CHAPTER VIII. The Collie. The townsman who knows the shepherd's dog, only as he is to be seen, out of his true element, threading his confined way through crowded streets where sheep are not, can have small appreciation of his wisdom and his sterling worth. To know him properly, one needs to see him at work in a country where sheep abound, to watch him adroitly rounding up his scattered charges on a wide stretching moorland, gathering the wandering weathers into close order and driving them before him an unbroken company to the fold. Handling the stubborn pack in a narrow lane or holding them in a corner of a field immobile under the spell of his vigilant eye. He is at his best as a worker, conscious of the responsibility reposed in him, a marvel of generalship, gentle, judicious, slow to anger, quick to action. The priceless helpmeat of his master, the most useful member of all the tribe of dogs. Few dogs possess the fertile, resourceful brain of the collie. He can be trained to perform the duties of other breeds. He makes an excellent sporting dog and can be taught to do the work of the pointer and the setter, as well as that of the waterspanel and the retriever. He is clever at hunting, having an excellent nose, is a good vermin killer, and a most faithful watch, guard, and companion. Major Richardson, who for some years has been successful in training dogs to ambulance work on the field of battle, has carefully tested the abilities of various breeds in discovering wounded soldiers, and he gives to the collie the decided preference. It is, however, as an assistant to the flockmaster, the farmer, the butcher, and the drover, that the collie takes his most appropriate place in everyday life. The shepherd on his daily rounds, traveling over miles of moorland, could not well accomplish his task without his collie's skillful aid. One such dog, knowing what is expected of him, can do work which would otherwise require the combined efforts of a score of men. Little is known with certainty of the origin of the collie, but his cunning and his outward appearance would seem to indicate a relationship with the wild dog. Buffon was of the opinion that he was the true dog of nature, the stock and model of the whole canine species. He considered the sheepdog superior in instinct and intelligence to all other breeds, with a character in which education has comparatively little share, he is the only animal born perfectly trained for the service of man. One of the most perfect working collies in Scotland today is the old-fashioned black-and-white type, which is the most popular among the shepherds of Scotland. At the shows, this type of dog is invariably at the top of the class. He is considered the most tractable, and is certainly the most agile. Second to this type in favour is the smooth-coated variety, a very hard, useful dog, well adapted for hill work, and usually very fleet of foot. He is not so sweet and temper, as the black-and-white, and is slow to make friends. In the Ettrick and Yarrow district, the smooth is a popular sheepdog. The shepherds maintain he climbs the hills more swiftly than the rough, and in the heavy snowstorms his clean, unfethered legs do not collect and carry the snow. He has a fuller coat than the show specimens usually carry, but he has the same type of head, eye, and ears, only not so well developed. Then there is the Scottish bearded, or Highland collie, less popular still with the Flockmaster, a hearty looking dog in outward style, but soft in temperament, and many of them make better cattle than sheepdogs. This dog and the old English sheepdog are much alike in appearance, but that the bearded is a more racy animal, with a head resembling that of a dandy denmont, rather than a square head of the bobtail. The strong-limbed bearded collie is capable of getting through a good day's work, but is not so steady nor so wise as the old-fashioned black-and-white, or even the smooth-coated variety. He is a favorite with the butcher and drover, who have sometimes a herd of troublesome cattle to handle, and he is well suited to rough and rocky ground, active in movement, and is sure-footed as the wild goat. He can endure cold and wet without discomfort, and can live on the Highland Hills when others less sturdy would succumb. In the standard adopted for judging the breed, many points are given for good legs and feet, bone, body, and coat, while head and ears are not of great importance. Movement, size, and general appearance have much weight. The color is varied in this breed. Cream-colored specimens are not uncommon, and snow-white with orange or black markings may often be seen, but the popular color is grisly gray. Unfortunately, the coats of many are far too soft, and the undercoat is frequently absent. Working trials to test the skill of the sheepdog have become frequent fixtures among shepherds and farmers within recent years, and these competitions have done much toward the improvement of the working qualities of the collie. In general, the excelling competitors at working trials are the rough-coated black and white collies. The smooth-coated variety and the beardy are less frequent winners. The handsome and distinguished gentlemen of the champion-wishaw leader type are seldom seen on the trial field, although formerly such a dog as champion Ormskirk Charlie might be successfully entered with others equally well-bred from the kennels of that good trainer and fancier, Mr. Pigan of Long Eaton. A good working collie, however, is not always robed in elegance. What is desirable is that the shepherd and farmer should fix a standard of points and breed as near as possible to that standard, as the keepers of the show collie breed, to an acknowledged type of perfection. Nevertheless, from a bad worker of good descent, many an efficient worker might be produced by proper mating, and those of us skilled in the breeding of collies know the importance of a well-considered process of selection from unsullied strains. It is a pity that the hard-working dog of the shepherd does not receive the attention in the way of feeding and grooming that is bestowed on the ornamental show dog. He is too often neglected in these particulars. Notwithstanding this neglect, however, the average life of the working dog is longer by a year or two than that of his more beautiful cousin. Pampering and artificial living are not to be encouraged, but, on the other hand, neglect has the same effect of shortening the span of life, and bad feeding and inattention to cleanliness provoke the skin diseases which are far too prevalent. There is not a more graceful and physically beautiful dog to be seen than the show collie of the present period. Produced from the old working type, he is now practically a distinct breed. His qualities in the field are not often tested, but he is a much more handsome and attractive animal, and his comeliness will always win for him many admiring friends. The improvements in his style and appearance have been alleged to be due to an admixture with Gordon Sutter blood. In the early years of exhibitions, he showed the shorter head, heavy ears, and much of the black and tan coloring which might seem to justify such a supposition. But there is no evidence that the cross was ever purposely sought. Gradually, the color was lightened to sable, and a mingling of black, white, and tan came into favor. The shape of the head was also improved. These improvements in beauty of form and color have been largely induced by the many collie clubs now in existence, not only in the United Kingdom and America, but also in South Africa and Germany, by whom the standards of points have been perfected. Type has been enhanced. The head with the small ornamental ears that now prevail is more classical, and scientific cultivation and careful selection of typical breeding stock have achieved what may be considered the superlative degree of quality, without appreciable loss of stamina, size, or substance. Twenty years or so ago, when collies were becoming fashionable, the rich sable coat with long white mane was in highest request. In 1888, champion Metchely Wonder captivated his admirers by these rich qualities. He was the first collie for which a very high purchase price was paid, Mr. Sam Boddington having sold him to Mr. A. H. Megson of Manchester for five hundred and thirty pounds. High prices then became frequent. Mr. Megson paid as much as sixteen hundred pounds to Mr. Tom Stretch for Ormskirk Emerald. No collie has had a longer or more brilliant career than Emerald, and although he was not esteemed as a successful sire, yet he was certainly the greatest favorite among our show dogs of recent years. Mr. Megson has owned many other good specimens of the breed, both rough and smooth. In the same year that he bought Metchely Wonder, he gave three hundred and fifty pounds for a ten-month puppy, Caracticus. Sable and white is his favorite combination of color, a fancy which was shared some years ago by the American buyers, who would have nothing else. Black, tan, and white became more popular in England, and while there is now a good market for these in the United States, the sable and white remains the favorite of the American buyers and breeders. The best collie of modern times was undoubtedly Champion Squire of Titan, which went to America for twelve hundred and fifty pounds. A golden sable with quality, nice size, and profuse coat, he had an unbeaten record in this country. Another of our best and most typical rough collies was Champion Wishaw Leader. This beautiful dog, who had a most distinguished show career, was a well-made black, tan, and white, with an enormous coat and beautiful flowing white mane, one of the most active movers displaying quality all through, and yet having plenty of substance. He had that desirable distinction of type, which is so often lacking in our long-headed collies. Ormskirk Emerald's head was of good length and well-balanced, the skull sufficiently flat. His eye was almond shape and dark brown in color, his expression keen and wise, entirely free from the soft look, which we see on many of the faces today. Historical examples of the show collie have also been seen in Champions Christopher, Anfield Model, Sappho of Titan, Parbold Piccolo, and Woodman Stern Tartan. In recent years, the smooth collie has gained in popularity quite as certainly as his more amply attired relative. Originally, he was a dog produced by mating the old-fashioned black and white with the greyhound, but the greyhound type, which was formally very marked, can scarcely be discerned today. Still, it is not infrequent that a throwback is discovered in a litter, producing perhaps a slate colored, a pure white, or a jet black individual, or that an otherwise perfect smooth collie should betray the heavy ears or the eye of a greyhound. At one time, this breed of dog was much cultivated in Scotland, but nowadays, the breeding of smooths is almost wholly confined to the English side of the border. The following is the accepted description of the perfect collie. The skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering toward the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessary depends upon combined length of skull and muzzle, and the hole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent. The muzzle should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the color of the dog may be, the nose must be black. The teeth should be of good size, sound and level. Very slight unevenness is permissible. The jaws, clean cut and powerful.  