THE DOG TRIBE. 



61 



The Dingo. 



duration of their life seems to be between fourteen and twenty 

 years. Though the characteristic features, or marks of domesti- 

 cated dogs are the same in all countries, there is an amazing 

 difference in their shape and size. 



The Dingo, or New Holland Hound, approaches in appear- 

 ince to the largest kind of shepherd's dog. The head is elon- 

 gated, the forehead flat, and the 

 ears short and erect, or with a 

 slight direction forwards. The 

 body is thickly covered with hair 

 of two kinds — the one woolly and 

 grey, the other silky and of a deep 

 yellow or fawn color. The limbs 

 are muscular, and, were it not for 

 the suspicious yet ferocious glare 

 of the eye, he might pass for a handsome dog. The Australasian 

 dog, according to M. Desmarest, resembles in form and in the 

 proportion of his limbs the common shepherd's dog. He is very 

 active and courageous, covered in some parts with thick hair, 

 woolly and grey, in other parts becoming of a yellowish-red color, 

 and under the belly having a whitish hue. When he is running, 

 the head is lifted more than usual in dogs, and the tail is carried 

 horizontally. He seldom barks. 



The Greyhound was once held in such estimation that it 

 was the peculiar companion of a gentleman ; who was anciently 

 known by his horse, his hawk, and his 

 Greyhound. In such repute was it, that 

 Canute enacted a law that it should not 

 be kept by any one who was under the 

 rank of a gentleman. It has a long 

 body, a neat and elongated head, full 

 eye, long mouth, sharp and very white 

 teeth, little ears, with thin gristles in 

 them, a straight neck, and full breast j 

 his fore and hind legs are long and straight ; his ribs round, strong, 

 and full of sinews, and taper about the belly. It is the swiftest 



Highland Oreyhound. 



