426 With Rod and Gun in New England 



It probably originated in England, although reference is frequently 

 made by the early classic writers to a dog called the " Molossus," which 

 existed in Greece, whose characteristics were so similar to those of the 

 English species that they might be considered almost identical. 



By many of the earlier English writers the two breeds, mastiff and 

 bull-dog, were confounded, and considerable confusion regarding the iden- 

 tity of each exists on that account. 



In the 14th century, however, they were described as two different vari- 

 eties, Edmund de Langley, the " Mayster of Game," calling them the " Mo- 

 lossus " and the " Alaunt," and stating that the former, i. c, the mastiff, was 

 used for the guardianship of persons and property, while the other, which 

 was described as a short-headed dog, pugnacious, and gifted with an incli- 

 nation to hang on to anything attacked by it, was used for baiting the bull. 

 The breeds that were thus separated seemed to have again become some- 

 what mixed, for Dr. Caius, physician to Queen Elizabeth, in his work 

 published about A. D. 1570, describes but one dog of a similar kind, which 

 he calls the " Mastive," or " Bandogge." His description is in part as 

 follows : " An huge dogge, stubborne, eager, burthenous of body and there- 

 fore of but little swiftness ; terrible and fearful to behold and more fearse 

 and fell than any Arcadian cur." 



Whether Dr. Caius carelessly or ignorantly omitted to mention the 

 bull-dog there is no means of proving, but there seems sufficient evidence 

 to show that there were two distinct varieties, descended possibly from a 

 remote common ancestor, but each with characteristics sufficiently marked 

 to easily distinguish it. 



The modern mastiff is, of course, an entirely different animal from the 

 ancient Molossus, and it shows in an abundant measure the thoughtful, 

 careful work that intelligent breeders are accomplishing. 



As a watch-dog the mastiff is held in high estimation generally, but 

 its value as a companion to man, of course, largely depends upon its 

 temperament ; for, while a well-trained, good-dispositioned animal "may be 

 taken anywhere and is as trustworthy as any other species, a savage mastiff 

 is an exceedingly dangerous brute, and should never be allowed to run at 

 large. 



In the English, Points of the mastiff', is found the following : 



" General appearance, size and symmetry. In this we have to con- 

 sider the special duties of the mastiff in the present day. He is no longer 

 a savage kept to bait the ' bull and the bear ' as history informs us he was ; 

 nor the mere drudge of the butcher, to keep his wild and doomed cattle in 

 the shambles, and fight for him when required ; nor even the mere chained 

 slave — the ban-dog of the country house — whose bay, however welcome 

 to those who approach near home, must have had an awful sameness in it 



