THE OLD ENGLISH DULL-DOG 85 



In the later works on the dog, mention of the Bull-dog is frequently occurring, and all writers 

 are unanimous in their praises of the clog's courage and boldness in attack. The matter of size 

 has provoked more discussion than any other feature in connection with this dog one party 

 holding out for a great, lumbering, long-faced dog, nearly as big as the bull itself, and 

 destitute of any pretences to symmetry in its appearance ; the other side advocate the claims 

 of a large-skulled dog, of medium size forty to fifty pounds with the short head described by 

 Edmund de Langley in the " Mayster of Game." As regards the respective merits of the two dogs 

 there can, in an unprejudiced mind, be no hesitation in accepting the latter as the correct type. In 

 the first place, supposing bull-baiting were again in vogue, what could be the use of using a large 

 dog for the work when a small one can do it as well if not better ? secondly, even assuming for 

 the moment that a hundred years ago or more the Bull-dog was the coarse-looking creature some 

 of its admirers say it was, is this breed to be the only one in which no refinement is ever to appear? 

 We do not hold with improving a breed off the face of the earth, and have no sympathy with 

 those who attempt to do so ; but if we could by any surgical operation bring ourselves to look 

 upon some specimens we see at shows as representing the correct type, we should gladly avail 

 ourselves of any opportunity for refining and improving the breed. 



Again, in baiting the bull the dogs usually approached him crawling along the ground on 

 their bellies, and the result would be that a large dog would stand a much greater chance of falling 

 a victim to his antagonist's horns. In this opinion we are supported by written authority as well 

 as by all the gentlemen who have had personal experience of bull-baiting with whom we have 

 conversed on the subject. Amongst these is Mr. Leare, of Sunbury-on-Thames, who, though born 

 in the first year of the present century, still puts to shame many of his juniors when handling the 

 rod or gun, and who, in his youth, was present at bull-baitings innumerable. According to this 

 gentleman, a bull was rarely slaughtered in Devonshire for this is Mr. Leare's native county in 

 former times without being first subjected to the ordeal of baiting by dogs in every respect 

 resembling the Bull-dog as hereafter described : The weight was between forty pounds and fifty 

 pounds, a larger one being suspected no doubt correctly of having a Mastiff cross ; and a short 

 retrousse nose was eagerly sought after as enabling the dog to breathe when hanging on to the 

 nose of the bull. 



During the last century it was the almost invariable custom to bait a bull before slaughtering 

 him; and it was not solely on account of the "sport" entailed that this proceeding was in 

 vogue, for there was a prevailing opinion that the flesh of a bull which had been baited was 

 improved in- quality by the exertions which he had to put forth in defending himself from 

 his canine assailant. Whether this theory was correct or not we decline to decide ; but very 

 much the same idea is in existence in the present day as regards hares, many people being 

 of the opinion that the flesh of a coursed hare is far superior to that of one which has been 

 shot. 



Some difference of opinion has risen, too, as regards the length of face in this breed, 

 a statement having appeared in print to the effect that the nose should not be too short, 

 and rather implying that a medium length from the skull to the tip of the nose was desirable. 

 Such heresy against the accepted opinions of all recognised authorities could only emanate 

 from the pens of those either completely ignorant of the subject upon which they were writing, or 

 else in possession of a strain which differed materially from the Britibh Bull-dog, under whatever 

 designation they might appear. 



Attempts have also been made to improve the breed of Bull-dogs existent in the country 

 by the addition of a so-called Spanish cross. What was the precise advantage to be derived 



