 Section 31 of the American Book of the Dog. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Tom Mack, Tucson, Arizona. The American Book of the Dog, G.O. Shields Editor. Section 31. The Sky Terrier. By Lawrence Timson. Probably no other subject in relation to doggy affairs has more written about, or has given rise to more controversies, all more or less rancorous, in the past 20 years, than the origin and true type of the Sky Terrier. At the same time, these controversies have left the subject in dispute pretty much, as they found it. And although more or less light has been thrown on the different points at issue, no conclusion has ever yet been reached that was satisfactory to all fanciers of this breed. The disputants, after airing their theories and attacking their neighbors, ending as they began, each with his own opinion, unaltered. I shall not attempt to notice and sum up these various controversies, even if an article such as this would admit of it, which it does not. The matter would be too tedious and unprofitable. I shall take the type of Sky Terrier that is recognized today, and confine myself to a slight sketch of what is known of its origin and history, not entering any speculations on the subject. Scattered throughout the whole of Scotland are various strains of rough-coated terriers, the terriers of one district having a certain similarity to the type, and differing more or less from those of other districts. Of these there appears at present to be but two strains that are generally recognized as distinct breeds, the Sky and the Dandy Dinmont. Besides these the hard-haired Scotch and the Airdale have lately come in for some notice in England, but have not yet attracted much attention in this country. Among other strains of more or less local celebrity are the Aberdeenshares, Drinox, Mogstads, and others. Whose day on the show bench may come sometimes when some circumstance or other has brought them to the notice of the public, and they will emerge from the obscurity of their native dales. The Dandy Dinmont would have been as little known. Perhaps such a breed would not have been in existence at all today if their praises and those of old James Davidson of Hindley, the stout old Liddizdale Yeoman, had not been sung by Sir Walter Scott in his Guy Manoring. The Sky, though a native of the island whose name he bears and of the adjacent coast, like his cousin the Dandy Dinmont, who originally came from the borders of Liddizdale and the Teviut district, has left his native place and has been for so long a time established generally all through the highlands that comparatively few come from or are to be found now at the original home of the breed. There is a story current to the effect that the strain of terriers on the island of Sky and the adjacent mainland got that silky texture of coat which distinguishes them from the other strains from some mythical white Spanish dogs that came ashore from the wreck of some ships of the Spanish Armada that were lost among the Hebrides. Whether this be true or not, we find the Sky Terrier possessed of a longer and comparatively more silky coat than the other strains. The breed is pretty generally divided into two classes, the drop-eared and the prick-eared, about the only difference between them being the carriage of the ears and tail and in the drop-eared variety a smaller head, a longer body and a somewhat longer and softer coat. They are practically the same however, this difference in type being brought about merely by selection owing to the preference of some for the longer silky or coated dog for a pet over his more workman-like cousin. For the purposes of this article I will treat them as one and the same having at the outset pointed out what differences do exist between them. The Sky Terrier is a long, low, well-built, wiry little fellow with a good hard jacket, an intelligent alert expression and a sound constitution which enables him to go almost anywhere, do almost anything, and rough it with his master in any climate. He is a born sportsman, always ready for a quiet bit of sport in a barn or along the hedge-rose, displaying the utmost keenness and sagacity in the pursuit of all sorts of vermin, and he is death to any animal of his own weight. Although always ready to defend himself or his master and never showing the white feather, no matter what the odds may be against him, in size or numbers he, unlike the Fox, Dandy, and Irish Terrier, is not at all quarrelsome. The Sky is a peaceful, well-conducted little citizen and attends strictly to his own affairs unless those affairs are interfered with by others. This quarrelsome characteristic tells seriously against the other breeds mentioned, especially as ladies' companions. The red Irishman in particular dearly loves a mill and, figuratively speaking, is always trailing his coat-dales behind him and trying to have them walked on. The Sky's temper can always be relied on and he can be implicitly trusted with children. No other breed is better adapted to going to earth. Their long and low conformation, resembling that of weasels and other earth-frequenting vermin, giving the greatest amount of size and strength possible for the small caliber required. Their disposition resembles very much that of the Highlanders themselves in their love of home and in war by their dash, pluck, and dogged courage and endurance and by a loyalty and devotion to their master through fair and foul weather only equaled by that of the old scotch Jacobites for the head of the House of Stuart. The Sky is an exceptionally good house dog and his coat, though so long, is entirely free from any unpleasant odor. In spite of its length, too, it requires very little care to keep it in order. After a run in the country or on a muddy road or over plowed land he requires to be quarantined in the lower regions for a while before being allowed in the house and in the autumn whenever he gets his coat full of burrs he requires a free use of the scissors and the sacrifice of considerable hair to remove them. Under ordinary conditions, however, in town or country his coat requires no more attention than that of other breeds. All this applies to dogs with outer coats of the proper texture straight and comparatively hard parting down the center of the back naturally without any tendency to kink or curl. Skies, especially drop-eared ones whose coats are too soft approaching more nearly that of the Yorkshire of course give much more trouble in this respect requiring frequent thorough soaking in tepid water and considerable brushing and combing to keep their jackets straight. The sky is a good water dog taking to it without the least hesitation be it ever so cold and he is the best of watch dogs a vigilant little sky being the surest burglar alarm one can have of course I am speaking now of the sky as he naturally is and as he should be his natural disposition his intelligence and his love of sport are in many instances spoiled by his being made from puppyhood a house pet and his code and constitution likewise suffer from warm quarters overfeeding and lack of proper exercise he is deservedly popular among game keepers throughout both England and Scotland and equally so about the stables or in the laborers cottage and for work and on country rambles or by his fireside the squire can have no better companion than this friendly little fellow he is particularly well adapted for a town house and on the whole is all around the most companionable of small dogs and especially for ladies it may appear to some especially those who admire the unquestionable merits of other breeds that I have been showing the sky through rose-colored glasses but I am speaking from experience I have owned at one time or another terriers of about all the breeds old friends are forgotten as I write I can see in fancy a row of wistful little faces white ones and red ones blue tan and grizzle stretching away back to my school boy days and apart from all the feelings for particular individuals I can truly say that the sky has proved himself to be to me the best and I am glad to have an opportunity such as this of paying him the tribute he deserves the history of the sky terrier in America commences as does that of the majority of our breeze of dogs with the institution by the Westminster Kennel Club of their first annual bench show in 1877 previous to that time almost any blue rough-coated terrier was called in this country a sky and at the first few shows the exhibits were generally pretty much all of the non-script order but the winners were nearly all of the right stamp and the dog-loving public soon learned in a general way what a sky should really look like among the first exhibitors were Mr. W.P. Sanderson of Philadelphia who showed Donald and Mr. Robert McClelland of New York with Tom later came Mr. Robert Sewell of Tarrytown with Tatters and others the most successful dog that has yet appeared on the bench over here Mr. W.P. Sanderson's Jim whose winnings are first Pittsburgh champion New York champion Cleveland 1882 champion New York champion Washington 1883 champion New York champion Philadelphia 1884 champion Philadelphia 1885 champion New York 1886 first Boston 1887 first Philadelphia 1887 boss imported by Mr. George Peabody Whetmore of Newport the best sky that had up to then appeared on this side with the exception of Mr. Sanderson's Jim was shown at New York in 1884 and in the same year Mr. George Sanderson in 1884 entered the list with Wattie and Fanny among the principal breeders and exhibitors of the sky in