The small sized toys will always be in demand, as they make ideal little

pets, suitable eminently for a city flat or an apartment house, to be

carried by the lady in her carriage, or to accompany her in her walks, and

they make first rate playmates for children. This class is by far the

hardest to breed. For best results mate a bitch weighing about fifteen

pounds, that comes from a numerous litter, to a twelve-pound dog that

comes from small ancestry. Some of the pups are bound to be small. One

important feature in the production of small pups is this: Bitches that

whelp in the fall, the smallest pups are raised from, especially if the

pups are fed a somewhat restricted diet, whereas puppies that are raised

in the spring, that are generously fed, and have vigorous exercise in the

sunshine, attain a far greater size. A great many breeders underfeed their

young stock to stop growth, which I believe to be a very grave mistake.

There is no question whatever it accomplishes the result wished, but at

the expense of stamina and a fine, generous disposition. The pups from

stock advanced in years, or from bitches excessively fat are very apt to

run small, as are also the offspring of inbred parents. One very important

fact in regard to breeding for large sized dogs to be considered is this:

While a great many breeders always select for the production of large pups

large bitches and dogs, yet experience has proven that the majority of big

ones have been the offspring of medium sized dams that were bred to

strong, heavy-boned dogs of substance. I bred a bitch weighing twenty

pounds to a large bull terrier that weighed forty-five pounds for an

experiment, and the pups, five in number, weighed at maturity from

thirty-five to forty pounds, with noses and tails nearly as long as their

sire's, and his color, but were very nice in their disposition, and were

given away for stable dogs. Progressive up-to-date kennel men will see

that they have on hand not only the three classes called for by the

standard, but the fourth class, so to speak, that I have mentioned above,

those weighing anywhere from thirty to forty pounds. Quite a number of

breeders in the past have put in the kennel pail at birth extra large pups

that they thought would mature too large to sell, but they need do so no

longer. This precaution must always be taken where there are one or more

of these large size puppies, viz., to look out that they do not get more

than their proportionate share of the milk, or later the food, as they are

very apt to crowd out the others.

Remember that the Boston terrier of whatever size will always hold his own

as a companion, a dog that can be talked to and caressed, for between the

dog and his owner will always be found a bond of affection and sympathetic

understanding.

[Illustration: Prince Lutana]

[Illustration: Champion Fosco]

[Illustration: "Pop" Benson with Bunny II]

[Illustration: Sir Barney Blue]

CHAPTER VII.

BREEDING FOR GOOD DISPOSITION.

This, to my mind, is the most important feature in the breeding of the dog

that demands the most careful attention. If the disposition of the dog is

not all that can be desired, of what avail is superb constitution, an

ideal conformation and beautiful color and markings? Better by far obtain

the most pronounced mongrel that roams the street that shows a loving,

generous nature if he cost his weight in gold, than take as a gift the

most royally bred Boston that could not be depended upon at all times and

under all circumstances to manifest a perfect disposition.

A short time ago I went to visit a noted pack of English fox hounds. One

beautiful dog especially, took my eye, a strong, vigorous, noble-looking

fellow, and on my asking the kennel man, a quaint old Scotchman, if he

would let the dog out for me to see, he replied: "Why, certainly, Mr.

Axtell, that dog is Dashwood, he is a perfect gentleman," and this is what

all Boston terriers should be. Of course, I am speaking of the well bred,

properly trained, blue blooded dog, not the mongrel that so often

masquerades under his name. Still, as there are black sheep in every

family, a dog showing an ugly, snapping, quarrelsome disposition will

occasionally be met with which, to the shame of the owner, is not

mercifully put out of the way and buried so deep that he can not be

scratched up, but is allowed to perpetuate his or her own kind to the

everlasting detriment of the breed.

How many a one has come away from a dog show utterly disgusted with

perhaps one of the best looking dogs on the bench, who, after admiring its

attractiveness in every detail, discovers on too near an approach to him

that he possesses a snappy, vicious disposition?

I am perfectly well aware that due allowance must be made for the

unnatural excitement that surrounds a dog, perhaps for the first time

shown, away from all he knows, and surrounded by strange noises and faces.

Yet I consider it an outrage on the public who give their time and pay

their money, to subject them to any risk of being bitten by any dog, I

care not of what breed it may be. At a recent show in Boston, in company

with three or four gentlemen, I was admiring a very handsome looking

Boston, a candidate for high honors, when his owner called out to me: "Mr.

Axtell, do not go too near him or he will bite your fingers off." I

replied: "You need not advise an old dog man like me; I can tell by the

look of his eye what he would do if given a chance. You have no right

whatever to show such a dog." Since then I went to the kennels where a

noted prize winner is placed at public stud, and he showed such a vicious

disposition and attempt to bite through the bars of his pen that the

attendant had to cover the bars over with a blanket. Such dogs as these

should be given at once a sufficient amount of chloroform and a suitable

burial without mourners. If a man must keep such a brute, then a strong

chain and a secure place where his owner alone can visit him is absolutely

imperative.

Boston terriers, of all breeds, must possess perfect dispositions if they

are to maintain their present popularity; and yet, how many unscrupulous

breeders and dealers are palming off upon a confiding public dogs which,

instead of being "put away" (I think that is the general term they use)

should be put under so much solid mother earth that no one would suspect

their interment. I know it takes considerable grit and force of character

to cheerfully put to sleep a dog for which perhaps a large sum of money

has been paid, that has developed an uncertain, snappy disposition, yet it

pays so to do; honesty is not alone the best policy, but the only one. In

my experience as a dog man I could give many personal incidents concerning

the sale of vicious dogs, but for space sake one must suffice.

Last year a Chicago banker sent me an order for a dog similar in style and

disposition to the one I had sold him a few years previously, to go to his

niece, a young lady staying for treatment at a large sanatorium in

southern Massachusetts. I replied that I had not in my kennels a large

enough dog to suit, but that I knew a dealer who possessed a fairly good

reputation who had, and would get him for him if he would run the chances.

This was satisfactory, and I bought the dog. He was guaranteed to me as

all right in every way, but I felt somewhat suspicious, as the price was

very low for a dog of his style. I kept him with me for a week and saw no

outs whatever about him, and practically concluded my suspicions were

unfounded.

Upon taking the dog personally to the young lady in question, I told her

his history as far as I knew it, and also that while I could give her the

dealer's guarantee of the dog I could not of course, endorse it, but that

if she cared to run the risk she could have the dog on approval as long as

she wished. I said in warning that there was something about his eye that

did not altogether strike my fancy, and that if he showed the least

symptom of being anything but affectionate, to ship him to my kennels in

Cliftondale immediately. As he was a handsome dog, with beautiful color, I

could see she wanted him at once, and the dog seemed to take to her in an

even greater degree. I received a letter from her in a week's time, saying

how perfectly satisfactory the dog was in every way, and what a general

favorite he had become with the lady patients there, several of whom would

like me to get one like him for them. I need not say how pleased I was to

hear this, but what was my surprise to receive a letter the next day

asking me to send at once for the dog, as he had bitten the matron. You

may depend that neither she nor any other of the inmates there would ever

want to see a Boston again, and who would want them to? Of course I lost

my money, but that is not worth mentioning. The sorrow I felt stays by me

today. I sent for the dog and kept him at my kennels for five months,

taking care of him myself and never letting him out of my sight, during

which time he was as gentle as a kitten, until one day a young dog man

came down into the yard, and the dog, for some unaccountable reason, as in

the case of the matron, jumped on him and took hold of his sleeve. The

man, being accustomed to dogs, was fortunately not scared. This explained

the low price of the dog, and it is needless to add, he ornamented my

kennels no longer. I can only state in connection with this that that

dealer has sold very few dogs since. I never purchase a dog now, unless I

know the man from whom I buy.

How to breed dogs possessing an ideal disposition is the all-important

question, and I give the rules as followed in our kennels with complete

success. Breed only from stock that you know comes from an ancestry noted

for this particular feature. Many dogs are naturally of an affectionate

nature, but have been made snappish by ill treatment, or teasing. This can

be bred out by judicious care, but where a vicious tendency is hereditary,

look out for trouble ahead. Damages for dog bites come high, and he must

be either a very rich man, or a very poor one, that can afford to keep

this kind of stock.

Use only thoroughly healthy stock; disease is often productive of an

uneven, sullen disposition. See that the bitch especially never shows a

tendency to be cross or snappy. The male dog usually controls the shape,

color and markings, and the dam the constitution and disposition. Hence it

is, if anything, of more importance that the female should be strong in

this feature than the male, although the male, of course, should be first

class also. So well known is this physiological fact that breeders of

standard bred horses, particularly hunters and carriage horses, will never

breed a vicious mare to a quiet stallion, and yet they are generally

willing to risk breeding a quiet mare to a stallion not as good in this

respect.

The education of the puppies should begin as soon as they can run around.

Very much depends upon a right start. We are admonished to "train up a

child in the way he should go," and this applies with equal force to the

dog. Treat them with the utmost kindness, but with a firm hand. Be sure

they are taught to mind when spoken to, and never fail to correct at once

when necessary. A stitch in time saves many times nine. A habit once

formed is hard to break. Never be harsh with them; never whip; remember

that judicious kindness with firmness is far more effective with dogs, as

with children. Be sure to accustom them to mingle with people and

children, and introduce them as early as possible to the sights of the

street, to go on ahead, and to come at your call. Prevent the pernicious

habit of running and barking at teams, etc., and other dogs. The time to

check these habits as aforesaid is before they become fixed. If, after all

these pains, you see a dog show the slightest disposition to be vicious,

then do not hesitate to send him at once by a humane transit to dog

heaven. By thus continuously breeding a strain of dogs with an

affectionate nature and the elimination of any that show the least

deviation from the same, in a short time kennels can be established whose

dogs will not only be a source of supreme satisfaction to the owner, but

will be the best advertisers of said kennels wherever they go.

