known names amongst the ranks of St. Bernard exhibitors. At the close of 1901 the best dogs are all in one kennel, owned by Messrs. Inman & Walmsley. Notable amongst the numerous Champions in this kennel are Wolfram, The King's Son, Tannhäuser, Viola, Judith Inman, and others. When competition is almost confined to one kennel, the breed is in a perilous state. The present-day St. Bernard is not taking a stirring part in a picturesque by-gone life, when appearance would be sacrificed to usefulness, but kept more for its striking appearance or as a companion. When so much time and money have been spent upon the introduction and improvement of the breed, there is no reason why it should not be restored to its former prestige, if left to original type. There is no more desirable possession than one of these canine aristocrats, if owners have suitable surroundings and not too needy pockets. If bred, the would-be breeder should master the points of a high-class St. Bernard, and purchase not only a good female, but one with a faultless pedigree. To mate her properly, a novice cannot possess the knowledge that comes from long experience; but, at least for a beginning, the bitch can be mated to the best-known male specimen. The pups must be fed on the best of food, containing most bone-producing properties, and such helps as Parrish's Food, cod liver oil, lime-water, etc., are not to be ignored in the rearing of a St. Bernard, especially as judges still demand monsters in size. Too long walks or running after vehicles are fatal to size and bulk in a St. Bernard, though more natural and healthy; yet for the present size and weight of St. Bernard's, limited but regular exercise is best. Weights and measurements of celebrated dogs could be given, but they were the victims of early forcing. Such a large animal, however, wants to mature slowly and naturally, attaining to its best at three years old. If a St. Bernard is purchased, a novice should not be dazzled by the number of prizes a dog has won; often such prizes are of no value, on account of the poor competition. It is wisest to ask advice from well-known and respected breeders and exhibitors, or seek the advice of the clubs. So many good books are published containing advice both on how to rear pups and prepare adult dogs for the showbench, that such details must be omitted here. Suffice it to say, a dog no more than a man can exist upon past reputation ; but still there is a grandeur of form even about the present-day dog unsurpassed in any other breed. If bred and kept under the conditions suitable for such a large animal, there is no more noble companion or more picturesque animal than the St. Bernard. The following is the description adopted by both clubs: Head-Large and massive, circumference of skull being rather more than double the length of the head, from nose to occiput. Face short, full below eye, and square at muzzle; cheeks flat, and great depth from eye to lower jaw. Lips deep, but not too pendulous. From nose to stop perfectly straight and broad. Stop somewhat abrupt and well defined. Skull broad, slightly rounded at the top, with somewhat prominent brow. Ears. Of medium size, lying close to cheek, and not heavily feathered. Eyes.-Rather small and deep set, dark in colour, not too close together, the lower eyelid drooping so as to show a fair amount of the haw, the upper lid falling well over the eye. Nose.-Large and black, with well-developed nostrils. Teeth.-Level. Expression. Should betoken benevolence, dignity, and intelligence. Neck.-Lengthy, muscular, and slightly arched, with dew-lap well developed. Shoulders.-Broad and sloping, well up at the withers. Chest.-Wide and deep; the lower part should not project below the elbows. Body.-Back broad and straight, ribs well rounded. muscular. Loin wide and very Tail.-Set on rather high, long, and, in the long-coated variety, bushy. Carried low when in repose, and when excited or in motion, slightly above the line of the back. Legs and Feet.-Fore legs perfectly straight, strong in bone, and of good length. Hind legs heavy in bone; hocks well bent, and thighs very muscular. Feet large and compact, with well-arched toes. Size. A dog should be at least 30in. in height at the shoulder, and a bitch 27in. (the taller the better, provided the symmetry is maintained), thoroughly well proportioned, and of great substance. The general outline should suggest great power and capability of endurance. Coat. In the Long-coated variety should be dense and flat; rather fuller round the neck, so as to form a ruff; thighs well feathered. In the Short-coated variety it should be close and Hound-like, slightly feathered on thighs and tail. Colour and Markings.-Orange, mahogany-brindle, red-brindle, or white, with patches on body of either of the above-named colours. The markings should be as follows: White muzzle, white blaze up face, white collar round neck, white chest, white forelegs, feet, and end of tail, black shadings on face and ears. Dew-claws. Of no value. Objectionable Points.-Dudley, liver, flesh-coloured, or split nose; unlevel mouth and cankered teeth; snipy muzzle; light or staring eyes; cheek-bumps; wedge head; flat skull; badly set or heavily feathered ears; too much peak; short neck; curly coat; curled tail; flat sides; hollow back; roach back ring tail; open feet or hare feet; cow-hocks, straight hocks; fawn, black tan and white, or self-coloured. CHAPTER V THE GREAT DANE RIGHT at the head of the list of giants among Domestic dogs stands the Great Dane, Boarhound, Tiger Mastiff, or German Mastiff a dog that is unsurpassed for immense strength combined with activity and elegance of outline. Though at no period of its existence a popular variety in the ordinary sense of that term, yet it has a very decided following. In the past probably the fact that it was necessary to crop the dog acted more or less prejudicially against the breed; but this ear-cutting is now abolished, and as the variety becomes better known, and the erroneous impressions formed about it are dissipated, we may confidently look forward to an increase in its number of admirers. Unlike many breeds, the Great Dane has not been taken in hand by royalty, but it has always had a number of exalted personages amongst its followers. If we mistake not, Lord Salisbury favours the hound as a companion; while the Iron Chancellor had a Great Dane-one Tyras -as his most devoted companion. When the First Edition of this work appeared, the variety was comparatively little known in England; but it was therein suggested that the Great Dane was a breed that was well worthy of recognition. By such eminent naturalists as Linnæus and Buffon it was classed as a distinct variety, though none of the earlier naturalists described the breed with the detailed accuracy that leaves no doubt as to the actual conformation of the dog at the time. classed the Great Dane among those varieties that had been modified and formed by climatic influence, and asserted that it originated from the sheepdog. He also held that the small Danish dog was a modified Bulldog. Buffon Sydenham Edwards, writing in the early part of the last century, said that the Harlequin Dane was occasionally used in England as an ornamental appendage to run with the coaches of the wealthy, instead of the smaller Dalmatian. Richardson was evidently well acquainted with the dog, which he describes as rarely standing "less than 30in. at the shoulder, |