long way, and a stupidly stiff old-fashioned pointer which refuses to stir is an abomination. Nothing is more annoying than to see birds get up far out of shot, while the pointer is " steady as a crutch " at his first point, where he caught the scent and where they started from. A sensible dog would either have drawn up to his birds after waiting till his master was close up, or he would have left his point and gone round to head them if he was unusually clever in his vocation. Such a feat is by no means unattainable, if dogs are broken to beat towards the shooter as explained at page 326; but some stupid brutes will never learn to do it of their own accord, and must be sent round by their master, which causes delay and takes away half the advantage of the plan. Beyond a repetition of the cautions as to making the dog work to hand, and keeping him steady "down charge," SNIPE-SHOOTING. 381 there is little more to be said on the use of the pointer and setter. SNIPE-SHOOTING. The following observations on snipe-shooting in Ireland, by an Irish sportsman, recently appeared in the columns of "The Field ; " and, as the writer has had far more experience in this ■ department of sport than I can lay claim to, I prefer introducing these extracts to inserting the results of my own experience, which, however, are strictly in accordance with his : — " In Ireland the best sportsmen do not commence snipe-shoot- ing until the November frosts set in. This is sometimes con- sidered an old-fashioned prejudice ; but there are good reasons why it should be postponed until that seasoD. For, although the birds bred here are in good condition in September, or even earlier, they do not, except to the mere tyro, afford anything like the same sport. Instead of the ringing scream and rapid eccen- tric flight with which they dart away from the shooter through the thin frosty air of a winter's day, they flutter up with a faint cry from his feet, fly straight forward, and pitch almost immediately ; while, to the gourmand, the difference in flavour between a bird placed on the table in September and December- is almost as great as between a spent salmon and one fresh run from the sea. On the other hand, those birds which arrive here in October, during the equinoctial gales, are so thin and worn out with their long flight as scarcely to be worth powder and shot. " In shooting these birds, with or without a dog, it is always better to hunt down the wind, as, unless it is blowing a hurri- cane, they always fly against it. By this means the sportsman will get two shots for one he would otherwise obtain. The 382 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. popular idea that the slightest graze will bring down a snipe is, like many popular ideas, a fallacy ; no bird requires more care- ful marking. After being fired at, I have known them fly nearly out of sight when shot clean through the body, and then drop suddenly dead. This happens most frequently when very light shot has been used ; and for that reason I would always recom- mend the shooter to load the second barrel with No. 6 shot. It has another advantage. He will often meet hares, teal, and duck at distances where his light shot would be thrown away ; and it is well to be prepared for them. If a snipe stops scream- ing and stoops in his flight after being fired at, it is a pretty good sign that he is hit hard. If his legs drop, he is mortally wounded, and will never fly far. " In some marshes stiipe are very wild, rising in wisps, before you can come within range. This generally occurs when the ground is wet, and the birds are sitting upon the little hillocks above the water. In such cases the dog should be tied up, and the sportsman ought to walk them up alone. If this does not succeed, the only chance left is to stand (under cover if possible) at the windward end of the bog, and send the attendant in to leeward, with directions to make as little noise as possible ; by this means a few shots may be obtained, and you will have an opportunity of, perhaps, marking some of the birds down in more favourable ground. At all events, there is the chance of meeting them when scattered through the country. " Many an old Irish sportsman will smile at the idea of any person giving directions for finding snipe. Until the last few seasons they have been so numerous, that all he had to do was, to walk into the first marsh and blaze away until the light failed, or his ammunition was expended. "What with severe and long- continued frosts, however, drainage, and other ' dreadful inven- SNIPE-SHOOTING. 383 tions of science,' as one of your correspondents terms agricultural improvements, we are not (except in a few happily situated Alsatias) so sure of a good bag as we were : it may, therefore, be worth the shooter's while to study the habits of these birds. Indeed, every sportsman ought to be something of a ' field naturalist,' as it gives him an additional enjoyment in his favourite sport. " The state of the weather is, I believe, the great clue to the haunts of the snipe, their delicate organisation making them pecu- liarly sensitive to atmospheric influences. At the first breath of the autumn frosts, those birds which have been bred upon the mountains leave their summer quarters, and come down to the vast bogs which still abound in some parts of our island. Here they are soon joined by their comrades from Scotland and the North of Europe, who rapidly recover from the effects of their long flight; and from that time forward, until the arrival of spring scatters them again, their life is one constant succession of changes from one part of the country to another, moving towards the sea-shore, the mountains, or inland, according as the season is mild or severe. " In very mild wet weather, snipe leave the bogs and return to the mountains, where it is scarcely worth the sportsman's while to follow them. With a good dog, however, fair sport can be had at such times by beating rushy coarse pastures and heathery uplands, where he will be sure to find a considerable number of outlying birds. In this description of ground they lie well to a dog, and are much easier to shoot than in the bogs, where the unsteadiness of footing makes it difficult to take accurate aim. " I have always found northerly winds with hail showers the best weather for the marshes. The hail drives the birds down 384 EMPLOYMENT. OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. , from the mountains, collects them together, and makes them unwilling to rise. In white frosts they are generally wild, though numerous ; in hard black frosts they ' assemble in wisps about the margin of unfrozen springs, along the borders of streams, or in marshes near the shore. Bent grass is also a favourite haunt at such times, as frost has seldom any effect upon it. Should the severe weather continue, they -take to the plantations like woodcocks, to furze covers on southern slopes, and to the rocks on the shore. "Snipe are very restless at night, but, unless disturbed, seldom move in the daytime. During bright moonlight nights they travel a great deal, and are fond of feeding on the sea-shore. Walking along the coast at such times, I have put them up iu dozens, and even in daylight have shot them on a strand. In beating a marsh near the sea I have always been least suc- cessful when the tide was out, which I could only account for by the supposition that the birds were then feeding upon the strand. " In some districts in Ireland there are what are called black and red bogs. The sportsman will sometimes find them in one and sometimes in the other, never in both together. I cannot account for this, as the weather does not appear to be the cause ; at least, I could not observe any marked change. " Almost any dog can be trained to set snipe. Water spaniels and Newfoundlands have been known to do it ; and I once shot for part of a season over a little Dinmont terrier. But the dog of all dogs for that sport — or indeed any sport — is the old Irish setter, when he can be. got pure. Handsome, courageous, hardy, and delighting in water, he is (as an old gamekeeper remarked to me once) ' a companion for any gentleman.' The dropper is also a capital dog for general purposes in a wet country. One of the SNIPE-SHOOTING. 385 finest animals I ever saw of this kind was the produce of a cross between a Eussian and a smooth pointer. They are, however, difficult to train, and curiously ugly. The smooth pointer should never be used in snipe-shooting. They have a natural dislike to the water, and, although their high breeding and courage make them disregard it when in pursuit of game, any one who has seen them cowering at their master's heels after a hard day's work on a cold wintry day cannot but feel compassion for these noble animals. " In training dogs for snipe-shooting they should be broken as much as possible to ' hand.' Shouting or talking in a bog ought always to be avoided ; more birds will be sprung in that way than by the report of the gun. No dog that splashes through the water, or with bad feet, should be used for snipe. It is in his peculiar style of going that the old Irish setter shows his supe- riority to all other dogs for this sport ; not pottering or plowtering among the reeds, like a tame drake, but moving through the marsh with a long, light, stealthy pace, like a panther in search of prey. " The system of training dogs in Ireland is, generally speaking, very bad, — in fact, cannot well be worse. Three guineas, and a hundred- weight of meal, is the usual charge ; and for this you will get plenty of so called gamekeepers and trainers willing to undertake the duty. I do not object to the price, which is moderate enough, if the duty was properly performed ; but do object, and very strongly, to the fact that not one grain of the meal ever finds its way to the stomach of the unfortunate animal for whose benefit it was ostensibly bought. This would not suit the trainer's purpose, whose object is to return him ' broken ' in the shortest possible time (and broken he certainly is, with a vengeance). This can only be accomplished by fasting and flagel- 2 B 386 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. lation, and accordingly both are put liberally in requisition ; the former by leaving the dog entirely to his own resources, when the chances are, he takes to killing his own mutton ; and the latter, by the unsparing use of the whip, or the butt end of the gun, according as his master is drunk or out of temper. The conse- quences may easily be anticipated. Should he survive this treat- ment, he is returned at the end of three months, thoroughly cowed and heart-broken, and in such a state of starvation that his owner will have some difficulty in recognising his favourite. Should he succeed in getting once more into condition, it will be found that he has forgotten all he ever learned under the former system, and will require to be trained over again. " I would therefore recommend the sportsman, if he can spare time, by all means to break his own dogs. If he succeeds, and a little patience and temper are all that is required to make success certain, he will be amply repaid, for a dog works far better for the man who trains him than for any one else. A sort of mutual understanding springs up between them ; the dog gets into his master's ways, and a look or a gesture is sufficient to make him comprehend his meaning. Better this, surely, than the constant rating and flagellations, which make it positively painful to go out with some men, who are everlastingly using the whip upon their unhappy slaves. " If the snipe-shooter wishes to keep his dogs in health and condition, free from coughs and colds, and always fit for work, he must not be above looking after them himself when their day's work is done, instead of handing them over to ignorant or care- less servants. Their legs and feet should be well washed in^varm water before consigning them to the kennel, which ought to be comfortable and dry, and provided with a liberal allowance of straw. — Henry Clive." COVERT SHOOTING. 