America besides those already mentioned are Mr. A.W. Powers of Lansingburg, New York Dr. M.H. Crier of Philadelphia Mr. S.S. Howland of Mount Morris, New York Mr. Cornelius Stevenson Mr. Oldham and Wiley of Maranek, New York the metathorpe kennels of Lexington, Kentucky and Mr. F.W. Flint of New York. The following is the standard and scale of points of the Sky Terrier head value 15 ears and eyes 10 body and neck 15 legs and feet 10 tail 10 coat 20 color 5 size and symmetry 15 total 100 points the head should be long rather narrow between the ears increasing in width between the eyes with a flat skull little or no brow and a pointed nose the teeth should be perfectly level and evenly set in good strong jaws nose and roof of mouth black or very dark brown ears and eyes the ears are set on rather high not large being less than 3 inches long but the hair on them mixing in with that of the head, neck and cheeks makes them look much larger in the droppiered variety they should fall perpendicularly and lie close to the cheek in the prickiered variety they should stand well up without any outward inclination the eyes should be dark brown or hazel of medium size and sharp in expression though at the same time be speaking wisdom and kindness body and neck the back is long but strongly coated with muscle and perfectly straight any tendency toward the roach back of the dandy dinmont being especially objectionable the ribs are round the chest barrel like the back ribs should extend well toward the hips the neck is long and well closed with muscle rising evenly out of the chest shoulders strong and rather upright legs and feet the legs should be straight and the elbows and stifles not turned out the thighs should be well closed with muscle down to the hocks feet round and well covered with hair there should be no due cause tail this should be carried low by the drop-eared variety and about level with the back by the prickiered under excitement it is sometimes carried gaily coat the outer coat should consist of hard long straight hair and the undercoat should be close soft and woolly in texture on the back the coat should be straight and free from curl and should part naturally down the middle this parting is usually assisted with the comb but it cannot be so trained by this alone if the outer coat is naturally curly and of a woolly texture although the outer coat is hard and straight the inner woolly coat is so thick on the body that when the dog is wet it prevents the outer coat from collapsing and adhering to his sides on the head and legs this is not the case and when the dog is wet his head presents a very different aspect from that shown when in the natural state it looking so much smaller and longer the length of the coat on the body should be considerable but should not be so great as to entirely hide the animal shape or to touch the ground on the head it should be long overhanging the eyes often so as to completely conceal them the tail should be well feathered so as to make it appear bushy or woolly the legs also should have a certain amount of feather but without any approach to matting the colors should be black and slate or black with white hairs silver gray or fawn silver gray is certainly the handsomest for a ladies pet especially this ladder should be tipped with black and the fawn with black or dark brown size and symmetry the sky terrier should stand from 9 to 10 inches high at the shoulder and his length from end of nose a tip of tail should be from 35 to 40 inches the prickard variety a trifle shorter in proportion to his height the weight should be from 16 to 20 pounds he should display perfect symmetry in his proportions in preparing the sky for the bench the all important point to be looked after is the coat no matter how good a dog may be otherwise if his coat is in bad shape when he faces the judge he has to go to the wall the principal thing to do to get the coat in good shape is to keep the skin healthy by means of proper exercise and feeding this together with protecting the coat for the time from wet and dirt and by proper washing and brushing which however must not be overdone will bring about the desired result the subject of our illustration Lovat the property of Mr. Cornelius Stevenson of Philadelphia was bred by Mr. A. Cromby of Edinburgh and was welped April 10, 1887 his sire is Sir William Wallace Damn Daisy his winnings are Second Air Second Glasgow Second Greenock Second Paisley First and Special Dundee First and Special Dunfermaline First New York, 1889 and First and Special Philadelphia, 1889 I hope that this guy will continue to advance in popularity in the future as rapidly as he has in the past and that I may have brought his merits to the notice of new friends and have been instrumental in establishing him in a higher niche among the dogs of America End of Chapter 31 Reading by Tom Mack Section 32 of the American Book of the Dog This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Tom Mack Tucson, Arizona The American Book of the Dog G. O. Shields Editor Section 32 The Black and Tan Terrier by H. T. Foot M. D. V. S. This breed has the distinction if previous riders are correct of being the source of nearly or quite all breeds of terriers According to the earliest history of the dog that existed in England a rough-haired black and tan terrier thicker in skull shorter in head and stockier in body The tan of these dogs was extensive and of a lighter shade than usually seen on modern specimens They went to Earth after game and had great stamina and courage According to UAT smooth-coated terriers came from crossing these dogs with hounds and long-coated terriers from crossing with currs From crossings with other pure breeds the various fancy breeds of terriers have been established So far as the black and tan is concerned he has during the past few centuries evolved into a more delicately and gracefully built animal with short, fine, smooth and jet black coat over the greater part of the body and with a small amount of much darker tan The thumb marks penciling and kissing spots have been developed The head has lengthened and like his body is narrower than formerly With this change in his physical make-up it is not surprising that he has at the same time lost some of his combativeness and courage Yet one now occasionally sees a specimen that manifests all the fighting qualities and terrier instincts that the early terrier was so famous for and as a whole no breed can surpass the modern black and tan for natural rat-killing abilities He gives a sharp nip and turns from one rat to another without delay Early in 1889 a great rat-baiting contest was held in Antwerp The rats came from the sewers of Paris and were large and ferocious The black and tan won killing the most rats and in the shortest time The competition was large Pretty much all breeds of terriers being represented What the best record is for killing rats I do not know But an example of the rapidity of movement of a black and tan terrier is shown in the record of Shaw's Jacko who killed 100 rats in less than 7 minutes It is as a clean alert house dog and a bright handsome companion that the black and tan terrier has gained reputation equaled by no other breed And this is one of the few points upon which all authorities on doggy matters seem to agree His color and shortness of coat render the few hairs he may leave about unnoticeable He is quickly house broken and as a burler alarm no modern electrical contrivance can compare with him He is not quarrelsome and avoids trouble with other dogs or people so far as possible But once he is aroused the instinct of his ancestry gives him all the necessary courage and cunning to stay in the fight to finish In the kennel a number of this breed can be kept together regardless of sex It is rarer than an ill nature crops out On the bench length and narrowness of head and correctness of markings have had great weight and perhaps not enough attention has been given to other points especially to terrier character and to good legs and feet The specimen I have selected for illustration Mears book Maiden is strong in these particulars and has not the extreme of length and narrowness of head She has twenty wins to her credit in England and during 1887 and 1888 competed successfully with the best specimens of the breed in that country Since coming to America we have won and recent criticisms in our sporting papers giving reports of shows are like to the effect that she outclasses all other specimens in this country at present This bitch has improved wonderfully since she came here and I do not believe that she was ever shown in as good form when in England as she is now in Although at the time this photograph was taken she was too fat by John F. Campbell of Montreal and his little sister Rochelle Lass Our next in order of merit among those in this country both have manifested excellence in competition on the bench and are important acquisitions to the breed Edward Lever was one of the earliest to introduce the breed here and the blood of his champion Vortigern flows in the veins of about all good homebred ones that have been seen Vortigern was a thoroughly game dog and he held no fear in the drawing of a badger or a tussle with a bull terrier Now that more perfect specimens are being imported we may look for marked and rapid improvement in this breed and it is to be hoped they will receive the recognition that they so much deserve There have been but few successful breeders Among those most prominent in England was Mr. Samuel Handley of Manchester