36 NEIGHBORS WITH CLAWS AND HOOFS. 



3. Besides the innumerable mixed curs that have no 

 well-defined characteristics, many distinct varieties are 

 our familiar acquaintances. The terrier group embraces 

 the smooth English black-and-tan, the rough Scotch and 

 Isle of Skye, and the fox terriers, all of whom show their 

 inbred propensity to search the terra or earth, when the 

 word " rats " is mysteriously pronounced. The spaniel, 

 with soft, curly hair and pendulous ears, is known by his 

 fondness for the water. The mastiff group includes the 

 bull-dog, who makes his attacks without a bark, the fa- 

 mous English mastiff the prince of watch-dogs and the 

 abused little pug, whose kingdom is the lap of his mis- 

 tress. The great, shaggy, noble-hearted Newfoundland 

 is the pride of the household, and the trusted friend oi 

 little children. 



4. Hundreds of stories have been preserved whicli 

 illustrate the almost human traits of dogs their intelli 

 gence, reasoning power, memory, humor, jealousy, deceit 

 sympathy, and fidelity. In ancient Egypt the dog wai 

 regarded with veneration. By the Egyptians, Sirius wa& 

 called the dog-star. But the Eastern nations despised the 

 dog, and from them have descended those phrases and 

 comparisons which class him with objects that are low 

 and wicked. 



5. Erom these people, who never treated this animal 

 as a friend or companion, have come those expressions of 

 anger and insult we too often hear : " You're a dog," " a 

 cur," " a hound." And in the cities and towns of India 

 and Turkey, even to-day, travelers are impressed with 

 what are called " street dogs," who have no masters and 

 no friends. 



6. Some gentlemen, who kept tigers in cages, have fed 

 them with the street dogs of India. " I know," says Mr. 

 Williamson, "an instance of one who was thus devoted to 