They should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely of almond shape, and of a brown color, except in the case of murals, when the eyes are frequently, one or both, blue and white or china. Expression full of intelligence with quick alert look when listening. The ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too close together, but on the top of the skull, and not on the side of the head. When in repose, they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert, brought forward and carried semi erect, with tips slightly drooping in attitude of listening. The neck should be muscular, powerful and a fair length, and somewhat arched. The body should be strong, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins very powerful. The dog should be straight in front. The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone. The forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. The hind legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hawks, with well bent stifles. The feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together. The hind feet less arched, the hawks well let down and powerful. The brush should be moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, with a slight upward swirl at the end, and may be gaily carried when the dog is excited, but not over the back. The coat should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or undercoat soft, furry and very close, so close as almost to hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, as also the ears at the tips, but they should carry more hair towards the base. The forelegs well feathered, the hind legs above the hawks profusely so, but below the hawks fairly smooth, although all heavily coated collies are liable to grow a slight feathering. Hair on the brush very profuse. Color in the collie is immaterial. In general character he is a lithe active dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well bent hawks indicating speed, and his expression high intelligence. He should be a fair length on the leg, giving him more of a racy than a clotty appearance. In a few words a collie should show endurance, activity and intelligence with free and true action. In height dog should be 22 inches to 24 inches at the shoulders, bitches 20 inches to 22 inches. The weight for dogs is 45 to 65 pounds, bitches 40 to 55 pounds. The smooth collie only differs from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth. The main faults to be avoided are a domed skull, high peaked occipital bone, heavy pendulous or pricked ears, weak jaws, snipey muzzle, full staring or light eyes, crooked legs, large flat or hair feet, curly or soft coat, cow hawks, and brush twisted or carried right over the back, under or overshot mouth. CHAPTER IX. The Old English Sheep Dog. Intelligent and picturesque, workmanlike and affectionate, the Old English Sheep Dog combines in his shaggy person the attributes at once of a drover's drudge and of an ideal companion. Although the modern dog is seen less often than of old performing his legitimate duties as a shepherd dog, there is no ground whatsoever for supposing that he is a wit less sagacious than the mongrels which have largely supplanted him. The instincts of the race remain unchanged, but the mongrel certainly comes cheaper. Carefully handled in his youth, the bob-tail is unequaled as a stock-dog, and he is equally at home and efficient in charge of sheep, of cattle, and of new forest ponies. So deep-rooted is the natural herding instinct of the breed, that it is a thousand pitties that the modern shepherds so frequently puts up with an inferior animal in place of the genuine article. Nor is it as a shepherd dog alone that the bob-tail shines in the field. His qualifications as a sporting dog are excellent, and he makes a capital retriever, being usually under excellent control, generally light-mouthed, and taking very readily to water. His natural inclination to remain at his master's heel, and his exceptional sagacity and quickness of perception will speedily develop him in a sportsman's hands into a first-rate dog to shoot over. These points in his favour should never be lost sight of, because his increasing popularity on the show-bench is apt to mislead many of his admirers into the belief that he is an ornamental rather than a utility dog. Nothing could be farther from the fact. Nevertheless, he has few equals as a house-dog, being naturally cleanly in his habits, affectionate in his disposition, an admirable watch, and an extraordinarily adaptable companion. As to his origin, there is considerable conflict of opinion owing to the natural difficulty of tracing him back to that period when the dog fancier, as he flourishes to-day, was all unknown, and the voluminous records of the watchful kennel-club were still undreamed of. From time immemorial, a sheep-dog of one kind or another, has presided over the welfare of flocks and herds in every land. Similarly in an age less peaceable than ours, this canine guardian was called upon in addition to his other duties to protect his charges from wolves, and bears, and other marauders. In that case it is very possible that the early progenitors of the breed were built upon a larger, more massive scale than is the sheep-dog of to-day. The herd-dogs of foreign countries, such as the Calabrian of the Pyrenees, the Himalayan Drovers' dog, and the Russian Aucha, are all of them massive and powerful animals, more larger and fiercer than our own, though each of them, and notably the Aucha, has many points in common with the English bob too. It is quite possible that all of them may trace their origin at some remote period to the same ancestral strain. Indeed it is quite open to argument that the founders of our breed, as it exists to-day, were imported into England from some far-off date when the duties of a sheep-dog demanded of him fighting qualities no longer necessary. Throughout the nineteenth century one finds conclusive evidence that the breed was very fairly represented in many parts of England, notably in Suffolk, Hampshire, and Orchardshire, and also in Wales. Ewitt writes of it in 1845, Richardson, in 1847, and Stonehenge, in 1859. Their descriptions vary a little, though the leading characteristics are much the same, but each rider specially notes the exceptional sagacity of the breed. The dog was well known in Scotland too, under the title of the bearded collie, for there is little doubt that this last is merely a variant of the breed. He differs in point of fact chiefly by reason of possessing a tail, the amputation of which is a recognized custom in England. With regard to this custom it is said that the drovers originated it. Their dogs, kept for working purposes, were immune from taxation, and they adopted this method of distinguishing the animals thus exempted. It has been argued, by disciples of the Darwinian theory of inherited effects from continued mutilations, that this long process of breeding from tailless animals has resulted in producing puppies naturally bob-tailed, and it is difficult on any other hypothesis to account for the fact that many puppies are so born. It is certainly a fact that one or two natural bob-tails are frequently found in a litter of which the remainder are duly furnished with the well-developed tails. From careful consideration of the weight of evidence it seems unlikely that the breed was originally a tailless one, but the modern custom undoubtedly accentuates its picturesqueness by bringing into special prominence the rounded shaggy quarters and the characteristic bear-like gate which distinguish the old English sheep-dog. Somewhere about the sixties there would appear to have been a revival of interest in the bob-tails welfare, and attempts were made to bring him into prominence. In 1873 his admirers succeeded in obtaining for him a separate classification at a recognized show, and the Corazon Hall at Birmingham in that year three Tumerius competitors appeared to undergo the ordeal of expert judgment. It was an unpromising beginning for Mr. M. B. Wyon who officiated found their quality so inferior that he contented himself with awarding a second prize. But from this small beginning important results were to spring, and the old English sheep-dog has made great strides in popularity since then. At Clerkenwell in 1905 the entries of his classes reached a total of over one hundred, and there was no gain saying the quality. This satisfactory result is due in no small measure to the initiative of the old English sheep-dog club, a society founded in 1888 with the avowed intention of promoting the breeding of the old-fashioned English sheep-dog, and of giving prizes at various shows held under Kennel Club rules. The pioneers of this movement so far as history records their names were Dr. Edwards Kerr, an enthusiast both in theory and in practice, from whose caustic pen, dissentience, were wont to suffer periodical castigation, Mr. W. G. Wager, who has held office in the club for some twenty years, Mrs. Mayhew, who capably held her own amongst her fellow members of the sterner sex, Mr. Freeman Lloyd, who wrote an interesting pamphlet on the breed in 1889, emissors J. Thomas and Perry Thomas. There's can have been no easy task at the outset, for it devolved upon them to lay down in a succinct and practical form, leading principles for the guidance of future enthusiasts. It runs thus. General Appearance A strong, compact-looking dog of great symmetry, absolutely free from legginess, profusely coated all over, very elastic in its gallop, but in walking or trotting he has a characteristic ambling or pacing movement, and his bark should be loud, with a peculiar pot-cast ring to it.  Skull. Capacious and rather squarely formed, giving plenty of room for brain-power, the parts over the eyes should be well arched and the whole well covered with hair. Jaw. Fairly long, strong, square and truncated, the stop should be defined to avoid a deer-hound face. The attention of judges is particularly called to the above properties as a long, narrow head is a deformity. Eyes. vary according to the color of the dog, but dark or wall eyes are to be preferred. Nose. Always black, large and capacious. Teeth. Strong and large, evenly placed, and level in opposition. Ears. Small and carried flat to side of head, coated moderately. Legs. The four legs should be dead straight with plenty of bone, removing the body to a medium height from the ground without approaching legginess, well coated all round. Feet. Small. Round. Toes well arched and pads thick and hard. Tail. Puppies requiring docking must have an appendage left of one and a half to two inches. The operation performed with not older than four days. Neck and shoulders. The neck should be fairly long, arched gracefully and well coated with hair. The shoulders sloping and narrow at the points, the dog standing lower at the shoulder than at the loin. Body. Rather short and very compact. Ribs well sprung and briskets deep and capacious. The loin should be very stout and gently arched, while the hind quarters should be round and muscular, with well let down honks and the hams densely coated with a thick, long jacket in excess of any other part. Coat. Profuse and of good hard texture, not straight but shaggy and free from curl. The undercoat should be a waterproof pile, when not removed by grooming or season. Colour. Any shade of grey, grizzle, blue or blue mirrored, with or without white markings or in reverse. Any shade of brown or sable is to be considered distinctly objectionable and not to be encouraged. Height. Twenty-two inches and upwards for dogs, slightly less for bitches. Type, character and symmetry are of the greatest importance and on no account are to be sacrificed to size alone. Turning to the questions of care and kennel management, we may start with the puppy. It is obvious that where bone and substance are matters of special desirability, it is essential to build up in the infant what is to be expected of the adult. For this reason it is a great mistake to allow the dam to bring up too many by herself. To about six or seven she can do justice, but a healthy bitch not infrequently gives birth to a dozen or more.  