MODERN FARRIER. 511 



cattle ; in which way they are extremely useful. 

 They are larger, stronger, and fiercer than the shep- 

 herd's dog; and tlieir hair is smoother and shorter. 

 They are mostly of a black and white colour ; their 

 ears are half pricked ; and many of them are whelp- 

 ed with short tails, which seem as if they had been 

 cut : these are called self-failed dogs. They bite 

 very keenly ; and as they always make their attack 

 at the heels, the cattle have no defence against 

 them ; in this way they are more than a match for 

 a bull, which they quickly compel to run. Their 

 sagacity is uncommonly great. 



36. The Mastiff. 



The genuine old English mastiff is rarely to be 

 seen, as the breed has been contaminated by various 

 intermixtures. In its original state tlie mastiff is far 

 superior in height, size, bone, and strength, to the 

 bull-dog ; the ears more pendulous, the countenance 

 commanding, and the eyes fiercely expressive. — 

 Notwithstanding his terrific appearance, and me- 

 nacing looks to strangers, he is, to his master and 

 friends, as mild in his manners, and as grateful and 

 solicitous of attention, as the most diminutive of the 

 canine race. Their ferocity can always be increased 

 or diminished by the degree of restraint in which 

 they are kept; those constantly chained are more 

 dangerous to approach than those which are accus- 

 tomed to their liberty. During his nocturnal guard 

 the mastiff gives notice of the least alarm, as it is 

 the peculiar practice of this dog always to bark be- 

 fore he bites. 



37. The Bulldog, 



This is the fiercest of all the dog kind, and is pro- 

 bably the most courageous creature in the world. 

 It is low in stature, but very strong and muscular. 

 Its nose is short ; and the under jaw projects beyond 

 the upper, which gives it a fierce and unpleasing 



