Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume VI.djvu/188

 180 DOG bold, and strong; they swim excellently, bur- row in the snow, and will drag the native sledges for hours at a time several miles an hour. The arctic voyages have made read- Esquimaux Dog. ers familiar with the habits, appearance, and valuable properties of the Esquimaux dog; this species (C. borealis, Desm.) is probably the same as the Siberian dog. The Hare In- dian dog (C. lagopus, Rich.), according to Sir John Richardson, is peculiar to the region of Mackenzie river and Great Bear lake ; it is in- termediate in size between the wolf and fox, has erect ears, bushy tail, and a general gray color, with white and black markings ; the hair is long, and at its base, as in all arctic dogs, is a thick wool ; it is about 14 in. high, and is used for hunting and not for draught; it is Newfoundland Dog. playful and affectionate, though not very docile. In the Hudson Bay territory, in Canada, and m the Lake Superior mineral district, there is a mongrel race of dogs which take the place of horses during winter ; they are hardy, easily managed, strong, bearing abuse, scanty food, and fatigue without murmur; they are invalu- able to the hunter, Indian, half-breed, and traveller in these snow-clad regions; no par- ticular breed is sought for, the only qualities valued being strength and endurance. The Newfoundland dog (C. Terror Novce, Smith) seems to be indigenous to America ; it is long- er than the Esquimaux dog, less compact, with a wider muzzle, drooping ears, and long hair disposed to curl; it is a handsome and powerful dog, very intelligent, trusty, and kind; the pure breed is almost semi-palmated, making them the best water dogs ; crossed with the hound, they attain an enormous size ; the gen- eral color is black, with some fulvous about the eyes, nose, throat, and joints, and white about the feet and end of the tail. Anecdotes of the sagacity of this well known breed are innumerable. The Nootka dog (C. laniger, Smith) is noted for its thick and matted fur, which the natives mix with wool and make into garments; the describer of this specie? Shepherd's Dog. thinks it indicates that the Esquimaux and Newfoundland races were derived from Asiatic originals, perhaps from the dog of Siberia. At the head of the list of the domestic canines of temperate Europe stands the shepherd's dog (C. domesticus, Linn.), still with the wolf-like stature, head, and hair ; its appearance is rather unpromising ; its shaggy hair is generally va- ried black and gray, the ears are short and erect, and the tail is bushy and curved ; having been trained from time immemorial to the care of flocks, its peculiar faculties seem to be in- stinctive, and its sagacity, fidelity, and courage are not excelled by any species of dog; the height is not quite 2 ft., but the form is very muscular. This breed is confined to temperate and southern Europe. The true shepherd's dog attends the flocks, keeps them together, and protects them from violence. A variety called the drover's dog, somewhat larger and more rugged, is of great assistance in driving sheep and cattle to market. The great wolf