He developed the most perfect specimens of the breed in his time and his kennels became so noted that the breed has since been known in England as the Manchester Terrier As however it was known as the black and tan terrier for a long period before Mr. Handley became prominent it would be better to go on with the breed with its original name Among later breeders and exhibitors Mr. Henry Lacey and Mr. Thomas Ellis have been prominent Among noted dogs that can be found in the pedigrees of most good specimens of the present day are SAF Belcher General Sir Edward Burke Wallace and the most notable of our present specimens George George Prince George Kenwood Queen Broomfield Turk Pearl Vesper and the subject of my illustration Mearsbrook Maiden The idea that cropping is essential to the breed has been done much to retard its way into popular favor Breeders have given no attention to natural ears and have rather developed coarse ears that would carry well when cropped No more reason for cropping the black and tan than there is for cropping the fox terrier, pug, bulldog and other breeds that not many years ago were considered unsightly with their natural ears. It will take some time to breed the natural ears on the black and tan but there will be every inducement for breeders to strive in this direction if owners will be satisfied to put up with and accustom themselves to the uncropped ears and bent show judges will follow the example set by the judge of this breed at the New York show of 1890 in giving the uncropped dogs an equal chance and perhaps showing them more favor than he did with the cropped dogs at all events a black and tan with good natural dropped ears similar to those of a fox terrier is just as sprightly in appearance as is this terrier and once the cropped ears go out of fashion we will wonder why cropping was ever tolerated it is not surprising that in a breed that has depended so much on marks as has the black and tan it is difficult to approach the goal of perfection few specimens develop with anything like perfect marks the tendency is to one or more of the following faults too much tan too little tan indistinctness of the outline tan in the black tan on the outside of the hind quarters tan on upper surface of the ears and while tan may be too extensive on some parts it may be wanting in others another and perhaps worst fault is white under the breast and in spite of all efforts to breed them without such markings it will appear on about one puppy every six or eight some puppies will show it when first born and it will disappear with surprising rapidity within a fortnight while others are thus blemished for life it is a fault that is considered fatal to bench show form and although I think too much stress is laid upon this point it is undoubtedly right to consider the lack of proper tan markings a serious defect much has been said and written about the faking practice with the black and tan but so far as I can observe it done with this breed than in most others of course where correctness of markings is so essential the closest scrutiny must be exercised by the judge to detect fraudulent practices I have referred in this writing to the black and tan terrier proper whose weight ranges from about 7 to 22 pounds the following is the latest standard of points of the black and tan terrier as set forth by the black and tan terrier club of england head should be narrow almost flat with a slight indentation up the forehead long and tight skin level in the mouth with no visible cheek muscles it should be slightly wedge shaped tapering to the nose and well filled up under the eyes with tight lipped jaws eyes should be small bright and sparkling set moderately close together as near black as possible oblong in shape sliding upward on the outside they shall neither protrude nor sink in the skull nose should be perfectly black ears should be button small and thin small at the root and set as close together as possible at the top of the head neck and shoulders the neck should be slim and graceful gradually becoming larger as it approaches the shoulders and perfectly free from throatiness slightly arched from the the shoulders slope off elegantly chest narrow between the legs deepen the brisket body short with powerful loin ribs well sprung out behind the shoulders the back being slightly arched at the loin and falling again to the joining of the tail to the same height as the shoulder legs perfectly straight and well under the body strong and of proportionate length feet compact split up between the toes and well arched with jet black nails the two middle toes of the front feet rather longer than the others and the hind feet shaped like those of a cat tail should be moderately short and set on where the arch of the back ends thick where it joins the body and gracefully tapering to a point and not carried higher than the loin coat close short and glossy not soft color black and tan as distinct as possible the tan should be a rich mahogany color a tan spot over each eye and another on each cheek the latter as small as possible the lips of the upper and lower jaws should be tanned the tan extending under the jaw to the throat ending in the shape of a letter V the inside of the ear is partly tanned the fore leg is tanned to the knee with a black patch thumb mark between the pastern and the knee the toes have a distinct black mark running up each called the pencil mark the tan on the hind legs should continue from the penciling on the feet up the inside of the legs to a little below the stifle joint and outside of the legs should be perfectly black there should be tan under the tail and on the vent but only of such size as to be covered by the tail in every case the tan should meet the black abruptly wait a medium size dog should not exceed 14 pounds and a large sized 22 pounds end of section 32 recording by Tom Mack section 33 of the American Book of the Dog this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Hailey McCardle the American Book of the Dog Geo Shields Editor section 33 The Maltese Terrier by Miss A. H. Whitney centuries before the existence of other toy or pet dogs this exquisite little creature was the admired companion and faithful friend of the ladies highest in rank in Greece later when Rome ruled the world he continued to be first favourite with the fair sex historians considered him worthy of mention sculptors carved his image he was the darling of wealth and luxury truly a gentle dog Dr. Chaos describes him in the first century of our era Strabo extols his beauty his diminutive size the esteem in which he was held and adds yet are they not small in their intelligence or unstable in their love end quote what a pity that in modern times the dainty quick-witted affectionate little Canis Miletus should be so nearly extinct so little known from sturdy sky to pampered blend them Spaniels own more than a little of their beauty to a cross more or less remote with the Maltese yet it is now well-nigh impossible to obtain a really fine specimen for love or money Malta is as barren of them as America at the present time poor ones indeed average specimens are to be found both in the east and west Indies but the best are in England where they have been carefully bred with more or less success by a few fanciers during the past 40 years of course unscrupulous dealers have always a supply of long-haired little mongrels glossy white and freshly combed and flat-eyed into smoothness of coat to palm off upon the unsuspecting customer in search of a pure Maltese but anyone who has seen both poodles and Maltese upon reclining upon his cushion by the side of his mistress a purebred little Maltese looks more like a handful of brilliant white-spun silk than a living creature but pay him a little attention and he will spring to his feet lift his fine short ears and hasten to show you how keenly alive and alert he is from the black tip of his atom of a nose to the waving end of his snowy plume of a tail as an indoor companion of rank and beauty the tiny fellow is peerless and his devotion to his owner is absolute it is said that the faithful pet of hapless Mary Queen of Scots founded her feet after her execution was one of this breed out of doors he is sharp and full of frolic but his long coat sadly interferes with his fun then too he is not as vigorous in constitution as the dogs of common clay and is very susceptible to cold and chills in short he pays the penalty of living in the Boudoir as she and the luck sympathically he will always be precious he cannot condescend to become popular and as for his utility why demand any such commonplace quality of a gem beauty is its own excuse for being and truly a typical Maltese is beautiful when in full coat and well groomed numberless are the stories of the quick witted devotion of these little pets as as they are affectionate and as sagacious as the wisest philosophers of dogdom one incident worth recounting occurred many years ago a baby boy was asleep in an upstairs bedroom the servants in the kitchen and the master and mistress at a public assembly suddenly the gentleman's attention was attracted by the unexpected appearance of his tiny Maltese dog whom he supposed was safe at home the little creature was in a frenzy of excitement barking whining and tugging at his coat as if to pull him from the room his master trusting to the sense of his pet yielded to his frantic entreaties and allowed himself to be led home the dog jumping up and barking all the way upon reaching the house it was found the candle burning by