THE BULL-DOG. 



305 



The same writer is disposed to think the bull-dog to be a sadly maligned animal, and 

 that his sagacity and affection have been greatly underrated. He states that the pure 

 Bull-dog is not naturally a quarrelsome creature, and that it would not bear so evil a 

 character .if it were better taught. 



According to him, the Bull-dog is really a sufficiently intelligent animal, and its 

 mental qualities capable of high cultivation. It is true that the animal is an unsafe 

 companion even for its master, and that it is just as likely to attack its owner as a 

 stranger, if it feels aggrieved. An accidental kick, or a tread on the toes, affords ample 

 pretext for the animal to fasten on its supposed enemy ; and when once it does fix its 

 teeth, it is not to be removed except by the barbarous method which is considered to be 

 legitimate for such a purpose, but which will not be mentioned in these pages. However, 

 most of these shortcomings in temper are said to be produced by the life which the poor 

 Dog leads, being tied up to his kennel for the greater part of his time ; and, when re- 

 leased from his bondage, only enjoying a limited freedom for the purpose of fighting a 



BULL-DOG. Can/5 fam Marts. 



maddened bull, or engaging in deadly warfare with one of his own kind. Any animal 

 would become morose under such treatment ; and when the sufferer is a Bull-dog, the 

 results of his training are often disastrous enough. 



The shape of this remarkable animal is worthy of notice. The fore-quarters are 

 particularly strong, massive, and muscular ; the chest wide and roomy ; and the neck 

 singularly powerful. The hind-quarters, on the contrary, are very thin, and compara- 

 tively feeble ; all the vigor of the animal seeming to settle in its fore-legs, chest, and 

 head. Indeed, it gives the spectator an impression as if it were composed of two 

 different Dogs ; the one a large and powerful animal, and the other a weak and puny 

 quadruped, which had been put together by mistake. The little fierce eyes that gleam 

 savagely from the round, combative head, have a latent fire in them that gives cause 

 for much suspicion on the part of a stranger who comes unwarily within reach of one 

 of these Dogs. The underhung jaw, with its row of white glittering teeth, seems to be 

 watering with desire to take a good bite at the stranger's leg ; and the matter is not 

 inproved by the well-known custom of the Bull-dog to bite without giving the least 

 vocal indication of his purpose. 

 20 



