_THE DOG FAMILY._
[Illustration: _Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co., Parson's Green._
A GROWING CUB.
Note how the wolf cub develops the long pasterns, large feet, and long jaw
before its body grows in proportion]
The tribe now treated is called the Dog Family, and rightly so, for our
domestic dogs are included in the group, which comprises the Wolves, Dogs,
Jackals, Wild Dogs, and Foxes. Their general characters are too familiar to
need description, but it should be noted that the foxes differ from the
dogs in having contracting pupils to the eye (which in bright sun closes
like a cat's to a mere slit) and some power of climbing. The origin of the
domestic dog is still unsettled.
THE WOLF.
This great enemy of man and his dependants--the creature against the
ravages of which almost all the early races of Europe had to combine,
either in tribes, villages, or principalities, to protect their children,
themselves, and their cattle--was formerly found all over the northern
hemisphere, both in the Old and New Worlds. In India it is rather smaller,
but equally fierce and cunning, though, as there are no long winters, it
does not gather in packs. It is still so common in parts of the Rocky
Mountains that the cattle and sheep of the ranch-holders and wild game of
the National Yellowstone Park suffer severely. In Switzerland the ancient
organisations of wolf clubs in the cantons are still maintained. In
Brittany the Grand Louvetier is a government official. Every very hard
winter wolves from the Carpathians and Russia move across the frozen rivers
of Europe even to the forests of the Ardennes and of Fontainebleau. In
Norway they ravage the reindeer herds of the Lapps. Only a few years ago an
artist, his wife, and servant were all attacked on their way to Budapest,
in Hungary, and the man and his wife killed. The last British wolf was
killed in 1680 by Cameron of Lochiel. Wolves are common in Palestine,
Persia, and India.
Without going back over the well-known history of the species, we will give
some anecdotes of the less commonly known exploits of these fierce and
dangerous brutes. Mr. Kipling's "Jungle Book" has given us an "heroic"
picture of the life of the Indian wolves. There is a great deal of truth in
it. Even the child-stealing by wolves is very probably a fact, for native
opinion is unanimous in crediting it. Babies laid down by their mothers
when working in the fields are constantly carried off and devoured by them,
and stories of their being spared and suckled by the she-wolves are very
numerous.
Indian wolves hunt in combination, without assembling in large packs. The
following is a remarkable instance, recorded by General Douglas Hamilton:
"When returning with a friend from a trip to the mountain caves of Ellora,
we saw a herd of antelope near a range of low rocky hills; and as there was
a dry nullah, or watercourse, we decided on having a stalk. While creeping
up the nullah, we noticed two animals coming across the plain on our left.
We took them at first for leopards, but then saw that they were wolves.
When they were about 500 yards from the antelope, they lay down quietly.
After about ten minutes or so, the smaller of the two got up and trotted
off to the rocky hills, and suddenly appeared on the ridge, running
backwards and forwards like a Scotch collie dog. The larger wolf, as soon
as he saw that the antelope were fully occupied in watching his companion,
got up and came as hard as he could gallop to the nullah. Unfortunately he
saw us and bolted; and his companion, seeing there was something wrong, did
the same. Now, it is evident that these wolves had regularly planned this
attack. One was to occupy the attention of the antelope, the other to steal
up the watercourse and dash into the midst of them. At another time a
brother-officer of mine was stalking a herd of antelope which were feeding
down a grassy valley, when suddenly a wolf got up before him, and then
another and then another, until fourteen wolves rose out of the grass. They
were extended right across the valley in the shape of a fishing-net or
jelly-bag, so that as soon as the herd had got well into the jelly-bag they
would have rushed on the antelope, and some must have fallen victims to
their attack." They have been known to join in the chase of antelopes by
dogs. Captain Jackson, of the Nizam's service, let his dogs course an
antelope fawn. A wolf jumped up, joined the dogs, and all three seized the
fawn together. He then came up, whipped off the dogs and the wolf, and
secured the fawn, which did not seem hurt. The wolf immediately sat down
and began to howl at the loss of his prey, and in a few moments made a dash
at the officer, but when within a few yards thought better of it, and
recommenced howling. This brought another wolf to his assistance. Both
howled and looked very savage, and seemed inclined to make another dash at
the antelope. But the horse-keepers came up, and the wolves retired.
