Charles Henry Lane

“ The colours are, usually, dark and light browns and tans, mixed with grizzle, the general appearance somewhat like rough-coated Bloodhounds, with just a dash of an overgrown Dandie about them; very rugged and unsophisticated they look, but quite charming to an artistic eye, and convey the idea that, when they know what they are wanted to do, they will not hesitate to do it, whatever it may be. ”

“ He has, usually, not been long on his perch, before he perceives a stately pike, or other member of the finny tribe, paddling up the river, he instantly breaks a leaf off the cabbage, and when the fish has approached sufficiently near, throws it into the water, the frightened fish immediately disappears, but shortly after rises, and grateful to the kind and unknown friend who has provided this admirable parasol, swims towards it, and after pushing it about for a while with his nose, finally places himself comfortably under its protecting and congenial shade. ”

“ On a beaten track, or where even a single foot, or sledge mark is visible, or occasionally discernible, there is not the slightest trouble in guiding the dogs; for even in the darkest night, and in the heaviest snow drifts, there is little or no danger of them losing their road, the leader keeping his nose near the ground, and directing the rest with wonderful sagacity. ”

“ And when we consider the many varieties of the species, differing as much as is possible in the members of one family, and the appearance, habits, dispositions, uses and characteristics, just as various, it is not to be wondered at that they enjoy such an amount of public favour, as it must be a strangely constituted human being to whom no breed of dog is acceptable! ”

“ The back and ribs, are strong, and the former of great length, the stern, is gaily carried, like that of Hounds in general, and when the Hound is on the scent of game, this portion of his body gets extremely animated, and tells me, in my own Hounds, when they have struck a fresh, or cold, scent, and I even know when the foremost Hound will give tongue! ”

“ If the weight is small and the journey homeward, the dogs are not to be thus delayed, the driver is obliged therefore to dig his heels into the snow, to obstruct their progress, and having thus succeeded in stopping them, he stands up with one leg before the foremost cross-piece of the sledge, till by means of gently laying his whip over each dog's head, he has made them all lie down. ”

“ Whenever he was disturbed by any one poking at him with a stick to make him rouse up and show himself, he would rise gently, put his fore paws on the shoulders of the disturber of his rest, and before it was guessed what idea he had in view, seize and take off the man's hat and deposit it in the pan of water, or on the straw in his pen. Blaeney also is wonderfully clever, and a splendid hand at sport on land or in water. ”

“ Beckford, who has been considered one of the highest authorities on hunting, says:—"Without taking upon me to describe what requisites may be necessary to form a good Prime Minister, I will describe some of those which are essentially necessary towards making a perfect Huntsman; qualities which, I will venture to say, would not disgrace more brilliant situations, such as clear head, nice observation, quick apprehension, undaunted courage, strength of constitution, activity of body, a good ear, and a melodious voice." ”

“ The dog is the only animal that dreams, he and the elephant the only animals that understand looks and expressions; the elephant is the only four-footed animal that feels ennui; the dog the only quadruped which has been brought to speak. ”

“ Buffon, the eminent French naturalist, says of the dog, "More docile than man, more obedient [Pg 386] than any other animal, he is not only instructed in a short time, but also conforms to the manners and dispositions of those who have authority over him. He takes his tone from the house he inhabits, like the rest of the domestic staff, he is disdainful among the great and churlish among the clowns. Always assiduous in serving his master, and only friendly to his friends; he is indifferent to all others and declares himself openly against such as are dependent like himself. ”

“ I find that I have mentioned a "small head" as one of the necessary points about a hound, you will please to understand it, as relative to beauty only, for as to goodness, I believe large headed hounds are in no way inferior. As to colour, there is much diversity of taste; very often the head and ears are of a brilliant red, or fallow, with a white mouth and lips, and a streak of white, technically known as a "blaze," down the head, a white collar and chest, more or less black markings in blotches, or a saddle on the body, and part of tail, white legs and belly. ”

