316 



DOG. 



of the foot, technically known by the name of " dew 

 claws." These are soft and pendent, and do not act 

 by means of muscles, like the toes, properly so called, 

 but are a sort of fringe to the back part of the foot. 

 In walking on hard surfaces they are of no use ; and 

 as they are liable to be torn and lacerated in beating 

 among bushes, and thus to cripple the animals, for 

 wounds in the feet of dogs are more injurious to them 

 than in any other part of their bodies, they are cut 

 off in sporting dogs when very young ; but in shep- 

 herds' dogs, and in pastoral dogs generally, they are 

 allowed to remain ; and in the hill pastures espe- 

 cially, which are interspersed with bogs, and places 

 between the hummocks of grass which consist of soft 

 and sludgy peat, these dew-claws, by spreading out to 

 their whole length by a little pressure, greatly extend 

 the surface of the foot, and thus enable it to bear up 

 the animal in situations where it otherwise would sink, 

 jn the same manner as people furnished with snow 

 shoes, can walk over snowy surfaces, in which, if they 

 had not these means of protection, they would sink 

 knee deep. This peculiarity is found wanting in all 

 the coursing dogs, and in all those which, in a state of 

 nature, find their prey upon the firm ground. 



Shepherd's Dog. 



In the shepherd s dog, the ears are erect, as they 

 are in the wild dogs, and, as in these, the muzzle is 

 sharp. The character of the coat, too, indicates that 

 they are mountaineers, or tempered to abide the 

 severity of the weather. In all the varieties of dogs 

 which we have had occasion to mention as extending 

 over great range of climate, whether in latitude or in 

 difference of elevation, it will be borne in mind that 

 as we get into the colder climate, whether that is 

 caused by difference of latitude or by difference of 

 elevation, the coat of the animal in the cold climate 

 is long and shaggy in proportion to that of the warm. 

 A very remarkable instance of this may be perceived 

 on referring to the plate of dogs, where the dog of 

 Nepal, or Thibet, and the dog of India, which are 

 really the same variety, are figured. The Indian one 

 will be observed to liave a smooth and close coat, 

 while the dog of the mountains is as shaggy as a bear. 

 So also in the dog of the Mackenzie River, which is 

 also figured, the covering will be observed to be par- 

 ticularly shaggy ; whereas the very same dog in the 

 warm parts of America has his clothing perfectly 

 smooth In. the shepherd's dog this accumulation of 



the fur is most conspicuous on the under part of the 

 tail, the back, and the fore legs ; but the production 

 of hair varies considerably in different places ; the 

 shepherd's dog of the mountains being much more 

 ! shaggy than the same animal in the plains. This 

 I intelligent and useful animal is one of the most obe- 

 dient, serene, and placid members of the canine race. 

 He is ever alive to the slightest indication of his 

 master's wishes, prompt and gratified to execute them ; 

 and he appears to enjoy the greatest delight when 

 employed in any useful service. By nature formed 

 with an instinctive propensity to industry, he is never 

 more pleased than in exerting his talents for the 

 benefit of man, and in giving constant proofs of his 

 inviolable attachment. The patience, native calm- 

 ness, and devoted faithfulness of the shepherd's dog, 

 render him insensible to all attractions beyond the 

 arduous duties connected with the flock under his 

 care. When once properly trained, he not only 

 becomes perfectly acquainted with the extent of his 

 beat, but also with every individual in the flock ; he 

 will very correctly select his own, and drive off those 

 that encroach on his boundary. This will appear 

 the more extraordinary when we consider the vast 

 extent of country and the numerous flocks com- 

 mitted to a single shepherd's charge, which duty 

 he could not possibly perform but for the invalu- 

 able services of this very sagacious animal. A word 

 or signal from him will direct the dog so as to con- 

 duct the flock to any point required, and that signal 

 he will obey with energy and unerring certainty. 

 The labour of a shepherd, with the assistance of a 

 dog, is comparatively an easy task ; but without one 

 we can hardly suppose an occupation more arduous. 

 Without, indeed, the aid of this animal, it would be 

 next to impossible to collect the flocks in those exten- 

 sive and precipitous tracts of mountain-land where 

 sheep delight to graze, and which are in many places 

 quite inaccessible to man. The shepherd's dog, from 

 being inured to all weathers, is naturally hardy; and, 

 accustomed to hunger and fatigue, he is the least 

 voracious of the species, and can subsist upon a scanty 

 allowance. If a shepherd is travelling with his flock 

 to a distance, his dog will only repose close to his 

 feet ; and should he wish to leave them for the pur- 

 pose of taking refreshment, he has only to intimate 

 his intention to his dog, and he will guard the sheep 

 in his absence with as much care, and keep them 

 within due bounds, as well as he himself could have 

 done. Although left alone for hours, a well-trained 

 dog always keeps the flock within the limits of a made 

 road, even, should there be no fences ; he watches 

 every cross path and avenue that leads from it, where 

 he posts himself until they are all past, threatening 

 every one who attempts to move that way; and, should 

 any of them escape, he pursues them, and will force 

 them back to their companions without doing them 

 any injury. The breed of this dog is preserved with 

 the greatest attention to purity in the north of Eng- 

 land, and in the highlands of Scotland, where his 

 services are invaluable. The shepherd's dog of this 

 country, with all his good qualities, in point of size 

 and strength, is still greatly inferior to those of the 

 Alps, and of that extensive range of mountains which 

 divide France from Spain, as well as to the variety 

 which is found in the neighbourhood of Caucasus. 

 In this country there are two kinds of this dog : that 

 used by shepherds, which is of a small size, and the 

 breed used by drovers and butchers. About London,. 



