The Bulldog. 2 1 1 



read that at the commencement of the present 

 century the " true " bulldog was very scarce. I have 

 in my possession a painting (of which engravings 

 are extant, dated May i5th, 1809), by H. B. Chalon, 

 representing three bulldogs, Wasp, Child, and Billy. 

 Of these dogs it was said they belonged to Mr. H. 

 Boynton, were of the late Duke of Hamilton's 

 breed, and the only ones left of that blood. Such 

 dogs were so great in estimation that Mr. 

 Boynton refused 120 guineas for Billy, and 

 20 guineas for a whelp before taken from the bitch. 

 It was further asserted at the time that they were 

 " the only real bulldogs in existence, and that upon 

 their decease that variety of dog may be considered 

 extinct." Well, it is evident a bit of puffing could 

 be done in those days, for the bulldog is now far from 

 extinct, though Wasp and Child and Billy have 

 long since departed for a happier home. Indeed, 

 there are more bulldogs in existence at the present 

 time than has ever previously been the case in our 

 history. 



Mr. Boynton's bulldogs were typical specimens, 

 and one or two of them would have passed muster to- 

 day. There is a white one with erect ears ; another 

 lying down, white with a patch, with rose ears ; the 

 third the best of the bunch a dark brindle and 

 white with fair ears, but not so heavy and cumber- 



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