 Section 36 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 Riccarda Detmolde, Germany. The American Book of the Dog, G.O. Shields editor, Section 36, The Great Dane, German Dogger by Professor J.H.H. Manor. The noblest of all the canine race is undoubtedly the German Dogger, generally called Great Dane in this country and England. He possesses all the good qualities by which the large breeds are distinguished and surpasses all others in vivacity, gracefulness of movement, elegance of form and imposing size. The symmetry of his limbs, his proud carriage, his beautifully shaped head, supported proudly by a long, finely arched, perfectly moulded neck. His bright eye, the eloquent index of intelligence, fidelity and courage. His deep broad chest and long muscular legs indicating swiftness and fortitude. The short, glossy coat displaying his magnificent, muscular frame. All parts are so admirably and harmoniously combined as to render him the most perfect specimen of the canine race. Effectively, strongly attached to his owner and especially fond of children, he is a brave, faithful friend ever ready if necessary to risk even his life in defence of his master's person or property. This breed has been known by various names in different countries and at different times with Ulmer Dogge, Great Dane, Bohrhound, Fanghund, Altdeutsche Dogge, etc. Such a variety of appellations naturally caused much confusion and misunderstanding. The German dog fanciers, therefore, met during the Bandshow at Berlin in 1880, adopted a standard of points and agreed to drop the difference between the heavy and light strains and to call the breed Deutsche German Dogge. Previously, the Germans had usually called the breed Ulmer Dogge after the city of Ulm in Württemberg, Germany, because the breeders in Württemberg had been most successful in their endeavours to improve the Dogge and raise him to such perfection that the fanciers in other parts of Germany soon wired with them. And now the Germans called the German Dogge with just pride their national dog, while the Great Dane, according to the Gartenlauber of April 1885, has gone to the dogs in Denmark. On the title page of the book The Deutsche Dogge, published in July 1888, we read as follows. We have used in the English translation the term the German Dogge in preference to that of Great Dane, the name the breed has in England, because we consider that the fatherland of the Dogge, the country in which they have been brought to their present state of perfection, has the right to choose the name which it considers correct. The Great Danish Dog, Danske Hunde, is an entirely different breed which is found in Denmark and the points of which were fixed at the exhibition in Copenhagen 1886. The illustrierte Zeitung of February 5, 1887 contains a picture three kindred races of dogs, the English Mastiff, the Danish Dogge, and the German Dogge, and the following remarks. The Danish Dog, little known in Germany, is unquestionably closely related to the English Mastiff, but it has better legs and feet than the thoroughbred Mastiff and is faster, livelier and not so clumsy. The best specimens are said to have been raised 30 or 40 years ago on an estate called Broholm and are therefore also called Broholmer Dogs. The Danish or Broholm Dog does not at all resemble our German Dogge, as may be readily seen from our illustration, and it is proof of ignorance if many a fancier still classifies our German Dogge as Danish or Ulmer Dogge. The distinction appears to have been invented by dealers, for now we find the light than the heavy strain mentioned as Danish or Ulmer Dogge. During the Great International Exhibition of Dogs of All Races at Hamburg in the year 1876, it was evident that none of the breeders and connoisseurs present were able to classify and distinguish the numerous entries as Ulmer or Danish Dogges. During the following shows at Hanover 1879 and Berlin, it was resolved to abolish this unwarranted distinction entirely and to designate the breed as German Dogges, which they have been in reality for the last three centuries. At the same time a standard of points was agreed upon after the best specimens. According to them the German Dogge must neither be too heavy nor too light, but must keep exactly the medium between the Greyhound and the Molossus Dog. Later attempts to have a heavier kind acknowledged besides the one recognized by the standard have always been rejected with overwhelming majority by the friends and breeders of this finest and largest of all canine races. The origin and descent of the German Dogge are not definitely known, but we do know that the breed is of great antiquity. In the agricultural, forest and hunting laws of the old German tribes which were not collected until the middle of the 10th century under the title Dioponica, seven kinds of dogs are enumerated in the Lex Alamonorum. Of these the Carnus Porcaritius borehound that catches the swine or the Carnus Ursa Ritius bearcatcher that catches the bear, the cow or the bull and the Veltris Leperalis, the Greyhound or Harehound are thought to be the progenitors of the German Dogge that probably owes his origin to the efforts made to raise a breed in which the principal qualities of the above mentioned varieties that is Strength and Fleetness are combined. A savage, strong and courageous dog whose origin is a mystery existed in ancient times. In the book The Varieties of Dogs as they are found in old sculptures, pictures, engravings and books by Thomas Charles Bergeau we find pictures copied from the British Museum of this dog, the Carnus Molossus, now extinct, bearing a striking resemblance to the German Dogge. Aristotle mentions the Carnus Moloticus after Molossus or Molossia, the central part of the pyres in ancient Greece. 350 years before Christ in his Historia Animalium. The Carnus Venaticus, hunting dog mentioned in Marcus Terenchius Varus' work De Reirostica in the last century before Christ, is probably the same dog as the Carnus Moloticus or Molossus as well as the Carnus Venaticus that Junius Moderatus Colomela writes of in the first century of the Christian era. Shortly before that time Gratius Feliscus in his Synecgetican treats of the manner of using the dogs for hunting, of raising and training them of their qualities, diseases, etc. Also a pianos of Anasarbos in the second century in his didactic poem De Venazione, Marcus Aurelius Olympius Nemesianus of Carthage in his Synecgetican and Titus Julius Culperius of Sicily in his Synecgetican Sen De Re Venatica Eclogue describe explicitly the qualities of the dogs and their being employed for hunting. Many other historians and poets among whom Virgil, Horace, Gaius Plinius Secundus, living shortly before or in the beginning of the Christian era, describe and extoll the Carnus Molossus and his valorous deeds. The Romans are said to have become acquainted with these dogs in England and to have exported many of them for the purpose of using them in the circus to fight with wild beasts. Three of them could overpower a bear and four even a lion. The Romans, finding extremely light in these contests, are the Pagnacius Molossus dogs whose daring exploits historians and poets extolled so highly that they appointed officers in their British provinces whose business was the selection and training of the dogs to be sent to Rome. Long after the decline of the Roman Empire, these dogs were employed for such bloody contests and when bears and lions became scarce, the bull was substituted for them. John Stowe describes a contest between three of these dogs and a lion in the presence of James I. One of the dogs being put into the den was soon disabled by the lion. The second met with a similar fate, but the third immediately seized the lion by the lip and held him for a long time till, being considerably torn by the lion's claws, he was obliged to quit his hold. The lion, greatly exhausted by the conflict, refused to renew the engagement, but, taking a sudden leap over the dogs, fled into the interior part of his den. Two of the dogs soon died of their wounds. The last survived and was taken care of by the king's son, who said, He that has fought with the king of beasts shall never fight with an inferior creature. The dogs, however, were not the antagonists of wild beasts only. They or their descendants were also trained to attack persons. During the conquest of Cuba and San Domingo in 1511, the Spaniards under Diego Velazquez employed the dogs in subduing the natives and pursuing them into the forests where they had sought refuge. Horrible deeds are recorded of the famous dog Barrisillo that was killed by an Indian with a poisoned arrow during the conquest of Puerto Rico in 1514. A descendant of Barrisillo, Vasco Núñez de Balboas dog Leon Thicco was also famous for killing and tearing to pieces numbers of Indians. In 1519 the Spaniards under Hernando Cortes employed these dogs in the same cruel manner to hunt down and kill the natives of Mexico. During the reign of Charles the Great in the 8th century the Canis molossus is mentioned and in the forest laws of King Henry II of England of the 12th century we read of the Canis mastivas. Many varieties are the descendants of the Canis molossus the most popular of which are the bulldog, his diminutive relative the pug, the English mastif and the German dogger. In pictures painted by celebrated artists in the beginning of the 16th century notable among which are the wild boar hunt by Jürgen Jakobsch, the bear hunt by Francis Snyders, the wild boar hunt by Peter Paul Rubens we find a species of dogs of the same size and shape as the present German dogger. These dogs also enjoyed high favour with the German ability and were the constant companions of their noble masters. Famous dogs of this kind were owned by the Emperor