252 British Dogs. 



opinion which I cannot from my own observation controvert, all the lions 

 I have seen being prevented from marching in anything like a dignified 

 fashion by the limits of their cages, but judging from the construction of 

 'the two animals, I am inclined to think the reverend gentleman drew on 

 his "inner consciousness" for the illustration, and that the king of 

 brutes does not march with anything like the noble bearing I lately saw 

 displayed by eight of the pick of the Shefford Kennels as they filed along 

 a Bedfordshire-lane for my delectation. 



In judging St. Bernards, I think symmetry, which is essential to good 

 action and endurance, of the first consideration, and to which size alone 

 should give way ; but the latter point is, in a companion dog, kept for 

 his commanding appearance, not to be lost sight of ; for a big good one 

 is better than a little good one, but a slouching gait destroys his preten- 

 sions to high rank and gives him a vulgar look, for which gigantic size 

 does not compensate. 



In temper the St. Bernard is, as a rule, gentle and manageable, but 

 ihis, as in all breeds, depends much on his human masters and on indi- 

 viduality, but even a naturally bad-tempered dog may be improved by 

 judicious treatment. 



There is one fault to which I have reason to believe they are as a breed 

 naturally prone namely, a penchcvnt for raw mutton, which they are apt 

 to indulge in a lawless manner unbecoming dogs living in civilised 

 society. This taste they do not object to vary by making a meal of "a 

 kid of the goats," and I advise those rearing St. Bernards to keep a 

 watchful eye, and check with a firm hand the first disposition to meddle 

 with flocks and herds they see exhibited in their young dogs. 



The following points of the St. Bernard, so admirably drawn up by 

 <i Stonehenge," I have copied verbatim from his article in his new issue of 

 " The Dogs of the British Islands," for, I think it is most desirable that 

 a standard should be recognised by which these dogs should be judged, 

 and the points have nowhere else been described with such complete- 

 ness and lucidity. 



There are a few points only in which I cannot quite concur, and to 

 which I will refer, although many may consider it presumptuous to differ 

 from instead of sitting at the feet of the Gamaliel of canine lore. 



First, as to the line up the poll. " Stonehenge," after describing the 

 dress and badge of the Benedictine monks, says : " A dog marked with 



