Volume 28, Plate XX / Mammalia (Mammals)

Water-Dog & Bull-Dog

Canis aquaticus & C. Anglicus

1. The Water-Dog (left). The water-dog, or poodle of the Germans, has a large round head, expanded frontal sinus, long ears, rather short legs, a compact body, and long curly hair of black, or black and white, or sometimes rufous, standing eighteen to twenty inches at the shoulder. Rising first to favour in Germany, no dog is more intelligent or attached to its master, tracing lost property with unmatched certainty and even keeping vigil by the dead bodies of fallen masters.
2. The Bull-Dog (right). The bull-dog, perhaps Britain’s sole broad-mouthed race of the Roman era, is now of moderate size but moulded wholly for strength and elasticity, with a large head, forehead sinking between the eyes, projecting lower jaw often showing the teeth, partially drooping ears, and a high-carried tail, commonly ochry or reddish buff with black nose and chops. Possessed of less sagacity and attachment than the hounds, it grapples any opponent without warning and never looses its hold once excited.