It will readily be admitted by all who have given the matter any

consideration that a dog of an affectionate nature, whose fidelity has

always been constant, and whose devotion to its owner has always under all

circumstances been perfectly sincere and lasting, makes an appeal to

something that is inherent in human nature. The fact of the case is that

the love of such a dog is imbedded in the soul of every normal man and

woman who have red blood in their veins. I think it is instinctive, and

has its foundation in the fact that from the beginning of time he has

ministered to man's necessities, and has accompanied him as his best

friend on man's upward march to civilization and enlightenment. "There may

be races of people who have never known the dog, but I very much question

if, after they have made his acquaintance, they fail to appreciate his

desirable qualities, and to conceive for him both esteem and affection."

[Illustration: Champion Lady Dainty]

[Illustration: Champion Todd Boy]

CHAPTER VIII.

BREEDING FOR A VIGOROUS CONSTITUTION.

I think there never was a time in the history of the breed when this

particular feature needed more thoughtful, systematic and scientific

attention devoted to it than now. For the past few years breeders have

been straining every nerve, and leaving no stone unturned, to produce

small stock, toys, in fact, and everyone realizes, who has given the

question thoughtful consideration, that this line of breeding has been at

the expense of the vigor, and indirectly largely of a beautiful

disposition, of the dog, to say nothing of the financial loss that must

inevitably ensue.

Said an old Boston terrier man (Mr. Barnard) at a recent show: "Mr.

Axtell, if they keep on breeding at this rate, it won't be long before

they produce a race of black and tans."

In my estimation it will not be black and tan terriers, but nothing. It

will be productive of a line of bitches that are either barren, or so

small that they can not possibly whelp without the aid of a "Vet." One

does not have to look very far to discover numbers of men who started in

the breeding of the American dog with high hopes and enthusiastic

endeavors to success, who have fallen by the wayside, owing largely to the

fact that proper attention was not paid to the selection of suitable

breeding stock, especially the matrons. Said a man to me last year: "Much

as I love the dog, and crazy as I am to raise some good pups, I have given

up for all time trying to breed Boston terriers. I have lost eight bitches

in succession whelping." We have all of us "been there" and quite a number

of us "many a time."

In order to obtain strong, vigorous puppies that will live and develop

into dogs that will be noted for vigorous constitutions, we shall simply,

and in language that can be readily understood by the novice as well as

the established breeder, lay down the rules that a quarter of a century

has demonstrated to be the correct ones for the attainment of the same as

used in our kennels. As all puppies that leave our place are sold with the

guarantee of reaching maturity (unless shown, when we take no risks

whatever in regard to distemper, mange, etc.), it will readily be seen

that they must have a first class start, and must of necessity be the

progeny of stock possessing first class vigor and the quality of being

able to transmit the same to their offspring. An ounce of experience is

worth many tons of theory, and it is, then, with pleasure we give the

system pursued by us, feeling certain that the same measure of success

will attend others that will take the necessary pains to attain the same,

and they will be spared the many pitfalls and mistakes that have

necessarily been ours before we acquired our present knowledge. It has

been for a number of years (starting as we did when the breed was in its

infancy, and only the intense love of the dog, coupled with an extensive

leisure, which enabled us to devote a great deal of attention to important

and scientific experiments, have enabled us to arrive where we are), an

uphill road, the breeding problems have had to be solved at the outlay of

brains, patience and considerable money. Unlike any established breed,

there was practically no data to fall back on, no books of instruction to

follow, but if the pioneer work has been arduous the results obtained have

far outbalanced it, and the dog today stands as a monument to all the

faithful, conscientious and determined body of men who would never

acknowledge defeat, but who, in spite of all discouragements from all

quarters, and from many where it should have been least expected, have

pressed forward until they find the object of their unfailing endeavors

the supreme favorite in dogdom the continent over.

In the first place, in the attainment of vigorous puppies, we state the

bitches selected are of primary importance, in our view, as already

stated, far more so than the sire. For best results we choose a bitch

weighing from fifteen to twenty-five pounds. If they happen to weigh over

this we do not consider it any detriment whatever, rather otherwise.

Always select said matrons from litters that have been large, bred from

strong, vigorous stock, thoroughly matured, and that have been bred by

reliable (we speak advisedly) men for several generations if possible. If

one can, obtain from kennels that while perfectly comfortable, have not

been supplied with artificial heat. There is more in this than appears on

the surface. Dogs that have been coddled and brought up around a stove

rarely have stamina and vitality enough to enable them to live the number

of years they are entitled to, and fall a ready victim to the first

serious trouble, whether distemper, or the many and one ills that beset

their path. Intelligent breeders of all kinds of stock today recognize the

value of fresh air and unlimited sunshine, and if best results are to be

obtained these two things are imperative.

I was very much interested in the prize herd of Hereford cattle owned by

Mr. Joseph Rowlands, near Worcester, England, and conceded by experts to

be the best in that country, and to learn that for a number of years the

herd (over one hundred in number) have been kept in the open, the cows

being placed in the barn for a few days at calving, and that the prize

winning bull that heads the herd, "Tumbler," is sixteen years old, and

still used, and it is stated by Mr. Rowlands is producing as good stock

today as ever. The significant fact about this herd is, they are and have

been perfectly free from tuberculosis. Another herd of Jerseys (although

not prize winners) are kept near there, under precisely the same

conditions with similar results. A breeder of prize winning Belgian hares

has kept these for a number of years without artificial heat, with the

best of results with freedom from disease, and the attainment of strong,

robust constitutions. When puppies are four months old (in the winter

time) they should be placed in well built kennels, without artificial

heat. (Of course, this does not apply to a colder latitude than

Massachusetts.)

The reason for choosing bitches that come from dams noted for their large

litters is this: the chances are (if the dog bred to comes from a similar

litter) that they will inherit the propensity to give birth to large

litters themselves, and the pups will necessarily be smaller than when

only one or two pups are born. The bitch that has but that number runs an

awful risk, especially if she has been well fed. The pups will be large

and the dam has great difficulty in whelping.

If toy bitches are bred, look out for breakers ahead; only a very small

per cent. live to play with their little ones. A toy bitch, bred to a toy

dog, will frequently have but one pup, and that quite a large one in

proportion to the size of parents. When a toy bitch is bred, attend

carefully to these three things. See that the dog used is small in

himself, comes from small stock, and does not possess too large a head.

Secondly, be sure the bitch is kept in rather poor condition, in other

words, not too fat; and thirdly, and this is the most important of all,

see that she has all the natural exercise she can be induced to take.

These conditions strictly and faithfully adhered to may result in success.

In the next place, the consideration of the dog to be used is in order.

Whether he be a first prize winner or an equally good dog that has never

been shown (and the proportion of the best raised dogs that appear on the

bench is very small) insist on the following rules:

Be sure that the dog is typical with first class constitution, vigorous,

and possessing an ideal disposition, and what is of the utmost importance,

that he comes from a line of ancestry eminently noted for these

characteristics. Breed to no other, though he were a winner of a thousand

first prizes. I prefer a symmetrical dog weighing from sixteen to twenty

pounds, rather finer in his make-up than the bitch, and possessing the

indefinable quality of style, and evidences in his make-up courage and a

fine, open, generous temperament. Do not breed to a dog that is overworked

in the stud, kept on a board floor chained up in a kennel or barn, and

never given a chance to properly exercise. If you do the chances are that

one of three things will happen: the bitch will not be in whelp (the most

likely result) the pups, or some of them will be born dead, and one runs

an awful risk of the bitch dying, or, if alive at birth, a very small per

cent. only of the pups will live to reach maturity. I think Boston

terriers are particularly susceptible to worms or distemper, and it is

absolutely imperative that they should not be handicapped at the onset.

One other very important factor is natural exercise for the bitch. Unless

one is willing to take the necessary pains to give her this, give up all

expectation of ever succeeding in raising puppies.

[Illustration: Champion Willowbrook Glory]

[Illustration: Squantum Punch]

[Illustration: Tony Ringmaster]

Someone asked a noted critic whom he considered the best singer he had

ever heard, and he answered, "Patti." In being asked who came next, he

replied, "Patti;" and on being questioned who was his third choice, gave

the same answer. Were I asked the three most important essentials for the

success of the brood bitch, I should say, "Exercise, exercise, exercise."

By this I do not mean leading with a chain, running behind a horse or

team, but the natural exercise a bitch will take if left to her own

devices. Nature has provided an infallible monitor to direct the dog the

best amount to take, and when to take it. One of the best bitches I ever

possessed was one weighing fourteen pounds by the original Tony Boy (one

of the best little dogs that ever lived) out of a bitch by Torrey's Ned,

by A. Goode's Ned. Her name was Lottie, and she had thirteen litters and

raised over ninety per cent. Those who have read that interesting little

book on the "Boston Terrier," by the late Dr. Mott, will readily recall

the genial Doctor speaking of the first Boston he ever owned, named "Muggy

Dee," and how intelligent he was, and what a number of tricks the Doctor

taught him, will be interested to know that Lottie was his

great-grandmother, and she was equally intelligent. We had several bitches

by the celebrated Mr. Mullen's "Boxer" out of her, (this is going back to

ancient history), one of which, "Brownie," was, to my fancy, the nicest

dog we ever had. She, with the rest of the litter, had the run of several

hundred acres, and many times I did not see them for days together. They

went in and out of the hayloft at pleasure, and spent the greater part of

their time hunting and digging out skunks and woodchucks which were quite

thick in the woods back of us at that time. I remember the first time

Brownie was bred to that king of sires, "Buster," owned by Alex. Goode

(than whom a more loyal Boston terrier man never lived), and I was rather

anxious to see the litter when it arrived, as from the mating I expected

crackerjacks. I had not seen her or her mother for two or three days, but

the time for whelping having arrived, was keeping a close watch on the

stable. About dusk she came in with Lottie, and in a short time gave birth

to four of the most vigorous, perfectly formed little tots I had ever

seen. Each one proved to be good enough to show, although only one was

sold to an exhibitor, Mr. G. Rawson, the rest going into private hands.

"Druid Pero" was shown in New York in 1898, taking first prize and silver

cup for best in his class, but I think his brother, "Caddie," beat him,

his owner, a Boston banker, being offered a number of times ten times the

sum he paid for him.

