JAPANESE SPANIEL CH. "DAI BUTZU" MRS. ADDIS OWNER.JAPANESE SPANIEL CH. "DAI BUTZU" MRS. ADDIS OWNER.
The Japanese Spaniel.—The last of the Toy Spaniel family to be noticed is the Japanese Spaniel, and, at the present time, I think, it enjoys the most popularity, and is kept by ladies of high rank, as well as by their humbler fellow-creatures. In point of colour, they most resemble the Prince Charlies, and they are sometimes, but not often, seen almost the colours of a Blenheim. They are not so high, or domed in skull, but much wider, both in head and face, with very short nose, fairly large, pendulous ears, large, dark, full eyes, rather short on legs, cobby in body, and with tail curled over back, something in the way of the Maltese Terrier. They have a very quaint, old-fashioned look about them, even when puppies, and, unless they have been bred in this country, or, until they get acclimatized, are certainly delicate, and the mortality amongst the imported specimens has been very great. It is now sometime since I had any of the breed, and, at that time, larger specimens were in vogue than now appear at our shows; but no doubt, as ladies' pets, they are better, not exceeding eight or nine pounds. I may mention, to prove how these pretty little creatures have come forward of late years, I was present at a large London show, where a Japanese Spaniel, belonging to a friend of mine, a well-known lady-exhibitor, was awarded the first prize (a seventy-guinea silver cup in which the winner might have been hidden!) as the "Champion of champions," in a class composed of all the specimens of all kinds of dogs, that had been awarded a championship at that show, and the gratified owner had the honour of receiving the splendid prize from H. R. H. the Princess ofWales, who was also an exhibitor at the show, and is, we all know, a keen admirer of dogs in general.
The portrait of this beautiful specimen illustrates this variety.
Performing and Toy Breeds(Continued)
toy terriers—smooth black and tan—yorkshire—maltese—griffons bruxelles
TOY TERRIER. CH. "MASCOTTE MODEL" Mrs MONK OWNER.TOY TERRIER. CH. "MASCOTTE MODEL" MrsMONK OWNER.
Totake these in the above order, I propose to say a few words about each. I regret to say that, really first-rate specimens of the Toy Black and Tans are few and far between, there are many of the right size, and colour, but, so many fail in head, which should be like that of a true terrier of the "Manchester" type, in miniature, but the majority are too round and short in skull, and the other "points" of the breeds are the same. I need not say that a good specimen is a beautiful little creature and a charming pet for a lady, and very smart and showy. I have little doubt that the edict against cropping has had a prejudicial effect on them, as well as their larger brethren, and that having to wear such ears, as they have been born with, gives no chance for the skill of the "cropper" to improve their appearance, and, a great many of the breed appear to have what are known as "Bat," or "Tulip," ears, which look out of proportion to their size. I am in hopes that breeders may succeed (as has been done with the "Manchesters") in breeding more specimens with small drop ears, of the orthodox type, when, no doubt,a revival of interest will be taken in this somewhat neglected variety. One of the best seen for years illustrates this variety. Occasionally more or less good specimens of the White English Smooth Terrier, in miniature, are seen, and when correct in points, they are very pretty.
YORKSHIRE TERRIER. CH. "ASHTON QUEEN" Mdes WALTON & BEARD OWNERSYORKSHIRE TERRIER. CH. "ASHTON QUEEN" MdesWALTON & BEARD OWNERS
Yorkshire Toy Terrier.—I will now speak of another very beautiful breed of dogs, well suited as ladies' pets. Yorkshire Terriers, sometimes not exceeding three pounds in weight, colour slate blue on back and sides, also part of head, the rest a golden tan; when in form, the coat sweeps the ground, and is soft and bright in texture, and colour; of course, such a breed cannot be kept "up to the mark" without some care, and trouble, but a good specimen, turned out in correct form, is "quite a picture," and provokes any amount of admiration particularly amongst the fair sex, and I have known any sum from £5 to £250 to be paid for really tip-toppers, to be kept as companions, for which they are well suited, and I can, from my own experience, testify to their affectionate and engaging qualities. Of course their coats must be kept to a reasonable length, often brushed out, and they would not be suitable inmates for a kennel, being essentially a breed for indoors.
The best specimen living illustrates this variety.
MALTESE TERRIER. CH. "PIXIE". J. JACOBS OWNER.MALTESE TERRIER. CH. "PIXIE". J. JACOBS OWNER.
Maltese Terriers.—Another of the Pet Dogs, proper, is the lovely little Maltese Terrier, whose praises I have been singing for years, and I am delighted to see theyare slowly coming back into favour. Those of my readers who remember the Team shown, many years since, by the late Lady Giffard, will, I think, confirm my opinion, that a more beautiful lot of ladies' pet dogs could not be seen. To those not acquainted with the breed, I may say, they resemble very small drop-eared Skye Terriers, with pure white long coats, often sweeping the ground, and almost like floss silk in texture, with short backs and tails curled over them, dark, piercing eyes and black noses. They are very smart, corky little fellows. I admire them greatly, and have done my best for some years past to revive interest in them, and am glad to see better entries at shows which provide classes and judges to suit them. This is thought to be one of the oldest of the Toy breeds, having been highly prized by the ladies of ancient Greece, and other nations of that historic period. Head should be much like that of a drop-eared Skye in miniature. Coat long, straight and silky, often sweeping the ground, quite free from curl, or wooliness. Nose and roof of mouth black, ears moderately long, well feathered, with hair mingling on neck. Tail short, well feathered, and curled tightly over back. Colour, pure white, without markings, or even tints of any other colour. Weight five to six pounds, the smaller the better, other points being equal.
By the kindness of my old friend, Mr. J. Jacobs, the best known breeder of Maltese, I have been able to give a portrait of his beautiful little champion.
GRIFFON BRUXELLES "MARQUIS DE CARABAS" COUNT DE BYLANDT OWNER.GRIFFON BRUXELLES "MARQUIS DE CARABAS" COUNT DE BYLANDT OWNER.
Griffons Bruxelles.—One of the most recent of all the breeds suitable as pets and companions and whichhas been very much "boomed" the last few years, is the above named, somewhere about the size, and a little the shape of a Yorkshire Toy Terrier, if you can imagine one with a short harsh coat instead of a long silky one, and with a chin prominent as possible, without showing the teeth, in fact, "under-jawed;" round nearly black eyes; lashes, and lids dark, short black nose, with hair around it and the eyes; prick ears carried straight up as darts, feet longish; tail docked rather short; head round and covered with harsh hair, not woolly or silky; longer round eyes, nose, lips (which should have a "moustache" over them,) and cheeks; colour preferred, chestnut red, wiry rough, and plentiful coat, but not long. Weight for the larger variety nine pounds maximum; for the smaller five pounds maximum. These are cobby in build, active, intelligent, hardy little fellows, very quaint, comical, and self-important in their ways, which makes them attractive, even to persons not taking much interest in dogs in general; they are now being pushed forward very much and have a club of their own, so they seem likely to, what is called "catch on!"