Wenzel, Charles V and the Duke Ulrich of Württemberg. The latter, when dispossessed of his throne by his enemies in the beginning of the 16th century had to seek refuge in the caves near the castle of Liechtenstein for some months where principally through the sagacity, vigilance and courage of his dog he escaped several murderous assaults made against his life. There are at present three varieties of the German dogger these the brindled or tiger striped, the spotted or harlequin, commonly called Tiger-doggen in Germany and those of one colour. While a distinction should be strictly maintained with regard to colour no difference is to be made in size, coat or form. It must be admitted however that those of one colour sometimes have finer hair lighter forms and a more pointed head whereby some are induced to believe that there is more greyhound blood in them. Others are of the opinion that the fawn or the red variety descended from the brindled dogger by a disappearance of the dark streaks and also the black one by an increase of the dark stripes and that the grey or blue one was produced by crossing the fawn or the sandy red and the black dogger. The origin of neither the spotted nor the brindles being known their colour is to be considered original. It is supposed that the spotted variety received his wall eye and spotted of flesh coloured nose by a crossing of albinos with black dogges which theory is plausible since a similar colouring of the eyes and noses of the progeny from spotted and white horses is observed. The spotted specimens have white, silver grey or bluish ground colour with irregular black grey or blue spots or patches. Those with white ground colour and black spots are the most beautiful. The lighter the ground colour and the darker the spots the better. Some persons entertain the mistaken idea that these dogs were used for hunting or attacking tigers because they are generally called tiger-doggen in Germany. In France the whole coloured variety, especially the blue or black is preferred also of late the tiger as well as the brindled dogger finds admirers there. At the exhibition at Paris in 1889, Charles-Gruthys Tiger-Bitch-Calypso his tiger-dog Roland II and his brindled dog Fidelio won first prizes. These dogs are very large and they are receiving the highest honest at an exhibition in France where the smaller, elegantly shaped dog has always been valued highest indicates a modification of taste in that country where specimens over 30 inches high were not much thought of. Fidelio, one of the finest specimens known, is a powerful dog of strong bone about 34 inches high, weighing 183 pounds. He is much admired in France now, though the brindled dogger is called there by many a butcher dog. In England it is entirely different. There the tiger and the brindled varieties rank highest. Great size is highly appreciated there and Mr. Riego's sit Campeador, a dog of about the same height as Fidelio is much admired. The admirers of the large specimens will even overlook a little due lap, which is more frequently found on those over 31 inches high than on smaller ones. Besides we find many very large doggies with coarse hair and a faulty frame. The yellow done dogger with black mask is generally considered the result of a cross with a mastive in England, while in Germany the black mask is a desirable feature preventing the appearance of red or flesh-colored noses in puppies. Brindles will often welp yellow or done puppies with black masks which fact proves the erroneousness of the above mentioned supposition. Another erroneous opinion prevailing in England is that dew claws indicate a cross with the smooth-coated sand-burned. They are not an ornament or a desirable appendage, but are found on the specimens of the purest strains. Sometimes they are cumbersome and hurtful, they may grow into the flesh or the dog may be wounded by them in another manner. Therefore it is advisable to relieve the puppies of them with a pair of sharp scissors when about two weeks old or even sooner. The operation will cause little pain and the loss of blood will be slight at so early in age. In Germany all varieties have their admirers, but the preference is generally given to the brindles. First-class specimens of that variety were scarce at the exhibition at Kahnstadt in 1889 because they are in such demand that few of them remain in Wurttemberg for a long time. The German breeders endeavour to raise large specimens, but those not possessing a correct frame or being deficient in bone, muscle or otherwise are but slightly valued. With reference to the size of doggers we often find exaggerated statements, but it may be safely asserted that the German dogger is superior to all other breeds in height. Mr. Riego declares his champion Sid Kampiador red in Germany to be the largest dog ever raised in Europe. His height being 34 inches at shoulder and that the largest St. Bernard measures about 33.5 inches, but that his owner makes him 36 inches. According to the Jagd und Schützen Zeitung of April 15, 1889 the height of the German dogger Victor, then exhibited at Chicago, is 38 inches. The Wittenberger Kreisplatz stated some years ago that Friedrichs Cäsar was 1.02 meters or about 40 and 1.6 inches high. The latter assertions have to be taken cum granosalis. Not many dogs will attain a height of 34 inches and few of those exceeding it will have a correct frame. Actual measurements of Bopelt Schandor, one of the largest and finest doggers taken a long ago may be of interest. Length of head, 12 and 1.8 inches. Length of neck, 11 and 3.25 inches. Length from neck to set on of tail, 32 inches. Length of tail, 25 and 1.25 inches. Gears of skull, 23 inches. Gears of chest, 38 and 3.25 inches. Gears of loin, 28 and 7.8 inches. Gears of thigh, 10 and 1.25 inches. Height 34 and 1.8 inches. The above measurements were taken and guaranteed correct by Mr. Siebert. Schandor is young and not fully developed yet. The ears of the German dogger are generally cropped because it gives the head a boulder and lively expression and appearance. In England, however, a stronger position prevails against the cropping of the ears of any breed and the wish of the Queen of England as well as the exertions made by the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals to put a stop to this so-called cruelty, maybe of no little consequence. The Queen of Wurttemberg, who visited the exhibition at Kahnstadt in 1889, expressed also a wish when admiring the class of beautiful German doggers that the ears might be left to them just as God created them. The French, on the contrary, do not want a dogger with uncropped ears and a German sporting paper the Hundesport remarked not long ago, there is danger that America will follow the example of England. We in Germany do not crop the ears of our hatsgrüde since the day before yesterday. Our ancestors did so centuries ago and if it will be admissible to draw a general conclusion from a Greek coin, the cropping of ears was customary 2,000 years ago and neither England nor America will alter it. The same paper had in its issue of January 22, 1890 the following. We have been informed that in two cases owners of young doggies were indicted by societies and fined for cropping the ears of dogs. Should any one of our readers be fined on that account, he is requested to enter protest against it and to ask us to name him two experts who are ready to declare under Earth that the non-cropping of ears was the cause of continual suffering in the ears so that the cropping had to be performed in advanced age. Not the cropping of the ears is tormenting but there remaining uncropped. We are convinced that on such evidence the parties indicted will be acquitted. On the other hand experts spoke and wrote against the fashion of cropping ears. Professor Weiss of the veterinary college at Stuttgart says in his book The Dog, His Qualities, Breeding and Treatment in Healthy and Sick Condition The operation of cropping ears consists in tormenting for the sake of satisfying a nonsensical taste. Besides, according to the opinion of the greatest dog fanciers, the dog looks in his natural condition much better than after squandering any cruel art on him. Moreover, the consequences of this useless mutilation do not cease when the ear is healed. The irritation caused by it often has an injurious effect on the internal ear and frequently deafness is the result. Not a few dog fanciers affirm that the exterior ear of the dog being movable prevents the free entrance of insects, dust, rain, snow, hail, etc. protects against the changes of temperature, assists the animal in catching the sound waves and thereby renders the sense of hearing more acute. Thus we see that the opinions of experts as well as of fanciers differ and are even diametrically opposite with reference to the cropping of ears. The taste for cropping, however, is predominant and we may predict a continuance of the fashion in spite of arguments and protests. Footnote I wish to record here a most earnest and emphatic protest against cropping, dogs of any breed. In my judgment these practices are cruel and useless and the taste or notion that fosters them is erroneous. Editor. End of footnote. Standard of points The Great Dane Club of England whose object is the breeding and improvement of the German dogger has adopted the following standard of points which is a few but accepted the same as the one laid down by the breeders in Germany. General appearance The Great Dane is not so heavy and massive as the Mastiff nor should he too nearly approach the Greyhound type. Remarkable in size and very muscular, strongly though elegantly built, movements easy and graceful, head and neck carried high, the tail carried horizontally with the back or slightly upward with a slight curl at