The dog in health and disease : Comprising the various modes of breaking and using him for hunting, coursing, shooting, etc., and including the points or characteristics of all dogs, which are entirely rewritten

Front matter

Suj ^ M. WoXoh

22101850859

Med

Preface

Among the various scientific and anecdotical writings in the English language on The Dog, it might be thought that the subject was exhausted, and that nothing remained to he done by the most careful observer of the habits and external forms of the varieties of this animal. But let any one seek for specific information upon several points connected with even well-marked and generally-recognised kinds, and he will soon be brought to confess that he is lost in doubt and uncertainty. For instance, where shall we find a sufficient description of the spaniels and terriers, or of the various retrievers for which such large sums are often given ? Who will be able to discover, from any written account, the difference between the springer and the cocker, or between the Clumber and Sussex spaniels ? Who, again, will tell us the colours and forms of the Skye and Dandie Dinmont terriers, or the characteristics of the English toy terriers, pugs, and Maltese dogs? Yet there are thousands and tens of thousands who take a great interest in these animals, and who would spare neither money nor trouble to ascertain the exact properties of the variety to which each individual of their acquaintance belongs. Daniel, Youatt, and Kichardson have all laboured hard to enlighten their readers upon the varieties of the canine species, and have no doubt done much towards the attainment of this end ; but, as I before remarked, the deficiencies in their descriptions are patent to all.

PREFACE.

viii

It is true that the hound and the greyhound, the pointer and the setter, as well as many of the foreign varieties of the dog, have been favoured with special treatises ; but beyond them the ground is almost untrodden, or else it is choked with weeds and rubbish which render it difficult to ascertain what is beneath them.

In the following pages I have been compelled to have recourse to the work of Mr. Youatt in the instances of some of the foreign dogs, both for the descriptions and also for the engravings which are contained in it. At the time when he wrote, the Zoological Society of London possessed an extensive collection of dogs, which was made use of by him to great advantage ; and I can speak to the correctness of most of his illustrations, from having compared them with the originals soon after he first gave them to the public; but unfortunately there is now no such collection in England. As far as possible, however, throughout the First Book the descriptions and illustrations are drawn from the life, the specimen selected being of the most perfect symmetry and of the purest breed within my reach. For many of them I am indebted to gentlemen who have given up their best energies to improve the peculiar strain which has enlisted their attention, and for the facilities which they have afforded me I here beg to record my most sincere thanks.

Book I. contains the Natural History of the Dog, witli a minute description of the varieties which are generally recognised. The chief claims of this book rest upon its being a faithful transcript in writing of oral records which have been treasured up by the breeders of the dog in all its varieties, and which beingnow made public, will render it comparatively easy in future to ascertain the position which any particular dog can claim, and how far it complies with the points which are attributed to it.

PREFACE.

ix

These records have been carefully collected ; and I believe it will be found, that though some individuals may hold different views, yet that in each case that which I have presented is the one which is maintained by a large majority of those who have made the subject their particular study. It is impossible to attain a certainty of this in every instance ; but should I be wrong, it can, at all events, be maintained that neither time, trouble, nor expense has been spared in arriving at it.

Book II. describes the best methods of breeding', rearing breaking, and managing the dog, while in health, by means of appropriate food, exercise, and lodging. This division of the subject, therefore, embraces the entering and running of tire greyhound ; the breaking and working of shooting dogs ; the entering and hunting of hounds ; and the management of vermin terriers, toy, and house dogs.

Lastly, in the Third Book the most modern and successful treatment of the diseases to which the dog is subject is given at length, and in terms which will, it is hoped, be intelligible to all. My readers will, therefore, perceive that I have omitted no information at all likely to be interesting to the lover of the dog which a long experience and most extensive opportunities have enabled me to obtain.

STONEHENGE.

July id, 1859.

