DOGS. 



681 



white. The above markings of the head and neck are preferred by the monks because they 

 resemble the badge of the monk s order. Solid colored dogs are not uncommon. 



The, St. Bernard dog is remarkably pleasant in disposition, and maybe trusted with 

 women and children with the greatest confidence, towards whom he seems to take the part of 

 a self-appointed guardian. Their principal characteristics are a large head, majestic and 

 intelligent appearance; eyes rather deep, with a furrow extending between them up to the 

 skull; lips pendulous; general form well proportioned. The height is from twenty-eight to 

 thirty-one inches; the length six feet, including the tail. They have a keen scent, unusual 

 quickness of perception, and remarkable powers of endurance. The valuable dog &quot;Monk,&quot; 

 owned by Mr. D. P. Foster, of New York, and said to be the largest St. Bernard in the 

 country, died a short time since. Mr. Foster says of him: 



&quot;I brought Monk from the monastery of St. Gothard, in Switzerland, last August. He 

 cost me $500, but I have since refused $800 for him, and I valued him at $1,000. He 

 weighed about 170 pounds, stood thirty-four inches from the shoulder to the ground, and 

 measured six feet nine inches from his nose to the tip of his tail. He was two years old, of 

 a tawny lion color, with large, lustrous, kindly, nazel eyes, a heavy, drooping jaw, and huge, 



overlapping upper lip. His 

 frame was massive, and his 

 face beamed with intelli 

 gence. &quot;When reared upon 

 his hind feet he looked enor 

 mous and fierce, yet he had 

 such a gentle and kindly na 

 ture that children delighted 

 to play with him, and he with 

 them. Every day I took him 

 out into Washington Square 

 for his- airing, and he was a 

 great favorite with the nurses 

 and children, and would poke 

 his nose into every baby car 

 riage that came near. He 

 was a pure, rough-coated St. 

 Bernard. His father and 

 mother are yet employed by 



BT. BERNARD, &quot;DON,&quot; 



Owned by Mr. John P. Haines, New York City. 



the monks of St. Gothard in hunting the mountain passes in search of unfortunate travelers. 

 They are named Jungfrau and Monk, and they distinguished themselves in 1871 by saving the 

 li ves of several of a large party of monks, guides, and travelers who were buried in an avalanche. 

 He was a dog of exemplary behavior. No man could enter the house at night without 

 his permission, and none could go out unless I was there to give my consent. He was 

 obedient, would fetch and carry, shake hands, lie down for the children to play with him, and 

 give his old mountain howl of distress if he wanted help. He would not go out in the street 

 unaccompanied, and then only after his toilet had been properly made his face washed and 

 his hair combed. He understood simple commands in three languages Latin, French, and 

 English. If there was a noise at the front door, he would be the first there. If the bell 

 rang in the night, he would come and wake me up by scratching at the door. Monk had one 

 peculiarity; he did not like soldiers, and when he met one he would step back and crouch as 

 if ready for a spring. The reason of it was that he had been struck when young by a 

 soldier. He always seemed to remember that blow, the monks said, and I found it true. 

 He always reminded me of the lines that I once saw on a picture of old Monk, his father: 



In joy and sorrow I am my master s friend, 

 Honest and faithful, bribeless to the end. &quot; 



