The Mastiff - A Complete Anthology of the Breed

By Read Books Ltd.

The Mastiff - A Complete Anthology of the Dog gathers together all the best early writing on the breed from our library of scarce, out-of-print antiquarian books and documents and reprints it in a quality, modern edition. This anthology includes chapters taken from a comprehensive range of books, many of them now rare and much sought-after works, all of them written by renowned breed experts of their day. These books are treasure troves of information about the breed - The physical points, temperaments, and special abilities are given; celebrated dogs are discussed and pictured; and the history of the breed and pedigrees of famous champions are also provided. The contents were well illustrated with numerous photographs of leading and famous dogs of that era and these are all reproduced to the highest quality. Books used include: My Dog And I by H. W. Huntington (1897), Dogs Of The World by Arthur Craven (1931), Hutchinson's Dog Encyclopaedia by Walter Hutchinson (1935) and many others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Oct 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781447491927

Book preview

ALPINE MASTIFF.

This breed was said to have been made from the English Mastiff that had been introduced into Switzerland at some time previously. It contained, however, to judge from its appearance, the Thibet Mastiff. It is the foundation stock of the present-day St. Bernard dog. The engraving is by Landseer.

Alpine Mastiff.—This dog the Alpine Mastiff, is the St. Bernard dog imported into England about 1825 and used to cross with the British Mastiff, to which it was related, as British Mastiffs had been sent to the Hospice to be used in the making of the St. Bernard breed.

The Alpine Mastiff was close - cropped—that is to say, the outer ear had been entirely removed, so that its appearance was peculiarly savage—and seemed very full about the eyes. It had the reputation of being ferocious in disposition.

The public being anxious to see so evil a creation, the owner of one of the imported dogs, L’Ami, a brindle, sent it on tour in 1829 charging a shilling to view it.

THE BULL MASTIFF

In 1925 the Kennel Club recognised the Bull Mastiff breed as a distinct variety. The breed owes its inception and success to Mr. S. E. Moseley, of Farcroft, Burslem. It originated from Bulldog crossed with Mastiff. Apparently, Mr. Moseley’s ideal was a dog of Mastiff type, more actively built than the Mastiff (see Plate 37, No. 5). Various other attempts were made to produce the Bull Mastiff, but the breeding and the type fixed by the breed’s originator has been adopted. The variety has made considerable headway. At the Derby Show, in 1925, the single classes for this variety had seven entries, whilst in 1927 eight classes had a total of forty-seven entries. Mr. Moseley’s Farcroft Fidelity, born in 1921, was the first of the variety to win a first prize under Kennel Club rules, and was the first to qualify for Stud Book registration. As he was the first of the breed in pedigree history, a description is of interest. At three years old he stood 28 inches high and weighed 116 lb. His chest girth was 40 inches. His muzzle is given as 16 inches, his forearm 11 inches, and neck and skull 26 inches. He is described as as active as a Terrier, with hindquarters that would not disgrace an Alsatian. The dog depicted is a very typical dog indeed.

¹ Later a champion. See Plate 28, No. 11.

² No. 5.

THE BULL-MASTIFF.

The head is large and square with fair wrinkle. Muzzle: Not more than 3 1/2 inches long, deep and broad. Nostrils: Large and broad. Flews: Not too pendulous, stop moderate, mouth level, favouring projection of the lower rather than the upper incisors. Canine teeth large and set wide. Eyes: Dark and of medium size, set apart the width of muzzle with furrow between. Dark mask preferable. Skull: Large and may measure almost equal the height of the dog, broad with cheeks well developed. Forehead: Flat. Ears: V or folded back, set on wide and high, level with occiput and cheek giving a square appearance to the skull. Neck: Slightly arched, moderate length, very muscular and almost equal in circumference to skull. Chest: Wide and deep, well set down between forelegs. Girth: May be up to a third more than the dog’s height. Ribs: Arched, deep and well set back to hips. Back: Short, giving a compact carriage. Shoulders: Muscular and slightly sloping. Arms: Powerful, elbows square, forelegs straight, well-boned and set wide apart. Pasterns straight, feet large with round toes well arched. Loins: Wide and muscular, slightly arched with fair depth of flank. Hindlegs: Broad and muscular with well-developed second thigh denoting power, but not cumbersome. Hocks: Slightly bent, cow hocks or splay feet are most undesirable. Tail: Set high up, strong at root and tapering, reaching to or just below the hocks. Straight or curved, but never carried gay or hound fashion. Coat: Short and dense, giving good weather protection. Colour: Any shade fawn or brindle. Dogs should be 26 to 28 inches at shoulder and 90 to 110 lb. in weight. Bitches 80 to 90 lb. and 25 to 27 inches.