Preface To The Third Edition

Since the First Edition of The Dog was published in 1859, his varieties have been studied, and their points minutely described, by a great number of breeders to an extent which was never contemplated before that time. As a consequence, I have been enabled to define them most minutely in the present edition, and I think no sufficiently-known breed, either British or foreign, is omitted from the list. In the Second Book little or no change has been attempted, for the simple iea&on that there is no occasion for it, since the various uses to which the Dog is put in this country by the sportsman and the dog-fancier have not been altered during the interval which has elapsed.

The Third Book treats of his diseases, in which no great improvement has been effected since the publication of the Second Edition, and it is therefore printed as it then stood.

It is with some considerable satisfaction that I now present to my readers my original work on The Dog brought down to the level of the present day.

STONEHENGE.

June loth, 1879.

Chapter II

DOMESTICATED DOGS, HUNTING CHIEFLY BY THE EYE, AND KILLING THEIR GAME FOR THE USE OF THEIR MASTERS.

The Smooth English Greyhound — The Deerhound and Rough Greyhound — The Irish Greyhound or Wolf-Dog — The Gazehound — The French Matin — The Hare-Indian Dog — The Albanian Greyhound — The Grecian Greyhound — The Russian Greyhound — The Turkish Greyhound— The Persian Greyhound — The Italian Greyhound

XU

CONTENTS.

Chapter III. Paoe

DOMESTICATED DOGS, HUNTING BY THE NOSE, AND BOTH FINDING AND KILLING THEIR GAME ; COMMONLY KNOWN EITHER AS HOUNDS OR TERRIERS.

The Southern. Hound— The Bloodhound— The Staghound— Tlie Foxhound—The Harrier— The Beagle— The Otterhound — The Boarliound or Great Dane — The Dachshund — The Fox-Terrier (Hough and Smooth) — The Scotch Terrier — The Irish Terrier — The Skye Terrier — The Dandie Dinmont — The English Terrier — The Bedlington — The Yorkshire Terrier 47

CHAPTER IY.

DOMESTICATED DOGS FINDING THEIR GAME BY SCENT, BUT NOT KILLING IT, BEING CHIEFLY USED IN AID OF THE GUN.

The Spanish Pointer— The Modern English Pointer— The Portuguese Pointer — The French Pointer — The Dalmatian — The Setter: (a English ; (b) Irish ; (c) Black and Tan or Gordon ; (d) Welsh ; (e) Russian — The Field Spaniel : (a) The Clumber ; (b ) The Sussex ;

(c) The Norfolk ; (d) The Modern Cocker — The Water-Spaniel :

(a) The Southern Irish ; (b) The Northern ; (c) The English— The Poodle • .... 127

Chapter V. Pastoral Dogs And Those Used For Draught

The English Sheep-Dog— The Collie : (a) Rough ; (b) Smooth— The Drover’s Dog — The German Sheep-Dog — The Pomeranian: (a)

The Large Wolf-Dog ; (b) The Small or Spitz— The Chinese Sheep- Dog — The Newfoundland and Labrador Dog: (A)'lhe True Newfoundland ; (b) The Landseer Newfoundland ; (c) The St. John’s or Labrador — The Esquimaux Dog — Iceland and Lapland Dogs . .176

Chapter VI. Watch-dogs And House-dogs

The Bulldog— The Mastiff : (a) English ; (n) Cuban — The Mount St. Bernard : (a) Rough ; (b) Smooth — The Thibet Dog — The Lion- Dog— The Shock-Dog . . . >97

CONTENTS.

xiii

Chapter I. Breeding

Principles of Breeding — Axioms for the Breeder’s Use — Crossing and ' Crossed Breeds — Importance of Health in both Sire and Dam — Best Age to breed from — -In-and-in Breeding — Best Time of Year — Duration of Heat — Management of the Bitch in Season — The Bitch in Whelp — Preparations for Whelping — Healthy Parturition — Destruction or Choice of Whelps at Birth . . . . . . .251

Chapter II. Rearing

Management in the Nest — Choosing — The Foster-Nurse — Feeding before Weaning — Choice of Place for Whelping — Removal of Dew-Claws,

&c. — Weaning — Lodging — Feeding — Exercise — Home Rearing v. Walking — Food — General Treatment — Choice of Puppies after Weaning — Cropping, Branding, and Rounding . . . -275

Chapter II

THE REMEDIES SUITED TO THE DOG, AND THE BEST MEANS OF ADMINISTERING THEM.