* * * * *

The day after Brownie whelped she and her mother went off for an hour or

so, and they finished digging out Mr. Skunk (which the attention to her

maternal duties necessitated a postponement of), the old dog dragging him

home in triumph. I attribute the success these dogs, in common with the

rest of the bitches in the kennels who had similar advantages, had in

whelping and the rearing of their young to the fact that they always had

unlimited natural exercise. I can enumerate scores of cases similar to

these attended with equally good results, if space permitted.

* * * * *

In regard to mating, one service, if properly performed, is usually

enough, if the bitch is ready to take the dog. If a bitch should fail to

be in whelp I should advise the next time she comes in season two or even

three visits to the dog, and where convenient I should suggest a different

dog this time. In case this time these services were unsuccessful, then I

should suggest the course that breeders of thoroughbred horses pursue,

viz., to let the female run with the male for three or four days together.

There are many things connected with breeding that we do not understand,

and frequently going back to nature, as in this case, is productive of

results when all else fails.

One very important factor in the production of strong, rugged pups that

live, is good feeding. Do not imagine that feeding dog biscuits to the

bitch in whelp will give good results, it will not; she needs meat and

vegetables once a day. Biscuits are all right as a supplementary food, but

that is all. Meat is the natural food for a dog, and it is a wise kennel

man that can improve on nature. Be sure the meat is free from taint,

especially at this time and when the bitch is nursing pups. The gastric

juice of a dog's stomach is a great germicide, but there is a limit.

Be certain the dogs have a plentiful supply of good, pure water. This is

of far more importance than many people imagine.

Do not administer drugs of any description to your dogs, except in the

case of a good vermifuge, if they are harboring worms, and a proper dose

of castor oil if constipated. If the dog at any time is sick, consult a

good veterinary accustomed to dogs, not one who has practiced entirely on

horses or cows. If a bitch, at the time of whelping, is much distressed

and can not proceed, get a veterinary and get him quick. When the pups

arrive, if all is well and they are able to nurse, let them severely

alone. If they are very weak they will have to be assisted to suckle--do

not delay attention in this case. Be sure the box the bitch whelped in is

large enough for her to turn around in, and do not use any material in the

nest that the pups can get entangled with. My advice to breeders is, if

the bitch is fully formed and grown to her full proportions, to breed the

first time she comes in season. She will have an easier time whelping than

when she is older. If delicate or immature, delay breeding till the next

time. Do not use a dog in the stud until he is a year and a half old for

best results; they will, of course, sire pups at a year or younger, but

better wait. To those people who live in the city, or where a kennel can

not be established for want of adequate room to give the dogs the

necessary exercise, an excellent plan to follow is one adopted by an

acquaintance of mine, and followed by him for a number of years with a

good measure of success. He owns one or two good stud dogs that he keeps

at his home, and he has put out on different farms, within a radius of ten

miles of Boston, one bitch at each place, and pays the farmer (who is only

too glad to have this source of income at the outlay of so little trouble

and expense) one hundred dollars for each litter of pups the bitch has,

the farmer to deliver the pups when required, usually when three months

old. The farmer brings in the bitch to be bred, and the owner has no

further trouble. The pups, when delivered, are usually in the pink of

condition and are, in a great measure, house broken, and their manners to

a certain extent cultivated. He has no trouble whatever with pups when

ordered, as he simply sends the address of customers and the farmer ships

them. This, to me, is a very uninteresting and somewhat mercenary way of

doing business, as one misses all the charm of breeding and the bringing

up of the little tots, to many of us the most delightful part of the

business. To those breeders who have newly started in, do not get

discouraged if success does not immediately crown your efforts; remember,

if Boston terriers could be raised as easily as other dogs, the prices

would immediately drop to the others' level.

[Illustration: Goode's Buster]

[Illustration: Champion Whisper]

[Illustration: Champion Druid Vixen]

[Illustration: Champion Remlik Bonnie]

CHAPTER IX.

BREEDING FOR COLOR AND MARKINGS.

Every one who has a Boston terrier for sale knows that a handsome seal or

mahogany brindle with correct markings, with plenty of luster in the coat,

provided all other things are equal, sells more readily at a far higher

price than any other. When one considers the number of points given in the

standard for this particular feature, and the very important factor it

occupies in the sale of the dog, too much attention cannot be given by

breeders for the attainment of this desideratum. I am, of course,

thoroughly in sympathy with the absolute justice that should always

prevail in the show ring in the consideration of the place color and

markings occupy in scoring a candidate for awards. Twelve points are

allowed in the standard for these, and any dog, I care not whether it be

"black, white, gray, or grizzled," that scored thirteen points over the

most perfectly marked dog, should be awarded the prize. But be it ever

remembered that the show ring and the selling of a dog are two separate

and distinct propositions. In the writer's opinion and experience a wide

gulf opens up between a perfect white or black dog comporting absolutely

to the standard, and one of desirable color and markings that is off a

number of points. I have always found a white, black, mouse, or liver

colored dog, I care not how good in every other respect, almost impossible

to get rid of at any decent price. People simply would not take them.

Perhaps my experience has run counter to others. I trust it may have done

so, but candor compels me to make this statement.

I find that this condition of things is somewhat misleading, especially to

beginners in the breed. They have seen the awards made in the shows (with

absolute justice, as already stated), and have naturally inferred that in

consequence of this, breeding for desirable colors was not of paramount

importance after all. Only a month or two ago an article appeared in a

charming little dog magazine, written evidently by an amateur, on this

question of color and markings. He had visited the Boston Terrier Club

show last November, and speaking of seal brindles, said: "If this color is

so very desirable it seems strange that so few were seen, and that so many

of the leading terriers were black and white, and some white entirely,"

then follows his deduction, viz., "the tendency evidently is that color is

immaterial with the best judges, so that a breeder is foolish to waste his

time on side issues which are not material." I can only state in passing

that if he had a number of dogs on hand that were of the colors he

specifies, "black and white, and some white entirely," it would doubtless

"seem strange" to him why they persisted in remaining on his hands as if

he had given each one an extra bath in Le Page's liquid glue. Pitfalls

beset the path of the beginner and this book is written largely to avoid

them. When one reads or hears the statement made that color and markings

are of secondary consideration or even less, take warning. The reader's

pardon will now have to be craved for the apparent egotism evidenced by

the writer in speaking of himself in a way that only indirectly concerns

canine matters, but which has a bearing on this very important question of

color, and partially, at least, explains why this particular feature of

the breeding of the Boston terrier has appealed to him so prominently. My

father was a wholesale merchant in straw goods, and had extensive dye

works and bleacheries where the straw, silk and cotton braids were

colored. As a youngster I used to take great delight in watching the dyers

and bleachers preparing their different colors and shades, etc., and was

anxious to see the results obtained by the different chemical

combinations. When a young man, while studying animal physiology under the

direction of the eminent scientist, Professor Huxley, whose diploma I

value most highly, I made a number of extended scientific experiments in

color breeding in poultry and rabbits, so that when I took up breeding

Boston terriers later in life this feature particularly attracted me. I

was "predisposed," as a physician says of a case where the infection is

certain, hence I offer no apology whatever for the assertion that this

chapter is scientifically correct in the rules laid down for the breeding

to attain desirable shades and markings.

When we first commenced breeding Bostons in 1885, the prevailing shades

were a rather light golden brindle (often a yellow), and mahogany

brindles, and quite a considerable number had a great deal of white. Then

three shades were debarred, viz., black, mouse and liver, and although

years after the Boston Terrier Club removed this embargo, they still

remain very undesirable colors.

The rich mahogany brindle next became the fashionable color (and

personally I consider it the most beautiful shade), and Mr. A. Goode with

Champion "Monte" and Mr. Rawson with the beautiful pair, "Druid Merke" and

"Vixen," set the pace and every one followed. A few years later Messrs.

Phelps and Davis (who, with the above mentioned gentlemen, were true

friends of the breed), sold a handsome pair of seal brindles, Chs.

"Commissioner II." and "Topsy," to Mr. Borden of New York, and confirmed,

if not established, the fashion for that color in that city. I think that

all people will agree, from all parts of the country, that New York sets

the style for practically everything, from my lady's headgear to the

pattern of her equipages, and the edict from that city has decreed that

the correct color in Boston terriers is a rich seal brindle, with white

markings, with plenty of luster to it, and all sections of the continent

promptly say amen!

I have taken the pains to look up a number of orders that we have recently

received, which include (not enumerating those received from the New

England States, or New York), three from Portland, Oregon, one from

California, one from St. Louis, one from Mexico, four from Canada, two

from Chicago, and one from Texas, and with the exception of two who wished

to replace dogs bought of us ten or twelve years previously, they

practically all wanted seal brindles.

These orders were nearly all from bankers and brokers, men who are

supposed to be en rapport with the dictates of fashion. It goes without

saying that what a public taste demands, every effort will be made to

attain the same, and breeders will strive their utmost to produce this

shade. Many who do not understand scientific matings to obtain these

desirable colors have fallen into a very natural mistake in so doing. In

regard to the mahogany brindles they say, why not breed continuously

together rich mahogany sires and dams, and then we shall always have the

brindles we desire. "Like produces like" is a truism often quoted, but

there are exceptions, and Boston terrier breeding furnishes an important

one. A very few years of breeding this way will give a brown, solid color,

without a particle of brindle, or even worse, a buckskin. If the

foundation stock is a lighter brindle to start, the result will be a mouse

color. The proper course to pursue is to take a golden brindle bitch that

comes from a family noted for that shade, and mate her with a dark

mahogany brindle dog that comes from an ancestry possessed of that color.

The bitch from this mating can be bred to dark mahogany brindles, and the

females from this last mating bred again to dark mahogany males, but now a

change is necessary. The maxim, "twice in and once out," applies here. The

last bred bitches should be bred this time to a golden brindle dog, and

same process repeated, that is, the bitches from this last union and their

daughters can be bred to dark mahogany brindle dogs, when the golden

brindle sire comes in play again. This can be repeated indefinitely. A

rule in color breeding to be observed is this: that the male largely

influences the color of the pups. If darker colors are desired, use a

darker male than the female. If lighter shades are desired, use a lighter

colored male.

