232 DOGS 



deerhounds was Maida, who from puppyhood to 

 old age was Sir Walter Scott's constant companion. 

 He was always at his master's feet when the best 

 of the Waverley Novels were being written, and 

 he was laid to rest under a marble monument, 

 with a Latin epitaph made memorable by a slip 

 in the Latinity. 



The Newfoundland is another imposing figure, 

 of dignified and gentlemanly bearing. Enormously 

 strong, he seldom presumes on his strength, and 

 yields to none in sagacity and fidelity. He is 

 hardy, as might be presumed from his birthplace, 

 the breeding region of those dense, cold fogs which 

 are constantly bringing ships to grief on bleak and 

 inhospitable shores. He is almost as much at 

 home in the water as on the land, and many times 

 his rescue of drowning men should have earned 

 him the medals of the Humane Society. On chain 

 there can be no better watch, but in ordinary 

 circumstances it is cruel and needless to chain 

 him, for he is exceptionally docile and obedient. 

 Of course there is the objection, as a house dog, 

 that his coat carries a deal of mud, and when 

 he shakes himself after a thorough soaking, he 

 sprinkles the furniture far and near. For he is 

 clothed very suitably for the Newfoundland climate : 

 the hair on his head is thick and short, but it 

 curls or feathers all over the body in a heavy pile 

 like an Axminster carpet. The soft, hazel eyes are 

 full of intelligence, though rather small for the 

 massive head. All the better perhaps for a 