387 COVERT SHOOTING. This kind of shooting is generally carried out by the aid of human beaters, who, either with or without dogs, enter the covert and drive the game to the shooter. Sometimes, however, the sportsman has a train of thoroughly broken spaniels, beagles, or terriers, and with these he goes quietly to work, either making them drive the game to him, or else keeping them at work so close to him, as he walks through the covert, that any game which is disturbed comes within shot. In either case the dogs should be thoroughly under command, as has been explained in the chapter treating of the breaking of them to the gun, and, beyond the remarks there introduced, there is little to be said. A prac- tical acquaintance with each animal is more requisite here than in any other kind of shooting, because the sportsman always is being called upon to judge of the proximity of the dog to his game, and of the kind of game also by his note at the time. Hence practice is all important, and directions are of little avail. The shooter must, however, be quick in his movements in getting to his dogs when they give tongue in a way to lead him to expect that they are close upon their game, or he will get few shots ; and in this one of the chief arts of covert shooting consists. It is, however, useless to attempt any further explanation of its details. Whether spaniels, beagles, or terriers make the best covert dogs is a point which is sometimes discussed ; but I think there is a general feeling in favour of the first, and at present the Clumber spaniel is certainly the fashion. He is more suited to battues, which are now the only kinds of covert shooting much in vogue, for the reason that pheasants will not bear disturbing many times 388 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. in the season, and so the proprietor of a large preserve likes to give the greatest happiness to the greatest number of his friends on the small number of days which his gamekeeper advises him that he can afford. These spaniels, however, are too heavy for wild woodlands, or for cock-shooting, for which the light corky cocker must be employed. But between these two there is little room for the too noisy beagle, or the too silent terrier, and they are therefore seldom used, though the last is very useful to the single sportsman who goes quietly poking about in search of a shot. WILDFOWL-SHOOTING. As far as the dog is concerned, this kind of sport requires a steady water spaniel or retriever, with a good nose, and thoroughly accustomed to his work. In river and pond shooting, he will have to find as well as to retrieve the ducks or other kinds of water- fowl which are sought for; but in the marine variety his sole use is to retrieve the dead and crippled birds, which would otherwise be beyond the reach of the shooter. For each kind, however, the power of retrieving is most important, and no one would think of embarking in this sport without a dog thoroughly broken in this respect, or likely to become so. Those who wish to become expert in it, and have no friend or servant able to teach them the various details necessary for its successful prosecution, will do well to consult -the pages of Col. Hawker, who has written most minute instructions for the con- struction and management of punts, punt guns, &c, in his celebrated work on shooting. USE OF TERMERS IN FERRETING, ETC. 389 THE USE OF TERRIERS IN FERRETING, RATTING, ETC. Beyond the necessity for entering these dogs to their game, and breaking them from destroying the ferrets, little can be said on the mode of using them. Some practice is of course required to do these things well and successfully, but the oral instructions of a good keeper or ratcatcher are of far more value than all the written directions which can be given. BOOK III. THE DISEASES OF THE DOG AND THEIR TREATMENT. CHAPTER I. PECULIARITIES IN THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE DOG. The Skeleton, including the Teeth — The Muscular System — The Brain and Nervous System— The Digestive System — The Heart and Lungs— The Skin. THE SKELETON,* INCLUDING THE TEETH. In the skeleton of the. dog, and in that of the horse, as well as of all other animals remarkable for their speed, there is a peculiar formation of the chest which deserves to be noticed. The prin- ciple of construction in every thorax, as this part is called scien- tifically, is that of dilatation and contraction, by which its entire contents are lessened or increased, and thereby air is made to pass in and out. In man this is chiefly caused by the front of the chest rising and falling, and in this way increasing the diameter from before backwards, but in the dog, horse, deer, &c, the in- crease is from side to side, the ribs being sickle-shaped, and acting laterally like the gill-covers of a fish. From this it often arises that a narrow-chested horse or dog may have better wind than another with a round barrel, because he is able to alter the cubic contents of his chest more rapidly, and thus inspire and expire a larger volume of air. A round barrel is nearly at its greatest expansion, and though it can contract it cannot dilate its volume, while the chest that is too flat can expand rapidly, but then it * See next page. 394 ANATOMY OF THE DOG. The Skeleton of the Dog. (Youatt.) THE HEAD. 1. The intermaxillary bone. \i. Nasal bone. 3. Maxilla superior. 4. Lachrymal boue. 5. Zygomatic bone. * 6. Orbit. 7. Frontal bone. 8. Parietal bone. 9. 9. Occipital bone. 10, 10, 10. Temporal bone. n, 11, 11. Inferior maxillary or jaw- bone. 12, 12. Seven inferior maxillary molar teeth. x 3> J 3- Six molar teeth of the superior ■ jaw. 14. Canine teeth of the superior and in- ferior jaws. 15. Three incisor teeth of the superior maxillary bone. 16. The three inferior ditto. THE TKUNK. a, a, a. The ligamentum nuchas. I. II. III. IV. v. VI. vil. The seven ver- tebrae of the neck. 13. The thirteen dorsal vertebrae. 7. The seven lumbar vertebras. 21. Os sacrum, or rump-bone. 22. 22. Twenty caudal vertebrae — verte- bras of the tail. 23. The left os innominatum. 24. Bight ditto. The nine true ribs, with their cartilages. The four false ribs, with their cartilages. o 0. The sternum. SKELETON OF THE DOG. 395 THE LEFT ANTERIOR EXTREMITY. The scapula, or shoulder-blade.- Os humeri, or arm-bone. Radius — tbe lesser bone of the arm. The elbow, or olecranon process of the ulna. Os pisiforroe, or pisiform bone. Os metacarpi digiti tertii — the third metacarpal bone. ir. Os metacarpi digiti quarti — fourth metacarpal. 12. Os metacarpi digiti quinti. J 3> 13. *3> *3- The first phalanges of the fore feet. 14. 14, 14. 14- The second ditto. 15. The third ditto. 16. The sesamoid bone. THE RIGHT AXTERIOR EXTREMITY. I. Radius. *. TTlna. ^- 3. Os triquetrum — the triangular bone. 5. Os semilunare — the semilunar bone. 6. Os multangulum majus — the larger multangular bone. 7. Os multangulum minus — the small multangular bone. 8. Os metacarpi pollicis — the thumb. Ossa metacarpi digitorum quatuor — the four bones of the meta- carpus. Phalanx prima pollicis— first phalange of the thumb. Phalanx tertia pollicis— third phalange of ditto. . Digiti quatuor— phalanges of the four toes. THE LEFT POSTERIOR EXTREMITY. i, i. Os femoris — thigh-bone. ■£. Patella — the knee-pan. 3. 3. Tibia — the shank of the leg. 4. 4. Fibula — the small bone of ditto. 5. Os calcis — the heel. 6. Astragalus— one of the seven bones of the tarsus. 7. Os naviculare — the navicular bone. 8. Os cuboideum— or cubic bone. 9. Os cuneiforme tertium et maximum. \"J' 10.. Os metatarsi digiti quarti. n. Os metatarsi digiti tertii. 12. Os metatarsi digiti secundi, 13. Os metatarsi digiti primi. 14. Phalanges primse digitorum pedis. 15. Phalanges secundae digitorum pedis. 16. Phalanges tertise digitorum pedis. 17. Os sesamoideum — the sesamoid, THE RIGHT POSTERIOR EXTREMITY. Os femoris — the thigh-bone. Patella — the knee-pan. Tibia, — the shank of the leg. Os calcis — the heel-bone. Astragalus— one of the seven bones of the tarsus. Os naviculare - the navicular bone. 8. Os cuneiforme primum et medium. 9. Os cuboideum, or cubic bone. o. Os cuneiforme tertium et maximum. 11. Os cuneiforme secundum et mini- mum. 12. Rudimentum ossis metatarsi hallucis. 13. Os metatarsi digiti primi. 14. Os metatarsi digiti secundi. 15. Os metatarsi digiti tertii. 16. Phalanges primse digitorum. 17. Phalanges secundse digitorum pedis. 18. Phalanges tertia? digitorum pedis. 19. Os sesamoideum — the sesamoid. 396 ANATOMY OF THE DOG. has not the power of contraction beyond its natural limits. A, medium transverse diameter is therefore to he desired, and is practically found to he advantageous, in allowing a better action of the shoulder-blades rolling upon the surface on each side. On the other hand, man requires great depth of chest from before backwards if he is to have good wind, and the lateral diameter is of less importance. These facts ought to be taken into consideration in selecting the best kind of frame for the purposes of speed and endurance. Large size of lone contributes to the strength of the limbs, and foxhounds especially, which have continual blows and strains in their scrambling over or through fences of all kinds, require big limbs and joints. When, however, extreme speed is desired, as in the greyhound, there may be an excess of bone, which then acts as so much lumber, and impedes the activity. Still, even in this dog, the bones and joints must be strong enough to resist the shocks of the course, without which we constantly find them liable to fracture or dislocation. If, however, a dog is brought up at liberty, and from his earliest years is encouraged in his play, the bones though small are strong, and the joints are united by firm ligaments which will seldom give way. The dog has no collar-bone, so that his fore quarter is only attached to the body by muscular tissue. This is affected chiefly by a broad sling of muscle, which is attached above to the edge of the shoulder-blade, and below to the ribs near their lower ends. It is also moved backwards by muscles attached to the spine, and forwards by others connected in front to the neck and head, so that at the will of the animal it plays freely in all directions. TEETH OF THE DOG. 397 The teeth are 42 in number, arranged as follows : Incisors Canines — : Molars — Fig. i. Fig. 2. •4-- Fig- 3- Fig. 4. TEETH OF THE DOG AT VARIOUS AGES. The incisors are somewhat remarkable in shape, having three little lobules at their edges resembling a fleur-de-lis (Fig. 1 ). Next to these come the canine teeth or tusks, and then the molars, which vary in form considerably. In the upper jaw, in front, are three sharp and cutting teeth, which Cuvier calls false molars ; then a 398 ANATOMY OF THE DOG. tooth with two cutting lobes ; and lastly, two flat teeth, or true molars. In the under jaw, the first four molars on each side are false, or cutters ; then an intermediate one, with the posterior part flat ; and lastly, two tubercular teeth, or true molars. As the in- cisors are worn away and the dog becomes old, the lobules on the edges wear away and are flattened (see Figs. 3 and 4). The teeth are developed in two sets ; the first, called milk-teeth, showing themselves through the gums about a fortnight or three weeks after birth, and lasting till the fifth or sixth month, when they are displaced by the permanent set, the growth of which is accompanied by a degree of feverishness which is often mis- taken for distemper. The dog's teeth should be beautifully white, if he is healthy and well reared, and until the third year there should be no deposit of tartar upon them, but after that time they are always coated with this substance at the roots, more or less, ' according to the feeding and state of health. The fore feet are generally provided with five toes, and the hind with four, all furnished with strong nails that are not retractile. The inner, toe on the fore feet is more or less rudi- mental, and is called the dew-claw ; while there is also sometimes present in the hind foot a claw in the same situation still more rudimental, inasmuch as there is often no bony connection with the metatarsal bone. This also is called the dew-claw, when present. THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM. The muscles of the dog have nothing remarkable about them, excepting that they are renewed and wasted faster than in most animals. This has passed into a proverb, and should be known as influencing the time which dogs take to recruit their strength. THE NERVOUS AND DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS. 399 THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. The nervous system is highly developed in those hreeds which have been carefully attended to, that is, where individuals of high nervous sensibility have been selected to breed from. This is therefore remarkable in the bulldog, selected for gene- rations for courage ; in the pointer, where steadiness in pointing has been the prominent cause of choice ; and in the