DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 34*7 



the top of his boots. The like admiration for bulk ap- 

 pears to be entertained by the members of the canine 

 race. Small curs are much disposed to bestow their 

 affections upon huge Newfoundlands ; and diminutive 

 bitches, if followed by a host of suitors, will give the 

 preference to the largest of the group. All descriptions 

 of dogs will freely have intercourse with one another; 

 and as these animals are of such various proportions, the 

 female is frequently unable to give birth to the progeny 

 of a gigantic sire Care consequently should be taken 

 to provide suitable males when pups are desired ; and in 

 all case* the dog should be smaller than the bitch. It is 

 not, however, a sufficient precaution that the dog be of 

 less size ; for it, or the bitch herself, may be the dwarf 

 of a large stock, and being so, may be capable of getting 

 or gestating offspring as huge as the race from which 

 either of them sprung. It is possible, therefore, for a 

 small dog to be quite as dangerous as one of great 

 weight ; and I knew an animal of this kind which had 

 been the cause of many deaths on that account. The 

 animal alluded to was the property of a gentleman (now 

 deceased) who had long graced the bench. The dog was 

 a handsome Scotch terrier ; and, being small, it was fre- 

 quently solicited as a stock-dog. It was, however, very 

 deceptive ; for a bitch twice its own size could with diffi- 

 culty survive the consequences of its embraces. It is a 

 diminutive example of a naturally large race ; and in its 

 offspring there is a disposition to return to the original 

 gize. Therefore, not only must the dog be small, but, if 