the extremity. The minimum height and weight of dogs should be 30 inches and 120 pounds of bitches 28 inches and 100 pounds Anything below this shall be debarred from competition. Points General appearance 3 Condition 3 Activity 5 Height 13 Head Long, the frontal bone of the forehead slightly raised and very little indentation between the eyes. Skull not too broad Muscle broad and strong and blunt at the point. Cheek muscles well developed Nose large, bridge well arched. Lips in front perpendicularly blunted not hanging too much over the sides though with well defined folds at the angle of the mouth. The lower jaw slightly projecting about a 16th of an inch According to German standard the lower jaw must be neither projecting nor receding so as to make the teeth meet evenly. Eye small, round with sharp expression and deeply set Ears very small and greyhound like in carriage when uncropped. They are however usually cropped. Points 15 Neck, rather long very strong and muscular, well arched without eulab or loose skin about the throat. The junction of head and neck strongly pronounced. Points 5 Chest not too broad and very deep on the brisket. Points 8 Back, not too long or short loins arched and falling in a beautiful line to the insertion of the tail. Points 8 Tail, reaching to the hock, strong at the root and ending fine with a slight curve. When excited it becomes more curved but in no case should curve over the back. Points 4 Belly, well drawn up Points 4 Four quarters Shoulders set sloping, elbows well under neither turned inward nor outward Leg forearm, muscular and with great development of bone, the whole leg strong and quite straight. Points 10 Hind quarters Muscular thighs and second thigh long and strong as in the greyhound and hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out Points 10 Feet, large and round, neither turned inward nor outward. Toes well arched and closed, nails very strong and curved Points 8 Hair, very short hard and dense and not much longer on the under parts of the tail. Points 4 Color and markings The recognized colors are the various shades of grey, commonly termed blue red, black or pure white or white with patches of the before mentioned colors. The colors are sometimes accompanied with markings of a darker tint about the eyes and muzzle and with a line of the same tint called a trace along the course of the spine. The above ground colors also appear in the brindles and also the ground colors of the model specimens. In the whole colored specimens the china or wall eye but rarely appears and the nose more or less approaches black according to the prevailing tint of the dog and the eyes vary in color also. The model specimens have irregular patches or clouds upon the above named ground colors. In some instances the clouds or markings being of two or more tints. With the model specimens the wall or china eye is not uncommon and the nose is often party colored or holy flesh colored. Faults Too heavy a head too highly arched frontal bone and deep stop or indentation between the eyes large ears and hanging flat to the face short neck full due lap too narrow or too broad a chest sunken or hollow or quite straight back bent forelegs over bent fat locks twisted feet spreading toes too heavy or too much bent or too highly carried tail or with a brush underneath weak hind quarters and a general want of muscle. The diseases peculiar to this race are the same as those of other large smooth coated dogs and are generally the consequence of overfeeding and want of exercise or of not being properly protected against dampness or the inclementies of the weather. The dogs are very hardy and easily acclimated. They can live in a cold climate and better than rough coated breeds in warm countries. If properly fed and cared for they will rarely be sick. The best food for them is broth, milk, vegetables, cornmeal boiled or baked, meat cooked or raw and bones. The future of the German dogger in the United States. An enthusiastic admirer wrote not long since make room for the great Dane for he is coming and it is no wonder that he is coming. The more generally his noble qualities his superiority to other breeds are known the more rapidly will the number of his friends and admirers increase. It is strange that this variety is comparatively little known here yet and that not many years ago there were not enough in this country to have a class for them in the shows. In New York they were first exhibited in 1886 when there were eleven of them. In 1887 only six were exhibited. In 1887 in 1889-17 and this year 1890-25 in Chicago there were fifty-three exhibited at the Mascuta Cannell Club show this year. The great Dane or German Mastiff Club of that city, organized last year for the purpose of popularizing this breed has now a large membership and has already done and will doubtless do a great deal to call the attention of dog fanciers to the German dogger. The efforts of the members of that club will certainly be appreciated by those who may acquire a specimen of this breed and thus become acquainted with the beauty and admirable disposition of the dogger. It is however difficult to get the best specimens and they command high prices. For importations we must rely principally on Germany the home of the breed. In a review of the remarkable events in the dog drum of Germany during the year 1889 a German sporting paper prints the following foreign countries carried of several doggers two went to Mr. Riego in England Mr. Underwater in Holland got Diana Essek and Professor Menner in Baltimore bought Bravo Pluto and Mencamilla to the canal of Monsieur Goutt in France went Fidelio, Liboussa, Roland and Rheinperle Thus we see that few specimens worthy of being mentioned left Germany last year but a greater number will surely leave during this year and thereafter. As illustrating the noble disposition of the German dogger I quote some extracts from a communication to the American field. One in the issue of September 14, 1889 from Baltimore signed Wisp reads as follows The recent importation of several fine specimens of the Great Dane by a gentleman of the city has created more than a passing interest in this noble breed of dogs. I was attracted to this breed a few years ago by witnessing a most remarkable case of transition of temperament that is from a playful mood to one of intense earnestness and courage. I was walking along a suburban road and saw ahead of me two little children crawling and climbing all over a large fellow-colored supple-looking dog that seemed to enjoy the rump as much as the children. It was an engaging picture and the more I looked the more interested I became in the kind of dog. For when I first looked I thought what an athletic breed Mastiff that is. Yet on closer observation I knew it could not be the ordinary English Mastiff for his head was not so broad and was carried more proudly on a longer neck and higher and the way he jumped over those children and stood aside, grandly erect a bowman to allow them to look up in his eyes and try to pull themselves over his back was a position I never knew an English Mastiff to assume. While debating in my mind what kind of a strain, breed or type of dog it was I suddenly heard a growl. The dog positioned himself firmly where he was standing, about quarter way across the road, through his head up curved his neck and looked a very Vulcan of courage, immobility and defiance as he gazed up the road. The children, meantime, had rushed up to him clinging around his neck and foreshoulders. The scene was worth the brush of well, I doubt if there ever lived an artist capable of transferring that live picture to canvas. The cause of all the commotion was the sudden appearance of two trams who had a large vicious-looking specimen of a feisty dog with them. Talk about Indians stealthily stealing by the foe. The way those trams and their dogs slid to the extreme far the side of the road and scooted by in the most dark terror, double-discounted them. The protector of the children never moving a foot in the while, his head only turning in line with the trams and a low roar issuing from his mouth when the trams leaped over a side fence and disappeared. Then the children fairly hugged and caressed the dog whose position indicative of every nerve on tension was instantly changed to one of Let's continue our rump proving to me that such a thought as fear never entered his mind. I determined to learn what breed of dog it was and to become the owner of one. I entered the garden walk to my right and soon asserted that the dog was a great dane and that five hundred dollars wouldn't buy him from his owner if offered. I have since become the owner of a very good specimen of the breed and while it does not score quite as high as the recent importations still it possesses every merit and characteristic of the breed of great danes and nothing could induce me to again own an English Mastiff while it is possible to own a great dane. The following by Mr Riego Honourable Secretary of the Great Dane Club of England referring to the above appeared in an English sporting paper on November the 2nd, 1889. I have read with interest a letter in the American field of the 14th Ultimo signed Wisp and headed Great Danes versus Mastiffs. Without entering into comparative merits of the two breeds both of which I have kept I will at once proceed to confirm the generous character and sagacity of the Great Dane as it wins by the following cases among others which have come under my notice. One of my relatives, a farmer in Spain owned a mill some three miles from town and it was the miller's practice to call daily for the wheat which was conveyed on mules to the mill long after nightfall. To ensure the miller against possible attack by differentators one of the house guards, a