I have secured the portrait of a grand little specimen of this variety belonging to the well known judge, Count H. de Bylandt.
Performing and Toy Breeds(Continued)
toy bull dogs—toy bull terriers—italian greyhounds
TOY BULLDOG "RABOT DE BEAUBOURG" M. PETIT OWNER.TOY BULLDOG "RABOT DE BEAUBOURG" M. PETIT OWNER.
Toy Bull Dogs.—Have been much taken up of late, and strange though it may seem, for an offshoot, or miniature variety of an old English breed, the larger number of the best that have appeared at the shows, so far, have come from France! I have seen many specimens with good heads and bodies, but comparatively few with the correct type of ear, the majority having what I described in speaking of Smooth Toy Terriers, as "Bat or Tulip" ears, which give rather a silly, vacant, expression to the face. However, the breed is being so eagerly patronised by people in the higher ranks, and good specimens easily command such high prices, that there is little reason to doubt, breeders will succeed in producing more specimens, with the correct type of ear, when we shall see a great improvement in the number and quality of the entries at all those shows which provide classes for these quaint little animals, which should be kept down to a twenty-pound limit at most, if they are to retain their title to be classified amongst the "Toys."
TOY BULL TERRIER "LILY" C. H. LANE OWNER.TOY BULL TERRIER "LILY" C. H. LANE OWNER.
Toy Bull Terriers.—The Toy Bull Terriers which have been a good deal encouraged of late years, should be counterparts of the larger breed, but too many of them fail in head properties, and are both too short in face and too round in skull, very often, they have a small patch of brindle or other colour on some part of their head or body, although they are preferred pure white, if possible. For many years I kept some of these, and bred them as small as two and a half pounds, but even at that weight their courage did not seem less, and the smallest I ever had was killed by her reckless attack on an antagonist far beyond her powers. I have known several others without the slightest consideration of their size and weight, rush upon foes that could actually have swallowed them, without the least hesitation, or any show of fear.
ITALIAN GREYHOUND CH. "LARKFIELD LEVERET" P. TURNER, OWNER.ITALIAN GREYHOUND CH. "LARKFIELD LEVERET" P. TURNER, OWNER.
Italian Greyhounds.—Another very graceful and elegant breed is the Italian Greyhound, which some years ago was much more kept as a pet than of late; it is more slightly built and shorter in head than the Whippet, and the colours most often seen are golden fawns and creams, but I have had some before me, and well shaped ones too, red, red and white, and blue fawn, the last named being the best of the "off colours." The coat should be very fine, soft and glossy, the best size is not exceeding eight or eight and a half pounds, in weight. They are exceedingly graceful, elegant little creatures, but rightly or wrongly (as this is one of the few breeds of dogs, I have not bred or kept,) give me the impression of being delicate and requiring care and#attention. The breed seems mostly in the hands of three or four persons, but I am pleased to say, there are still some excellent specimens of both sexes to be seen, so that I am in hopes there is no immediate fear of its extinction, as this is one of the breeds that would not look out of place in company with the highest in the land.
The portrait of a good and typical specimen, from Mrs. P. Turner's well-known kennel, illustrates this variety.
PART IVchap.pageXVI.Something About Foreign Dogs291XVII.Humours and Vagaries of the Show Rings311XVIII. to XXIII.Anecdotes About Dogs, Personal and Selected322XXIV.A Few Words About General Management and Some Simple Maladies, to Which Dogs are Subject and Their Treatment389
Something About Foreign Dogs
I think,perhaps, it will be best for me to say something about these, although my friend, Mr. Edwin Brough, was wont to call them by the generic term of "Wild Beasts," particularly those belonging to our mutual friend, Mr. W. K. Taunton, who for very many years had one of the best collections of rare breeds of foreign dogs, I should say, to be met with in Europe, comprising specimens from the Arctic Regions, China, Australia, India, Africa and other distant parts of the world. I have often had specimens of his before me at different shows, particularly those held in the London District, and remember paying a visit, by invitation, some years since to his kennels in Essex and being very much interested in the many typical specimens I saw there. I should consider Mr. Taunton not only a first-rate judge of bloodhounds and mastiffs, but (although one of the most unassuming men I know) far and away, the ablest and best judge of "Foreign Dogs" in this country, or probably in any other. He has bred and owned more than most other judges have even seen!
NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND "JAEGER" LADY CATHCART OWNER.NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND "JAEGER" LADY CATHCART OWNER.
The Norwegian Elk-Hound.—One of the kinds mostoften kept is the Norwegian Elk-Hound, which much resembles the Esquimaux, but differs in character of coat, ears and tail. He should be active in build, though strongly made, particularly in the shoulders; fairly long wedge-shaped head; rather strong and blunt shaped jaws; thick coat, with plenty of undercoat, in varying shades of dark and light grey, back parts being darker and under parts lighter and sometimes slightly tanned; good round feet, with legs strong, firm and straight, ears much larger and differently carried from the Esquimaux, both upright and pointed; tail profusely covered with hair, and carried with a double twist to the side, rather inclined to be wolf-like in expression, with dark brown eyes.
AFGHAN GREYHOUND "SHAHZADA" J. WHITBREAD OWNER.AFGHAN GREYHOUND "SHAHZADA" J. WHITBREAD OWNER.
The Persian Greyhoundis another of the "Foreigners" sometimes met with, and is a very elegant creature if shown in good form, about the size of a medium-sized greyhound, with soft feathery fringe on head and ears, thighs, tail and elsewhere, which gives a very unique appearance to it, the colours most often seen are shades of fawn, or drab, and from the extra hair upon it they seem to be shorter and stronger in head than the British greyhounds. There is a variety called the Afghan Greyhounds, which greatly resemble the Persians even in colours, except that all the specimens I have had before me of the latter have been considerably less, more like large Whippets in size. I am not prepared to say whether there is any, or if so what, connectionbetween the two breeds.
The African Sand Dogis another breed occasionally seen; it is remarkable for being almost entirely without hair, usually a sort of blue black in colour, and sometimes having a tuft of coarse bristle-like hair on the top of the head, and a similar tuft of the same colour and character at the end of the tail. In shape and appearance they slightly resemble a fat, and rather coarse, both in head and body, black and tan terrier; they, no doubt, have their admirers, or they would not continue to be imported and kept, but they are essentially one of the breeds that may be described as "not everybody's money."