THE BULL-MASTIFF

Origin and History.—A cross-bred dog known as the Bull-mastiff has been in existence for a good many years in certain parts of the country, being prized highly as a guard. Gamekeepers, especially, found these nondescript animals of great comfort to them in their nightly rounds, for they had the courage of both their progenitors and were said to be so sensible that they could be trained easily. It is possible that in some cases other blood was introduced, but on the whole the Bulldog and Mastiff were most approved, and in the course of time certain strains sprang up that had been bred inter se for some generations, and had thus assumed a more or less standardised form. Efforts were made before the War to get them recognised by the Kennel Club as a breed, but it was not until 1924 that the governing body gave its official sanction. The committee of the Club then decided to open a section for Bull-mastiffs among the Any Other Variety registrations, provided they were pure-bred. A pure-bred Bull-mastiff was one owning parents that had been similarly bred for three generations, without the introduction of extraneous blood.

I do not suppose it can be said that they are particularly handsome dogs, but at any rate they do appeal by their solidity, strength and activity. They are said to be ideal companions and in some cases they have been trained to retrieve. The Mastiff blood predominates, but the muzzle is longer and the head is not nearly as wrinkled.

Standard Description.—The National Bull-Mastiff Police Dog Club has drawn up a standard that demands a symmetrical animal having a well-knit frame, and that is powerful yet active, courageous but docile. Head.—The head should be large and square with fair wrinkle. The muzzle must not be more than 3 1/2 inches long, deep and broad. Flews not too pendulous. Moderate stop. Level mouth. Eyes should be dark and of medium size, set apart the width of the muzzle with a furrow between. Dark mask preferred. Skull large and may measure in circumference almost the height of the dog. Forehead flat. Ears V-shaped or folded back, set on wide and high, level with the occiput and cheek, giving a square appearance to the skull. Body.—Neck slightly arched, of moderate length, very muscular and almost equal in circumference to the skull. Chest wide, deep and well let down between forelegs. Girth may be up to one-third more than the dog’s height. Ribs arched, deep and well carried back. The back should be short, shoulders muscular and slightly sloping. Arms powerful, elbows square. Loins wide and muscular, slightly arched with fair depth of flank. Legs.—Forelegs straight, well boned and set wide apart. Pasterns straight. Hind legs should be broad and muscular with well-developed second thigh. Hocks slightly bent. Feet.—Feet large, with round toes well arched. Tail.—The tail should be set high, strong at the root and tapering, reaching to or just below hocks, straight or curved, but must never be carried gaily or hound-fashion. Coat.—Coat short and dense. Colour.—Colour may be any shade of fawn or brindle. Size and Weight.—Dogs to be 26 inches to 28 inches at shoulders and 90 lb. to 110 lb. in weight; bitches, 25 to 27 inches and 80 to 90 lb.

BULL MASTIFF: Roger of the Fenns, the property of Mr. James E. V. Toney, The Fenns, Stockton Brook, Nr. Stoke-on-Trent.

THE BULL-MASTIFF

THE Bull-Mastiff, as its name implies, has been produced by the crossing of the bull-dog and the mastiff, in order to produce a type of animal suitable for specific requirements. At one period the public was much against its introduction, but today they are rapidly gaining ground, and ere a few more years have passed, we can look for them being sought after by many canine lovers.

Prior to 1924 these dogs were termed cross-breds, but in view of the fact that owners kept breeding to type, and refused to alter, the breed became what may be termed fixed. The Kennel Club, although only allowing dogs of this breed to be entered and exhibited at a show in the any variety classes, gave them full status, and recognised them officially in 1924; they also allocated to them a separate and distinct position, with challenge certificates, at championship shows. This has resulted in increased entries, and today we find many specimens of this breed who have gained their champsonship status.

The Bull-Mastiff is one of the most sensible dogs bred. The chief fault of this breed is that in puppyhood they are easily spoilt if not properly controlled, as they are liable to assert an attitude of mastery should their owners show fear; yet, if properly trained in a sensible manner, they are as docile as any animal bred, and as they possess super-intelligence this enables them to understand fully what is required, and they will be found to obey the command of the smallest child without question.

The Bull-Mastiff is in many places being used as a police dog, as he is capable of tracking. A club under the title of The National Bull-Mastiff Police Dog Club has been formed to promote breeding of dogs to type, and the training of these animals for police and night-dogs, including tracking. This has considerably helped the former Bull-Mastiff Club, and done much to popularise the breed.

Dogs should be 26 to 28 inches at shoulders, and weigh 90 to 110 pounds. Bitches should weigh 80 to 90 pounds, and measure 25 to 27 inches at shoulders. The nostrils should be large and broad; flews not too pendulous, stop moderate, mouth level, favouring projection of the lower rather than the upper incisors. The eyes should be dark and of medium size, set apart about the width of muzzle, with furrow between; the chest wide and deep, well set down between fore-legs. The girth may be up to a third more than the dog’s height; ribs arched deep, and well set back to hips; shoulders muscular and sloping. The coat should be short and dense, giving good weather protection. The colour may be any shade of fawn or brindle.

Bull Mastiff.—This breed was dormant for a great many years, but again grew in favour with those who like a noble animal. In the earlier part of this century these dogs were used by game-keepers for night work and their keenness made the lot of the poacher a nightmare. In 1900 there was a show devoted to night dogs of the old style Bull Mastiff: this being bred for power and attacking intruders on the game preserves of the large estates. The pillars of the breed in those days were Thorneywood Terror, owned by Mr. Burton, of Nottingham; Thorneywood Lion, same owner; Osmaston Viper, Osmaston Nell and Osmaston Daisy, owned by Mr. J. Biggs.

