THE BULL-DOG. 



85 



that we have been pleased to symbolize our peculiar tenacity of pur- 

 pose under the emblem of this small but most determined animal. In 

 height the Bull-dog is but insignificant, but in strength and courage 

 there is no Dog that can match him. Indeed, there is hardly any 

 breed of sporting-dog which does not owe its high courage to an infu-- 



— -<.^^^- 



The Bull-Dog {Canis familiaris). 

 sion of the Bull-dog blood ; and it is chiefly for this purpose that the 

 pure breed is continued. 



It is generally assumed that the Bull-dog must be a very dull and 

 brutish animal, because almost every specimen which has come before 

 the notice of the public has held such a character. 



My own experience does not at all coincide with this notion. I once 

 possessed one of these animals, and a better dog I never had. He was 

 gentle almost to a fault, never taking offence except at an insult by a 

 big dog. He was docile, obedient, and wonderfully intelligent, a good 

 retriever, and one of the most accomplished water-dogs I ever saw. 

 Active and broad-chested as a greyhound, his leaping-powers were as- 

 tonishing, and his brown eyes had a look in them that was almost 

 human. 



The shape of this remarkable animal is worthy of notice. The 

 fore-quarters are particularly strong, massive, and muscular, the chest 

 wide and roomy, and the neck singularly powerful. The hind-quar- 

 ters, on the contrary, are very thin and comparatively feeble, all the 

 vigor of the animal seeming to settle in its fore-legs, chest, and head. 



