BREEDING MASTIFFS. 



49 



best and purest fawns are descended from brindled ancestors. I would, therefore, impress upon 

 breeders the advisability of not neglecting this colour too much, and allowing it to die out, feeling 

 sure that, sooner or later, it will be well to have recourse to it to cross with fawn, in order to 

 preserve the black muzzle so much admired, and without which, I fancy, the fawn will lose 

 much of its attraction. 



" It may be taken as a fact, that the female, in breeding, whether it be in the case of horses, 

 cattle, or do-s, is quite as important an element as the male, and if it be wished to improve, or even 

 to keep up without deterioration any breed, it will be necessary to pay quite as much if not even 



MRS. RAWMXSON'S COVXTESS. 



more attention to the quality of the dam as to that of the sire. This seems to me to be a fact too 

 much overlooked by the committees of the various shows which are ostensibly held with a view to 

 improve the various breeds of dogs. Yet it is but seldom that separate classes are provided for 

 bitches ; and exhibitors knowing full well that these have a poor chance of winning when in 

 competition with dogs, it is but seldom really good specimens are to be seen. Many seem to be 

 under the impression that in order to become successful Mastiff breeders all they have to do is to 

 obtain a bitch of some sort good, bad, or indifferent, but if the sire be a prize winner, so much 

 the better. They then look through the prize list to discover the dog that has won the greatest 

 number of prizes ; and in due course, without ever considering whether they are likely to suit one 

 another or not, send their bitch to this dog, and then anxiously await the arrival of the future 

 champions. Such a plan, I need scarcely say, can but lead to disappointment ninety-nine times 

 out of a hundred. Although there may be a litter of puppies, they will, in all probability, not 



