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. 
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The colour may be either uniform, or, as in our illustration, a mixture of dark and 
light. The Russian greyhound is powerfully-built, and of rather larger size than 
his English cousin, being covered with a coarse woolly coat, and having fringed 
ears and fore-legs, and a very thickly-haired tail. It is comparatively slow in pace, 
and hunts the wolves against which it is employed both by sight and scent. 
ep ee 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 quite 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 oceur in China, 
Central and South America, Manilla, and the Antilles and Bahamas. 
The lurcher is a cross either between the rough Scotch greyhound 
and the collie, or between the English greyhound and the sheep-dog, or 
any pair of these four. Some lurchers are very handsome animals, while others are 
equally ugly. With these variations it is difficult to give any precise description 
Lurchers. 
of the breed, which may, however, be roughly designated as a dog with the 
general shape of a greyhound, combined with the stouter build, larger ears, and 
rougher coat of the sheep-dog. 
Deena With the field-spaniel, of which there are several varieties, we 
reach the third division of domestic dogs, all of which are char- 
acterised by their large pendent ears, comparatively wide heads, with moderate 
muzzles, relatively short and stout limbs, thick and frequently 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, and long ears shaped like a vine-leaf, 
without a very long fringe of hair. In build the Clumber is long and low; the 
length of the head and body being properly two and a half times the height. The 