the bedside of the baby had set the curtain on fire and the dog after rushing downstairs and calling the servants to the rescue had made his way out of doors and to the assembly rooms in search of his master we hope that dear dog lived as long and happily as Lady Gifford's wonderful Brendolin who at nineteen years of age enjoyed good health one little four pound Maltese was so fond of her mistress that she would make incredible efforts to keep near her and one day the dauntless creature leaped from a second story window in order to share the morning drive these dogs are wonderfully alert watchmen and not a sound escapes their keen ears like their relatives the poodles they are quick to acquire tricks and eager and proud to show off their accomplishments to Mr. R. Mandeville of London Mr. J. Jacobs of Oxford and more recently the late Lady Gifford of Redhill and Mrs. Blymonk of Coley Park are we indebted for the patient and persevering breeding which has produced the best modern strains of the Maltese dog indeed their specimens or specimens bred by them or of their stock are tolerably sure to sweep the board at all the leading English shows here in America the breed is practically unknown I doubt whether anyone can be found among our impatient fanciers willing to keep a Maltese more than two years waiting for it to appear in full coat but four and often five years elapsed before he is quite furnished and in full bloom it is said that a pair Cupid and Psyche were brought from the East Indies at great expense in 1841 by Captain Lukey of the India Company Service they were purchased to present the Queen of England but after a rough voyage of nine months and little or no grooming their coats were so matted and soiled that they remained in private life and never knew how great an honour they had missed a dog needs a court costume as much as a man if he is to be presented to royalty I fear the lot of these dainty creatures would hardly be one in our northern states save in the palace homes of millionaires they are very delicate during puppyhood and the litters rarely number more than two or three to make amends however when they do live nature grants them a remarkably long lease and they keep their faculties unimpaired many years after the majestic Mastiff and the noble St. Bernard have gone to their long rest for indoor pets and ladies companions they will always be desirable and we live in the hope of seeing some good specimens at our important shows here long of course such precious dogs must have every care during their first year they must be handled like our best China kept from all risk of cold fed simple food and handled but little the less meat the better bread and a scant allowance of butter or milk vegetables and gravy make the best diet heating food spoils the beauty of the coat and causes many internal diseases regularity and feeding and exercises of vital importance they are hardly mature under two years of age but if they survive the first year and the perils of puppyhood become fairly strong and able to bear ordinary exposure as the coat of a Maltese is his greatest beauty and exceedingly liable to become matted or soiled too much attention cannot be paid to it it is very long sometimes from 6 to 7 inches on a 4 pound dog perfectly straight glistening and brilliant even in length from tip of nose to end of tail and unless parted and brushed aside from the forehead it completely hides the bright intelligent eyes many owners braid the long locks and tie them back with ribbons for the comfort of their pets and it is not uncommon for exhibitors to fasten back the ears at meal times to keep the hair which covers them from being soiled by the food daily grooming from puppyhood is desirable but nothing harsher than a soft hair brush of good quality must be used the best time for this is always just before a meal and the dog will enjoy his food the more for his toilet if the hair is matted or snarled it may be necessary to disentangle the knotted locks with a pin before combing a fine comb must never be used as it would be sure to do harm but a coarse toothed one saves time and aids the brush some exhibitors are so anxious to keep their pets from indulging in the luxury of scratching but they make little wash leather boots for the hind legs so that the nails cannot penetrate the skin or take off a single hair we do not recommend the use of these proper diet and careful daily grooming are far better precautions against skin irritation the Maltese is a merry, frolicsome creature and full of vivacity some writers accuse him of snappishness but some writers call all dogs snappish so we will forgive their ignorance of the sweet temper as well as the wonderful intelligence of this breed as an indoor pet companion and watchman few other toy dogs can compare with the exquisite tiny Maltese the chief objections to him are the dangerous delicacy of his constitution and the care required to keep him in presentable condition as to his jacket to prepare him for exhibition is not difficult if he has been dressed regularly let not the novice think in all over tubbing necessary that would invite a severe cold and less given by an experienced assistant far better and easier is the egg bath prepared and applied as follows break two fresh eggs in a hand basin beat them sufficiently to mix yelks and whites well add a gill of warm water soft small sponge or the hands working it thoroughly and gently and through the coat to the skin beginning at the head and carefully avoiding the eyes and the inside of the ears when the dog is well lathered wash off with tepid water and a sponge but no soap as you value the brilliancy of your future prize winners jacket then wrap up your pet in a big bath towel wipe him dry gently give him a good meal don't think of combing him until after his nap a hand smoothing makes a good finish and then beware lest the little dandy catches cold and has to be kept at home from the show after all a quarter grain pill of quinine night and morning before feeding continued for three days will usually put him in good health and spirits and enable him to throw off the threatened illness of course no one interested in this valuable and delicate breed will be so unwise as to exhibit puppies no matter how promising for them the paths of glory lead but to the grave the points of emulties according to the present standard of judging are as follows skull muzzle and nose value of five eyes three ears seven body and legs five tail five coat ten colour ten general appearance and size five total value of fifty the skull is somewhat broad and slightly rounding but not like that of toy spaniels the muzzle tapering gradually to the jet black little nose the eyes should be a fair size neither prominent like those of the king charles and pug nor very small and deep set brilliant and black there must be and the roof of the mouth is of the same colour the jaws are level and the teeth good enough for a terrier the ears are small thin and full close to the head when excited the dog lifts them a little the body is rather long deep chested level and back muscular and well knit the legs are shortish straight strong and bare footed the tail an exquisite little white plume is carried gracefully curving over the side and back the coat the all important must be long the longer the better from seven to eleven inches on a dog standing no more than seven inches high at shoulder and as soft and silky as nature and art can make it dazzlingly brilliant and snowy white lemon marking sometimes occur upon the ears but they are a disqualification even on the best specimens and even worse than any tendency to curl in the coat the weight should not exceed seven pounds and many prize winners are under five it may interest our readers to study the accompanying group of the creme de la creme of multi's prize winners owned by the late Lady Gifford of England the illustration is taken from a photograph from life tiny little Brenda Lynn was a wonder as frisky and strong at 19 years of age as most dogs are at four she was the dam and grandam of many prize winners Lord Clyde and Sir Roger are exquisite specimens and well known on the show bench Sir Roger is rather the better in head and coat and strongly resembles the famous champion Hugh Queenie is a tiny charming atom of three pounds weight the sister of Hugh and probably the smallest of her breed yet exhibited champion Hugh was welped in 1875 and first shown in 1877 at the Royal Aquarium where he won second prize his career was a series of triumphs from that time on until his death he took his 23rd and last prize at the Crystal Palace July 1885 and died in that year after a very brief illness he was devotedly attached to his mistress and never happy in her absence his proportions and measurements are worth knowing we quote them from Castles book of the dog from nose to stop one inch stop to top of skull two and one half inches length of back eight inches girth of muzzle four inches girth of skull nine inches girth of neck seven inches girth of brisket eleven and one half inches girth round shoulders eleven inches girth of pastin one and three fourth inches height at shoulders seven and one half inches height at elbows four inches height at loins seven and one fourth inches length of tail five inches hair on tail seven inches length of coat eleven inches four pounds and ten ounces End of section 33 Recording by Hailey McCardle Section 34 of the American Book of the Dog This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Read by Michelle Fry Baton