242 THE BULL-DOG. 



when compared with the body, the alleged discrepancy is only caused by the deceptive 

 appearance of the skull. It is true that the brain appears to be small when compared with 

 the heavy bony processes and ridges that serve to support the muscles of the head and neck, 

 but if the brain be weighed against the remainder of the body, it will be found rather to 

 exceed the average than to be below it. 



The same writer is disposed to think the Bull-dog to be a sadly maligned animal, and that 

 Ms sagacity and affections have been greatly underrated. He states that the pure Bull-dog is 

 not naturally a quarrelsome creature, and that it would not bear so evil a character if it were 

 better taught. 



According to him, the Bull-dog is really a sufficiently intelligent animal, and its mental 

 qualities capable of high cultivation. It is true that the animal is an unsafe companion even 

 for its master, and that it is just as likely to attack its owner as a stranger, if it feels aggrieved. 

 An accidental kick, or a tread on the toes, affords ample pretext for the animal to fasten on 

 its supposed enemy ; and when once it does fix its teeth, it is not to be removed except by the 

 barbarous method which is considered to be legitimate for such a purpose, but which will not 

 be mentioned in these pages. However, most of these shortcomings in temper are said to be 

 produced by the life which the poor Dog leads, being tied up to his kennel for the greater 

 part of his time ; and, when released from his bondage, only enjoying a limited freedom for 

 the purpose of fighting a maddened bull, or engaging in deadly warfare with one of his own 

 kind. Any animal would become morose under such treatment ; and when the sufferer is a 

 Bull-dog, the results of his training are often disastrous enough. 



The shape of this remarkable animal is worthy of notice. The fore-qiiarters are particu- 

 larly strong, massive, and muscular ; the chest wide and roomy ; and the neck singularly 

 powerful. The hind-quarters, on the contrary, are very thin, and comparatively feeble ; all 

 the vigor of the animal seeming to settle in its fore-legs, chest, and head. Indeed, it gives the 

 spectator an impression as if it were composed of two different Dogs ; the one a large and 

 powerful animal, and the other a weak and puny quadruped, which had been put together by 

 mistake. The little fierce eyes that gleam savagely from the round, combative head, have a 

 latent fire in them that gives cause for much suspicion on the part of a stranger who comes 

 unwarily within reach of one of these Dogs. The underhung jaw, with its row of white 

 glittering teeth, seems to be watering with desire to take a good bite at the stranger's leg ; and 

 the matter is not improved by the well-known custom of the Bull-dog to bite without giving 

 the least vocal indication of his purpose. 



In all tasks where persevering courage is required, the Bull-dog is quietly eminent, and 

 can conquer many a Dog in its own peculiar accomplishment. The idea of yielding does not 

 seem to enter his imagination, and he steadily perseveres until he succeeds or falls. One of 

 these animals was lately matched by his owner to swim a race against a large white Newfound- 

 land Dog, and won the race by nearly a hundred yards. The owners of the competing quad- 

 rupeds threw them out of a boat at a given signal, and then rowed away as fast as they could 

 pull. The two Dogs followed the boat at the best of their speed, and the race was finally won 

 by the Bull-dog. It is rather remarkable that the Bull-dog swam with the whole of his head 

 and the greater part of his neck out of the water, while the Newfoundland only showed the 

 upper part of his head above the surface. 



According to the authority which has already been quoted, a well-bred Bull-dog ought to 

 present the following characteristics of form. "The head should be round, the skull high, 

 the eye of moderate size, and the forehead well sunk between the eyes ; the ears semi -erect and 

 small, well placed on the top of the head, and rather close together than otherwise ; the muzzle 

 short, truncate, and well furnished with chop ; the back should be short, well arched towards 

 the stern, which should be fine, and of moderate length. Many Bull-dogs have what is called 

 a crooked stern, as though the vertebrae of the tail were dislocated or broken ; I am disposed 

 to attribute this to in-breeding. The coat should be fine, though many superior strains are 

 very woolly coated ; the chest should be deep and broad, the legs strong and muscular, and 

 the foot narrow, and well split up like a hare's." 



