544 BRITISH DOGS 



interested in, knows the difficulty of obtaining correct colour 

 and markings, where these are characteristics of a breed. The 

 argument used in favour of providing these classes is that dogs 

 of all sorts of colour are to be found in China; but the same 

 argument might be used for encouraging the exhibition of dogs 

 lacking the principal feature of the breed a black, or rather a bluish- 

 black, tongue because Chinese dogs are to be met with having 

 red tongues. The King at one time owned a very fine specimen 

 of a deep red colour, which won several prizes in Foreign classes, 

 although he had a red tongue ; but this was before Chow-Chows 

 had classes to themselves, and would afford no excuse for classes 

 being provided for dogs having this defect It is to be regretted 

 that of late years there has been a tendency on the part of breeders, 

 when they have found themselves unable to breed the correct 

 thing, to urge Committees to provide separate classes for their 

 dogs, and in many cases Committees, anxious to secure additional 

 entries, have shown too much readiness to do so. 



One of the most typical dogs of this breed that has come under 

 the writer's notice was a black-and-tan dog, purchased at the Dogs' 

 Home some years ago, but which was never exhibited on account 

 of its colour. As there was no means of knowing how the dog 

 was bred, it is impossible to say whether this colour was the result 

 of a cross between a black and a red ; but if so, it is contrary to 

 the usual result of crossing the two colours, as generally the puppies 

 will be found to partake of one colour or the other. The colour 

 of the tongue is peculiar to the breed, and the fact of a dog having 

 a black or partially black tongue would be a sure indication that 

 there had been at some time a Chow-Chow cross, although the 

 dog might not resemble the breed in any other respect. 



Among the poorer classes of China these dogs are used as an 

 article of food, and when required for this purpose are fed largely 

 on rice. We have been informed by a gentleman who resided 

 many years in Hong Kong that they are eaten when quite young, 

 and then only the fore feet and paws are used, the black dog 

 being much preferred. This fact is also mentioned by Archdeacon 

 Gray in his interesting book on China, wherein we are told that 

 placards are commonly to be seen over the doors of restaurants 

 in Canton patronised by mechanics and others, stating that the 

 flesh of black dogs and cats can be served at a moment's notice. 

 He also gives a translation of a bill of fare, in which the following 

 appears : 



Cat's flesh, one basin 10 cents 



Black cat's flesh, one small basin ... ... 5 cents 



Black dog's grease ... ... I tael 4 cents 



Black cat's eyes, one pair ... ... 4 cents. 



