ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 371 
the ancient genuine breed consisted of a dog about 26 inches 
high, with black-ticked body, gray muzzle, and gray or white 
stockinged legs, with dew-claws behind.” Judicious treatment 
has greatly improved the breed. ‘‘ Their colour is white with 
black patches, curly coats, noble heads, and powerful frames. 
The favourite Newfoundland dog at present is entirely black, of 
large size, from 26 to 30 inches in height, remarkable for his 
majestic appearance. It is now generally admitted that there are 
two distinct types of the Newfoundland, one considerably larger 
than the other, and reckoned as the true breed; the other being 
named the Labrador, or St. John’s, or Lesser Newfoundland. 
The latter is chiefly found in Labrador, and specimens are also 
to be met with in Newfoundland.” 
Regarding the dogs of the Mexican Indians, Nadaillac says, 
in his ‘ Prehistoric America’ :—‘“ The European dog, our faithful 
companion, also appears to have been a stranger to them.” * His 
place was very inadequately filled by the Coyote or Prairie Wolf,+ 
which they kept in captivity, and had succeeded in taming to a 
certain extent. 
In a recent visit to Mexico, not only along the railroads, but 
in the course of a stage ride of about 500 miles through provincial 
Mexico, from Saltillo to San Miguel, we were struck by the 
resemblance of the dogs to the Coyote; there can be little doubt 
but that they are the descendants of a race which sprang from the 
partly-tamed Coyote of the ancient Mexican Indians. At one 
village, Montezuma, we saw a hairless or Carib Dog, as we 
supposed it to be; similar dogs are sometimes seen in the 
United States. 
Finally, that the domestic dog, and the Gray as well as the 
Prairie Wolf, will hybridize has been well established. Dr. Coues 
has observed hybrids between the Coyote and domestic dog on 
* Certain kinds of dogs were, however, domesticated in America. They 
were called Xulos in Nicaragua, T’zomes in Yucatan, and Techichis in 
Mexico. These were considered to afford very delicate food after having 
been fattened. 
+ Canis latrans, Baird. In a description of Virginia, published in 1649, 
we read :—‘ The wolf of Carolina is the dog of the woods. The Indians had 
no other curs before the Christians came amongst them. They are made 
domestic. They go in great droves in the night to hunt deer, which they do 
as well as the best pack of hounds.” 