Alteratives — Anodynes — Antispasmodics — Aperients Astringents

Blisters — Caustics — Charges — Cordials — Diuretics — Embrocations — Emetics — Expectorants — Fever Medicines — Clysters — Lotions.

— Ointments — Stomachics — Styptics — Tonics — V orm Medicines Administration of Remedies d01

CONTENTS.

xv

Chapter III. Page

FEVERS, AND THEIR TREATMENT.

Simple Ephemeral Fever, or Cold— Epidemic Fever, or Influenza— Typhus Fever, or Distemper — Rheumatic Fever— Small Pox— Sympathetic Fever 421

Chapter IV. Inflammations

Deflnition of Inflammation— Symptoms and Treatment of Rabies, Tetanus, and Tumside — Of Inflammation of the Eye, Ear (canker), Mouth, and Nose— Of the Lungs— Of the Stomach— Of the Bowels— Of the Liver — Of the Kidneys and Bladder — Of the Skin

Chapter V. Diseases Accompanied Bv Want Of Power

Chorea — Shaking Palsy — Fits — Worms — General Dropsy or Anasarca .

Chapter VI. Diseases Arising From Mismanagement Or Neglect

Anaemia — Rickets — Indigestion 488

Chapter VII. Diseases And Accidents Requiring Surgical Aid

T umours — Cancer — Encysted T umours — Abscesses — Unnatural Parturition— Accidents and Operations .... ... 492

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Smooth and Rough St. Bernard’s,

The "Wolf, from a specimen in the Zoological Gardens, Skull of Dingo, .....

Frontispiece.

Paqe

Skull of Spaniel, . . . . . . . .10

Skull of Mastiff, . . . . . . . .11

The Dingo (Youatt), . . . . . . 13

Captain Daintree’s “ King Cob,” . . . . .20

“ Cader,” a Deerhound of the pure Glengarry breed, 28 inches high, 34

inches in girth, bred by W. Meredith, Esq., Torrish, Sutherland, . 33

The Hare-Indian Dog (Youatt), . . . . . .43

The Grecian Greyhound (Youatt), . . . . -45

The Southern Hound (Youatt), . . . . . .48

Head of the Bloodhound (Youatt), . . . . -5°

“ Druid,” the Property of the Hon. Gran tly Berkeley, . . 5 1

“ Hermit,” a high-bred modern Foxhound, . . . 55

“Grasper,” a Harrier, and “Trueman,” a Foxhound-Harrier, . . 62

“ Dahlia,” a pure Foxhound, used as Harrier, . . . -63

“ Barmaid,” a Dwarf Beagle bred by Lord Gifford, . . .67

“ Bellman,” an Otter-Hound ; Pedigree unknown, . . .71

The Boarhound, . . . . . . . -73

The Fox-Terrier, Smooth and Rough, . . . . • . 81

“ Peto,” a Scotch Terrier, . . . . . . -93

Skyes — Prick-eared and Drop-eared, . . . . .9 7

“ Rough ” and “ Puck,” Dandies (“ Puck ” bred by Dr. Browne), . 103

“Lady,” an English Terrier, the Property of C. Morrison of Walliam

“ Tyneside,” Bedlington Terrier, the Property of T. J. Pickett, Newcastle-

“Dundreary,” Blue Tan Terrier, the Property of Mrs. Foster, Bradford, 124 The Spanish Pointer, . . . . . . .128

“ Sancho,” a modern English Pointer, . . . . *131

The Dalmation Dog, . . . . . . . 139

The English Setter, . . . . . . 143

The Irish Setter, . . . . . . . .150

The Black and Tan Setter, . . . . . 153

A Russian Setter slightly crossed with English blood, . . .156 b xviii

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

The Clumber Spaniel, .••••* “George” and “Romp,” Sussex Spaniels, the Property of E. Soames,

Esq., of London, ...•••

English and Welsh Cockers,

The Southern Irish Water-Spaniel,

Lady Di Huddleston’s “ Mossoo,” .

