86 THE COMMON DOC. 



attained the great age of twenty years. When Dogs 

 become old, they carry all the marks of age. They 

 are weak; their hair loses its bright and lively ap- 

 pearance; their teeth and eyes fail them; and, at 

 last, from weakness and disease, they often become 

 unpleasant inmates to our dwellings. 



The Dog will breed both with the Wolf and the 

 Fox. The offspring from this connexion are not 

 barren; but will likewise breed, not only with other 

 Wolves, Foxes, and Dogs, but even amongst them- 

 selves. This is a fact that M. de Buffon was at great 

 trouble and expence to ascertain; and the nu- 

 merous instances cited in the supplementary vo- 

 lumes of his works, have done it very satisfactorily. 



The inhabitants of many countries, and particu- 

 larly of those of several parts of Africa and Asia, 

 are partial to the flesh of the Dog; and fatten these 

 animals, sometimes in great numbers, for food. In 

 Europe, however, the skin seems to be accounted 

 the only useful part of its body. This is made into 

 shoes, gloves, and other articles of dress. 

 . Dogs are subject to three very severe diseases ; 

 the mange, distemper, and madness. Against the 

 former, cleanliness, air, and exercise, are considered 

 to be good preservatives. 



The distemper has not been known in this country 

 more than forty years; but it is now become one 

 of the most fa f al disorders that any animals can be 

 subject to. Dogs are usually attacked by it whilst 

 young, between the ages of six and twelve months; 



and 



