THE CHIEF BREEDS OF DOGS 201 



torn by bites or made uglier by cropping; think 

 of all these marks of a brutal nature and tell me for 

 what sort of occupation the bulldog is properly 

 fitted." 



"Its occupation," answered Jules, "is read in its 

 gross physiognomy: the bulldog is made for fight- 

 ing." 



"Yes, my friend; for fighting and nothing else. 

 Let no one ask it to watch over a flock, accompany 

 the hunter, retrieve the fallen game, or even turn 

 the spit; its dull intelligence does not go so far as 

 that. Its one gift is the gift of the jaw that snaps 

 and does not let go ; its one passion, the frenzy of 

 combat. When its teeth have once fastened them- 

 selves in an adversary's flesh, do not expect them 

 to loosen their hold : a vice is not more tenacious in 

 its grip. Calls, threats, blows, nothing avails to 

 separate two bulldogs fighting each other; it is nec- 

 essary to seize them and bite them hard on the end 

 of the tail. The sharp pain of the bite can alone re- 

 call them from the fury of combat. ' ' 



"I wouldn't undertake the operation; the animal 

 might turn against the one trying to make it let 

 go." 



"For the master there is no danger, as the bull- 

 dog is strongly attached to him. Boldness, 

 strength, and indomitable tenacity in battle make 

 this dog an efficient protector such as it is well to 

 have at one's side in a rough encounter. To leave 

 the enemy as little hold as possible, it is the custom 

 to crop the dog's tail and ears; furthermore, the 



