5l8 CARNIVORES 



that of the coyote, but when it for the first time sees any new and startling object 

 it attempts a kind of bark. 



Under the title of Pomeranian dog are included a large and a 

 Pomeranian Dog. sma jj . var i e ty ? o f which the latter is represented in the figure on the 

 preceding page. The Pomeranian may be regarded as the nearest ally of the 

 Eskimo dog, and is a middle-sized or small animal, of strong build, with a sharply- 

 pointed muzzle, upright and pointed ears, and a thick bushy tail generally carried 

 curled over the back. The fur is long and coarse, and varies in colour from black 

 through grey, yellowish, and foxy-red to pure white ; the darker varieties usually 

 have a lighter patch on the forehead, and also white marks on the feet. The larger 

 Pomeranian was formerly used as a wolf-dog, and should properly be of a pale 

 fawn-colour, without any admixture of white, and with black " points." 



The smaller Pomeranian is a better-known animal, although it has the 

 disadvantage of being somewhat uncertain in temper. The spitz, as this variety 

 is often called, is employed as a sheep-dog in its native country, and is then 

 most esteemed when entirely black. There is, however, on the Continent an 

 almost complete transition from the pure black to the white spitz, which was 

 the one most commonly met with in England, till the black breed came into 

 fashion. A well-bred white spitz ought to have a black tip to the nose; and 

 in all cases the ears should be perfectly upright, without any tendency to fall 

 over at the tips. The heavily-furred curly tail is generally carried on the left 

 side of the body. The fur on the throat forms a thick frill or ruff, and there is 

 a considerable amount of long hair on the fore-legs. The face has only very 

 short hair. 



Closely resembling the spitz in appearance is the Chinese sheep-dog, the 

 general colour of which is reddish, with a mixture of dark brown hairs in the 

 fur of the back, which gives it a somewhat speckled look. 



The sheep-dog and its ally the Scotch collie depart more from 

 the wolf-like type than the species hitherto noticed, in having the 

 tips of the ears pendent. According to " Stonehenge," the old English sheep-dog 

 has a sharp muzzle, medium-sized head, with small and piercing eyes; a well- 

 shaped body, formed after the model of a strong low greyhound, but clothed in 

 long and somewhat thick and woolly hair, which is particularly strong about the 

 neck and bosom. The tail is naturally strong and bushy. In almost all sheep- 

 dogs there is a double dew-claw on each hind-leg, and very often without any bony 

 attachment. The legs and feet are strong and well-formed, and stand road-work 

 well, and the untiring nature of the dog is very remarkable. The colour varies 

 greatly, but most are grey, or black, or brown, with more or less white. Many of 

 the sheep-dogs used in England have, however, been crossed with other breeds, and 

 thus depart more or less widely from the original type. 



The sheep-dog of France and Germany is very similar in general appearance to 

 the English breed, showing the same indifference to caresses and the same attention 

 to its particular business. Sheep-dogs commence their training during their first 

 year, and learn their work with wonderful rapidity. On the Continent they are 

 employed not only in tending sheep, but likewise goats and cattle ; but in England 

 the variety known as the drover's dog is more generally used for cattle herding. 



