Ladies Toy Dogs. 97 



distinct marking form the principal points in these dogs; 

 but perhaps hardly any toy dog requires a more experi- 

 enced eye. As all " toys " are beautiful by comparison, 

 no one can form a correct estimate of a dog's relative 

 value unless he is pretty well informed upon the subject^ 

 and the rivalry of breeders leads to one excellent example 

 giving place to another. 



A narrow or poinied nose is a very great disfigurement ; 

 so is a woolly or dead coat. The coat should be sleek 

 and shining, short, and soft to the touch. Round feet 

 are also bad, so are white toes, or indeed, white any- 

 where. If the black of the mask melts gradually into 

 grey, and is softened until it mingles with the fawn, the 

 dog loses much of its value. 



ThQ poifits of a pug we give below : — Head, 10 ; ears, 

 10 j pure colour, 15; distinct mask, 10; black trace, 10; 

 cheek moles, 5; quality of coat, 10; curl of tail, 10; 

 compactness, 10; hare feet, 10 — total, 100. 



The Maltese Dog resembles in general appearance a 

 diminutive Skye terrier, differing chiefly in being of much 

 less size, shorter in the back, and far more silky in coat, 

 which should be of the purest white. Most of the breed 

 are very animated in expression, and in every way are 

 well adapted to be made drawing-room pets. Mr. Mande- 

 ville, of London, has of late years carried all before him 

 at the various shows, and indeed, has had little opposition, 

 so completely have the claims of his strain been recog- 

 nised. 



This pretty, diminutive animal has long been an 

 especial favourite as a pet or parlour dog, but by some 

 strange absurdity has been commonly spoken of as a 

 terrier, of whose blood not a drop flows in his veins. 

 His pedigree is long, stretching away far back in the 

 annals of the ancient races. Few, if any, older variety 

 exists. History associates them with the high-born 

 dames of Greece and Rome, who lavished large sums on 

 the importation of the Maltese lap-dog. What they were 

 in those days it is impossible to say, as to form, size, 

 colour, coat, and actual weight. Records are strangely 



