MY DOG AND I.

Reproductions of any of the Half-Tones of dogs published in “My Dog and I,” printed on finest woodcut paper (9½ × 12½) ESPECIALLY FOR FRAMING, will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 25c. each.

H. W. Huntington,
5 West Thirty-Ninth Street,
New York City.

MY DOG AND I

BEING A CONCISE TREATISE OF THE VARIOUS BREEDS OF DOGS
THEIR ORIGINS AND USES. WRITTEN EXPRESSLY
FOR THE NOVICE

CONTAINING A COMPREHENSIVE MODE OF
TREATMENT BOTH IN HEALTH AND SICKNESS
TOGETHER WITH THE
NAMES OF SOME PROMINENT BREEDERS

BY
H. W. HUNTINGTON
PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL GREYHOUND CLUB OF AMERICA

ILLUSTRATED WITH HALF-TONES OF TYPICAL DOGS

ORIGINAL MARGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY
MR. NEVILLE CAIN, CLARENCEVILLE, L.I.

NEW YORK
PUBLISHED BY THE CAXTON PRESS
1897

Copyright, 1897, by
H. W. Huntington.

THE NEW YORK TYPE-SETTING COMPANY.

CONTENTS.

PREFACE.

Stonehenge, Shaw, and others have at various times written exhaustive treatises on the dog, its care in health and sickness; and while there is no question but that they are invaluable to the owners of large kennels, I consider that they are too complex for the novice who owns but one or two dogs. They use very largely technical terms not thoroughly understood by the layman, while certain treatments prescribed are quite impracticable except where one has a kennel-man. Besides, I think not one of the above-named writers has ever told the novice what to avoid in selecting a puppy or a grown dog, or what good points to insist upon. Recognizing all these facts, and recalling how I strove twenty years ago to find some work that would aid me in my search for knowledge of the dog, I have concluded to write a short treatise concerning its origin, uses, and all things pertaining to it, that will aid the reader in learning its good points, and bad ones too, the proper scale of “points” that go to make up the perfect specimen, the treatment in health and sickness, and such other data as may be of value to him. Experience as a successful breeder and owner, and having won many prizes largely through “condition,” confirms me in the belief that I may perhaps be able to help a fancier in purchasing the proper kind of dog, or, if he already has one, to aid him in keeping it in health, to know its value, and how to properly show it (if he is so inclined), so that its faults may be hidden to the greatest degree, while its good points may become more pronounced.

Perfection does not exist in either man or beast, so we will strive to select that specimen which has the fewest and least noticeable faults, remembering always that in the large breeds there are ten good little ones where there is one good large one.

If this work shall have aided any lover of the dog in any direction desired, it shall have done its work. If it shall have failed, the public will surely be lenient in its criticism of

The Author.

THE BULLDOG (ENGLISH).

Beaver Brook Kennels, Danvers, Mass.

Beaver Brook Sultan (formerly Rustic Sultan).

Origin.—As bull-baiting existed as far back as 1209, the bulldog must have then existed, but its origin is unknown.

Uses.—Formerly for baiting bulls, but of late years, since this “sport” has ceased to be indulged in, it is simply kept as a watchdog and for exhibition.

[*] Scale of Points, Etc.

Note.—An asterisk denotes that the “scale of points, etc.,” given are those adopted by the Specialty Club of that particular breed; the other “scale of points, etc.,” are from “Dogs of the British Isles” and Mr. Rawdon B. Lee.

General Appearance.—The general appearance of the bulldog is that of a smooth-coated, thick-set, broad, powerful, and compact dog. Head massive, large in proportion to its size; face extremely short; muzzle broad, blunt, and inclined upward. Body short and well knit; limbs stout and muscular; hind quarters very high and strong, but lightly made in comparison with its heavy fore parts. The dog should convey the impression of determination, strength, and activity.

