714 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



truly British dog, and had his origin in this country. We 

 are borne out in this opinion by finding that, at so early a 

 period as the time of the Eoman empire, this country was 

 celebrated on account of its dogs of this kind ; and at the 

 period when Great Britain was under the Roman yoke, an 

 officer was appointed to live here, whose sole business was 

 to breed, select, and send to Rome such as promised, by 

 their size and strength, to become fit for the combats of the 

 amphitheatre. Dr. Caius informs us that three mastiffs 

 were reckoned a match for a bear, and four for a lion. 



From the large size and commanding aspect of the 

 mastiff, he is naturally calculated to intimidate strangers; 

 consequently is peculiarly well suited for the protection of 

 large and extensive premises ; and he watches them with the 

 most scrupulous care and assiduity. He is so instinctively 

 impressed with the importance of his charge, that he will 

 lose his life rather than abandon it. But with this com- 

 manding aspect, he possesses qualities of the best kind. 

 He is remarkable for the great mildness of his disposition, 

 when disencumbered of his charges, and is as solicitous to 

 gain attention, and as faithfully grateful for favours, as the 

 most diminutive of the canine race. 



The mastiif has one peculiarity in his character, which 

 seems inherent : — his ferocity is always increased by the 

 degree of restraint under which he is kept. If kept con- 

 stantly on the chain, his temper is irritable and ferocious, 

 and it is consequently dangerous for a stranger to approach 

 him ; from whence it evidently appears, that what may be 

 considered a friendly kindness on one side, is always pro- 

 ductive of confidence on the other. He seems conscious of 

 his own great strength, power, and authority, and will 

 seldom condescend to lower his dignity by servile fawning, 

 while he appears to consider his services as only befitting a 