Rouge, Louisiana The American Book of the Dog G.O. Shields Editor Section 34 The Collie by Henry Jarrett and J.E. Doherty The origin of The Collie like that of most other breeds of dogs is unknown Many different theories have been advanced by various writers on the subject, most of them however being without any foundation The theory offered by Hugh Dalzel in his excellent work on The Collie is that the breed is a result of selection carried on through a long series of years and this is no doubt as near the truth as we may ever expect to get The name Collie is supposed to have been derived from the same root as collar and to refer to the white collar or band around the dog's neck The Collie is probably the most useful of all our non-sporting dogs. Many authentic instances are recorded showing the almost human intelligence of these dogs in the execution of their duties in driving and herding sheep and cattle, in fact it is well nigh impossible to overestimate the intelligence of a well-trained Collie. Besides being indispensable to the farmer they make most excellent watch dogs and companions and may also be trained for retrieving game both on land and from the water. Although much has been done in this country to encourage the breeding of show dogs the working qualities of this breed have been sadly neglected and it is to be regretted that sheep dog trials have never been encouraged here There are plenty of well-trained dogs in the United States and if trials were once established they would soon become popular There are numerous trials held in England every year for sheep dogs which are invariably successful and which act as reminders to breeders that Collie's are dogs. The importation of so many first-class specimens by the Chestnut Hill Kennels of Philadelphia has been a great assistance to American breeders and has done much toward raising the breed to its present popularity I know of no breed that has advanced so rapidly in public favor in America as has the Collie I'm often asked why nothing has yet been bred in America to equal the best of the imported dogs. The reason is that there are very few really first-class brewed bitches in this country we have some of the best stud dogs in the world and what we need now are a large number of good brewed bitches. Many people seem to attach no importance to the quality or breeding of the bitch so long as they have a good dog to breed to. In England you will find at least a hundred first-class bitches to one in this country and this means so many more thoroughly good puppies there is generally one extra good one in each well bred litter and that one frequently dies before reaching maturity this being the case it will easily be understood that America cannot compete successfully with England in breeding Collies until the number of our brewed bitches is largely increased by importation. The fall to be found with most American bred Collies is the warrant of character and Collie expression the best Collie ever bred in this country was probably Glen Lynette by Strepfun out of Mavis he was bred by Mr. A. R. Kyle of Sound Beach Connecticut and was a very fine specimen of the breed he won first prize at Winstead in 1886 and gave considerable promise of making a great name for himself but was unfortunately killed on the railroad by a passing locomotive while he was at exercise. Mavis is one of our few good brood bitches she is now owned by Mr. James Watson of Philadelphia who is one of our best Collie judges unfortunately good Collie judges are like good Collie brood bitches rather scarce the most difficult point to produce is a good coat and in spite of all that has been written to the contrary there is no danger at present of our breeding Collies with coats so heavy as to steer with their movements while working a great many writers seem to think that the Collie when working has always to contend with a blizzard or a mud pond and that if his coat is long the snow or mud will cling to him in such quantities as to soon tire him out this however is the exception rather than the rule and the texture of the coat is of much more importance than its length the most important point is the undercoat although color is immaterial the sable with white points is at present the most fashionable in the early days of shows black and tan was considered the best color and to improve the color of the tan markings it is said that the Gordon setter blood was introduced which would account for the large saddle flap ears and soft open coat frequently found in dogs of this color it is probable that we shall soon have a strain of pure white collies several having recently been bred in England and the Chestnut Hill Kennels have two white puppies by matchly wonder these white collies are pretty but do not look like workers and for this reason will probably never become popular the dog selected for illustration is champion scotilla owned by the Chestnut Hill Kennels Philadelphia here pictured he was well up October 28th 1885 and is by Dublin scott flurry the second he was imported in 1887 and has won over 40 champion prizes he is the sire of a large number of first prize winners and has considered the best collie in the country H J the rough coated collie is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in existence he is a true sheep dog from which no doubt all other shepherd dogs derive their origin beauty intelligence and usefulness are all to be counted in the highest degree to his credit the marvelous stories told of his sagacity and cunning are almost incredible and yet it does not seem so strange when we take into consideration that he has been in training and in constant companion of the shepherd for hundreds of years no where the dog is so constantly with his master in his proper calling this naturally increases the intelligence of each individual and reacts on the whole breed so that's independent of the constant weeding out of puppies which were useless from lack of intelligence the superiority of the whole variety in mental attributes is easily accounted for there is no authentic history as to the origin of the collie he is supposed by some authors to have been bred from a wild dog or dingo whose form he strongly resembles this theory is a plausible one as his fine muzzle dense coat carriage of tail and ear and his restless habits are not unlike those of the wild dog the wolf and the fox following is the collie standard and scale of points adopted by the English collie club and the collie club of America head and expression value 15 ears 10 neck and shoulders 10 legs and feet 15 hind quarters 10 back and loin 10 brush 5 coat with frill 20 size 5 total 100 points the skull of the collie should be quite flat and rather broad with fine tapering muzzle of fair length and mouth slightly overshot the eyes widely apart almond shaped and obliquely set in the head the skin of the head is tightly drawn with no folds at the corners of the mouth the ears as small as possible semi erect when surprised or listening at other times thrown back and buried in the rough the neck should be long arched and muscular the shoulders also long sloping and fine at the withers the chest to be deep and narrow in front but a fair breath behind the shoulders back to be short and level with the loin rather long somewhat arched and powerful brush long with upward swirl at the end and normally carried low the foreleg should be perfectly straight with a fair amount of flat bone the pasturns rather long springy and slightly lighter of bone than the rest of the leg the foot with toes well arched and compact soles very thick the back quarters drooping slightly should be very long from the hip bones to the hocks which should be neither turned inward nor outward with stifles well bent the hip bones should be wide and rather ragged the coat except on legs and head should be as abundant as possible the outer coat straight hard and rather stiff the undercoat furry and so dense that it would be difficult to find the skin the rough and frill especially should be very full there should be but little feather on the four legs and none below the hocks on the hind legs color in material symmetry the dog should be a fair length on the leg and his movements wiry and graceful he should not be too small height of dogs from 22 to 24 inches of bitches from 20 to 22 inches the greyhound type is objectionable as it gives little brain room in the skull and with this there is to be found a fatuous expression and a long powerful jaw the setter type is also to be avoided with his pendulous ears and straight short flag the smooth collie only differs from the rough in the coat which should be hard dense and quite smooth point judging is not advocated but figures are only made use of to show the comparative value attached to the different properties no marks are given for general symmetry which is of course in judging a point of the utmost importance color in material as placed in the standard although virtually correct is somewhat misleading in these days of scientific breeding nothing seems impossible and by careful selection as to color almost any color may be produced after a careful study of the subject and several years of breeding the writer has formed the opinion that the following colors are essential and cannot be looked upon with any suspicion of a cross black, white, and tan sable, sable and white red, foxy colors and in fact all the shades of tan and colors formed by the mingling of the above colors it is a well known fact that nearly are quite all the greatest prize winners and