If a tiger brindle is wanted, take a gray brindle bitch and mate to a dark

mahogany dog. Steel and gray brindles are in so little demand and are so

easy to produce that we shall not notice them.

In regard to seal brindles. A great many breeders who do not understand

proper breeding to obtain them have fallen into the same pit as the

others. In their desire to obtain the dark seal brindles they have mated

very dark dogs to equally dark bitches, which has resulted in a few

generations in producing dogs absolutely black in color, with coats that

look as if they had been steeped in a pail of ink. A visit to any of the

leading shows of late will reveal the fact that quite a number of

candidates for bench honors are not real brindle, except possibly on the

under side of the body, or perchance a slight shading on the legs. A

considerable number are perfectly black, and are called by courtesy black

brindles. As well call the ace of spades by the same name. A serious

feature in connection with this is, that the longer this line of breeding

is persisted in, the harder will be the task to breed away. In fact, in my

estimation it will be as difficult as the elimination of white. One

important fact in connection here is that black color is more pronounced

from white stock than from brindle. I recently went into the kennels of a

man who has started a comparatively short time ago, and who has been most

energetic in his endeavors to produce a line of dark seal brindles, and

who is much perplexed because he has a lot of stock on hand, while first

rate in every other respect, are with coats as black as crows and not

worth ten dollars apiece. He seemed very much surprised when I told him

his mistake, but grateful to be shown a way out of his difficulty. A visit

to another kennel not far from the last revealed the fact that the owner

was advertising and sending largely to the West what he called black

brindles, but as devoid of brindle as a frog is of feathers. His case was

rather amusing, as he honestly believed that because the dog was a Boston

terrier its color of necessity must be a brindle. He reminded me a good

deal of a man who started a dog store in Boston a number of years ago who

advertised in his windows a Boston terrier for sale cheap. Upon stepping

in to see the dog all that presented itself to view was a dog, a cross

between a fox and bull terrier. When the man was told of this, he made

this amusing reply: "The dog was born in Boston, and he is a terrier. Why

is he not a Boston terrier?" Upon telling him that according to his

reasoning if the dog had been born in New York city he would be a New York

terrier he smiled. Fortunately I had "Druid Pero" with me and said: "Here

is a dog bred in my kennels at Cliftondale, Mass., that was a first prize

winner at the last New York show, and yet he is a Boston terrier." After

looking Pero carefully over he exclaimed: "Well, by gosh, they don't look

much like brothers, but I guess some greenhorn will come along who will

give me twenty-five dollars for him," and on inquiring a little later was

told the green gentleman had called and bought the dog.

How to breed the dogs so that the brindle will not become too dark, with

the bright reddish sheen that sparkles in the sun, is the important

question, and I am surprised at the ignorance displayed by kennel men that

one would naturally suppose would have made the necessary scientific

experiments to obtain this desirable shading. Only a short time ago a

doctor, a friend of mine, told me he had just started a kennel of Bostons,

buying several bitches at a bargain on account of their being black in

color, and that he proposed breeding them to a white dog to get puppies of

a desirable brindle. He seemed quite surprised when told the only shades

he could reasonably expect would be black, white and splashed, all equally

undesirable.

The system adopted in our kennels some years ago to obtain seal brindles

with correct markings and the desirable luster and reddish sheen to the

coat is as follows:

We take a rich red, or light mahogany bitch, with perfect markings, that

comes from a family noted for the brilliancy of their color, and without

white in the pedigrees for a number of generations, and mate her always to

a dark seal brindle dog with an ancestry back of him noted for the same

color. The pups from these matings will come practically seventy-five per

cent. medium seal brindles. We now take the females that approximate the

nearest in shade to their mother, and mate them to a dark seal brindle dog

always. The bitches that are the result of this union are always bred to a

dark seal brindle dog. The females that come from the last union are bred

to a medium seal brindle dog, but now comes the time to introduce a

mahogany brindle dog as a sire next time, for if these last bitches were

mated to a seal brindle dog a large per cent. of the pups would come too

dark or even black. This system is used indefinitely and desirable seal

brindles with white markings can thus be always obtained. To the best of

my recollection we have had but one black dog in twenty years. We have

demonstrated, we trust, so that all may understand how golden, mahogany,

and seal brindles are obtained, and how they may be bred for all time

without losing the brindle so essential, and we now pass on to the

consideration of a far harder problem, the obtaining of the rich seal

brindles from all undesirable colors, and we present to all interested in

this important, and practically unknown and misunderstood, problem the

result of a number of years extended and scientific experiments which, we

confess, were disheartening and unproductive for a long time, but which

ultimately resulted in success, the following rules to be observed, known

as "The St. Botolph Color Chart."

In presenting this we are fully aware that as far as we know this is the

only scientific system evolved up to date, also that there are a number of

breeders of the American dog who maintain that this is an absolute

impossibility, that breeding for color is as absurd as it is impractical,

but we can assure these honest doubters that we have blazed a trail, and

all they now have to do is simply to follow instructions and success will

crown their efforts.

We will enumerate the following colors in the order of their resistance,

so to speak:

No. 1. White. This color, theoretically a combination of red, green and

violet will be found the hardest to eliminate, as the shade desired will

have to be worked in, so to speak, and it will take several generations

before a seal brindle with perfect markings that can be depended upon to

always reproduce itself can be obtained. Starting with a white bitch

(always remember that the shades desired must be possessed by the dog), we

breed her always to a golden brindle dog. The bitches (those most

resembling the sire in color being selected) from these two are mated to a

dark mahogany brindle dog, and the females from this last union are mated

to a dark seal brindle dog. It will readily be observed that we have bred

into the white color, golden, mahogany and seal brindle and this admixture

of color will give practically over ninety per cent. of desirable

brindles. Always see that the sires used are perfectly marked, from

ancestry possessing the same correct markings. This is absolutely

imperative, where the stock to be improved is worked upon is white.

No. 2. Black. This color is the opposite of white, inasmuch as there is an

excess of pigment, which in this case will have to be worked out. Breed

the black bitch to a red brindle dog (with the same conditions regarding

his ancestry). The females from these matings bred always to a dark

mahogany brindle dog. The females from the last matings breed to a medium

seal brindle dog with a very glossy coat, and the result of these last

matings will be good seal brindles. If any bitches should occasionally

come black, breed always to a golden brindle dog. No other shade will do

the trick.

No. 3. Gray brindle. This is practically a dead color, but easy to work

out. Breed first to a golden brindle dog. The females from this union

breed to a rich mahogany brindle, and the bitches from this last litter

breed to a seal brindle dog.

No. 4. Buckskin. Breed bitch to golden brindle dog; the females from this

union to a red brindle dog (if unobtainable, use mahogany brindle dog, but

this is not so effective), and the females from last union breed to a seal

brindle dog.

No. 5. Liver. This is a great deal like the last, but a little harder to

manipulate. Breed first to a golden brindle dog. The females from this

union breed to a seal brindle. The bitches from this union breed to

mahogany brindle dog with black bars running through the coat, and the

females from last mating breed to seal brindles.

No. 6. Mouse color. Use same process as for gray brindles.

No. 7. Yellow. A very undesirable shade, but easy to eliminate. Breed to

mahogany brindle dog as dark as can be obtained, and bitches from this

mating breed to a seal brindle dog.

No. 8. Steel and tiger brindles I class together, as the process is the

same and results are easy. Breed first to a red brindle dog; bitches from

this union to a dark mahogany brindle, and then use seal brindle dog on

bitch from last mating.

No. 9. Red brindle. No skill is required here. Breed first to mahogany

brindles, and bitches from this union to seal brindles.

We have now enumerated practically all the less desirable shades, but let

me observe in passing, in the process of color breeding that the law of

atavism, or "throwing back," often asserts itself, and we shall see colors

belonging to a far-off ancestry occasionally presenting themselves in all

these matings. Once in a while a dog will be found that no matter what

color bitches he may be mated with, he will mark a certain number of the

litter with the peculiar color or markings of some remote ancestor. Just a

case apropos of this will suffice. We used in our kennels a dog of perfect

markings, coming from an immediate ancestry of perfectly marked dogs, and

mated him with quite a number of absolutely perfectly marked bitches that

we had bred for a great number of years that had before that had perfectly

marked pups, and every bitch, no matter how bred, had over fifty per cent.

of white headed pups. We saw the pups in other places sired by this dog,

no matter where bred, similarly marked. We found his grandmother was a

white headed dog, and this dog inherited this feature in his blood, and

passed it on to posterity. The minute a stud dog, perfect in himself, is

prepotent to impress upon his offspring a defect in his ancestry, discard

him at once. I have often been amused to see how frequently this law of

atavism is either misunderstood or ignored. Only recently I have seen a

number of letters in a leading dog magazine, in which several people who

apparently ought to know better, were accusing litters of bulldog pups as

being of impure blood because there were one or two black pups amongst

them. They must, of course, have been conversant with the fact that

bulldogs years ago frequently came of that color, and failed to reason

that in consequence of this, pups of that shade are liable once in a while

to occur. It is always a safe rule in color breeding to discard as a stud

a dog, no matter how brilliant his coat may be, who persistently sires

pups whose colors are indistinct and run together, as it were.

[Illustration: Champion Boylston Reina]

[Illustration: Champion Roxie]

[Illustration: Peter's Little Boy and Ch. Trimont Roman]

[Illustration: Champion Lord Derby]

Remember, in closing this chapter, that as "eternal vigilance is the price

of liberty," so the eternal admixtures of colors is the price of rich

brindles. If one has the time the works of an Austrian monk named Mendel

are of great interest as bearing somewhat on this subject, and the two

English naturalists, Messrs. Everett and J. G. Millais, whose writings

contain the result of extensive scientific experiments on dogs and game

birds, are of absorbing interest also.

CHAPTER X.

SALES.