greyhound, whose characteristic is speed ; all requiring a high development of the nervous system, and all particularly liable to nervous diseases, such as fits, chorea, &c. On the other hand, the cur, the common sheep-dog, &c, seldom suffer from any disease whatever. THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM'. The stomach of this animal is extremely powerful in dissolving bones, but it is also very liable to sickness, and on the slightest disturbance rejects its contents. This appears to be almost a natural effect, and not a diseased or disordered condition, as there is scarcely a dog which does not wilfully produce vomiting occasionally by swallowing grass. Few medicines which are at all irritating will remain down, and a vast number which are supposed to be given are not retained on the stomach, while others are only partially so. The bowels are extremely liable to become costive, which is in great measure owing to the want of proper exercise, and this also is very apt to produce torpidity of the liver. It may, however, be observed that in almost all particulars, except the tendency to vomit, the digestive organs of the do? resemble those of man. 4 oo ANATOMY OF THE DOG. 1 THE HEART AND LUNGS. There is nothing whatever remarkable in the heart and lungs ; but the blood-vessels, like those of most of the lower animals, are so elastic in their coats that they quickly contract when divided, and a fatal bleeding rarely results. THE SKIN. The skin of the dog is said to be quite free from perspiration, but this is a mistake, as I have often seen the short hairs of a smooth-coated dog glistening with fine beads of liquid, poured out on a hot day, when strong exercise was taken. The tongue, however, is the grand means of carrying off heat by evaporation, and its extensive surface, when hanging out of the mouth, is sufficient for the purpose, as the fluid is carried off more rapidly from the air passing over it in expiration. I am persuaded that a considerable amount- of insensible perspiration is constantly going on from the surface of the skin, and that nothing ought to be done which is likely to check it. This, however, is contrary to the generally-received opinion, which is, that nothing of the kind takes place in this animal. CHAPTEE II. THE REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG, AND THE BEST MEANS OF ADMINISTERING THEM. Alteratives — Anodynes — Antispasmodics — Aperients — Astringents — Blis- ters — Caustics — Charges — Cordials — Diuretics — Embrocations — Eme- tics — Expectorants — Fever medicines — Clysters ---Lotions — Ointments — Stomachics — Styptics — Tonics — Worm medicines — Administration of Remedies. ALTERATIVES. These are medicines which are given with a view of changing an unhealthy into a healthy action. We know nothing of the mode in which the change is produced, and we can only judge of them by the results. The most powerful are mercury, iodine, hemlock, hellebore, and cod-liver oil, which are given in the fol- lowing formulas : — a o I. — JSthiop's mineral, i£ to 5 grains. Powdered rhubarb, 1 to 4 grains. „ ginger, £ to i£ grain. Mix, and make into a pill, to be given every evening. 2. — Hemlock extract, or fresh-bruised leaves, 2 to 4 grains. Plummer's pill, i-J to 5 grains. Mix, and give every night, or every other night. 3. — Iodide of potassium, 2 to 4 grains. Liquid extract of sarsaparilla, 1 drachm. . Mix, and give in a little water, once or twice a day. 2 C 4 o2 REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. 4. — Stinking hellebore, 5 to 10 grains. Powdered jalap, 2 to 4 grains. Mix into a bolus, and give every other night. 5. — Cod-liver oil, from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful. To be given twice a day. ANODYNES. Anodynes are required in the dog chiefly to stop diarrhoea, which is a very common disease in him. Sometimes also they are used for the purpose of relieving spasm. Opium is so little objectionable in the dog that it is almost the only anodyne used ; but the dose must be far larger than for human beings, and less than a teaspoonful of laudanum for an average dog "will be found to be wholly inert. For slight purging : 6. — Prepared chalk, 2 to 3 drachms. , Aromatic confection, 1 drachm. , , Laudanum, 3 to 8 drachms. Powder of gum arabic, 2 drachms. Water, 7 ounces. Mix, and give two tablespoonfuls every time the bowels are relaxed. or, 7. — Castor oil, from a dessert to a tablespoonful. Laudanum, 1 to 2 drachms. Mix, and give as' a drench, repeating it in a day or two, if necessary. For long standing and severe purgation : 8. — Creasote, 2 drachms. Laudanum, 6 to 8 drachms. Prepared chalk, 2 drachms. Powdered gum arabic, 2 drachms. Tincture of ginger, 2 drachms. Pepperment water, 6 ounces. Mix, and give two tablespoonfuls every time the bowels are relaxed, but not more often than every four hours. ANTISPASMODICS.— APERIENTS. 403 ANTISPASMODICS Are useful in allaying cramp or spasm, but, as in the case of Alteratives, we do not know how they act. The chief are opium, aether, spirit of turpentine, and camphor, prescribed according to the following formulas : — 9. — Laudanum. Sulphuric aether, of each \ to 1 drachm. Camphor mixture, 1 ounce. Mix, and give in any ordinary spasm, as colic, ifcc. An antispasmodic injection : 10 — Laudanum. Sulphuric aether. Spirit of turpentine, of each 1 to 2 drachms. Gruel, 3 to 8 ounces. Mix, and inject with a common clyster syringe. APERIENTS. Aperients, opening medicines, or purges, by which several names this class of medicines is known, are constantly required by the dog, though it is a great mistake to give them when they are not absolutely demanded by the necessity of the case. All act by quickening the ordinary muscular action of the bowels, but some also stimulate the lining membrane to pour out large quan- tities of watery fluid, and others either directly or indirectly compel the liver to increase its secretion of bile. Hence they are often classed into corresponding divisions, as laxatives, drastic purgatives, &c. The chief of these drugs used in the dog-kennel are aloes, colocynth, rhubarb, jalap, ipecacuanha, senna, calomel, and blue pill, all of which act more or less on the liver; while 4 o4 REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. Epsom salts, castor oil, and croton oil open the bowels without any such effect. Syrup of buckthorn is commonly given, but has little effect ; and, indeed, the syrup of red poppies is generally substituted for it by the druggist, who seldom keeps the genuine article, from the belief that it is inert. A mild bolus : II. — Barbadoes aloes, 10 to 15 grains. Powdered jalap, 5 to 8 grains. Ginger, 2 or 3 grains. Soap, 10 grains. Mix into one bolus for a large dog, or divide into two or three for small ones, and give as required. Strong bolus : 12. — Calomel, 3 to 5 grains. Jalap, 10 to 20 grains. Mix with, syrup, and give as a bolus. A good common aperient, when the liver is sluggish : 1 3. — Podophyllin, J- grain. Compound extract of colocynth, 12 to 18 grains. Powdered rhubarb, 3 to 5 grains. Oil of cloves, 2 drops. Mix, and give as a bolus to a large strong dog, or divide into two or three for smaller dogs. Very strong purgative when there is an obstruction: 14. — Croton oil, 1 to 2 drops. Purified opium, 1 to 2 grains. Linseed meal, 10 grains. Mix the meal with boiling water into a thick paste, then add the oil and spices, and give as a bolus. , Ordinary castor oil mixture : 15. — Castor oil, 3 ounces. Syrup of buckthorn, 2 ounces. Syrup of poppies, 1 ounce. Mix, and give a tablespoonful to a medium-sized dog. APERIENTS.— ASTRINGENTS. 405 Very strong purgative mixture : 16. — Jalap, 10 grains. Epsom salts, 2 drachms. Subcarbonate of soda, 10 grains. Infusion of senna, 1 ounce. Tincture of senna, 2 drachms. Tincture of ginger, 1 5 drops. Mix, and give as a drench. For a small dog, give one-half, one-third, or one-quarter, according to sjze. A purgative clyster : 17. — Castor oil, \ ounce. Spirit of turpentine, 2 to 3 drachms. Common salt, £ ounce. Gruel, 6 to 8 ounces. Mix all together, and inject carefully per anum. ASTRINGENTS Produce contraction in all living tissues with which they are placed in apposition, either directly or by means of absorption into the circulation. Of these, opium, gallic acid, alum, bark, catechu, sulphate of zinc, nitrate of silver, and chloride of zinc are the most commonly used. An astringent bolus for diabetes or internal hemorrhage : 18.— Gallic acid, 3 to 6 grains. Alum, 4 to 7 grains. Purified opium, 1 to 2 grains. Mix with syrup, and give two or three times a day to a large dog. or, 19. — Nitrate of silver, £ grain. Crumb of bread, enough to make a small pill. To be given twice a day. 4 o6 KEMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. Astringent wash for the eyes : 20.— Sulphate of zinc, 5 to 8 grains. Water, 2 ounces. — Mix. or, 21. — Extract of goulard, 1 drachm. Water, 1 ounce. — Mix. or, 22. — Nitrate of silver, 2 to 6 grains. Distilled water, 1 ounce. — Mix Wash for the penis : 23. — Chloride of zinc, \ to 2 grains. Water, 1 ounce. — Mix.' Astringent application for piles : 24. — Gallic acid, 10 grains. Extract of goulard, 1 5 drops. Powdered opium, 1 5 grains. Lard, 1 ounce. Mix, and apply night and morning. BLISTERS Are not often used for the dog, because unless he has a proper muzzle on he will lick them off, and injure himself very ma- terially. Sometimes, however, as in inflammation of the lungs, they are absolutely necessary. Iodine blisters to reduce local swellings may often be applied with a bandage over them, but even then, unless there is a muzzle on, the dog soon gets the bandage off, and uses his tongue. The chief are cantbarides, turpentine, sulphuric acid, mustard, ammonia, tincture of iodine and biniodide of mercury ; the last two having some peculiar sect in producing absorption of any diseased substance lying BLISTERS.— CAUSTICS. 407 beneath. In all cases the hair ought to be cut off as closely as possible. A mild blister : 25. — Powdered cantharjdes, 5 or 6 drachms. Venice turpentine, 1 ounce. Lard, 4 ounces. — Mix, and rub in. Strong blister : 26. — Strong mercurial ointment, 4 ounces. Oil of origanum, £ ounce. Finely powdered euphorbium, 3 drachms. Powdered cantharides, £ ounce. — Mix. Very quick blister : 27. — Flour of mustard, 4 ounces. Spirit of turpentine, 1 ounce. Strong liquid of ammonia, £ ounce. Mix the mustard with water into a paste, then add the other ingredients and rub in. For bony growths or other tumours: 28. — Tincture of Iodine. Painted on every day, by means of a coriimon painter's brush. or, 29. — Bed iodide of mercury, 1 to i£ drachms. Lard, 1 ounce. Mix, and rub in a piece the size of a nutmeg every day, keeping the part wet with tincture of arnica £ ounce, mixed with half a pint of water. CAUSTICS. This name is given to substances which either actually or potentially destroy the living tissue ; the actual cautery is an iron heated in the fire, the potential of some chemical substance, such as corrosive sublimate, lunar caustic, caustic potash, a mineral 408 REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. acid, or the like. The actual cautery, or. firing, is not often used for the dog, but in some cases it is of great service. Both kinds are used for two purposes : one to relieve the effects of strains and other injuries of the limbs, by which the ligaments are inflamed ; and the other to remove diseased growth, such as warts, fungus, &c. 30. — Firing when adopted for the dog, should be carried out with a very small thin-edged iron, as the dog's skin is thin, and very liable to slough. No one should attempt this without experience or previously watching others. 31. — Lunar caustic; or nitrate of silver, is constantly required, being very manageable in the hands of any person accustomed to wounds, &c. 3 2 - — Sulphate of copper, or bluestone, is much milder than the lunar caustic, and may be freely rubbed into the surface of fungus or proud flesh. It is very useful in ulcerations about the toes. 33- — Fused potass is not fit for any one but the experienced surgeon. 34- — Corrosive sublimate in powder may be applied, carefully and in very small quantities, to warts, and then washed off. It is apt to extend its effects to the surrounding tissues. 35- — Yellow orpiment is not so strong as corrosive sublimate, and may be used in the same way. 36. — Burnt alum and white sugar, in powder, act as mild caustics. CHARGES. Charges are plasters which act chiefly by mechanical pressure, being spread on while hot, and then covered with tow. They are not much used among dogs, but in strains they are sometimes useful, as they allow the limb to be used without injury. The best for the dog is composed as follows : 37.