20 THE MASTIFF TYPE. 



Captain Turner wrote: "Entering a Thibet village and 

 being indolently disposed and prompted by mere curiosity I 

 strolled along among the houses ; and seeing everything still 

 and quiet, I turned into one of the enclosures, which serve as 

 folds for cattle, the instant I entered the gate to my astonish- 

 ment up started a large dog, big enough, if his courage had 

 been equal to his size, to fight a lion, and I was a good deal 

 startled at first, but recollecting their cowardly disposition I 

 stood still ; for having once had one in my possession I knew 

 they were fierce only when they perceived themselves feared. 

 Some people came out of the houses, and he was soon silenced." 



Mr. Moorcroft in the account of his journey to Lake 

 Manasarovana, in the i8th century notices the Thibet dogs 

 as guards to the flocks of the Uniyas and bore testimony to 

 their fierceness and disposition to attack strangers. Some 30 

 years ago a Mr. Jolland of Buxshall near Lindfield, Sussex, 

 had a fine specimen presented to him by Mr. Cooper, who 

 endeavouring to penetrate Thibet from Assam was prevented 

 on entering the boundaries, by a message from the Thibetan 

 authorities, accompanied by a Thibet mastiff and a dagger 

 for his acceptance, with the intimation that if he advanced it 

 would be at the risk of encountering many such dogs and 

 weapons. Mr. Cooper had two English bulldogs with him 

 which nearly killed the Thibet mastiff, before they could be 

 choked off, nearly shaking the life out of him . 



This specimen somewhat resembled a Newfoundland, but 

 is described as having a wolfish cast of head, his coat was of 

 long thick black hair, with the usual tan paws, his tail bushy 

 and carried over his back. The dog flew at Mr. Cooper who 

 completely cowed him by administering a severe thrashing, 

 which has been the Author's experience with the only Asiatic 

 specimen he has ever owned. 