THIBET SHEEP DOG "SIRING" H. R. H. PRINCE of WALES OWNER.THIBET SHEEP DOG "SIRING" H. R. H. PRINCE of WALES OWNER.
Thibet Sheep Dogs.—A breed I have not often seen, but which is really a handsome and noble looking one is the Great Thibet Sheep Dog, of which I remember H. R. H. the Prince of Wales had a good specimen at Sandringham some years since, which I can only describe as having a Collie-like body with a thick under and over coat, but not so profuse as with our collies, and a head combining the expression of Newfoundland, Mastiff and Bloodhound, large, pendulous ears, heavy lips and jaws, and great dignity, and even ferocity in appearance. From the rough life they live, with very rough people, I have heard from those who have travelled in Thibet, these dogs are very awkward customers to tackle, and often make things very unpleasant for travellers and strangers, but I have no doubt they would make excellent guards, and have a very distinguishedappearance as companions.
Afghan Sheep Dog.—Another eastern breed is the Afghan Sheep Dog, which, in the specimens I have seen greatly resembles our own breed of English Short-tailed Sheep Dog, and like him, is covered all over with a dense, shaggy coat. It seemed to me, they were somewhat more woolly in texture and corded in character than the coats of our dogs, and also they were leggier and more tucked up, so that, although they stand as high, or higher, I should say they would weigh considerably less on the average than our own "Bobtails." Their colours appear to be usually white, with brown or black markings, more or less profusely scattered over the bodies.
ESQUIMAUX CH. "ARCTIC KING" Mrs H. C. BROOKE OWNER.ESQUIMAUX CH. "ARCTIC KING" MrsH. C. BROOKE OWNER.
Esquimaux.—The Esquimaux is another of the foreign breeds occasionally seen here, rather larger and heavier than the Chow, and longer in head and neck, generally some shade of grey or black and white in colour with a harsh outer, but dense warm under coat, rather long and arched in neck, eyes obliquely set, small for size of dog, and very sly and wolf-like in expression, with pricked ears carried rather forward and tail curled over back. In the general way, they are not very fascinating to strangers, and may be spoken of in the same terms as the hero of a popular comic song who was said to be "all right, when you know him, but you've got to know him,first!" No doubt, the number of expeditions to the Arctic regions of late years, and the keen public interest taken in all their details, has had the effect ofbringing these dogs, so important to all Arctic explorers, more to the front. There is a quaint, independent air about them I rather like. I have very frequently had to judge them in classes of "foreign dogs from the Arctic and Northern regions," and should not describe them as very genial, or sociable, in manner, although somewhat unique and interesting in appearance.
CHOW CHOW. CH. "CHOW VIII". Mrs FABER OWNER.CHOW CHOW. CH. "CHOW VIII". MrsFABER OWNER.
Chow.—Another breed which is not without its supporters, many of whom are amongst the ranks of the aristocracy, is the Chow, which, as the name implies, is a native of China, and much resembles a large, coarse Pomeranian, with a short thick head and rather blunt prick ears, the colours are almost invariably shades of red, black, or slate blue, though I have seen some variations on these. Chows often are as large as small collies, and possess very warm dense coats, somewhat in the Esquimaux style, and carry their tails much the same way, and are remarkable for having nearly inky black tongues. Like many of these foreign breeds, they are hardly yet naturalised in this country, but they are handsome, distinguished-looking dogs and not unlikely to become more popular, as they become more understood. At present they are in very few hands, and are more often met with at shows in the "any other variety" or "Foreign, any variety," classes, than in a class or classes to themselves, but at some of the larger shows, I have frequently had good entries of them, containing many beautiful specimensof the breed.
SHOW POINTS OF CHOWS
The points of Chows are as follows: Skull flat and wide, muzzle substantial under the eyes, of fair length and rather blunt at the nose, tongue and lips black, eyes dark and small, ears very small, pointed, carried erect and forward; neck powerful and slightly arched, shoulders muscular and nicely sloped, chest wide and deep, body short and powerful with strong loins; fore-legs strong and straight with small round feet, hindquarters rather square with hindquarters well let down, tail tightly curled over back, coat very profuse, flat and rather coarse in texture. Colours most usually black or red; yellow, blue and white, if strictly self colours, are correct. Weight, dogs forty to fifty pounds; bitches a little less.
AUSTRALIAN DINGO CH. "MYALL" Mrs H. C. BROOKE OWNER.AUSTRALIAN DINGO CH. "MYALL" MrsH. C. BROOKE OWNER.
The Dingo.—Another colonial breed, the Dingo or Wild Dog of Australia, many of us have heard of but few seen. As I happen to have a brother, a clergyman, in that country, whose parish is forty miles square, taking him the best part of each week to visit his parishioners on horseback or in buggy, also three nephews, sons of another brother, likewise a clergyman in England, all situated in different parts of the same colony, I have heard a great deal of the doings of the "Dingoes." They are very particular in their attentions to the poultry, lambs, and sometimes sheep, so that they do not bear a good name in that country! They are agood deal like jackals, but rather larger in size, andcoats sleeker, and tails less feathered, less mane on shoulders, and perhaps somewhat finer in head, quite a sly, wolf-like expression, not often very safe to handle; colours usually shades of yellow, or sandy, but I have seen them shades of brown, and grey mixed, rather fox-like in bark; they are usually kept as curiosities of the canine race, frequently muzzled or "caged," but as they get more used to civilised life, they may develop more interesting qualities than they have yet been credited with.
CHINESE CRESTED DOG "CHINESE EMPEROR" W. K. TAUNTON OWNER.CHINESE CRESTED DOG "CHINESE EMPEROR" W. K. TAUNTON OWNER.
The Chinese Crested Dog.—I think I will bring this brief notice of some of the "outlandish" breeds to a close, with a mention of what I think is rather a rare sort, the Chinese Crested Dog, as, although I have judged Foreign Dogs at all the leading shows during a great many years, I have had very few true specimens of this scarce breed brought before me. I am pleased to have been able to secure a good portrait of the best I have ever seen, by the courtesy of its owner. I have generally found them with a smooth mottled skin quite devoid of hair, except a crest, or tuft of stiffish hair on the forehead or above it, usually nearly white or whitey brown in colour, and a tuft of similar colour and character at the end of the tail. Round skull, well defined "stop," and rather short, mean face, in shape and style of body something like a coarse strong Italian greyhound, and nearly always giving you the idea of being pinched with the cold. From what little I haveseen of them, I should consider them, rather delicate, and unsuited for our climate, except under favourable circumstances. I imagine they are merely kept as companions and pets, as I never heard of any of them being turned to account for any useful purpose. I am aware there are several other breeds I might have included in this chapter, such as the Samoyede Sledge dogs, (a capital portrait of this breed is here given) the Pyrennean Sheep Dog; the Leonberg Dog,The Dogue de Bordeaux, a capital portrait of a very fine specimen of which is also given, and which has a great deal the character of a high-class Bull Mastiff about it, and has been largely used on the Continent in fighting the bear and other large game; and others, but I think I have said enough to comply with itstitle of "Something About Foreign Dogs!"
