382 BRITISH DOGS 



tourist would, in this dog, have a highly ornamental adjunct to his 

 travelling equipage, a pleasant companion, and a good guard of his 

 property. The word cyclist has been purposely used, as no breed of 

 dog should be expected to keep pace with the " scorchers " often 

 seen tearing along ; but for those on bicycles, travelling at a moderate 

 rate of speed, or those on tricycles, Dalmatians would make useful 

 and agreeable companions, and that they are very keen as watch- 

 dogs has been proved by long experience. 



The Dalmatian is still used in some Continental countries as a 

 Pointer, and of his innate capacity to fill that position if his powers 

 were developed by training there can be no doubt ; but as he is 

 seldom so used here, has been treated in this chapter merely as an 

 ornamental and companion dog. 



The illustrations to this article are Moujik, black spotted, a 

 sire of Champion Acrobat and winner of many prizes all over the 

 country, and Dr. Wheeler O'Bryen's Melton, liver spotted, a well- 

 marked young dog of much promise, but who has not yet been 

 often seen at the shows. 



The following is the description of the Dalmatian as laid down 

 by the Dalmatian Club. It may be observed that thirty points are 

 allowed for markings and colour. Evidently the Club intend that 

 Dalmatians shall be fairly well marked and typical. 



The Dalmatian in many respects much resembles the Pointer, more especially 

 in size, build, and outline, though the markings peculiar to this breed are a very 

 important feature and very highly valued. 



In General A ppeirance the Dalmatian should represent a strong, muscular, and 

 active dog, symmetrical in outline, free from coarseness and lumber, capable 

 cf great endurance, combined with, a fair amount of speed. 



The Head should be of fair length, the skull flat, rather broad between the 

 ears and moderately well defined at the temples i.e. exhibiting a moderate 

 amount of " stop," and not in one straight line from the nose to the occiput bone, 

 as required in a Bull-terrier. It should be entirely free from wrinkle. 



The Muzzle should be long and powerful, the lips clean, fitting the jaws 

 moderately close. 



The Eyes should be set moderately well apart and of medium size, round, 

 bright, and sparkling, with an intelligent expression, their colour greatly depending 

 on the markings of the dog : in the black -spotted variety the eyes should be 

 dark (black or brown) ; in the liver-spotted variety they should be light 

 (yellow or light brown). The rim round the eyes in the black-spotted variety 

 should be black ; brown in the liver-spotted variety ; never flesh-coloured in either. 



The Ears should be set on rather high, of moderate size, rather wide at the base, 

 tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head, be thin 

 and fine in texture, and always spotted, the more profusely the better. 



The Nose in the black-spotted variety should always be black ; in the liver- 

 spotted variety always brown. 



Neck and Shoulders. The neck should be fairly long, nicely arched, light 

 and tapering, and entirely free from throatiness. The shoulders should be 

 moderately oblique, clean, and muscular, denoting speed. 



Body, Back, Chest, and Loins. The chest should not be too wide, but very deep 

 and capacious ; ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel-hoops 



