VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 17 



strong-, and equally calculated for speed and power. They resemble 

 many of the common pariah dogs in form, but the singularity of their 

 colour and marks at once demonstrate an evident distinction. 



" These dogs are said to be perfectly harmless if unmolested. They do 

 not willingly approach persons ; but, if they chance to meet any in their 

 course, they do not show any particular anxiety to escape. They view 

 the human race rather as objects of curiosity, than either of apprehension 

 or enmity. The natives who reside near the Ranochitty and Katcunsandy 

 passes, in which vicinity the dholes may frequently be seen, describe them 

 as confining their attacks entirely to wild animals, and assert that they 

 will not prey on sheep, goats, &c. ; but, others, in the country extending 

 southward from Jelinah and Mechungunge, maintain that cattle are fre- 

 quently lost by their depredations. I am inclined to believe that the 

 dhole is not particularly ceremonious, but will, when opportunity offers, 

 and a meal is wanting, obtain it at the expense of the neighbouring 

 village. 



" The peasants likewise state that the dhole is eager in proportion to 

 the size and powers of the animal he hunts, preferring the elk to every 

 other kind of deer, and particularly seeking the royal tiger. It is pro- 

 bable that the dhole is the principal check on the multiplication of the 

 tiger ; and, although incapable individually, or perhaps in small numbers, 

 to effect the destruction of so large and ferocious an animal, may, from 

 their custom of hunting in packs, easily overcome any smaller beast found 

 in the wilds of India. 



" They run mute, except that they sometimes utter a whimpering 

 kind of note, similar to that sometimes expressed by dogs when approach- 

 ing their prey. This may be expressive of their own gratification, or 

 anxiety, or may serve as a guide to other dholes to join in the chace. 

 The speed of the dhole is so strongly marked in his form as to render it 

 probable no animal in the catalogue of game could escape him for any 

 distance. Many of the dholes are destroyed in these contests ; for the 

 tiger, the elk, and the boar, and even many of the smaller classes of game 

 are capable of making a most obstinate defence. Hence the breed of the 

 dholes is much circumscribed." 



THE THIBET DOG. 



Mr. Bennett, in his scientific and amusing description of the Zoological 

 Gardens, gave the best account we have of this noble dog, and the por- 

 trait at the head of this chapter is a most faithful likeness of him. He 

 is bred in the table-land of the Himalaya mountains bordering on Thibet. 

 The Bhoteas, by whom many of them are carefully reared, come down to 

 the low countries at certain seasons of the year to sell their borax and 

 musk. The women remain at home, and they and the flocks are most 

 sedulously guarded by these dogs. They are the defenders of almost 

 every considerable mansion in Thibet. In an account of an embassy to 

 the court of the Teshoo Llama in Thibet, the author says, that he had to 

 pass by a row of wooden cages containing a number of large dogs, fierce, 

 strong, and noisy. They were natives of Thibet, and, whether savage by 

 nature or soured by confinement, they were so impetuously furious that 

 it was unsafe even to approach their dens. Every writer who describes 

 these dogs, speaks of their noble size, and their ferocity, and antipathy to 

 strangers. 