Great Dane without apparently any training would take upon himself to accompany the miller and his cargo to the mill and the dog would retrace his steps home as soon as he saw the miller safe at his destination. Another relative who also kept a Great Dane finding his favorite pear tree lightened of its fruit gave the dog free access to his orchard with the result that next morning an unsuspected neighbor was found lying on his back at the foot of the tree the dog standing over him and defying him to move hand or foot the man was still unhurt. In a letter to the American Field published January 4, 1890 the writer of this article narrates the following A dog fancier in the city who had a pair of German doggers many years ago and lost them has had St. Bernard's for several years but brought a German dogger not long ago and intends to dispose of his St. Bernard's because he knows the qualities of the different kinds and prefers the German dogger to any other large breed Another dog fancier in the city who kept Newfoundlands for many years bought a German dogger last spring and is so well pleased that he gave his Newfoundlands away and does not want any other breed as long as he can get a German dogger. This dog, when bought, was not quite a year old and was soon admitted into the house where he became the playmate of his master's only son of about the same age. One evening when they had been playing together a long while the dog lay down to take a nap during which the little fellow disturbed him by pinching him and pulling out some of his hair whereupon the dog awoke and growled fiercely. The terrified mother saw the dog look around and the animal, recognizing his little playmate as the disturber of his slumber, licked the child's hand. Last summer I engaged a young man to attend to my dogs who made friends with them very soon and was permitted by his wards to go about everywhere and handle everything on the place and in the house. But when he wanted to go into the cellar after he had been with me for a week he was stopped by the dogs and not allowed to move until I came and told them to let him go down. Now he has the privilege of the cellar too. Another communication signed, e.g. Chicago, Illinois appeared in the American field of February 1st 1890. It is headed Great Dane Intelligence and reads as follows. As this noble breed is daily assuming greater prominence the following narrative effect may be found of some slight interest. Several months since the writer owned a St. Bernard puppy which had survived a very severe attack of this temper only to be stricken by paralyzes and was sent to a veterinary hospital for treatment. The canine warden of the establishment, a young Great Dane called Jumbo showed a deep interest in the new patient apparently comprehending his helpless condition and believing that it called for his special protection. When Prince moaned in pain Jumbo would at once rush to his stall and regard him with the utmost sympathy and concern nor would he permit any person saved in the veterinarian to approach the sufferer. On one occasion during Jumbo's temporary absence a stable boy, in changing Prince's bedding was obliged to disturb him thereby causing a howl of distress. Instantly there was a responsive fad of flying feet along the hospital aisle and Jumbo was upon the terrified boy like a fiend. The vigorous use of a pitchfork alone prevented serious bodily damage. Shortly afterward my wife and daughter called to see the patient and, proceeding directly to his bed, were welcomed with joyful wines. Jumbo's vigilant ear caught the sound and believing it heralded his charge's distress flew furious to the scene. Seeing him pass the stable man who had received orders to confine the dog when strangers were present were terribly alarmed and the veterinarian who had just entered turned sick with apprehension. Their fears were groundless reaching Prince's bed Jumbo's vengeful aspect gave place to an expression of pleasure as he comprehended the situation at a glance and knew his ward was in the hands of friends. To the end, which came too speedily his vigilant care continued and we learned that every suffering animal received at the hospital became at once the object of Jumbo's protection. Not long since a gentleman related that a friend of his and the latter's neighbours living in the country in the state of New York had been troubled by tramps but that this annoyance seized since his friend had become the possessor of a German dogger that is a menace to the tramps and a faithful protector of persons and property within a circuit of more than a mile. A few months ago Prince Bismarck was met and caressed by force-plendid specimens of German doggers when arriving with a train at his country's seat Friedrichsruhe. One of them he received as a present from the Emperor of Germany shortly after his dog Türas known all over the German Empire and beyond its limits as the Reichshund had died of wounds received in the attempt to rescue property belonging to his master from a burning building at Friedrichsruhe. The news of the heroic death of the Reichshund was telegraphed and cabled all over the civilized world and recorded by the newspapers. Who can doubt that this grand species of dog will soon be the gentleman's dog in this country as he has been in Germany for centuries? The dog of the student, the high officer, the nobleman, the prince? He accompanies his master while walking or riding in the carriage and follows with ease the cavalier on his fiery steed. Because of a mutual attachment the owner does not like to be without and some cleanly favored and admits him into the parlor. But if the dog will be the favorite of the gentleman in America he will rise still higher in the estimation of the ladies and children. Where can they find a friend as faithful and firm where a protector as reliable, courageous and at the same time as tractable as the German dog? Even when aroused he is easily controlled especially in the country and in lonesome places this sagacious, clever and powerful animal will be invaluable. End of section 36 Recording by Riccardo Detmoret, Germany Section 33 of the American Book of the Dog This is the LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The American Book of the Dog, G.O. Shields Editor Section 33 The Saint-Benard by F.E. Lamp The real origin of this grand dog is shrouded in mystery. For although we find records of his existence in Switzerland during the 10th century there appears to be no authentic record concerning its origin or early development. It is evident that the monks at the Hospice and Simplon had a breed of dogs which was named after the good old monk Saint-Benardementon who educated a few large dogs in his possession to traverse the mountains and aid or rescue vary and travel on pedestrians who had attempted to cross the snow-capped cliffs. These dogs were trained to go out in pairs and when they succeeded in finding a belated traveler one would hasten back to the monastery to alarm its inmates while the other would endeavor to arouse the almost dying man with its barking and other demonstrations of distress. A writer in the Fenciaga Z says the Alpine or Saint-Benard dog was not manufactured at the monastery neither was the variety originated some centuries after the death of Saint-Benard the Messon himself. On the contrary, it is a well-known fact that the breed was in existence in a crude and uncultivated state I admit but still in existence long before the founding of the Hospice at Saint-Benard is their specimen of the old type which we found in some parts of Switzerland to this very day. A breed of dogs ingenious to the soil but which has been with eudicious and careful breeding so improved that in place of the rugged mountain dog of past ages we have the fixed and admirably defined type of the modern Saint-Benard. End of quote. Viro Shaw in his valuable work The Book of the Dog quotes portions of a letter from Monsieur Schumacher regarding the origin and early history of Saint-Benard which I take liberty of reproducing here meantime acknowledging my obligations to Mr. Shaw and his publishers Messers, Kassel and Co. for the use of the same. The letter is as follows According to the tradition of the holy fathers of the great Saint-Benard the race descends from a crossing of a bitch a bulldog species of Denmark and a mustive shepherd's dog of the Peronese the descendants of this crossing who have inherited from the Danish dog the extraordinary size and bodily strength of the one part and from the Pyrenean mustive the intelligence the exquisite sense of smell and at the same time faithfulness and sagacity of the other part have acquired in the space of five centuries so glorious a notoriety throughout Europe that they well married the name of a distinct race for themselves. In winter the service of the male dogs the females are employed or engaged only at the last extremity as regulated as follows Two dogs, one old and one young travel over every morning the route on the Italian side of the mountain towards Aosta. Two more make the voyage on the Swiss side towards Martigny to a distance of about nine miles from the hospice. They all just go to the last cabins of refuge that have been constructed for the benefit of travelers. Even when the snow has fallen during the night the dogs find their way surely and correctly and do not deviate from the beaten way a yard. The marks of their field leave a track which is easy for travelers to follow as far as the hospice. Two dogs are made to go over the same road together so if one perishes it is replaced by another. A young one who is instructed and trained by the surviving dog of which he is the pupil. When the dogs arrive at the cabins of the refuge they enter them to see if there are any travelers seeking