92 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



The hind legs, as before stated, should be higher than the front ones, and they should 

 turn well out at the stifles and feet, which causes the hocks to turn inwards, which is imperative, 

 for a Bull-dog should be "cow-hocked" and not go wide behind. The feet are in shape longer 

 than the front ones, and more compact. 



Almost any colour is admissible in a Bull-dog except black, or black-and-tan. Blue is 

 undesirable; and perhaps the following classification of colours represents their respective values 

 in the eyes of breeders : Brindle-and-white, brindle, white, fallow or fawn smut (fallow or fawn 

 with black muzzle), fallow or fawn pied, red, and, lastly, the blue-ticked dog ; but where so 

 much latitude is allowed, the colour of a Bull-dog must be left out in judging specimens, 

 except in cases of equal merit, when a judge must naturally be guided by any special weakness 

 he may entertain towards one particular colour. 



The coat is short and close, and if brushed the wrong way extremely harsh, though on 

 being smoothed down it is soft and silky to the touch. 



The walk or action of the Bull-dog is almost indescribable in its ungainliness. We our- 

 selves, though glorying in our admiration of the breed, cannot but admit that its paces are the 

 incarnation of all that is clumsy. His short and immensely powerful body swings between 

 the Bull-dog's out-turned shoulders, his high hind legs appear to be pushing his chest out 

 between his fore legs, whilst the peculiar formation of his stifles and hocks scarcely permit 

 him to raise his hind feet off the ground, and the result is an action which partakes of the 

 elements of a rush, a shuffle, and an amble, without fairly representing either. 



In temper the Bulldog will bear comparison with any breed of dog. To his master 

 especially, and those he knows, he is amiable, loving, and obedient, but he will not usually 

 make friends with strangers all at once, and invariably, if ill-treated, proceeds to resent the 

 injuries inflicted on him in hot haste. If properly brought up, and not teased or irritated, 

 a pure Bull-dog is both a noble-looking and enjoyable companion, but when once roused 

 to action by cruelty his indomitable pluck and reckless disregard of physical suffering renders 

 him a most formidable antagonist to man or beast. 



The general appearance of a Bull-dog is that of a comparatively small dog very heavy 

 for his size, of immense power, and great squareness of head, whether looked at from in front or 

 profile, with the body gradually tapering off towards the stern ; in fact, a first glance at a 

 Bull-dog stamps him as the possessor of a combination of strength and activity unmet with in any 

 other dog. 



Weight, about fifty pounds for a dog and forty-five pounds for a bitch. Of course there are 

 many first-rate specimens of considerably less weight than the above, and a few heavier ; but most 

 of the best dogs scale between forty-two and forty-eight pounds when in show form, and not too 

 fat. 



In regard to the dogs chosen for illustration in this work, Smasher is by Master Gully 

 out of Nettle by Sir Anthony by Sheffield Crib ; Master Gully by Briton out of Kitt, 

 Briton by Saxon out of Duchess. He has won first Bristol, 1876; first Edinburgh, first 

 Blaydon-on-Tyne, first Darlington, first Alexandra Palace, 1877. In 1878 he was not 

 shown. In 1879 he has won first and medal Dublin, first Wolverhampton, first Hanover. 

 His measurements have not been received by us complete, but a few of them are as 

 follows : Girth of muzzle, 14 J inches ; girth of skull, 21 \ inches ; girth of neck, 20 inches ; weight, 

 43 Ibs. 



Doon Brae, the second subject of illustration, is without doubt the best dog under 40 Ibs. 

 now alive, and we question if, at his weight, his equal has ever been seen. He was bred by 