By dividing the litter the weaklings may be given a fair chance in the struggle for existence, otherwise they receive a scant consideration from their stronger brethren. At three or four days old the tails should be removed, as near the romp as possible. The operation is easy to perform and if done with a sharp, clean instrument there is no danger of after ill effect. If the mother is kept on a very liberal diet she will usually be found that she can do all that is necessary for her family's welfare for the first three weeks by which time the pups have increased prodigiously in size. They are then old enough to learn to lap for themselves, an accomplishment which they very speedily acquire. Beginning with fresh cow's milk for a week their diet may be gradually increased to melons or bangers' food, and later to gruel and quaker oats. They are steadily increasing appetites being catered for by the simple exercise of common sense. Feed them little and often, about five times a day, and encourage them to move about as much as possible, and see that they never go hungry without allowing them to gorge.  At six weeks old they can fend for themselves, and shortly afterwards additions may be made to their diet in the shape of punches, carefully cleaned and cooked, and Sprat's puppy Rodnam, a plentiful supply of fresh milk, is still essential. Gradually the number of their meals may be decreased, first to four a day, and later on to three, until at six months old they verge on adolescence and may be placed upon the rations of the adult dog, two meals a day. Meanwhile the more fresh air and sunshine, exercise and freedom they receive, the better they will prosper, but care must be taken that they are never allowed to get wet. Their sleeping place, especially, must be thoroughly dry, well ventilated and scrupulously clean. As to the adult dog, his needs are three. He must be well fed, well housed, and well exercised. Two meals a day suffice him, but he likes variety, and the more his fare can be diversified, the better will he do justice to it. Biscuits, Rodnam, flaco, meat, vegetables, ponches, and sheep's heads, with an occasional big bone to gnaw, provide unlimited change, and the particular tastes of individuals should be learned and catered for. As to the Bob-Tales kennel, there is no need whatever for a high-priced, fancy structure. Any weather-proof building will do, provided it be well ventilated and free from drafts. In very cold weather a bed of clean wheat straw is desirable. In summer the bareboards are best. In all weathers cleanliness is an absolute essential, and a liberal supply of fresh water should be always available. Grooming is an important detail in a breed whose picturesqueness depends so largely on the profuseness of their shaggy coats. But there is a general tendency to overdo it. A good, stiff pair of dandy brushes give the best result. But the coats must not be allowed to mat or tangle, which they have a tendency to do if not properly attended to. Mat and tangles, if taken in time, can generally be teased at with the fingers. And it is the greatest mistake to try to drag them out with combs. These slashes should be used as little as possible, and only with the greatest care when necessary at all. An over-groomed Bob-Tale loses half his natural charm. Far preferable is a muddy, matted, rough-and-tumble-looking customer with his coat as nature left it. CHAPTER X. The Chow-Chow. The Chow-Chow is a dog of great versatility. He is a born sportsman and loves an open-air life. A warrior, always ready to accept battle, but seldom provoking it. He has a way of zone with tramps, and seldom fails to induce them to continue their travels. Yet without he is tender-hearted, a friend of children, an ideal companion, and often has a clever gift for parlor tricks. In China, his fatherland, he is esteemed for another quality, his excellence as a substitute for roast mutton. Though in his own country he is regarded as phlebian, just a common cure, he is by no means a mongrel, that he is of ancient lineage, is proved by the fact that he always breeds true to type. He yields to the Percanese spaniel, the claim to be the royal dog of China, yet his blood must be of the bluest. If you doubt it, look at his tongue. Outwardly, the Chow worthily embodies the kind, faithful heart, and the brave spirit within. His compact body, weighing forty pounds or more, with the beautiful fur coat and rough, the plume tail turned over on the neat cat-like feet, gives an impression of symmetry, power, and alertness.  This is the technical term for the no-nonsense look, which deters strangers from undue familiarity, though to friends his expression is kindness itself. Though the Chow has many perfections, the perfect Chow has not yet arrived. He nearly came with Chow Chow, the sixth, long since dead, alas, and with Chow Fu Chow, the best Chow now living, his light-colored eyes being his only defect. With many judges, however, this dog's black coat handicaps him sadly in competition with his red brethren. Chow, the sixth, is considered the best and most typical dog ever benched, notwithstanding his somewhat round eyes. Almond eyes are, of course, correct in Chinaman. Red craze owns the head, which is perfect for the correct ear, carriage, and brad muzzle, and the scowl and characteristic expression of a good Chow. Dark red is the accepted color of the Chow. Modern judges will not look twice at a light or party-colored dog, and it is to be feared that even Chow Chow, the sixth, could revisit the scenes of his spy-gone triumphs. His beautiful light markings would prove a fatal bar to his success. The judges will be quite wrong, but if you want a dog for show, you must be sure to get a good whole-colored dark red. If, on the other hand, you have a Chow as a companion and friend, do not be at all troubled if his rough, yolk, culottes, and tail are white or clean-colored. These are natural, correct and typical marks, though present-day fanciers are trying to improve them away. A list of points are drawn up by the Chow Chow Club. Some years ago is added. The points are fairly right, but the tongue of a live Chow is never black. It should be blue, such a color as might result from a diet of billberries. Points of the Chow Chow. Head, skull, flat and broad, with little stop, well filled out under the eyes. Muzzle, moderate in length, and broad from the eyes to the point, not pointed at the end like a fox. Nose, black, large and wide, and cream or light-colored specimens, a paint nose is allowable. Tongue, black, eyes dark and small. In a blue dog, light color is permissible. Ears, small, pointed, and carried stiffly erect. They should be placed well forward over the eyes, which gives the dog the peculiar characteristic expression of the breed vis, a sort of scowl. Teeth, strong and level. Neck, strong, full, set well on the shoulders and slightly arched. Shoulders, muscular and sloping. Chests, broad and deep. Back, short, straight and long. Loins, powerful. Tail, curled lightly over the back. Four legs, perfectly straight, of moderate length and with great bone. Hind legs, same as four of legs, muscular and with hawks well let down. Feet, small, round and cat-like. Standing well on the toes. Coat, abundant, dense, straight, and rather coarse in texture, with a soft, woolly undercoat. Color, whole-colored, black, red, yellow, blue, white, etc. Not in patches. The underpart of tail and back of thighs frequently of a lighter color. General appearance, a lively, compact, short-coupled dog, well knit and framed with tail curled well over the back. Disqualifying points. Drop ears, red tongue, tail not curled over back. White spots on coat and red nose, except in yellow or white specimens. End of chapter 10. Chapter 11 of Dogs and All About Them This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Roger Maline. Dogs and All About Them by Robert Layton. Chapter 11. The Poodle The Poodle is commonly acknowledged to be the most wisely intelligent of all members of the canine race. He is a scholar and a gentleman, but in spite of his claims of long descent and his extraordinary natural cleverness, he has never been widely popular in this country, as the Kali and the Fox Terrier are popular. There is a general belief that he is a FOP, whose time is largely occupied in personal embellishment, and that he requires a great deal of individual attention in the matter of his toilet. It may be true that to keep him in exhibition order and perfect cleanliness, his owner has need to devote more consideration to him than is necessary in the case of many breeds, but in other respects he gives very little trouble and all who are attached to him are consistent in their opinion that there is no dog so intensely interesting and responsive as a companion. His qualities of mind and his acute powers of reasoning are indeed so great that there is something almost human in his attractiveness and his devotion. His aptitude in learning is never denied, and many are the stories told of his marvelous talent and versatility. Not merely as a showman's dog as he distinguished himself, he is something more than a mount a bank of the booths, trained to walk the tight rope and stand on his head. He is an adept at performing tricks, but it is his alertness of brain that places him apart from other animals. There is the example of the famous Munito, who in 1818 perplexed the Parisians by his cleverness with playing cards and his intricate arithmetical calculations. Paris was formerly the home of most of the learned poodles, and one remembers the instance of the poodle of the Pont Neuf, who had the habit of dirtying the boots of the passersby in order that his master, a shoe-black stationed halfway across the bridge, might enjoy the profit of cleaning them. In Belgium poodles were systematically trained to smuggle valuable lace, which was wound round their shaven bodies and covered with a false skin. These dogs were schooled to a dislike of all men in uniform, and consequently on their journey between McLean and the coast they always gave a wide berth to the customs officers. On the continent poodles of the larger kind are often used for draft work. There can be little doubt that the breed originated in Germany, where it is known as the poodle and classed as the canis familiaris aquaticus. In form and coat he would seem to be closely related to the old water dog and the resemblance between a brown poodle and an Irish water spaniel is remarkable. The poodle is no longer regarded as a sporting dog, but at one period he was trained to retrieve waterfowl, and he still on occasion displays an eager fondness for the water. Throughout Europe and in the United States, wherever these dogs are kept, it is usual to clip the coat on the face, the legs, and the hindre part of the body, leaving tufts of hair on the thighs and a ring of hair on the pasterns. The origin and purpose of the custom are not apparent, but now that poodles are almost always kept as house dogs, this mode of ornamentation at least commends itself by reducing the labor of daily grooming, if the coat is to be maintained in good condition and the dog to be a pleasant associate. The profuse and long coat of this dog has the peculiarity that, if not kept constantly brushed out, it twists up into little cords which increase in length as the new hair