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The world-wide and constantly increasing interest in dogs prompts the author to present in concise form, and at a price within the reach of all, a description and illustration of every variety now known to be breeding true to type.
An attempt is also made to group them in Nationalities, though, since it is admitted that the origin of certain varieties is somewhat obscure, no arbitrary lines can be laid down in this respect. Originality as to descriptions is not, in many instances, claimed by the author, though where the occasion seemed to call for it, modern ideals have been incorporated in the text. On the contrary, he acknowledges with thanks the services rendered by the following accepted authorities:
Stonehenge Count Henry A. Graaf Van Bylandt Theo. Marples Dr. Caius
Unless otherwise stated, the maximum sizes of the various breeds have been given. Bitches may be taken as about ten per cent lighter than the dogs. Owing to the exigencies of space the descriptions have been confined to color, size, head, ears, eye, tail and general appearance. Dogs, all the world over, more or less, are intended to be straight and strong on the legs, possessed of well padded feet and in other ways endowed with working qualifications.
The author’s object will have been attained if the subject, in the form presented, is found acceptable to dog lovers who have not the leisure to study the more exhaustive works on dogs.
Color: Black and tan, red and tan, and tawny; the darker colors being sometimes interspersed with lighter or badger-colored hair and sometimes flecked with white. Too much white is objectionable.
Height: 26 in.
Weight: 90 lbs.
The Bloodhound possesses in remarkable degree every point and characteristic of those dogs which hunt together by scent. He is very powerful and stands over more ground than is usual with hounds of other breeds. The skin is thin to the touch, and extremely loose, this being more especially noticeable about the head and neck, where it hangs in deep folds. His temperament is extremely affectionate, neither quarrelsome with companions nor with other dogs, and he is somewhat shy and sensitive.
Until by law abolished, the Bulldog was used for bull baiting. In general appearance the bulldog should be a low-set, heavy-boned, smooth-coated dog built on broad and powerful lines. His head should be strikingly massive and large in proportion to the dog’s size, the face extremely short, muzzle very broad, blunt and inclined upwards, body short and well knit, the limbs stout and muscular, hind quarters very high and strong, but rather lightly made in comparison with its heavily made foreparts. The dog conveys an impression of determination, strength and activity.
The Bulldog may be said to occupy the pride of place amongst the non-sporting varieties. Furthermore, it is one of the oldest of them and has been selected by the British themselves to typify the national character and is often termed the national breed. Certain it is that he conveys a “what we have we’ll hold” impression, and for a dogged, determined, courageous and tenacious symbol one could not imagine any breed filling the role more aptly.
The points and characteristics of this sub-division of the British bulldog may be summed up in the simple statement that it should be an exact duplicate in miniature of the larger specimen in every point and detail, excepting size.
Color: Not of great moment so long as it is not wholly black or wholly white. The favorite color is black and hare-tan, distributed in large patches on a white ground.
Height: 25 in.
Weight: 85 lbs.
A clean-cut, powerful hound. He has oblique and well laid-back shoulders, gracefully arched neck, good spring of rib, strong loins, and powerful hindquarters.
Skull should be flat, of medium width, the muzzle long, rather narrow and deep and square at the end, with large nostrils. He is endowed with extraordinary bone and hard, cat-like feet.
This is a well built and symmetrical dog with a large head, domed in skull, “stop” not too pronounced, occipital bone fairly well developed and with good length of muzzle. The eyes are rather small and brown in color. Nose sharp with open nostrils. The ears are set on low and lay close to the head. The back is strong and muscular, and chest deep. Legs straight, long and muscular. Stern is of medium length, carried higher than the back and the coat short and dense.
The leading features of Harriers are long heads, free from “stop,” square muzzles, sloping shoulders, straight forelegs, round cat-like feet, short backs, well sprung ribs, strong loins, and sound hindquarters with well bent stifles.
Beagles to be very choice can scarcely be bred too small. Although far inferior in speed to the harrier the sense of smelling is equally if not more exquisite in the beagle.
The short back, compact body, straight legs, round feet, powerful loins, nicely placed shoulders, and the true beagle head is a beautiful thing to look upon.
There are also the “pocket” beagle, which stands not more than 11 in. high and a rough or wire-haired variety, though now very scarce. They are hardy and useful in a rough country.
