58 British Dogs. 



He faced the bloodhound manfully 

 And held his little bat on high; 

 So fierce he struck, the dog, afraid, 

 At cautious distance hoarsely bay'd, 



But still in act to spriug. 

 When dashed an archer through the glade, 

 And when be saw the bound was stayed, 



He drew his tough bow-srring. 

 But a rough voice cried, " Sboot not, hoy ! 

 Ho ! shoot not, Edward 'tis a boy." 



The bloodhound of to-day, changed as he no doubt has been by 

 " modern refinement, collateral crosses, and experimental commixture," 

 stands an average height of about 27in., bitches an inch or more less. 

 He possesses a commanding dignity of appearance, with an attractive- 

 ness of expression that is truly noble ; he seems to rest with silent 

 confidence and self-reliance in the consciousness of his own power and 

 importance ; and, as he reposes on his bench in stately form calmly 

 viewing his admirers, receives their adulations in stately fashion, as "to 

 the manner born." When seen in action he moves more gracefully 

 than the more massive mastiff, and gives an impression of a well- 

 adjusted union of activity and strength. 



The head is remarkably striking ; it is large and long, high domed, 

 and peaked at back of skull in comparison with its length it is narrow ; 

 the upper jaw is also long and narrow, ending with wide-spread 

 capacious nose ; the upper lips or flews are thin and deep, hanging well 

 below the under jaw. The ears, low set on, are remarkable for their 

 great length, hanging like folds of graceful drapery to such depth they 

 can be made to meet before the nose. There is a quantity of loose 

 skin about the head and throat, giving the attractive wrinkled appear- 

 ance to the face, and the " dewlaps like Thessalian bulls," called 

 " throatyness," The eye is deep-seated, calm, and scrutinising, and 

 full of expression, the "haw" from its red appearance, probably 

 named from the berry of the white thorn well exposed. The neck 

 is longer in reality than appearance, shoulders fairly sloped, and fore 

 legs, stout, straight, and muscular, with the feet round, and well 

 padded ; splay feet are objectionable ; the claws are large, strong, 

 and black in colour. The barrel of moderate length, ribs deep and 

 well sprung ; loins and hind quarters very muscular ; the tail of great 

 length, set on high, thick at the base, and tapering, but not to a> 

 fine point very pliant. " Stonehenge " pays "gracefully waving;" 



