272 British Dogs. 



to following a carriage, although reared among horses. Still, that is a 

 predominating trait in their character, and, in fact, in that seems to con- 

 sist their sole delight, and, no matter at what hour, they are always ready 

 for the turn out, and do not seem to care how far the run may be. 



Some Dalmatians keep close under the carriage in running, so much so 

 that they appear to run as though chained to the axle, but others, indeed 

 the most of them, when fresh and full of life, gallop in front, showing 

 much dignity as the forerunner of the carriage, and pleasure in association 

 with it. At other times they run marvellously close to the horse's heels, 

 but they never snap at them or jump up barking at them in front of 

 their nose as dogs of other breeds are apt to do under similar circum- 

 stances. 



As already said, in the early part of the century the carriage dog was 

 more generally kept than he is npw as a part of the stable establishment, 

 and then, and indeed until almost recent years, his ears were cropped 

 short, often to a level with the head. Many readers will recollect dogs 

 that had been subjected to this barbarous custom, and I am glad to say 

 it no longer prevails ; indeed, terrier fanciers are the only class who now 

 indulge such a vitiated taste, and it is to be hoped they will soon, from 

 shame at being so far behind their neighbours, if from no higher motive, 

 give up a custom for which it is impossible to find any better justification 

 than the wish to indulge a vulgar fancy. There are, I think, evidences 

 that this very handsome appendage to the carriage is slowly but, I hope, 

 surely regaining his popularity. It is true they have never been a large 

 class at our shows, but I certainly know more good specimens at the 

 present time than I have done for years, and I have known every prize 

 winner since the commencement of shows. 



The Messrs. Hale, of Brierley Hill and Burton-on-Trent, were prin- 

 cipal winners at early shows, and Mr. Eowland Davies, of Swan Village, 

 West Bromwich, owned some good ones that won at Birmingham and 

 London ; and then followed Mr. E. J. LI. Price's Crib, bred by Mr. Eow- 

 land Hale, that took all before him until in his declining years he had to 

 give way to Mr. Fawdry's celebrated Captain a dog, I think, the best 

 coloured of any of the breed I have ever seen, but, from what I have 

 seen of coming dogs, I should think his place is likely to be taken by the 

 subject of our woodcut Dr. James's Spotted Dick a dog not so good in 

 contrast of colour, but superior in formation. 



