The character, sensibilities, and intellectual faculties of animals
have always been a favourite study, and they are, perhaps, more
strongly developed in the dog than in any other quadruped, from the
circumstance of his being the constant companion of man. I am aware
how much has been written on this subject, but having accumulated many
original and interesting anecdotes of this faithful animal, I have
attempted to enlarge the general stock of information respecting it.
It is a pleasing task, arising from the conviction that the more the
character of the dog is known, the better his treatment is likely to
be, and the stronger the sympathy excited in his behalf.
Let me hope, that the examples which are given in the following pages
will help to produce this effect, and that a friend so faithful, a
protector so disinterested and courageous, will meet with that
kindness and affection he so well deserves.
It is now my grateful duty to express my thanks to those friends who
have so kindly contributed original anecdotes to this work, and
especially to Lady Morgan and Mrs. S. Carter Hall for their remarks on
the Irish wolf-dog.
I have also to acknowledge my obligations for various anecdotes
illustrative of the character of peculiar dogs, extracted from Colonel
Hamilton Smith's volumes in the Naturalist's Library and Captain
Brown's interesting sketches; as well to the Editor of the "Irish
Penny Magazine" for his extremely well-written account of the Irish
wolf-dog; and to other sources too numerous to mention.
The present new edition is considerably enlarged, both in matter and
plates, and, to suit the taste of the age is presented in a cheap and
popular form.
My Publisher has, as usual, lent his aid, and is responsible for some
of the additional anecdotes, for the account of the _Setter_, and for
all after page 458, including the chapter "On Feeding and Management."