[Illustration: _Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co._] [_Parson's Green._
WOLF CUBS.
These are evidently the foster-brothers of Romulus and Remus.]
The Indian wolf, if a male, stands about 26 inches high at the shoulder.
The length of head and body is 37 inches; tail, 17 inches.
The same species practically haunts the whole of the world north of the
Himalaya. It varies in colour from almost black to nearly pure white. In
the Hudson Bay fur-sales every variety of colour between these may be seen,
but most are of a tawny brindle. The male grows to a very great size. One
of the largest ever seen in Europe was for years at the London Zoo. It
stood 6 feet high when on its hind legs, and its immense head and jaws
seemed to occupy one-third of the space from nose to tail. Horses are the
main prey of the Northern Wolf. It will kill any living creature, but
horseflesh is irresistible. It either attacks by seizing the flank and
throwing the animal, or bites the hocks. The biting power is immense. It
will tear a solid mass of flesh at one grip from the buttock of a cow or
horse. In the early days of the United States, when Audubon was making his
first trip up the head-waters of the Missouri, flesh of all kinds was
astonishingly abundant on the prairies. Buffalo swarmed, and the Indians
had any quantity of buffalo-meat for the killing. Wolves of very large size
used to haunt the forts and villages, and were almost tame, being well fed
and comfortable. Far different was the case even near St. Petersburg at the
same period. A traveller in 1840 was chased by a pack of wolves so closely
that when the sledge-horses reached the post-house and rushed into the
stable, the doors of which were open, seven of the wolves rushed in after
them. The driver and traveller leaped from the sledge just as it reached
the building, and horses and wolves rushed past them into it. The men then
ran up and closed the doors. Having obtained guns, they opened the roof,
expecting to see that the horses had been killed. Instead all seven wolves
were slinking about beside the terrified horses. All were killed without
resistance.
[Illustration: _Photo by L. Midland, F.Z.S._] [_North Finchley._
WHITE WOLF.
White wolves are quite common in North America. Recently two white wolves
were brought to the Zoological Gardens from Russia.]
In Siberia and Russia the wolves in winter are literally starving.
Gathering in packs, they haunt the roads, and chase the sledges with their
unfaltering gallop. Seldom in these days does a human life fall victim; but
in very hard winters sledge-horses are often killed, and now and then a
peasant. Rabies is very common among wolves. They then enter the villages,
biting and snapping at every one. Numbers of patients are sent yearly from
Russia and Hungary to the Pasteur Institutes, after being bitten by rabid
wolves. In Livonia, in 1823, it was stated that the following animals had
been killed by wolves: 15,182 sheep, 1,807 oxen, 1,841 horses, 3,270 goats,
4,190 pigs, 703 dogs, and numbers of geese and fowls. They followed the
Grand Army from Russia to Germany in 1812, and restocked the forests of
Europe with particularly savage wolves. It is said that in the retreat from
Moscow twenty-four French soldiers, with their arms in their hands, were
attacked, killed, and eaten by a pack of wolves.
[Illustration: _Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co._] [_Parson's Green._
PRAIRIE-WOLF, OR COYOTE.
This is the small, grey, thickly furred species found on the prairies.]