LAPLAND-SLEDGE-DOG "PERLA". H. R. H. PRINCE OF WALES. OWNER.LAPLAND-SLEDGE-DOG "PERLA". H. R. H. PRINCE OF WALES. OWNER.
DOGUE DE BORDEAUX. CH. "SANS-PEUR". (Late) Mrs H. C. BROOKE OWNER.DOGUE DE BORDEAUX. CH. "SANS-PEUR". (Late) MrsH. C. BROOKE OWNER.
Humours and Vagaries of the Show-Rings
I remembermeeting a friend, many years since, whose wife was rather a fine woman, who hadbeenyounger and better looking, but still "fancied herself" a good deal, and had a decent Pug, which she made a point of taking to any shows held in their neighbourhood, and as I knew he had entered the Pug in two or three classes at a local show where a reverend gentleman, at that time very well known as an "all round judge," at many shows throughout the kingdom, was officiating, I said, "Well, old fellow, and how did your wife get on with her Pug?" "Oh, very badly," said he, "there was a smart looking girl, with pink roses in her hat, had a dog in the ring, and the judge couldn't look at anything else, although our Pug was ever so much better!"
As I happened to hear, casually, that another reverend judge, who had been not only a very successful breeder and exhibitor, but one of our ablest judges, particularly of the non-sporting breeds, was about to decline further judging, I considered, especially at that time, when there were few judges of ability and standing, that he could be ill spared, so I wrote toask him, if I obtained a strong expression of opinion from some of the leading exhibitors in his section, whether he would reconsider the matter, and he wrote me a very courteous letter, agreeing to do so. I then had a fac-simile letter, of my writing, prepared, and sent a copy to all the leading breeders and exhibitors of non-sporting dogs, and I do not think I had one refusal. I doubt if any judge ever had such a requisition, and the result was, that for many years, the public had the benefit of his valuable services, until, I regret to say, ill health compelled him to give up all such matters, but he retained his popularity to the last, and his retirement was universally regretted. I have often met him since as a looker on at shows, and we have occasionally corresponded.
As I have mentioned in the earlier pages of this work, for many years I was a very keen breeder and exhibitor of Dandies, and kept a great many of them at one time, perhaps the strongest kennel of the breed in the kingdom, and won scores of prizes, etc. I remember, on one occasion, when I had a team of dogs at a show in Gloucestershire, I had one of my best Dandies entered either in a "Rough Terrier Class," or a class composed of "Winners of so many Prizes" (in those days, all sorts of peculiar classes and conditions were introduced into the schedules), and therewere two judges to officiate, neither of whom, I very much expect, had ever had a Dandie before him previously. I was, at first, much amused to see how they were puzzled over him, and I could see them taking counsel together (I may say, they were men of thehighest class, as straight as gun barrels, and both deservedly respected and esteemed by the whole kennel world, one amongst sporting, the other among non-sporting classes, but as I hope and believe they are both still living I will not mention their names, although I have told the tale to one of them to his intense amusement and delight). But afterwards, I began to fear they would, from not being sure what manner of animal I had in tow, pass me over, or worse still, give some inferior notice to my dog, who was a noted champion, and about the best specimen of the breedat that time. After a while they came back to me and made a more detailed examination of my dog, asked me his number, and awarded him First Prize and Special, to my great relief, as I had been thinking what a fool I had been to enter a "Champion," to have such a chance of a "knock-back" at a county show!
Sometime after that, I was taking a short exhibiting tour, with a team of my dogs, following three or four shows, held close together, and not more than one or two days each in duration. Amongst others I had an excellent Dandie Bitch with me, who had never been "out of the money," and was in excellent form at the time. I showed her at one place (Reading, I fancy,) and took first under the Rev. W. I. Mellor. The next show was, I think, Swindon; there I met almost the same lot of Dandies, this time under the late Mr. W. Lort, who, after he had looked through the class, came up to me and said, "I am sorry to say, Mr. Lane, I cannot give you more than 'Very Highly Commended,' for your Bitch." I replied, "In that case, sir, I shall begreatly obliged by your passing her over altogether; she took first prize yesterday in the same company under Mr. Mellor, who is reckoned one of our leading Dandie judges, and I am going to show her under him to-morrow at Henley (I think it was) where I have every hope she willdo the same, so that I should not like her to take 'V. H. C.'for the first time in her lifein between." So the bitch was passed over and duly won another first prize the next day.
The first time I had the honor of judging any dogs belonging to members of the Royal Family was many years since at Warwick, where, I believe, H. R. H. the Prince of Wales exhibited, for the first time, Skyes, and foreign dogs. He may have shown others, also, but those were the classes with which I was concerned. I remember the Committee and Chairman of the show were, quite properly, much impressed with the honour of the Royal patronage to their show at that time, nearly or quite the best held out of London and admirably managed by a well organised and most capable and courteous committee of "real workers," whom it was always a pleasure to meet. As I judged, or showed, at all their shows, I can speak from experience; and I may further say that I consider it apositive calamityfor the kennel world when these shows came to an end. For, not only were they most delightful gatherings, of the "Flower of the Fancy," both dogs, and people, but, held in well adapted buildings and premises, near the quaint old Midland Town, almost under the shadow of the historic castle and under the active patronage of the late Earl of Warwick, and the present Earl,then Lord Brooke (both able and devoted "Dog Fanciers") and his beautiful wife, who always used to grace the shows by her presence, and took a keen interest in many of the animals shown, besides being an exhibitor in some of the classes. The Chairman intimated to me that the inmates of the Royal Kennel should stand well in the Prize List. I told him "every dog entered would be judged by me strictly on its merits, and if it was afterwards found the Royal Dogs were amongst the Prize Winners, none would be more pleased than I should, but I could not say or do more than that, and I was sure H. R. H. would wish his dogs to stand, or fall, on their merits alone!" Since then I have very often had the honour of judging dogs from the Royal Kennels, both Sandringham and Windsor.
