THE SHEPHERD'S BOG. 17 



inriv;ised exertion on the part of their master, and thus they took sufficient for the support of life. 

 <>iH-f, at least, every day, and oftener, if they had opportunity, they glided together into the sick 

 man's room, slipped stealthily to the bed-side, raised their fore paws on the bed-clothes, and thus 

 continued, for some time, to gaze together on the pallid features of their master, even when he became 

 unconscious, and then droopingly retired from the room. 



THE CUR, OR DROVER'S DOG. 



THIS animal is larger than the shepherd's dog ; the hair is generally shorter, and the tail, even when 

 not cut purposely, often appears as if it had been so. Bewick, who was well acquainted with these 

 animals, speaking of the former, says : " Many are whelped with short tails, which seem as if they had 

 been cut, and these are called in the North self-tailed dogs." The same writer is disposed to consider 

 this breed as a true, or permanent kind ; and he states that great attention is paid to it It seems, 

 however, that the drover's dog is, in reality, a cross between the shepherd's dog and some other race- 

 perhaps, the terrier. It often partakes largely of the character of the shepherd's dog, but is taller in 

 the limbs. These dogs bite severely, and always attack the heels of cattle, so that a fierce bull is easily 

 driven by them. They are singularly quick and prompt in their actions, and they are both courageous 

 and intelligent. To their masters, who frequently ill-treat them, they are fiiithful and attached. 



As the word cur is often used in a depreciating sense, it will be well to observe that it has a very 

 respectable origin ; it being only a mutation of the Celtic cu ; the Greek, KV w, and even the Latin, 

 cams; all emphatically pointing to the most ancient and general name of the dog in Europe. 



THE SIBERIAN DOG. 



THIS animal is closely allied to the shepherd's dog, but it is larger ; and, on account of the inclemency of its 

 country, more densely coated with long shaggy hair, which feels like wool. A fine female dog of this 

 breed was singularly faithful and intelligent, but very noisy ; pleasure being expressed by a loud barking, 

 continuing, if the animal were not checked, during a walk of two or three miles. She was an excellent 

 house-guard, and her bark on the approach of strangers was very different from that of pleasure. So great 

 was her indifference to cold, that she did not hesitate to plunge into the Thames with the thermometer 

 far below freezing point, nor did she suffer the slightest inconvenience ; even a heap of snow, or the frost- 

 bound earth, were substituted for a snug kennel as a sleeping-place. It was not without difficulty that 

 she was restrained from chasing sheep and cattle, and would often, to the annoyance of her owner, 

 slink off, when unperceived, and scour the fields, driving oxen and sheep before her. 



Another group of dogs, now to be considered, has the muzzle produced ; the jaws strong ; the 

 hair smooth or wiry ; the limbs long and vigorous ; the ears narrow, semi-erect, or only slightly 

 pendulous ; and the power of scent not highly developed. 



THE GREYHOUND. 



THERE is a picture, as beautiful and as touching a one as ever was painted by that " blind old 

 man of Scio's rocky isle," whom there are so many found to praise, and so few to read. Ulysses, 

 the disguised, and Eumseus, trustiest of swineherds, have been conversing together before the palace : 



" Thus, near the gates conferring as they drew, 

 Argus, the dog, his ancient master knew ; 

 He, not unconscious of the voice and tread, 

 Lifts to the sound his ear, and rears his head." 



Yes ! though he lay " uncared-for, in much filth, and swarming with dog-ticks "though the limb was 

 powerless with age, and the frame wasted by hunger the life, the love, and the memory were stron<r 

 m the old dog yet ; the eye might have doubted, but the ears were sure. 



VOL. II. 



