THE CHIEF BREEDS OF DOGS 187 



brown are the colors of its coat. The mastiff has 

 rustic manners, scent far from keen, intelligence 

 little developed. It is found fault with for not being 

 very docile and not lavishing its caresses. Is the 

 charge well founded? When one leads a rude life in 

 mountain pastures, often at close quarters with 

 wolves, can one possess the pretty, endearing ways 

 of the dog reared in idleness? Is not a severe man- 

 ner the necessary condition of the grave duties to be 

 performed? The mastiff has the qualities of its lot 

 in life, and it has them to such a degree that it is not 

 always of the same opinion as its master, knowing 

 better than he what must be done to protect the flock. 

 Let a wolf appear, and without considering whether 

 it is the stronger or weaker, the brave dog will throw 

 itself on the beast and seize it by the nape of the neck, 

 even at the risk of perishing in the battle. The mas- 

 tiff does not weigh the danger; it leaps to the call 

 of duty a noble quality, and one that has given rise 

 to the likening of an energetic and resolute person to 

 a good mastiff." 



"This wolf-strangler," said Emile, "has my high- 

 est esteem, although he is not clever at offering the 

 paw and playing dead." 



"You will have no less esteem for the shepherd 

 dog. It is of medium size, generally black, with long 

 hair all over the body except on the muzzle. It has 

 short, erect ears, tail horizontal or drooping. You 

 know with what a swagger most dogs carry their tail 

 over their back, curved like a trumpet. With them 

 that is a sign of high satisfaction. If they are anx- 



