CHAPTER VII 

 THE DALMATIAN 



BEFORE the Kennel Club found it necessary to insist upon a 

 precise definition of each breed, the Dalmatian was known as 

 the Coach Dog, a name appropriately derived from his fond- 

 ness for following a carriage, for living in and about the 

 stable, and for accompanying his master's horses at exercise. 

 As an adjunct to the carriage he is peculiarly suitable, for in 

 fine weather he will follow between the wheels for long dis- 

 tances without showing fatigue, keeping easy pace with the 

 best horses. He appears almost to prefer equine to human 

 companionship, and he is as fond of being among horses as 

 the Collie is of being in the midst of sheep. Yet he is of 

 friendly disposition, and it must be insisted that he is by 

 no means so destitute of intelligence as he is often represented 

 to be. On the contrary, he is capable of being trained into 

 remarkable cleverness, as circus proprietors have discovered. 



The earliest authorities agree that this breed was first 

 introduced from Dalmatia, and that he was brought into this 

 country purely on account of his sporting proclivities. Of late 

 years, however, these dogs have so far degenerated as to be 

 looked upon simply as companions, or as exhibition dogs, 

 for only very occasionally can it be found that any pains 

 have been taken to train them systematically for gun-work. 



The first of the variety which appeared in the show ring 

 was Mr. James Fawdry's Captain, in 1873. At that period 

 they were looked upon as a novelty, and, though the generosity 

 and influence of a few admirers ensured separate classes being 

 provided for the breed at the leading shows, it did not necessi- 

 tate the production of such perfect specimens as those which 

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