grows and clings about it. The unshed old hair and the new growth entwined together thus become distinct rope-like cords. Eventually, if these cords are not cut short or accidentally torn off, they drag along the ground and so prevent the poor animal from moving with any degree of comfort or freedom. Some few owners, who admire and cultivate these long cords, keep them tied up in bundles on the dog's back, but so unnatural and unsightly a method of burdening the animal is not to be commended. Corted poodles are very showy and from the remarkable appearance of the coat attract a great deal of public attention when exhibited at shows. But they have lost popularity among most fanciers and have become few in number owing to the obvious fact that it is impossible to make pets of them or keep them in the house. The reason of this is that the coat must, from time to time, be oiled in order to keep the cords supple and to prevent them from snapping. And, of course, as their coats cannot be brushed, the only way of keeping the dog clean is to wash him, which, with a corded poodle, is a lengthy and laborious process. Further, the coat takes hours to dry, and unless the newly washed dog be kept in a warm room, he is very liable to catch cold. The result is that the coats of corded poodles are almost invariably dirty and somewhat smelly. At one time it was suggested that cordeds and non-cordeds were two distinct breeds, but it is now generally accepted that the coat of every well-bred poodle will, if allowed, develop cords. Curly poodles, on the other hand, have advanced considerably in favor. Their coats should be kept regularly brushed and combed, and, if washed occasionally, they will always be smart and clean and pleasant companions in the house. The four colors usually considered correct are black, white, brown, and blue. White poodles are considered the most intelligent, and it is certain that professional trainers of performing dogs prefer the white variety. The black come next in the order of intelligence, and easily surpass the brown and blue, which are somewhat lacking in true poodle character. No strict lines are drawn as regards brown, and all shades ranging from cream to dark brown are classed as brown. Mrs. Robert Long, a few years ago, startled her fellow enthusiasts by exhibiting some party-colored specimens, but they were regarded as freaks and did not become popular. The points to be looked for in choosing a poodle are that he should be a lively, active dog with a long, fine head, a dark, oval eye, with a bright alert expression, short in the back, not leggy, but by no means low on the ground, with a good loin carrying his tail well up. The coat should be profuse, all one color, very curly, and rather wiry to the touch.  The great secret in training him is first to gain his affection. With firmness, kindness, and perseverance, you can then teach him almost anything. The most lively and excitable dogs are usually the easiest to train. It is advantageous to teach your dog when you give him his meal of biscuit, letting him have the food piece by piece as a reward when each trick is duly performed. Never attempt to teach him two new tricks at a time, and when instructing him in a new trick, let him always go through his old ones first. Make it an invariable rule never to be beaten by him. If, as frequently is the case with your dogs, he declines to perform a trick, do not pass it over, or allow him to substitute another he likes better. But when you see he obstinately refuses, punish him by putting away the coveted food for an hour or two. If he once sees he can tire you out, you will have no further authority over him, while if you are firm he will not hold out against you long. It is a bad plan to make a dog repeat too frequently a trick which he obviously dislikes, and insistence on your part may do great harm. The poodle is exceptionally sensitive, and is far more efficiently taught when treated as a sensible being, rather than as a mere quadrupedal automaton. He will learn twice as quickly if his master can make him understand the reason for performing a task. The whip is of little use when a lesson is to be taught, as the dog will probably associate his tasks with a thrashing, and go through them in that unwilling cowed, tail-between-legs fashion which too often betrays the unthinking hastiness of the master, and is the chief reason why the poodle has sometimes been regarded as a spiritless coward. The poodle-bitch makes a good mother, rarely giving trouble in welping, and the puppies are not difficult to rear. Their chief dangers are gastritis and congestion of the lungs which can be avoided with careful treatment. It should be remembered that the dense coat of the poodle takes a long time to dry after being wetted, and that if the dog has been out in the rain and got his coat soaked, or if he has been washed or allowed to jump into a pond, you must take care not to leave him in a cold place, or to lie inactive before he is perfectly dry. Most poodles are kept in the house or in enclosed kennels, well protected from draft and moisture, and there is no difficulty in so keeping them, as they are naturally obedient and easily taught to be clean in the house and to be regular in their habits. The coat of a curly poodle should be kept fleecy and free from tangle by being periodically combed and brushed. The grooming keeps the skin clean and healthy, and frequent washing, even for a white dog, is not necessary. The dog will, of course, require clipping from time to time. In Paris, at present, it is the fashion to clip the greater part of the body and hind quarters, but the English poodle club recommends that the coat be left on as far down the body as the last rib, and it is also customary with us to leave a good deal of coat on the hind quarters. Probably the best known poodle of his day in this country was champion The Model, a black courted dog belonging to Mr. H. A. Dagua, who imported him from the Continent. Model was a medium-sized dog, very well proportioned, and with a beautifully molded head and dark expressive eyes, and I believe was only once beaten in the show-ring. He died some few years ago at a ripe old age, but a great many of the best known poodles of the present day claim relationship to him. One of his most famous descendants was champion The Joker, also black courted, who was very successful at exhibitions. Another very handsome dog was champion Vladimir, again a black courted, belonging to Miss Hallgrave. Since 1905 the curly poodles have very much improved, and the best specimens of their breed are now to be found in their ranks. Champion Orchard Admiral, the property of Mrs. Crouch, a son of champion The Joker and Lady Dagua, is probably the best specimen living. White poodles, of which Mrs. Crouch's orchard white boy is a notable specimen, ought to be more widely kept than they are, but it must be admitted that the task of keeping a full-sized white poodle's coat clean in a town is no light one. Toy white poodles, consequently, are very popular. The toy variety should not exceed fifteen inches in height at the shoulder, and in all respects should be a miniature of the full-sized dog, with the same points. Points of the perfect poodle. General appearance, that of a very active, intelligent, and elegant-looking dog, well built, and carrying himself very proudly. Head, long, straight, and fine, the skull not broad, with a slight peek at the back. Muzzle, long but not snipey, and strong, not full in cheek. Teeth white, strong, and level. Gums black, lips black, and not showing lippiness.  Nose, black, and sharp. Ears, the leather, long and wide, low set on, hanging close to the face. Neck, well proportioned and strong, to admit of the head being carried high and with dignity. Shoulders, strong and muscular, sloping well to the back. Chest, deep and moderately wide. Back, short, strong, and slightly hollowed. The loins broad and muscular, the ribs well sprung and braced up. Feet, rather small, and of good shape. The toes well arched. Pads thick and hard. Legs, four legs set straight from shoulder, with plenty of bone and muscle. Hind legs, very muscular and well bent, with the hawks well let down. Tail, set on rather high, well carried, never curled or carried over back. Coat, very profuse and of good hard texture. If corded, hanging in tight, even cords. If non-corded, very thick and strong, of even length, the curls close and thick without knots or cords. Colors, all black, all white, all red, all blue. The white poodle should have dark eyes, black or very dark liver nose, lips and toenails. The red poodle should have dark amber eyes, dark liver nose, lips and toenails. The blue poodle should be of even color and have dark eyes, lips and toenails. All the other points of white, red and blue poodles should be the same as the perfect black poodle. N. B. It is strongly recommended that only one-third of the body be clipped or shaved and that the hair and the forehead be left on. CHAPTER XII THE SKIPPER KEY THE SKIPPER KEY may fitly be described as the Paul Pry of canine society. His insatiate inquisitiveness induces him to poke his nose into everything. Every strange object excites his curiosity and he will, if possible, look behind it. The slightest noise arouses his attention and he wants to investigate its cause. There is no end to his liveliness, but he moves about with almost cat-like agility without upsetting any objects in a room, and when he hops he has a curious way of catching up his hind legs. The skipper key's disposition is most affectionate, tinged with a good deal of jealousy, and even when made one of the household he generally attaches himself more particularly to one person whom he owns and whose protection he deans his special duty. These qualities endear the skipper key as a canine companion with a quaint and lovable character, and he is also a capital vermin dog. When properly entered he cannot be surpassed as a ratter. Skipper keys have always been kept as watchdogs on the flammish canal barges, and that no doubt is the origin of the name which is the flammish for little skipper, the syllable key forming the diminutive of shipper. The respectable antiquity of this dog is proved by the result of the researches Mr. van der Snicht and Mr. van Bogenhout made in the archives of flammish towns, which contains records of the breed going back in pure type over a hundred years. The first skipper key, which appeared at a show in this country, was Mr. Berry's flow. This was, however, such a mediocre specimen that it did not appeal to the taste of the English dog-loving public. In 1888 Dr. Selig brought over Skip, Dreiske, and Mia. The first named was purchased by Mr. E. B. Jochem, and the two others by Mr. G. R. Crell. Later on Mr. Jochem became the owner of Mr. Green's Stutes, and bought frits of spa in Belgium. And these dogs formed the nucleus of the two kennels which laid the foundation of the breed in England. It was probably the introduction of the skipper key to England that induced Belgian owners to pay greater attention to careful breeding, and the club was started in 1888 in Brussels, whose members after long and earnest consideration settled a description and standard of points for the breed. Not long afterwards the skipper key club, England, was inaugurated and drew up the following standard of points, which was adopted in December 1890, and differed only very slightly from the one acknowledged by the Belgian society, and later by the St. Hubert Skipper key club. Standard of points of the skipper key club, England. Head. Foxy in type. Skull should not be round, but broad, and with little stop. The muzzle should be moderate in length, fine