I remember it so happened that the first time Her Majesty the Queen exhibited any dogs, nearly all Her Majesty's entries came into my classes at a Great London show. Soon after my entering the building I went to have a look at my classes, and shortly afterwards, the secretary came up to me and said, "Do you know you have the great honour of being the first man to judge any dogs from Her Majesty's kennels?" I said, "I have heard so." He then said, "Well, I am most anxious they should all be in the prize list, as I consider it a high honour that Her Majesty has allowed them to be entered." I said, "That is all right enough, but although I will not admit Her Majesty has a more loyal or devoted subject than myself, I am here in a publiccapacity as a judge, and if Her Majesty's dogs are entered, in competition with Her Majesty's subjects' dogs, they can only be judged 'on their merits,' and from what I can see on the benches as the Royal dogs have been pointed out to me by your keepers I don't think many of them will be 'in the money,' as the classes are very large and good." He said, "That will never do; what can be done?" I said, "Will you leave it to me?" He said, "Yes, entirely." I said, "Then I will have all the dogs of the same colour and type as those from the Royal kennels, formed into a separate class," (which luckily, was feasible,) "and judged together." This was done and I hope caused general satisfaction, which would not have been the case had any partiality been shown, nor would such have been approved by Her Majesty, I am perfectly sure, if the circumstances came to be known at the palace.
On one occasion when I had been judging a number of classes at a large London show, after I had done, one of the fair exhibitors came up to me and said, "You don't seem to like my dogs." I said, "If you will tell me the numbers of your dogs I will refer to my judging book, and see what notes I made of them." She gave the numbers, and I read out the notes on each. But this did not satisfy her, and she said, "Ah! I am only a poor widow, if I were only a rich heiress, like ——, I suppose it would be different, she can win any number of prizes with her dogs." I replied, "You have no right to speak in that way to me, neither you nor any other exhibitor can say I have evermade any distinction between rich and poor. I have always sought to judge the dogs alone, irrespective of their owners; if the dogs of the person you mention have won it is because they were, in my opinion, the best." She said no more, nor did I, but I presume she thought I spoke the truth, as I have often noticed her as an exhibitor in my classes, at various shows since, and it is not reasonable to suppose she would continue to show under me, if she thought I favoured any one!
Indeed, there are so many "lookers-on" round every ring, nowadays who understand the various breeds, and are prepared to criticise the awards, that judges are "put upon their mettle," particularly with some of the popular breeds, where the competition is often very keen, and the entries large.
Some years since, at a large show in Wales I had a large and good class of Bedlington Terriers, but there was one dog that stood out, head and shoulders above the rest; it chanced that I began my examination of each specimen in the class, which I always endeavour to make, and a short note of the result in my book, at the dog standing next to him in the ring, and therefore he was the last to be looked at, and merely going over him enough to see that his coat, condition, topknot, legs, eyes, teeth and ears, were satisfactory, I sent them for a run round, marked my book and dismissed the class; while I was waiting for the next lot of dogs a very melancholy-looking man crept up to me and said, "Would you kindly tell me, sir, what you gave my dog?" I asked his number, and when he told me, said, "First and special for best in the show;" hethrew his hat up in the air, and roared out, "Well, I'm blessed, I knowed he knowed 'em, he didn't hardly want to look at my dog, he didn't, he could see he were the best with half an eye, he could," and, from being a solemn and sad-looking person, he became the most jovial-looking fellow you could wish to see. I did not know his name, and do not know it now, but he amused me very much at the time!
I do not rememberwhereit occurred, but I was judging rather a good class of Scottish Terriers somewhere in the provinces, and a keeper brought in a dog I liked the look of, and after going over the classes I marked him first, and told the keeper to take him away and bench him, which I suppose he did. You can imagine my surprise when shortly after, the same dog made his appearance in the ring again, this time led by a man I knew well as rather an extensive exhibitor, at that time, and he began "making the most of his dog" before me. But as I had quite done with him, and had still some of my awards in the class to make, I did not want that, so I said, "I should take away that dog, and bench him if I were you, as he has been judged and sent out sometime since." The exhibitor in question, whom his worst enemy would not describe as either shy or timid, was unusually rapid in his departure from that ring, and I have since heard the story from others, to whom I suppose he told it, but I have never told it until now!
I have had such a long and varied experience of judging, that although I have often and often had classes large enough and strong enough to make one "pullone's self together," I never remember being really "nonplussed," butonce, and that was when I was judging some years ago at the People's Palace, situated in the East End of London. I presume, the "drawers up" of the schedule had not been previously experienced in such work, as amongst others, they had provided a "Variety Class for London Exhibitors," and, if obtaining entries is a criterion of success, it was very successful, as they obtained no less than 145 entries. I do not know, but I should think, it was the largest class ever seen at any show! And when I saw the tens and scores of dogs pouring into my ring, I wondered what was to become of them, as it was a good walk merely to go round them, and they formed a small dog show by themselves, and I noticed about five or six well-known "Champions" amongst them, as it included most of the known breeds of dogs. After referring to my judging book, many pages in which were of course taken up, I found I had three prizes to divide amongst this crowd, so I went to the committee, and explained the matter to them. They behaved very well indeed, they said, "We will leave the matter entirely to you, do whatever you please in it." I went back, divided the class into over thirty pounds and under thirty pounds, cleared out all that was no good, and weeded down the remainder, and eventually gave two equal firsts, two equal seconds, and two equal thirds in each division, making twelve prizes and two "reserves" in all, which was a lot better than attempting to award three prizes amongst close on 150 dogs. I think the exhibitors were pleased, and felt I had done the best in my power to get them and myselfout of an awkward position.
Many of my readers will remember Mr. George Helliwell, better known to his intimates as "Yorkshire George," and his long connection with the late Mr. Fletcher's successful kennel of sporting dogs. It was always a safe "draw" to touch on the merits of the Fox Terrier "Rattler," who won many of his numerous honours, when in George's care, and he was never tired, and would be nearly moved to tears in recounting his virtues and triumphs. I remember one occasion, when he was officiating as a judge, in which capacity he was in great request, and highly qualified. After he had judged a class, one of the exhibitors, who was not satisfied with what he had awarded to his dog, went up and asked him why he had not given him more, saying his dog "had a wonderful pedigree," and thought he ought to have beaten all there. George said, in his own peculiar way, slapping his inquirer gently on the back, "If tha' tak my advice, lad, the next toime ther' goes to show, thou'll tak thy dog's pedigree wi thee, and leave dog at 'oom!" I fear my writing of the matter does not properly convey the intense humour of the incident, and the "broad Yorkshire dialect" in which the advice was given! But "George's" many friends will picture it for themselves.