shelter there. In which case they entice them to follow. If they find any travelers who have succumbed to the cold the dogs try to revive them by imparting warmth and licking their hands and face which not seldom produces the desired effect. If these means are inefficient they return in all speed to the hospice where they know how to make themselves understood. The monks immediately set out well provided with the means of recovery. In 1812 a terrible snowstorm took place and the aid of the monks and dogs was so constantly required that even the female dogs, the most feeble animals were called into requisition and perished. There were a sufficient number of males left but not a single female. How was the breed to be kept up? The monks resolved to obtain some females of the newfoundland breed, celebrated for their strength and accustomed to cold climate. This idea turned out useless when part into practice because the young dogs had long hair. In winter this long hair so collected the snow that the poor beasts succumbed on its white hair. The monks then tried crossing one of their own dogs with the offspring of the crossbreed with their short stubby hair. At last this plan succeeded. From that bastard female dog they have reconstituted the race of dogs that are now in the hospice. These dogs, nonewithstanding their cross with the newfoundland have the same value and courage as the ancient race because by intelligent and systematic choice they rear for service and reproduction only the puppies will approach the nearest by their exterior form and appearance to the original and fathered race. Those that proved themselves unable to sustain the work, who from their long hair were disabled, were either given as souvenirs to friends of the hospice or as salt. Of such are those that have been sold to Monsieur de Portail at Medlin near Bern and to Monsieur Ruchement at Löwenberg near Morat. These dogs come directly from the hospice but they are not fit for work on account of their long hair but are distinguished by their colossal size and excellent qualities. They always retain in the hospice the finest dogs and train them for service. Those who do not possess all the marks of genuine breed are given away or sold because among the number they still find some puppies with long hair who thus reveal their motherly ancestry. It is now some 10 years since it could be read in many papers that a Mr. Leonberg had presented to the hospice a couple of dogs of the celebrated Leonberg breed, which is extraordinary large and handsome. His intention was laudable and worthy of acknowledgement, but these dogs shared the same fate as those of Newfoundland some 50 years previous. Their long hair was their ruin. They perished and at present that does not exist in the hospice a single trace of these beautiful dogs of Leonberg. As already said, the account of Ruchement at Löwenberg near Morat possessed a couple of superb dogs which were presented to him from the hospice because they were not good enough for the work on account of their long hair. These dogs were very large and very handsome. The color of their coats was a red-brown and they had white spots in their feet, their necks, their breasts and their noses, muzzled. They were on the paternal side of the ancient Bernadine race and on the maternal side of the Newfoundland race. Several liters of puppies were reared from this couple which were given away and sold and thus became spread about. In 1854 the female dog gave birth among others to a little puppy of wretched appearance, spotted white and brown, which was not at all valued by the owner. This wretched looking puppy was sold as a misery abortion to Mr. Klopfenstein of no one egg who trained it with care and attention. It prospered marvelously and growing up attained a striking likeness to Berry, the most beautiful specimen of the ancient unmaxed race which is now preserved at the museum at Bern. Its resemblance was so remarkable in regard to external appearance and color of its hair that when I saw the dog for the first time I resolved to obtain it at whatever sacrifice. I bought then this dog in 1855 it being a year old and called it Berry on account of its striking resemblance to his illustrious ancestor. I entrusted it to Baron Yurt at Glockenthal, Nittun and both of us reared some young dogs during many years but without success. Never could we get young dogs resembling the original race until 1863 when a puppy was born from the bitch Viaman of Interlaken of which Berry was the father. This puppy named Zoltan which was the image of Berry came into my possession. I bred from Zoltan without success until I received a bitch from St. Gall whose father had been one of the St. Bernard dogs. This bitch named Diana with Zoltan produced such beautiful puppies that at last I saw my end achieved. At the second birth were two male and female so some passingly fine that I resolved in silence to present them as a gift to the hospice and the belief that these dogs habituated now the fourth generation to a temperate climate attracted from generation to generation would invigorate and regenerate the ancient ways with descendants of its proper blood. The gift was accepted. I took them when they were seven years old in January 1866 to Martigny with some of the old brothers past the winter. The oldest of the monks received me with this exclamation Me, mondieu, c'est comme le vieux Berry Why, this is exactly like the old Berry. I asked him which Berry he alluded to Why, said he, to the one that staffed at Berne and then continued to relate that in the year 1815 he had himself taken Berry the living on foot to Berne where he was killed and staffed The old man wept with joy and sat with an outceasing S'adonner à Berry, le vrai vieux Berry qu'est-ce que ce suis heureux This is Berry, the genuine old Berry how happy I am there at the present time 1867 at the hospice some young puppies of Berry that promise well and which will be, according to all appearances, still finer and larger than Berry himself end of quote The Saint Bernard as we find him about the beginning of the present century was much the same as we know him at this time an animal of great size, immense bone and a large head expressive of great character and intelligence They existed then as now to varieties, the rough or long-haired and the smooth or short-haired The latter were preferred by the monks for when the dogs were obliged to go out in the errands of mercy and heavy snowstorms the rough coats of the former would in a short time become matted and owing to continued exposure, colds, rheumatism and kindrel troubles would ensue thus rendering them unfit for duty at times Hence the long-haired time came to be looked upon with disfavor and numerous specimen were given away from time to time to persons visit the monastery In this way the breed was introduced pretty generally into the south of France and throughout all of Switzerland Several authorities on the subject tell us about the year 1810 Through the effects of the tavel, avalanche all the dogs owned and the hospice were swept away and killed After this a pair that have been given away when more puppies were returned and from these alone the true Saint Bernard of today is descended It's done gives a different version of this affair The breed of Saint Bernard had undergone some changes within the last half century. A past of viral and his temper at one time carried off all the dogs of the breed but one and that I believe was crossed by the Pyrenean world found end of quote Whether this be true or not there can be now in doubt that during several centuries of its existence as a breed there have been many crosses and experiments made to develop its strength, scent endurance and this fact probably accounts for the great variety which we now find existing among our best dogs. The first Saint Bernard of which any authentic history exists is the now famous Old Berry. This dog was descended from the pair returned to the monks after their loss and he is reported to have saved the lives of 42 persons in the mountains of Switzerland. It is from this celebrated dog that Schumacher's Berry the first traces his pedigree and from a union of this dog with a bitch at the hospice that Sultan the First was produced. Pavurita the First and Tony the First were bred from Sultan out of Diana the First and to these dogs and their little brothers and sisters is as far back as any authentic Saint Bernard pedigree can be traced. Herr Schumacher of Hulligan, Switzerland is the man to whom we are indebted for the introduction of the breed into England and from thence into this country. It was from his kennels that Reverend JC McDonough and Mr. Dillen were considered the first to import Saint Bernard's secured death dog. Mr. McDonough's champion tail was considered for many years the best smooth coated dog in existence. He was 30 and one half inches high at the shoulder and weighted only 150 pounds in his best condition. His scale measurement was but 22 inches. By comparing these measurements with those of the largest dogs of today, we may obtain a good idea of the great improvement that has been made within comparatively few years, not only in size but in type, if we are to judge from the paintings of the famous dogs of 18 and 20 years ago. A few years later Mr. McDonough imported into England Tor, after world champion and Euror to grant rough coated specimen and achieved great success with them on the bench. It might be well to note here, that although bench shows have been held for the past 80 years yet it was not until a show held at Cremon in March in 1863, that a class was made for a Saint-Bernasse. Prices were won at the show by Bates Monk and Stearns Monk, both having been imported from their husband puppies. From this time on, the breed grew