Dogs Used in Work

st. bernards—newfoundlands—mastiffs—dalmations

St. Bernards.—Although apparently so much removed from the breeds, I have been deeply associated with for the last twenty-five years, I am bound to say I have always been a great admirer of St. Bernards, and can well remember many years ago, at a show held at Laycock's Dairy Yard, Islington, being struck with admiration at the team shown there by Mr. Cumming Macdona (at that time, and for some years later, "a name to conjure with" in the St. Bernard world), and afterwards I was a great admirer of my friend Mr. Gresham's Hector and Abbess (two of the best I had seen in possession of one owner) and many more, too numerous to mention. I am inclined to think the breed is not quite as popular as it was some years since, and that the entries at most of our best shows are neither as large, nor as good, as they were. The points desired are as follows:—The head very massive and large, showing great depth from eye to lower jaw; the face rather short; muzzle wide, deep, and cut off square; the lips should hang down well and be rather loose; the "stop" well defined, but not too abrupt; the skull massive and well rounded, eyes dark in colour, of medium size, rather deeply set, the lower eyelid drooping slightly, so as to show a little of the red haw; ears rather small, lying well to the cheek, and very slightly feathered in the Rough variety; nose black in colour, wide and deep; legs very straight, with great bone and muscle, hocks and stifle well bent; feet large and compact; body rather long, broad, straight and ribs well rounded. The coat of the Smooth or Short-coated variety, should be very close, thick and slightly brokenhaired. In the Rough variety the coat should be dense and flat, of medium length, not woolly, rather longer on the neck, thighs and tail. Colour and markings: orange, orange and tawny, and all shades of brindle, and red; the markings should be as follows:—White muzzle, white blaze up face, the white being shaded with black, also black shadings on the ears, white collar round neck, white chest, legs and tip of tail. The body may be white with patches of any of above colours.

Newfoundlands.—There are few of the non-sporting breeds which have received more notice in the newspapers than the Newfoundland dog, being so often associated with saving of life on the sea coasts, or on the banks of some of our rivers, and I think there are few, if any, dogs so really and naturally fond of the water, and being possessed of strength and courage, they are often able to render valuable aid. At one time I feared they were becoming almost extinct, and I think the many and very beautiful specimens we now see at our shows, are mainly due to my old friend, Mr. Edwin Nichols, of Kensington, who took up the breed very warmly some years ago, and became one of the most shining lights in the Newfoundland world. I remember, his ideas of the points to be sought after were as follows:—Head to be broad and massive, with a flat skull and somewhat square muzzle; ears small, in proportion to size of the animal, and lying close to the head; coat straight, dense and capable of resisting water; tail carried gaily, but not curled over the back. Colours: black, black and white, or bronze. Average weights, one hundred pounds for dogs and eighty-five pounds for bitches. General appearance that of a dignified, thoughtful, and thoroughly reliable guard, companion, or friend, with a great deal of character.

The Mastiff.—This, which is usually considered one of the National breeds of this kingdom, is a splendid fellow, stylish and imperious in manner and bearing, and fit to be the associate of the very highest in the land. I don't think I can do better than quote the opinion of Mr. M. B. Wynn, whom I well remember as a frequent exhibitor, breeder and judge of this variety, some years ago. He says:—"What I consider a true type of the British Mastiff. Head, this is the most important feature, it should be broad between ears, and broad between the eyes. The "stop" should extend up the face to a considerable length; forehead wrinkled and flat; cheeks very prominent; muzzle broad, blunt and heavy, and as deep as possible; profile square, and the under jaw, if any thing, to be undershot; eyes small and to be deeply set, with a deal of loose skin down the sides of the face; ears small and either half erect, or wholly pendant, and thin to the touch. Body: Chest deep and thick through, broad between forelegs; loin, broad, flat, heavy; body long. Stern: Many good breeders prefer a long one, but I do not care for it to reach much below the hock. Legs, broad, round, massive, straight. Height: this is a much disputed point. The taller the better, provided the weight corresponds in proportion. A dog standing twenty-eight inches high, ought to weigh in good condition one hundred and twenty-five pounds, and for every inch in height above that (i. e., twenty-eight inches) the weight ought to increase from eight to ten pounds. But over thirty inches, a still greater increase, in proportion. Many good dogs are only twenty-eight and twenty-nine inches high, but from thirty-one to thirty-three are to be desired. Height should ever be accompanied with massive build and length, and should proceed from the shoulder to the elbow, rather than from the elbow to the foot. I mean the height of the dog should be derived from the depth of the chest, rather than from "over-legginess," as this must tend to develop the weight, more or less, of the whole animal. Colour, after all, is the last requisite, since you may breed in a few generations, any colour you please. The purest fawns have descended from the most decided brindles, and from time to time, the white face, especially, has and will occur, and generally in the finest specimens, and those which most closely resemble the paintings of their progenitors. I am an advocate for fineness of coat, but not at the expense of other more characteristic features.

