154 
HARE-INDIAN DOG. 
HABITS. 
This animal is more domestic than many of the wolf-like Dogs of the 
plains, and seems to have been entirely subjugated by the Indians north of 
the great lakes, who use it in hunting, but not as a beast for burthen or 
draught. 
Sir John Richardson says (F. B. A., p. 19) : “ The Hare-Indian Dog is 
very playful, has an affectionate disposition, and is soon gained by kind 
ness. It is not, however, very docile, and dislikes confinement of every 
kind. It is very fond of being caressed, rubs its back against the hand 
like a cat, and soon makes an acquaintance with a stranger. Like a wild 
animal it is very mindful of an injury, nor does it, like a spaniel, crouch 
under the lash ; but if it is conscious of having deserved punishment, it 
will hover round the tent of its master the whole day, without coming 
within his reach, even if he calls it. Its howl, when hurt or afraid, is that 
of the wolf ; but when it sees any unusual object it makes a singular 
attempt at barking, commencing by a kind of growl, which is not, however, 
unpleasant, and ending in a prolonged howl. Its voice is very much like 
that of the prairie wolf. 
“The larger Dogs which we had for draught at Fort Franklin, and 
which were of the mongrel breed in common use at the fur posts, used to 
pursue the Hare-Indian Dogs for the purpose of devouring them ; but the 
latter far outstripped them in speed, and easily made their escape. A 
young puppy, which I purchased from the Hare Indians, became greatly 
attached to me, and when about seven months old ran on the snow by the 
side of my sledge for nine hundred miles, without suffering from fatigue. 
During this march it frequently of its own accord carried a small twig or 
one of my mittens for a mile or two ; but although very gentle in its man- 
ners it showed little aptitude in learning any of the arts which the New- 
foundland Dogs so speedily acquire, of fetching and carrying when ordered. 
This Dog was killed and eaten by an Indian, on the Saskatchewan, who 
pretended that he mistook it for a fox.” 
The most extraordinary circumstance in this relation is the great endur- 
ance of the puppy, which certainly deserves special notice. Even the 
oldest and strongest Dogs are generally incapable of so long a journey 
as nine hundred miles (with probably but little food), without suffering 
from fatigue. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
It is stated by Sir John Richardson that this species exists only among 