in favor and popularity and gradually came to occupy the conspicuous place in which we now find it at our shows. No standard of points, color or markings was adopted to guide the breed or exhibit until 1886, when the Swiss Canonological Society adopted a standard, which, while approved by many fanciers, was not generally accepted. At an international congress held in Zurich for the purpose, a standard of points was adopted, which was shortly afterwards approved by the Saint-Bernasse clubs of England and of America. We give it herewith and full. Standard of points, the smooth Saint-Bernasse. General character, powerful, tall, upstanding, with hard muscular development, massive head and very intelligent expression. In dog with dark face markings, the expression is more solemn, but should never be sore. Head, like the body, very powerful and imposing, the massive skull is wide, slightly arched and sloping at the sides. With a gentle curve into the well-developed cheekbones, we keep it. Only slightly developed, the supra-orbital ridge is strongly developed and forms nearly a right angle with the horizontal axis of the head. Between the supra-orbital arches at the root of the muzzle begins a deep furrow, which clearly defined in the first half extends over the whole skull, getting gradually shallow towards the occupant. The lines at the side from the outer corners of the eyes diverge considerably toward the back of the head. The skin on the forehead forms over the supra-orbital arches' deep wrinkles, which converge towards the above mentioned furrow. They are particularly noticeable when the animal is very animated without giving a savage expression. Stop, clearly defined. Mother, short, not snipy, and an imaginary line through the muzzle straight down from a stub must be longer than the length of the muzzle. The bridge of the muzzle is straight, not arched, and in some good dogs slightly broken. From the root of the muzzle or stop descends its whole length to the nose a rather wide, well-marked, shallow furrow. There are strongly developed lips and the upper jaw do not form an angle at the turning point, but slope with a graceful curve into the lower edge and a slightly overhanging. The lips of the lower jaw must not be pendent. Teeth, in proportion to the size of the head, only moderately large. Nose, very substantial in broad, with well-delated nostrils and, like the lips, always black. Ears, medium-sized with the burr strongly developed, which causes them to stand away a little at the base, and bending, suddenly a drop without any curl to the side of the head. The flaps are not too leathery and form round triangles slightly elongated towards the points. The front edge ought to be close to the head, but the back edge may stand away a little, particularly when the dog is in attention. Ears with weak burr, causing them to lie close to the head from their root give it an oval shape, which imparts too much softness to the outline where strongly developed ear muscles make the skull appear more angular and wider, thus giving the head more character. Eyes, set more to the front than to the sides, are of moderate size brown or not brown, with an intelligent and friendly expression set moderately deep. The lower eyelids do not as a wolf hit closely to the eyeballs and form toward the inner corner and angular wrinkle. Eyelids, which are too pendent, with conspicuously protruding lacrimal glands, or very red-horse are objectionable. Neck, set on high, carried upright when the animal is animated, otherwise horizontal and slightly downward. The junction between head and neck is distinctly indicated. The neck is very muscular and rounded at the side, giving it an appearance of sharpness, clearly noticeable gulabs, but too great a development not desirable. Shoulders, sloping and broad, very muscular and powerful. The part of the body unthering to the withers and the well developed. Chest, well arched moderately deep, not reaching below the elbows. Back, very broad and only slightly arched over the lines, otherwise straight the hip and from the hip gently sloping to the rump and measures gradually into the tail. Hindquat is well developed and legs very muscular. Belly, only slightly drawn up and showing distinctly where it joins the very powerful region of the kidneys. Tail, starting broad and powerful directly from the rump, is long very heavy and ending in a blunt tip and repose it hangs straight down turning gently upward in the lower third. In many specimens it is slightly turned up and hangs, therefore in shape of an F. In excitement all dogs carry their tails more or less raised but it must not go to the extent of being erect or even curl of the back. A slight curling around the tip is sooner admissible. Arms, very powerful and extraordinary muscular. Four arms, straight and strong. Hind legs, slightly bent in the hooks and according to the presence of single or double due claws, the feet turn outward more or less which, however, must not be understood to mean cow hooked. Feet, broad with strong toes moderately well closed up and knuckles razor high. The single or double due claw set on low so as to be almost on a level with the pad of the foot, giving a greater surface and preventing the dog from breaking so easily through the snow. There are dogs which have on their hind feet a regularly developed fifth toe or thumb. The so called new claws, voice clown which sometimes occur on the inside of the hind legs are imperfectly developed toes. They are of no use to the dog and are not taken into considering and judging. Code very dense, broken head length move hard without being rough to the touch. Ties are slightly feathered. The hair at the root of the tail is rather long and dense getting gradually shorter toward the point. The tail appears bushy but not feathered. Color, white with red or red with white, the red in all its various shades white with light to dark, bad, brindle patches or these colors with white markings. The colors red, brindle and tornie are of equal value. Obligatory marks are white chest, feet, point of tail and right round the nose and color. The white spot in the nape of the neck and the blaze are much desired. Never self colored or without any white. All other colors are faulty except the favorite dark shadings and the face markings on the ears. Height at shoulder, dogs measured with the hound measure or not less to be than 75 cm, 29.5 inches and bitches 70 cm, 27.5 inches and the bitches are throughout of a less powerful and slighter build than the dogs. Variations from these points are to be considered faulty. The long-haired, rough Saint Bernard is exactly like the other with the exception of the coat which ought not to be broken-haired but of medium length, smooth or slightly wavy. Never very wavy, curly or shaggy. The coat is a rule more wavy on the back, particularly in the region of the hip and rump. The same thing is noticeable in the short-haired even the hospice dogs. The tail is bushy with much moderately long hair. Wavy or locky hair on the tail is not desirable. A feather tail or one with a parting is faulty. Facing ears are covered with soft hair. At the basis of the ears, longer silk hair is permissible. In fact, this occurs nearly always and must be considered normal. The feathers on the forelegs is only slight but on the ties it appears bushy. Balls are all formations which indicate a new fondland cross such as a saddleback and a slightly long back, hooks too much band and spaces between the toes with upward growing hair. There has been considerable controversy regarding the exact number on the scale of 100 that each point should count. There has never been adopted a scale of this kind as point judging as it is termed, is but seldom resorted to. However, the following scale is popular with many of the English judges of the same banner is a matter of information we give at space. Scale of points head value 20 neck and shoulders 5 chest at loin 5 body 10 tail 5 legs and feet 10 coat 10 collar and markings 10 size 15 character and symmetry 10 total 100. Regarding the question of coat, there is a great diversity of taste and opinion among American fanciers but many prominent breeders are endeavouring to a complete greater uniformity in this matter and it is to be hoped that in future the Saint Bernard exhibits at our shows may not present such a bewildering and unintelligible display of coat in both rough and smooth variety as we know often see. Mr. K. E. Hopf, one of our most prominent breeders, recently discussed a subject in a most interesting letter to one of the sportsmen's journals. Many people believe that the short haired and long haired Saint Bernard are two distinct breeds and that the letter is not so pure as the former. This is no more the case in the Saint Bernard than in the Collie. Their idea originates undoubtedly from the fact that the monks use smooth coats only. It is not generally known that as far back as there is any history of the breed rough-coated puppies were found in litters from smooth-coated parents such was the case long before Saint Bernard made its appearance in Switzerland. The monks, however, had no use for the long-haired puppies and hence gave them away to their friends and patrons. Since their breed has become so well known they have sold many of them at round figures thus making their kennels more or less self-supporting. In view of the buff-stated facts the question arises how is it that some of the progeny of smooth-coated have long coats? Those of your readers were visited the mountain fastnesses of the Alps last from September until May and where during the remaining four months it is cold or those who have travelled or lived in the north-west and now what snowstorms and blizzards are will readily understand that neither a pointer nor