From very early times special breeds of dogs have been trained to guard
sheep against the attacks of wolves. Some of these were intended to defend
the flock on the spot, others to run down the wolves in the open. The
former are naturally bred to be very large and heavy; the latter, though
they must be strong, are light and speedy. Of the dogs which guard the
flocks several races still survive. Among the most celebrated are those of
Albania and the mountainous parts of Turkey, and the wolf-dogs of Tibet,
generally called Tibetan Bloodhounds. The Tartar shepherds on the steppes
near the Caucasus also keep a very large and ferocious breed of dog. All
these are of the mastiff type, but have long, thick hair. When the
shepherds of Albania or Mount Rhodope are driving their flocks along the
mountains to the summer pastures, they sometimes travel a distance of 200
miles. During this march the dogs act as flankers and scouts by day and
night, and do battle with the wolves, which know quite well the routes
along which the sheep usually pass, and are on the look-out to pick up
stragglers or raid the flock. The Spanish shepherds employ a large white
shaggy breed of dog as guards against wolves. These dogs both lead the
sheep and bring up the rear in the annual migration of the flocks to and
from the summer pastures. In the west of America, now that sheep-ranching
on a large scale has been introduced, wolf-dogs are bred to live entirely
with the sheep. They are suckled when puppies by the ewes instead of by
their own mothers, and become as it were a part of the flock.
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt gives an interesting account of wolf-coursing in
Russia, in an article contributed to "The Encyclopædia of Sport" (Lawrence
& Bullen). "In Russia the sport is a science," he writes. "The princes and
great landowners who take part in it have their hunting-equipages equipped
perfectly to the smallest detail. Not only do they follow wolves in the
open, but they capture them and let them out before dogs, like hares in a
closed coursing-meeting. The huntsman follows his hounds on horseback.
(These hounds are the Borzoi, white giant greyhounds, now often seen in
England.) Those in Russia show signs of reversion to the type of the Irish
wolf-hound, dogs weighing something like 100 lbs., of remarkable power, and
of reckless and savage temper. Now three or four dogs are run together.
They are not expected to kill the wolf, but merely to hold him.... The
Borzois can readily overtake and master partly grown wolves, but a
full-grown dog-wolf, in good trim, will usually gallop away from them."
[Illustration: _Photo by Ottomar Anschütz_] [_Berlin._
"THE WOLF WITH PRIVY PAW."
The photograph shows admirably the slinking gait and long stride of the
wolf.]
A number of these Borzoi dogs have been imported into America, and are used
to course wolves in the Western States. But there professional wolf-hunters
are employed to kill off the creatures near the ranches. One such hunter
lives near Colonel Roosevelt's ranche on the Little Missouri. His pack of
large dogs will tear in pieces the biggest wolf without aid from the
hunter. Of his own efforts in wolf-coursing he writes: "We generally
started for the hunting-ground very early, riding across the open country
in a widely spread line of dogs and men. If we put up a wolf, we simply
went at him as hard as we knew how. Young wolves, or those which had not
attained their full strength, were readily overtaken, and the pack would
handle a she-wolf quite readily. A big dog-wolf, or even a full-grown and
powerful she-wolf, offered an altogether different problem. Frequently we
came upon one after it had gorged itself on a colt or a calf. Under such
conditions, if the dogs had a good start, they ran into the wolf and held
him.... Packs composed of nothing but specially bred and trained greyhounds
of great size and power made a better showing. Under favourable
circumstances three or four of these dogs readily overtook and killed the
largest wolf.... Their dashing courage and ferocious fighting capacity were
marvellous, and in this respect I was never able to see much difference
between the smooth and rough--the Scotch deerhound or the greyhound type."
[Illustration: _Photo by J. W. McLellan_] [_Highbury._
RUSSIAN WOLF.
This is a most characteristic photograph of one of the so-called "greyhound
wolves" of the Russian forests.]
Wolf cubs are born in April or May. The litter is from four to nine. There
was one of six a few years ago at the Zoological Gardens at the Hague,
pretty little creatures like collie puppies, but quarrelsome and rough even
in their play. When born, they were covered with reddish-white down; later
the coat became woolly and dark.
The European wolf's method of hunting when in chase of deer is by steady
pursuit. Its speed is such and its endurance so great that it can overtake
any animal. But there is no doubt that the favourite food of the wolf is
mutton, which it can always obtain without risk on the wild mountains of
the Near East, if once the guardian dogs are avoided. M. Tschudi, the
naturalist of the Alps, gives a curious account of the assemblage of wolves
in Switzerland in 1799. They had, as is mentioned above, followed the
armies from Russia. Having tasted human flesh, they preferred it to all
other, and even dug up the corpses. The Austrian, French, and Russian
troops penetrated in 1799 into the highest mountain valleys of Switzerland,
and fought sanguinary battles there. Hundreds of corpses were left on the
mountains and in the forests, which acted as bait to the wolves, which were
not destroyed for some years.