The English Sheep-Dog, .

The Collie (Youatt), .

The Smooth Collie, .

Pomeranian or Spitz Dog, . . • • •

The Larger Newfoundland Dog (Youatt),

The St. John’s or Labrador Dog, . . •

The Esquimaux Dog (Youatt), •

“ Top,” a pure Bulldog, the Property of C. Stockdale, Esq.,

“ Wallace,” an English Mastiff, the Property of T. Lukey, Esq., .

The Cuban Mastiff (Youatt), •

The Mount St. Bernard Dog (Youatt), .

The Thibet Dog (Youatt), ...••

King Charles and Blenheim Spaniels,

“ Psyche,” a Maltese Bitch, the Property of Miss Gibbs of Morden,

Italian Greyhounds, “Billy” and “Minnie,” . •

“ Punch ” and “ Tetty,” Pugs, the Property of Mr. C. Morrison of Wal ham Green,

The Curly-coated Retriever, •

Retriever (crossed with Setter), •

“ Madman,” Bull-Terrier, ...•••

A Dog and Fox-crossed Bitch, the Property of Hewer, Esq.,

Reading, .... ,-y

“ Half-and-Half,” first Cross from the Bulldog,' .

“ Hecate,” second Cross from the Bulldog,

“ Hecuba,” third Cross from the Bulldog, • •

“ Hysterics,” fourth Cross from the Bulldog,

Ground-plan of Greyhound Kennel, ....

Elevation of Greyhound Kennel, .

Plan of Kennel Bench for Hounds, ....

Muir’s Ventilating Apparatus, .

263 299

30°

Diagram, .

Puzzle-Peg for young Dogs,

The Skeleton of the Dog (Youatt), Teeth of the Dog at various ages, .

The Maw-worm,

The Round-worm,

Tape-worms,

• 324

• 329

• 394

• 397 . 476 . 476

THE DOG.

Book I

THE NATURAL HISTORY, ZOOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION, AND VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

A

The Wolf, from a specimen in the Zoological Gardens.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Origin — General Characteristics — Habitat — Varieties — F. Cuvier’s Divisional Arrangement — Arrangement adopted by the Author.

From the earliest times we have reason to believe that the dog has been the faithful companion and assistant of man in all parts of the world, and his fidelity and attachment are so remarkable as to have become proverbial. Before the introduction of agriculture, it was by means of the hunting powers of this animal that man was enabled to support himself by pursuing the wild denizens of the forest ; for though now, with the aid of gunpowder, he can in great measure dispense with the services of his assistant, yet, until the

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

invention of that destructive agent, he was, in default of the dog, reduced to the bow and arrow, the snare, or the pitfall. The dog was also of incalculable service in guarding the flocks and herds from the depredations of the Carnivora, and even man himself was often glad to have recourse to his courage and strength in resisting the lion, the tiger, or the wolf.

Much has been written on the origin of the dog, and Pennant, Buffon, and other naturalists, have exhausted their powers oi research and invention in attempting to discover the parent stock from which all are descended. The subject, however, is wrapped in so much obscurity as to baffle all their efforts, and it is •'till a disputed point whether the shepherd’s dog, as supposed by Buffon and Daniel, or the wolf, as conjectured by Bell, is the progenitor of the various breeds now existing. Anyhow, it is a most unprofitable speculation, and, being unsupported by proof of any kind, it can never be settled upon any reliable basis. We shall not, therefore, waste any space in entering upon this discussion, but lea's e our readers to investigate the inquiry, if they think fit, in the pages of Buffon, Linnaeus, Pennant, and Cuvier, and our most recent investigator, Professor Bell. It may, however, be obseived that the old hypothesis of Pennant, that the dog is only a domesticated jackal, crossed with the wolf or fox, though resuscitated by Mr. Bell, is now almost entirely exploded; for while it accounts somewhat ingeniously for the varieties which are met with, yet it is contradicted by the stubborn fact that, in the present day, the cross of the dog with either of these animals, if produced, is incapable of continuing the species when paiied with one of the same cross breed. Nevertheless, it may be desirable to give Mr. Bell’s reasons for thinking that the dog is descended from the wolf, which are as follows :

