Mastiff History
The head considerably resembles that of the bull-dog, but with the ears
dependent. The upper lip falls over the lower jaw. The end of the tail
is turned up, and frequently the fifth toe of the hind feet is more or
less developed. The nostrils are separated one from another by a deep
furrow. He has a grave and somewhat sullen countenance, and his
deep-toned bark is often heard during the night. The mastiff is taller
than the bull-dog, but not so deep in the chest, and his head is large
compared with his general form.
It is probable that the mastiff is an original breed peculiar to the
British islands.
He seems to be fully aware of the impression which his large size makes
on every stranger; and, in the night especially, he watches the abode of
his master with the completest vigilance; in fact, nothing would tempt
him to betray the confidence which is reposed in him.
Captain Brown states that,
"notwithstanding his commanding appearance
and the strictness with which he guards the property of his master, he
is possessed of the greatest mildness of conduct, and is as grateful for
any favours bestowed upon him as is the most diminutive of the canine
tribe. There is a remarkable and peculiar warmth in his attachments. He
is aware of all the duties required of him, and he punctually discharges
them. In the course of the night he several times examines every thing
with which he is intrusted with the most scrupulous care, and, by
repeated barkings, warns the household or the depredator that he is at the post
of duty."
The mastiff from Cuba requires some mention, and will call up some of
the most painful recollections in the history of the human race. He was
not a native of Cuba, but imported into the country.
The Spaniards had possessed themselves of several of the South American
islands. They found them peopled with Indians, and those of a sensual,
brutish, and barbarous class — continually making war with their
neighbours, indulging in an irreconcilable hatred of the Spaniards, and
determined to expel and destroy them. In self-defence, they were driven
to some means of averting the destruction with which they were
threatened. They procured some of these mastiffs, by whose assistance
they penetrated into every part of the country, and destroyed the
greater portion of the former inhabitants.
Las Casas, a Catholic priest, and whose life was employed in
endeavouring to mitigate the sufferings of the original inhabitants,
says that
"it was resolved to march against the Indians, who had fled to
the mountains, and they were chased like wild beasts, with the
assistance of bloodhounds, who had been trained to a thirst for human
blood, so that before I had left the island it had become almost
entirely a desert."
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