Wolves will interbreed with dogs readily, which the red fox will not. The
progeny do not bark, but howl. The Eskimo cross their dogs with wolves to
give them strength.
THE COYOTE, OR PRAIRIE-WOLF.
Besides the large grey wolf, a smaller and less formidable animal is common
on the prairies and mountains of the northern half of the continent of
America. This is the Coyote. It takes the place of the hyæna as a
scavenger, but has some of the habits of the fox. It catches birds and
buck-rabbits, and feeds on insects, as well as small rodents like
prairie-dogs and mice. Its melancholy howls make night hideous on the
northern prairies, and it is the steady foe of all young creatures, such as
the fawns of prong-horned antelope and deer. Its skin, like that of most
northern carnivora, is thick and valuable for fur wraps. The coyotes
assemble in packs like jackals.
In the National Park in the Yellowstone Valley grey wolves and coyotes are
the only animals which it is absolutely necessary to destroy. As the deer
and antelope and other game increased under State protection, the wolves
and coyotes drew towards a quarter where there were no hunters and a good
supply of food. It was soon found that the increase of the game was
checked. The coyotes used to watch the hinds when about to drop their
calves, and usually succeeded in killing them. The large grey wolves killed
the hinds themselves, and generally made life most unpleasant for the
dwellers in this paradise. Orders were issued to kill off all the wolves by
any means. Poison was found to be the best remedy; but in the winter, when
all the game descended into the valleys, the wolves found so much fresh
food in the carcases of the animals they killed for themselves that they
would not eat very eagerly of the poisoned baits. The coyotes were killed
off fairly closely, as they are less able to obtain living prey; but the
grey wolves are constantly reinforced from the mountains, and are a
permanent enemy to be coped with.
A curious instance of change of habit in wolves on the American prairies
was recently noted in the _Spectator_. Formerly they followed the caravans;
now they come down to the great transcontinental railways, and haunt the
line to obtain food. Each train which crosses the prairie is, like a ship,
full of provisions. Three meals a day take place regularly, and these are
not stinted. The black cooks throw all the waste portions--beef-bones,
other bones, stale bread, and trimmings--overboard. The wolves have learnt
that the passing of a train means food, and when they hear one they gallop
down to the line, and wait like expectant dogs in the hope of picking up a
trifle. The coyotes come close to the metals, and sit like terriers, with
their sharp noses pricked up. The big grey wolves also appear in the early
morning, standing on the snow, over which the chill wind of winter blows,
gaunt and hungry images of winter and famine.
[Illustration: _Photo by Ottomar Anschütz_] [_Berlin._
A WOLF OF THE CARPATHIANS.
This wolf is a shorter and more heavily built specimen than the Russian
wolf on the previous page.]
[Illustration: _Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S._] [_North Finchley._
INDIAN WOLF.
This photograph shows the Indian wolf alarmed. It has a reputation for
stealing children as well as killing cattle.]
Some years ago experiments were made at the Regent's Park Zoological
Gardens to ascertain if there were any foundation for the old legends that
wolves feared the sound of stringed instruments such as the violin. Every
one will remember the story of the fiddler pursued by wolves. It is said
that as the pack overtook him he broke a string of his instrument, and that
the sudden noise of the parting cord caused the pack to stand still for a
minute, and so enabled him to reach a tree, which he climbed. Further, that
when he improved on the hint so given, and played his fiddle, the wolves
all sat still; when he left off, they leapt up and tried to reach him.
