96 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



Some few years back, when the Holborn Amphitheatre was open, there was a wonderfully 

 clever troupe of performing dogs amongst the attractions there. Amongst these was a rather good 

 Dalmatian, who was entrusted with the rdle of clown, and it was really surprising to see the intelli- 

 gence he displayed in burlesquing the tricks of the other members of the troupe. For instance, the 

 Poodles and other dogs would run up to a gate and leap it, then the Dalmatian, apparently 

 influenced by the example of his human prototype, would run round the ring two or three times, 

 barking loudly as if to attract attention, walk slowly up to the gate, and then scramble under it, 

 amidst roars of laughter from the audience, who evidently sympathised with him in his per- 

 formance. We can also render personal testimony to the general intelligence and docility of 

 the Dalmatian. Although his love for the stable and the companionship of the horse is his 

 constant and ruling passion, and one but rarely developed to the same extent in any other breed, 

 he is capable of showing and exercising in a strong degree personal attachment to his master ; and 

 many of them are most excellent guards. As such they are peculiarly adapted to run with the 

 business vans and parcels-delivery carts of our tradesmen, to which they would at once prove an 

 ornament and a protection infinitely superior in both respects to the enormities in dog-flesh they 

 allow their men to carry about with them. The idea and it is a correct one is gradually gaining 

 ground that a well-bred and handsome dog is generally superior to mongrels in the execution of 

 the duties they are chosen for, anil one of our objects in writing this book is to strengthen and 

 spread this healthy notion, the practical outcome of which brings credit to the country. We are at 

 a loss to discover any valid reason for the existence of mongrels in a country where the supply 

 of pure-bred dogs of every breed is practically unlimited. 



The chief physical characteristic of the breed is the marking. The body of the dog is white, 

 and its head, ears, body, tail, and legs should be covered with round spots about the size of a half- 

 penny, either black or liver in colour. In many specimens the muzzle and legs are marked with 

 spots of both colours, and this is considered no disfigurement, in fact some judges rather prefer it as 

 giving a gayer appearance to the dog. A very common fault is a black half-face, or a black ear, 

 and these are decided blemishes, as is the lack of spots on the tail ; and here it is that many good 

 specimens fail in competition. Another point which should not be lost sight of in judging or 

 buying a Dalmatian is the feet and legs. One requires these dogs for hard work, and it is impos- 

 sible that a dog possessing weak legs and badly-formed feet can endure the fatigue of following a 

 carriage for several hours a day. 



Captain, the property of Mr. J. Fawdry, is the dog we have selected for illustration, as he is 

 indisputably the best specimen now before the public. He made his de'b&t at the third Kennel 

 Club Show held at the Crystal Palace in 1873 as Traviser, winning first prize, and on leaving his 

 then owner and breeder's (Mr. Chas. Lewis Boyce) kennels, he was re-christened by his new 

 owner, Mr. Oldham of Manchester, Uhlan, his name again being changed to Captain; but his 

 merits were and are too genuine to be affected by a capricious and foolish change of title, 

 and under each he has continued to hold his position as the best Dalmatian of his time, 

 having won almost every prize of importance for which he has since competed. Captain is of 

 illustrious parentage, being of the strain of those old and successful breeders, Mr. R. Hale of 

 Brierley Hill, and Mr. H. Hale of Burton-on-Trent, the former of whom won with Noble, one 

 of Captain's progenitors, at Birmingham Show in 1862. He is by Boyce's Carlo out of his Vic, 

 by Mr. Hale's Noble, and his measurements are as follows : Nose to stop, 3^ inches ; stop to 

 occiput, 5 inches ; length of back, 21 inches ; girth of forearm, 7 inches ; girth of knee, 5 inches ; 

 girth of pastern, 4^ inches; height at shoulders, 22 inches; height at elbow, 12 inches; height at 

 loins, 20 inches; height at hock, 5^ inches; length of tail, I2j inches. 