Head.—Very large, the larger the better; forehead flat, and skin about the head very loose, hanging in large wrinkles; frontal bones very prominent, broad, square, and high, causing a deep, wide groove between the eyes, called the stop, which should be broad and deep and extend up the middle of the forehead. Eyes set low in skull, as far from the ears as possible, round, very dark, almost black, and showing no white when looking forward. Ears set high, small and thin, “rose-ear” preferred. Face short as possible, with skin deeply wrinkled; muzzle short, broad, turned upward, and very deep from corner of eye to corner of mouth. Nose very large, broad, and black, deeply set back, almost between the eyes; nostrils large, wide, and black, with well-defined straight line between them. Flews thick, broad, pendent, and very deep, hanging over lower jaw at sides (not in front). Teeth should show when mouth is closed; jaw broad, massive, square, and tusks wide apart; lower jaw projects in front of upper, and turns up, with six small front teeth between tusks in an even row. Teeth strong and large.

Neck.—Very deep, thick, and strong, well arched, with much loose skin at throat.

Shoulders.—Deep, broad, slanting, and muscular; chest wide and deep.

Back.—Short and strong, very broad at shoulders, comparatively narrow at loins, and forming the “roach” or “wheel” back.

Body.—Well ribbed, round, deep, with belly well tucked up.

Tail.—Set on low, jutting out, and then turned downward, free from fringe or coarse hair, rather short than long, thick at root, but tapering to a fine point carried downward, and the dog should not be able to raise it above the back.

Fore Legs.—Wide apart, very stout, strong, and straight; pasterns short, straight, and strong; fore feet straight; toes compact and thick; knuckles prominent and high.

Hind Legs.—Large, muscular, longer in proportion than fore legs; hocks slightly bent; lower part of legs short.

Coat.—Fine, short, close, and smooth.

Stifles.—Round, turned outward. On account of formation the dog walks with quick, short step, apparently skimming the ground.

Colors (in order of merit).—If bright and pure of its sort, 1st, brindles, reds, white, with their varieties, as whole fawns, fallows, etc.; 2d, pied and mixed colors.

Weight.—Fifty pounds.

THE BULLDOG (FRENCH).

G. N. Phelps’s, 20 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.

Monsieur Boulot.

Origin.—Nothing definite can be learned of this breed of dogs. Many exhibitors claim that it is little else than a diminutive English bulldog, bred originally in Brussels and later (about 1860) in France, with the exception that it has prick-ears and generally carries them erect, as that term indicates. Its weight should not be over 24 pounds, the lighter the better. In France the breed is fast becoming very popular among the haut ton, and promises to be well received here. As yet there is neither a scale of points for judging nor a club to foster the breed, so the reader will be obliged to consult the picture of Mr. G. N. Phelps’s winning dog, Monsieur Boulot, in order to form a correct idea as to its outline, etc. Its exceeding intelligence is greatly in favor of its becoming a popular breed of pet dogs. The extreme difficulty attending its breeding and rearing precludes the possibility of it ever becoming common. At present even ordinary specimens are held at long prices.

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY DOG.

Robt. Millbank’s, 154 West Forty-eighth Street, New York.

Pride.

Origin.—Not known positively, but probably a cross between the two Labrador dogs that swam ashore from a sinking ship in Chesapeake Bay and the English water-spaniel.

Uses.—Retrieving wild fowl from the water. There are three classes of these dogs: the otter, tawny, sedge-colored, with very short hair; the curly-haired and the straight-haired, each red brown; a white spot is not unusual.

[*] Scale of Points, Etc.

Weight.—Dogs, 80 pounds; bitches, 65 pounds.

Height.—About 25 inches in dogs; 23 inches in bitches.

Measurements are as follows: from fore toe to top of back, 25 inches; tip of nose to base of head, 10 inches; girth of body, 33 inches; breast, 9 inches; around fore foot, 6 inches; around forearm below shoulder, 7 inches; between eyes, 2¼ inches; length of ears, 5 inches; from occiput to root of tail, 35 inches; tail, 16 inches long; around muzzle below eyes, 10 inches.