I saw in the papers lately the death of Mr. Frank Adcock, and it brought to my mind not only his craze for Giant Bull Dogs, which is well known to "the Fancy" of his day, but also his Great Dane "Satan," most appropriately named, as he rightly or wrongly enjoyed the reputation of being themost savage member of the canine race ever benched at shows. I remember him as a very large, I think, dark Harlequin-coloured specimen of the breed, always muzzled, even on the bench, and it usually required two, and sometimes four, keepers to deal with him, and on one occasion, I think it was a show at Bristol Drill Hall, many years since, when he was being removed from the benches to be sent back to his owner, he, although still muzzled, overpowered his attendants, and worried and tore most of the clothes from one of them, well known to exhibitors as "Teddy Morgan," who gave me a blood-curdling account of his experiences of the affair. He said he fully thought "Satan" would have killed him then and there, and spoke of the nonchalant and airy manner in which his owner treated the matter, when he, afterwards recounted his perils and troubles to him, with all the embellishments of which he was capable, adding, "Mr. Adcock, he guv me a 'quid' (20s.) sir, and said he were glad it were me, and not some raw cove what didn't understanddogs!"
Anecdotes About Dogs, Personal and Selected
I havegenerally found persons, whether doggy or not, interested in anecdotes about dogs, particularly those displaying their intelligence, fidelity and courage. Some of the following are within my own knowledge, all are related as being believed to be true. I have selected those I fancied might be interesting out of a great many I have collected, but some of them may have appeared elsewhere.
We were telling of the extraordinary ways dogs will find their way home, alone, when a farmer in my district named Churchill said, "Yes, you see that Sheep dog," pointing to a large merle, rather old-fashioned type of Collie, called by his master "Ben." "Well," he said, "I was down at my daughter's in the lower part of Somersetshire, and had taken Ben there with me, by rail, and while we were all in the garden in the evening, I went into the house for something or other, and Ben missed me. He at once jumped the fence and set off on the return journey just as darkness was coming on, but he could not have wasted much time about it, as my servants told me he was back at my farm, more than forty miles distant,very early the next morning, and they kept looking out for me, as we were generally not far away from each other. I had that dog from a puppy, and I knew he had never seen that road before, it was dark soon after he started, yet he must have travelled at the rate of five or six miles an hour all the way, and at a time when there would be few people or conveyances about to help him."
I had a very similar experience with a dog of another breed. I had been travelling in the island of Skye, and bought from a game-keeper at a romantic looking village called Uig, a young dog, which he called a Short-Haired Skye Terrier, but which was, really, what is now known as a Scottish, or Aberdeen Terrier, called by the Gaelic name of "Fraochen," which I believe means heather, and was very appropriate in his case, for he was just that sort of brindle grizzled colour, that if he was in the heather (as I noticed many times while he was with me,) you could hardly distinguish him from it.
After going about with us to various places, I brought him to my mother's house at Clifton in Gloucestershire, where I was making a short stay, and the following day I went out for a drive over the Durdham Downs, through Westbury, Henbury, etc., to a village, about ten or twelve miles from Clifton, and (as I have since thought very foolishly,) I allowed, "Fraochen," to follow the trap, and several times during the journey, there I noticed him running by the side, or in front, but when we had accomplished the journey and were about to return by a different route, I missed him, and it then struck me, what a fool I had been, to take out a youngdog, not only along a strange road, but in a country which he had never before seen, and quite a contrast to his native home in Skye. I of course gave him up as lost, which I much regretted, as his cool, independent manner and quaint, jaunty air had greatly endeared him to me, during the time we had been acquainted. However, when I returned to Clifton, I had to pass one place, near where some of the houses of the Clifton college masters now stand, where four roads meet, by one of which I must come to reach my mother's house. On the space in the centre, and commanding a view of these four, sat "Fraochen," waiting our approach. How he managed to get over the ten or twelve miles of quite unknown country, (as I found that he, like ourselves, came back by a different route from the one we went by,) I do not know, but I asked several travellers we met, if they had noticed a dog coming towards them along the road, and most of them answered they did, and that he was "running like steam," or he "wasn't wasting much time about it," etc.
He lived with me until his death from old age, many years afterwards but was quite a character in many ways. One of his peculiarities was, if he was out with my wife, with whom he was a prime favourite, without me, he considered her under his special protection, no matter how many or how large any of the other dogs out at same time might be, and if he was on, ever so far in front, and he met any rough-looking or suspicious character of the tramp species, he would immediately return and walk close tomy wife's side, so as to come between her and the objectionable person, and continue that position so long as he was anywhere near.
We were talking of the speed of Greyhounds, which has been said to be equal to that of the fleetest horse, and a singular circumstance which occurred at Doncaster, in Yorkshire, sometime since, proved that it was not much inferior. A mare cantering over the Doncaster course, her competitor having been withdrawn, was joined by a Greyhound bitch, when she had proceeded about a mile, she seemed determined to race with the mare, which the jockey on the latter humoured, and gradually increased his pace, until at the distance, they put themselves at their full speed. The mare beat her antagonist only by a short head.
The race horse is perhaps from his superior strength and length of stride, generally able to outrun the Greyhound on level ground, but the latter would have the pull over him in a hilly country, or over ground at all rough or uneven.
The Greyhound is said to be deficient in attachment to his master and in general intelligence. There is some truth in the imputation, but he has, in fact, far less even than the hound, the opportunity of forming individual attachments and no other exercise of the mind is required of him, than to follow the game which starts up before him and catch it, if he can. If, however, he is closely watched, he will be found to have all the intellect his situation requires.
In illustration of this, I remember reading in a very old doggy book, an account of two greyhounds said to be as arrant thieves as ever lived. They would now and then steal into the cooking house, belonging to the kennels, lift up the boiler lid with their noses or paws, and if any portion of the joints or pieces of meat rose above the water, suddenly seize them and before there was time for them to suffer much from the heat, fling it out on the stone floor and eat it at their leisure, when it had grown cold. In order to prevent this, the top of the boiler was secured by an iron rod, passing under its handle and tied to the handle of the boiler on each side; and not many days passed before they found out they could gnaw the cords around it, displace the rod and fish out the meat as before. Small chains were then substituted for the cords and the meat was cooked in safety for nearly a week, when they found that by rearing on their hind legs and applying their united strength towards the upper part of the boiler, they could lift it off the fire and roll it on the floor, so getting at the soup or broth, although the meat was not in their reach. The keeper who looked after them expressed himself heartily glad when they were gone, for he said he was often afraid to go into the kennel, wondering what they would be up to next, and felt sure they were demons, and not dogs at all.
