Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-03
REAL CHARACTER
OF THE BULLDOG
Common Impression Regarding
Their Savage Dispositions
Wide of the Mark.
BY JAMES S. WATSON.

by JAMELo .. w AIoON
High-clas show dogs are apt to be the
butt of all who own dogs with little pre-
tension to class. We find it in what are
called bird dogs, when the owner of some
angular-looking piece of dog flesh. called
by courtesy setter. and who likely as
not Is a potterer of the worst order, de-
rides the good-looking and we'll made dog.
Terrier men of similar class pooh pooh
the idea that show dogs are game, being
perfectly unaware that 1t is necessary for
them to show that they so. even when
In the ring. The showing gameness in the
ring may be a cultivated taste in these
dogs, but dog that is not game will not
show 1t and will not walk up to his dog,
as it Is called when In the ring. Bulldogs
have in like manner been consigned to the
list of the incOmpetents as useless mon
strosities and incapable Of doing anything
but shutting along for a few yards till they
want to take rest. 1t Is doubtless correct
that very inferior bulldog, built on terr
rier lines, will show more activity than one
OF the orthodox confOrma ton, exaggerated
as it is by present day requirements, but
such activity Is not the province OF the
bulldog, for he has no call to run down his
quarry. What is wanted is soundness. sabil-
ity to jog along at reasonable rate OF
speed and keep going fo- what might be
considered a reasonable walking distance
for his owner.
X
The Long Island Kennel Association
made very happy hi. In support of the
bulldog when at their show held on Tues
day and Wednesday last at Brighton Beach
they got up what was styled bulldog
walking match. The walking on the
part of the owners, while the dog went at
any pace he thought best. The distance
being but a quarter of mile 1t was more
test of speed than staying, on the part
of the dogs, and as the distance was COW
cred In about two minutes and a half over
the freshly narrowed race course 1t was
pretty fair travelling for man who had to
hold the lead. AS a matter of fact, the
dogs were no drawback In the way or
having to be pulled along. and were nearly
all assisting their masters by keeping IN
front. These were not picked-up common
trash but the best dog at the show. the ex-
treme of type as we have 1t at the pres
emit day. The winner was Rodney King,
dog that won firsts at the Crystal Palace
last year and at Brighton Beach won one
first and was second to Lord Burley as the
best dog In the show. Lord Burley was the
second dog home in the race and II was
only the ability Of Mr.. Hopton. who had
Rodney King, to heel and toe faster than
Mr. Collins that decided the race in his
favor by a few yards. There was another
owner who ran home some twenty yards
ahead but was disqualified. About eight
dogs participated. and so well ala they an
them could have won had Its owner been
able to travel faster than Mr.. Hopton, VINO
was the scratch man in the handicap. rms
was a somewhat different race from what
was made a few years ago in England be-
tw cen the leggy dog King Orry ana q lower
and heavier dog. That was lest OF en-
durance and just suited King orry, VINO
had a long lead when the other dog quit.
II at any rate demonstrated that our best
bulldogs are not inanimate Jumps OF hesn.
as many suppose.
while one the subject of bulldogs 1t might
not be inappropriate to say a good word
for this much maligned breed. This can
hardly be on the lines of putting their good
looks, for they most undoubtedly an
educated taste. Yet to a doggy man
there are very few dogs which appeal
more to him than high -class bull
dog What wish to say is that the very
common impression that bulldogs are saw
age beasts with but the one thought OF de-
struction Is far wide of the mark Quite
to the contrary, he Is not fighting dog,
the fighting dog is the bull terrier. who
rips and tears at his opponent whiie the
bulldog grips and holds on bad tenn
pered bulldog Is an exception He Is one
| of the most affectionate dogs that can be
named, In fact this Is his one drawback.
as his lip formation Is the cause OF slob-
| bering. and that is not pleasant The GUS
| tomary thing is to describe every dog that
commits an assault savage bulldog
and it is doubtless owing to this that they
are viewed with suspicion by the ordinary
mortal, but 1t is libel against the breed
| The Brighton Beach show had the good
| fortune to just escape the storm, which
| had stiu left tango In the air on the open
| ing morning, but as the day wore on it be-
came more comfortable and Memorial day