The Standard says nothing as to the dog’s conformation. The illustration, therefore, must be the guide.

THE COLLIE (ROUGH-COATED).

J. Pierpont Morgan’s, New York.

Rufford Ormonde.

Origin.—It is among the oldest of known breeds of dogs, and probably came from India. Buffon, the great writer, considers it the parent of all dogs.

Uses.—Attending flocks of sheep and herds of cattle.

[*] Scale of Points, Etc.

General Appearance.—A lithe, active dog, presenting an elegant, pleasing outline, and exhibiting strength, speed, and intelligence.

Head.—Moderately long, covered with short, soft hair; skull flat, moderately wide between the ears and tapering to the eyes; very little stop; skin on head very tightly drawn; muzzle of fair length, tapering to the nose, which should always be black; mouth a bit overshot. Eyes of fair size, not prominent, placed rather wide apart, almond-shaped, and set obliquely; they may be any shade of brown, the darker the better. Ears small, covered with short, soft hair, and carried semi-erect when at attention, at other times thrown back.

Neck.—Long, arched, and muscular; chest deep and narrow in front, but wide behind the shoulders.

Back.—Short and level; shoulders oblique; loins rather long, slightly arched, and powerful.

Legs.—Fore legs straight and muscular, with a fair amount of flat bone; hind legs sinewy; hind quarters drooping slightly, very long from hips to hocks; stifles well bent; hip bones rather wide and ragged, and hocks well bent; pasterns long, springy, and lighter in bone than rest of leg; feet with soles well padded, and the toes arched and compact.

Tail.—Moderately long, carried low when quiet, gaily when excited, and almost straight when running.

Coat.—An important point. It should be abundant except on head and legs; the outer coat straight, hard, and rather stiff, the inner coat soft and furry and very dense, so as to make it difficult to find the skin; the frill very abundant; hair on tail very profuse, and on hips long and bushy; fore legs slightly feathered; hind legs below hocks smooth.

Color.—Immaterial.

Height.—Dogs, 21 to 24 inches; bitches, 2 inches less.

Weight.—Dogs, 45 to 60 pounds; bitches, 40 to 50 pounds.

Defects.—Domed skull; high-peaked, occipital bone; heavy, pendulous ears; full, soft eyes; heavy, feathered legs; short tail.

THE COLLIE (SMOOTH-COATED).

J. Carver’s, Newburg, N. Y.

Ben.

Origin, Uses, Scale of Points, etc., same as the rough collie, except in matter of coat, which should be hard, dense, and quite smooth.

THE DALMATIAN (COACH-DOG).

J. Dickman Brown’s.

Perry.

Origin.—Probably indigenous to Dalmatia, a province of Austria, but records of the sixteenth century describe such a dog as belonging to Spain. The latest authentic trace is to Denmark, where it was used for drawing carts. Resembles the pointer in form.

Uses.—Simply to follow the coach or equestrian.

[*] Scale of Points, Etc.

General Appearance.—Strong, muscular, active; free from coarseness; capable of speed and great endurance.

Head.—Fair length; skull flat, broad between ears; moderate stop, and not in straight line from occiput to nose; no wrinkles; muzzle long and powerful; lips clean cut, fitting jaws closely. Eyes moderately wide apart, medium size, round, bright. In black-spotted dogs eyes are dark; in livers, light or light brown (yellow). Rims around eyes black in black-spotted varieties, and brown in the liver-spotted ones, never flesh-colored. Ears set on high, rather wide at base, tapering, carried close, thin, fine, always spotted. Nose black in blacks, brown in livers.

Neck and Shoulders.—Neck fairly long, arched, light, tapering, not throaty; shoulders sloping and muscular.

Body, Back, Chest, and Loins.—Chest very deep, not too wide; ribs well sprung, never rounded; powerful back; loins strong and arched.