Every person who has bred Bostons for any length of time knows that a good

dog sells himself. I do not imagine there is practically any part of this

great country where a typical dog, of proper color and markings and all

right in every respect, fails to meet a prospective buyer, and yet, of

course, there are certain places where an A 1 dog, like an ideal saddle or

carriage horse meets with a readier sale, at a far greater price than

others. New York city, in particular, and all the larger cities of the

country where there are large accumulations of wealth, offer the best

markets for the greatest numbers of this aristocratic member of the dog

fraternity, and from my own personal knowledge the larger cities of the

countries adjacent to the United States furnish nearly as good a market,

at a somewhat reduced price. Were the quarantines removed in the mother

country, which England no doubt has found absolutely necessary, it would

not surprise me in the least to see an unprecedented demand for the Boston

at very high prices, and I am going to make a prediction that on the

continent of Europe it will not be long before the American dog will

follow the trotting horse, and will work his way eastward, until jealous

China and strange Japan will be as enamoured with him as we are, and his

devotees at the Antipodes will be wondering where he got his little screw

tail, and why that sweet, serene expression on his face, like the "Quaker

Oat smile," never comes off. This to a person who knows not the Boston may

seem extravagant praise, but to all such we simply say: Get one, and then

see if you are not ready to exclaim with the Queen of Sheba, when visiting

King Solomon and being shown his treasures: "Behold, the half was not told

me!" Perhaps the system of sales that has always been followed by us may

be of interest to many engaged in the breeding of the dog, and while we do

not hold a patent on the same, or even suggest its adoption by others,

must confess it has worked with entire satisfaction in our case, and we

have never once failed to receive the purchase money. We must say in

explanation that our customers practically are all bankers and brokers,

and that our dogs have never been sold by advertising or being exhibited

at shows, but by being recommended by one man to another, starting many

years ago by the first sale to a Boston banker, then to several members of

his firm, going from Boston to their correspondents in other cities, until

the orders come in from everywhere. We had three orders from as many

countries in one mail last week. I merely mention this to show how the

demand for the dog has grown. When we commenced to sell dogs we adopted

the following plan, which we conceived to be just and equitable alike to

buyer and seller: When a dog is ordered we send on one which we believe

will fill the bill, accurately describing the dog, stating age, pedigree,

etc., and stating that when the customer is perfectly satisfied with the

dog (as long a trial being given as may be wished) in every respect, a

check will be accepted, and not before. Should the dog at any time prove

unsatisfactory in any way, the purchase money will be cheerfully refunded,

or a dog of equal value will be sent in exchange. In the case of a bitch

that fails to become a good breeder, the same plan, of course, is

followed. In regard to the sale of puppies, we guarantee them (barring

accidents, and the showing of them, when owner assumes risks) to reach

maturity, and in case they do not, refund purchase money, or send on

another puppy of equal value.

Of course, where the buyer is not known, or personally recommended, then

the seller has to adopt entirely different methods. Still, I see no reason

why an honest man who has a Boston, or any other dog, for sale, or, in

fact, any article of merchandise, should not be willing to send on the

same to any honest buyer. This is on the assumption, of course, that both

parties are honorable men. To the seller I advise the purchase money being

received before the dog is shipped, and express charges guaranteed, if the

buyer is not known or unable to supply absolutely reliable references.

Decline to receive any order where the object sought is to obtain a dog to

use to breed to a bitch, or several, as the case may be, and then be

returned as unsatisfactory. We have had no experience in this line, but

are informed it has frequently been done. If such a customer presents

himself, simply tell him he can inspect the dog or have an expert do so

for him if too far away to come, but that when the deal is closed and the

money paid that under no conditions whatever can the dog be returned. In

regard to the seller shipping the dog to its destination, we will say that

we think he will run practically no risk in so doing. If the dog is all

right in every way it is dollars to doughnuts that he will arrive in

perfect condition. We can say that in over twenty years' shipments of dogs

to all parts of the country and beyond we have never had a dog die en

route, lost, exchanged, or stolen. I think the express companies of this

country, Canada, Mexico, and beyond, are to be highly commended for the

excellent care they take of the dogs committed to their charge, neither do

I think the express charges are ever excessive, when one considers the

value of the dogs carried.

We will now consider the case of the buyer, assuming, of course, he is

known or capable of presenting suitable references. We always advise him

to deal with kennels or dealers of established reputations. Run no chances

with any other unless you desire to be "trimmed." Pray do not be misled by

glowing advertisements (stating that they have the largest kennels on

earth) in every paper that does not know them. I have investigated quite a

number of these so-called kennels and found they usually consisted of an

old box stall in a cheap stable, or a room over an equally cheap barroom,

and their stock in trade consisted of two or three mutts.

Be very suspicious of any man who advertises that he has dogs for sale

that can win in fast company for fifty or a hundred dollars, or A 1

bitches in whelp to noted dogs for the same price. Any man who possesses

these kinds of dogs does not have to advertise their sale. There are

plenty of people here in Boston only too glad to buy this kind of stock at

three or four times this price.

I attended the last show in Boston with a number of orders in my pocket,

but failed to discover any dogs I picked out possessing the quality

described at anything less than a good stiff price, for Boston terriers

with the "hall mark" of quality have been, are, and, I believe, always

will be, as staple in value as diamonds.

The number of letters we have received from all over the country,

particularly from the West, complaining of the skin games played upon them

by fake kennels and dealers, would make an angel weep, and make one almost

regret that one ever knew a Boston. If the same ingenuity, skill and

patience employed in the getting up of these fake advertisements had been

devoted to the breeding of the dog, this class of advertising gentry (?)

would have produced something fit to sell. It is stated on the best of

authority that in some cases nothing was shipped for money received.

In spite of this vast number of unscrupulous breeders and dealers

scattered abroad, I think the chances for reliable kennels was never so

good as now in the history of the breed. Cream will always rise, and right

dealing, whether in dogs or diamonds, will ever meet with their just

returns. Remember that one never forgets being "taken in" in a horse

trade, and when, instead of a horse a dog is involved, I think one never

forgives as well. To that number of persons who, in their daily walks of

life are fairly honest, but who, when it comes to a trade in dogs are apt

to lose that fine sense of justice that should characterize all

transactions, we would say with Shakespeare: "To thine own self be true.

Thou canst not then be false to any man." Yea, we would repeat the command

of a greater than Shakespeare, to whom, I trust, we all pay reverence,

when He lays down for us all the Golden Rule: "Whatsoever ye would that

men would do to you, do ye even so to them."

To go back to the responsible buyer who is in the market for a good dog,

we say: Send your orders to responsible men, with said dogs to sell,

stating exactly what you want, and the price you desire to pay, agreeing

to send a check just as soon as dogs prove satisfactory, assuming, of

course, express charges. Reputable dealers and breeders are looking for

just such customers.

To all breeders and dealers who have not an established reputation, would

say: Advertise accurately what you have for sale in first class reliable

papers and magazines. In regard to prices, the following scale, adopted by

us many years ago, and which we have never seen since any reason to

change, is practically as follows:

For pups from two to three months old, from fifty to seventy-five dollars.

When six months old, from seventy-five to a hundred: From six months to

maturity, from one hundred to two hundred. These prices are, of course,

for the ordinary all-around good dogs. With dogs that approximate

perfection, and which only come in the same proportion as giants and

dwarfs do in the human race (I believe the proportion is one in five

thousand), and the advent of which would surprise the average kennel man

as much as if the President had sent him a special invitation to dine with

him at the White House, the price is problematical, and is negotiated

solely by the demand for such a wonder by a comparatively few buyers.

I think Boston terriers as a breed occupy the same position amongst dogs

as the hunter and carriage horse does amongst horses. Each are more or

less a luxury. A well matched pair of horses of good all-round action, of

desirable color and perfect manners and suitable age will sell in the

Eastern cities (I am not sufficiently acquainted with the other sections

of the country to know values there) at from eight hundred to two thousand

dollars, but with a pair of carriage horses able to win on the tan bark,

the price will be regulated by the comparatively few people who have

sufficient money to spare to purchase this fashionable luxury, and ten

times the amount paid for the first mentioned pair would be a reasonable

price to pay for the prize winners. I think the winners of the blue in the

Bostons would fetch a relative sum.

The important factor of the cost of production in the case of the dog

necessarily enters into the selling price. Good Bostons are as hard to

raise as first class hunters, and a correspondingly large sum has to be

obtained to meet expenses, to say nothing of profit, but in the writer's

experience the best dog or horse sells the readiest. Do not be misled by

the remark "that a dog is worth all he will bring." Generally speaking,

this is sound logic, but not always. Many dogs have been sold for very

little by people not cognizant of their value, but this in no way changed

the intrinsic worth of the dog. On the other hand, many dogs have been

disposed of at many times their real value, but this transaction did not

enhance their worth in the slightest degree. A gold dollar is worth one

hundred cents whether changed for fifty cents or five hundred. An article

of intrinsic value never changes. Our advice to all who have dogs for sale

(or any other article, in fact), ask what you know is a good, honest, fair

value, and although you may not sell the dog today, remember that there

are other days to follow. What I am going to add now I know a great many

dealers and breeders will laugh at and declare me a fit subject for an

alienist to work on, but it is fundamentally true just the same, and is

this: Never ask or take for a dog more than you know (not guess) the dog

is worth. This is nothing but ordinary, common everyday justice that every

man has every right to demand of his fellow man, and every man that is a

gentleman will recognize the truth and force of.

I was reading a novel this summer, and one statement amongst a great many

good ones impressed me. It stated "that all men were divided into two

classes: those that behaved themselves, and those who did not." We all

know that society has divided men into many classes, but I think any

thoughtful man will confess, in the last analysis, that the novelist's

classification was the correct one. I need not apply the moral.

It will be somewhat of a temptation to resist taking what a party,

liberally supplied with this world's goods, will frequently in their

ignorance offer for a dog that appeals to them, but which the owner knows

perfectly well is not worth the price offered. If he belongs to the class

that behaves themselves he will tell the prospective buyer what the dog is

intrinsically worth, and point out the reasons why he is not worth more.

