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CHAPTER XXXV

THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

Or comparatively recent introduction from abroad, the Dogue de Bordeaux, or Dogue of the South of France, as it is more familiarly called, is one of the few varieties that have not taken a hold in this country. Any popularity that it might have attained was endangered at the outset by the edict that went forth against cropping. Indeed, those who championed its cause here suggest that it was the abolition of cropping that was mainly responsible for its fate here.

Apart from the cropping, which militated undoubtedly against the Dogue's popularity here, there were other factors that contributed to the same end. It was a dog with a "past," and, for that matter, a "present." The Dogue de Bordeaux was and is a fighting breed purely and simply, and if there is anything that is repulsive to English dog-lovers, it is the knowledge that by encouraging such a breed they are giving a direct incentive to those degraded forms of "sport" that once obtained here, but are now happily relegated to the limbo of forgotten cruelties. On the Continent it is customary to pit the Dogue against all sorts of animals, including the bear and the wolf, as well as against it own kind. Then, again, by no stretch of the imagination can the Dogue de Bordeaux be described as anything but decidedly forbidding in appearance; and it was the combination of circumstances enumerated rather than cropping alone that prevented the variety from obtaining any hold here.

The chances are that had the Dogue been free from taint as a fighting animal, it might have survived the cropping, just as the Great Dane and many other breeds that at one time were similarly treated continue to flourish. As a personal protector for keeper or night watchman, or anyone whose business took him in doubtful "country," the variety might in time even have ousted the the Bull-Mastiff, and more especially as the watch-dog of antiquity, the Mastiff, has so deteriorated physically and numerically as to be numbered amongst decadent varieties.

From a glance at the illustration (Fig. 92) it would not require

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a very fertile imagination to conjure up the elements from which this formidable-looking dog was evolved. However, breeding, as it does, true to type, it is as much entitled to be considered a variety as many another now accorded such rank. Not so heavy as the Mastiff or the Great Dane, it is more powerful than either, while its activity is wonderful.

Several fanciers here took up the breed with enthusiasm, classes club for its encouragement were provided for it, and in 1897 was formed, mainly through the instrumentality,of Mr. H. C. Brooke, who not only acted as Hon. Secretary, but also was jointly responsible with M. Megnin for the description published below. Despite the temporary enthusiasm which was aroused, the breed, so far as The Dogue de England is concerned, is practically non-existent. Bordeaux is thus described by Mr. H. C. Brooke, to whom belongs the honour of breeding the first litter in England:

"The general appearance of the Dogue de Bordeaux is that of a smooth-coated dog very powerful in build, somewhat low in stature, massive, broad, and muscular. The head is enormous, and its size, in proportion to the size of the dog, should be greater than in any other breed of dog. The skull must be very long and broad, high, square in appearance; a rounded or a cocoanut skull is a fault. The muzzle is very broad, deep, and powerful. The face, measured from eye to nose, should be short, but not too short-24in. to 3in. would be about the correct length for a full-grown Dogue; if shortness be too much insisted upon, the power of jaw would suffer. The cheek-bumps are highly developed. The underjaw should project slightly, about half an inch in front of the upper, and be turned up; but this formation should be almost concealed by the pendulous lips. The teeth are enormous. The eyes are small (a full or a goggle eye is a great fault), wide apart, deep set, light A deep furrow in colour, and very penetrating in expression.

extends from between the eyes up the middle of the forehead. The flews, or chops, are pendulous, thick, and broad. The nose is very large and wide, set slightly back, with large nostrils. The ears, when uncropped, should be small and fine in texture, a fine rose ear being preferable to a heavy ear lying flat to the cheek. As these dogs have always been cropped, however, no attention has been paid to this property, so that too much stress must not at The whole of the skull, present be laid on the carriage of ear. face, and muzzle should be covered with ropes of loose skin lying The neck should be very thick and in symmetrical wrinkles. powerful, well arched, and the skin of the neck very loose, forming a dewlap on each side of the throat, from the angle of the jaws to The the chest. The shoulders are strong, broad, and muscular. chest is very wide, deep, and of great circumference. The back is short and straight, of great breadth at the shoulders; a hollow

[graphic]

FIG. 92.-MR. H. C. BROOKE'S DOGUE DE BORDEAUX SANS PEUR.

THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOU, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

back is very detrimental, though frequently met with in old dogs which have had to undergo severe strains in the arena. The brisket is round and deep, of great diameter; and the ribs are well sprung, and any appearance of flat-sidedness should be avoided. The body behind ribs is well tucked up. The hindquarters should not have the pear-shaped appearance sought for in the Bulldog, but be very strong and powerful. It must not be forgotten that the Dogue is essentially a gladiator, and even at the present day is constantly pitted against the bear, the bull, and other animals, besides against members of its own tribe. A Dogue whose hindquarters were not very strong would be heavily handicapped in the arena; nor does the reason exist that originally made the light hindquarters desirable in the Bulldog. The forelegs should be very thick, strong, and muscular, rather short than long, with enormous bone. The pasterns should be straight and strong, and the fore feet round, very strong, and well knuckled up. The hind legs should be strong and muscular, with the feet round, large, and well knuckled up. A cow-hocked formation is undesirable. The tail should be set on low, be thick at the root, of moderate length, and not carried high. It must not have a brush,' or a fringe of coarse hair on the underside.

The most desirable colour for the Dogue is a reddish-fawn, with red mask; nose of a reddish-brown colour. Next to this, in order of merit, red, with red mask; then all fawn, with black nose, but no mask; lastly, fawn or red, with black mask and black nose. Brindle, black, or pied should absolutely disqualify, as these colours are only met with in cross-bred specimens. It was hoped that in time, by careful selection in breeding, the black mask would be totally eliminated, and that all Dogues would have red masks, as was formerly the case. The best weight for a Dogue is about 120lb. for males, and 100lb. for females."

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