Points of the Mastiff.—The show points of this breed have been set out as follows:—Head large and massive, skull flatly rounded, muzzle square, broad and deep, teeth level, eyes dark brown or hazel coloured and wide apart in setting; front legs straight, muscular and with great bone; chest deep; loins strong and wide. Size of secondary importance, so long as symmetry is retained. Colours: brindled, or apricot fawn, in both cases noses, muzzles and ears black. General appearance that of a massive, dignified and fine looking animal, well suited as a guard or reliable companion.

The Dalmatian.—This is a breed I have bred and kept for many years and I have had the pleasure of judging some of the largest classes of them ever seen, if I remember rightly, having nearly sixty entries on one occasion, at the Crystal Palace, and large classes at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Earl's Court, Birmingham and other places. At one time they got down to a very low ebb, in numbers, but I think they are now coming forward again, as I had a very good lot before me at the last show of the Kennel Club. I think they have more of the Pointer type than that of any other breed about them although I have used them entirely as companions and guards, and there is no doubt they have a natural talent as carriage dogs, and are very fond of horses; I know they are exclusively used in Italy and other parts of the Continent of Europe for sporting purposes, and they are often included in troupes of performing dogs, in some of which I have seen very accomplished specimens, seeming to adapt themselves to the work, particularly of a humorous character, with much spirit and to be easily trained. Of course, as show dogs, their markings are of great importance. I have for some time been trying to bring forward more specimens of the liver, as well as the black, spotted variety, which is now so seldom seen. Prince 4th, and his handsome son, Champion Fauntleroy, a capital portrait of whom illustrates this variety, and the bitch Doncaster Beauty, are the three best of that colour, I have seen for many years, while Fawdry's Captain and Leaho, my Lurth and Leah, and Wilson's Acrobat and Parker's Coming Still, and Champion Berolina (formerly Wilson's), as well as Hartley's Treasure, are the best of the black spotted variety seen for a very long time. I have found them very docile and affectionate as well as more intelligent than many people suppose, from seeing them running behind a carriage.

Points of the Show Dalmatian.—The points of this breed are, longish head, flat skull, with moderate stop; long and powerful muzzle; medium sized eyes, dark for black spotted, and light for the liver spotted variety; ears rather small, white with black or liver markings, carried close to head; nose black or liver, according to markings on body; neck arched and fairly long, without throatiness; very deep but not wide chest; powerful back and well ribbed body; muscular loins and straight legs, compact, well padded feet; slightly curved, tapering tail, with markings on it same colour as on body, carried rather gaily with an upward curve; coat dense, harsh and short. Ground colour, white, pure, with spots on body, ears and tail, size of a shilling or larger, clear and distinct, not mixed or blurred, colour of spots to be rather intense black, or a rich liver. Weight from fifty to fifty-five pounds. General appearance to be that of a showy, stylish, powerful and upstanding dog (too many of even the good specimens shown, are too small, in my opinion), much of the Pointer type, but higher on leg and altogether larger. They should have a close, fine coat, which if kept in proper order, should have almost such a shiny appearance as you see on a well groomed horse, they are very lively, cleanly, affectionate, and much more intelligent animals, than is generally supposed, and as they are exceedingly active, and fond of exercise, to those persons who like a cheerful comrade, willing and able, besides being an excellent guard, to accompany them on their journeys on foot, on horseback, or when driving, or even on bicycle, when the travelling is at a moderate pace, I think a Dalmatian would be suitable.