2oo WATCHDOGS AND HOUSE-DOGS. 



and were going to treat the dog roughly, but the owner inter- 

 fered with, " Doan't touch un, Bill ; let un teaste blood, an' it'll 

 be the meaking on him." And so the puppy was allowed to 

 hang on and worry his master's nose to his heart's content. 



Most writers, whether political or otherwise, are fond of dilat- 

 ing on the " bulldog courage " of Englishmen, yet, in the same 

 breath, they vilely asperse the noble animal from whom they 

 draw their simile. The bulldog has been described as stupidly 

 ferocious, and showing little preference for his master over 

 strangers ; but this is untrue, he being an excellent watch, and 

 as a guard unequalled, except perhaps by the bull-mastiff, a 

 direct cross from him. Indeed, he is far from being quarrelsome 

 by nature, though the bull-terrier in many cases undoubtedly is 

 so, and I fancy that some writers have taken their description 

 from this dog rather than from the pure bulldog, which has been 

 at all times rather a scarce animal If once the pure breed is 

 allowed to drop, the best means of infusing fresh courage into 

 degenerate strains will be finally lost, except with the addition of 

 extraneous blood which may not suit them ; for I believe that 

 every kind of dog possessed of very high courage owes it to a 

 cross with the bulldog ; and thus the most plucky greyhounds, 

 foxhounds, mastiffs, pointers, &c, may all be traced to this source. 

 Though bull and badger baiting may not be capable of extenua- 

 tion, to them we owe the keeping up of this breed in all its 

 purity ; and though we may agree to discontinue these old- 

 fashioned sports, yet I am sure my brother sportsmen will see 

 the bad taste of running down a dog who, with all his faults, is 

 not only the most courageous dog, but the most courageous animal 

 in the world. 



An attempt has recently been made by Mr. Adcock, who is a 

 most enthusiastic lover and breeder of the bulldog, to show that 