You may depend that you have not only obtained a customer for life, but

one that will readily advertise your kennels under all circumstances. I

shall have to ask the reader to overlook the apparent egotism of the

statements I am now about to make, but as this book is largely the

outgrowth of the author's own experience, of necessity personal matters

are spoken of.

A number of years ago I received an order from the Western coast, through

a Boston house, for a good all-round puppy at two hundred dollars. I sent

the puppy on, and much to the surprise of the customer, stated my price

for him would be one hundred instead of two. The pup matured into a very

nice dog, as I expected he would, being a Cracksman pup out of a good

bitch. What has been the result of this treatment? Ever since (and no

later than yesterday), orders for dogs from this gentleman have been

coming right along.

Another case, and this is only a sample of several from the same city: A

number of years back a New York lady, accompanied by her husband, came to

our kennels to purchase a dog. I had quite a handsome litter of five or

six months old pups by "Merk Jr.," out of Buster stock on the dam's side,

one of which, a perfectly marked seal brindle female, at once took her

fancy, and she said: "We have just come from another large kennel in

Boston where they asked us three hundred dollars for a little female I do

not like nearly as well as this one." Her husband was one of the leading

men of one of the largest trusts in the country, and money was apparently

no object, and when I replied, "Mrs. Keller, that dog you select is not

worth over fifty dollars (the price I afterwards sold her for) and the

best dog in the litter I shall be glad to let you have for seventy-five,"

she seemed much surprised. I then, of course, told her that the dogs were

not worth more as their muzzles were not deep enough to be worth a higher

price than I wanted. I recently received a letter from her stating that

her dog was still as active and much loved as ever, and the number of

orders that have come to me through the sale of this dog would surprise

the owners of those kennels who stick their customers with an outrageous

price, and who find to their sorrow that no subsequent orders ever come,

either from the customer or any one else in the vicinity. People have a

way sooner or later (usually sooner) in discovering when they have been

overcharged and act accordingly.

One other recommendation I wish to make in place here is: "Never try to

fill an order that one has not the dogs to suit." Frankly say so, and

recommend a brother fancier that you know has. One good turn deserves

another and he may have a chance later to reciprocate. This creates a

kindly feeling amongst kennel men, and is productive of good will, and

ofttimes a large increase in business. A few years ago a lady from

Connecticut came to see me to buy a first class dog or a pair, if she

could get suited. I knew that in the past she had paid the highest price

for her Bostons, and she wanted a dog in the neighborhood of two thousand

dollars. I told her at once I had nothing for sale to suit her, but that I

knew a man who owned a dog I considered worth about that sum, and

recommended her strongly to buy him, and sent her to Mr. Keady, who sold

to her "Gordon Boy" for that price. The sequel to this is somewhat amusing

and shows how reciprocity did not take place. I went to see a litter of

pups at Mr. Keady's house soon after, and expected to obtain a somewhat

favorable price on the pup I picked out of the litter on account of the

sale of the dog, and offered the gentleman three hundred dollars for him,

upon which he replied: "Mr. Axtell, do you think that five weeks old pup

is worth that sum?" and upon my replying, "I certainly do," instead of

saying, "All right, take him," he exclaimed: "If that is your opinion, and

I know you always say what you believe, then he is worth that sum to me,"

and put him back in the box. He subsequently sold him to Mr. Borden for

over six thousand dollars, the highest price ever obtained for a Boston.

While writing on the subject of sales, I think it will be in order to

speak of a matter that is a source of anxiety to a great many breeders,

and that is the getting rid of the small bitches that are too small to

breed. We have always found a ready sale for these when properly spayed

for ladies' pets, largely in New York city. They make ideal house dogs,

perhaps more winning and affectionate in their manner than others, never

wandering off, and I believe the license fee is the same as for a male.

Great care must be taken that the operation is thoroughly performed by a

competent veterinary, and it is usually best done when the pup is six

months old. My first experience may be of value and interest. I had a

little "Buster" bitch that I felt assured to my sorrow was to small to

whelp successfully, and being much fancied by a lady doctor in Waterbury,

Conn., advised spaying before being sent. I took her to a veterinary with

a good reputation in Boston, and after the dog had fully recovered from

the operation, sent her to Dr. Conky. What was my surprise to hear that

when nine months old she had come "in season." I sent the ex-President of

the Boston Terrier Club, Dr. Osgood, down and an additional cost of fifty

dollars ensued, whereas the first charge of two dollars would have been

all that was necessary if the operation had been properly done in the

first place. Am glad to say I have seen no failures since. I can conceive

of no reason why there should not be a ready sale for this class of dogs

in all sections of the country, and the disposal of the same will

materially help the income of a great many breeders.

In conclusion let me state: "Put a price on your dogs that in your best

judgment you know (not guess) to be a fair and equitable one (and if

unable to decide what is right, call in an honorable expert who can) and

take neither more nor less. Always remember that a man can raise horses,

corn, cotton, or dogs (or any other honest product) and be a gentleman,

but the moment he raises 'Cain' he ceases to be one."

[Illustration: Gordon Boy, Gretchen, Derby's Buster, Tommy Tucker, Ch.

Lord Derby]

[Illustration: Gordon Boy]

CHAPTER XI.

BOSTON TERRIER TYPE AND THE STANDARD.

The standard adopted by the Boston Terrier Club in 1900 was the result of

earnest, sincere, thoughtful deliberations of as conservative and

conscientious a body of men as could anywhere be gotten together. Nothing

was done in haste, the utmost consideration was given to every detail, and

it was a thoroughly matured, and practically infallible guide to the

general character and type of the breed by men who were genuine lovers of

the dog for its own sake, who were perfectly familiar with the breed from

its start, and who were cognizant of every point and characteristic which

differentiated him from the bulldog on the one side and the bull terrier

on the other, and while admitting the just claims of every other breed,

believed sincerely that the dog evolved under their fostering care was the

peer, if not the superior, of all in the particular sphere for which he

was designed, an all-round house dog and companion. In the writer's

estimation this type of dog, for the particular position in life, so to

speak, he is to occupy, could not in any way be improved, and the mental

qualities that accompany the physical characteristics (which are

particularly specified in the first chapter) are of such inestimable value

that any possible change would be detrimental. It may be observed that it

was the dogs of this type that have led the van everywhere in the days

when he was practically unknown outside of the state in which he

originated. "Monte," "Druid Vixon," "Bonnie," "Revilo Peach," and dogs of

their conformation possessed a type of interesting individuality that

blazed the way east, west, north and south. Does any one imagine that the

so-called terrier type one so often hears of, and which a large number of

people are apparently led today to believe to be "par excellence," the

correct thing, would have been capable of so doing? No one realizes more

fully than the writer the fact that the bully type can be carried too far,

and great harm will inevitably ensue, but the swing of the pendulum to the

exaggerated terrier type will in time, I firmly believe, ring in his death

knell. It is a source of wonderment to me that numbers of men who don the

ermine can distribute prizes to the weedy specimens, shallow in muzzle,

light in bone and substance, long in body, head and tail, who adorn (?)

the shows of the past few years. I am not a prophet, neither the son of

one, but I will hazard my reputation in predicting that before many years

have rolled, a type, approximating that authorized by the Boston Terrier

Club in 1900 will prevail, and the friends of the dog will undoubtedly

believe it to be good enough to last for all time.

It will readily be recalled that Lord Byron said of the eminent actor,

Sheridan, "that nature broke the die in moulding one such man," and the

same may be affirmed with equal truth of the Boston terrier, and he will

ever remain a type superior to and differ from all other breeds in his

particular sphere.

It may not be generally known by those who are insisting on a much more

terrier conformation than the standard calls for, that an equally extreme

desire for an exaggerated bull type prevailed a number of years ago

amongst some of the dogs' warmest supporters, whose ideal was that

practically of a miniature bulldog, without the pronounced contour of the

same. I remember when I joined the Club in the early days that some of the

members then were afraid that the dogs were approximating too much to the

terrier side of the house. What their views today would be I leave the

reader to imagine. The plain fact of the case is, the dog should be a

happy medium between the two, the bull and the terrier. Can any

intelligent man find a chance for improvement here? I admit that many

people are so constituted that a change is necessary in practically

everything they are brought into close contact with. But is a change

necessarily an improvement? If some men could change the color of their

eyes or the general contour of their features they would never rest

satisfied until they had so done, but they would speedily find out that

such a change would be very detrimental to their appearance, the harmony

of features and correlation of one part to another would be distorted. I

admit readily that one very important result would be obtained, viz., the

dog of the pronounced terrier type could be bred much more easily. But is

an easy production a desideratum? I certainly think not. To those who

"must be doing something" and who find a certain sense of satisfaction in

tinkering with the standard, we extend our pity, and state that experience

is a hard school, but some people will learn in no other. To those of us

who love the dog as he is, and who believe in "letting well enough alone,"

we admit we might as well suggest to improve the majestic proportions of

the old world cathedrals and castles we all love so much to see, or

advocate the lightening up of the shadows on the canvas of the old

masters, or recommend the touching up of the immortal carvings of the

Italian sculptors. We advise the preacher to stick to his text, and the

shoemaker to his last, and to all those who would improve the standard we

say: Hands off! One very important feature in connection with the Standard

is, that while breeders and judges are perfectly willing to have all dogs

that come in the heavyweight class conform practically to it, when the

lightweights and toys are concerned, a somewhat different type is

permitted and the so-called terrier type is allowed, hence we see a

tendency with the smaller dogs to a narrower chest, longer face and tail.

