214 



THE DHOLE, OR WILD DOG. 



NATURALISTS recognize but one species of wild- 

 dog (Cuon rutilans) in India, but there can 

 be no doubt there is a very great dissimilarity 

 between the varieties noticed in different parts of 

 the Peninsula. The dhole, or red dog, is found in 

 the uplands and hill-tracts. In size not much 

 larger than the common jackal, it is of an 

 orange-red colour shading off to yellow under the 

 stomach. It is of very slender build, and is shaped 

 like a hound. It hunts by the scent, and is very 

 courageous and tenacious of purpose. When once 

 on the scent, it will follow up its quarry with the 

 utmost determination, pursuing it for days until, 

 utterly wearied out, it falls an easy victim to 

 the pack. 



A second variety of wild dog is found in the 

 large stretches of forest at the foot of the various 

 ranges of hills. It is more than double the size 

 of the dhole, and of a lighter orange colour, 

 flecked with grey along the back and tail. It is 

 of a different build from the dhole, being more 

 massive in the shoulder and loins. It is a 

 splendid water dog, and will swim the largest 

 rivers when in flood, and attack cattle in the 