most typical specimens of the breed are of these colors the collie is affectionate and obedient is extremely sensitive and will seldom bear punishment without becoming sulky when once you gain his confidence he will obey your commands at all times without restraint or compulsion a large percent of collies are gun shy and afraid of thunder there is a peculiar crafty and cunning look about the collie possessed by no other species of the canine race he is a faithful companion and a watchful guardian of his master's property he is the ideal farm dog and has no equal in that capacity except for the collie much of the highlands of Scotland and England would be absolutely worthless the sheep graze where a man cannot follow to advantage a trained collie will take out a flock of sheep in the morning remain with them during the day and bring them home to the fold at night alone and unaided the collie will work on cattle and hogs as well as on sheep and can be taught to herd all kinds of poultry he makes the capital retriever has a fair nose and with proper training becomes a tolerable hunter he is quick to attack and kill all kinds of vermin the training of the collie for all kinds of farm work is not a difficult matter as soon as the whelp is old enough to leave the nest and follow the dam it will be tagging after her to the field to bring up the stock and in a few short weeks the little fellow will go to the field alone it is then necessary to curb him to teach him to come and to go at your bidding the most effectual plan to get complete control is to attach a light cord of sufficient length and when the puppy goes too rapidly pull him up sharply and at the same time give the command slow a few repetitions of this will teach him to stop at the word a collie instinctively chases sheep and although not hurting them will run afloat to death he must be taught to drive not chase teach him to go slow by the use of the cord be patient and painstaking in this work will be rewarded it is necessary to use gestures when giving commands and in a short time the dog will obey the motion of the hand this is advantageous in case of a strong wind or of the noise made by a herd or of the dog being too far away to hear the word of command it should be considered the work of several weeks or months to properly train a puppy but remember that he is likely to live many years and hence it will pay the foundation of your teachings on solid principles to keep him close in hand until your precepts are deeply grounded and not to discharge him until you are sure that his education is complete and of a lasting character the rearing of the collie does not require any different treatment from that necessary in the case of other canines except in the care of the coat in the summer season he should be washed at least once a week when shedding his coat the dead loose hair should be kept well combed out otherwise it may become a fleece grown keep the skin clean and the new coat will grow vigorously the dog should have a cool dark place to lie in away from the flies during the day an old piece of carpet or bagging to lie on is sufficient for a bed straw, shavings, or any kind of litter is a harbor for fleas and hangs to the coat in winter the dog requires less care cold does not seem to affect him in the least and he delights to roll and burrow in the deepest snow banks thus cleansing and adding luster to his coat a collie that has been kept as above directed and that has been habitually well fed on wholesome food may be considered at any time after receiving a good combing and brushing as ready for the show bench the collie is constantly growing in favor not only with stockman and farmers but with lovers of the dog everywhere and we predict for this noble breed a brilliant future in Europe he has been transplanted from the hut of the ghillie to the palace and has become to use the words of the well-known English breeder the gentleman's dog the credit is due to England for breeding the collie up to its present high standards but America is not far behind in this matter the collie has a strong hold in the states and numbers among his friends men of wealth and influence who strive to attain the best specimens regardless of price it is not an uncommon thing today to see the collie on the plains of the far west following the bands of sheep guarding and protecting them from the hungry coyote and when his qualities are better known every farmer in our country will be the happy possessor of one of these faithful animals here omitted are the names of a few of the collie breeders and exhibitors in America almost a full page boss AKC SB 12656 is a black and tan collie owned by the writer who swelped August 15th 1886 is a large upstanding dog weighing 70 pounds has abundance of coat the outer coat long and hard has a long head good expression ears a trifle large but correctly carried he is a grand specimen and shows a deal of collie character yet like many other good ones he has his faults he lacks finish is a little too straight in the stifle and for the latest craze would be considered a little course he was sired by Donald the third by longs rob Roy out of Bessie B by champion coxie out of bell the third damsella AKC SB 11696 boss has never been shown outside of his own state has won three firsts in the pet stock shows held in Indianapolis and Richmond and won the two special premiums 1889 and 1890 offered by J Van Shaak for the best collie bred and owned in Indiana JED this ends section 34 the collie section 35 of the American book of the dog this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Tom Mack Tucson, Arizona the American book of the dog no shields editor section 35 the old English sheep dog by William Wade nothing is more promising for the future position of dogs of actual usefulness than the recent revival of interest in this breed they are not handsome dogs by any means and that such uncomprisingly ugly customers are becoming fashionable demonstrates that the real value for practical purposes is being recognized they are one of the oldest of breeds and certainly without a superior in value as farm working dogs yet they were so neglected for many years that the breed was almost lost that they are a very old breed is shown by references to them by early English writers G. R. Jesse quotes from the passionate pilgrim my curtail dog that want to have played plays not at all but seems afraid and from Mary Wives of Windsor Hope is a curtail dog in some affairs in Drayton 10th echelog these exquisite lines occur he called his dog that sometimes had the praise Whitefoot well known to all that keep the plane that many a wolf had worried in his days a better cur there never followed swain which though as he his masters sorrows knew wagged his cut tail his wretched plight to rue poor curr quote he and him therewith did stroke go to our coat and there thyself repose thou with thine age my heart with sorrow broke be gone ere death my restless eyes do close the time is come thou must thy master leave whom this vile world shall nevermore deceive these lines were written about the year 1600 and show that at that time dog with short or cut tails were well known in Marriott's Mr. Shipman Easy written about 1835 Bob tales are introduced as a factor in the naming of that distinguished hero Mrs. Easy wishes to call the boy after Mr. Easy but Papa objects as there will be two nicks they will naturally call my boy young Nick and of course I shall be styled old Nick which will be diabolical then when Mrs. Easy selects Robert Mr. Easy interposes I cannot bear even the supposition my dear you forget that in the country in which you are residing the downs are covered with sheep I will appeal to any farmer in the country if 99 shepherd's dogs out of 100 are not called Bob now observe your child is out of doors somewhere in the fields or plantations you want and you call him instead of your child what do you find why a dozen currs at least who come running up to you and all answering to the name of Bob and wagging their stumps of tales Marriott was a close observer of dogs mentioning many breeds and always associating them with their own peculiarities and vocations how the scotch collie came to supplant the original English sheep dog is well described by Mr. Freeman Lloyd in his admirable monograph on Bob tales originally published in the columns of turf, field and farm and by that paper published in very handsome pamphlet form to this I would refer all inquirers for more minute particulars as to Bob tales merely confining myself to general statements that Mr. Lloyd seems to have somewhat overlooked as to the appearance of Bob tales it may be said they average about the same as a collie in size being generally much more cobby and billed with immense power in their hind quarters and not infrequently higher behind than at the shoulder the head should be somewhat pointed but nothing like that of the collie in either length or narrowness the ears should be small sit on fairly high and easily raised there are two variety of coats the single and the double which perhaps might be better defined as the short and the very heavy ones fashion or the weight of authority undoubtedly has gone for the very profuse double coat although it is admitted that the other type is equally characteristic of the old breed the heavily coated legs clear down to the feet and the densely coated face are also correct type but although the authorities have so decreed I must dissent most strongly from the desirability of either characteristic the densely