but not weak, should be well filled out under the eyes. Nose. Black and small. Eyes. Dark brown, small, more oval than round, and not full. Bright and full of expression. Ears. Shape. Of moderate length, not too broad at the base, tapering to a point. Carriage. Stiffly erect, and when in that position the inside edge to form as near as possible a right angle with the skull, and strong enough not to be bent otherwise than lengthwise. Teeth. Strong and level. Neck. Strong and full, rather short, set broad on the shoulders and slightly arched. Shoulders. Muscular and sloping. Chest. Broad and deep in brisket. Back. Short, straight, and strong. Loins. Powerful, well drawn up from the brisket. Forelegs. Perfectly straight, well under the body with bone in proportion to the body. Hind legs. Strong, muscular, hawks well let down. Feet. Small, cat-like, and standing well on the toes. Nails. Black. Hind quarters. Fine compared to the four parts, muscular and well developed thighs, tailless, rump well rounded. Coat. Black, abundant, dense, and harsh, smooth on the head, ears and legs, lying close on the back and sides, but erect and thick round the neck, forming a mane and frill, and well feathered on back of thighs. Weight. About 12 pounds. General appearance. A small, coby animal with sharp expression, intensely lively, presenting the appearance of being always on the alert. Disqualifying points. Drop or semi-erect ears. Faults. White hairs are objected to but are not disqualifying. The back of the skipper key is described as straight, but it should round off at the rump, which should be rotund and full, guinea pig-like. The continued straight line of a terrier's back is not desirable, but it will frequently be found in specimens that have been docked. The Belgian standard requires the legs to be fine and not have much bone. The bone of a terrier is only met with, in course, skipper keys. As to size, it need only be noted that the maximum of the small size, that is to say, 12 pounds, is that generally preferred in England as well as in Belgium. Further, it is only necessary to remark that the skipper key is a dog of quality, of distinct characteristics, coby in appearance, not long in the back, nor high on the leg. The muzzle must not be weak and thin, nor short and blunt. And finally, he is not a prick-eared black wire-haired terrier. The skipper key's tail, or rather its absence, has been the cause of much discussion, and at one time gave rise to considerable acrimonious feeling amongst fanciers. On the introduction of this dog into Great Britain, it arrived from abroad with a reputation of being a tailless breed, but whether Belgian owners accidentally conveyed that impression or did it purposely to give the breed an additional distinction is difficult to say. Anyhow, the skipper key is no more tailless than the old English sheep-dog. That is to say, a larger number of individuals are born without any coddle appendage or only a stump of a tail than in any other variety of dogs. It is said that a docked dog can be told from one that has been born tailless in this way. When the docked animal is pleased, a slight movement at the end of the spine where the tail was cut off is discernible, but the naturally tailless dog sways the whole of its hind quarters. End of Chapter 12 Chapter 13 of Dogs and All About Them This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Dogs and All About Them by Robert Layton Chapter 13 The Blood Hand The Blood Hand was much used in olden times in hunting and in the pursuit of fugitives. Two services for which his remarkable acuteness of smell, his ability to keep to the particular scent on which he is first laid and the intelligence and pertinacity with which he follows up the trail admirably fit him. The use and employment of these dogs date back into remote antiquity. We have it on the authority of Strabo that they were used against the Gauls and we have certain knowledge that they were employed not only in the frequent feuds of the Scottish clans and in the continuous border forays of those days but also during the ever recurring hostilities between England and Scotland. Indeed the very name of the dog calls up visions of feudal castles with their trains of knights and warriors and all the stirring panorama of these brave days of old when the only tenure of life property or goods was by the strong hand. This feudal dog is frequently pictured by the poet in his ballads and romances and in The Lady of the Lake we find the breed again mentioned as dogs of black St. Hubert's breed unmatched for courage, breath and speed. These famous black bloodhounds called St. Hubert's are supposed to have been brought by pilgrims from the Holy Land. Another larger breed also known by the same name were pure white and another kind were greyish red. The dogs of the present day are probably a blend of all these varieties. The bloodhound from the nobler pursuit of heroes and knights came in later years to perform the work of the more modern detective but in this also the services were in time so preceded by the justices Warrant and the police officer. We find it recorded about 1805 however that the Trapstone Association for the Prevention of Feelings in Northampton Shire have provided and trained a bloodhound for the detection of sheep stealers. The reputation is obtained for sagacity and fierceness in the capture of runaway slaves and the cruelty is attributed to it in connection with the suppression of the various Negro ricens especially that of the maroons have given the animal an evil repute which more probably should attach to those who made the animals courage and sagacity a means for the gratification of their own revolting cruelty of disposition. It has been justly remarked that if entire credence be given to the description that was transmitted through the country of this extraordinary animal it might be supposed that the Spaniards had obtained the ancient and genuine breed of Cerberus himself. Coming again to this country we find the bloodhound used from time to time in pursuit of poachers and criminals and in many instances the game recovered and the man arrested. There is no doubt that the pearless in country districts and at our convict prisons could use bloodhounds to advantage but public sentiment is decidedly against the idea and although one of His Majesty's prisons has been offered a working hound for nothing the authorities have refused to consider the question or give the hound a trial. Half a century ago the bloodhound was so little esteemed in this country that the breed was confined to the kennels of a very few owners but the institution of dog shows induced these owners to bring their hounds into public exhibition. When it was seen that like the mastiff the bloodhound claimed the advantage of having many venerable ancestral trees to branch from. At the first Birmingham show in 1860 Lord Bagot brought out a team from a strain which had been in His Lordship's family for two centuries and at the same exhibition there was entered probably one of the best bloodhounds ever seen in Mr. T. A. Jennings druid. Known now as Old Druid this dog was got by Lord Favorsham's raglan out of Barron Rothschild's Historic Bitch Fury and his blood goes down in collateral veins through Mr. LG Morrill's Margrave Prince Albert Solmes druid and Mr. Edwin Brough's Napier into the pedigrees of many of the celebrated hounds of the present day. Another famous druid, grand sire of Colonel Cowan's hound of the name, was owned by the honourable Grantley Berkeley. This typical dog was unsurpassed in his time and his talent in following a line of scent was astonishing. His only blemish was one of character for although usually as good-tempered as most of the breed are, he was easily aroused to uncontrollable fits of savage anger. Queen Victoria at various times was the possessor of one or more fine specimens of the bloodhound procured for her by Sir Edwin Landseer and a capital hound from the Home Park kennels at Wiltshire was exhibited at the London Show in 1869, the judge of the occasion being the reverent Thomas Pearse afterwards known as Edestone. Landseer was especially fond of painting the majestic bloodhound and he usually selected good models for his studies. The model for the hound in his well-known picture, dignity and impudence was Grafton who was a collateral relative of Captain J. W. Clayton's celebrated LeWatt the 11th. Four superlative bloodhounds of the past stand out in unmistakable eminence as the founders of recognised strains. They are Mr. Jennings, Old Druid, Colonel Cowins Druid, Mr. Reynolds Rays Roswell and Captain Clayton LeWatt the 11th and the owner of a bloodhound which can be traced back in direct line of descent to any one of these four patriarchs may pride himself upon possessing a dog of an impeachable pedigree. Among breeders within recent years Mr. Edwin Brough of Scarborough is to be regarded as the most experienced and successful. No record of the breed would be complete without some acknowledgement of the great services he has rendered to it. Bloodhounds of the correct type would today have been very few and far between if it had not been for his enthusiasm and patient breeding. Mr. Brough bred and produced many hounds which all bore the stamp of his ideal and there is no doubt that for old-round quality his kennel stands first in the history of the bloodhound. His most successful cross was perhaps Beckford and Bianca and one has only to mention such hounds as Burgundy, Babbo, Bendicta and Bardolf to recall the finest team of bloodhounds that has ever been benched. Mrs. G. A. Olyphant of Shruton Wilts whose kennels include Shatley Blazer and Shatley Beaufort has of late years been a keen supporter of the breed. Mrs. Olyphant who is the president of the ladies branch of the kennel club is a great believer in hounds being workers first and showhounds second and her large kennels have produced many hounds of a robust type and of good size and quality. There is no doubt that as far as hunting is concerned at the present moment this kennel stands easily first but admirable bloodhounds have also given distinction to the kennels of Mr. S. H. Mangeen, Dr. Sydney Turner, Mr. Mark Beaufoy, Mr. F. W. Kozens, Mr. A. O. Moody, Lord Deces, Mr. Hoot Wright, Mr. A. Croxton Smith, Dr. C. C. Garfit, Dr. Simmons and Mrs. C. Ashton Cross to mention only a few owners and breeders who have given attention to this noble race of dog. The description of a perfect type of dog as defined by the association of bloodhound breeders is as follows. General character. The bloodhound possesses in a most marked degree every point and characteristic of those dogs which hunt together by scent. Sadassus. He is very powerful and stands over more ground than is usual with hounds of other breeds. The skin is thin to the touch and extremely loose this being more especially noticeable about the head and neck where it hangs in deep folds. Height. The mean average height of adult dogs is 26 inches and of adult britches is 24 inches. Dogs usually vary from 25 inches to 27 inches and britches from 23 inches to 25 inches but in either case the greater height is to be preferred provided that character and quality are also combined. Weight. The mean average weight of adult dogs in fair condition is 90 pounds and of adult britches is 80 pounds. Dogs attain the weight of 110 pounds britches 100 pounds. The greater weights are to be preferred provided as in the case of height that quality and proportion are also combined. Expression. The expression is noble and dignified and characterized by solemnity, wisdom and power. Temperament. In temperament he is extremely affectionate quarrelsome neither with