ESQUIMAUX DOG. 
61 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
This animal, as the name imports, is the constant companion of the 
Esquimaux, but extends much beyond the range of that tribe of Indians, 
since it is found not only at Labrador, but among various tribes of northern 
Indians, and was observed by travellers in the Arctic regions to the 
extreme north ; we are unacquainted with its western limits. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
We have been induced, in our account of American animals, to give 
figures and descriptions of this peculiar variety of Dog, inasmuch as it 
appears to have been a permanent variety for ages, and is one of the most 
useful animals to the Indians residing in the polar regions. Whether it be 
an original native Dog, or derive its origin from the wolf, is a subject 
which we will not here discuss, farther than to state, in opposition to the 
views of Dr. Richardson, that our figures do not represent these animals 
as very closely allied to the wolf ; on the contrary, their look of intelligence 
would indicate that they possess sagacity and aptitude for the service of 
man, equal at least to that of many favourite breeds of Dog. The fact 
also of their breeding at all seasons of the year, their manner of placing 
the tail in sport, and their general habits, give evidence of their being true 
Dogs and not wolves, the only difference between them and some other 
varieties consisting in their having* erect pointed ears, which are peculiar to 
the Dogs of savage nations, and not altogether absent in some of our 
common breeds, as we have witnessed in the shepherd’s Dog of Europe 
and some cur Dogs in America, erect ears of a similar character. 