Experiments with the Zoo wolves showed that there was no doubt whatever
that the low minor chords played on a violin cause the greatest fear and
agitation in wolves, both European and Indian. The instrument was first
played behind the den of an Indian wolf, and out of sight. At the first
sound the wolf began to tremble, erected its fur, dropped its tail between
its legs, and crept uneasily across its den. As the sounds grew louder and
more intense, the wolf trembled so violently, and showed such physical
evidence of being dominated by excessive fright, that the keeper begged
that the experiment might be discontinued, or the creature would have a
fit. A large European wolf is described in "Life at the Zoo" as having
exhibited its dislike of the music in a different way. It set up all its
fur till it looked much larger than its ordinary size, and drew back its
lips until all the white teeth protruding from the red gums were shown. It
kept silent till the violin-player approached it; then it flew at him with
a ferocious growl, and tried to seize him.
[Illustration: _Photo by Ottomar Anschütz_] [_Berlin._
WOLF'S HEAD.
A very fine study of the head, jaws, and teeth of a female wolf. The head
of the male is much larger.]
There are instances of wolves having been quite successfully tamed, and
developing great affection for their owners. They are certainly more
dog-like than any fox; yet even the fox has been tamed so far as to become
a domesticated animal for the lifetime of one particular individual. An
extraordinary instance of this was lately given in _Country Life_, with a
photograph of the fox. It was taken when a cub, and brought up at a large
country house with a number of dogs. Among these were three terriers, with
which it made friends. There were plenty of wild foxes near, some of which
occasionally laid up in the laurels in a shrubbery not far from the house.
These laurels were, in fact, a fairly safe find for a fox. It was the
particular sport of the terriers to be taken to "draw" this bit of cover,
and to chase out any fox in it. On these expeditions the tame fox
invariably accompanied them, and took an active part in the chase, pursuing
the wild fox as far as the terriers were able to maintain the hunt.
[Illustration: _Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co._] [_Parson's Green._
RUSSIAN WOLF.
Note the expression of fear and ferocity on the face of this wolf; also the
enormously powerful jaws.]
In Central Asia the wolves lie out singly on the steppes during the summer,
and feed on the young antelopes and the lambs and kids of the Tartars'
flocks. The Kirghiz organise wolf-killing parties, to which as many mounted
men and dogs come as can be brought together. In order to aid the dogs, the
Tartars often employ eagles trained to act like falcons, which sit on the
arm of the owner. As the eagle is too heavy to be carried for any time in
this way, a crutch is fastened to the left side of the saddle, on which the
bearer of the falcon rests his arm. When a wolf is sighted, the eagle is
loosed, and at once flies after the wolf, and overtakes it in a short time,
striking at its head and eyes with its talons, and buffeting it with its
wings. This attack so disconcerts the wolf that it gives time for the dogs
to come up and seize it.
The habits of the Siberian wolf are rather different from those in West
Russia, and the settlers and nomad Tartars of Siberia are far more
adventurous and energetic in defending themselves against its ravages than
the peasants of European Russia. Being mounted, they also have a great
advantage in the pursuit. The result is that Siberian wolves seldom appear
in large packs, and very rarely venture to attack man. Yet the damage they
do to the flocks and herds which constitute almost the only property of the
nomad tribes is very severe.
Both the Russians and Siberians believe that when a she-wolf is suckling
her young she carefully avoids attacking flocks in the neighbourhood of the
place where the cubs lie, but that if she be robbed of her whelps she
revenges herself by attacking the nearest flock. On this account the
Siberian peasants rarely destroy a litter, but hamstring the young wolves
and then catch them when partly grown, and kill them for the sake of their
fur. Among the ingenious methods used for shooting wolves in Siberia is
that of killing them from sledges. A steady horse is harnessed to a sledge,
and the driver takes his seat in front as usual. Behind sit two men armed
with guns, and provided with a small pig, which is induced to squeak often
and loudly. In the rear of the sledge a bag of hay is trailed on a long
rope. Any wolf in the forest near which hears the pig concludes that it is
a young wild one separated from its mother. Seeing the hay-bag trailing
behind the sledge in the dusk, it leaps out to seize it, and is shot by the
passengers sitting on the back seat of the sledge.
[Illustration: _Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S._] [_North Finchley._
NORTH AFRICAN JACKAL.
This is the common jackal of Cairo and Lower Egypt.]
THE JACKAL.