— Canada balsam, 2 ounces. Powdered arnica leaves, £ ounce. CORDIALS.— DIURETICS. 409 Melt the balsam, and mix up with the powder, with the addition of a little turpentine, if necessary. Then smear over the part, and cover with tow, which is to be well matted in with the hand ; or use thin leather. CORDIALS. Warm stimulating stomachics are so called. They may be given either as a ball or a drench. Cordial ball : 38. — Powdered caraway seeds, 10 to 15 grains. Ginger, 3 to 5 grains. • Oil of cloves, 2 drops. Linseed meal, enough to make a ball, first mixing it with boiling water. Cordial drench : 39. — Tincture of cardamons, J to 1 drachm. Sal volatile, i 5 to 30 drops. Tincture of cascarilla, £ to 1 drachm. Camphor mixture, 1 oz. — Mix. DIURETICS. Medicines which act on the secretion of urine are called diuretics. They are either employed when the kidneys are sluggish to restore the proper quantity ; or to increase it beyond the natural standard, when it is desired to lower the system. Diuretic bolus : 40. — Nitre, 5 to 8 grains. Digitalis, £ grain, Ginger, 2 or 3 grains. Mix with linseed meal and water, and give all or part, according to the size of the dog. 4 io REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. Diuretic and alterative bolus : 41. — Iodide of potassium, 2 to 4 grains. Nitre, 3 to 6 grains. Digitalis, \ grain. * Extract of camomile, 5 grains. Mix, and give all or part. EMBROCATIONS. These external applications, otherwise called liniments, are extremely useful in the dog, for strains, or sometimes to relieve muscular inflammation, or chronic rheumatism of the joints. Mustard, ammonia, laudanum, and turpentine, are the chief agents employed. Mustard embrocation : 42. — Best mustard, 3 to 5 ounces. Liquor of ammonia, 1 ounce. Spirit of turpentine, 1 ounce. Mix into a thin paste, and rub into the part affected. Embrocation for strains or rheumatism : 43. — Spirit of turpentine. Liquor of ammonia. Laudanum, of each J ounce. Mix, and shake well before using, then rub in. EMETICS. Emetics are very commonly used in the diseases of the dog, and sometimes act very beneficially; but they have a tendency to weaken the stomach, and should therefore be used with caution. If not frequently resorted to no harm is likely to accrue, as vomiting is almost a natural process in the dog. EMETICS.— EXPECTORANTS. 411 Common salt emetic : 44. — Dissolve a teaspoonful of salt and half a teaspoonful of mustard in half a pint of tepid water, and give it as a drench. Strong emetic : 45. — Tartar emetic, 1 to 3 grains. Dissolve in a tablespoonful of warm water, and give as a drench ; fol- lowing it up in a quarter of an hour, by .pouring down as much thin gruel as the dog can be made to swallow. EXPECTORANTS, OR COUGH MEDICINES. The action of these remedies is to promote the flow of mucus, so as to relieve the congestion of the air passages. Common cough bolus : 46. — Ipecacuanha in powder, £ to i£ grain. Powdered rhubarb, 1 to 2 grains. Purified opium, £ to ij grain. Compound squill pill, 1 to 2 grains. Mix, and give night and morning. Expectorant draught, useful in recent cough : 47. — Ipecacuanha wine, 5 to 10 drops. Common mucilage, '2 drachms. Sweet spirit of nitre, 20 to 30 drops. Paregoric, 1 drachm. Camphor mixture, £ ounce. Mix, and give two or three times a day. Expectorant draught for chronic cough : 48. — Friar's balsam, 8 to 1 2 drops. Syrup of poppies, 1 drachm. Diluted sulphuric acid, 3 to 8 drops. Mucilage, 2 drachms. Paregoric, 1 drachm. Camphor mixture, \ ounce. Mix, and give twice a day. 412 REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. FEVER MEDICINES. These medicines reduce fever by increasing the secretions of urine and perspiration, and by reducing the action of the heart to some extent. Common fever powder : 49. — Nitre in powder, 3 to 5 grains. Tartar emetic, J grain. Mix, and put dry on the clog's tongue every night and morning. More active powder : 50. — Calomel, \ to \\ grain. Nitre, 3 to 5 grains. Digitalis, \ to 1 grain. Mix, and give once or twice a day, int he same way ; or made into a pill with confection. Fever mixture : 51. — Nitre, 1 drachm. Sweet spirit of nitre, 3 drachms. Mindererus' spirit, 1 ounce. Camphor mixture, 63 ounces. , Mix, and give two tablespoonfuls every six hours. CLYSTERS Are extremely useful in the dog, who is very liable to con- stipation from want of exercise, and in that case is mechanically bound. A pint of warm water, in which some yellow soap has been dissolved, will generally have the desired effect. Turpentine clyster in colic : 52. — Spirit of turpentine, \ ounce. Castor oil, 1 ounce. Laudanum, 2 to 3 drachms. Gruel, 1 pinfc Mix, and throw up, using only half or one-third for a small dog. LOTIONS.— OINTMENTS, 41 3 LOTIONS, Otherwise called Washes, are intended either to reduce the temperature in inflammation of the surface to which they are applied, or to hrace the vessels of the part. Cooling lotion for bruises : 53. — Extract of lead, 1 drachm. Tincture of arnica, £ to 1 drachm. Water, £ pint. Mix, and apply by means of a bandage or sponge. For severe stiffness from over-exercise : 54. — Tincture of arnica, -| drachm. Strong spirit of wine, whisky, or brandy, 7 J drachms. Mix, and rub well into the back and limbs, before the fire. Lotion for the eyes : 55. — Sulphate of zinc, 20 to 25 grains. Water, 5 pint. Mix, and wash the eyes night and morning. Strong drops for the eyes : 56.— Nitrate of silver, 3 to 8 grains. Distilled water, 1 ounce. Mix, and drop in with a quill. OINTMENTS. By means of lard, wax, &c, various substances are mixed up so as to be applied to wounds, chiefly to keep out the air. A good ointment for old sores : 57. — Yellow basilicon. Ointment of nitric-oxide of mercury, equal parts. 4 i4 REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. Digestive ointment : 58. — Red precipitate, 2 ounces. Venice turpentine, 3 ounces. Beeswax, 1^ ounce. Lard, 4 ounces.— Mix. Mange ointment : 58a. — Green iodide of mercury, 1 drachm. Lard, 8 drachms. Mix, and rub in carefully every second or third day. STIMULANTS— see CORDIALS. STOMACHICS. The name describes the use of the remedies, which are in- tended to give tone to the stomach. Stomachic bolus : 59. — Extract of gentian, 6 to 8 grains. Powdered rhubarb, 2 to 3 grains. Mix, and give twice a day. Stomachic draught : 60. — Tincture of cardamoms, £ to 1 drachm. Compound infusion of gentian, 1 ounce. Carbonate of soda, 3 grains. Powdered ginger, 2 grains. Mix, and give twice a day. STYPTICS Are remedies applied to stop bleeding. In the dog the vessels seldom give way externally, but internally the disease is frequent enough, either in the shape of a bloody flux or bloody urine, or bleeding from the lungs, for which the following may be tried : — STYPTICS.— TONICS.— WORM MEDICINES. 415 61. — Superacetate of lead, 2 to 3 grains. Tincture of matico, 30 to 50 drops. Vinegar, 10 drops. Water, 1 ounce. Mix, and give two or three times a day. TONICS. Tonics permanently increase the tone or vigour of the system, being particularly useful in the recovery from low fever. Tonic pill : 62. — Sulphate of quinine, 1 to 3 grains. Extract of hemlock, 2 grains. Ginger, 2 grains. Mix, and give twice a day. Tonic mixture : 63. — Compound tincture of bark, 2 ounces. Decoction of yellow bark, 14 ounces. Mix, and give three tablespoonfuls twice or thrice daily to a large dog. WORM MEDICINES. By this term we are to understand such substances as will expel worms from the intestines of the dog, their action being either poisonous to the worm itself, or so irritating as to cause them to evacuate their position. All ought either to be in them- selves purgative, or to be followed by a medicine of that class, in order to insure the removal of the eggs, as well as the worms themselves. The more detailed directions will be found in the Chapter on Worms. • 4i6 REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG, Aperient- worm bolus : 64.— Calomel, 2 to 5 grains. Jalap, 10 to 20 grains. Mix into a bolus, with treacle. For general worms. Not aperient, and therefore to be followed by castor oil : 65. — Recently powdered areca nut, 1 to 2 drachms. Mix up with broth, and give to the dog directly, as there is no taste in it till it has been soaked some time, when the broth becomes bitter. If the dog refuses it he must he drenched. Eour hours after, give a dose of castor oil. N.B. — The exact dose is 2 grains for each pound the dog weighs. For round worms : 66. — Indian pink, \ ounce. Boiling water, 8 ounces. Let it stand for an hour, then strain, and give half to a large dog, a quarter to a middle-sized dog, or an eighth to a very small one. This, however, is a severe remedy, and is not unattended with danger. It should be followed by castor oil in six hours. Mild remedy, unattended with any danger: 67. — Powdered glass, as much as will lie on a shilling, heaped up. To be mixed with butter, and given as a bolus, following it up with castor oil after six houre. For tape-worm or maw- worm : 68. — Kousso, J to £ ounce. Lemon juice, 1 tahlespoonful. Boiling water, J pint. Pour the water on the kousso, and when nearly cold add the lemon juice. Stir all up together, and give as a drench. It should be followed up in six or eight hours by a dose of oil. Another remedy for tape- worm : 69.— Spirit of turpentine, 1 to 4 drachms. Tie this up firmly in a piece of bladder, then give as a bolus, taking care not to burst the bladder. This also requires a dose of oil to follow. Or mix the turpentine with suet into a bolus, WORM MEDICINES.-ADMINISTRATION OF REMEDIES. 417 Another : 70. — Fresh root of male fern, 1 to 4 drachms. Powdered jalap, 15 grains. Liquorice powder and water, enough to mal^a bolus. N.B. — The oil of male fern is better than the dry root, the dose being ten to thirty drops. ADMINISTRATION OF REMEDIES. Some considerable tact and knowledge of the animal are re- quired, in order to give medicines to the dog to the best advantage. In the first place, his stomach is peculiarly irritable, and so much under the control of the will, that most dogs can vomit .whenever they like. Hence it is not only necessary to give the medicine, but also to insure its being kept down. For this purpose, however, it is generally only necessary to keep up the dog's head, as he will not readily vomit without bringing his nose to the ground, and so it is the regular practice in large kennels, in giving a dose of physic, to put the couples on, and fasten them up to a hook, at such a height that the dog cannot lower his head, maintaining this position for two or three hours. A single dog may be watched, if such is preferred, but a lot of hounds in physic must be treated with less ceremony. THE DOG'S SYSTEM RESEMBLES THAT OF MAN. The effects of remedies on the dog are nearly the same, as on man, so that any one who understands how to manage himself may readily extend his sphere of usefulness to the dog. On the other hand, horses require a very different treatment, which accounts for the ignorance of the diseases of the dog so often 2 D 4 i 8 REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. displayed by otherwise clever veterinary surgeons, who have con- fined their attention to the more valuable animal. Some remedies affect the dog differently, however ; thus laudanum, which is a very dangerous drug in human medicine, rarely does harm to the canine species, and treble the dose which is enough for a man will be required for the dog. On the other hand, calomel is quite the reverse, being extremely liable to produce' great irritation on the lining membrane of the dog's stomach and bowels. MODE OF GIVING A BOLUS OE PILL. If the dog is small, take him on the lap, without harshness, and if inclined to use his claws tie a course towel round his neck, letting it fall down in front, which will muffle them effectually ; then with the finger and thumb of the left hand press open the mouth by insinuating them between the teeth, far enough back to take in the cheeks, and so to compel the mouth to open from the pain given by the pressure against the teeth, while it also prevents the dog from biting the fingers. Then raising the nose drop the pill as far back as possible, and push it well down the throat with the forefinger of the right hand. Let go with the left, still hold the nose up, keeping the mouth shut, and the pill is sure to go down. A large dog requires two persons to give a pill if he is at all inclined to resist. First, back him into a corner, then stride over him, and putting a thick cloth into his month, bring it together over the nose, where it is held by the left hand; the right can then generally lay hold of the lower jaw. But if the dog is very obstinate and inclined to resist, another cloth must also be placed over that, and then drawing them apart an assistant can push the pill down. Very often a piece of meat DRENCHING THE DOG. -CLYSTERS, OR INJECTIONS. 