MA TURITY — MEA L 



would not be difficult to ensure. The breed, moreover, in 

 addition to the possession of a most majestic appearance, 

 is fully entitled to claim the distinction of being the best 

 and most reliable watch-dog of all the large varieties, and 

 as such is surely worth preserving. 



The head of the mastiff is broad, flat, of a good 

 length, showing a stop, and rather raised at the brows ; 

 the muzzle being short, powerful, and square. The jaws 

 are not always level, but if they are, so much the better ; 

 the eyes are small, set wide apart, and of a dark hazel 

 colour ; the ears being set on high and wide apart, they 

 are fine in texture, and hang flat to the sides of the head. 

 The neck is long, rather arched, and carries a dewlap ; 

 the shoulders are sloping and muscular ; whilst the chest 

 is both wide and deep, and the ribs well sprung. The 

 body is rather long, the back being extremely powerful 

 and slightly arched in the case of dogs but flat in bitches ; 

 whilst the loins are deep and powerful, a slack loin being 

 a bad fault. The fore-legs are of fair length, quite straight, 

 and very heavy in bone, with large round feet ; the hind 

 ones being very muscular about the thighs, with hocks 

 fairly bent, and neither turned in nor out ; whilst the tail is 

 rather coarse and hangs downwards. The coat is short, 

 thick, and inclined to be harsh to the touch ; the principal 

 colours being brindle, or a clear fawn, with a black mask 

 and ears. (See Afask, Stop.) 



Maturity. — Different breeds of dogs do not all mature 

 at the same age, some taking longer than others, but from 

 about eighteen months to two years is the usual average. 



Maw Worms. (See Worms.) 



Meal. — Oatmeal is the best of all meals for dogs if 

 given them well boiled and mixed with broth and a little 

 cooked flesh, as it unquestionably assists in the develop- 



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