“ In order to come to any rational conclusion on this head, it

ORIGIN OF THE DOG.

will be necessary to ascertain to what type the animal approaches most nearly, after having for many successive generations existed in a wild state, removed from the inlluence of domestication and of association with mankind. Now we find that there are several different instances of the existence in dogs of such a state of wildness as to have lost even that common character of domestication, variety of colour and marking. Of these, two very remarkable ones are the dhole of India and the dingo of Australia. There is, besides, a half-reclaimed race amongst the Indians of North America, and another also partially tamed in South America, which deserve attention. And it is found that these races, in different degrees, and in a greater degree as they are more wild, exhibit the lank and gaunt form, the lengthened limbs, the long and slender muzzle, and the great comparative strength which characterise the wolf ; and that the tail of the Australian dog, which may be considered as the most remote from a state of domestication, assumes the slightly bushy form of that animal.

“ We have here a remarkable approximation to a well-known wild animal of the same genus, in races which, though doubtless descended from domesticated ancestors, have gradually assumed the wild condition ; and it is worthy of especial remark that the anatomy of the wolf, and its osteology in particular, does not differ from that of the dog in general, more than the different kinds of dogs do from each other. The cranium is absolutely similar, and so are all, or nearly all, the other essential parts ; and, to strengthen still further the probability of their identity, the dog and wolf will readily breed together, and their progeny is fertile. The obliquity of the position of the eyes in the wolf is one of the characters in which it differs from the dog ; and, although it is very desirable not to rest too much upon the effects of habit on structure, it is not perhaps straining the point to attribute the forward direction of the eyes in the dog to the constant habit, for many successive generations, of looking forward to his master, and obeying his voice.” "

Such is the state of the argument in favour of the original descent from the wolf, but, as far as it is founded upon the breeding together of the wolf and dog, it applies also to the fox, which is now ascertained occasionally to be impregnated by the dog , but in neither case we believe does the progeny continue to be fertile if put to one of the same cross, and as this is now ascertained to be the only reliable test, the existence of the first cross stands for nothing. Indeed, experience shows us more and more clearly every year, that no reliance can be placed upon the test depending upon fertile intercommunion, which, especially in birds, is shown to be liable to various exceptions. Still it has been supported by respectable authorities, and for this reason we have given insertion to the above extract.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.

In every variety the dog is more or less endowed with a keen sight, strong powers of smell, sagacity almost amounting to reason, and considerable speed, so that he is admirably adapted for all purposes connected with the pursuit of game. He is also furnished with strong teeth, and courage enough to use them in defence of his master, and with muscular power sufficient to enable him to draw moderate weights, as we see in Kamtschatka and Newfoundland. Hence, among the old writers, dogs were divided into Pugnaces, Sagaces, and Ccleres ; but this arrangement is now superseded, various other systems having been adopted in

* Bell’s British Quadrupeds, pp. 196, 197.

HABITAT.

modern times, though none perhaps much more satisfactory. Belonging to the division Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Ferae, family Felicia :, and sub-family Canina, the species is known as Cams familiaris, the sub-family being distinguished by havingtwo tubercular teeth behind the canines on the upper jaw, with non-retractile claws, while the dog itself differs from the fox with which he is grouped in having a round pupil in the eye instead of a perpendicular slit, as is seen in that animal.

