358 Modern Dogs. 



are hardy dogs, but many are carried off by dis- 

 temper, from which they appear to suffer more 

 severely than our native British breeds." 



From the inquiries I have made elsewhere, and 

 from my own experience, I can endorse all that Mr. 

 Taunton has said of the variety. Both the black 

 and the red Chow-chows, when in full coat, are very 

 handsome animals, in this respect comparing favour- 

 ably with our native varieties the collie, for instance. 

 He has, however, a somewhat wild-looking appear- 

 ance, and his resemblance to the quasi-domesticated 

 dogs of the Arctic regions is somewhat against 

 his popularity. A few years ago the mate of a 

 trading vessel, with whom I was acquainted, brought 

 home with him from Pekin a very handsome 

 specimen of the Chow-chow, a black one with a 

 lovely tail and a coat like deep pile velvet. In those 

 days I kept more dogs than I do now, and 

 approached the sailor with the view of purchasing 

 the importation. He would, however, not consent 

 to part with his favourite, for which he had 

 formed a great attachment, for he said "there 

 never was a more faithful dog than he." On the 

 very first day ot landing in Liverpool the mate, 

 sailor-like, went into the town to enjoy himself, 

 as only sea-faring men can do after a lengthened 

 absence from home. The dog, however, got tired 



