THE GREAT WOLF-DOG. 139 



and still more rugged in coat. It is to be wished 

 that the last mentioned were trained with more at- 

 tention to humanity; for, taking their manners 

 from the very unfeeling class of men who own 

 them, we sometimes witness acts of cruel depravity 

 perpetrated upon droves and flocks, that merit the 

 bitterest reprehension. 



The Great Wolf-dog is not common in central 

 Europe ; and appears at present almost confined to 

 Spain, where, no doubt, it was introduced by the 

 Goths. It is a large race, little inferior to the mas- 

 tiff, with a pointed nose, erect ears, a long silky 

 coat, and a very bushy, or rather feathery tail, 

 curled over the back. In colour it is mostly white, 

 with great clouds of fulvous, or brown. The ac- 

 count given by Olaus Magnus shows, that in his 

 time this variety abounded in the north of Sweden 

 and Norway. 



The Molossian and Spartan dogs are described * 

 to vary in colour through different shades, from 

 dark brown to bright dun, their long fur being very 

 soft, thick, and glossy. In size they are equal to 

 an English mastiff. They have a long nose ; deli- 

 cate ears, finely pointed ; magnificent tail ; legs of 

 a moderate length; with a body nicely rounded, 

 and compact. There seems reason to think, that 

 these four-footed tenants of Greece have preserved 

 their pedigree unimpaired ; as they possess all that 

 strength, swiftness, sagacity, and fidelity, which 

 are ascribed to them by the ancient authors. Hence, 

 * Hughes's Travels in Greece, Vol. i. p. 484. 