coated legs cannot but collect mud, snow and slush and curiously impede the dog in his work any shepherd will tell you that the same holds good with sheep that those with heavily wooled legs clear down to their feet tire much more quickly than the cleaner legged ones the useless hair of the face can only collect the ice and snow of a winter storm to distract the dog's vision the absence of a tail is the special characteristic of this breed and in the best bread specimens it is not a stump or a short tail but absolutely no tail at all the extremity of the spine being free from any lump or vestige of a tail half or even whole tails are not at all uncommon even in well-bred letters but this is to be attributed to a foreign blood at some period and these long-tailed puppies mated with others naturally long-tailed will throw short-tailed or tailless puppies I know a dog the produce of litter brother and sister both naturally long-tailed who is bob-tailed naturally and never got a full-tailed pup although tried with mongrels with full tails and tanned terriers etc the common supposition is that this short tail is a relic of the days when dogs with shortened tails were exempt from taxation but this is clearly inadmissible cropping the ears of terriers and boarhounds docking the tails of spaniels fox terriers etc and shaving the coats of poodles has been practiced from time immemorial yet no change in the natural conformation of either breed has been the result the cats of the isle of man are naturally tailless and so must the bob-tailed dog have originally been it is for practical work that the bob-tailed dog stands unequaled apparently his uncompromisingly ugly looks have saved him from being a victim to the pranks of fancy and having no use but use he has naturally been bred for use alone it would be but natural that the owner of a good working bitch should select a good working dog as her mate and thus the instinctive work has been kept alive in the breed and in fact stimulated to the highest possible degree then the breed has been more used around households than the collie in Scotland sheep farming has been carried on lands remote from avatations and the shepherd and his dog were often separated from human associations for a considerable time thus the collie is less a household dog hence is shy and suspicious nature while the bob-tail being employed to herd drive and watch stock to guard his master's premises drive trespassing stock away and being in general the friend and associate of his master's family has developed that charming disposition that makes him by far the best companion among dogs and has stimulated his wits under the incentive of constant praise and affection no dog can have a stronger instinctive disposition for work than the bob-tail and none can do his work with less training Queen Vic at six months old would bring up the cows to be milked half a dozen times a day being too impatient to work to wait for the proper time when the mare is plowing Vic keeps a sharp watch on the colt and will not let it stray a dozen yards from the mare's side Dame Bruin at nine months old never having been worked on sheep met a bunch of lambs stuck where a small stream crossed the road without an order from her master the lambs did not belong to him she tried to force them across and failing grabbed one and tugged it over dropping it she served another in the same way Agricola had not seen stock for a year other than horses on the streets of Boston yet the second day he was on a farm near here he took a walk with his master and on seeing a dozen cows turned out of a field half a mile from home no charge of them without a word of instruction taking them straight home without any assistance Bob stopped fights between rams and drove the hogs away from the corn thrown down to the chickens entirely on his own notion and so I might go on odd infinitum no dog is possessed of higher courage than the Bob tale and none is less quarrelsome their way molesting no dog and tolerating meddling from nothing that wears hair Agricola bristled up as quickly at my mast if Balder as he would at the nearest cur when a Bob tale fights it is not for fun it is serious business and the business is to kill the other dog in the shortest possible time with their powerful jaws and strong teeth heavily over matched if they do not come off victorious the picture of Gwen shows the crack specimen of the English show benches and certainly shows a capitol a strong copy well made animal while the one copied from Stonehenge is the best illustration of a Bob tale in action that can be imagined showing the immensely powerful hind quarters the shaggy coat and the peculiar fashion of running with the four part of the body very low down or as it is sometimes described running on the breast bone this picture looks as though the dog were an inch or two higher behind than at the shoulder yet if carefully scaled it will be found that the dog is almost exactly level on the back although an English breed the Bob tale is peculiarly fitted for the needs of American Stockman the collie is rather more of a herder than a driver and in herding speed is a matter of prime necessity while the Bob tale is more of a driver a work in which patience and deliberation is the main point thus although as fast a dog as many barring hounds the Bob tale is a much slower quieter driver much less apt to hurry stock and in general more deliberate in his work any Stockman will recognize the value of this trait when the dog is entrusted with driving cattle or sheep in our intensely hot summers where so much mischief can be done by overheating the stock one thing which should always be born in mind is constantly overlooked in use of sheep dogs that is that a dog is but a dog after all great may be his instinctive knowledge and wonderful are the many manifestations of wisdom in dogs but after all there is a point they cannot pass now to apply to sheep dogs some of the principles of ordinary good judgment don't expect that a dog can be used for the most diverse purposes and yet be perfect in all you could not expect that a man just through with a fight for life with a vicious tramp would be in a proper frame of mind to lead a prayer meeting Saint Vincent de Paul himself would be but human in such a case therefore do not expect the dog to chase swine out of your yard where battles royal between the dog and vicious old sows are a matter of course to be taken at once and set to drive a bunch of choice sheep he cannot dismiss it once from his remembrance of the effects of his battle with the sow so if your dog is used chase and kill rabbits groundhogs play fetch and carry etc he will not be fully up to the mark for handling a lot of cows heavy with calf the same dog can and will do both classes of work or play but you must not expect him to go directly from one to the other and to be perfect at both I would not be understood to mean deprecation of the collie as compared with the bob tail each has his own characteristics and each his peculiar merits and demerits and the lovely and useful collie can well spare his unhandsome but invaluable compare his due need of praise the rudiments of training sheep dogs are simple the fine points need a master's hand and no instructions can fully supply the knack of a genius required first you should breed your worker see to it that the parents of your puppy were workers that is half the battle then make your puppy fond of you secure his entire confidence and affection never speak a cross word to him if he needs reproof administer it in kind and warning tones for such are much more effectual than the blustering savage howls some breakers think is indispensable teach the dog to lie down at the word the initial step being to gently press him to the ground with the hand with the word down now move away from the dog and if he rises return and repeat the lesson after he will keep his position when you have gone some distance from him take him out with sheep and make him lie down then go around the flock with a pan of salt gathering the sheep until they are between you and the dog and then call the ladder if he is the right kind a few lessons will enable him to comprehend what you desire him to do and by waving either hand he will soon understand which side of the flock you wish him to pass by this is the foundation of training and once acquired the rest of the dog's education is comparatively simple matter remember that it is education you want your dog to have not the ability to perform certain tricks at the command of his master for it is not what a sheep dog does at command that gives him great value it is what he knows should be done for the better the above directions on training are simply a condensation of the admirable paper prepared by Mr. S. M. Cleaver of East Bethlehem, Pennsylvania they are however sufficient to qualify any good dog handler with the faculty of teaching dogs to train a sheep dog to any work that can be required of him and without dog-knack nobody should attempt the work remember that each lesson must be thoroughly learned before the next is essayed and always praise the dog when he does anything well above all things never punish a dog except for doing what he knows is wrong the essentials for rearing puppies whatever be the breed only few and simple in a general way we may say if one studies nature profits by her teachings and applies her principles he will meet all the requirements but this is scarcely definite enough and we will go a little deeper into the subject when a bitch is