THE MASTIFF 179 



animals which were observable at any big show ten 

 years or so ago. One of our oldest breeders says : 

 " The rage for exceedingly short muzzles which 

 existed a few years ago, and which still exists to 

 some extent, has probably had much to do with it, 

 as the majestic appearance has been lost to some 

 extent.*' Practically the same view is held by Mr. 

 J. Sidney Turner, who has done as much for the 

 breed as any man living. Writing in the " Kennel 

 Encyclopaedia," he says : " There is no nobler-look- 

 ing dog and but few nobler-looking animals than a 

 well-proportioned and active mastiff, but there are 

 few more pitiable sights than a crippled giant. What 

 would be thought of the handsomest man with an 

 arched back and twisted legs, of the finest-headed 

 thoroughbred horse without a sound leg to stand 

 upon? Then why should the head of a dog atone 

 for all other defects in structure? If mastiffs of 

 the present day do not hold that high place in the 

 mind of the public which they did in the eighties, 

 it is because the absurd craze for the shorter heads 

 has caused neglect of other characters, so that the 

 dog has degenerated into a monstrosity. There are 

 still some excellent specimens left, and if careful 

 breeding were carried on there is no reason why this 

 noble breed of dog should not regain its former 

 position. Judges, however, must be relentless in dis- 

 carding from the prize lists those specimens whose 

 lives must be a burden to themselves and whose 

 existence finds but little justification in the eyes of 

 those who desire an animal which shall combine 

 beauty of form with strength and agility." 



Naturally, the rearing of such a big dog from 

 puppyhood calls for a certain amount of skill, but 



