THE BULLDOG 205 



which, I am glad to say, is universally condemned. 

 The experienced judge has no difficulty in telling 

 whether the width of the front depends upon the 

 elbows being turned out badly or whether, it is due 

 to a natural formation. The bone of the forearm 

 should be straight, set into well sloping shoulders. 

 This formation suggests great sturdiness and strength. 

 The forelegs should be heavy in bone and well 

 clothed with muscle, the brisket deep, and the 

 ribs well sprung. The back should be short and 

 powerful, with great breadth at the shoulder, nar- 

 rowing at the loins, which gives the tenuity desired 

 by Dr. Johnson. Close behind the shoulder the back 

 f^lls slightly, and then rises to the loin, the top 

 of which should be higher than the top of the 

 shoulders. It again curves suddenly to the root of 

 the tail, forming an arch, or what is usually termed 

 a roach or wheel back. The head of the Bulldog 

 is a study in itself, and is not easily comprehended 

 by the novice. The skull should be large, and the 

 foreface massive and much broken up. Not only is 

 width between the ears and eyes necessary, but the 

 skull should also be long, with a deep and broad stop 

 beneath the eyes and a longitudinal indentation run- 

 ning up the centre of the forehead. The under jaw 

 should not only have an upward thrust, but it should 

 curve as well, and terminate in a line with the face 

 and skull. It must be broad, square, and powerful. 

 The nose is set well back in the face, and there is a 

 good deal of wrinkle about the head. Unless all the 

 head properties are well balanced, the dog has a 

 disagreeable expression, which may be much accen- 

 tuated by a bad ear. The erect ear, the semi- 

 erect or tulip as it is commonly called, and the 