Legs and Feet.—Fore legs perfectly straight, strong in bone; elbows close to body; cat-footed, tough pads; hocks well let down. Nails in black-spotted ones are black and white; in liver-spotted, brown and white.

Tail.—Not too long, tapering well to end, carried with slight curl upward, never curled; the more profusely spotted, the better.

Coat.—Short, dense, hard, fine, sleek, and glossy, never woolly nor silky.

Color and Markings.—Ground color is pure unmixed white. The spots of the black-spotted variety are black, in liver-spotted variety are brown; should not intermingle, but be distinct, and about size of ten-cent silver piece on body; on head, face, ears, legs, and tail, much smaller.

Weight.—Dogs, 55 pounds; bitches, 50 pounds.

THE GREAT DANE.

G. A. Burt’s, Parkersburg, W. Va.

Major McKinley II.

Origin.—Probably indigenous to Germany, where it was formerly known under the various names of Ulmer, German mastiff, and boarhound.

Uses.—Companion and guard for foresters and gamekeepers, also for attacking the wild boar and other beasts.

[*] Scale of Points, Etc.

General Appearance.—Large and muscular, strongly but elegantly built; movements easy and graceful; not so heavy as the mastiff, nor too much of the greyhound type.

Head.—Long, very little indentation between eyes; skull not too broad; muzzle broad, strong, and blunt; cheek muscles well developed; nose large, bridge arched; lips blunt, not hanging too much over the sides; lower jaw slightly projecting. Eyes small, round, deeply set, sharp expression. Ears small, greyhound-like, usually cropped.

Neck.—Rather long, strong and muscular, well arched, no dewlap.

Chest.—Not too broad, very deep in brisket.

Back.—Not too long; loins arched.

Stern.—Reaching to hocks, strong at root, ending fine with a slight curve; should never curve over the back.

Belly.—Well drawn up.

Fore Quarters.—Shoulders sloping; elbows well under, straight; legs heavy-boned, strong, and quite straight.

Hind Quarters.—Thighs muscular; hocks well let down, as in the greyhound.

Feet.—Large and round; toes well arched and close; nails very strong and curved.

Hair.—Very short, hard, and close.

Height (minimum).—Dogs, 30 inches; bitches, 28 inches.

Weight (minimum).—Dogs, 120 pounds; bitches, 100 pounds. Nothing under these should compete.

Color.—Various shades of gray, red, black, pure white, or white with patches of above colors; also brindles and mottled colors.

THE HOUND (BASSET).

(From Modern Dogs.)

Origin.—Probably of French origin, yet closely allied to the dachshund, though larger and heavier in every particular.

Uses.—Having a very keen nose, is used for the general purposes of the smaller hounds, viz., for rabbits.

[*] Scale of Points, Etc.

Head.—Closely resembling the bloodhound’s; long, narrow, heavy flews; occiput prominent; forehead wrinkled to the eyes, which should be kind and show the haw. Teeth small, and the protruding of the upper jaw is not a fault. Ears so long that in hunting the dog treads on them, set low, hang loose in folds, ends curl inward, thin and velvety.

Neck.—Powerful, with heavy dewlaps; elbows must not turn out; chest deep and full; body long and low.

Legs and Feet.—Fore legs short (about 4 inches), close-fitting to chest; massive paw, each toe standing out distinctly.

Stifles.—Well bent; quarters muscular, giving the dog a barrel-like shape and a peculiar waddling gait.

Stern.—Coarse underneath, and carried hound fashion, i.e., carried gaily.

Coat.—Short, smooth, fine, and glossy; skin loose and elastic.

Color.—Black, white and tan, with black patches on back; also sometimes hare-pied.

Weight.—Thirty to forty-five pounds.

THE HOUND (BEAGLE).

H. L. Kreuder’s, Nanuet, N. Y.

Frank Forest.

Origin.—This breed seems to be little else than a diminutive foxhound; has long been in existence; probably one of the oldest of British dogs.