Of the Wild Canine Family, the JACKAL is the next in numbers and importance
to the wolves. Probably in the East it is the most numerous of any. In
India, Egypt, and Syria it regularly haunts the outskirts of cities, and
lives on refuse. In the Indian plains wounded animals are also killed by
the jackals. At night the creatures assemble in packs, and scour the
outskirts of the cities. Horrible are the howlings and weird the cries of
these hungry packs. In Ceylon they live in the hills and open country like
foxes, and kill the hares. When taken young jackals can be tamed, and have
all the manners of a dog. They wag their tails, fawn on their master, roll
over and stick up their paws, and could probably be domesticated in a few
generations, were it worth while. They eat fruits and vegetables, such as
melons and pumpkins, eagerly.
In Africa two species are found--the BLACK-BACKED JACKAL and the STRIPED
JACKAL; the former is the size of a large English fox. The young jackals
are born in holes or earths; six seems to be the usual number of puppies.
They have nearly always a back door by which they can escape; this is just
large enough for the puppies to squeeze through, whatever their size. When
fox-terriers are put into the earth, the jackal puppies fly out of their
back doors, through which, as a rule, the terriers are unable to follow
them. Should there be no one outside, the puppies race out on to the veldt
as hard as they can go. This jackal is terribly destructive to sheep and
lambs in the Colony. A reward of 7s. 6d. per tail is paid to the Kaffirs
for killing them. The SIDE-STRIPED JACKAL is a Central African species,
said to hunt in packs, to interbreed with domestic dogs, and to be most
easily tamed.
[Illustration: _Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons._
INDIAN JACKAL.
This Indian Jackal might be sitting for his portrait in Mr. Rudyard
Kipling's tale of the "undertakers"--the jackal, alligator, and adjutant.]
Both in India and South Africa the jackal has been found to be of some
service to the white man by providing him with a substitute for the fox to
hunt. It has quite as remarkable powers of endurance as the fox, though it
does not fight in the same determined way when the hounds overtake it. But
it is not easy to estimate the courage of a fox when in difficulties. The
writer has known one, when coursed by two large greyhounds, to disable both
almost instantaneously. One was bitten across the muzzle, the other through
the foot. The fox escaped without a bite from either. In India the hounds
used are drafts from English packs. The hot weather does not suit them, and
they are seldom long-lived; but while they are in health they will run a
jackal across the Indian plains as gaily as they would a fox over the
Hampshire Downs. The meet is very early in the morning, as the scent then
lies, and riding is not too great an exertion. The ground drawn is not the
familiar English covert, but fields, watercourses, and old buildings. A
strong dog-jackal goes away at a great pace, and as the ground is open the
animal is often in view for the greater part of the run; but it keeps well
ahead of the hounds often for three or four miles, and if it does not
escape into a hole or ruin is usually pulled down by them. Major-General R.
S. S. Baden-Powell has written and illustrated an amusing account of his
days with the fox-hounds of South Africa hunting jackals. The local Boer
farmers, rough, unkempt, and in ragged trousers, used to turn up smoking
their pipes to enjoy the sport with the smartly got-up English officers.
When once the game was found, they were just as excited as the Englishmen,
and on their Boer ponies rode just as hard, and with perhaps more judgment.
[Illustration: _Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons._
MANED WOLF.
A South American animal; its coat is a chestnut-red.]
[Illustration: _Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S._] [_North Finchley._
TURKISH JACKAL.
This jackal is common in both Turkey in Europe and in Asia. Near
Constantinople it feeds largely on the bodies buried in the cemeteries at
Scutari.]
Jackals are said to be much increasing in South Africa since the outbreak
of the war. The fighting has so far arrested farming operations that the
war usually maintained on all beasts which destroy cattle or sheep has been
allowed to drop. In parts of the more hilly districts both the jackal and
the leopard are reappearing where they have not been common for years, and
it will take some time before these enemies of the farmer are destroyed.
THE MANED WOLF.
This is by far the largest of several peculiar South American species of
the Dog Family which we have not room to mention. It occurs in Paraguay and
adjoining regions, and is easily distinguishable by its long limbs and
large ears. It is chestnut-red in colour, with the lower part of the legs
black, and is solitary in its habits.
