Previous Index Next


50 DOGS AND ALL ABOUT THEM

a few years afterwards won prizes. At the first they were more popular in the North of England than in any other part of Great Britain. It was at Kirkby Lonsdale that Dr. James's

Dick was bred, and an early exploiter of the breed who

Spotted

made his dogs famous was Mr. Newby Wilson, of Lakeside,

Windermere. He was indebted to Mr. Hugo Droesse, of London, for the foundation of his stud, inasmuch as it was from Mr. Droesse that he purchased Ch. Acrobat and Ch. Berolina. At a later date the famed Coming Still and Prince being

IV. were secured from the best liver-spotted sspecimens that

the progenitor of most of the s that

have attained notoriety as prize-winners down to the p'

day.

In appearance the Dalmatian should be very similar to a

Pointer except in head andmarking. i n lip Still, a Poingernthere long in muzzle nor so p

should be no coarseness or common look about the skfault which is much too prevalent. Then, again, some Judges

ather

do not attach sufficient mimportance edged eround

swith rblack , or sears, which should invariably or brown. Those which however are good they may beiinpotherureshould be discarded,

spects. The density and pureness of colour, in both blacks and browns, is of great impness of the distribution of espots mitted to outweigh the even

on the body ; no black patches, or even mingling of the spots, should meet with favou d oshould command attention. looking, heavy-shouldered g prevails in a cross

The darker-spotted variety usually the between the two colours, the l°e uninitiated seldom very be infogmed

liver-coloured marking pure white. The

that Dalmatian puppies are always born p ly to be clearer and whiter they are of a mark or spot them.

There should not be the develop

When about a fortnight old, however, they generally in to

a dark ridge on the belly, and the spots will then beg

show themselves ; first about the neck and ears, and afterwards along the back, until at about the sixteenth day the markings are distinct over the body, excepting only the tail, which frequently remains white for a few weeks longer.

The standard of points as laid down by the leading club is sufficiently explicit to be easily understood, and is as follows


General Appearance-The Dalmatian should represent a strong, muscular, and active dog, symmetrical in outline, and free from coarseness and lumber, capable of great endurance combined with a fair amount of speed. Head-The head should be of a fair length ; the skull flat, rather broad between the ears, and moderately well defined at the temples-i.e. exhibiting a moderate amount of stop and not in one straight line from the nose to the occiput bone as required in a Bullterrier. It should be entirely free from wrinkle. Muzzle-The muzzle should be long and powerful ; the lips clean, fitting the jaws moderately close. Eyes-The eyes should be set moderately well apart, and of medium size, round, bright, and sparkling, with an intelligent expression, their colour greatly depending on the markings of the dog. In the black spotted variety the eyes should be dark (black or dark brown), in the liver-spotted variety they should be light (yellow or light brown). The Rim round the Eyes in the black-spotted variety should be black, in the liver-spotted variety brown-never flesh-colour in either. Ears-The ears should be set on rather high, of moderate size, rather wide at the base, and gradually tapering to a round point. They should be carried close to the head, be thin and fine in texture, and always spotted-the more profusely the better. Nose-The nose in the black-spotted variety should always be black, in the liverspotted variety always brown. Neck and Shoulders-The neck should be fairly long, nicely arched, light and tapering, and entirely free from throatiness. The shoulders should be moderately oblique, clean, and muscular, denoting speed. Body, Back, Chest, and Loins-The chest should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel hoops (which would indicate want of speed), the back powerful, loin strong, muscular, and slightly arched. Legs and Feet-The legs and feet are of great importance. The fore-legs should be perfectly straight, strong, and heavy in bone elbows close to the body ; fore-feet round, compact with well-arched toes (cat-footed), and round, tough, elastic pads. In the hind-legs the muscles should be clean, though well-defined ; the hocks well let down. Nails-The nails in the black-spotted variety should be black and white in the liver-spotted variety brown and white. Tail-The tail should not be too long, strong at the insertion, and gradually tapering towards the end, free from coarseness. It should not be inserted too low down, but carried with a slight curve upwards, and never curled. It should be spotted, the more profusely the better. Coat-The coat should be short, hard, dense and fine, sleek and glossy in appearance, but neither woolly nor silky. Colour and Markings-These are most important points. The ground colour in both varieties should be

THE DALMATIAN

51

Picture

Previous Index Next