While personally I am in favor of a dog weighing from sixteen to twenty

pounds, or even somewhat heavier, there is absolutely no reason why one

should not have any sized dog one desires, but please observe, do not

breed small dogs at the expense of the type. Let the ten or twelve pound

dog conform to the standard as much as if it weighed twenty. I think an

object lesson will be of inestimable value here. Every one who has visited

the poultry shows of the past few years must have been delighted and

impressed to see the beautiful varieties of bantams. Take the games, for

example, with their magnificent plumage and sprightly bearing. On even a

casual examination it will be discovered that these little fowls are an

exact reproduction of the game fowl in miniature. The same identical

proportions, symmetry and shape. Take the lordly Brahma and the bantam

bearing the same name, and the same exact proportions prevail. And so it

should be with the small Boston terrier. They should possess the same

proportions and symmetry as the larger. Remember always that when the dog

is bred too much away from the bulldog type, a great loss in the loving

disposition of the dog is bound to ensue. Personally, if the type had to

be changed, I would rather lean to the bull type than the terrier. The

following testimony of a Boston banker and director of the Union Pacific

Railroad, to whom I sold two large dogs that were decidedly on the bull

type, may be of interest at this point. Speaking of the first dog he said:

"I have had all kinds of dogs, but I get more genuine pleasure out of my

Boston terrier than all my other dogs combined. When I reach home in the

afternoon I am met at the gate by Prince, and when I sit down to read my

paper or a book the dog is at my feet on the rug, staying there perfectly

still as long as I do. When dinner is announced he goes with me to the

dining room, takes his place by my side, and every little while licks my

hands, and when I go out for my usual walk before retiring the dog is

waiting for me at the door while I put my hat and coat on. He follows me,

never running away or barking, and he sleeps on a mat outside my door at

night, and I never worry about burglars." All this is very simple and

commonplace, but it shows why this type of a dog is liked. In regard to

the differences of opinion that different judges exhibit when passing upon

a dog in the show room, one preferring one type of a dog and the other

another, this, of course, is morally wrong. The standard requirements

should govern, and not individual preferences. We hear a good deal said

nowadays about the cleaning up of the head, and the so-called terrier

finish. That seems to be the thing to do, but does not the standard call

for a compactly built dog, finished in every part of his make-up, and

possessing style and a graceful carriage? This being the case, a dog

should not possess wrinkled, loose skin on head or neck, and the shoulders

should be neat and trim. In a word, in comporting to the standard a dog is

produced that possesses a harmonious whole, "a thing of beauty" and a joy

as long as he lives. In short, the dog should be as far removed from the

bull type as he is from the terrier. If the present judges can not see

their way clear to follow the standard, why, appoint those that will, for

as every fair minded man agrees, the dogs should follow the standard and

not the standard follow the dogs. It is needless to add that I do not

share in the pessimistic view taken by many lovers of the dog who think he

will be permanently injured by the differences of opinion that prevail as

to the type, etc., and the personalities that sometimes mar the showing of

the dog, for I am of the same opinion as was probably felt by the great

fish who had to give up Jonah, "that it is an impossible feat to keep a

good man (or dog) down," and that instead of falling off, as one writer

intimates, he will fall into the good graces of a larger number of people

than has heretofore fallen to the lot of any variety of man's best friend.

CHAPTER XII.

PICTURE TAKING.

It would seem at the first glance that to write on this subject was only a

waste of time and energy, and yet I know that no one feature of the dog

business is more vital in importance or more fraught with trouble than

this apparently simple process of dog photography.

The novice will at once exclaim: "What could be more natural than sending

on a picture of a dog I want to sell to the prospective customer? Surely

he can see exactly what he is purchasing!" This may be perfectly true, and

yet again it may not.

I am not writing of the subject of false pictures on the stud cards of

some unscrupulous breeders, or those pictures taken of dogs whose markings

are faked, only too common in some quarters. The photos look good, of

course, to the buyer, but when the dog arrives, he finds, to his disgust,

that the beautiful markings, in some mysterious manner, got "rubbed off"

while making the journey in the crate. I recently saw a photograph of a

dog sold to a Western customer, by a dealer in an adjoining town to mine,

taken by an artist in photography when the dog was all "chalked up". When

the dog arrived he was as free from nose band as my pocket is frequently

of a dollar bill. Small wonder the buyer remarked with emphasis that the

dealer was a fraud. One can almost forgive his exclamation, which he

surely had not learned at Sunday school, at being taken in, in so mean a

way.

I am writing more particularly of the art of the photographer in bringing

out the best points of the dog, and effectually hiding the poorer ones.

How many times have we heard the dealer say, in speaking of a dog with

good markings, but off in many other respects: "He will make a good seller

to ship away, as I can get a good looking picture of him." He knows

perfectly well that a clever photographer can so pose the dog as to hide

bad defects. A long muzzle, a long back, or one badly roached, poor tail,

bad legs and feet, can all be minimized by posing the dog on the stand.

The buyer, on receipt of the dog, although thoroughly dissatisfied, will

have to admit that the photo is a genuine one, and, in most cases, is

unable to obtain any redress.

Another very important side of dog photography is the mania for picture

collecting. Some time ago I saw a signed article in "Dogdom", from a very

charming lady living in a city fifty miles from Boston, asserting she was

about to retire from the Boston terrier game, as it cost her too much to

furnish photos of her dogs to people from all parts of the country, who,

under the guise of wishing to buy dogs, wanted photos and pedigrees of the

same. They usually stated that if they did not purchase the dog, the photo

and pedigree would be promptly returned. This was the last she ever heard

of them, and pictures were rarely if ever, returned. As her photos were

taken by a first class photographer, the cost was considerable, and the

photos were really works of art, which, perhaps, may be one reason why the

recipients could not bear to let them go back. She was a lady of large

wealth, and she had established a kennel of real Bostons, presided over by

an expert kennel-maid, and would have become a genuine help to the breed,

but "pictures" were her undoing.

Since the American dog has become the most popular breed in the canine

world, many people, who cannot afford to purchase a choice specimen, seem

to rest satisfied when they can obtain a photo, and they have no scruples

apparently in writing to the leading kennels for pictures of their leading

dogs. I have had many instances come under my notice, but, for want of

space, only one typical case can be mentioned.

A few years ago, on visiting a city a short distance from Boston, I was

accosted by a young man, rather flashily attired, who invited me to call

and see his kennels, assuring me he had some crackerjacks. As I was

unaware of the existence of any number of A-1 Bostons in his neighborhood,

my curiosity was aroused and I went. I found the dogs quartered in a back

room in a very small house. I have never seen such a collection of the

aristocrats of the breed before or since.

When I found my voice, I managed to exclaim: "Allow me to congratulate

you, my dear sir, I have never seen so many good dogs kenneled in so small

a space before. You are certainly a very lucky man; the food problem never

troubles you; you do not have to dodge the tax collector; no need ever to

call in a vet.; no neighbors can ever complain of being kept awake at

night, and the dogs that are tacked upon the ceiling seem just as content

as those pasted on the walls."

He then produced his book where the pedigrees of the dogs were neatly

recorded. The trouble is, he is not the only one who owns such a kennel of

thorough-breds.

It must not be inferred from the above that I am averse to picture taking.

By no means. They are absolutely necessary. But make them "Pen Pictures".

Write a complete description of the dog in question, giving actual weight,

age, conformation, color and markings, condition of health, and

disposition. State the color of the brindle and the extent of the markings

whether full or partial. Do not state that the dog has perfect markings if

it lacks a collar or white feet. If banded only on one side of the muzzle,

say so. If pinched or undershot, say so. If roached in back, poor eyes,

weak in hind quarters or off in tail, say so. In fact, plainly state any

defects. At the same time, if the dog is practically O. K. in all

respects, stylish and trappy, do not hesitate to emphasize the fact, and

if the dog likewise possesses a charming, delightful personality, make the

most of it. Always remember that the perfect Boston terrier dies young!

CHAPTER XIII.

NOTES.

There are several features of vital import in Boston terrier breeding that

the passing years have disclosed to the writer the imperative need of

attention to. Most of these have been spoken of in this book before, but

they seem to me at the present time to demand being specially emphasized.

Feeding and its relation to skin diseases, I think, naturally heads the

list.

I have received more letters of inquiry from all parts of the country

asking what to do for skin trouble than for all other ailments combined. I

think our little dog is more susceptible to skin affections than most

dogs, owing to the fact that he is more or less a house pet, and does not

get the chance of as much outdoor exercise, and the access to nature's

remedy--grass, as most breeds. At the same time if fed properly, given

sufficient life in the open, no dog possesses a more beautiful glossy

coat.

No one factor is more responsible for skin trouble than the indiscriminate

feeding of dog biscuit. These, as previously written, are first rate

supplementary food, but where they are made the "piece de resistance,"

look out for breakers ahead. The mere fact of their being available under

all circumstances and in all places contributes largely to their general

use.

At the new million dollar Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston, Doctors

Daly and Flanigan have conducted a series of scientific experiments on

dogs. I had talked with Dr. Flanigan, and stated my experience was that an

exclusive dog biscuit diet was the cause of skin trouble invariably.

They selected forty dogs in perfect physical condition, dividing them into

two groups of twenty each. To one was fed exclusively dog biscuits, and

the other a diet of milk in the morning, and at night a feed composed of a

liberal amount of spinach--they had to use the canned article as it was in

winter--boiled with meat scraps and thickened with sound stale bread.

At the end of a fortnight seventeen of the first group were afflicted more

or less with skin trouble, while the other twenty were in the pink of

condition. To effect a cure, the spinach diet--called by the French "the

broom of the stomach"--was fed, and the coat washed with a weak

sulpho-naphtha solution. No internal medicine was given. In a month's time

the coats of the dogs were normal. Further comment on this is unnecessary.

Next in importance to spinach I place carrots and cabbage, boiled up with

the meat and rice, oat meal and occasionally corn meal. Don't be afraid to

give a good quantity of the sliced boiled carrots, especially in the

winter season when the dogs cannot obtain grass.

A short time ago, I went to see a group of trained monkeys and dogs

perform. They both looked in beautiful condition, and on enquiring of the

proprietor as to his methods of feeding, he said it was a very easy

matter, as he had trained both dogs and monkeys to eat raw carrots while

on the road, during which time he had to feed dog biscuits. When at home

in New York he fed a vegetable hash with sound meat and rye bread, using

largely carrots, beets, a very few potatoes and some apples. While on the

road he had no facilities for cooking for his animals so he accustomed

them to eating cut up raw carrots every other day. Previous to this he was

bothered with skin trouble with both dogs and monkeys.