419 may be used to wrap the pill up in, and the dog -will readily bolt it ; but sometimes it is desirable to avoid this, as it may be neces- sary to give the medicine by itself. Even large dogs, however, are seldom so troublesome as to require the above precautions in giving pills, though they almost always obstinately refuse liquid medicine when they have tasted it once or twice. MODE OF DRENCHING THE DOG. If a small quantity only is to be given, the dog's head being held, the liquid may be poured through the closed teeth, by making a little pouch of the cheek ; but this is a tedious process, as the animal often refuses to swallow it for a long time, and then struggles till half is wasted. A spoon answers for small quantities, but for larger a soda-water bottle is the best instrument. .Then, having the dog held on either of the plans recommended in the last paragraph, pour a little down, and shut the mouth, which is necessary, because the act of swallowing cannot be performed with it open. Eepeat this till all is swallowed. Then watch the dog, or tie his head up, till it is clear that the medicine will be retained on the stomach. CLYSTERS, OR INJECTIONS. When the bowels are very much confined, a pint or two of warm gruel will often be of great service, if thrown up into the rectum. The dog should be placed on his side, and held in this position on a table by an assistant, while the operator passes the pipe care- fully up into the rectum, and then pumps the fluid up. 4 2o REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG. THE APPLICATION OF THE MUZZLE. When any operation is to be performed which is likely to make the dog use his teeth, he must be muzzled, either with an instru- ment made on purpose, or with a piece of tape, which is to be first wound round the nose of the dog, as close to the eyes as possible without touching them, then tied in a knot between them, and both ends brought back over the forehead to the collar, where they are to be made fast. When a muzzle is required to be worn by a savage dog, either in-doors or out, it must be so made as to allow of his readily putting his tongue out. For this purpose either a cone of leather pierced with holes, or of wire, is strapped on by a neck-strap and two or three short side-straps. CHAPTER III. FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. Simple Ephemeral Fever, or Cold — Epidemic Fever, or Influenza — Typhus Fever, or Distemper — Rheumatic Fever — Small - Pox — Sympathetic Fever. The dog is peculiarly liable to febrile attacks, which have always a tendency to put on a low form, very similar in its nature to that known as typhus in human medicine. This is so generally the case, that every dog is said to have the dis- temper at some time of his life, that name being given to this low form of fever. Hence, an attack may commence with a common cold, or any inflammatory affection of the lungs, bowels, &c. ; but, this going on to assume the low form, it becomes a case of genuine typhus fever, or distemper. Never- theless, it does not follow that the one must necessarily end in the other ; and so the dog may have simple fever, known as " a cold," or various other complaints, without being subjected to the true distemper. The fevers occurring in the dog are: ist, Simple ephemeral fever, commonly called "a cold;" 2nd, Simple epidemic fever, or influenza ; 3rd, Typhus fever, known as dis- temper; 4th, Eheumatic fever, attacking the muscular and fibrous systems; and, Sthly, Small-pox. 422 FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. SIMPLE EPHEMERAL FEVER. Symptoms. — This slight disease, known as " a common cold," is ushered in by chilliness, with increased heat of surface, a quick pulse, and slightly hurried breathing. The appetite is not as good as usual, eyes look dull, bowels costive, urine scanty and high-coloured. There are often cough and slight running at the nose and eyes, and sometimes the other internal organs are attacked ; or the disease goes on till a different form of fever is established, known as typhus, and this is particularly the case when many dogs are collected together, or when one or two are kept in a close kennel, and are neither properly ventilated nor cleaned. Cause. — Exposure to wet or cold." Treatment. — Complete rest. A gentle dose of opening medi- cine : (12) or (13) if the liver is torpid, (15) if acting: After this has acted, give slops, and if there is still much fever, one of the remedies (45) or (51). If there is much cough, give the draught (47) or the bolus (46). INFLUENZA. The symptoms of influenza at first closely resemble those of the last-described attack, but as they depend upon some peculiar condition of the air which prevails at the time, and as they are more persistent, the name influenza is given. After the first few days, the running at the eyes and nose increases, and a cough is almost always present, which symptoms often persist for two or three weeks, leaving great prostration of strength at INFLUENZA.— TYPHUS FEVER, OR DISTEMPER. 423 the end of that time, and often a chronic cough, which requires careful treatment. The cause is to be looked for in some peculiar state of the air, of the nature of which nothing is known at present. Treatment. — In the early stage, the remedies should he the same as for ordinary or simple "cold." Towards the second week, a cough-bolus (46) or draught (47) will generally be re- quired. When the strength is much reduced after the second week, and the cough is nearly gone, give a tonic pill (62) or mixture (63). Great care should be taken not to bring on a relapse by improper food, or by too early an allowance of exer- cise. Fresh air is of the utmost importance, but it must be taken at a slow pace, as a gallop will often undo all that has been effected in the way of a cure. TYPHUS FEVER, OR DISTEMPER. Having in previously published works proved the similarity of this disease to the typhus fever of man, and the identity of the two methods of treatment, I shall take this for granted, more especially as it is now generally admitted. The essence of the disease is some poison admitted from without, or developed within the blood, by which the various secretions are either totally checked, or so altered as no longer to purify the system. The exact nature of this poison is beyond our present state of knowledge, but from analogy there is little doubt that it resides in the blood. As in all cases of poison ab- sorbed into the system, there is a most rapidly depressing effect upon the muscular powers, which is to be expected, inasmuch as their action requires a constant formation of new material from 4 2 4 FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. the blood ; and as this is retarded in common with all other functions, the muscles waste away rapidly, and their contractions are not performed with any strength. The disease is some- times contracted by infection, and at others developed within the body ; just as in the case of fermentation in vegetable substances, there may be a ferment added to a saccharine solution, by which the process is hastened, although if left to itself it will come on in due course. The symptoms are very various, but they may be divided into two sets, one of which comprises a set always attending upon distemper ; while the other may or may not be present in any individual attack. The invariable symptoms are : a low insidious fever, with prostration of strength to a remarkable degree, in proportion to the duration and- strength of the attack, and rapid emaciation, so that a thick muscular dog is often made quite thin and lanky in three days. As a part of the fever, there is shivering, attended by quick pulse, hurried respiration, loss of ap- petite, and impaired secretions : but, beyond these, there are no signs which can be called positively invariable ; though the run- ning at the eyes and nose, and the short husky cough, especially after exercise, are very nearly always present. The accidental symptoms depend upon the particular complication which may exist ; for one of the most remarkable features in distemper is that, coupled with the above invariable symptoms, there may be congestion, or inflammation of the head, chest, bowels, or skin. So that in one case the disease may appear to be entirely con- fined to the head, in another to the chest, and in a third to the bowels ; yet all are strictly from the same cause, and re- quire the same general plan of treatment, modified according to the seat of the complication. The ordinary course of an attack of distemper is as follows : SYMPTOMS OF DISTEMPER. 425 that is, when contracted by contagion, or clearly epidemic. (On the other hand, when it is developed in consequence of neglect, it comes on at the end of some other attack of disease, which may have existed for an indefinite time.) Almost always the first thing noticed is a general dulness or lassitude, together with loss of appetite. In a day or two there is generally a peculiar husky cough, which sounds as if the dog were trying to get a piece of straw out of his throat, and always comes on at exercise after a gallop. With this there is also a ten- dency to sneeze, but not so marked as the " husk " or " tissuck " which may occur in common " cold " or influenza, but is then usually more severe, and also more variable in its severity; soon going on to inflammation, or else entirely ceasing in a few days. In distemper, the strength and flesh rapidly fail and waste, while in common "cold," the cough may continue for days without much alteration in either ; and this is one of the chief characteristics of the true disease. There is, also, generally a black pitchy condition of the fceces, and the urine is scanty and high-coloured. The white of the eyes is always more or less reddened, the colour being of a bluish red cast, and the vessels being evidently gorged with blood. When the brain is attacked, the eyes are more injected than when the bowels or lungs are the seats of complication. The corners of the eyes have a small drop of mucus, and the nose runs more or less, which symptoms, as the disease goes on, are much aggravated, both being glued up by brownish matter, while the teeth also are covered with a blackish brown fur. Such are the regular symptoms of a severe attack of distemper, gradually increasing in severity to the third, fourth, or fifth week, when the dog dies from ex- haustion, or from disease of the brain, lungs, or bowels, marked by peculiar signs in each case. In this course the disease may 42 6 FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. be described as passing through four stages or periods: ist, That in which the poison is spreading through the system, called the period of incubation; 2nd, That in which nature rouses her powers to expel it, called the period of reaction; 3rd, The period of prostration, during which the powers of nature are ex- hausted, or nearly so, by the efforts which have been made : and 4th, The period of convalescence. On the average, each of these will occupy a week or ten days, varying with the mildness or severity of the attack. When the head is attacked, there may or may not be a running from the nose and eye.s ; but more usually there is some evidence of congestion in these organs, the eyes being weak and glued up with the mucus, and the nose running more or less. A fit is, however, the clearest evidence of brain affection, and, to a common observer, the only reliable one. Sometimes there is stupor without a fit, gradually increasing till the dog becomes insensible and dies. At others, a raving delirium comes on, easily mistaken for hydro- phobia, but distinguished from it by the presence of the premoni- tory symptoms peculiar to distemper. This is the most fatal com- plication of all, and, if the dog recovers, he is often a victim to palsy or chorea for the rest of his life. If the lungs are attacked, there is very rapid breathing, with cough, and almost always a considerable running from the eyes and nose, and expectoration of thick frothy mucus. If inflamma- tion of the lungs is established, the danger is as great as when the head is the seat of the seizure. The bowels may be known to be seized when there is a violent purging of black offensive matter, often tinged with blood, and sometimes mixed with patches or shreds of a white leathery sub- stance, which is coagulable lymph. The discharge of blood is in some cases excessive, and rapidly carries off the dog. TREATMENT OF DISTEMPER. 