Book VII. 



DOGS. 



1029 



6636. The genus canis includes other animals, as the wolf, the fox, the jackal, and the hyaena : and 

 many naturalists have supposed our subject, the dog, to be only a mixed animal, originating from the 

 union of some of these. Such is the opinion of Guldenstadt, Pallas, and Pennant ; while the higher 

 names of Blumenbach and Cuvier, are ranged among those who assign him a distinct and specific origin. 

 Blaine, who has long successfully advocated the cause of the dog, has bestowed much research on this 

 point; and appears clearly to have traced the dog through his numerous varieties, to a specific origin ; 

 but whether originating from a specific or a spurious source, the dog has descended down into such innu- 

 merable varieties, that a detail of the forms and properties of them, as they appear among us only, would 

 be utterly impossible. The wants, as well as the luxuries of man, have, however, laid hold on some of 

 these varieties, and have fixed them into permanencies, by confining the sexual intercourse to their con- 

 geners alone, and of this number there are no less than forty. It would be unnecessary to draw the 

 character of the dog as stated at length by Linnaeus and others : the outlines are the same in all. 



6637. The shepherd's dog, in an agricultural point of view, ranks foremost among the numerous varie- 

 ties : indeed, the fanciful Buffbn makes him the father of the whole race of dogs. But did no other diffi- 

 culty arise, an insuperable one would be found in the opposite characters which different breeds of this 

 dog possess. Few animals can be more unlike than the small sheep-dog of the Highlands of Scotland, and 

 the monstrous drovers' dog of Smithfield. 



-703 6638. The English sheep-dog {fig. 703.), is usually larger than the northern, 



is longer on the legs, and has been so long accustomed to have the tail taken 

 off nearly close to the rump, that in some instances the custom has operated 

 on nature ; and these dogs are sometimes pupped tailless. The shepherd's 

 dog is not, however, usually bred so large as the real cattle or drover's dog ; 

 but is yet suflficiently strong and fierce. Their color is in general black and 

 white, with half pricked ears : they are extremely docile and intelligent, 

 and seem almost to understand the looks of the shepherd. Some of them 

 are smooth -coated; but by far the greater number are rough, and have 

 their hair crisped, which enables them better to bear the effects of continued 

 exposure. The dog very erroneously described by minor naturalists as the cur dog, is nothing more than 

 the shepherd's dog, confined principally to the operations of the farm; and often bred rather taller, and 

 either smooth or rough, according to circumstances. The very term cur destroys all individuality of 

 breed ; it being applied to characterise any dog of spurious origin : neither in these farm-yard dogs is any 

 characteristic difference whatever observed in forms, qualities, or uses. When the sheep-dog is generally 

 employed in watching the farm-yard, he becomes more fierce and active ; he accommodates his powers to 

 the particular circumstances required of him ; he knows every field, and every beast, and keeps the whole 

 in subjection. His bite is keen, and principally directed at the heels of cattle, by which he keeps himself 

 safe, and does not injure them. 



6639. The sheep-dogs of Scotland are varied in form and size {fi,gs. 704'. and 705.), but are all of them usu- 



7Q4 ally smaller than those in use in England : they are, nevertheless, without 



competitors in sagacity and excellence. Their general characters are, ears 



partially upright, head rather pointed, shaggy 705 



coat, and a remarkable villocity, or fulness of 



tail beneath. Immense flocks of sheep may be 



seen ranging the wilds, without other control 



save the shepherd and his dog, which receives 

 A-yj I ^!^iik ^'^ commands, executes them, and then waits 



win Mm ^ for further instructions : or, he often acts with 



great judgment and promptitude from the im- ' _ 



pulses of his own sagacity, in which, perhaps, t- 

 these dogs never shine more than in their readiness to distinguish the individuals of their own flocks, and 

 their adroitness in keeping out intruders. In driving a number of sheep to any distance, a well-trained 

 dog never fails to confine the sheep to the road : he watches every avenue that leads from it, where he 

 takes his stand, threatening every delinquent ; and pursues the stragglers, forcing them into the ranks 

 without doing them any injury. If the herdsman be at any time absent, he rests satisfied, knowing his 

 dog will not abandon his charge, but will keep them together ; and the moment he returns, the sagacious 

 animal gives up his trust, or conducts them to his master according to the word or signal given. 



6640. The mastiffor guard (fig. 106.), is a noble animal derived from the Dane; but by selection and 

 ,,^,^ cultivation is rendered thicker and heavier, though less tall than his 



//'>.^ 706 .-f-'-ftKiN 'original. The powers of this dog are immense ; and as a guard he is 



I [ U ^w^^mli ""rivalled : having the ferocity of a tiger to a stranger, with thegen- 



i V yff/^-V^ tleness of a lamb towards those he knows. His sagacity in detecting 



. the attempts of robbers, and his fidelity in resisting all thoir bribes, are 

 such, that it is to be lamented his breed has given place to that of 

 the Newfoundland dog, whose qualities as a guard are certainly not 

 equal to his. The mastiff is characterised by small pendulous ears, 

 smooth coat, color various, often reddish or brindled. The lips are 

 pendulous, jaws of immense strength, but seldom under-hung; and 

 lis general form is symmetrical for strength. 



6641. The bull-dog can no otherwise be considered as connected 

 with agriculture, than as he is too often used in the disgraceful and 

 ! inhuman sport of bull-baiting : and however we may admire his in- 

 vincible fortitude, and his contempt of pain and danger, we must 

 allow him to be the most useless among the dog species. In his attack on cattle he always aims at the 

 front, and generally fastens on the upper lip, where he will hang in spite of every effort of the animal to 

 disengage himself. 



6642. The terrier {fig. l(fl.) is a dog of very great utility, and of very va- 

 ried form and size. His qualities have gained him the greatest care in ,, 

 selection, training, and continuing the numerous distinct breeds we wit- If/ 

 ness. The principal varieties may be reduced into the rough and the i> 

 smooth breeds. The rough breed is originally derived from Scotland, where ' 

 it is still preserved in a few families in its original purity. These spe- 

 cimens are seldom large, but are exceedingly rough and shaggy in their 

 hair, which is much crisped and brindled. The rough breed in England 

 has become larger, and is very often seen white. When mixed with the 

 bull breed, this terrier becomes fierce, much inclined to combat, and forms ^_ 

 an excellent guard. The smooth breed produces endless varieties; the 

 principal of which is an elegant black animal with tan markings. A second variety is of varied colors, 

 smaller, thicker, and longer; and is used for earthing foxes, badger-baiting, and vermin killing in 

 general. For rabbit hunting, a wry-legged breed is in considerable request. Although {articular 

 varieties are often appropriated to particular purposes, yet all have a common property, which ren- 

 ders them invaluable to the agriculturist; which is their determined hostility to those animals termed 

 vermin, as foxes, otters, badgers, polecats ; with rats and mice. To attack the former, they are 

 bred strong, and have a portion of the bull breed in them: for the latter their hardihood, activity, and 

 keenness of gripe, are particulariy studied : in which the middle-sized breeds are firequniUy found tp exceL 



3 U 3 



707 



