TIIEDOGTRIBE. 65 



of being trained for all the purposes for which every other variety 

 of the canine species is used. 



The feet of this Dog are more palmated than usual; which 

 structure enables it to swim very fast, to dive easily, and to bring 

 up anything from the bottom of the water. It is, indeed, almost 

 as fond of the water as if it were an amphibious animal. So sa- 

 gacious is it, and so prompt in lending assistance, that it has saved 

 the lives of numberless persons who were on the point of drown- 

 ing ; and this circumstance, together with its uniform good temper, 

 has justly rendered it a universal favorite. 



The Esquimaux Dog is a beast of burden and of draught, 

 usefully employed by the inhabitants of the extreme parts of North 

 America and the neigh- 

 boring islands. When 

 the Esquimaux Indian 

 goes in pursuit of the 

 seal, the reindeer, or the 

 bear, his dogs carry the 

 materials of his temporary 

 hut, and the few neces- 

 saries of his simple life ; 

 or, yoked to the sledge, 

 often draw him and his family full sixty miles a day over the frozen 

 plains of these inhospitable regions. At other times they assist 

 in the chase, and run down and destroy the bear and the reindeer 

 on land, and the seal on the coast. 



These dogs are very early trained to the work which they 

 are destined to follow, and even at the tender age of four or five 

 months are harnessed together or in company with older animals 

 and are compelled, either by persuasion or brutal chastisement, to 

 draw heavy weights, and thus soon become accustomed to the 

 trammels of the rude gearing, and familiar with the service that 

 they afterwards perform with so much sagacity and alacrity. 



Capt. Lyon states that they are very similar in appearance 

 to the shepherd dog of England, but more muscular and broad 

 nhested, owing to severe work ; ears pointed, of a savage appear 

 6* E 



Esquimaux Vog, 