427 If the skin is attacked, which is a favourable sign, there is a breaking out of pustules on the inside of the thighs and belly, which fill with matter often tinged with dark blood, and sometimes with blood itself of a dark purple colour. To distinguish distemper from similar affections is not always easy to an inexperienced observer, but the practised eye at once detects the difference. The chief diseases which are likely to be confounded with it are, the true canine madness, com- mon " cold," or influenza, inflammation of the lungs, and diarrhoea. The first of these runs a more rapid course, and is ushered in by peculiar changes in the temper, which will be described under the head of Hydrophobia. " Cold " and in- fluenza cause no great prostration of strength ; and the former comes on after exposure to the weather, while the latter is sure to be prevalent at the time. Inflammation of the lungs must be studied to be known, and simple diarrhoea has no fever attending upon it. The treatment of distemper is twofold ; firstly, being directed to the safe conduct through the lowering effects of the com- plaint; and secondly, to ward off the fatal results which are likely to be occasioned by the local complications in the brain, lungs, or bowels. It must be remembered that the disease is an effort of nature to get rid of a poison ; and, therefore, the powers of the system must be aided throughout, or they will be incompetent to their task. One great means of carrying off this poison is to be looked for in the bowels and kidneys ; and, as far as possible, these organs must be restored to their natural state, taking care that, in trying to effect these desirable ob- jects, they are not injured by the remedies used. Thus it is well known that aperients, and especially calomel, have the property of restoring the suspended action of the liver; but 428 FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. they also have an injurious effect upon the strength of the general system, and therefore must be used with great cau- tion; the best formulae being (13) or (15) given only once or twice, at intervals of two or three days. After the secre- tions are restored, the next thing to be done is to look out for the complications in the brain, lungs, and bowels, which are to be expected ; and if present, to counteract them by appropiate remedies. Thus a seton put into the back of the neck, cover- ing the tape with blister ointment, will be likely to relieve the head, together with cold applications of vinegar and water by means of a sponge. At the same time, the fever mixture (51) may be regularly administered. For any trifling complication in the lungs the fever powder (49) will generally suffice; but, if severe, blood must be taken from the neck vein ; though this, if possible, should be avoided, and the cough bolus or draught (46) or (47) administered. DiarrJuea must be at once checked by one of the mixtures (6) or (8) ; or, if very severe, by the pill (19), At the same time, rice-water should , be given as the only drink ; and beef-tea, thickened with arrow-root or rice, as the sole article of diet, changing it occasionally for port wine and arrowroot. When the stage of exhaustion has commenced, the tonic mixture (63) will almost always be required; and it is astonishing what may be done by a perseverance in its use. Dogs which appear to be dying will often recover ; and no case should be given up as long as there is any life remaining. The diet should be carefully attended to, little or no food being required on the first four or six days, beyond weak broth or gruel, no solid food from the first being permitted, and this restriction being maintained till the dog is quite recovered. When the state of exhaustion or prostration comes on, good strong beef-tea should be given every three or four hours, and if the TREATMENT OP DISTEMPER. 429 dog will not swallow it, force should be used ; a spoonful at a time being given in the way ordered for drenching at page 419. At this time also port wine is often of service, thickened with arrowroot, and given alternately with the beef-tea. For a dog of average size the plan is to give a teacupful of beef-tea, then, after two hours, the same quantity of arrowroot and wine ; then, again after two hours, a dose of the tonic mixture, and so on through the twenty-four hours. Perseverance in this troublesome plan will generally be rewarded with success ; but, of course, it is only a valuable dog which will reward it properly. In less important animals the beef-tea may be provided, and if it is not voluntarily swallowed the poor patient often dies for want of the compulsion, so that humanity as well as self-interest counsels the adoption of what often appears a harsh proceeding. No exercise, even of the most gentle kind, should be allowed, it being found invariably to bring on a return of the disease whenever it is indulged in. Many a young dog has been sacri- ficed to the mistaken kindness of his master, who has thought that a "breath of fresh air" would do him good; and so it would if taken in an easy carriage, at rest ; but the muscular exertion necessary to procure it is highly injurious, and should be delayed until the strength is restored. -This is one reason why dogs in the country bear distemper so much better than in towns ; for, as it is known that they are in the fresh air, no attempt is made to take them to it, and so they are left alone, and are not induced to exert their strength prematurely. Even when the dog appears nearly well, it is better to lead him out to exercise for the first day or two, for otherwise he is almost sure to over-exert himself, and a gallop will often do more harm than can be rectified in many days afterwards. Ventilation should not be neglected, but moderate warmth 430 FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. is essential to a cure, and a delicate dog like the greyhound should have a cloth on him in cold weather. The greatest cleanliness should be observed, but this should be done as far as possible without making the kennel damp with water. Clean straw must be liberally provided, and all offensive matters re- moved as often as they are voided. Summary of treatment. — In the early stage get the bowels into good order by mild doses of aperient medicine : (i i), (13), or (15). Attend to any complication which may come on, using a seton for the head, or the appropriate remedies for the chest or mixture for the bowels (6) if there is diarrhoea. For the exhaustion, when the violent symptoms are abated, give the tonic (63), and during the whole period attend to the diet, ventilation, cleanliness, and rest, as previously described. Vaccination has been recommended as a remedy for dis- temper, and has been largely tried both in foxhound and greyhound kennels, as well as among pointers and setters. The result has been that some people fancy it to be a sure preventive, and there' is evidence that, for years after it has been adopted in certain kennels, distemper, which was previously rife in them, has been kept at bay. On the other hand, a still more numerous party have found no change produced in the mortality among their dogs, and they have come as a natural consequence to the opposite conclusion. Eeasoning from analogy, there is no ground for supposing that the matter of small-pox or cow-pox should prevent the access of a disease totally dissimilar to these com- plaints ; but, as experience is here the best guide, the appeal must be made to it in order to settle the question. Judging from this test, I can see no reason whatever for the faith which is placed in vaccination, because there are at least as many recorded failures as successes ; and as we know that after any remedy there will VACCINATION FOR DISTEMPER. . 431 always be a certain number of assumed cures held out by sanguine individuals, so we must allow for a great many in" this particular case. Distemper is well known to be most irregular in its attacks, and to hit or miss particular kennels, as the case may be, for years together ; after which it reverses its tactics ; and as vaccination is used at any of these various periods of change, so it gains credit or discredit which it does not deserve. My own belief is, after trying it myself and seeing it tried, and after also comparing the experience of others, that vaccination is wholly inoperative ; but, as others may like to test it for themselves, I here append direc- tions for the operation. To vaccinate tlie dog. — Select the thin skin on the inside of the ear, then with a lancet charged with vaccine lymph (which should be as fresh as possible) make three or four oblique punctures in the skin, to such a depth as barely to draw blood, charging the lancet afresh each time. If the lymph cannot be procured fresh, the punctures must be made as above described, and then the points charged with dry lymph must be introduced, one in each puncture, and well rubbed into the cut surface, so as to insure the removal of 'the lymph from the points. In four or five days an imperfect vesicle is formed, which, if not rubbed, goes on to matu- rity and scabs at the end of ten days or thereabout. There are various other methods suggested, such as introducing a piece of thread dipped in the virus, &c. ; but the above is the proper plan, if any is likely to be effectual. The treatment of the various sequels of distemper, including fits, palsy, &c, will be given under those heads respectively. 432 FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. RHEUMATIC FEVER. One of the most common diseases in the dog is rheumatism in some form, generally showing itself with very little fever, but sometimes being accompanied with a high degree of that attendant evil. The frequency of this disease is owing to the constant ex- posure of the dog to cold and wet, and very often to his kennel being damp, which is the fertile source of kennel lameness, or chest-founder, which is nothing more than rheumatism of the muscles of the shoulders. Again, those which spend half their time before a roasting fire, and the other half in the wet and cold, are extremely apt to contract this kind of fever, but not in so intractable a form as the denizen of the damp kennel. By some writers this affection is classed among the inflammations ; and it is a debatable point to which of these divisions it should be assigned ; but this is of little consequence, so that it is properly known and easily recognised by the symptoms. I shall therefore include here rheumatic fever, which is a general affection, and also the partial attacks known as kennel lameness or chest- founder, and rheumatism of the loins, commonly called palsy of the back. Bheumatic fever is known by the following signs : — There is considerable evidence of fever, but not of a very high character, the pulse being full but not very quick, with shiyering and dul- ness, except when touched or threatened, the slightest approach causing a shriek, evidently from the fear of pain. The dog almost always retires into a corner, and is very reluctant to come out of it. On being forcibly brought out he snarls at the hand even of his best friend, and stands with his back up, evidently prepared to defend himself from the pat of the hand, which to him is TREATMENT OF KENNEL LAMENESS. 