DOMESTIC DOGS 519 



practicable, although it is frequently difficult to decide under which heading to place 

 many of the breeds produced by crossing members of different groups. 



The most wolf-like of all the domestic breeds is the Eskimo dog, 

 } g figured on p. 515. With their small upright ears, nearly straight 

 bushy tails, moderately-sharp muzzles, and rough coats, as well as in their general 

 build, so closely indeed do these dogs resemble wolves that a pack of them has at 

 least on one occasion been actually mistaken for such. These affinities are further 

 indicated by this dog's inability to bark ; and, as already mentioned, it may be con- 

 sidered as merely a domesticated wolf. The Eskimo dog is found throughout the 

 greater part of the Arctic regions, and is absolutely essential to the existence of the 

 inhabitants of those dreary countries, as without its aid they would be unable to 

 make their migrations, or to transport the produce of their sealing and fishing expe- 

 ditions to their homes. Although differing somewhat in color, the Eskimo dogs of 

 Arctic America, Siberia, and Kamchatka, all resemble one another very closely, and 

 the description of those of one district is equally applicable to those of another. 



Many accounts of the habits and appearance of these animals have appeared, but 

 since many of these have been quoted we shall confine ourselves to certain extracts 

 from one of the most recent observers, Dr. Guillemard, who states that on one occa- 

 sion he had the opportunity of seeing more than two hundred collected together. 

 "Most of them are white, with black heads, or entirely of a brown black ; and 

 their general aspect, owing to the sharp muzzle and prick ears, is decidedly wolf- 

 like. The only food they are provided with by their masters is salmon of the 

 hump-backed kind ; but during the summer they pick up game, eggs, and birds in 

 their wanderings about the country. They are usually inspanned in teams of eight 

 or ten, but where the sledges are heavy or the roads bad, double that number, or 

 even more are occasionally used. When the snow is hard and even, they will draw 

 a weight of 360 pounds a distance of thirty-five or forty miles with ease in a day's 

 work ; and with an unloaded sledge, with a single occupant, a pace of eight versts 

 an hour can be kept up for a considerable time. On the road they are given one- 

 third of a fish twice during the day, and a fish and a half at night, which they wash 

 -down with a few gulps of snow. . . . Each has a name, which he answers to 

 when he is driven in the sledge, just in the same way as a Cape ox in a wagon 

 team, for no whips are used. If chastisement be necessary, the driver throws his 

 stick at the delinquent, or pounds the unfortunate creature with any stone that 

 comes handy. There are many ways of tethering these animals, all having in view 

 the one object of keeping them apart, as, excepting upon the road, they seize every 

 opportunity of fighting., One method is by making a large tripod of poles, and ty- 

 ing a dog at the bottom of each ; and in many villages, owing to the large number 

 of dogs which have to be kept, these tripods form a characteristic feature." 



In another passage Dr. Guillemard comments upon the hardships to which 

 these animals have to submit. " No comfortable home is provided for him to en- 

 .able him to withstand the rigors of the Arctic climate, and the poor beast, except 

 when actually at work, has, in most cases, to 'find himself.' Long experience, 

 and the instinct transmitted to him by his ancestors have, however, given him all the 

 resources of an old campaigner. Stumbling at night about the uncertain paths of 



