THE RETRIEVER,

according to Brehm, is a cross between the Newfoundland and the Pointer. It is a good water-dog, and is used for sport, especially in shooting water-birds. It derives its name from its talent for retrieving, or following a wounded bird, and bringing it back to the sportsman without mangling. It is a large Dog, with a good forehead and long ears, and is covered with a closely-curled hide of a brown or black colour. ([See figure on p. 113.])

THE OTTER-HOUND

is a breed formerly in great requisition for hunting the Otter, a sport which is now almost if not quite discontinued. This Dog “used to be of a mingled breed, between the Southern Hound and the rough Terrier, and in size between the Harrier and the Foxhound.”

THE TURNSPIT.

Before the invention of bottle-jacks, this Dog was used in England to turn the spit on which the joint was roasted, for which purpose they were attached to a sort of wheel. It is a queer-looking Dog—very long-bodied and very short-legged, and is possessed of a great degree of intelligence. Brehm relates an anecdote of two Turnspits, who were employed in the kitchen of a house at Plessis, one of whom, the cook’s favourite, had to turn the spit on Mondays and Wednesdays; the other taking his turn on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Friday and Saturday were holidays for both. One Wednesday the favourite Dog was absent, and the cook endeavoured to press into service the other rather than search for and disturb his pet. But No. 2, although he had made no objection to having three days of work to his mate’s two, could not stand this: he growled and bit, and positively refused to be harnessed. At last he rushed out of the house, and made his way to an open place, where his lazy colleague was playing with some friends. As soon as he saw the truant, he hustled and bit at him, and finally drove him into the house to the cook’s feet, having accomplished which act of justice he became calm, and looked quietly up to his master, as much as to say—“Here’s your Dog: it’s his turn now.”

DACHSHOUNDS, OR BADGER-DOGS.

[❏
LARGER IMAGE]