THE DOG 19 



These varied in the different parts of the world, according to 

 the peculiarities in the conditions of the masters. In high 

 latitudes, where the ground is ^snow-covered during the 

 winter season, dogs were used, as they are to this day, in 

 dragging sleds. They were, indeed, perhaps the first animals 

 which were harnessed to vehicles. When they were brought 

 to serve this definite end, we may well believe that the 

 stronger and more enduring individuals were spared in times 

 of dearth for the reason that they were almost indispensable 

 to their masters, and even the little forethought which we 

 find among primitive peoples would lead to their preserva- 

 tion. Here again, doubtless, came in the process of unin- 

 tended selection which has made the Esquimau sled-dog one 

 of the most remarkable varieties of his kind. 



Perhaps the most interesting of the early variations 

 induced among dogs is that which has arisen from the pas- 

 toral habit. We do not know when this custom of keeping 

 sheep in large flocks was first instituted, but it is evidently of 

 exceeding antiquity, probably far older than the pyramids of 

 Egypt. The custom could hardly have been instituted with- 

 out help of the shepherd's mate, the sheep-dog. Although 

 the creatures of this breed are probably in form very near to 

 the original wild species whence our canines came, the 

 variety has as regards its instincts been, by a process of 

 education and selection, led very far away from the original 

 stock. 



The wild forefathers of this species were clearly natural 

 born sheep-slayers, and the motive abides to this day in all 

 the breeds which have the strength to assail our unresisting 

 flocks. The spirit is so ingrained that even the most civilized 

 of our house-dogs, which may for generations never have 



