The Chow-chow. 355 



lately been exhibited and described as African sand 

 dogs. There are also small spaniels which, though 

 differing in type from our present toy spaniels, are 

 in all probability distantly related to them. 



" The variety of Chinese dogs which is best 

 known in this country is the one most commonly 

 to be met with in its native country. This is the 

 edible dog, sometimes described as the wolf dog, 

 but better known here as the Chow-chow. They 

 are undoubtedly a very old breed, in many respects 

 resembling the Esquimaux and the dogs of the Arctic 

 regions, especially in the carriage of tail, ears, and 

 general expression. Scientists would find it an 

 interesting inquiry to determine whether the Chinese 

 dogs are bred from the canine race of the Arctic 

 regions and Northern Europe or vice versa. 



" Many of these dogs have a very keen scent, and 

 in the north of China, where I imagine they are of a 

 somewhat larger size than elsewhere, they are used 

 in packs for hunting purposes. 



" The orthodox colours of the Chow-chow are jet 

 black and dark red. I have, however, seen many 

 good specimens of a lighter colour, and at one time 

 I owned a black and tan dog which was an excep- 

 tionally typical specimen. Whether this colour was 

 the result of crossing the black and red I do not 

 know, but as I have been frequently asked my ex- 



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