The Mastiff. 243 



what he calls purity ; when that term is applied to dogs of any breed my 

 scepticism is aroused, and, indeed, even could absolute purity be proved, 

 I would not put the high value on it that many do. Beyond a certain 

 point, I consider this "purity" positively hurtful ; I prefer, as a breeder 

 of dogs, to look forward rather than back, and like 



The grand old gardener and his wife 

 Smile at the claims of long descent. 



The good old dogs, like the good old times , possess many advantages 

 over the present, now that distance lends enchantment to the view ; 

 but in my opinion the present dogs are the best, and will as certainly be 

 excelled by those of the future. To think otherwise would be to admit 

 that the English, who have succeeded so unquestionably in the improve- 

 ment of so many other animals, have failed with the dog. 



In making these remarks I do not disparage nor even, I hope, under- 

 estimate the good qualities of the Lyme Hall mastiff. One of the most 

 astute judges and successful breeders (Mr. Edgar Hanbury) has thought 

 highly and written of them in most eulogistic terms, giving practical 

 force to his expressed admiration by introducing them into his own 

 kennels from Mr. Kingdon's ; and of several of the breed that I have 

 seen I can say they were magnificent specimens, and I regret that so 

 few opportunities are now afforded the public of seeing them at shows, 

 as it is only by actual comparison that a fair judgment on relative 

 merits of animals can be formed, and in forming such judgment it is 

 absolutely necessary for agreement that the various judges should adopt 

 one standard of excellence. 



Modern taste in mastiffs seems to require above all things size and 

 symmetry, and what I contend for is that modern taste has a perfect 

 right to demand what it pleases in such matters. The great evil to te 

 guarded against is that the standard should not be varied at the caprice 

 of judges or societies, whose position gives them an adventitious influence 

 in forming public taste and opinion. Now, to put a case : if I considered 

 it necessary to cross the mastiff with the boarhound in order to gain 

 the desired size, and having gained that point went back to the 

 mastiff to eliminate other elements which the boarhound cross had intro- 

 duced, but which I did not want, I would expect that some members for 

 a number of generations would, to use a favourite! expression of Mr. 

 Kingdon's, exhibit "the discordant elements of which their ancestors 



B 2 



