| Show KASTIFFS AND ST BERNARDS T Favorite JJroeds of Ell Doss Described De-scribed by John Giltncr 8crl1ed < Gimcl Speed The English mastiff is the ideal watch dog Had the dog shows held annually in various cities in this country done nothing 1 n v t f t t r d fk ri 1mI i I 1 I > 1 e l I I ikJ w1 J q 1 1 It S J J f = t 1 Jt u I HERMIT Rough coated St Bernard else than make betiec known the qualities of this splendid dog they would still have served a good purpose for no other dog is I so well qualified to be a guardian of person and property I The mastiff is imposing in appearance and one can fancy the fear which would overcome the intruding tramp or nightly I marauder upon finding one of these rung nificent creatures on guard He stands about 31 or 32 inches high and his natural i strength is so great that he can if need be spring upon a wouldbe evil doer knock him down and subdue him Although once in a while a mastiff of bad temper will be found he is generally gen tie and with a strong disposition to pro tect his frieud or master from attacks of I any kind I is said by authorities that I the mastiff and the bulldog have a common com-mon ancestry and that long years ago the mastiff was kept to display his courage and strength i tho bull ring or in bear baiting those gentle amusements with which the Englishman of a century or so ago regaled himself I this be s the mastiff of today is an example of the value of long years of breeding for when well trained this dog i i at once the best of companions the firmest of friends and the surest of protectors Though not given to quarreling he is yet t nuitn rjinnhle of so hearin himself that being entered in a quarrel his opposer had BEAUFORT Champion Mastiff I best beware of him His instinct as to I what is trespass and what is not is most remarkable and it is said that it would i take a sharp country lawyer to de county t compete with him in this regard I Closely allied to the mastiff is the mag I I nificent and universally liked St Bernard In the year Bernard deMenthon founded found-ed the hospice of the great St Bernard sit uated at the summit of Mons Jovis in the Alps In this hospice may bo seen a picture pict-ure of Do Menthon accompanied by his dog This animal although resembling a bloodhound is supposed to be the progen itor of the favorite among the large sized dogs of the day Of course there were many crosses o f the breed to produce the fs 10 dog we know as the St Bernard and in England where he has attained his highest development for twenty years or more the closest attention has been paid to his breeding The St Bernard is handsome and pict uresque in marking and color of enormous enor-mous size and symmetrical shape and al together pleasing and impressive in ap pearancc One is recorded as weighing 170 pounds at 4 years of age a standing 3M inches high sic the shoulder whoso girth of ches was 40 inches and whose 4 inche length from nose to set on of tail was over 5 feet With all his great size and strength hia disposition is so gentle that he is easily con trolled and can be easily managed by even a young child Two varieties are recoe I f t1 II I I ALMA IA Champion St Bernard nized by bench show authorities the rough i coated and the smooth hut these are not distinct breeds for often specimens of both kinds are found in the same litter I lter It is as a companion that the St Bernard i must now be chiefly considered in this county and in England for there thi i i neither here nor there any practical work for him to do and it is true that a dog o r n breed of dogs no longer called dog cled upon to do the work he is adapted for soon loses tha adaptability but to mention the St Bernard Ber-nard is to bring before one a vision of vast heights of leaden skies and falling snow of covered roadways and bscured land marks of weary fainting travelers almos lost of fourfooted friends of man bearing to them life and hope These two breeds of dogs are the larges and most imposing of all and al they are the most kindly With sagacity beyond tha of an unreasoning manand alas how many such there happen be in the world they are gentle and kind and tine bu brave when it is a time to show Either of these dogs would be courage of dog valuable o n a farm as a watch dog or the animal to turn the churn Their docility and Jf fection are most admirable when they are pure but if they be crossed with othe r breeds they are likely taLe savage at home prowlers by night and sheep killers when ever opportunity offers Pure mastiffs and pure St Bernards are therefore the Brnr ae therefor only dogs to be kept on the farm Jm GILMER SPEED |
