252 OTHER FOREIGN DOGS 



in the Illustrated Kennel News a short time ago, 

 of which the weight was only ij Ib. 



Tp Asia we are indebted for many noble specimens 

 of the canine race, foremost among which, owing 

 to its formidable appearance and great size, is the 

 Thibetan Mastiff. Notwithstanding the inaccessibility 

 of its native land, occasional specimens have been 

 imported into this country. With the Thibetan 

 Sheepdog, which has many similar characteristics, 

 these dogs are used as guardians of the flocks and 

 homes. In shape they bear, some resemblance to 

 the English Mastiff, from which they differ materially 

 in carrying a thick, rough coat, black in colour. 

 The tail, which is carried high, is very bushy. The 

 head, with deep flews and pendulous ears, is 

 more like that of the Bloodhound than the Mastiff, 

 except that it is shorter, nor are the ears so long. 

 The deep, sunken eyes also remind one of the Blood- 

 hound, especially as a little haw is shown. Mr. L'. 

 Austine Waddell tells us that the huge Thibetan 

 Mastiffs are let loose at night as watch -dogs, and, 

 roaming about in a ferocious state, are a (constant 

 source of alarm to travellers, most of whom, there- 

 fore, carry a charm against dog-bite. This consists 

 of a picture of a dog fettered and muzzled by a 

 chain, terminated by the mystic and all-powerful 

 thunderbolt-sceptre. It contains an inscription in 

 Sanskrit. 



Strip the Persian Greyhound of his coat and alter 

 the form of his ears the result would be to leave 

 a body very similar to that of our own Greyhound 

 or Deerhound. Undoubtedly he is a dog of great 

 beauty and of singularly distinctive looks. " Zardin," 

 the specimen brought to England by Mr. Barff, would 