companions nor with other dogs. This nature is somewhat shy and equally sensitive to kindness or correction by his master. Head. The head is narrow in proportion to its length and long in proportion to the body tapering but slightly from the temples to the end of the muzzle thus when viewed from above and in front having the appearance of being flattened at the sides and of being nearly equal in width throughout its entire length. In profile the upper outline of the skull is nearly in the same plane as that of the foreface. The length from end of nose to stop midway between the eyes should be not less than that from stop to back of occipital protuberance. Peak. The entire length of head from the posterior part of the occipital protuberance to the end of the muzzle should be 12 inches or more in dogs and 11 inches or more in bitches. Skull. The skull is long and narrow with the occipital peak very pronounced. The brows are not prominent although owing to the deep-set eyes they may have that appearance. Foreface. The foreface is long, deep and of even width throughout with square outline when seen in profile. Eyes. The eyes are deeply sunk in the orbits the lids assuming a low inch or diamond shape in consequence of the lower lids being dragged down and averted by the heavy flues. The eyes correspond with the general tone of color of the animal varying from deep hazel to yellow. The hazel color is however to be preferred although very seldom seen in red and tan hounds. Ears. The ears are thin and soft to the touch extremely long set very low and fallen graceful folds the lower parts curling inwards and backwards. Wrinkle. The head is furnished with an amount of loose skin which in nearly every position appears super abundant but more particularly so when the head is carried low. The skin then folds into loose pendulous ridges and folds especially over the forehead and sides of the face. Nostrils. The nostrils are large and open. Lips. Flues and doulap. In front of the lips folds squarely making a right angle with the upper line of the foreface whilst behind they form deep hanging flues and being continued into the pendant folds of loose skin about the neck constitute the doulap which is very pronounced.  Neck, shoulders and chest. The neck is long the shoulders muscular and well sloped backwards. The ribs are well sprung and the chest well let down between the forelegs forming a deep keel. Legs and feet. The forelegs are straight and large in bone with elbows squarely set. The feet strong and well knuckled up. The thighs and second thighs, gaskins, are very muscular. The hocks well bent and let down and squarely set. Back and loins. The back and loins are strong the latter deep and slightly arched. Stern. The stern is long and tapering and set on rather high with a moderate amount of hair underneath. Gate. The gate is elastic, swinging and free. The stern being carried high but not too much curled over the back. Color. The colors are black and tan red and tan and tawny. The darker colors being sometimes interspersed with lighter or badger colored hair and sometimes flecked with white. A small amount of white is permissible on chest, feet and tip of stern. End of chapter 13. Chapter 14 Of Dogs and All About Them This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Denise Resnick. Dogs and All About Them by Robert Layton. Chapter 14. The Otterhound is a descendant of the Old Southern Hound and there is reason to believe that all hounds hunting their quarry by nose had a similar source. Why the breed was first called the Southern Hound or when his use became practical in Great Britain must be subjects of conjecture. But that there was a hound good enough to hold a line for many hours is accredited in history that goes very far back into past centuries. The hound required three centuries ago even was all the better esteemed for being slow and unswerving on a line of scent and in many parts of the kingdom up to within half that period the so-called Southern Hound had been especially employed. In Devonshire and Wales the last sign of him in his purity was perhaps when Captain Hopwood hunted a small pack of hounds very similar in character on the Fitch or Polecat. The modus operende being to find the foraging grounds of the animal and then on a line that might be two days old hunt him to his lair often enough 10 or 12 miles off. When this sort of hunting disappeared and improved ideas of fox hunting came into vogue there was nothing left for the Southern Hound to do but to hunt the otter. He may have done this before at various periods but history rather tends to show that otter hunting was originally associated with a mixed pack and some of Sir Walter Scott's pages seem to indicate that the dandy Dinmont and Kindred Scottish Terriers had a good deal to do with the sport. It is more than probable that the rough-coated terrier is identical with the now-recognized otter hound as an offshoot of the original Southern Hound but be that as it may there has been a special breed of otter hound for the last 80 years very carefully bred and gradually much improved in point of appearance. They are beautiful hounds today with heads as typical as those of blood hounds legs and feet that would do for fox hounds a unique coat of their own and they are exactly suitable for hunting the otter as everyone knows who has had the enjoyment of a day's sport on river or brook. The greatest otter hunter of the last century may have been the honorable Jeffrey Hill a younger brother of the late Lord Hill a powerful athlete of over six feet major hill was an ideal sportsman in appearance and he was noted for the long distances he would travel on foot with his hounds they were mostly of the pure rough sort not very big the dogs he reckoned at about 23 and a half inches bitches 22 beautiful bloodhound types of heads coats of thick hard hair big in ribs and bones and good legs and feet major hill seldom exhibited his hounds but hunting as hard as they did through shrub shire staffage shire cheshire and into whales where they got their best water there was not much time for showing their famous master has been dead now many years but his pack is still going and shows great sport as the hawkstone under the mastership of Mr. HP Wardell the kennels being at Ludlow Racecourse Bromfield the leading pack in the kingdom for the last 60 years at any rate has been the Carlisle when in the hands of Mr. JC Carrick who was both famous for the sport he showed and for his breed of otter hound so well represented at all the important shows such hounds as Lottie and Lucifer were very typical specimens but of late years the entries of otter hounds have not been very numerous at the great exhibitions and this can well be explained by the fact that they are wanted in greater number for active service there being many more packs than formerly in all 21 in the United Kingdom the sport of otter hunting is decidedly increasing as there have been several hunts started within the last six years there can well be many more as according to the opinion of that excellent authority the late reverend otter Davies as he was always called there are otters on every river but owing to the nocturnal and mysterious habits of the animals their whereabouts or existence is seldom known or even suspected hunting them is a very beautiful sport and the question arises as to whether the pure otter hounds should not be more generally used than they are at present it is often asserted that their continued exposure to water has caused a great deal of rheumatism in the breed that they show age sooner than others and that the puppies are difficult to rear there are however many advantages in having a pure breed and there is much to say for the perfect work of the otter hound the scent of the otter hound is possibly the sweetest of all trails left by animals one cannot understand how it is that an animal swimming two or three feet from the bottom of a riverbed and the same from the surface should leave a clean line of burning scent that may remain for 12 or 18 hours the supposition must be that the scent from the animal at first descends and is then always rising at any rate the oldest foxhound or harrier that has never touched otter is at once in ravishing excitement on it and all dogs will hunt it the terrier is never keener than when he hits on such a line the foxhound so wonderful in his forward dash may have too much of it for otter hunting the otter is so wary his halt can very well be passed his delicious scent may be overrun but the pure bred otter hound is equal to all occasions he is terribly certain on the trail when he finds it nothing can throw him off and when his deep note swells into a sort of savage howl as he lifts his head toward the roots of some old pollard there is a meaning in it no mistake has been made in every part of a run it is the same the otter dodges upstream and down lands for a moment returns to his halt but his adversaries are always with him and as one sees their steady work the impression becomes stronger and stronger that for the real sport of otter hunting there is nothing as good as a pure bred otter hound there is something so dignified and noble about the hound of unsullied strain that if once you see a good one you will not soon forget him he is a large hound as he well needs to be for the varment who is his customary quarry is the wildest most vicious and for its size the most powerful of all british wild animals the inveterate poacher of our salmon streams and consequently to be mercilessly slaughtered although always in sporting fashion to be equal to such prey the hound must have a bulldog's courage a newfoundland strength and water a pointer's nose a retriever's sagacity the stamina of the foxhound the patience of a beagle the intelligence of a collie the perfect otter hound head the head which has been described as something between that of a bloodhound and that of a foxhound is more hard and rugged than either with a narrow forehead ascending to a moderate peak ears the ears are long and sweeping but not feathered down to the tips set low and lying flat to the cheeks eyes the eyes are large dark and deep set having a particularly thoughtful expression they show a considerable amount of the haw nose the nose is large and well developed the nostrils expanding muzzle the muzzle well protected from wiry hair the jaw very powerful with deep flues neck the neck is strong and muscular but rather long the doulap is loose and folded chest the chest deep and capacious but not too wide back the back is strong wide and arched shoulders the shoulders ought to be sloping the arms and thighs substantial and muscular feet the feet fairly large and spreading with firm pads and strong nails to resist sharp rocks stern the stern when the hound is at work is carried gaily like that of a rough welch harrier it is thick and well covered to serve as a rudder coat the coat is wiry long and close to the roots impervious to water color gray or buff or yellowish or black or rufous red mixed with black or gray height 22 to 24 inches end of chapter 14 recording by Denise Resnick new york end of dogs and all about them by Robert Layton chapter 15 of dogs and all about them this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Zhu dogs and all about them by Robert Layton chapter 15 the Irish Wolf Hound it is now some 30 years since an important controversy was carried on in the columns of the livestock journal on the nature and history of the great Irish Wolf Hound the chief disputants in the discussion were Captain G. A. Graham of Dursley Mr. G. W. Hickman Mr. F. Adcock and the Reverend M. B. Winn and the main pointer's issue was whether the