THE DALMATIAN 377 



Bewick gives an engraving of one so perfect in the clearly defined 

 and perfectly arranged spots, that there is not the least doubt art 

 improved on Nature, just as Mr. Baker, in " Dogs of the British 

 Islands," made Captain's spots so very much more distinct, with 

 his pencil, than Dame Nature has, with hers. Either of these 

 engravings might, however, be taken as a model to breed up to as 

 regards colour and markings. 



It has been assumed that the Dalmatian possesses an instinctive 

 fondness for the horse ; but this alone was not the cause of his 

 being attached to the carriage and stable. More likely was it that 

 his ornamental qualities and his powers of endurance to run at a 

 high rate of speed along the hard high-roads for long distances 

 were the attractions to owners of equipages, and that his liking for 

 horses, and all connected with them, has been fostered by habit, 

 and is now inherited. 



"Idstone" says he never knew a dog of the breed that did 

 not readily take to following horse and conveyance, and the writer's 

 experience has been the same, he having possessed many of prize 

 blood that showed marked propensity to follow a carriage, even 

 when not reared among horses. It appears to be a predominating 

 trait in the character of the breed in fact, their delight. No matter 

 at what hour, a Dalmatian is always ready for the turn out, and 

 does not seem to care how long the run may be ; and many a time 

 has the writer had two or three of them following his trap, on pitch- 

 dark nights, over rough country roads, without making a mistake. 



Some Dalmatians keep close under the carriage in running, so 

 much so that they appear as though chained to the axle ; but 

 others, indeed most of them, when fresh and full of life, gallop 

 in front or at the side, showing much dignity as the forerunner 

 of the carriage, and pleasure in association with it. At other times 

 they run close to the horses' heels, but do not snap at them or 

 jump up, barking, in front of their noses, as dogs of other breeds 

 are apt to do under similar circumstances. 



As already said, in the early part of the century the Dalmatian 

 wa.s more generally kept than he is now as a part of the stable 

 establishment ; and then and, indeed, within the memory of persons 

 still living his ears were cropped short, often to a level with the 

 head. Twenty years ago there was evidence that this very hand- 

 some appendage to the carriage was slowly regaining its popularity. 

 Now there seems more probability of that occurring, for the breed 

 is being much encouraged at shows, as breeds are that are supported 

 by special clubs. 



For the information of those readers who have not bred 

 Dalmatians, it may be said that they are always born pure, or 

 nearly pure, white in colour, and the spots do not usually develop 

 for some months afterwards. The writer's experience is, that those 



