Selecting Other Big Dogs

Selecting Other Big Dogs. Dalmations, bull dogs, English setters and the selection of other big dogs as pets.

Selecting Other Big Dogs

To keep any one of these large dogs happy, and consequently healthy, he should have a house of his own; and still better, if possible, some one especially to care for him. He needs a great amount of exercise, and a chain or a muzzle is exceedingly distasteful to him.

It is agreeable, after considering these mon sters of the race, to speak of one who is wholly delightful the Newfoundland. Intelligent and courageous, yet not savage or ugly, al ways kind to children, and especially valuable as a water-dog, being perfectly fearless and a remarkable swimmer. He should be jet black, with a glossy coat, coarse in texture, rather close and somewhat wavy, but not at all curly. A white breast and toes do not detract from his value; but a tail with a kink in it, or curl ing over the back, is entirely inadmissible.

The coach-dog, or Dalmatian, is much ad mired for his striking markings, and has had his turn at being the fashion. He is white, with black or liver-colored spots scattered all over him, from ears to tip of tail. These spots should be round, and not larger than a half-dollar, preferably black. A black face or black ears detract greatly from his value. It is pleasing to note that it is not now the fash ion to clip this dog's ears. The predominant trait in the coach-dog seems to be his fond ness for horses; indeed, those who do not like him say he is fit for nothing but to be the companion of a stableman, certainly not at all suitable for a house pet. His proper place with a carriage is running under the fore axle.

The bull-dog is considered beautiful in ex act proportion to his ugliness. The more his nose turns up, and the greater number of ugly wrinkles he can show, the higher is his value. Indeed, it is intended that he should be ugly in temper, corresponding with his looks, and he is naturally a blood-thirsty beast. Yet, on the other hand, he is said to be affectionate and gentle to children, unless his temper is soured by being regarded as only a protector, and kept chained treatment that turns the most gentle into a savage. He is suitable only for the country.

The big hounds can hardly be said to come under the head of house-dogs, and they are entirely out of place in the city. The English greyhound is very attractive in the country, where there is plenty of room, for exercise is indispensable to him. He is an aristocratic personage, both dainty and dignified, and, in fact, he is said to possess almost human char acteristics. His coat should be short, neither woolly nor too fine. He should be treated like a reasonable being, for he is extremely sensitive to injustice and cruelty.

The setters are, in the opinion of many dog lovers, the most beautiful and noble of their kind. In considering the varieties of a race noted for its subserviency to man, it is truly refreshing to come upon one with a reputa tion for independence of character. When to that quality is added strong individuality, un usual intelligence, and a beautiful coat of long red hair, the attractiveness of the red Irish setter is explained. In color he is either a rich mahogany red, of which there are two shades, or a golden chestnut, without black. White may be allowed on chest and toes, a little on the forehead, or a narrow stripe on the face, but nowhere else. His ears should be set on low, and hang close to the head.

The way a dog carries his tail is of the greatest importance in the eye of the fancier; the Newfoundland may let his hang, and the pug may curl his over his back, but should an Irish setter follow the fashion of either, he would be condemned without mercy. He must carry his caudal appendage perfectly straight, and on a level with his spine. This beautiful beast seems really to embody all the canine virtues faithfulness, intelligence, gen tleness with children, watchfulness, and dis crimination, the last exceedingly desirable.

The Gordon and the English setters are also favorite house-dogs, and noted for about the same qualities. All are as ornamental as they are useful.

Pointers have the reputation of being not so good-tempered as setters, and therefore not so safe in families. Both require a great deal of exercise and a judicious restriction in diet, and both setters and pointers seem bet ter fitted for an active out-door life than for the parlor.

The Eskimo dog and the spitz are so un suited to this climate and suffer so much from heat that it is a cruelty to keep them. The latter, moreover, has the reputation, whether justly or not, of being apt to go mad.

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