DOMESTIC DOGS. 525 



coursing gazelles, in which they are aided by falcons. They are likewise employed 

 in hunting the wild ass. The Persian greyhound differs from the Grecian in 

 having the ears fringed with long hair, in its more hairy nose, and also in the 

 greater development of the fringe of hair on the tail. The hair on the body is, 

 however, intermediate in length between that of the Grecian and English breeds. 

 The colour may be either uniform, or, as in our illustration, a mi.Kture of dark and 

 light. The Ru.ssian greyhound is powerfully-built, and of rather larger size than 

 his English cousin, being covered with a coarse woolly coat, and liaving fringed 

 ears and fore-legs, and a verj- thickl}--haired tail. It is comparatively slow in pace, 

 and hunts the wolves against which it is employed both by sight and scent. 



Here may be mentioned the hairless dogs of Central Africa, 

 which closely resemble greyhounds in general appearance. These 

 dogs have long slender bodies, moderately elongated and thin necks, narrow and 

 pointed muzzles, tall foreheads, long tails and limbs, and no dew-claws on the hind- 

 feet. Their ears are pendent at the tips : and, like the body, are (juite devoid of 

 hair. Indeed, it is only in the neighbourhood of the tail, around the mouth, and on 

 the limbs, that there is any hair at all. They are employed in Africa for hunting 

 antelopes, and possess great .speed : but their hairless skin renders them unsuited to 

 live in any but the warmest climates. Other breeds of hairless dogs occur in China, 

 Central and South America, Manilla, and the Antilles and Bahamas. 



The lurcher is a cross eithei- between tlie rough Scotcli greyhound 



Iiiirc he f s 



and the collie, or between the English greyliound and tlie siieep-dog, or 



any pair of these four. Some lurchers are very hand.some animals, while others are 

 equally ugly. With these variations it is difficult to give any precise description 

 of the breed, which may, however, be roughly designated as a dog with the 

 general shape of a greyhound, combined with tiie stouter build, larger ears, and 

 rougher coat of the sheep-dog. 



With the tield-spaniel, of which there are several varieties, we 

 reach the third division of domestic dogs, all of which are cliar- 

 acterised by their large pendent ears, comparativeh^ \\'iile heads, with moderate 

 muzzles, relatively short and stout limbs, thick and frequentl}- long hair, and 

 thickly-haired tails. Their skulls are distinguished from those of all the dogs yet 

 mentioned by their width and comparative shortness, this being especially notice- 

 able in the palate and lower jaw. The profile of the skull is also more markedly 

 concave, the brain case rising suddenly at the eyes, and thus indicating great 

 mental power. True spaniels, as their name denotes, are probably of Spanish 

 origin, and are divided into field and water-spaniels, in addition to which there 

 are the smaller breeds kept only as pets. Field-spaniels form some of the best 

 shooting dogs, and generally give notice of the proximity of game by their voice. 

 They are now divided into the Clumber, Sussex, Norfolk, and Cocker breeds. 



The Clumber spaniel is distinguished by its silence when hunting : and is a 

 heavily-built animal, of comparatively large size, and soon tiring when at work. 

 The head is massive, with a deep furrow along the top, large flesh or liver-coloured 

 nostrils, large and generally hazel eyes, ami long ears shaped like a vine-leaf, 

 without a very long fringe of liair. In Ijuild the Clumber is long an'l low : the 

 length of the head and body being properly two and a half times the lieight. The 



