152 OUR HOME PETS 



brindle color. A white breast is indispen- 

 sable, white also around the nose, at the end 

 of the tail, and if he has a bit on the nape of 

 the neck, and a blaze, so much the better. 

 Should he happen to be without white, he is 

 nobody in the St. Bernard family. Any other 

 colors than those mentioned are undesirable. 



The third of the big dogs is the mastiff, of 

 soft fawn-color, with black ears and muzzle, 

 and short, smooth coat. About no dog do 

 opinions differ more widely than about this 

 one his friends declaring him a pattern of 

 virtue, while his enemies are just as positive 

 that he is a monster of vice, some going so 

 far as to call him a man-eater. There is no 

 doubt that he will faithfully protect his mas- 

 ter's property, and all agree that when once 

 roused he is furious, and no man or beast is 

 safe from his rage. Kindly cared for, he is 

 said to be peaceable and gentle with children ; 

 but if he considers himself unjustly treated, he 

 will fly at his best -loved friend. However 

 valuable he may be as a protector in a country- 

 place, he is certainly unfitted for the city, 

 where it is difficult to give him enough exer- 

 cise to keep him in health. 



