2 THE DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



whether in search of the Poles or " Through the Dark 

 Continent," the dog is a necessary part of the bold 

 explorer's equipment. In trade some use is made of the 

 dog in the defence of property ; but his qualities are not 

 mercantile, he is adapted neither for pack nor cart, and 

 although attempts have been made to force him to settle 

 down to the quiet ways of trade in the service of the 

 cats'-meat man, happily the law has stepped in to prevent 

 such a perversion of the uses to which the dog was intended 

 by nature. Arctic explorers, indeed, above the highest 

 latitude of the reindeer, legitimately use teams of dogs 

 of the grand Esquimaux breed, but serious mortality from 

 epizootic diseases is a sad drawback to such use, and 

 threatens the poor Esquimaux with practical loss of his 

 best friend. The humane operations of the dogs of St. 

 Bernard are well known. 



We have hitherto represented our canine companion as 

 an essentially feudal animal, and so he remains to the end ; 

 prompt in attack, sudden in raid, fierce in onslaught, 

 obstinate and relentless in pursuit, skilled in the driving 

 and protection of flocks, watchful on guard, and, withal, 

 of an adventuresome and exploring turn of mind — when 

 not more seriously engaged bringing all his valuable 

 faculties keenly to bear on the chase — that " mimicry of 

 noble war •" altogether he much reminds us of a Border 

 forayer such as Scott loved to portray. 



Although thus bold in the field he is also a very 

 accomplished " Carpet Knight ;" his eyes beaming with 

 intelligence and trustful love, his docile temper, his lively 

 temperament, all his points and qualities adapt him as 

 the trusted and loved companion of woman and the friend 

 of man. He has often become strangely changed in con- 

 sequence into the so-called " fancy " breeds. To fit him 

 for the boudoir and the dwelling-house man has so arti- 

 ficially selected him that some dogs have no hair and 

 others are completely concealed by their more or less 

 beautiful locks ; some dogs are light of limb as the most 

 delicate deer, others resemble a prize-fighter in build • 

 some have their faces so shortened that there is no room 



