364 BRITISH DOGS 



making larger dogs than those bred farther away where food is 

 scarcer. 



The great difficulty in obtaining specimens of this breed, more 

 especially bitches, will always be an impediment to those desirous of 

 breeding these dogs in this country. Experience seems to prove 

 that the bitches do not go the normal time with young, but whelp 

 at the expiration of sixty days as a rule. They are capital mothers, 

 but should not be interfered with, as they are sometimes apt to eat 

 their puppies if they are not left alone. The writer, not being aware 

 of this fact, lost in this way one of the first litters he bred ; and 

 on another occasion, thinking that no harm would arise in ascer- 

 taining how many puppies there were in a litter whelped some days 

 previously, he was unwise enough to count them, and was much 

 disappointed to find, shortly afterwards, that a portion of the litter 

 had mysteriously disappeared. The puppies are no trouble to rear 

 so long as they do not contract distemper, which too often proves 

 fatal, in spite of any amount of care. No special feeding is required, 

 but fish is a favourite food. These dogs live to a good age in this 

 country, Seymos Franklin, the specimen in the Natural History 

 Department of the British Museum, being twelve years old at the 

 time of her death. 



Differences of opinion have been expressed as to the temper and 

 disposition of these dogs. In the last Edition of this book Mr. 

 Temple wrote : " I have never owned one, dog or bitch, that when 

 loose would not go for the first living thing it could see, be it dog, 

 pig, chicken, horse, or cow. They are awful fighters, and it is rough 

 on the dog they get hold of." This is so utterly opposed to the 

 experience of the writer and others who have kept and bred these 

 dogs in this country, that one can only conclude that Mr. Temple 

 was singularly unfortunate in the specimens he owned or in his 

 treatment of them. That there are bad-tempered and quarrelsome 

 Esquimaux, as is the case in every other breed of dog, no one will 

 attempt to deny ; and that, when half starved and cruelly treated by 

 their hard task-masters, as is too frequently the case, they should be 

 little better than half-tamed animals can hardly surprise any one. 

 The Esquimaux well cared for and properly treated is, however, a 

 very different animal, and is extremely affectionate and a nice com- 

 panion. Garry, a pure white dog that won many prizes in former 

 years, is described as being quite tame, following his master closely 

 through the streets without chain or muzzle, and as being very 

 tractable and docile. Mr. Brough, in writing of Myouk, a well- 

 known dog in his time, said : " Mrs. Brough takes Myouk out fre- 

 quently, both riding and driving. He is much bolder than when we 

 first had him, and follows perfectly in crowded streets or elsewhere, 

 and is quite as handy and obedient as any dog we have more so than 

 most. We never have to speak twice to him. He is most affectionate, 



