The Black Pug. 273 



Robinson), Takeley, Essex, writes in a similar 

 strain, and as these two ladies have had a greater 

 experience of black pugs than any one else, their 

 opinions must be highly valued. Indeed, they, with 

 Mr. Alfred Bond, of Gravesend, appear to be the 

 only persons who have given much attention to the 

 variety, and to them all credit is due for the improve- 

 ment brought about in the appearance of the animal 

 since it first came upon the scene. 



The black pug is now a more cobbily and 

 thickly -made dog than was the case three or 

 four years ago ; he is lower on the legs, and his 

 head, face, and skull are more characteristic of 

 our own pug dog, and he is likely in the future 

 to breed quite as true to type as any other of 

 our modern varieties ; thus in due course he will 

 popularise himself. 



Although it was not until 1886 that black pugs 

 first appeared at our shows, long before this time 

 Lady Brassey had them at Normanhurst. A pair 

 were given to a lady in Liverpool. Lord London- 

 derry was likewise presented with a specimen, and 

 later I hear that Her Majesty the Queen took one, 

 amongst her other canine companions, to Balmoral, 

 on the usual royal visit to the Highlands. The 

 royal pug, which bore the name of " Brassey " in 

 honour of its donor, died at Windsor in 1891, and, so 



T 



