THE NOTED BREEDERS MR. LUKEY AND MR. THOMPSON. 195 



" characteristic. I think if a head measures a little more, if 

 "the formation is defective it loses cast, again I do not like 

 " a very long bod}', for it is often attended with weak, light 

 " loins.'' 



In his essay he says, ' If we breed mastiffs 32 or 33 inches 

 " high at the shoulder, and the head is not proportionate in 

 " size, the principle of breeding is at fault, for it is evident 

 "this extra size must have a comparative ratio of girth of 

 " forehead and muzzle, or otherwise you diminish the essential 

 'character and grandeur of the head. Again, I should not 

 "consider a mastiff standing 32 or 33 inches high at the 

 " shoulder and marking only 27 inches round the head so good 

 " or proportionate a dog as one standing from 29 to 30 inches, 

 " and marking 26 inches round the head. In my opinion size 

 11 ought not to be the one idea. The breeder will do well to 

 " mark and sustain the ample forehead, the full prominent 

 ' cheeks, small ears, the thick broad muzzle, and pendulous 

 "lips, nor should he forget to note the stout muscular legs 

 " and thighs, the brawny shoulders, deep and massive frame, 

 '' and short glossy coat. I have no doubt by judicious care 

 "in breeding it is possible to produce a mastift large in size, 

 " massive in build, strikingly grand in head, the muscles hard 

 " and sharply developed, and the skin nearly approaching in 

 " quality the beautiful coat of the greyhound. I have a strong 

 " prediliction for quality and select breeding." 



These remarks show the breeder whose skill produced the 

 best mastiffs in England of his day, and, how much can be 

 learnt from these pithy remarks of the Yorkshireman, whose 

 judgment eclipsed that of his more noted contemporary, Mr. 

 Lukey. 



