66 VERTEBEATES 



ance ; the finer dogs are equal to the Newfoundland breed in point 

 of height and general symmetry. 



The Sheep Dog possesses much of the same form and 

 character in every country. The muzzle is sharp, the ears are 

 short and erect, and the animal is covered, particularly about the 

 neck, with thick and shaggy hair. He has usually two dew claws 

 on each of the hind legs ; not, however, as in the one claw of 

 other dogs, having a jointed attachment to the limb, but merely 

 connected by the skin and some slight cellular substance. These 

 excrescences should be cut off when the dog is young. The tail 

 is slightly turned upwards and long, and almost as bushy as that 

 of a fox, even in that variety whose coat is almost smooth. He is 

 of a black color, or black prevails, mixed with grey or brown. 



Professor Grognier gives the following account of this dog 

 as he is found in Prance : — " The shepherd's dog, the least re- 

 moved from the natural type of the dog, is of a middle size ; his 

 ears short and straight; the hair long, principally on the tail, and 

 of a dark color ; the tail is carried horizontally or a little elevated. 

 He is very indifferent to caresses, possessed of much intelligence 

 and activity to discharge the duties for which he was designed. 

 In one or other of its varieties it is found in every part of Prance. 

 Sometimes there is but a single breed, in others there are several 

 varieties. It lives and maintains its proper characteristics, while 

 other races often degenerate. Everywhere it preserves its proper 

 distinguishing type. It is the servant of man, while other breeds 

 vary with a thousand circumstances. It has one appropriate mis- 

 sion, and that it discharges in the most admirable way : there is 

 evidently a kind and wise design in this.'' 



The Poxhound and Beaqle are not very dissimilar in 

 form or habits. They both follow game by the scent, and are used 

 in hunting. The Foxhound, as its name implies, is used for hunt- 

 ing the fox, and enters into the sport with extraordinary eagerness 

 These dogs are trained with great care : whole books have been 

 written on their education, and men are engaged at high salaries 

 to train them to the sport. England possesses the finest breed of 

 foxhounds in the world, and certainly no expense is spared to im- 



