210 THE POMERANIAN FOX DOG. 



The old and experienced animal which leads the team knows the master' s voice, and will 

 dash forward, slacken speed, halt, or tnrn to right and left at command. 



The actual stroke of the whip is used as little as possible, for when a Dog feels the sting 

 of the biting lash, he turns round and attacks the Dog nearest to him. The others immediately 

 join in the fight, and the whole team is thrown into admirable confusion, the traces being 

 entangled with each other, and the sledge in all likelihood upset. AVhen such a rupture 

 occurs, the driver is generally forced to dismount, and to harness the Dogs afresh. Usually, 

 the leading Dog is permitted to run his own course, for he is able to follow the right path with 

 marvellous accuracy, and to scent it out, even when the thickly-falling snowflakes have 

 covered the surface of the ground with an uniform white carpet, on whose glittering surface 

 no impress is left of the subjacent earth. 



These Dogs are able to travel for very great distances over the snow-clad regions of the 

 north, and have been known to make daily journeys of sixty miles for several days in suc- 

 cession. 



Captain Parry, in his well-known "Journal," remarks very happily, that "neither the 

 Dog nor Ms master is half civilized or subdued," the former indeed being the necessary con- 

 sequence of the latter. The Esquimaux bears no love towards his Dogs, and only looks upon 

 them as animated machines, formed for the purpose of conveying him and his property from 

 one place to another. He is a most exacting and cruel master, feeding scantily his Dogs on 

 the merest offal, and then inflicting severest torture upon them if they break down in their 

 work from want of nourishment, or if, incited by the pangs of hunger, they obey their natural 

 instincts, and make a meal on the provisions which had been laid aside for his own use. The 

 savage is ever ingenious in the art of torture, and the Esquimaux forms no exception to the 

 rule. 



The poor beasts have been known, when suffering from long-continued hunger, to devour 

 their tough leather harness, and, as if excited by the imperfect meal, to fly upon the weaker 

 members of the team, and to tear them to pieces. During this paroxysm of unrestrained fury, 

 they would have made their masters their first victims, had they not been driven back by the 

 sword and the bludgeon. 



In consequence of the evil treatment to which they are subjected, the poor animals can 

 have no affection for their cruel tormentors, and are afforded no opportunity for developing 

 the mental qualities which they possess in very large degree. When placed under the care of 

 a kind master, the Esquimaux Dog is a most affectionate animal, and displays considerable 

 reasoning powers. 



The Esquimaux Dog is rather larger than an English pointer Dog, although its true size 

 appears to be less than it really is, on account of the comparative shortness of limb. Its fur is 

 composed of a long outer covering of coarse hair, three or four inches in length, and an inner 

 coating of short, woolly hair, that seems to defend the animal from the colds of winter. When 

 the weather begins to wax warm, the wool falls off, and grows again as the winter draws near. 



Of late years, a Dog which much resembles the last-mentioned animal has come into 

 fashion as a house-dog, or as a companion. This is the Pomeranian Fox Dog, commonly 

 known as the "Loup-loup." 



It is a great favorite with those who like a Dog for a companion, and not for mere use, 

 as it is very intelligent in its character, and very handsome in aspect. Its long white fur, and 

 bushy tail, give it quite a distinguished appearance, of which the animal seems to be thoroughly 

 aware. Sometimes the coat of this animal is a cream color, and very rarely is deep black. The 

 pure white, however, seems to be the favorite. It is a lively little creature, and makes an 

 excellent companion in a country walk. 



Of the Spaniel Dogs, there are several varieties, which may be classed under two general 

 heads, namely, Sporting and Toy Spaniels ; the former being used by the sportsman in finding 

 game for him ; and the latter being simply employed as companions. 



The Field Spaniel is remarkable for the intense love which it bears for hunting game, 