dog then imperfectly known as the Irish Wolf Dog was a true descendant of the ancient Canis Gryus Hibenicus or whether it was a mere manufactured mongrel owing its origins to an admixture of the Great Dane and the dog of the Pyrenees modified and brought to type by a cross with the Highland deerhound it was not doubted indeed history and tradition clearly attested that there had existed in early times in Ireland a very large and rugged hound of gray hound form whose vocation it was to hunt the wolf the red deer and the fox it was assuredly known to the Romans and there can be little doubt that the huge dog Summer which Yael Gunnar got from the Irish King Merciaton in the 10th century and took back with him to Norway was one of this breed but it was supposed by many to have become extinct soon after the disappearance of the last wolf in Ireland and it was the endeavour of Captain Graham to demonstrate that specimens although admittedly degenerate was still to be found and that they were capable of being restored to assemblance of the original type at the time when he entered into the controversy Captain Graham had been actively interesting himself for something like a score of years in the resuscitation of the breed and his patience had been well rewarded by the year 1881 the Irish wolf hound had been practically restored although it has taken close upon a quarter of a century to produce the magnificent champions Cotswold and Cotswold Patricia those brilliant examples of the modern breed a brace of wolf hounds who bear testimony to the fast amount of energy and perseverance which Captain Graham and his enthusiastic colleague Major Garnier displayed in evolving from rough material the majestic breed that holds so prominent a position today there is little to be gathered from ancient writings concerning the size and appearance of the Irish wolf hounds in early times exaggerated figures are given as to height and weight but all authorities agree that they were impressively large and imposing dogs and that they were regarded as the giants of the canine race it seems extraordinary that so little should have been accurately known and recorded of a dog which at one time must have been a familiar figure in the halls of the Irish kings it was no mere mythical animal like the heraldic griffin but an actual sporting dog which was accepted as a national emblem of the emerald isle associated with the harp and the shamrock as regards the origin of the Irish wolf hound more than one theory is advanced by some authorities it is suggested that it was the dog which we now know is the Great Dane others hold that as there were rough coated greyhounds in Ireland it is this dog under another name which is now accepted but probably the late Captain Graham was nearer the truth when he gave the opinion that the Irish hound that was kept to hunt wolves has never become extinct at all but is now represented in the Scottish deer hand only altered a little in size and strength to suit the easier work required of it that of hunting the deer this is the more probable as the fact remains that the chief factor in the resuscitation of the Irish wolf hand has been the Scottish deer hand the result of captain Graham's investigations when seeking for animals bearing some relationship to the original Irish wolf dog was that three strains were to be found in Ireland but none of the representatives at that time was anything like so large as those mentioned in early writings and they all appeared to have deteriorated in bone and substance Sir Jay Power of Kilfane was responsible for one line Mr Baker of Balletoban for another and Mr Mane of Dremor for the remaining strain from bitches obtained from two of these kennels Captain Graham by crossing them with the Great Dane and Scottish deer hand achieved the first step towards producing the animal that he desired later on the Russian wolf hound better known as the Borsoy an exceedingly large hound was introduced as also were one or two other large breeds of dogs the intermixture of these canine giants however was not at first very satisfactory as although plenty of bone was obtained many were most ungainly in appearance and ill-shaped animals that had very little about them to attract attention Captain Graham however stuck to his work and very soon the specimens that he brought forward began to show a fixity of type both in head and in general outline Brian was one of his best dogs but he was not very large as he only stood just over 30 inches at the shoulder Ban Shi and Fintra were others but probably the best of Captain Graham's kettle was the bitch Sheila it was not however until towards the end of the last century that the most perfect dogs were bred these included O'Leary the property of Mr. Crisp of Playford Hall O'Leary is responsible for many of the best dogs of the present day and was the sire of Mrs. Percy Shaw's champion Cotswold who is undoubtedly the grandest Irish wolf hound ever bred in height Cotswold stands 34 and a half inches and is therefore perhaps the largest dog of any breed now alive in 1900 Mr. Crisp bred Kilcullen from O'Leary this dog winning the championship at the Kennel Club show at the Crystal Palace in 1902 under Captain Graham this was the year the Irish wolf hound club presented the hound Raja of Kidnell as a regimental pet to the newly formed Irish guards Raja of Kidnell who was bred and exhibited by Mrs. A Gerard of Malpas was the selection of Captain Graham and two other judges this dog which has been renamed Brian Baroo is still hearty and well and was at his post on St. Patrick's Day 1909 when the shamrock that had been sent by her Majesty Queen Alexandra was handed to the men Mrs. Gerard owned one of the largest kennels of Irish wolf hounds in England and amongst her many good dogs and bitches was Chivra who was a wonderful brood bitch and included amongst her stock was several that worked their way up to championship honours she was the dam of Raja of Kidnell besides Bally Hoolie Mr. W Williams owned a good dog in Finn by Brian II Finn produced Ms. Pax Wickham Levengro a black and tan dog that has won several prizes some judges are opposed to giving prizes to Irish wolf hounds of this colour but Captain Graham did not object to it Finn was a very heavy dog and weighed 148 pounds a hound that has been of great benefit to the breed in Ireland is champion Marquis of Donegal the property of Mr. Martin amongst the bitches that have been instrumental in building up the breed to its present high state of excellence is Princess Patricia of Connaught who is by Dermott Astor out of Chivra and is the dam of champion Cotswold Patricia she is one of the tallest of her race her height being 33 inches another bitch that measures the same number of inches at the shoulder being Dr. Pitts Tucker's Juno of the Fen a daughter of champion Wargrave Mr. Everett of Felix Stowe is now one of the most successful breeders he exhibited at the 1908 Kennel Club show a most promising young dog in Felix Stowe kill Ronan with which he was second to Mrs. Shwell's champion Cotswold of whom he is now Kennel Companion at the same show Ms. Clifford of Ride exhibited a good hound in Wildcroft another of Dermott Astor's sons and other supporters of the breed are Lady Kathleen Pilkington Mr. T. Hamilton Adams Mr. G. H. Thurston Mr. Bailey Mrs. F. Marshall Mr. J. L. T. Dobbin and Ms. Ethel McChene the following is the description of the variety as drawn up by the club general appearance the Irish wolf hound should not be quite so heavy or massive as the Great Dane but more so than the deer hound which in general type he should otherwise resemble of great size and commanding appearance very muscular strongly though gracefully built movements easy and active head and neck carried high the tail carried with an upward sweep with a slight curve towards the extremity the minimum height and weight of dog should be 31 inches and 120 pounds of bitches 28 inches and 90 pounds anything below this should be debarred from competition great size including height at shoulder and proportionate length of body is a desideratum to be aimed at and it is desired firmly to establish a race that shall average from 32 inches to 34 inches in dogs showing the requisite power activity courage and symmetry head long the frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised and very little indentation between the eyes skull not too broad muzzle long and moderately pointed ears small and greyhound like in carriage neck rather long very strong and muscular well arched without dulap and loose skin about the throat chest very deep breast wide back rather long than short loins arched tail long and slightly curved of moderate thickness and well covered with hair belly well drawn up four quarters shoulders muscular giving breath the chest set sloping elbows well under neither turned inwards nor outwards leg forearm muscular and the whole leg strong and quite straight hind quarters muscular thighs and second thigh long and strong as in the greyhound and hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out feet moderately large and round neither turned inwards nor outwards toes well arched and closed nails very strong and curved hair rough and hard on body legs and head especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw colour and markings the recognised colours are grey brindle red black pure white fawn or any colour that appears in the dearhound faults too light or heavy in head too highly arched frontal bone large ears and hanging flat to the face short neck full dulap too narrow or too broad a chest sunken and hollow or quite level back bent forelegs over bent fetlocks twisted feet spreading toes too curly a tail weak hind quarters cow hawks and a general want of muscle too short in body end of chapter 15 chapter 16 of dogs and all about them this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Zhu dogs and all about them by Robert Layton chapter 16 the dearhound the dearhound is one of the most decorative of dogs impressively stately and picturesque wherever he is seen whether it be amid the surroundings of the baronial hall reclining at luxurious length before the open half in the fitful light of the log fire that flickers on polished armor and tarnished tapestry out in the open straining at the leash as he sensed the dewy air or gracefully bounding over the purple of his native hills grace and majesty are in his every movement and attitude and even to the most prosaic mind there is about him the inseparable glamour of feudal romance and poetry he is at his best alert in the excitement of the chase but all too rare now is the inspiring sight that once was common among the mountains of morvan and the glens of Argyle of the deep voiced hound speeding in pursuit of his antlered pray racing him at full stretch along the mountain's ridge or baying him at last in the fastness of darksome quarry or deep ravine gone are the good romantic days of stalking beloved by scrope the highlands have lost their loneliness and the inventions of the modern gunsmith have robbed one of the grandest of hunting dogs of his glory relegating him to the life of a pedestrian pet whose highest dignity is the winning of a pecuniary prize under kennel club rules historians of the deer hound associate him with the original Irish wolf dog of whom he is obviously a close relative and it is sure that when the wolf still lingered in the land it was the frequent quarry of the highland as of the hibernian hound legend has it that prince ocean son of fingle king of morvan hunted the wolf with the gray long bounding dogs swift footed lure and white breasted bram are among the names of ocean's hounds i am disposed to affirm