IO4 THE BOOK OF THE Doc. 



up considerably. The inside only of the ears are operated on, and the hairs are removed by 

 either careful clipping or shaving. This operation however requires the assistance of both 

 art and experience, and therefore no tyro should attempt it without the assistance of some 

 one who is an authority on the subject. The grotesque appearance of Old Puss in the 

 champion class at the Agricultural Hall show of 1877 should be a warning to youthful 

 owners against turning their 'prentice hands to such delicate operations. In her case the 

 poor wretch had the hair shaved off the back of her ears ; and her comical appearance caused 

 roars of laughter amongst the breeders present. The removal of the long "smellers" from the 

 muzzle, however, is an easy matter if the dog is not inclined to bite. If he is, it is generally 

 a good plan to get a friend to perform the operation, care being taken, however, only to 

 remove the smellers and long eyebrows, nothing more. Having given the above hints upon getting 

 up Bull-terriers for show purposes, we have nothing further to add before passing on to a 

 description of this breed, beyond again impressing on our readers the great importance of 

 muscular development in this breed. They must recollect they are showing the gladiator of 

 the canine race, and a fighting dog should, in our opinion, 'be exhibited thoroughly trained ; that is, 

 muscular and light in flesh. Hard work and good wholesome food will alone put on muscle 

 and take off fat ; and the more a Bull-terrier gets of either the happier he is. 



It frequently happens in showing Bull-terriers that medicine has to be given to 

 reduce the weight in the small sizes a pound or two, in order to qualify them for a certain 

 class. The best physic to use under such circumstances is either ordinary black-draught, or 

 buckthorn and castor-oil. As a rule we always postponed physicking until the week before 

 the show, hoping that exercise would reduce the dog, and medicine could be avoided. Again, 

 if a dog is weakened by aperients too long before a show there is a great chance of his losing 

 muscle, which would be greatly against him on the bench. If you have a dog very near the 

 required weight, feed him lightly the night before the show, and give him one drink of water. 

 The last thing let him have a good dose of buckthorn and oil, and don't feed him or give him 

 a drink until he is judged, when he will probably have lost half a pound weight, if previously 

 in good condition. 



It would now be as well to go through the points of this variety, and we will begin as usual with 



The Head, which should be flat, wide between the ears, and wedge-shaped ; that is, 

 tapering from the sides of the head to the nose ; no stop or indentation between the eyes 

 is permissible, and the cheek-bones should not be visible. 



Tlie Teeth should be powerful and perfectly regular an undershot or overhung mouth 

 being very objectionable and the lips thin and tight ; that is, only just sufficient to cover 

 the teeth, and not pendulous, as in the case of the Bull-dog. 



The Nose, large, quite black, and damp, with the nostrils well developed. 



The Eyes must be small, and very black. As regards shape, the oblong is preferable to 

 the round eye. 



The Ears are almost invariably cropped, and should stand perfectly upright. This cutting 

 of the ears is now almost reduced to a science, and no inexperienced persons should attempt 

 it, as if improperly manipulated, what is intended as both an ornament and a convenience 

 to the dog becomes an unsightly disfigurement. 



The Neck should be moderately long and arched, free from all traces of dewlap, and 

 strongly set upon the shoulders. 



The Shoulders, slanting and very muscular, set firmly on the chest, which should be wide. 



Tlie Fore legs should be moderately high and perfectly straight, and the dog must stand 



