The little book of British quadrupeds — John Shaqi
The little book of British quadrupedsMay, W.
History
The little book of British quadrupeds
May, W.
Mammals -- Great Britain -- Juvenile literature
When little children meet any dogs they should take care not to tease
them, more particularly the Bulldog, for when that dog is completely
roused it is the fiercest of its kind, and is probably the most
courageous creature in the world. It is low in stature, but very strong.
Its nose is short; and the under jaw projects beyond the upper, which
makes it look very fierce. Its courage in attacking the bull is well
known; its fury in seizing and its obstinacy in keeping its hold, are
truly astonishing. It always aims at the front, and generally fastens
upon the lip, the tongue, the eye, or some part of the face; where it
hangs in spite of every effort of the bull to get away from it.
Many stories are told us of this most cruel sport; but of late years the
inhuman custom of baiting the bull has been almost entirely laid aside,
and there are now few Dogs of this kind to be seen. The great danger of
the Bulldog is, he always makes his attack without barking.
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THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.
This breed of Dogs was originally brought from the country of which they
bear the name, where their great strength and sagacity render them
extremely useful to the settlers on those coasts, who use them in
bringing down wood from the forests to the sea side. Three or four of
them yoked to a sledge, will draw two or three hundred weight of wood
piled upon it, for several miles, with great ease: they are not attended
by a driver, nor any person to guide them; but after having delivered
their loading, they return immediately to the woods, where they are
accustomed to be fed.
[Illustration:
THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.
]
During a severe storm in the winter of 1789, a ship, belonging to
Newcastle, was lost near Yarmouth; and a Newfoundland Dog alone escaped
to the shore, bringing in his mouth the captain’s pocket-book. He landed
amidst a number of people, several of whom tried in vain to take it from
him. The sagacious animal, as if sensible of the importance of the
charge which in all probability was delivered to him by his perishing
master, at length leapt fawningly against the breast of a man, who had
attracted his notice among the crowd, and delivered the book to him. The
Dog immediately returned to the place where he had landed, and watched
with great attention every thing that came from the wrecked vessel, and
tried to bring it to shore.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE GREYHOUND.
[Illustration:
THE GREYHOUND.
]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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