that the old irish wolf hound and the highland deer hound are not only intimately allied in form and nature but that they are two strains of an identical breed altered only in size by circumstance and environment whatever the source of the highland deer hound and at whatever period it became distinct from its now larger irish relative it was recognized as a native dog in scotland in very early times and it was distinguished as being superior in strength and beauty to the hounds of the Picts from remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains of deer hound seeking glorious sport in the highland forests the red deer belonged by inexorable law to the kings of scotland and great drives which often lasted for several days were made to round up the herds into given neighborhoods for the pleasure of the court as in the reign of queen mary but the organized coursing of deer by courtiers ceased during the stewart troubles and was left in the hands of retainers who thus replenished their chief slarder the revival of deer stalking dates back hardly further than a hundred years it reached its greatest popularity in the highlands at the time when the late queen and prince albert were in residence at bell moral solemn hector and bran were among the bell moral hounds bran was an especially fine animal one of the best of his time standing over 30 inches in height two historic feats of strength and endurance illustrate the tenacity of the deer hound at work a brace of half-bred dogs named percy and douglas the property of mr scrope kept a stag at bay from saturday night to monday morning and the purebred bran by himself pulled down two unwounded stags one carrying ten and the other eleven times these of course are record performances but they demonstrate the possibilities of the deer hound when trained to his natural sport driving was commonly resorted to in the extensive forests but nowadays when forests are subdivided into limited shootings the deer are seldom moved from their home preserves whilst with the use of improved telescopes and the small bore rifle stalking has gone out of fashion with guns having a muzzle velocity of 2500 feet per second it is no longer necessary for sportsmen stealthily to stalk their game to come within easy range and as for hounds they have become a doubtful appendage to the chase primarily and essentially the deer hound belongs to the order agaceous hunting by sight and not by scent and although he may indeed occasionally put his nose to the ground yet his powers of scent are not remarkable his vocation therefore has undergone a change and it was recently ascertained that of 60 deer forests there were only six upon which deer hounds were kept for sporting purposes. Happily the deer hound has suffered no decline in the favour bestowed upon him for his own sake the contrary is rather the case and he is still an aristocrat among dogs valued for his good looks the symmetry of his form his grace and elegance and even more so for his faithful and affectionate nature Sir Walter Scott declared that he was a most perfect creature of heaven and when one sees him represented in so beautiful a specimen of his noble race as Saint Ronan's Rime for example or Talisman or Ayrshire one is tempted to echo this high praise. Seven and twenty years ago Captain Graham drew up a list of the most notable dogs of the last century among these was Sir St George Gore's Gruim 1843 to 44 Black Bran 1850 to 51 the Marquess of Bredlebane's King of the Forest said to stand 33 inches high Mr Beasley's Older 1863 to 67 bred by Sir John McNeill of Collinsay Mr Donald Cameron's Torham 1869 and his two sons Monsey and Young Torham and Mr Dadley's Hector who was probably the best bred dog living in the early 80s Torham however appears to have been the most successful of these dogs at stud he was an exceedingly grand specimen of his race strong framed with plenty of hair of a blue brindle color Captain Graham's own dog Kildar who had been trained for deer stalking in Windsor Park was perhaps one of the most elegant and aristocratic looking deer hounds ever seen his full height was 30 inches girth 33 and a half inches and weight 95 pounds his color bluish fawn slightly brindled the muzzle and ears being blue his nearest competitor for perfection was after Hector probably Mr Hood Wright's Bevis a darkish red brown brindle of about 29 inches Mr Wright was the breeder of champion Selwood Morven who was the celebrity of his race about 1897 and who became the property of Mr Harry Rawson the stately dog was a dark heather brindle standing 32 and 3 eighth inches at the shoulder with a chest girth of 34 and a half inches a few years ago breeders were inclined to mar the beauty of the deer hound by a two anxious endeavor to obtain great size rather than to preserve the genuine type but this error has been sufficiently corrected with the result that symmetry and elegance conjoined with the desired attributes of speed are not sacrificed the qualities aimed at now are a height of something less than 30 inches and a weight not greater than 105 pounds with straight forelegs and short cat-like feet a deep chest with broad powerful loins slightly arched and strength of hind quarters with well bent stifles and the hawks well let down straight stifles are objectionable giving a stillty appearance thick shoulders are equally a blemish to be avoided as also a too great heaviness of bone the following is the accepted standard of merit head the head should be broadest at the ears tapering slightly to the eyes with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose the muzzle should be pointed but the teeth and lips level the head should be long the skull flat rather than round with a very slight rise over the eyes but with nothing approaching a stop the skull should be coated with moderately long hair which is softer than the rest of the coat the nose should be black though in some blue forms the color is blue and slightly aquiline in the lighter colored dogs a black muzzle is preferred there should be a good mustache of rather silky hair and a fair beard ears the ears should be set on high and in repose folded back like the gray hounds though raised above the head in excitement without losing the fold and even in some cases semi erect a prick ear is bad a big thick ear hanging flat to the head or heavily coated with long hair is the worst of faults the ear should be soft glossy and like a mouse's coat to the touch and the smaller it is the better it should have no long coat or long fringe but there is often a silky silvery coat on the body of the ear and the tip whatever the general color the ears should be black or dark colored neck and shoulders the neck should belong that is of the length that befits the grayhound character of the dog an over long neck is not necessary nor desirable for the dog is not required to stoop in his work like a grayhound and it must be remembered that the mane which every good specimen should have detracts from the apparent length of neck moreover a deer hound requires a very strong neck to hold a stag the nape of the neck should be very prominent where the head is set on and the throat should be clean cut at the angle and prominent the shoulders should be well sloped the blades well back with not too much width between them loaded and straight shoulders are very bad faults stern stern should be tolerably long tapering and reaching to within one and a half inches of the ground and about one and a half inches below the hawks when the dog is still dropped perfectly straight down or curved when in motion it should be curved when excited in no case to be lifted out of the line of the back it should be well covered with hair on the inside thick and wiry underside longer and towards the end a slight fringe is not objectionable a curl or ringtail is very undesirable eyes the eyes should be dark generally they are dark brown or hazel a very light eye is not liked the eye is moderately full with a soft look in repose but a keen far away gaze when the dog is roused the rims of the eyelid should be black body the body and general formation is that of a gray hound of larger size and bone chest deep rather than broad but not too narrow and flat sided the loin well arched and drooping to the tail a straight back is not desirable this formation being unsuitable for going uphill and very unsightly legs and feet the legs should be broad and flat a good broad forearm and elbow being desirable four legs of course as straight as possible feet close and compact with well arched toes the hind quarters drooping and as broad and powerful as possible the hips being set wide apart the hind legs should be well bent at the stifle with great length from the hip to the hock which should be broad and flat cowhawks weak pastons straight stifles and splay feet are very bad faults coat the hair on the body neck and quarters should be harsh and wary and about three inches or four inches long that on the head breast and belly is much softer there should be a slight hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind legs but nothing approaching to the feathering of a collie the deerhound should be a shaggy dog but not overcoated a woolly coat is bad some good strains have a slight mixture of silky coat with the hard which is preferable to a woolly coat but the proper covering is a thick close lying ragged coat harsh or crisp to the touch color color is much a matter of fancy but there is no manner of doubt that the dark blue gray is the most preferred next come the darker and lighter grays or brindles the darkest being generally preferred yellow and sandy red or red for especially with black points i.e ears and muzzle are also in equal estimation this being the color of the oldest known strains the mcneal and the chest hill menzies white is condemned by all the old authorities but a white chest and white toes occurring as they do in a great many of the darkest colored dogs are not so greatly objected to but the less the better as the deerhound is a self-colored dog a white plays on the head or a white collar should entirely disqualify in other cases though passable an attempt should be made to get rid of white markings the less white the better but a slight white tip to the stern occurs in the best strains height of dogs from 28 to 30 inches or even more if there be symmetry without coarseness which however is rare height of bitches from 26 inches upwards there can be no objection to a bitch being large unless she is too coarse as even at her greatest height she does not approach that of the dog and therefore could not well be too big for work as over big dogs are besides a big bitch is good for breeding and keeping up the size weight from 85 pounds to 105 pounds in dogs from 65 pounds to eight pounds in bitches among the more prominent owners of deerhounds at the present time are mrs h armstrong mrs wc grue mrs jan rin dixon mrs a docksford mr harry rawson and mr h mclochen mrs armstrong is the breeder of two beautiful doghounds in talisman and laird of abbotsford and of two typically good bitches in fair maid of Perth and bride of lammermoor mrs grue owns many admirable specimens among them being Blair Athol, Ayrshire, Kenilworth and Feraline her Ayrshire is considered by some judges to be the most perfect deerhound exhibited for some time past he is somewhat large perhaps but he is throughout a hound of excellent quality and character having a most typical head with lovely eyes and expression perfect front feet and hindquarters other judges would give the palm to mr harry rawson st ronan's ranger who is certainly difficult to excel in all the characteristics most desirable in the breed end of chapter