378 BRITISH DOGS 



specimens which are slowest in producing their spots turn out best, 

 as the others are often too dark, or too crowded in their markings, 

 and do not make up so well 



In the matter of grooming, a light brushing with a dandy-brush, 

 going over them afterwards with a hound-glove and chamois leather, 

 is all that is required ; but, of course, if the coat is very soiled or 

 discoloured, washing may be necessary, when it is best to put them 

 into a loose box, or some such place, with plenty of clean straw, till 

 quite dry. As a general rule, it is not advisable to buy a Dalmatian 

 puppy under six months old, on account of the difficulty about 

 the markings ; but if such should be done, then, in a breed where 

 size and bone are of such importance, choose the biggest in the 

 litter, if it promises to have a well-shaped head and body and 

 straight limbs. 



Perhaps some anecdotes illustrating the fondness of these dogs 

 for horses and carriages with which they were familiar may be 

 interesting to some readers. The first is related by the well-known 

 naturalist, Jesse. 



" The late Mr. Thomas Walker, of Manchester, was the owner of 

 a Dalmatian dog, accustomed to live in the stables with his horses, 

 and to lie in the stall with one in particular, to which he was much 

 attached. The groom who looked after the horses had orders to 

 go on an errand to Stockport, about seven miles' distance, and he 

 rode the horse above mentioned the favourite companion of the 

 dog leaving the dog in the stable for fear of his being lost on 

 the road. After the man on horseback had been gone about an 

 hour some one, going into the stable, let the dog out, and he set 

 off at once after his comrade. The groom had finished his business, 

 and was just leaving Stockport for his return journey, when he was 

 much surprised to meet the dog coming at a great pace down the 

 hill into the town, and he seemed rejoiced to meet his friend and 

 companion the horse." 



From [an old newspaper is taken the following account of a 

 dog long known as the Brighton Coach-dog : 



" For a long period a Dalmatian dog accompanied the only 

 coach which, in 1851, ran between Brighton and London. He 

 belonged to the ostler at the Newcastle Place stables, Edgware Road. 

 He went to the yard when quite young, and the ostler took care 

 of him. Being always amongst horses, he was never happy unless 

 with them, at home or travelling about. His chief delight was to 

 travel up and down with the Brighton coach. He has been known 

 this last spring to travel for eight successive days to and from 

 Brighton, Sunday intervening. 



The distance from London to Brighton by way of Henfield, 

 Horsham, Dorking, and Leatherhead, the road which the ' Age ' 



