51. THE MASTIFF-DOG is the largest of the whole Species, vaftly ftrong, and fierce. It is chiefly ufed for guarding Houfes, especially in Country Places, against Thieves and Robbers; and fometimes, by Drovers, and oftentimes for baiting of Beafts. 52. THE BULL-DOG is much lefs than the Maftiff, but not inferior in Fiercenefs. It has a pretty large Head, Neck, and Breaft. Those of a brinded Colour are accounted the best of the Kind. This Creature will naturally run at, and feize the fierceft Bull, without barking, running directly at his Head, and fometimes catching hold of his Nofe, and pin the Bull to the Ground, and make him roar in a terrible Manner; nor can he, without great Difficulty, be made to quit his Hold." Two of these Dogs, let loofe at once, are thought to be a Match for a Bull, three for a Bear, and four for a Lion. 53. A GREYHOUND has a long Body, a neat fharp Head, a full Eye, a long Mouth, fharp Teeth, little Ears, with thin Griftles in them, a ftraight Neck, and a broad and ftrong Breaft; his fore Legs are ftraight; his hind Legs alfo long and ftraight; his Shoulders broad, Ribs round, ftrong, and full of Sinews, and taper about the Belly. He is the swifteft of all Dogs. The best Time to try him, and train him to his Game, is at twelve Months old. He courfes by Sight, and not by Scent, as other Hounds do. He is faid to outlive all other kinds of Dogs. 54. THE 54. THE English BLOOD-HOUND is larger than the Beagle, or any other hunting Hounds. It is of the Colour of other Hounds, being red and black, and white spotted, but moft commonly red and brown. It has long Ears, and feldom barks except in hunting, and then will follow its Game through Woods, Thickets, &c. and never leave what it is in Pursuit of, for any other, till it kills; which it feldom fails to do. It is employed in hunting the Hare, Fox, Hart, Badger, &c. 55. THE SPANIEL is another Kind of fmelling Dog, very docile, that may be taught to do very furprizing Tricks, such as fetching, carrying, &c. There are two Sorts, one called a Water-Spaniel, and the other a Land-Spaniel: The first of thefe is very excellent at hunting of Otters, Ducks, &c. and will watch the Stroke of a Gun, and, as foon as the Fowler fhoots a Fowl in the Water, will inftantly go after it, and bring it to his Master. 56. THE LAND-SPANIEL is ufed in fetting for Partridges, Hawking, &c. and, in regard to its Usefulness for fuch Kind of Sport, is esteemed and valued more than moft other Dogs. The Colour and Size of this Creature are fo well known, that there need be no more faid about them. THE DOG is a fhort-lived Creature, that lafts not He above twenty Years, and feldom fees fourteen. is hot, and lives unequally; as being often in violent Motion, and then fleeping. The Bitch has many young ones at a Litter, and goes with them nine Weeks. 57. THE 1 |