10 CHARLES K. STOCKARD 



shorter and tightly curled tail of the pugs, and finally to the 

 short, bent and deformed screw-tail of the bulldogs. 



Hair coats differ among the dog breeds in thickness, texture 

 and length, as shown by the almost polar bear-like coats of 

 the huskies and chows, heavy coat of the shepherd, long, silky 

 coats of sheep dogs and some terriers, thin, silky and fringe- 

 like coat of the Saluki, short stiff coats of the so-called short 

 haired dogs and finally to an almost complete absence of hair 

 in the Mexican, South American and Ceylon hairless dogs. 

 Most of the breeds lose their hair in quantity twice a year 

 and grow new coats, thin in summer and heavy in winter, 

 but some dogs, such as the Irish Kerry blue terriers, never 

 shed the hair en masse and do not change their coats. The 

 great differences in coat color and in patterns and markings 

 among the dog breeds are well known. 



Some of the dog breeds are so grossly deformed in structure 

 as to be rendered almost helpless and unable to maintain an 

 independent existence, being entirely dependent upon the 

 attentions of their masters. Other breeds are modified in 

 localized parts of their bodies, which renders them especially 

 suitable for one activity and somewhat useless for others. 

 The legs of the dachshund and bassethound are useful for 

 burrowing and struggling through heavy undergrowth, but 

 are poorly fashioned for fast running in the open field. The 

 Saluki, greyhound and whippet are admirably adapted for 

 high speed in open country and are poor at burrowing or 

 running through dense brush. In some breeds the tail may 

 serve as a useful rudder while running and other breeds 

 are almost tailless. The jaws are powerful and wolf-like 

 in most dog breeds, but in the bulldog types are deformed 

 and poorly suited for biting. In most breeds the teeth are 

 splendidly set and strongly developed, but in some, such as 

 the bulldogs, toy griffons, Pekingese, and pugs, they are ill-set 

 and poorly developed. There are wide differences in acute- 

 ness of hearing, sight and smell, as well as great differences 

 in intelligence and learning ability. Certain breeds are par- 

 ticularly useful for hunting a definite kind of game; for 



