54 Useful Companions of Man. 



deep and wide chest, well ribbed up, and a powerful loin ; 

 legs straight, with great bone (this point is not generally 

 well displayed, owing to confinement, as is also the case 

 with all large breeds); feet round and close ; coat short, 

 and tail fine, but with a very slight indication of roughness : 

 it should be carried high when the dog is excited ; colour 

 most to be desired is fallow (fawn), with black muzzle, 

 and the richer the black the better ; next to this comes 

 brindle, then red with black muzzle, or black ; some- 

 times there is a considerable admixture of white, 

 but this is not desirable. Height, from 29 to 31 in. 

 in the dog, and even more if a fine symmetry can be 

 obtained, but his good shape is seldom met with in so 

 large an animal ; bitches are 2 or 3 in. lower. A dog 

 standing 29 in, high ought to weigh, in good condition 

 (not fat), from 120 lbs. to 130 lbs. 



The Great Dane. — This champion among canine 

 athletes has rapidly advanced to prominent favour. The 

 best specimens stand over 34 inches, and in the scale 

 raise 180 pounds or thereabouts. He is powerful, and 

 elegant in carriage, his enormous size combining to render 

 his general appearance exceptionally grand. In detail 

 he is also remarkable for strict proportion. His faith- 

 fulness and intelligence are equally acute, and his courage 

 unfailing. He is minus the repellant ferocity of the bull- 

 dog, but when occasion demands, his qualities as a 

 mighty defender are never absent. He is a dog of 

 wonderful mould, especial temperament and capabilities, 

 as the close companion of man. The following are the 

 various points adopted by the Great Dane Club : The 

 Head is long, the forehead being slightly elevated and 

 indented between the eyes. Skull not too broad. 

 Muzzle strong and obtuse ; nose large and arched ; cheek 

 muscles large and firm ; lips blunted perpendicularly in 

 front, not hanging too loose at the sides, but with well 

 defined folds at the angles of the mouth. The lower jaw 

 slightly projects. Eyes small, deeply set and expressive. 

 Ears very small, and carried erect. Fashion, however, 

 calls in the aid of cropping. The Neck is strong, muscular, 

 well-arched. No dewlap or loose skin about the throat. 