At this period these dogs were a cross between a Bulldog and a Mastiff. Most of these dogs were brindles, which at night could not be seen very easily. By photographs one notes the old breed had tremendous skulls and had the appearance of more Bull than Mastiff, with an immense underjaw: weight about 112 lb. and about 27 by 28 inches at the shoulder. Although so heavy, they were wonderfully quick and could down a man quite easily. The training of these dogs was undoubtedly perfect, as when on duty at night no sound would escape from them until the keeper was ready for them to do what he wanted.

The modern Bull Mastiff is a different type of dog. The old breed was a cross of Bull Mastiff and Bulldog; the new type is a dog bred from both parents and the three preceding generations, all Bull Mastiffs without the introduction of a Mastiff or Bulldog. This was accepted by the Kennel Club about 1925.

The standard to be attained should be 50–50, viz. Bulldog and Mastiff, and this is set by the British Bull Mastiff League, the premier organization of Bull Mastiff breeders.

Dogs should be 26 inches, weight about 100 to 112 lb.; bitches 25 to 26 inches, and about 85 to 95 lb.

HEADS should be typical, slightly wrinkled. Muzzle not too long, about 3 inches. Large nostrils, flews fairly level. Jaws should preferably be undershot, not overshot, although some may be seen with quite a level jaw. Eyes dark (light eyes should not be encouraged). In fawn or red dogs the dark mask is preferred. Skull should be very large and broad, with cheeks well developed, and a flat forehead.

NECK.—Arched and rather short, muscular, and equal in circumference to skull.

CHEST.—Wide and deep, and well set between forelegs. Girth should be more than the dog’s height. Ribs arched and deep.

BACK.—Short; muscular shoulders.

FORELEGS.—Well boned and straight.

HINDLEGS.—Muscular and broad, proving strength. Cow-hocks are a great disadvantage, as also are straight hocks.

LOINS.—Wide and muscular.

PASTERNS.—Straight; feet large; rounded toes, well arched.

Splayed feet are a great fault.

TAIL.—Well set up, thick at root and getting slightly thinner, reaching to the hocks.

COAT.—Short and dense (must not be woolly).

SPORTING HOSTS.

The Bull Mastiff is becoming increasingly popular in country houses. Here is one, the constant companion of Sir James and Lady Dunn, who are seen at Dale End, Slindon, Sussex.

THE BULL MASTIFF.

With the Idea of making a more active Mastiff suitable to accompany the gamekeeper and police, the Bull Mastiff was evolved. Miss Lane’s Ch. Athos is one of the best type.

INTERNATIONAL CH. FARCROFT FELON FRAJEUR.

Mr. S. E. Moseley, the breeder of this great dog was the originator of the Bull Mastiff breed and breeder of some of the most powerful and best in the variety.

Puppies are hardy, but to build up their constitution it is wise to give them a good start. This does not infer weakness in any degree, but common sense tells us it is to their advantage in building up a good frame and good health. It is wise to commence their training early; gradually but firmly. Owners will be greatly surprised at the intelligence of the breed. If a Bull Mastiff is unruly, it is not the dog’s fault. He is faithful, capable of looking after himself if necessary, intelligent, a staunch ally and never quarrelsome.

—Those people whose hearts are

vable qualities of the Bull Terrier

BULL MASTIFF HEAD.

Jeanie, the property of the Hon. G. Murray Smith, shows the type of head of the female of the breed.

A DOG OF HISTORY

When, in 1928, the Marquis of Londonderry sent a Bull Mastiff to Cruft’s show, it became evident that the breed was well established and would become a fancy of all dog-lovers.

BULL MASTIFF.

Born on March, 24 1932, Ch. Wisdom of Wynyard was bred by the Marquess of Londonderry, K.G. It was sired by Simba ex Fruack of Ranald, is the property of Mr. L. Edwards, and was a winner at Cruft’s 1935 Show.

CUBAN MASTIFF.

Rather like the old type of British Mastiff this dog was used for bull-fights.

Cuban Mastiff.—A pair of these dogs were presented to the Zoological Society of London about 1832. They were not unlike the old type of British Mastiff as portrayed in the sixteenth century, and were between the size of a Bulldog and a Mastiff. Strong and well covered with muscle, they were used for bull-fights. The head was broad, and the muzzle short. The lips were heavily developed. The ears were drop-ears, and the coat was short and close.

THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

OF 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 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 were provided for it, and in 1897 a club for its encouragement 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 England is concerned, is practically non-existent. The Dogue de 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—2 1/2in. 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 in colour, and very penetrating in expression. A deep furrow 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 present be laid on the carriage of ear. The whole of the skull, face, and muzzle should be covered with ropes of loose skin lying in symmetrical wrinkles. The neck should be very thick and 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 chest. The shoulders are strong, broad, and muscular. The chest is very wide, deep, and of great circumference. The back is short and straight, of great breadth at the shoulders; a hollow 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