A singular story is told of King Richard II. of England, and a dog of this breed. It is given in the quaint language of Froissart. "A Greyhound called Mithe, who always wayted upon ye Kynge, and wolde know no man els. For when so ever ye Kynge did ryde,he that kept ye Greyhounde dyd lette hym lose, and he wolde streyht runne to ye Kynge and faun uppon hym and leape with his fore fete upon ye shoulders of ye Kynge. It came to passe that onne daye as ye Kynge and ye Erle of Darbye talked togyther in ye yarde of ye Courte ye Greyhounde who was wonte to leape uppon ye Kynge, left ye Kynge and came to ye Erle of Darbye, Duke of Lancastre, and made to hym the same friendlye continuance, and chere as he was wonte to do to ye Kynge. The Duke, who knew not ye dogge, nor whence he came, demanded of ye Kynge what ye Greyhounde wolde do. Cousin, quoth ye Kynge, it is a great good token to you, but an evyl and a gruesome signe to me. How know ye that, quod ye Duke. I know it fulle wele, quod ye Kynge. Ye Greyhounde acknowledgethe and acceptethe you, here this daye as ye ryteful Kynge of Englande, as ye shal be, without doubte, and I shal be streyghtwaye deposed; the Greyhounde hathe thys knowledge, naturally, there fore take hym to you, he wil followe you and forsake me. Ye Duke wel understoode those wordes and cheryshed ye Greyhounde, who wolde never after followe Kynge Richarde, but continued to follow at all tymes ye Duke of Lancastre."
The owner of the dog an English Water Spaniel, tells the following anecdote, which is stated to be absolutely true: "I was once on the seacoast, when a small, ill-made and leaky fishing boat was cast on shore, on a dangerous reef of rocks. Three men and a boy of ten years, constituted the crew, the men swam to land, but were so bruised and knocked about against the rocks that they were unable to render any assistance to thepoor boy, and no one was found to venture out to help him. I heard the noise and went to the spot with my dog, I spoke to him and in he went, more like a seal or other marine animal, than a dog, and after several vain attempts succeeded in mounting the wreck and laid hold of the boy's clothes, who screamed and clung to the ropes, etc., being much frightened at being thus dragged into the water, as the waves were dashing over the rocks. In the excitement and anxiety of the moment I thought the dog had missed his hold, and stripped off most of my clothes to render what assistance I could. I was just in the act of springing in, having selected the time when the receding waves gave the best chance, when I caught sight of old Bagsman, as my dog was called, with the struggling boy, whose head was uppermost. I rushed to where they must land and received both as they reached the shore.
Some time after I was out with the same dog, wild fowl shooting. We had both been hard at work and I left him behind me, while I went to a neighbouring town to get a supply of gunpowder. A man in a drunken frolic had pushed off in a boat with a girl in it, the tide running out, carried the boat quickly away, and the man being unable to swim, became frightened and jumped overboard. Bagsman was near the spot, heard the splash, jumped in, swam to the man, caught hold of him and brought him twenty or thirty yards towards shore, when the drunken fellow clasped the dog tightly round the body, and they both went down together. The girl was saved by a boat going to her assistance. The bodyof the man was recovered about an hour afterward with that of the dog, tightly clasped in his arms, thus dragging both to the bottom."
The sagacity of the Poodle is well known, and their aptitude to learn tricks. Mr. Wilkie, of Ladiethorn, in Northumberland, had one he had instructed to go through all the apparent agonies of death. He would fall on his side, stretch himself out and move his hind legs as if he were in great pain; he would next simulate the convulsive throbs of departing life, and then stretch out his limbs, and thus seem as if he had expired; in this position he would remain motionless, until he heard his master's command to rise.
Jesse, in his "Gleanings in Natural History," gives another illustration of the intelligence of this breed. A friend of his had one that was not always under proper command. To keep him in better order he purchased a small whip, with which he, once or twice, corrected him during a walk. On his return the whip was put on a table in the hall, but the next morning it was missing. Soon afterwards it was found concealed in an outhouse, and again used in correcting the dog. Once more it would have been lost, but on a strict watch being kept upon the suspected dog, he was seen to take it away from the hall table in order to once more hide it away.
There are endless stories told of the life saving qualities of Newfoundland dogs. I will here mention two of them. A German was travelling one evening on foot through the Dyke country in Holland, accompanied by a large specimen of this breed,walking on a high bank which formed one side of a dyke, his foot slipped and he was precipitated into the water, and being unable to swim soon lost his senses. When he recovered consciousness, he found himself in a cottage on the other side of the dyke, surrounded by peasants, who had been using the means for the recovery of drowned persons. The account given him by one of them was, that returning home from work he observed, some distance off, a large dog in the water, swimming and dragging, and sometimes pushing along something that he seemed to have great difficulty in supporting, but which he at length succeeded in getting into a small creek on the opposite side. When the animal had pulled what he had hitherto supported, as far out of the water as he was able, the peasant was able to discover that it was the body of a man, whose face and hands the dog was industriously licking. He hastened to a bridge across the dyke, and having obtained assistance, the body was conveyed to a neighbouring house, where proper means soon restored the drowning man to life. Two very considerable bruises, with the marks of teeth, appeared one on his shoulder and the other on his poll, hence it was presumed the faithful beast had first seized his master by the shoulder and swam with him in this manner for sometime, but that his sagacity had prompted him to quit this hold and to shift it to the nape of the neck, by which he had been enabled to support the head out of the water and in this way he had conveyed him, nearly a quarter of a mile, before he had brought him to the creek where the banks were low and accessible.
Another story runs as follows: A vessel was driven on the beach at Lydd in Kent. The surf was rolling furiously. Eight poor fellows were crying for help, but no boat could be got off for their assistance. At length a gentleman came down to the beach accompanied by a fine Newfoundland dog, he directed the attention of the animal to the vessel and put a short stick into his mouth. The intelligent and courageous fellow at once understood his meaning, sprang into the sea, and fought his way through the waves. He could not, however, on account of the high seas running, get close enough to the vessel to deliver that with which he was charged, but the crew understood what was meant, made fast a rope to another piece of wood and threw it towards him. The noble beast dropped his own piece of wood, and seized that which had been cast to him, and then, with a degree of strength and determination scarcely credible, for he was again and again lost sight of in the roaring sea, he dragged it through the surge and delivered it to his master. A line of communication was thus formed, and every man on board was rescued.