[Illustration: Champion Dean's Lady Luana]

[Illustration: Mrs. William Kuback, with Ch. Lady Sensation]

The food problem at the present time is a very serious one. The high cost

of all sorts of food of every variety should force those breeders who have

been keeping a very inferior stock to make up their minds once and for all

that it takes just as much time and cost to raise "mutts" as it does the

real article. Weed out the inferior stock that never did or will pay for

their keep. Keep half a dozen good ones that will reproduce, if bred

rightly, their quality, if you have not plenty of room for a large number.

To those fanciers who only own two or three, sufficient food is usually

furnished from the scraps left from the table, supplemented, of course,

with dog biscuit.

Many kennel-men, who have a large number of dogs to feed, obtain daily

from hotels or boarding houses the table scraps, and this makes an ideal

food. We fed quite a large number of dogs for several years in this way

with perfect success. I know of a large pack of foxhounds that are fed

from the same food furnished by a large hotel. Fish heads boiled with

vegetables make a good diet--be sure there are no fish hooks left in them,

and the scraps from the butchers that are not quite fit for human

consumption make ideal food when cooked with rice or vegetables. Be

careful they are not too old, however. When skimmed milk is obtainable at

the right price, with waste stale bread, it makes a well balanced ration

for occasional feeding. A few onions boiled up with the feed are always in

order.

I think the subject of "Tails" requires more than a passing mention here.

All observers at the recent shows must have noticed the tendency toward a

lengthening in many of the tails of the dogs on the bench. Some dogs have

been awarded high honors which carried "more than the law allows", owing

doubtless to their other excellent qualities. While I personally believe

in a happy medium, never lose sight of the fact that a good short screw

tail has always been, and, I believe, will always remain a leading

characteristic of the American dog.

In selecting a stud dog be certain his tail is O. K. The bitch can very

well afford to carry a longer one, and usually whelps better on this

account. I know of nothing more discouraging in the Boston terrier game

than to have a litter of choice puppies in every other respect, but off in

tails.

While writing on the subject of tails, it may not be out of place to note

an interesting fact in connection with this at the earliest history of our

little dog. Mr. John Barnard became the possessor of Tom, afterward known

as Barnard's Tom. This was the first Boston terrier to rejoice in a screw

tail. Mr. Barnard did not know what to make of it, so he took the pup to

old Dr. Saunders, a well known and respected veterinary surgeon of the

day, to have the tail, if possible, put into splints and straightened. I

guess there have been quite a number of pups, descendants of Tom, whose

owners would have been only too glad to have had their straight tails put

in splints, if, thereby, it would have been possible to produce a "screw".

I think the subject of sufficient importance to again call the attention

of breeders to the necessity of the extreme care in breeding seal

brindles. The demand started some years ago for very dark color has placed

upon the market many dogs devoid of any brindle shading. At the last

Boston Terrier Club specialty show a beautiful little dog, almost perfect

in every other respect, was given the gate on account of being practically

black.

In my former chapter on Color Breeding, I urged the necessity of using a

red or light mahogany brindle on black stock. If either sex come black,

never use any other color than these to mix in. Enough said!

One is constantly hearing from all parts of the country of the prevalence

of bitches missing. Where they are bred to over-worked stud dogs no

surprise need be manifested. In case of a "miss" have the bitch bred two

or three times to the dog next time. If she misses then, the next time let

her run with the dog for several days. I have written this before, but it

will bear repetition.

Do not acquire the habit of getting rid of the matrons of the kennel when

six or seven years old. Many bitches give birth to strong pups when eight

or nine years old. I write, of course, of those in strong, vigorous

condition, that have always had plenty of good outdoor exercise.

Remember, there is no spot on this broad land where the Boston terrier

does not make himself thoroughly "at home." What more can one wish?

CHAPTER XIV.

CONCLUSION.

I was sitting by an open fire the other evening, and there passed through

my mind a review of the breed since I saw a great many years ago, when the

world, to me, was young, a handsome little lad leading down Beacon street,

Boston, two dogs, of a different type than I had ever seen before, that

seemed to have stamped upon them an individual personality and style. They

were not bulldogs, neither were they bull terriers; breeds with which I

had been familiar all my life; but appeared to be a happy combination of

both. I need hardly say that one was Barnard's Tom, and the other his

litter brother, Atkinson's Toby. Tom was the one destined to make Boston

terrier history, as he was the sire of Barnard's Mike.

Mr. J. P. Barnard has rightly been called the "Father of the Boston

terrier," and he still lives, hale and hearty. May his last days be his

best, and full of good cheer!

I am now rapidly approaching the allotted time for man, but I venture the

assertion that were I to visit any city or even small town of the United

States or Canada, I could see some handsome little lad or lassie leading

one of Barnard's Mike's sons or daughters. Small wonder he is called the

American dog.

The celebrated Dr. Johnson once remarked that few children live to fulfil

the promise of their youth. Our little aristocrat of the dog world has

more than done so. May his shadow never grow less!

I feel convinced that I ought to take this opportunity to record my kindly

appreciation of the generous expressions of thanks for my efforts on

behalf of the dog. They have come from all parts of the country, and from

all classes of people. Were it in my power I would gladly reply to each

individual writer. This is impossible. I can only say, "I thank you! May

God bless us, one and all!"

CHAPTER XV.

TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN RELATION TO THE BOSTON TERRIER, AND THEIR MEANING.

A Crackerjack--A first class, typical dog.

A Mutt--A worthless specimen.

A Flyer--A dog capable of winning in any company.

A Weed--A leggy, thin, attenuated dog, bred so.

A Fake--A dog whose natural appearance has been interfered with to

hide defects.

A Dope--A dog afflicted, usually with chorea, that has had cocaine

administered to him to stop the twitching while in the judging

ring.

A Ringer--A dog shown under a false name, that has previously been

shown under his right name.

Apple-headed--Skull round, instead of flat on top.

Broken-up Face--Bulldog face, with deep stop and wrinkle and

receding nose.

Frog or Down Face--Nose not receding.

Dish-faced--One whose nasal bone is higher at the nose than at the

stop.

Butterfly Nose--A spotted nose.

Dudley Nose--A flesh-colored nose.

Rose Ear--An ear which the tip turns backward and downward,

disclosing the inside.

Button Ear--An ear that falls over in front, concealing the

inside.

Tulip Ear--An upright, or pricked ear.

Blaze--The white line up the face.

Cheeky--When the cheek bumps are strongly defined.

Occiput--The prominent bone at the back or top of the skull,

noticeably prominent in bloodhounds.

Chops--The pendulous lips of the bulldog.

Cushion--Fullness in the top lips.

Dewlap--The pendulous skin under the throat.

Lippy--The hanging lips of some dogs, who should not possess same,

as in the bull terrier.

Layback--A receding nose.

Pig-jawed--The upper jaw protruding over the lower; an

exaggeration of an undershot jaw.

Overshot--The upper teeth projecting beyond the lower.

Undershot--The lower incisor teeth projecting beyond the upper, as

in bulldogs.

Wrinkle--Loose, folding skin over the skull.

Wall Eye--A blue mottled eye.

Snipy--Too pointed in muzzle; pinched.

Stop--The indentation between the skull and the nasal bone near

the eyes.

Septum--The division between the nostrils.

Leather--The skin of the ear.

Expression--The size and placement of the eye determines the

expression of the dog.

Brisket--That part of the body in front of the chest and below the

neck.

Chest--That part of the body between the forelegs, sometimes

called the breast, extending from the brisket to the body.

Cobby--Thick set; low in stature, and short coupled; or well

ribbed up, short and compact.

Couplings--The space between the tops of the shoulder blades, and

the tops of the hip joints. A dog is accordingly said to be long

or short "in the couplings."

Deep in Brisket--Deep in chest.

Elbows--The joint at the top of forearm.

Elbows Out--Self-explanatory; either congenital, or as a result of

weakness.

Flat-sided--Flat in ribs; not rounded.

Forearm--The foreleg between the elbows and pastern.

Pastern--The lower section of the leg below the knee or hock

respectively.

Shoulders--The top of the shoulder blades, the point at which a

dog is measured.

Racy--Slight in build and leggy.

Roach-back--The arched or wheel formation of loin.

Pad--The underneath portion of the foot.

Loins--The part of body between the last rib and hindquarters.

Long in flank--Long in back of loins.

Lumber--Unnecessary flesh.

Cat-foot--A short, round foot, with the knuckles well developed.

Hare-foot--A long, narrow foot, carried forward.

Splay-foot--A flat, awkward forefoot, usually turned outward.

Stifles--The upper joint of hind legs.

Second Thighs--The muscular development between stifle joint and

hock.

The Hock--The lowest point of the hind leg.

Spring--Round, or well sprung ribs; not flat.

Shelly--Narrow, shelly body.

Timber--Bone.

Tucked Up--Tucked up loin, as seen in greyhounds.

Upright Shoulders--Shoulders that are set in an upright, instead

of an oblique position.

Leggy--Having the legs too long in proportion to body.

Stern--Tail.

Screw Tail--A tail twisted in the form of a screw.

Kink Tail--A tail with a break or kink in it.

Even Mouthed--A term used to describe a dog whose jaws are neither

overhung nor underhung.

Beefy--Big, beefy hind quarters.

Bully--Where the dog approaches the bulldog too much in

conformation.

Terrier Type--Where the dog approaches the terrier too much in

conformation.

Cow-hocked--The hocks turning inward.

Saddle-back--The opposite of roach-back.

Lengthy--Possessing length of body.

Broody--A broody bitch; one whose length of conformation evidences

a likely mother; one who will whelp easily and rear her pups.

Blood--A blood; a dog whose appearance denotes high breeding.

Condition--Another name for perfect health, without superfluous

flesh, coat in the best of shape, and spirits lively and cheerful.

Style--Showy, and of a stylish, gay demeanor.

Listless--Dull and sluggish.

Character--A sub-total of all the points which give to the dog the

desired character associated with his particular variety, which

differentiates him from all other breeds.

Hall-mark--That stamp of quality that distinguishes him from

inferior dogs, as the sterling mark on silver, or the hall-mark on

the same metal in England.