“ Many good dogs are only twenty-eight and twenty-nine inches high, but from thirty-one to thirty-three are to be desired. Height should ever be accompanied with massive build and length, and should proceed from the shoulder to the elbow, rather than from the elbow to the foot. I mean the height of the dog should be derived from the depth of the chest, rather than from "over-legginess," as this must tend to develop the weight, more or less, of the whole animal. Colour, after all, is the last requisite, since you may breed in a few generations, any colour you please. ”

“ On rough ground, as on hummocks of ice, the sledge would be frequently overturned, or altogether stopped, if the driver did not repeatedly get off and by lifting or drawing it on one side, steer clear of those accidents. At all times, indeed, except on a smooth and well made road, he is pretty constantly employed, thus, with his feet, which, together with his never ceasing vociferations and frequent use of the whip, renders the driving of one of these vehicles by no means an easy or a pleasant task. ”

“ In directing the sledge, the whip plays no very essential part, the driver for this purpose using certain words, as the carters do with us, to make the dogs turn more to the right or left. To these, a good leader attends with admirable precision, especially if his own name be repeated, at the same time looking behind over his shoulder with great earnestness, as if listening to the directions of the driver. ”

“ The sportsman in the tree, watching the animated [Pg 360] movements of the cabbage leaf, immediately fires, when the dog, whose sagacity is quite equal to that of his master, plunges into the water, and if the fish is either dead or severely wounded, seldom fails to bring the scaly morsel to land; thus as long as the heavens are bright and blue, the water keeps warm on the surface and the larger fish prefer to swim in the sun, the sport continues so long as the climbing and staying powers of the sportsman hold out. ”

“ I am in hopes, if the book falls into the hands of any, who have hitherto known, or cared nothing for dogs of any kind, they may be sufficiently interested in my recital, of the charming qualities of so many different varieties, to take up one or more of them, and test the truth of my statements, which I may say are founded on fact, and a very lengthened and practical experience as a breeder, exhibitor and now for many years as a judge, during which time I believe I have kept most, and adjudicated on all, known varieties of dogs, and on most of the breeds very often indeed. ”

“ Of course in a long career of dog showing and judging I have come into contact with all classes of exhibitors, and I am bound to say, as a general rule, have met with the greatest courtesy and had many a kind turn done me at different times, nor was I ever, but once, the subject of any of the practical jokes which used to be, more than they are now, so very frequent, and sometimes very rough, and unpleasant in their nature. ”

“ The various colours need not be set out here, nor is it necessary, in a breed so seldom shown, to give the points of excellence more fully than to say that great muscular strength, plenty of bone, courage, excellent scenting powers, and speed, are indispensable, as the quarry hunted is usually in as fine condition as a race-horse, and nearly as fast, often has been out before on a similar occasion, knows the country well, and means giving his pursuers what is vulgarly termed "a run for their money!" ”

“ The Chairman intimated to me that the inmates of the Royal Kennel should stand well in the Prize List. I told him "every dog entered would be judged by me strictly on its merits, and if it was afterwards found the Royal Dogs were amongst the Prize Winners, none would be more pleased than I should, but I could not say or do more than that, and I was sure H. R. H. would wish his dogs to stand, or fall, on their merits alone!" Since then I have very often had the honour of judging dogs from the Royal Kennels, both Sandringham and Windsor. ”

“ Of course, hundreds, in fact the great majority of the Fox Terriers in the country, have never seen a Fox, and probably never will, in the course of their natural life, and (as I said of many of the Dachshunds we see about, and the "Badgers," so I say of very many of the Fox Terriers to be met with everywhere) so much the better for them, as a Fox, in his earth, which is where a Terrier is wanted to deal with him, is not a "milk and water" animal to tackle, as a rule, and it requires strength, perseverance, pluck and ability on the part of his assailants. ”

“ I will conclude these anecdotes about dogs with the following excellent advice given by the late well-known sportsman, the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, in the pages of "The Field," more than forty years since: "Before you chastise a dog, be not only sure that he is in fault, but also ascertain that he himself understands in what respect he has done wrong. Take care not to punish him so severely that terror and pain combined obliterate the why and the wherefore from the sufferer's recollection, if you do, you cowe the dog, without amending his manners. ”