433 anguish. The bowels are confined, and the urine high-coloured and scanty. The treatment consists in bleeding from the neck, to a moderate extent, if the dog is very gross and full of condition, then giving a smart dose of opening physic : ( 1 2) or ( 1 3). After this has acted give the following pills : — Calomel, Purified opium, of each 1 grain. Powdered root of colchicum, 2 to 3 grains. Syrup, enough to make a pill. This is the dose for an average-sized dog. A hot bath will often be of service, taking care to dry the skin afterwards before the fire. Then follow up with a liberal friction by the aid of the liniment (43). Kennel lameness, or chest-founder, shows itself in a stiffness or soreness of the shoulders, so that the dog is unable to gallop freely down hill, and is often reluctant to jump off his bench to the ground, the shock giving pain to the muscles suspending the body to the shoulder-blades, which are affected with rheumatism. It is peculiarly prominent in the kennels of foxhounds, for these dogs, being exposed to wet and cold for hours together, and then being sometimes brought home to a damp lodging-room, contract the disease with great frequency. Pampered house pets are also very liable to chest-founder, over-feeding being quite as likely to produce rheumatism as exposure to nold, and when both .are united this state is almost sure to be established. When it becomes chronic there is little or no fever attendant on it, nor is there much in the recent state. After it has existed for some months it is generally considered to be incurable, but instances are known in which the stiffness has entirely disappeared. Ghest- 2 E 434 FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. founder also arises from a sprain of the muscles suspending the chest between the shoulders. The remedies for kennel lameness are nearly the same as for general rheumatism, taking care to remove the cause if it has existed in the shape of a damp cold lodging-room. The food should be light, and composed chiefly of vegetable materials, strons animal food being inclined to increase the rheumatic affec- tion The liniment (43) is very likely to be of service, especially if used after the hot bath, as previously described. It has been asserted, by persons of experience, that a red herring given two or three times a week will cure this disease : I have no personal experience of the merits of this remedy, but, according to Col. Whyte, it has recently been discovered that there is an active principle in the herring that is a complete specific in human rheumatism, and therefore this apparently inert remedy may really be a' very powerful one. At all events, it is worth a trial. It is ordered to be given with two drachms of nitre and one of camphor, most dogs readily eating the herring and camphor, and the nitre being added in a little water as a drench. Cod- liver oil is also said to be of great service (5). Iodine with sarsaparilla (3) is a combination which I have known of more service than any internal medicines. A dragging of the hind limbs is common enough in the dog, and, though often called palsy, it really is almost always of a rheumatic nature. It exactly resembles chest-founder in all its symptoms, excepting that the muscles affected are situated in the loins and hips, corresponding with • human lumbago in all par- ticulars, excepting that it is far more permanent. The causes and treatment are the same as those of kennel lameness. SMALL-POX. 435 SMALL-POX. Never having seen a case of this disease in the dog, I must be content with extracting entire Mr. Youatt's description of it : — " In 1 809, there was observed, at the Eoyal Veterinary School at Lyons, an eruptive malady among the dogs, to which they gave the name of small-pox. It appeared to be propagated from dog to dog by contagion. It was not difficult of cure ; and it quickly disappeared when no other remedies were employed than mild aperients and diaphoretics. A sheep was inoculated from one of these dogs. There was a slight eruption of pustules formed on the place of inoculation, but nowhere else ; nor was there the least fever. " At another time, also, at the school at Lyons, a sheep died of the regular sheep-pox. A part of the skin was fastened, during four and twenty hours, on a healthy sheep, and the other part of it on a dog, both of them being in apparent good health. No effect was produced on the dog, but the sheep died of confluent sheep-pox. " The essential symptoms of small-pox in dogs succeed each other in the following order : the skin of the belly, the groin, and the inside of the fore arm becomes of a redder colour than in its natural state, and sprinkled with small red spots irregularly rounded. They are sometimes isolated, sometimes clustered to- .gether. The near approach of this eruption is announced by an increase of fever. " On the second day the spots are larger, and the integument is slightly tumefied at the centre of each. " On the third day the spots are generally enlarged, and the skin is still more prominent at the centre. 436 FEVEES, AND THEIR TREATMENT. " On the fourth day the summit of the tumour is yet more prominent. Towards the end of that day the redness of the centre begins to assume a somewhat grey colour. On the fol- lowing days the pustules take on their peculiar characteristic appearance, and cannot he confounded with any other eruption. On the summit is a white circular point, corresponding with a certain quantity of nearly transparent fluid which it contains, and' covered by a thin and transparent pelliele. This fluid becomes less and less transparent, until it acquires the colour and con- sistence of pus. The pustule, during its serous state, is of a rounded form. It is flattened when the fluid acquires a purulent character, and even slightly depressed towards the close of the period of suppuration, and when that of desiccation is about to commence, which ordinarily happens towards the ninth or tenth day of the eruption. The desiccation and the desquamation occupy an exceedingly variable length of time ; and so, indeed, do all the different periods of the disease. What is the least incon- stant, is the duration of the serous eruption, which is about four days, if it has been distinctly produced and guarded from all fric- tion. If the general character of the pustules is considered, it will be observed, that, while some of them are in a state of serous secretion, others will only have begun to appear. " The eruption terminates when desiccation commences in the first pustules; and, if some red spots show themselves at that period of the malady, they disappear without being followed by the development of pustules. They are a species of abortive pustules. After the desiccation, the skin remains .covered by brown spots, which, by degrees, die away. There remains no trace of the disease, except a few superficial cicatrices on which the hair does not grow. " The causes which produce the greatest variation in the periods SMALL-POX. 437 of the eruption are, the age of the dog, and the temperature of the situation and of the season. The eruption runs through its different stages with much more rapidity in dogs from one to five months old than in those of greater age. I have never seen it in dogs more than eighteen months old. An elevated temperature singularly favours the eruption, and also renders it confluent and of a serous character. A cold atmosphere is unfavourable to the eruption, or even prevents it altogether. Death is almost con- stantly the result of the exposure of dogs having small-pox to any considerable degree of cold. A moderate temperature is most favourable to the recovery of the animal. A frequent renewal or change of air, the temperature remaining nearly the same, is highly favourable to the patient ; consequently, close boxes or kennels should be altogether avoided. " I have often observed that the perspiration or breath of dogs labouring under variola emits a very unpleasant odour. This smell is particularly observed at the commencement of the desic- cation of the pustules, and when the animals are lying upon dry straw ; for the friction of the bed against the pustules destroys their pellicles, and permits the purulent matter to escape; and the influence of this purulent matter is most pernicious. The fever is increased, and also the unpleasant smell from the mouth, and that of the feces. In this state there is a disposition which is rapidly developed in the lungs to assume the character of pneumonia. This last complication is a most serious one, and almost always terminates fatally. It has a peculiar character. It shows itself suddenly, and with all its alarming symptoms. It is almost immediately accompanied by a purulent secretion from the bronchi, and the second day does not pass without the characters of pneumonia being completely developed. The respiration is accompanied by a mucous rdle, which often becomes sibilant. 43 8 FEVERS, AND THEIE TREATMENT. The nasal cavities are filled with a purulent fluid. The dog. that coughs violently at the commencement of the disease employs himself, probably, on the following day in ejecting, by a forcible expulsion from the nostrils, the purulent secretion which is soon and plentifully developed. When he is lying quiet, and even when he seems to be asleep, there is a loud, stertorous, guttural breathing." SYMPATHETIC FEVER.. This term is applied to the fever which comes on either before or after some severe local affection, and being, as it were, eclipsed by it. Thus in all severe inflammations there is an accompanying fever which generally shows itself before the exact nature of the attack is made manifest, and though it runs high, yet it has no tendency in itself to produce fatal results, subsiding, as a matter of course, with the inflammation which attends it. The same happens in severe injuries ; but here also, if there is no inflamma- tion, there is no fever ; so that the same rule applies as where there is an external cause. The treatment of this kind of fever is always merged in that which is necessary for the attendant inflammation, and this being removed the fever subsides ; it therefore requires no special notice to be taken of it, or any remedy to be directed to it. CHAPTEE IV INFLAMMATIONS. Definition of Inflammation— Symptoms and Treatment of Rabies, Tetanus, and Turnside— Of Inflammation of the Eye, Ear (canker), Mouth, and Nose— Of the Lungs— Of the Stomach— Of the Bowels— Of the Liver— Of the Kidneys and Bladder — Of the Skin. DEFINITION OF INFLAMMATION. Inflammation consists in a retardation of the flow of blood in the small vessels, which requires an increased action of the large ones to overcome it. When external and visible, it is charac- terised by increased heat, swelling, pain, and redness, and inter- nally by the first three, the last not being discoverable, though existing. It may be acute when coming on rapidly, or chronic when slow, and without very active symptoms. In the acute form there is always an increased rapidity of the pulse, with a greater reaction on the heart's pulsations, known as hardness of the pulse. In the dog the healthy pulsations are from 90 to 100 in the min- ute, which may be taken as the standard of health;- the arterial pulse may be felt on the inside of the arm above the knee ; or, by putting the hand against the lower part of the chest, the contrac- tions of the heart may be readily felt. In different breeds, how- ever, there is considerable variation in the pulsations of the heart. W, INN,AMMATI0N8, liyWfOl'IIOHIA, H.AI5IKH, Ok MAONKHii '] lii« <\hi",iw, (i;/:-; I/",'-.// <:\nwA iiiii'iti'j Hi", iut\;uiiiuii.t.initH, iilili'iii^li if/ !/:».;-: iiol/ (/",':// |/I''*V:'I I,'* urn", (Von/ f,lw,f, <:;tn«", ; l/ik, ( iini".<'.Uvl wifJi it;/ iullu.iuniuiiiin or ivm- y">Xion of ill", ■;\i'lll'A I'oUllnll lUul Itl'iiill, tli»i f ", i* ':'/(;;•'/ \"M*,o\i fill' \,\w,\ii'/ if, ul U/<-, li'«(/l «(' Uji« , ;-,yni\tioiiiv, i (,)/»-, p,ooii".r it, |» bf.u/IM Uj<( \i"XU',r, A I, \»'".w,ui ih",i", ■,t.\i\it:itiv, l,o I/'; liUj't or //'* mtiU'tA Hint, it in wyj^iy wHIl «. vi'tW > iollowt-, ',^ Tim /j»wf, i« fl murk'-A >. 'if i"Mi\i".v ', ill", iPiinnilly i',U","jfiil ",i I'-Xii'iiiiu^ from hi-, ih;i,Aj",i'v, Iimi'I 'M if it, waus i.lcjt, '/)' a, aU-uiiyt'.i; 'hi ili", riti".ihn"A Iw/iiwM (><■:.».". ili".i", h n l/zl/tl ",\i;i.ii'/<; ul' ummi'.r I'm >,",■/<-, ml >i&yn h'doi", ili", KlwilnUi out,- l,i",itk of iim n,i,i,;t/:k i •f/hi",h \n ]\A\>;iU>A by », kiii'i of tl",li>vni*, WiiUiU'ltty i,f "imw/llliwy ohj",",^,, ill", il>,y hlin\i\i'uiy Hi ill", Wftll, 'il 'if ■■luyihiii'/ <'/iiii".