The attempt made by Linnseus to distinguish the dog as having a tail curved to the left is evidently without any reliable foundation, as though there are far more with the tail on that side than on the right, yet many exceptions are to be met with, and among the pugs almost all the bitches wear their tails curled to the left. The definition, therefore, of Cards familiaris caucld ( sinistrorsum ) recurvatd, will not serve to separate the species from the others of the genus Canis, as proposed by the Swedish naturalist.

HABITAT.

In almost every climate the dog is to be met with, from Kamtschatka to Cape Horn, the chief exception being some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean ; but it is only in the temperate zone that he is to be found in perfection, the courage of the bulldog and the speed of the greyhound soon degenerating in tropical countries. In China and the Society Islands dogs are eaten, bein" considered great delicacies, and by the ancients the flesh of a young fat dog was highly prized, Hippocrates even describing that of an adult as wholesome and nourishing. In a state of nature the dog is compelled to live on flesh, which he obtains by hunting, and hence he is classed among the Carnivora ; but when domesticated he will live upon vegetable substances alone,

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

such as oatmeal porridge, or bread made from any of the cereals, but thrives best upon a mixed diet of vegetable and animal substances ; and, indeed, the formation of his teeth is such as to lead us to suppose that by nature he is intended for it, as we shall hereafter find in discussing his anatomical structure.

VARIETIES OF THE DOG.

The varieties of the dog are extremely numerous, and, indeed, as they are apparently produced by crossing, which is still had recourse to, there is scarcely any limit to the numbers which may be described. It is a curious fact that large bitches frequently take a fancy to dogs so small as to be incapable of breeding with them ; and in any case, if left to themselves, the chances are very great against their selecting mates of the same breed as themselves. The result is, that innumerable nondescripts are yearly born, but as a certain number of breeds are described by writers on the dog or defined by “ dog-fanciers,” these “ mongrels,” as they are called from not belonging to them, are generally despised, and, however useful they may be, the breed is not continued. This, however, is not literally true, exceptions being made in favour of certain sorts which have been improved by admixture with others, such as the cross of the bulldog with the greyhound, the foxhound with the Spanish pointer, the bulldog with the terrier, &c., &c., all of which are now recognised and admitted into the list of valuable breeds, and not only are not considered mongrels, but, on the contrary, are prized above the original strains from which they are descended. An attempt lias been made by M. F. Cuvier to arrange these varieties under three primary divisions, which are founded upon the shape of the head and the length of the jaws ; these being supposed by him to vary

DIVISIONAL ARRANGEMENT OF DOGS.

in accordance with the degree of cunning and scenting powers which the animal possessing them displays. The following is his classification, which in the main is correct, and I shall adhere to it with trifling alterations in the pages of this hook.

F. Cuviers Divisional Arrangement.

I.— MATINS.

Characterised by head more or less elongated ; parietal hones insensibly approaching each other; condyles of the lower jaw placed in a horizontal line with the upper molar teeth, exemplified by —

Skull of Dingo.

Sect. i. Half -reclaimed dogs, hunting in packs; such as the dingo, the dhole, the pariah, &c.

Sect. 2. Domesticated dogs, hunting in packs, or singly, but using the eye in preference to the nose ; as, for instance, the Albanian dog, deerhound, &c.

Sect. 3. Domesticated dogs, which hunt singly, and almost entirely by the eye. Example : the greyhound.

IO

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

II.— SPANIELS.

Characteristics. — Head moderately elongated; parietal bones do not approach each other above the temples, hut diverge and swell out, so as to enlarge the forehead and cavity of the bram.

Skull of Spaniel.

Sect. 4. Pastoral dogs, or such as are employed for domestic purposes. Example : shepherd’s dog.

Sect. 5. Water dogs, which delight in swimming. Examples . Newfoundland dog, water-spaniel, &c.

Sect. 6. Fowlers, or such as have an inclination to chase or point birds by scenting only, and not killing. Examples : the setter, the pointer, the field-spaniel, &c.

