DOMESTIC DOGS. 95 



many of the species which now obtain are in certain charac- 

 teristics at least the result of artificial breeding. In its do- 

 mestic state, the dog is remarkable for its usefulness, obedience, 

 and attachment to its master; and the great variety of breeds 

 that are trained and educated for our benefit or amusement, 

 are almost too numerous to be mentioned. The principal 

 are, the greyhound, noted for his speed; the Newfoundland 

 dog, remarkable for his size, sagacity, and benevolence; the 

 shepherd's dog, perhaps the most useful of all; the spaniel, the 

 barbel, and the setter, useful in hunting; the pointer, the 

 staunch est of all dogs; the Dalmatian or coach-dog, with a 

 skin beautifully spotted; the terrier, useful for destroying ver- 

 min; the blood-hound, formerly used for tracing criminals; the 

 harrier, beagle, and foxhound, distinguished for their quick 

 sense of smell; and the bull-dog, and mastiff, which are our 

 watch-dogs. 



The Dog's Un- Many marvellous instances are on record of the 

 derstanding. dog's capacity for understanding not only the 

 direct commands of his master, to which of course he may 

 be easily trained, but also, sometimes, the drift of conver- 

 sations in which his master may engage. 



The Rev. James Simpson of Edinburgh had a fine New- 

 foundland dog of which some good stories are told. On one 

 occasion, however, Mr. Simpson happening to remark to a 

 friend in the dog's hearing that, as he was about to change 

 his residence, he would have to part with his dog, the dog 

 took the hint, left the house and was never heard of again. 

 Sheep dogs have been known to take very apparent interest 

 in conversations upon the subject of their profession, and to 

 anticipate the word of command by their perception of the 

 drift of the remarks. Mr. St. John, in his " Highland Sports ", 

 gives a remarkable illustration of the way in which a shepherd's 

 dog understood the conversation of his master: "A shepherd 

 once, to prove the quickness of his dog, who was lying before 

 the fire in the house where we were talking, said to me, in the 