Color: Any color is accepted provided the markings do not disfigure. The most popular colors are sable, with its many varying shades, and white markings, black with white and tan markings, and blue merles.
Height: 24 in.
Weight: 65 lbs.
The collie is a lithe, active dog, and is remarkable chiefly for his intelligent, cunning, yet kindly outlook, his magnificent coat and the devotion he displays to his master. The elegance of his outline is quite distinct from any other breed and shows great strength and activity. The head should be moderately long, proportionate to the size of the dog, with a flat skull moderately wide between the ears, and a very slight elevation at the eyebrows, and very little “stop.” The muzzle should be well filled up before the eyes. The ears are small and when at attention should be carried semi-erect, with the tips turning slightly outwards. The eyes are a most important feature in this breed. They should be almond-shaped, not too large or too small, set obliquely in the head, and of a dark hazel color. The blue merles should have a merled or “China” eye, though this is not an essential. On the size, color and placing of the eyes, together with the size and placement of the ears depends the expression and characteristic outlook which is so appreciated by connoisseurs. The neck should be long, body fairly short, with well sprung ribs, chest deep and forelegs straight. Any tendency to cow-hocks in the hind legs should be penalized. The tail should be fairly long, carried low when in repose, and straight or gaily when excited. The coat, except on the mask, tips of ears and legs where it is smooth, should be very abundant, especially around the neck and chest, where it should form a distinct cape and frill. A dense undercoat is also very essential.
The smooth collie is identical with his rough-coated brother, excepting that the coat should be short, dense and flat, with an abundance of undercoat.
Color: Rich black, free from rustiness and from white. There is also a Golden Retriever so named because of the golden or yellow color of his coat.
Height: 25 in.
Weight: 68 lbs.
The symmetry and elegance of this dog are considerable and essential, and he has a decidedly sporting character. The head should be long with the skull wide and flat at the top, and slight furrow down the middle. Eyes of medium size, dark brown or hazel in color with a bright intelligent and mild expression indicating a good temper. The neck long and muscular, chest broad and deep with well developed and well sprung ribs. The tail should be bushy but not feathered, carried gaily but not curled over the back. His coat should be fairly long, bright, close and thick, and either straight or slightly waved.
A strong, smart dog moderately low on leg, active, lively, beaming with intelligence and expression. The head should be long and narrow for the length, the eyes should be rather large and cannot be too dark. Chest not too wide but decidedly deep, back muscular and rather short with powerful loins, straight forelegs and plenty of bone. The coat should be formed of small tight curls all over the body much resembling the Astrachan.
Color: A predominance of white is most favored by sportsmen. Liver and white, lemon and white, and black and white are also quite common. Whole colors black, liver and various shades of yellow are also quite correct.
Height: 26 in.
Weight: 70 lbs.
The Pointer is an elegantly shaped dog, symmetrical and well built all over, of great strength and endurance, yet full of refinement and very speedy. The leading essentials of a good Pointer are pace, endurance, intelligence, and powers of smell. The head should be fairly long and broad at the skull, muzzle long and well filled up. Eyes soft and dark brown in color. Ears soft and hanging gracefully. Neck well arched and long, free from dewlap or throatiness. Ribs well arched. Loins and hind quarters very muscular. The stern must be strong at the root and free from the slightest approach to curl at the tip.
Color: Black and white ticked, with large splashes and more or less marked with black, known as blue belton; orange and white, ticked as in the blacks and blues; liver and white, ticked in similar manner; black and white, with tan markings; orange or lemon with white ticks; black and white; liver and white. Pure white, black, liver and red or yellow are occasionally seen but not desirable.
Height: 24 in.
Weight: 60 lbs.
This dog owns an elegant outline. The skull is moderately narrow between the ears, with prominent occiput, a decided brow over the eyes, with long muzzle. The eyes should be dark brown in color, and are full of animation. Ears small, thin and soft, carried close to the cheeks. The neck should be slightly arched, but must not be throaty, chest deep and wide, tail should be carried with a gentle sweep downwards, and well feathered with straight silky hair. The coat is soft and silky without curl, and he should have plenty of feather on both fore and hind legs.
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