Referring to some of the breeds peculiar to northern climes the following is told: A man named Chabert had a beautiful Siberian dog, who would draw him in a light carriage twenty miles a day. He asked £200 for him, and sold him for nearly that amount, for he was a most beautiful specimen of his breed, and as docile as he was beautiful. Between the sale and the delivery, the dog had an accident and broke his leg. Chabert, to whom themoney was an object of immense importance, was in despair. He took the dog at night to a leading veterinary surgeon. He formally introduced them to each other, he talked to the dog, pointed to his leg, limped round the room, then requested the surgeon to apply some bandages, etc., round the leg and then seemed to walk sound and well, he patted the dog on the head, who was looking alternately at him and the surgeon, desired the surgeon to pat him and offer him his hand to lick, and then holding up his finger to the dog and gently shaking his head, quitted the room and the house. The dog immediately laid himself down, and submitted to a reduction of the fracture and the bandaging of the limb, without a motion, except once or twice, licking the hand of the operator. He was quite docile, and remained in a manner motionless, day after day, until at the expiration of a month, the limb was sound. Not a trace of the fracture was to be detected and the purchaser knew nothing of it.
Many years ago, the following scene took place in a street adjoining Hanover Square. It was an exhibition of a highly interesting character, worthy to be recorded. The then editor of the "Lancet" having heard that a French gentleman, Mr. Leonard, who had for some time been engaged in instructing two dogs in various performances, that required the exercise, not merely of the natural instincts of the animals and the power of imitation, but of a higher intellect and degrees of reflection and judgment far greater than is commonly developed in dogs, wasthen residing in London, obtained an introduction, and was obligingly favoured by Mr. Leonard, with an appointment to witness the performance of his extraordinary pupils, and he thus describes the interview:
Two fine dogs of the Spanish breed were introduced by Mr. Leonard, with the customary French politeness, the largest by the name of Philax, the other as Brac (or Spot), the former had been in training three, the latter two years. They were in vigourous health, and having bowed gracefully, took their seats on the hearth rug side by side. Mr. Leonard then gave a lively description of the means he had employed to develop the brain power of these animals, how from being fond of the chase and anxious to possess the best trained dogs, he had employed the usual course of training, how the conviction had been impressed on his mind, that by gentle usage and steady perseverance in making the animal repeat over and over again, what was wanted, not only would he be capable of performing the act required, but the part of the brain which was brought into mental activity by the effort, would become more fully developed and a permanent increase of power obtained.
After this introduction, Mr. Leonard spoke to his dogs in French in his usual tone, ordering one to walk, the other to lie down, to run, gallop, halt, crouch, etc., which they did as promptly and correctly as the most docile children. Then he put them through the usual exercises of the circus rings, which they performed as well as the best trained ponies at any high class circus. He then placedsix cards of different colours on the floor, and sitting with his back to the dogs, directed one to pick up the blue card, and the other the white one, etc., etc., varying his orders rapidly, and speaking in such a manner that unless the dogs had a perfect knowledge of the words used, they could not have carried out his commands. For example, he said, "Philax, take the red card and give it to Brac," and "Brac, take the white card and give it to Philax." The dogs instantly did this and exchanged cards with each other. He then said, "Philax, put your card on the green," and "Brac, put yours on the blue," and this was immediately done. Pieces of bread and meat were placed on the floor, also figured cards and varied directions and instructions were given to the dogs, so as severely to test their memories, obedience and intelligence. They brought the bread, meat, or cards, as commanded, but did not attempt to eat any of the two former, unless ordered to do so. Philax was then desired to fetch a piece of meat and give it to Brac, and then Brac was told to give it back to Philax, who was to return it to its place. Philax was next told he might bring a piece of bread and eat it, but before he had time to swallow it, his master forbade him and desired him to show he had obeyed orders, and the dog instantly protruded the crust between his lips. While some of these feats were being performed, Mr. Leonard loudly cracked a whip occasionally, to prove that the animals were so completely under discipline that they would give no heed to any noises or interruptions.
After many other performances Mr. Leonard invitedMr. Blanc, a gentleman present, to play a game of dominoes with one of his dogs, which he consented to do. The younger dog, Brac, seated himself on a chair at the table and Messrs. Leonard and Blanc seated themselves opposite. Six dominoes were placed on their edges, in the usual way, before the dog and the same number before Mr. Blanc. The dog having amongst its numbers a double number, took it up in its mouth and dropped it in the centre of the table, Mr. Blanc added a single number to one side of it, the dog at once played another correctly, and so on, till all the pieces were used up. A fresh lot of six dominoes were then served out to each competitor and Mr. Blanc (just to test the dog) intentionally put a wrong number in the course of the game. The dog looked surprised and excited, stared hard at Mr. Blanc, growled, and finally barked loudly. Finding no notice taken of his remonstrances, he then pushed away the wrong domino, with his nose, and put a right number, from amongst his own, in its place. Mr. Blanc afterwards continued the play correctly and the game was won by the dog. Not the slightest hint or information appeared to be given by Mr. Leonard to the dog. This method of playing a game of dominoes must have been entirely the result of his individual observation and judgment. The performance was strictly private throughout, the owner of the dogs was a gentleman of independent fortune, and had taken up the instruction of his dogs merely as a curious and amusing investigation as to the cultivated intelligence of animals.
Plutarch relates that, at the Theatre of Marcellus,a dog was exhibited before the Emperor Vespasian so well taught, as to perform the figures and steps of every (then) known kind of dance. He afterwards feigned illness in a most singular manner, so as to strike the spectators with astonishment. He first exhibited various symptoms of pain, then fell down as if dead, afterwards seemed to revive, gradually, as if waking from a profound sleep and then frisked and sported about, giving meanwhile various demonstrations of joy and delight.
It is surprising the antipathy which sometimes exists between inmates of the same kennels, I have had several instances of it in the course of a long experience with most breeds. I remember some years ago I had a Skye Terrier bitch, called "Wasp," and a Pepper Dandie bitch, known as "Hornet," which we generally characterised as "The Insects," and very stinging insects they were, if they happened to meet. One day when I was driving in the dog cart to the railway station, at that time about a six-mile drive to the nearest town to where I was living, and as we were going along, I thought I heard a humming sound, and said to my kennelman who was with me, "Jump down, Hale, I believe those Insects are at it!" and I was right. They had eaten through the sides of their baskets, and got at each other, through the holes, and were fairly enjoying themselves on the journey. We managed to keep them apart the rest of the way to the show they were bound for. I cannot recall what the place was, but I well remember that "Hornet," who although quite a little creature, was a perfectdemon with others of her own race, though sweet tempered, and most engaging with human beings, broke three chains I bought there, two of them new ones, in order to get again at "Wasp," before they left the show to return home. Their portraits appear in one of my pictures with pony, my children anddogs, and are very like them.