The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-03-14
LAP DOGS;
How They Have Figured in History and
How They Arc Made.

hOW LAty I1aF6 III Sto
How They Arc Made.
The making of new kinds of dogs has
been a profitable industry since remot-
est history, and promises, especially
in the case of lap dogs, to go on for
ever.
The --latest thing in lap dogs" has
been very clearly defined ever since
the days of the Greeks and Romans i'll
Europe and from a much earlier period
in Europe.
In the sepulchral halls of the great
pyramids sculptures have been found
in which q small species of elegant
greyhound is seen following members
of the royal family. Both are chiselled
in the stiff zone foot in front of the
other style Of old Egypt, but the dog
a Enthusiastically a special artificial
breed just as much as q modern Gachs-
hund.
China evolved her Pekinese spaniel
in her progressive days, some 5000
years ago. Chinese inertia has pre-
served the breed unchanged to this
day in the regal palaces CT the EN-
press. When the Summer palace in
,Pekin was searched in 1860 by Euro
pear troops six specimens were found.
These dogs, whose unbroken ancestry
is older than any. royal family, even
that of the Empress, were found upon
silken pillows, each in its own special
apartment. Each had a special retinue
Of attendants, who had fed.
OF all the lap dogs of Europe and
America, perhaps the first to be men.
toned is the Maltese dog" or Maltese
terrier" as it was once called. This
silky little toy of a creature is said
to have been originated in the town
of Melita, in Sicily, whence it was ex-
ported to Rome and Athens in their
days of greatness.
Strobe, the historian, describes them
as not bigger than common ferrets or
weasels, yet they are not small in un-
derstanding nor unstable in their love-"
From the first century until the nine
teenth the Maltese dog was only heard
from occasionally, but that it retained
its individuality and feminine favor
are shown by its description eighty
years ago in the European Magazine
as a "pampered creature waddling and
wheeling its pampered way after its
f. fashionable mistress"
In the eighteen-sixties new and sr.
perior breeds Of dogs appeared az
rivals Of the Maltese, who rapidly lost
his supremacy. Dog shows gave great
impetus to improvement and variety Of
the little CANNES. In the efforts OF
their breeders to hold their place the
Maltese was reduced to five pounds in
adult weight.
1t is said that one Of these little ami
mails could be placed in a lady's glove.
This apparently ungallant inference
to tile size of feminine hands of the
time is explained by the assumption
that the "glove" was a hawking gaunt-
let with sleeves reaching almost to the
shoulders.
The pocket beagle enjoys popularity
to-day among many women.
Anne Of Denmark and Mary of Mo-
dena, two Queen consorts Of the Stu
arts, both "fancied" Italian grey
hounds, and in the well-known painting
by Ward, R. A., of James H., hearing
of the landing of William Of Orange,
An Italian hound shifts suspiciously at
the messenger, while a court lady en-
tertains the infant Prince Of Wales
with a King Charles spaniel pup.
At ore time, not so long ago, it was
so fashionable and sought after that
an attempt was made to improve on
nature by interviewing the Italian
greyhound with the toy terrier, but
with most lamentable results; and it
was with the greatest difficulty and
patience that the ill effects Of the mes
alliance were overcome, and the breed
purified by the infusion Of fresh blood
from its native Italy, until it once more
displayed those true traits and that
exquisite grace which makes this
fragile little creature so. admired by
ladies of taste and refinement.
There are doubtless several new
types in formation at this time under
the careful experiments Of breeders.
Each one should have its day of popr-
larity and high prices, to be succeeded
by @ later canine freak.