a setter would be comfortable an asa place out of doors in a stormy winter's day. Not only would they not be comfortable but in many instances it would be certain death to them and why? Because the pointer's coat would be no protection to him and a setter's would be a detriment. Sportsmen know that if a setter while in the field gets full of birth he will game or no game sit down and endeavour to free himself on them. While so doing his attention is entirely centred on himself he would do the same should his legs and feet get so full of ice or frozen snow as to hinder him in his movements. In respect to the mastiff and the newfoundland the case would almost be a similar one as far as coat is concerned in fountland if he be of the curly coated variety would be still worse than the setter with his flat coat. The mastiff and newfoundland however have greater size and strength in their favour. The kind of coat therefore that is needed for mountain service is exactly that found in the short-haired mountain St. Pena. Neither too short, not too long, dense and smooth such as is called Stokharik in Switzerland a coat that will be a protection and the coat is weather and yet short enough and it is being clocked by snow and ice. Whether this coat was produced by systematic crossing of short-haired and long-haired dogs or whether it is a freak of nature I cannot say, but I am inclined to believe that the former an account of the frequent appearances of rough coated puppies in the letters with smooth coats and vice versa. In other words the difference in coat in the breeds from which the St. Pena has its origins continues to manifest itself in the progeny. Nature has now outdone its part also for we find in dog spread in the mountains a much denser coat than in dog spread in the lowlands and as the undercoat is shed in the summer so the coat becomes shorter and lighter in St. Pena transported from their mountain home to a warmer zone. As to the distinction that is made in this country between the short-haired and long-haired variety, not breed one cannot go wrong in following the custom that prevails in Switzerland and England. Apart from the difference in coat there are slight differences between the two species yet the type is the same and it is certainly advisable to separate the matchaus as is done with rough and smooth collies. In the long-haired St. Pena the coat has a great deal to do with the general appearance of the dog when comparing him with others in the same class. In the short-haired variety the coat is more uniform and whether a dog be out of coat or whether the coat be of the correct quality or not the nature of the coat is more readily overlooked. Place a smooth coat along a rough coat of the same height and weight and you will invariably decide in favor of the letter as to size when not seeing them together. The smooth coat is of a more compact build and shorter than the rough coat generally speaking. There is no reason to fear that the crossing of the two varieties will be at the expense of type. On the contrary, it is necessary. This fact has been demonstrated in England and the continuous breeding of rough coats with rough coats has taught English breeder that the breed loses in type and in order to get back to genuine St. Bernard quality they have imported and still import smooth coats especially bitches from Switzerland. The coat is also liable to grow too long and the longer it gets the farther it is from its proper form. According to the standard of the Swiss kind of logical society the rough coat at St. Bernard is supposed to have a coat of medium length not bushy or shaggy not curly or too wavy but flat only slightly feathered on the forelegs and yet with many Americans the longer the hair the more the coat is appreciated. This is wrong but such as fancy. The development of St. Bernard interests in America has been remarkably rapid during the past 10 years and is illustrative of that enterprising spirit and that marked liberality with which Americans always engage in any work that enlists their sympathy. As illustrated of the magnitude of this movement it is only necessary to state that at the New York show of 1890 with St. Bernard entries numbered 151 at the Chicago show of the same year they numbered 58 at Boston 59 and at all other shows the entries in this breed more than doubled in number those of any previous year. The total investments in St. Bernard's in this country would run into millions of dollars and some of the chiciest blood of Europe has within the past few years found its way into American canals. The special characteristics of the St. Bernard are his immense size his powerful muscular organization his great frame deep and broad chest his massive head and spacious brain pen his heavy coat, his courage his unswerving devotion to his human or canine friends his kind benevolent disposition his suggestivity and his aversion to disregard of the attention of strangers. Several specimens of the breed of 34 inches or more at the shoulder and a weight of 200 pounds are over. Plin lemon is 35 inches high celebrity bear and watch are each more than 34 inches and many others are over 33 inches. Volumes could be filled with anecdotes and incidents of the remarkable instinct the superior judgment the almost human intellect of the St. Bernard. The heroic services rendered by these dogs and rescuing and aiding snowbound travelers in the Swiss Alps are too well known to require further mention here. Hundreds of instances hearing in our own country should be cited had we the space for them. As showing the steadfast devotion of the St. Bernard for his friends, I may recall the case of a boy who was drowned in a lake in New York while skating. The body of the grand old St. Bernard dog who had been the constant companion of the boy was found at the bottom of the lake near that of his young master and the indications pointed plainly to the fact that a boy having broken through the ice and had caught him and tried to pull him out that the ice had broken and the dog had fallen in. Then he had released his hold, clapped on the ice, sized his master and tried again to drag him out but again the ice had broken. These struggles had been repeated again and again until the noble brute exhausted by his efforts had sunk and died by the sight of his young friend. Mr. G. W. Patterson, writing of a St. Bernard bitch that he had formally owned says my little girl was enjoying a slide last winter off my horse and Sylvia was accompanying her down the hill by running along the side. When she reached the bottom of the hill the girl held out a rope saying here Sylvia, you must draw me back up the hill and although the dog had no training and was only 8 months old she performed the task admirably if not as quick as she did afterward. Carrie never took a slide after that without having Sylvia to draw her up the hill. I could never tell which enjoyed it most both growing stronger under the influence of bracing air and exercise. It has been claimed by some of the opponents of the St. Bernard that he is dull of comprehension and difficult to train. My experience and observation tell me that such is by no means the case. I have known many St. Bernard's that have been trained to perform some truly wonderful tricks, errands and services and that with its little time and labour it would have been necessary to train the brightest veneer to do the same work. Colonial C.A. Swineford of Baraboo, Wisconsin had a St. Bernard that would at his bidding stand on his hind feet, place his fore feet on the office railing and walk from one end to the other of it in this position. Then at command he would place his hind feet on the railing and with his fore feet on the floor repeat the operation. He would place his hind feet on the barrel and standing with his fore feet on the floor rolling it back and forth across the floor. His master could send it with a note or package to any house or office where he had ever been and the dog would return promptly with the answer. A few hours had been sufficient in which the dog either of these tricks. The St. Bernard is one of the most useful and valuable of all breeds as a watchdog. While not vicious or savage he is alert, courageous, faithful, seditious and his great size renders him an object of rage to wrongdoers. Few men would care to disturb property of which he had charge. Besides being an excellent guardian for children he is also an affectionate and patient companion for them. He may not run or run with them, but will honest and hitch to a toy wagon draw them as faithfully and patient as an old horse. He will allow them to write him or impose on his god nature in almost any way they may choose a never-resent object. Many of the noble qualities of the arrays are illustrated in the case of SAFE a noted St. Bernard formerly owned in England of which a contributor through the American field recently wrote as follows Mr. G. F. Smith wants the loss of a dear friend and faithful companion. This was champion SAFE E 10626 one of the most notable St. Bernard's ever seen. He was bred by Reverend G. A. Snide being by Othman E 6422 Hedwig. He was born in March 1879 and he was the only survivor of a litter of 15. It was on this account that he was called SAFE. In color and markings he was admittedly the handsomest dog ever shown here. His strength was such that he was carry his master with ease although he waited 14 stone and no two men could hold him with a chain or slip if anyone whom he knew caught him. Yet he was so gentle that the smallest child could do anything with him. He was very fond of the company of ladies among whom he was known as gentleman SAFE. He was also passionately fond of children and delighted in their company. For some years a court has been maintained in the children's