Dogs and All about Them eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 437 pages of information about Dogs and All about Them.

Dogs and All about Them eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 437 pages of information about Dogs and All about Them.

At the disposal of Messrs. Inman and Walmsley’s kennel, there were such admirable dogs as the rough-coated Wolfram—­from whom were bred Tannhauser, Narcissus, Leontes and Klingsor—­the smooth-coated dogs, the King’s Son and The Viking; the rough-coated bitch, Judith Inman, and the smooth Viola, the last-named the finest specimen of her sex that has probably ever been seen.  These dogs and bitches, with several others, were dispersed all over England, with the exception of Klingsor, who went to South Africa.

Almost all the best St. Bernards in Great Britain at the present time have been bred or are descended from the Bowden dogs.

[Illustration:  MR. GEORGE SINCLAIR’S ST. BERNARD CH.  LORD MONTGOMERY Photograph by C. Reid, Wishaw]

The following is the description of the St. Bernard as drawn up by the members of the St. Bernard Club: 

* * * * *

HEAD—­The head should be large and massive, the circumference of the skull being more than double the length of the head from nose to occiput.  From stop to tip of nose should be moderately short; full below the eye and square at the muzzle; there should be great depth from the eye to the lower jaw, and the lips should be deep throughout, but not too pendulous.  From the nose to the stop should be straight, and the stop abrupt and well defined.  The skull should be broad and rounded at the top, but not domed, with somewhat prominent brow.  EARS—­The ears should be of medium size, lying close to the cheek, but strong at the base and not heavily feathered.  EYES—­The eyes should be rather small and deep set, dark in colour and not too close together; the lower eyelid should droop, so as to show a fair amount of haw.  NOSE—­The nose should be large and black, with well developed nostrils.  The teeth should be level.  EXPRESSION—­The expression should betoken benevolence, dignity, and intelligence.  NECK—­The neck should be lengthy, muscular, and slightly arched, with dewlap developed, and the shoulders broad and sloping, well up at the withers.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BODY—­The chest should be wide and deep, and the back level as far as the haunches, slightly arched over the loins; the ribs should be well rounded and carried well back; the loin wide and very muscular.  TAIL—­The tail should be set on rather high, long, and in the long-coated variety bushy; carried low when in repose, and when excited or in motion slightly above the line of the back.  LEGS—­The fore-legs should be perfectly straight, strong in bone, and of good length; and the hind-legs very muscular.  The feet large, compact, with well-arched toes.  SIZE—­A dog should be at least 30 inches in height at the shoulder, and a bitch 27 inches (the taller the better, provided the symmetry is maintained); thoroughly well proportioned, and of great substance.  The general outline should suggest great power and capability of endurance.  COAT—­In the long-coated variety the coat should be dense and flat; rather fuller

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Dogs and All about Them from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.