PREFACE SINCE the last Edition of "British Dogs" was issued, many breeds but then little known have become popular; while others quite unknown have come "to stay." This, combined with a more extended knowledge of the management of existing varieties, has rendered a new Edition absolutely necessary. As is fairly well known, the old work was in two volumes a form that was somewhat cumbersome and necessarily expensive. The present work has been compressed into one volume, and this without sacrificing any of those important details that have characterised the work since. its inception. The aim has been to produce a modern work upon modern dogs; and in doing so the claims of the fancier have been studied equally with those of that wider section known as the dog-loving public. Particular attention has been given to the practical as apart from the historical side of the subject. Where, therefore, a breed stands in need of somewhat different treatment from that of the generality of the varieties, this has been described. Sporting field-dogs, too, have not been forgotten. With these sufficient details in regard to the requirements of each breed have been given to enable the breeder, if he be a novice, to proceed in the right direction with the education of his charges. Another departure in plan from that pursued in the two earlier Editions is that of entrusting the revision of certain breeds to a number of specialists. As will be seen by the enumeration on the title-page, they are names well-known in the Kennel World. many other ladies and gentlemen to whom the Editor is indebted for much kindly help and many courtesies; while he is also no less mindful of the ready response given by the secretaries of the specialist Clubs for descriptions of the breeds. Outside that enumeration there are Some may cavil perhaps at the title of the work, "British Dogs," now that so many foreign breeds are included. They, however, are such varieties as are commonly bred in this country and are found at our shows, and may therefore be deemed "naturalised." |