178 THE MASTIFF 



forest rights permitted farmers and freeholders to 

 keep mastiffs for the defence of their houses within 

 the borders of a forest provided they had been 

 mutilated by the amputation of three claws from 

 the forefeet, which would render, them useless for 

 chasing game. 



Coming to the past century, when a great impetus 

 was given to the variety, we find a fine tribute in 

 the pages of " Stonehenge " : " The mastiff is 

 remarkable for the combination of his general de- 

 velopment. The conformation of the head bespeaks 

 an unusual brain power, which is under admirable 

 control. He is a creature of strong and sincere 

 attachment to man, endowed with a wonderful power 

 of discrimination and true nobility of character, all 

 of which he freely exercises in the interests of those 

 for whom alone he seems to live. He is by nature 

 docile ^nd gentle to a fault. He lays aside his 

 giant strength to unite in the gambols of the child 

 with the same spirit of tenderness and grace. If 

 his conduct be otherwise, it bespeaks his origin in 

 the mongrel or nondescript races. . . . *The well- 

 bred mastiff allies himself to man as his friend, 

 to whom he becomes the closest companion, and 

 serves him with the truest devotion and sincerity. 

 This animal should not be subjected to the restraint 

 of the chain ; if he is, whether young or old, he 

 will be inevitably spoiled in outward form as well 

 as temper." This remark about chaining applies to 

 any dog, the constant straining pulling the body out 

 of shape, while the temper is bound to be soured 

 by the unnatural confinement. 



What is the matter with the mastiff of to-day? 

 Rarely now do we see the well -filled classes and noble 