“ A very important matter is the feeding of the dogs. In these days, when so many firms are producing biscuits, on purpose to cater for the wants of the vast doggy community, there is no difficulty in getting some of them, but, I have found, in a long experience with dogs, that, although almost all breeds will eat dog biscuits—some even take them when given whole, and chop them up like bones, even dry—it is better, in most cases, to break them up, about the size of walnuts, and soak them the day previously to use, in hot water, or broth, or even cold water. ”

“ I may, fitly, conclude my few remarks on this interesting breed with the following description of the desired points: The head should be light, airy, sensible, and, at the same time, full of dignity; it should have a certain amount of chops, and the forehead slightly wrinkled. The neck should be long and clean; the least looseness, or throatiness, is fatal to appearance. Where it joins the head, it should be fine, gradually widening to the shoulders. A long neck is most important, in the breed, as helping the scent, whereas, a short neck, not only would impede action, but pace, also. ”

“ I am inclined to think the Scotch Collie is, at the present time, nearly the most popular breed of dog in the United Kingdom, and a really first class specimen, good in head, ears, eyes, shape, size, coat, colour and brush, is very valuable. This is another breed favoured in high places, Her Majesty The Queen, [Pg 170] the Princess of Wales (one of whose specimens illustrates this variety) , the Countess of Warwick, and many more distinguished persons too numerous to particularize, being amongst those who have extended their patronage to this favourite breed of dog. ”

“ They should have a close, fine coat, which if kept in proper order, should have almost such a shiny appearance as you see on a well groomed horse, they are very lively, cleanly, affectionate, and much more intelligent animals, than is generally supposed, and as they are exceedingly active, and fond of exercise, to those persons who like a cheerful comrade, willing and able, besides being an excellent guard, to accompany them on their journeys on foot, on horseback, or when driving, or even on bicycle, when the travelling is at a moderate pace, I think a Dalmatian would be suitable. ”

“ I regret to say that, really first-rate specimens of the Toy Black and Tans are few and far between, there are many of the right size, and colour, but, so many fail in head, which should be like that of a true terrier of the "Manchester" type, in miniature, but the majority are too round and short in skull, and the other "points" of the breeds are the same. I need not say that a good specimen is a beautiful little creature and a charming pet for a lady, and very smart and showy. ”

“ Amongst the most popular breeds of late years, has been one that would not be generally expected to be found in that capacity, although it is a very old and national breed. Perhaps I should say that, in reference to all the companionable breeds I have mentioned in these articles, I mean more especially kept by ladies, as when one speaks of such dogs, one naturally thinks of animals not chained to a dog box, or shut up in a kennel outside, but brought into the house, and, literally "treated as one of the family." ”

“ The weight, again, should not exceed forty pounds, and his height nineteen inches, his ears may be fairly long, and covered all over with curl; also the body, not the close curl of his Irish brother, but one somewhat looser, and more straggly; his head is broad and long, with piercing eyes, his legs are well feathered behind, as well as in front, and there is no doubt that the feather, which in a ticked dog, comes out from each and every liver spot in front of the forelegs, has much to do with his power of endurance in water. They may be called 'natural retrievers,' as no dog is easier taught. ”

“ I would strongly advise the obtaining a well-bred dog, of whatever variety is selected, as, not only is it more satisfactory to have about you the best procurable type of any breed you may fancy, whether dogs or anything else, but if you want to part with either the originals, or any of their progeny, it is usually much easier to find purchasers and at much better prices for what is called "pedigree stock," that is of which the parentage for one or more generations is known, than when no particulars or references can be given. ”

“ To those not acquainted with the breed, I may say, they resemble very small drop-eared Skye Terriers, with pure white long coats, often sweeping the ground, and almost like floss silk in texture, with short backs and tails curled over them, dark, piercing eyes and black noses. They are very smart, corky little fellows. I admire them greatly, and have done my best for some years past to revive interest in them, and am glad to see better entries at shows which provide classes and judges to suit them. ”