DOGS. 677 



flocks and home, performing the duties of shepherd, drover, sportsman, and protector, 

 remaining at all times his sagacious and faithful friend. 



Varieties of Dogs. The varieties of domestic dogs are very numerous, and as they 

 are formed by crossing, there is scarcely any limit to the number that might be produced. 

 According to Professor Fitzinger there are at least one hundred and eighty-nine distinct 

 varieties of dogs. Considerable difference of opinion exists with regard to the method of 

 grouping the different varieties, some depending to a certain extent upon the development of 

 the ears, others upon the formation of the head, the length of the muzzle, etc. Thus dogs 

 having the head, and especially the muzzle lengthened may constitute one group or class, 

 such as the Greyhound, the Italian Greyhound, the Scottish and Irish Deer Hounds, the 

 Albanian Hound, etc. Second, those having the head and muzzle less elongated than the 

 former, which class comprises the most useful and intelligent of the whole race of dogs, such 

 as the Scotch Collie or Shepherd Dog, Hound, Spaniel, Setter, Pointer, Newfoundland, and 

 St. Bernard. Third, all those having the muzzle shortened, and the top of the head elevated, 

 which class includes the Terrier, Bull Dog, Mastiff, and Pug Dogs. 



Other classifications may be made according to the peculiar characteristics of the 

 varieties: thus the Shepherd or Collie Dog belongs to the Spaniel class, remarkable for 

 intelligence, sagacity, and affectionate attachment to its master. The Mastiff and other large, 

 short-tailed dogs noted for their strength and courage may also constitute a class by them 

 selves; while those noted for fleetness, such as the Greyhound, Deerhound, Foxhound, 

 Bloodhound, etc., constitute another class, and so on. The most common class of dogs at the 

 present time is the mongrel race known as Curs, which belong to no particular breed, but 

 are the result of chance crosses. Although an occasional good animal may be found among 

 these nondescripts, they are, as a general rule, practically worthless, and too frequently a 

 common nuisance to farmers, being addicted to sheep killing and other dog vices, which 

 would render their extermination a blessing as well as a necessity in some localities. 



Dogs may be grouped, for convenience, into four classes, viz. : &quot;Watch Dogs, or those that 

 are kept to guard property, such as the Mastiff, St. Bernard, Newfoundland, Shepherd, 

 Drover s Dog, and the Bull Terrier; sporting or field dogs, such as the Pointers and Setters; 

 dogs of chase, including those that follow the game by scent or sight, such as the different 

 varieties of the hound; pet and toy dogs, such as the Black-and-tan Terrier, Scotch, Yorkshire 

 and Skye Terrier, the Italian Greyhound, King Charles Spaniel, Poodle, Pug, etc. 



Dogs Useful to the Farmer. A good dog is of great value on the farm, and may 

 be taught to be serviceable in many ways. We believe every farmer should own a dog, one 

 possessing the most desirable qualities for the position, the same as any other farm animal, 

 or help on the farm. In other words, dogs should be thoroughbred, like other valuable farm 

 animals. When the useless curs so commonly seen in the country are exterminated, and 

 well bred and well trained dogs are permitted to take their places, there will be less complaint 

 among farmers about not being able to raise sheep on account of such nuisances, and no 

 necessity of instituting dog laws for sheep protection, since the dog will then be an assistant 

 to the farmer in guarding and caring for his flocks, instead of making ravages upon them. 

 &quot;What would the shepherds of Scotland do without their faithful Collies? The Ettrick 

 Shepherd avers that the whole of the open mountainous land of Scotland would not be 

 worth a sixpence without them.&quot; 



Every breed is more or less valuable, from the Shepherd Dog who faithfully performs, 

 his duties to his master s flock, the shaggy Esquimaux that draws the sledge over long and 

 weary roads, the Newfoundland that is a protector as well as a rescuer of life, the dignified 

 Mastiff, the sagacious and intelligent St. Bernard, that guards the house and its surroundings 

 from all intruders, the Pointer and Setter that are of such valuable service in securing 



VOL. II. 36 