Uses.—Hunting rabbits, and generally run in packs of five to ten couples; they are merry little fellows, sturdy and gamy, with a most musical tongue and a very keen nose.

[*] Scale of Points, Etc.

Head.—Skull moderately domed. Ears set on low, long and fine in leather, rather broad and rounded at tips, absence of all erectile power. Eyes full, prominent, rather wide apart, soft and lustrous. Muzzle medium length, squarely cut; stop well defined; jaws level; lips either free from or with moderate flews; nostrils large.

Neck and Throat.—Neck free in action, strong, yet not loaded; throat clean, free from folds of skin.

Shoulders and Chest.—Shoulders somewhat sloping, muscular, but not loaded; chest moderately broad and full.

Back, Loins, and Ribs.—Back short and strong; loins broad and slightly arched; ribs well sprung.

Fore Legs and Feet.—Fore legs straight, plenty of bone; feet close, firm, either round or hare-like.

Hips, Thighs, and Hind Legs.—Hips muscular; stifles strong and well let down; hocks firm.

Tail.—Carried gaily, well up, medium curve, and clothed with a decided brush.

Height.—Fifteen inches.

Color.—All hound colors admissible. (See Foxhound.)

Defects.—Flat skull; short ears, set on too high, pointed at tips; eyes yellow or light color; muzzle snipy; thick, short neck; elbows out; knees knuckled over; long tail with “tea-pot” curve.

Disqualifications.—Eyes close together and terrier-like; thin rat-tail, with absence of brush; short, nappy coat.

THE HOUND (BLOODHOUND).

J. L. Winchell’s, Fair Haven, Vt.

Champion Victor.

Origin.—In Barbour’s “Bruce” (1489) we find the earliest mention of the bloodhound, where it is called the “sleuthhund.” However, little can be learned definitely of its origin.

Uses.—Having scenting powers to a marvelous degree, it is used in trailing wounded deer, slaves, sheep-stealers, escaped convicts, etc.

Disposition.—Contrary to general impressions, the modern bloodhound is of a most equable disposition, kind and gentle, and quite apt to be timid, excepting when on the trail; then it is extremely dangerous.

Scale of Points, Etc.

Head.—This is the most distinguishable feature of the dog; it is domed, blunt at occiput; jaws very long and wide at nostrils, hollow and very lean at cheek; brows very prominent, and the general expression is grand and majestic; skin covering cheeks and forehead wrinkled to a wonderful degree.

Eyes and Ears.—Eyes hazel, rather small, deeply sunk, showing haw, which is deep red. This redness, some claim, is indicative of cross with mastiff, Gordon setter, or St. Bernard. Ears long, and will overlap when drawn over front of nose, hang close to cheek, never inclined to be pricked; leather thin, covered with soft hair.

Flews.—Very long and pendent, falling below mouth.

Neck.—Long, so as to enable the dog to easily drop his nose to the ground; considerable dewlap.

Chest and Shoulders.—Chest wider than deep; shoulders sloping and muscular.

Back and Back Ribs.—Wide and deep, the hips being wide or almost ragged.

Legs and Feet.—Legs must be straight and muscular; feet as cat-like as possible.

Coat.—Short and hard on body, silky on ears and top of head.

Color.—Black and tan or tan only; the black extends to the back, sides, top of neck, and top of head; the tan should be of deep, rich red; there should be little or no white.

Stern.—Carried gaily in gentle curve, but not raised above back; lower side is fringed with hair.

Defect.—Absence of black.

THE HOUND (DACHSHUND).

J. H. Snow’s, Philadelphia, Pa.

Fritz.

Origin.—The origin of this dog is lost in antiquity. A dog resembling it very closely is to be found on the monument of Thothmes III., 2000 B.C. The modern dog is essentially German.

Uses.—Hunting rabbits and hares, tracking wounded animals and badgers.

[*] Scale of Points, Etc.

