CHAPTER III 

 THE THIBET MASTIFF 



THESE dogs are comparatively rare in England, and only occasionally 

 met with at our shows ; but they are such magnificent animals that 

 it is to be regretted that they are not bred here, as they are really 

 well worth cultivating for their noble appearance, and under the 

 skill and care of English breeders their natural good qualities, grand 

 proportions, and noble bearing would be developed to the utmost. 



In their native country they are used as guardians of the flock 

 and the family ; and half a dozen of them, with " their bristles up," 

 would certainly present a formidable front to marauders, human 

 or lupine. 



In general contour they bear a resemblance to our English 

 Mastiff, although the rough, dense coat and black colour form a 

 strong contrast to the rich fawns and fallows of our home breed, 

 with their close-lying, short, and shining jackets. 



The subject of our illustration (Fig. 22) Siring was a remarkably 

 fine specimen, one of two exhibited by the King, at that time the 

 Prince of Wales, at the Alexandra Palace Show, December, 1875. 

 The pair were exceedingly well matched, and were much admired, 

 Siring being, perhaps, a shade the better. Both the specimens 

 were well formed, strong in the back and loins, deep ribbed, with 

 well-developed quarters, and standing on stout, straight legs. 



In size they are not quite equal to our native Mastiffs, although 

 the long coat gives them an advantage in appearance. The coat 

 is about as long as a Newfoundland's, and very dense; not sleek 

 and glossy, but rough, without being harsh. The colour is black, 

 inclining to brownish-black on some parts of the body, and the 

 soft undercoat is of a fulvous colour. The tail is large, well 

 furnished with hair, and carried pretty high, and with a good 

 swirl in fact, the term "gawcie," which Burns uses to describe 

 the Scotch Collie's tail, pretty accurately applies; but unfortu- 

 nately there is no exact equivalent in English bushy, yet showy, 

 comes near it. The Thibet Mastiff carries his stern much 

 higher than the Collie in fact, well over the hips. 



The head, wherein the character of the animal is stamped, and 

 where we always look first in considering the type of dog, differs 