about to help the fact is very evident in her manner she busies herself with her bedding pawing over her straw placing and replacing the same when these manifestations appear it may be assumed that whelping is likely to occur within 24 hours it is always best that a bitch at such an important time be in quarters to which she has been accustomed she is always more or less uneasy for a time if a comparative stranger to her surroundings yet she should be in a quiet place safe from intrusion from all but her master or mistress this matter of seclusion is so important that it should be one of the first considerations and she must be guarded against accidental blows or crushes in cold weather the room in which a bitch is whelping should always be provided with plenty of soft dry bedding and should be artificially heated the temperature therein should not fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the first week and it had best been kept up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the first 24 hours at least the reason for this is obvious the puppies are drenched with the amniotic fluid when they come into the world and the dam keeps them for a time more or less wet by frequent licking with her tongue hence it will be seen that for them to become chilled would be easy and a chill to a young puppy means danger protection against cold is then one of the first essentials another equally important is that the puppies should nurse soon after birth if strong and hardy they will seek the breast of their own accord weekly they will need assistance any puppy which does not nurse voluntarily must be held to the breast and encouraged to suck within two or three hours after birth this is essential and is very often neglected and the fault is largely accountable for the great mortality among puppies once a puppy nurses well it can safely be left to the mother and let alone treatment is the best coddling being most mischievous a bitch should nurse her puppies just as long as she and they do well probably between the third and fourth week their gain will be less rapid and the circumstance may be held as evidence that the dam needs assistance and that feeding the puppies artificially should be commenced the first food should be cow's milk diluted with two parts water and slightly sweetened with a little cane sugar one such feeding a day is enough for the first week during the second two feedings at least will be needed and the following week three after weaning four meals a day up to the fifth or sixth month are needed the milk at first as already stated should be diluted with two parts water how rapidly to lessen the dilution is a matter of experience no fixed rule can be established all depends upon how the food acts probably in the early part of the second week half milk and half water will be suitable in the latter part very likely the milk can be given without dilution the puppies discharges should be watched for they give evidence as to whether or not the food is too rich as early as the sixth week puppies should begin to have meat broths given very sparingly at first however gradually a more generous diet should be allowed to secure growth and development the first essential is abundant food and it should be largely of meat scarcely less important are decent cleanliness of the dog after a puppy is once accustomed to solid food the matter of feeding becomes simple all the provoking minutia of exact quantities particular qualities and fixed periods in the matter of food and feeding are of little moment if a young dog has sufficient exercise there is no danger of his being overfed it is with dogs as with men give them enough muscular work to do and no amount of food which they can eat will be likely to hurt them dogs should have bones given them at frequent intervals but of course small bones should be kept from puppies for they might be swallowed whole and produce serious trouble or if broken the sharp points would be likely to play the mischief with the internal arrangements where puppies must be reared in crowded kennels with the scantiest exercise I cannot suggest any course of procedure the conditions are so unnatural justice can scarcely be done them worms are the principal cause of puppy mortality Ashmont in another part of this book gives full and complete directions for treating animals afflicted with them but a pound of prevention etc about a week before a bitch is due to whelp she should be dosed for worms should be shut up in her kennel on abundant bedding until she has thoroughly evacuated the bedding should then be carefully removed and burned and the kennel well washed and cleansed with some insecticide boiling hot water solution sulfate of soda solution etc then wash the bitch carefully all over so that every nit sticking to her coat may be removed or destroyed even taking care that the water used is accounted for puppies nosing and rooting around in search of the tit are likely to get into their mouths any nits that may be attached to the dam's hair and a full crop of worms as a result I have thought that the eggs of worms are like the old saying as to certain tough cases in weeds burn them and be careful what you do with the ashes if a dog is fed onions and turnips pretty regularly he is not likely to be troubled with worms I do not know whether these vegetables are verma fuges strictly speaking but I have often noted worms being passed by dogs in these articles of diet and I know it is the case with mankind which brings me to the point that a dog is so much like a man in disease that it is a pretty safe rule to do about the same for a dog as would be the right thing for a man it is also a safe rule in giving medicine to a large dog Mastiff, St. Bernard or Newfoundland to give the same amount as would be given to a human subject for the same weight Mr. G. W. Moore made some very sensible suggestions in forest and stream sometimes since as to care of dogs at and after dog shows and advises thorough washing of an animal after returning from a show that no contagium may remain attached to its coat and thus infect its kennel companions you should be exceedingly careful about approaching a bitch just after whelping it makes no difference whether her usual disposition is amiable or the reverse a bitch peculiarly gentle at other times may be extremely savage when she has young puppies and I have known bad tempered bitches who were very indifferent about their puppies therefore until this point is thoroughly determined by experience use particular care to approach the new mother with circumspection do not bolt into where she is suddenly but go quietly speak to her kindly prepare her for your coming before she sees you and when you come to her first devote your attentions to her not appearing to notice her puppies and after she allows you to fondle her you may handle her puppies with care but in all cases disturb her as little as possible and do not visit her for mere curiosity see that she is comfortable and let her alone take particular care that other dogs do not approach her she has objects of tender care under her charge and will fight for them to the death as a matter of prime necessity every dog lover should provide himself with ashmant's book on dog diseases there are many works on canine disease and management but nothing approaches ashmant it is so peculiarly simple and plain in description that by consulting it a layman can recognize what is the trouble with his dog in a majority of cases and its directions are so clear the danger of making a mistake is reduced to a minimum but as the layman will sometimes be at a loss to determine from the symptoms what the trouble is he should call on his family physician for instance the non-professional will not be able to determine from the breathing of the animal whether it has guitar, pneumonia or distemper the physician can determine whether it be either of the former thus reducing the elements in doubt to narrow limits if your physician is a snob he may be affronted by being asked to examine a dumb animal but if he is a man of standing he will do it for you with pleasure one of the most distinguished surgeons in America once operated on a puppy for me opening a deep-seated abscess with as much care and skill as though the President of the United States were his patient the late Dr. E. Dyer one of our most distinguished oculists no surgeon and physician who would not go out of his specialty for a man would cut his office hours short to attend his friend's dog in an urgent case what such men are willing to do ought not to be objectionable to the man of lesser fame as a rule the veterinarian knows little of canine diseases as the symptoms and diseases of dogs approach much more clearly those human subjects than they do of horses, cattle etc without special training in canine diseases the veterinarian is not well prepared to treat them as is the regular physician it must be remembered however that when you avail yourself of the kind assistance of your physician you must not insist on paying for it that Terra incognita to the layman professional etiquette manifold unwritten laws one against receiving pay for treatment of dumb animals I have jotted down the foregoing as that which experience has taught a layman in a somewhat lengthy course of dog raising but distrusting my expert knowledge and fearing that I might have made some statement that might bring down on me the wrath of the faculty I have submitted it to a distinguished physician okay end of section 35 recording by Tom Mack Tucson, Arizona