>. In hi--. v/n,y, U-.uriw^ )i t/> \i'wa>m, wil,l< kit -/a//", fitry, Wi'.U ihh ili",i'", \% "/,iit-.i;i-)i', vr,i,U',\ifn\n>:*:i > nna'. ''if.hi'j, iUf.n iuih tnwiunv,.'' Y",-i"i m iAf/nyh j,i".t>/'.t>i, hni \i h 'l')lfir,uli U, wm^mh it« ",'/Mni >m w/'/iuiii at i\ih %",r of ■,t,\i)it'w\i\w; i ilm jmikni, hmA wiiU iU'tn 'in <■/ ,iiiv.vl\"Xi> m Ui ili*: iih'ii", hyU'iplinlihi.) ilini", m iir/nmhly m // in in nw,U u, Uuny i/, yinXify ilmi, l,n %>',i)i',ially tifiwM i\n>, U',r. Mi i,nuiU-y IU',rk"i",y iiiMtiUuna ','",ry ki) will often be required. Sometimes the oint- ment (58a) will be required, 2 G 466 INFLAMMATIONS. Virulent mange (which may be compared to psora and porrigo in the human subject) is of two kinds, one attributable to a parasitic insect, and the other of vegetable origin. In the former case, which is its most common form, it appears in large kennels where cleanliness is not sufficiently attended to, and when the floors become loaded with the excretions. There is no doubt that this is highly contagious, but there is also little difference of opinion as to its being capable of being bred or developed among a lot of previously healthy dogs if mismanaged in the above way. The skin shows itself bare of hair in large patches of irregular form, and the hair being as it were gradually worn away at the edges, as if by scratching. The skin is dry and rough, with cracks and creases in various directions, from some of which a thin ichorous discharge may be seen to flow, on removing the scabs which fill them. The dog feeds well, but from want of sleep is languid and listless ; there is considerable thirst and some slight feverishness, but very often the flesh is maintained for months at a high rate. The treatment of this form of mange is founded upon the belief that it is caused by an insect of the acarus tribe, which has been detected by the microscope in many cases, but which by some people is maintained to be an accidental effect, and not a cause of mange. However this may be, it is found that remedies which are destructive to insect life, are by far the most efficacious, such as hellebore, sulphur, corrosive sublimate, tobacco, &c. The second kind of virulent mange is more rare than that described above, and still more difficult of cure, the vegetable parasite being less easily destroyed than the insect. This parasite is supposed to be of the nature of mould or fungus, which we all know is most ob- stinately tenacious of life, and is reproduced again and again in any liquid where it has once developed its germs. In outward appearance this variety of mange differs very little from the insect- VIRULENT MANGE. 467 produced form, but it may be known by its generally attacking young puppies, while the other appears at all ages, but chiefly in the adult animal. The hair falls off in both, but there is more scab in the insect mange, probably from the fact that it does not produce such violent itching, and therefore the scratching is not so incessant. The treatment is nearly the same in both cases, being chiefly by external remedies, though alteratives, stomachics, and tonics, are often required from the loss of health which generally accompanies the disease. In all cases, therefore, it is necessary to attend to this, giving generally a mild aperient first, such as (12) or (13), and subsequently (2) and (3) combined together, or (1) and (59), according to circumstances. At the same time one of the following applications may be tried externally, with the greatest care that the dog does not lick them off, as they are highly poi- sonous when taken into the stomach. To the wash some aloes is added, with the view of preventing this by the bitter taste of the drug, but though it has this good effect partially, there is nothing like a wire or leathern muzzle kept constantly on, except when feeding, at which time of course the tongue is otherwise engaged. All applications must be rubbed well into the roots of the hair. Ointment (or dressing) for virulent mange : Green iodide of mercury, 2 drachms. Lard, 2 ounces. Mix, and.rub as much as can be got rid of in this way into the diseased skin, every other day, for a week ; then wait a week, and dress again. Take care to leave no superfluous ointment. A milder ointment : Compound sulphur ointment, 4 oz. Spirit of turpentine, 1 ounce. Mix, and rub in every other day. 4 68 INFLAMMATIONS. Bed mange is quite of a different nature to either of the above forms, being evidently a disease of the bulb which produces the hair, inasmuch as the colouring matter of the hair itself is altered, and, if white, the hair looks like a pale brick-dust colour, almost as if the dog had been sprinkled over with this material. It first shows itself almost invariably at the elbows and inside the arms, then on the front and inside of the thighs, next on the buttocks, and finally on the back, which is only attacked when the disease has existed for some weeks or months. The health does not seem to suffer, and the skin is not at all scabbed, except from the effects of the scratching, which is very frequent, but not so severe as in the virulent or foul mange. It appears most probable that red mange is contagious, but it is by no means a settled question, as it will often be seen in single dogs which are in the same kennel with others free from it entirely. Of its exact nature I know nothing beyond the theoretical belief, founded upon analogy, that the disease is in the blood, and is not caused by any parasite. Dogs which are highly fed, and which are allowed to lie before the fire, are the most subject to it, while the poor half- starved cur becomes affected with the foul or virulent forms. The treats merit consists in lowering the diet, giving aperients (12) or (13); following these up with the addition of green vegetables to the food, and at the same time using one or other of the following applications every other day. In obstinate cases arsenic may be given internally (see page 465). Dressing for red mange : Geeen iodide of mercury, i£ drachm. Spirit of turpentine, 2 drachms. Lard, i£ ounce. Mix, rub a very little of this well into the roots of the hair every other day. VERMIN IN THE SKIN. 469 Or, Carbolic acid, 1 part. Water, 30 parts. Use as a wash. Canker of the ear has been alluded to under the disease of that organ at page 446. Irritative inflammation of the shin is produced by fleas, lice, and ticks, which are readily discovered by examining the roots of the hair. Dog-fleas resemble in appearance those of the human subject. The lice infesting him are, however, much larger, but otherwise similar in appearance. Dog-ticks may easily be recognised by their spider-like form, and bloated bodies, the claws adhering firmly to the skin, so that they are with some difficulty removed from it. These last are of all sizes, from that of an average pin's head to the dimensions of a ladybird, beyond which they seldom grow in the dog. They suck a great quantity of blood when they are numerous, and impoverish the animal to a terrible extent, partly by the drain on the system, and partly by the constant irri- tation which they' produce. The remedies are as follows : To remove fleas and lice : Mix soft soap with as much carbonate of soda as will make it into a thick paste, then rub this well into the roots of the hair all over the dog's body, adding a little hot water so as to enable the operator to completely saturate the skin with it. Let it remain on for half an hour, then put the dog into a warm bath for ten minutes, letting him quietly soak, and now and then ducking his head under. Lastly, wash the soap completely out, and dry before the fire, or at exercise, if the weather is not too cold. This, after two or three repetitions, will completely cleanse the foulest skin. Dry remedies for lice and ticks : Break up the lumps of some white precipitate, then with a hard brush rub it 470 INFLAMMATIONS. well into the roots of the hair over the whole body. Get rid of the superfluous powder from the external surface of the coat by means of light brushing or rubbing with a cloth. Put a muzzle on, and leave the dog with the powder in the coat for five or six hours. Then brush all well out, reversing the hair for this purpose, and the ticks and lice will all be found dead. A repetition at the expiration of a week will be necessary, or even perhaps a third time. Or, use the Persian Insect Destroying Powder, sold by Keating, of St. Paul's Churchyard, and other druggists, which seems to answer well. Or the following wash may be tried : Acetic acid (Pharm. Lond.), 3^ ounces. Borax, § drachm. Distilled water, 4^ ounces. Mix, and wash into the roots of the hair. CHAPTEE V. DISEASES ACCOMPANIED BY WANT OF POWER. Chorea — Shaking Palsy — Fits — Worms — General Dropsy or Anasarca. As inflammation is attended by increased action of the heart and arteries, so this class of diseases is, on the contrary, accompanied by a want of tone (atony) in these organs, as well as by an irri- tability of the nervous system, which arises from the same cause. None of them require lowering measures, but, on the contrary, tonics and generous living will almost always be demanded. I have included worms among them, because these parasites produce a lowering effect, and seldom infest to any extent a strong healthy, subject, preferring the delicate and half-starved puppy to the full-grown and hardy dog. CHOREA. Chorea, or St. Vitios's Dance, may be known by the spasmodic twitches which accompany it, and by their ceasing during sleep. In slight cases the spasm is a mere drop of the head and shoulder, or sometimes of the hind quarter only, the nods in the former case, or the backward drop in the latter, giving a very silly and weak expression to the animal. Chorea is almost always a consequence of distemper, so that it is unnecessary to describe its early stages, and the disease itself cannot be further defined than by the above 472 , ATONIC DISEASES. description. It seldom goes on to destroy life, though occasionally it is accompanied by fits, the disease in the brain and spine then being of such a severe nature, as to end fatally in the course of time, the dog apparently dying from exhaustion. Of the exact nature of the disease we know nothing, the most careful examina- tion of the brain and spinal cord leading to no useful result. But it often happens that there is present, at the same time, a degree of mischief in the stomach, caused apparently by the presence of worms, and then the chorea is said to be sympathetic with this. In the treatment, therefore, it is desirable to ascertain the existence of worms, and if they are found, no remedy will be likely to be beneficial so long as they are allowed to continue their attacks. If they are only suspected, it is prudent to give a dose of the most simple worm-medicine, such as the areca nut (65), and if this brings away only one or two, the presence of others may be pre- dicated, and a persistence in the proper remedies (see p. 483) will be necessary, till the dog is supposed to be cleansed from them. Beyond this, the remedies must be directed to improve the general health, and at the same time to relieve any possible congestion of the brain or spine by the insertion of a seton in the neck. Fresh country air is the best giver of strength, and it alone will often suffice ; but if not, after trying good nourishing animal food, mixed with a proper proportion of vegetables, recourse may be had to the following tonic, which is often of the greatest service : Sulphate of zinc, 2 to 5 grains. Extract of gentian, 3 grains. Mix, and form a bolus. To be given three times a day. Attention must be carefully paid to the state of the bowels, both constipation and looseness being prejudicial to the health, and each requiring the appropriate treatment laid down at pages 460 PALSY.— FITS. 473 and 46 1. Sometimes the tonic pill (62) will do wonders, and often the change from it to the sulphate of zinc and back again will be of more service than either of them continued by itself. A perse- verance in these methods, with the aid of the shower-bath, used by means of a watering-pot applied to the head and spine, and followed by moderate exercise, will sometimes entirely remove the disease, though in the majority of cases a slight drop will be ever afterwards noticed, and in sporting-dogs the strength is seldom restored to the same extent as before. SHAKING PALSY. This resembles chorea, in its nature, but it is incessant, except during sleep, and attacks the whole body. The same remedies may be applied, but it is an incurable disease, though not always destroying life. FITS. Fits are of three kinds : 1 st, those arising from irritation, espe- cially in the puppy, and known as convulsive fits ; 2nd, those con- nected with pressure on the brain, and being of the nature of apoplexy ; and 3rd, epileptic fits, which may occur at all ages, and even at intervals throughout the whole life of the animal. Convulsive fits are generally produced by the irritation of denti- tion, and occur chiefly at the two periods when the teeth are cut, that is, in the first month, and from the fifth to the seventh. They come on suddenly, the puppy lying on its side, and being more or less convulsed, the extent and severity of the struggling, bein