142 THE DOG JOWLER. 



render them perfect in their kind. The above dog- had been purchased when a 

 puppy, from the Northermost part of the Island, was of the pure Newfoundland 

 breed, and grew up to the size of a small donkey. He was well calculated for hard 

 labour, exceedingly tractable and gentle, shewing a particular attachment to the 

 children of the family, and agreeing perfectly well with the cats, which he treated 

 with a kind of dignified condescension, as animals which nature had placed in a 

 sphere far below his. He was, in general, very easy to please in the quality of his 

 food, being contented with scraps of boiled fish, fresh or salted, with vegetables, 

 potatoes or cabbage. So much however of his wild nature remained stirring in him, 

 that if hungry, he never scrupled to rob the larder, when unguarded, of either fish 

 or flesh, and had a bowel-hankering after the larger kind of poultry, the blood of 

 sheep yet being his most favourite nourishment. 



Jowler, such was his name, would chase sheep wherever he could find them un- 

 guarded, even from high cliffs into the sea, and jump in after them : not, however, 

 without first estimating the elevation of the cliff, which finding too great, he would 

 run down and take a more convenient rout for pursuit. His master had domesticated 

 some wild Geese, one of which would frequently follow him in his morning walks, 

 side by side with Jowler, the two apparently living together on the best terms. 

 Unfortunately the servant one night neglected to confine them, according to custom, 

 and the next morning the feathers of the favourite goose were found scattered in a 

 small field adjoining to the grounds. The dog was soon after found concealed in 

 the corner of a wood-yard, and on his master looking at him, exhibited evident 

 signs of conscious guilt. His master took him to the field, and pointed out to him 

 the poor goose's feathers ; on which the dog staring at him, uttered a loud growl, 

 and ran away at full speed ; nor could he endure his master's sight for some days 

 afterwards. 



The Greenland Dog is described as naturally timorous, perhaps shy, and not so 

 easy to domesticate as the Newfoundland, which latter is said never to exhibit any 

 signs of timidity. The dog Jowler, after many hard fought battles, and when he 

 had attained his full growth, soon established his character for superiority. He was 

 not quarrelsome, but treated the smaller species of dogs with patience and forbearance ; 

 but when attacked by a dog of equal size, or engaged in restoring peace among 

 other dogs, he would set to, most vigorously, and continue the struggle until submis- 

 sion was obtained, or peace completely re-established. He would then leave the 

 field of battle with a haughty look, and a warning growl, and be afterwards as 

 quiet as a lamb. His master was perfectly secure in his company ; for the least 

 appearance of an attack on his person, raised at once the dog's attention, and pro- 

 duced a most tremendous growl as the signal of action, in his master's defence. 

 The sagacity of this animal was astonishing, and on all occasions he seemed to 

 want only the faculty of speech, to place his intellect on a level with the human. 

 The character indeed of Jowler seems much to resemble that of Savages, who, 