Head and Skull.—Long, level, narrow; peak well developed; no stop. Eyes intelligent and rather small; follow body in color. Ears long, broad, soft, set on low and well back, carried close to head. Jaws strong, level, square to the muzzle; canines recurvant.

Chest.—Deep, narrow; breast-bone prominent.

Legs and Feet.—Fore legs very short, strong in bone, well crooked, not standing over; elbows well muscled, neither in nor out; feet large, round, strong, with thick pads and strong nails. Hind legs smaller in bone and higher; feet smaller. The dog must stand equally on all parts of the foot.

Skin and Coat.—Skin thick, loose, supple, and in great quantity; coat dense, short, and strong.

Loins.—Well arched, long, and muscular.

Stern.—Long and strong, flat at root, tapering to tip; hair on under side coarse; carried low except when excited.

Body.—Length from back of head to root of tail two and a half times height at shoulder; fore ribs well sprung; back ribs very short.

Color.—Any color; nose to follow body color; much white objectionable.

Symmetry and Quality.—The dachshund should be long, low, and graceful, not cloddy.

Weight.—Dogs, 21 pounds; bitches, 18 pounds.

THE HOUND (DEERHOUND).

Albion L. Page’s, 69 Wall Street, New York.

Lochiel.

Origin.—Undoubtedly descended from the Irish wolfhound, though some claim it to be either a cross of foxhound and greyhound, or greyhound and bloodhound. It is first mentioned in 1528 as a distinct breed.

Uses.—Hunting deer.

Scale of Points, Etc.

Head.—Skull resembles that of a coarse, large greyhound, long and wide between ears; stop very slight. Jaws long; teeth level and strong; nostrils open, but not very wide; cheeks muscular; bone under eye neither prominent nor hollow. Ears small, thin, carried a trifle higher than those of the greyhound, but should turn over at tips; pricked ears very objectionable; they should be thinly fringed with hair at edges only. Eyes full, and dark hazel, sometimes blue.

Neck.—Long enough to allow the dog to stoop to the scent at a fast pace.

Chest and Shoulders.—Chest deep rather than wide, resembling that of greyhound; girth of a full-size dog deerhound should be at least 2 inches greater than its height; shoulders long, oblique, and muscular.

Back and Back Ribs.—Back should be powerful; a good loin should measure 25 or 26 inches; back ribs are often rather shallow, but they should be well sprung; loins arched, drooping to root of tail.

Elbows and Stifles.—Elbows well let down to give length to true arm, and quite straight; stifles wide apart, well bent.

Symmetry is essential to its position as a companionable dog.

Quality is also to be regarded as of great importance.

Legs and Quarters.—Great bone and muscle are essential; the bones must be well put together at knees and hocks, which should be long and well developed; quarters deep, but seldom wide, with considerable slope to tail.

Feet.—Well arched and cat-like.

Color and Coat.—The colors are dark blue, fawn, grizzle, and brindle, the latter with more or less tint of blue; the fawn should have tips of ears dark; the grizzle generally has a decided tint of blue; white on breast or toes should not disqualify a dog. Coat is coarser on back than elsewhere, and many claim it should be intermediate between silk and wool, and not the coarse hair often met with. The whole body is clothed with a rough coat, sometimes amounting to shagginess; that of muzzle is longer in proportion than elsewhere, but the mustache should not be wiry, and should stand out in irregular tufts; there should be no approach to feather on legs, but their inside should be hairy.

Tail.—Long and gently curved, without any twist, thinly clothed with hair only.

THE HOUND (AMERICAN FOXHOUND).

F. J. Hagan’s, Louisville, Ky.

Big Strive.

Origin.—A breed of dogs descended from the English species, but bred on lighter and finer lines. For uses and scale of points, see English Foxhound.

THE HOUND (ENGLISH FOXHOUND).

McGregor & Bragdon’s, Portsmouth, N. H.

Songster.

Origin.—A breed probably indigenous to Great Britain, and quite ancient too. Its absolute origin is unknown.