BOOK VII. XII. 3-5 



sheep-dog and black for a farm-yard dog ; for a 

 dog of varied colouring is not to be recommended for 

 either purpose. The shepherd prefers a white dog 

 because it is unlike a wild beast, and sometimes a 

 plain means of distinction is required in the dogs 

 when one is driving off wolves in the obscurity of early 

 morning or even at dusk, lest one strike a dog instead 

 of a wild beast. The farmyard dog, which is pitted 4 

 against the wicked wiles of men, if the thief 

 approaches in the clear light of day, has a more 

 alarming appearance if it is black, whereas at night 

 it is not even seen because it resembles the shadow and 

 so, under the cover of darkness, the dog can approach 

 the crafty thief in greater security. A squarely 

 built dog is preferred to one which is long or short, 

 and it should have a head so large as to appear to 

 form the largest part of it ; it should have ears which 

 droop and hang down, eyes black or grey, sparkling 

 with rays of bright light, a broad and shaggy chest, 

 wide shoulders, thick, rough legs and a short tail; 

 the joints of its feet and its claws, which the Greeks 

 call drakes, should be very large. Such are the 

 points which will meet with most approval in all 

 farm-yard dogs. In character they should neither be 5 

 very mild nor, on the other hand, savage and cruel ; 

 if they are mild, they fawn on everyone, including the 

 thief; if they are fierce they attack even the people 

 of the house. It is enough that they should be stern 

 but not fawning, so that they sometimes look even 

 upon their companions in servitude with a somewhat 

 wrathful eye, while they always blaze with anger 

 against strangers. Above all they should be seen to 

 be vigilant in their watch and not given to wandering, 

 but diligent and cautious rather than rash; for the 