Sect. 7. Hounds, which hunt in packs by scent, and kill their game. Examples : the foxhound, the harrier, &c.

Sect. 8. Crossed breeds, for sporting purposes. Example : the retriever.

III. HOUSE DOGS.

Characteristics. — Muzzle more or less shortened; skull high; frontal sinuses considerable ; condyle of the lower jaw extending

DIVISIONAL ARRANGEMENT OF DOGS.

1 1

above the line of the upper cheek teeth. Cranium smaller in this group than in the first and second, in consequence of its peculiar formation.

Skull of Mastiff.

Sect. 9. Watch dogs, which have no propensity to hunt, but are solely employed in the defence of man or his property. Examples : the mastiff, the bulldog, the pug dog, &c.

As before remarked, this division is on the whole founded on natural laws, but there are some anomalies which we shall endeavour to remove. For instance, the greyhound is quite as ready to hunt in packs as any other hound, and is only prevented from doing so by the hand of his master. The same restraint keeps him from using his nose, or he could soon be nearly as good with that organ as with the eye. 80 also Cuvier defines his sixth section as “ having an inclination to chase and point birds” whereas they have as great, and often a greater, desire for hares and rabbits. Bearing, therefore, in mind these triflingdefects, we shall consider the dog under the following heads : —

Chap. I. Wild and half-reclaimed dogs, hunting in packs. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER

Ciiap. II. Domesticated dogs, hunting chiefly by the eye, and killing their game for the use of man.

Chap. III. Domesticated dogs, hunting chiefly by the nose, and both finding and killing their game.

Chap. IV. Domesticated dogs, finding game by scent, but not killing it ; being chiefly used in aid of the gun.

Chap. V. Pastoral dogs, and those used for the purposes of draught.

Chap. VI. Watch dogs, house dogs, and toy dogs.

Chap. VII. Crossed breeds, retrievers, &c.

The Dingo (Youatt).

Chapter I

t

WILD AND HALF-RECLAIMED DOGS, HUNTING IN PACKS.

i. The Dingo— 2. The Dhole— 3. The Pariah— 4. The Wild Dog of Africa— 5. The North and South American Dog— 6. Other Wild Dogs.

I.— THE DINGO.

It is upon the great similarity between these wild dogs and the wolf or fox that the supposition is founded of the general descent of the domesticated dog from either the one or the other. After examining the portrait of the dingo, it will at once be seen that it resembles the fox so closely in the shape of its body, that an ordinary observer could readily mistake it for one of that species, while the head is that of the wolf. The muzzle is long and

T, WILD AND HALF- RECLAIMED DOGS.

pointed, the ears, short and erect. Height about 24 inches, length 30 inches. His coat is more like tur than hair, and is composed of a mixture of silky and woolly hair, the former being of a deep yellow, while the latter is grey. The tail is long and bushy, and resembles that of the fox, excepting in carriage, the dingo curling it over the hip, while the fox trails it along the ground.* While in his unreclaimed state this dog is savage and unmanageable, but is easily tamed, though even then he is not to be trusted, and when set at liberty will endeavour to escape. Many dingoes have been brought to this country, and some of its crosses with the terrier have been exhibited as hybrids between the dog and fox, which latter animal they closely resemble, with the single exception of the pendulous tail. W henever, therefoie, a specimen is produced which is said to be this hybrid, ever} care must be taken to ascertain the real parentage without relying upon the looks alone.

II.— THE DHOLE.

The native wild dog of India, called the dhole, resembles the dingo in all but the tail, which, though hairy, is not at all bushy. The following is Captain Williamson’s description, extracted from his “Oriental Field Sports,” which is admitted to be a very accurate account by those who have been much in India : — “ The dholes are of the size of a small greyhound. Their countenance is enlivened by unusually brilliant eyes. Their body, which is slender and deep-chested, is thinly covered by a coat of hair of a reddish brown or grey colour. The tail is dark towards its extremity. The limbs are light, compact, and strong, and