hospital at Sheffield solely by money collected by SAFE who always carried a small cask attached to his color. He used to go to the hospital twice a year in January and July to pay his contributions and his visits were looked eagerly by the little ones as all that were well enough in the ward which contained the SAFE court had to ride on his back. He died calmly and painlessly on July 3rd. This grand dog is sincerely mount by his late owner and his family as well by all the children of Sheffield and many of their parents. Probably no other dog had so wide a popularity for his portrait first published in 1882. Afterward figured in almost every illustrated journal and the story of his life, his strength, his intelligence, his docility and his love for children had been told a hundred times. End of quote The St. Bernard has frequently been utilized as a retriever and it is believed by many that with proper training would excel in this class of work. A writer in the Kennedy Gazette gives interesting and valuable testimony on this point. He says together my belongings preparatory to starting for Scotland in the evening. My friend with whom I was staying had kindly promised that during my absence he would take care of a valuable St. Bernard bitch, sister to Plin Lemon which I had recently been giving to me and as though conscious of our impending parting, Mitch, who has become greatly attached to me, lay at my feet from time to time casting upward such besieging glances as only our affectionate dump pets are capable of. As the afternoon wore on and during the early evening the doc closely followed my every movement almost appearing to ask that she might accompany me until at the last moment I decided to take her. The first outburst of cordial greeting which welcomed me as I drove up to the house of my friend was somewhat toned down upon the appearance of my pet. I saw at once I had brought a visitor by no means popular in a sporting establishment but trusted that time might make matters smooth nor was I mistaken for the doc's very look soon worked wonders. Days went happily by and with Mitch from my companion I rambled by the river right in hand she upon occasion leaving me to flock some pet stream where she took small hunting excursions on her own account. I noticed on several occasions that she became wondrous keen with the sound of a gun and found one had only to raise a gun to one's shoulder to put her at once upon alert. One day I had gone up to a loch for a day and while I was thus occupied to friends went to the upper end of it in quest of ducks. It was with some difficulty that I prevented Mitch from following them and later on her uneasiness at the sound of each shot and her efforts to jump over the side of the boat gave rise to such anathemas as might well have sunk a less dirty craft. After some time we were nearing the spot where the shoot has were and when we got within some three or four hundred yards of them a duck was duly brought down at the side of which Mitch broke away from me, swam to the bird a considerable distance retrieved it in perfect form without disturbing a feather. Later in the day other chances presented themselves the results being always satisfactory and especially so in one or two instances where a less powerful duck would have been utterly unequal to making his way through thick reeds and such. Now to me it seems that with very little training these really well bred St. Bernard's might be the most useful in the field in such situations as I have mentioned and over heavy marshy ground and I sent the buff account not desiring to claim more for them than they deserve but to meet the assertions many people make that these dogs are treacherous and useless pets to have about a place. I may in conclusion say to other accomplishments Mitch adds that of poacher hunting having on one occasion knocked down and held a man until the keeper with whom he had gone out on the quest came up and the prisoner was only too glad to surrender his arms and accountments and condition of the dog being caught off though she had not bitten him but merely held him down by demoral persuasion of a pair of heavy paws and an ominous growl when he had attempted to move end of quote Principles of breeding a would be successful breeder frequently inquires what shall I do to obtain the best possible result from my stock there in reality so many things to be taken into consideration that a short and concise answer would be hard to give first both the parents furnished their portion towards the production of the offspring but since the bitch nourishes it until birth and for months or more after it is natural to draw the conclusion that the young will more closely resemble the dem than the sire in a majority of cases perhaps they will resemble the sire in size and coat while their disposition and nervous temperament will follow closely that of the dem as like produces like dogs as in other animals the dispositions of both parents should be near to what is desired is possible or bad results will ensue hence it cannot be expected to produce a good litter of puppies by the union of a poor bitch to a celebrated prize winning stud dog or by breeding a fine bitch to a second rate dog third as every dog is a compound animal that is composed by a sire and a dem also by the sires and dams etc there is no certainty to what one may expect in a litter unless he is fully acquainted with the dogs which make up the pedigree of its puppies for several generations back fourth as it is a well established fact that the first service has its effect upon several subsequent litters the breeder cannot exercise too much care upon a suitable union for its bitches we have known instances where a bitch being bred to a dog with a butterfly nose part white produced in that litter three out of seven puppies with the same fort while in her three succeeding litters there was always at least one having this affliction nonewithstanding these subsequent litters were each from different sires fifth inbreeding as a wool is to be discouraged yet to produce certain results that may be practiced to a limited extent probably the best example of successful inbreeding may be found in the case of the rough coated bitch princess florans but continual inbreeding always produces smaller offsprings so that by this mean it is possible to breed st. Bernards so called about the size of a charteria it is extremely necessary that both parents should be in perfect health at the time of breeding the bitch especially so she may be enabled to sustain the growth of the puppies before birth and provide ample milk for them afterward the best age at which to breed st. Bernards is in bitches from 15 to 18 months but no dog should be allowed to serve a bitch until he has reached the age of two years by which time you will have fully matured the best season of the year for breeding is in the spring and summer as the young produced at the season get more outdoor exercise which tends so much to strengthen the muscles and development generally winter puppies frequently become chilled and hence their growth is low they seldom reaching the statue of their more fortunate brothers another argument for spring and summer puppies is that these can compete at the following winter shows in the puppy classes for by that time they are sufficiently mature to stand the excitement incident to such scenes the bitch shows pretty plainly when she is about to come and eat as she becomes restless, feverish and exceedingly affectionate in her disposition she usually has a bloody discharge from the vulva for 9 days and from 3 to 5 days after the cessation of the discharge is considered the best time to take her to the dog although some bitches will refuse to have any connection whatever with a dog later than the third day so to be on the safe side it is well to lose no time bitches as a rule come in season twice a year at pretty regular intervals but we have known of some that produced 3 liters in 2 years, this however is unusual when a bitch misses, her next season is very apt to be one month earlier than if she had produced her litter and weaned them as soon as she spread she should be put in a secure place as she will exercise great cunning in her efforts to escape any animal she should chance to meet during the earlier periods of her pregnancy especially she should be in sight if possible of a typical dog as the antinatal impressions are often very pronounced she should also be kept apart from others not in a similar condition and while she should get ample exercise it must never be violent in any sense never allow her to jump or run to any extent or to become alarmed toward the latter part of her time when it has been clearly certain that she is in well her food should be of a soft nature with considerable milk given daily a little raw meat chopped fine fed 3 or 4 times in the last week often prevents bitches from eating puppies though they may formally have been in the habit of doing so a piece of old carpet placed on her regular bench is about the best bed for a bitch when welling, this can be thrown away after the welling is over and replaced with a fresh piece or with a bed of clean straw, a bitch that has been kept in good condition, neither too fat nor on the other hand too thin, seldom has any difficulties in parturition great care should be exercised that no cold or any drought is permitted to penetrate into the canal this time as newly born puppies are easily chilled and thus destroyed the temperature should never be allowed to fall below 60°F in the weeping room very young puppies should be giving milk 2 or 3 times daily until they are old enough to pick at bones and foot then after they are weaned great care should be exercised in the diet to guard against warms End of section 33