700 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



This breed is now exceedingly difficult to be 

 obtained in purity, from the various admixtures and 

 experimental crosses which have lately taken place. 

 The genuine English mastiff is now rarely to be 

 seen, although we have dogs of various sizes and 

 colours which go under that name. At Lyme Hall, 

 in Cheshire, there is a pretty pure breed of these 

 dogs. The true mastiff has very rarely been known 

 to attack the human being, except under the most 

 palpable provocation. 



The mastiff usually shows a remarkable and 

 peculiar warmth in his attachments, and, on the other 

 hand, he is equally distinguished for inveteracy in his 

 dislike. If he is once severely corrected or insulted, it 

 is almost impossible to eradicate the feeling from his 

 memory, and it is no less difficult to obtain a reconcilia- 

 tion with him. He seems conscious of his own strength, 

 power, and authority, and will seldom condescend to 

 lower his dignity by servile fawning ; nor will he easily 

 be induced to combat an inferior enemy, as will be 

 illustrated by the following anecdote : — 



A farmer in the neighbourhood of Falkirk had a 

 large mastiff dog, which used to go regularly to church, 

 and was always attended by a very small mongrel. 

 In their way to and from church, in passing through 

 the principal street, where there were always a number 

 of butchers' dogs, who used to be very clamorous, 

 although they never ventured actually to attack the 

 church-going couple, probably having had proof of 

 the mastiff's powers. One Sunday, however, the 

 diminutive cur was induced to give battle to one of 

 those dogs, which, the mastiff discovering, turned back, 

 and the butcher's dog scampered off. The mastiff 

 did not condescend to give chase, but taking up his 

 little friend with his mouth, by the neck, carried him 