[Illustration: _Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons._
WILD DOG.
These animals range from the plains of India and Burma to the Tibetan
Plateau and Siberia. They hunt in small packs, usually by day, and are very
destructive to game, but seldom attack domestic animals.]
THE WILD DOG OF AFRICA, OR CAPE HUNTING-DOG.
This is a most interesting creature, differing from the true dogs in having
only four toes on both fore and hind feet, and in being spotted like a
hyæna. These dogs are the scourge of African game, hunting in packs. Long
of limb and swift of foot, incessantly restless, with an overpowering
desire to snap and bite from mere animal spirits, the Cape wild dog, even
when in captivity and attached to its master, is an intractable beast. In
its native state it kills the farmers' cattle and sheep and the largest
antelopes. A pack has been seen to kill and devour to the last morsel a
large buck in fifteen minutes. Drummond says: "It is a marvellous sight to
see a pack of them hunting, drawing cover after cover, their sharp
bell-like note ringing through the air, while a few of the fastest of their
number take up their places along the expected line of the run, the wind,
the nature of the ground, and the habits of the game being all taken into
consideration with wonderful skill." The same writer says that he has seen
them dash into a herd of cattle feeding not a hundred yards from the house,
drive out a beast, disappear over a rising ground, kill it, and pick its
bones before a horse could be saddled and ridden to the place.
[Illustration: _Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co._] [_Parson's Green._
DINGO.
The wild dog of Australia. It was found there by the first discoverers, but
was probably introduced from elsewhere.]
[Illustration: _Photo by Kerry & Co._] [_Sydney._
DINGOES.
The destruction done to the flocks of the settlers by the dingoes caused
the latter to combine and almost to destroy these wild dogs.]
THE INDIAN WILD DOGS.
Mr. Rudyard Kipling's stories of the "Dhole," the red dogs of the Indian
jungle, have made the world familiar with these ferocious and wonderfully
bold wild dogs. There is very little doubt that they were found in historic
times in Asia Minor. Possibly the surviving stories of the "Gabriel hounds"
and other ghostly packs driving deer alone in the German and Russian
forests, tales which remain even in remote parts of England, are a survival
of the days when the wild dogs lived in Europe. At present there is one
species of long-haired wild dog in West Central Siberia. These dogs killed
nearly all the deer in the large forests near Omsk some years ago. Across
the Himalaya there are several species, one of them as far east as Burma;
but the most famous are the RED DOGS OF THE DECCAN. They frequent both the
jungles and the hills; but their favourite haunt is the uplands of the
Indian Ghats. They are larger than a jackal, much stronger, and hunt in
packs. They have only ten teeth on each side, instead of eleven, as in the
other dogs and foxes. There is no doubt that these fierce hunting-dogs
actually take prey from the tiger's jaws, and probably attack the tiger
itself. They will beset a tiger at any time, and the latter seems to have
learnt from them an instinctive fear of dogs. Not so the leopard, which,
being able to climb, has nothing to fear even from the "dhole." A
coffee-planter, inspecting his grounds, heard a curious noise in the forest
bordering his estate. On going round the corner of a thick bush, he almost
trod on the tail of a tiger standing with his back towards him. He silently
retreated, but as he did so he saw that there was a pack of wild dogs a few
paces in front of the tiger, yelping at him, and making the peculiar noise
which had previously attracted his attention. Having procured a rifle, he
returned with some of his men to the spot. The tiger was gone, but they
disturbed a large pack of wild dogs feeding on the body of a stag. This, on
examination, proved to have been killed by the tiger, for there were the
marks of the teeth in its neck. The dogs had clearly driven the tiger from
his prey and appropriated it. The dread of the tiger for these wild dogs
was discovered by the sportsmen of the Nilgiri Hills, and put to a good
use. They used to collect scratch packs and hunt up tigers in the woods.
The tiger, thinking they were the dreaded wild pack, would either leave
altogether or scramble into a tree. As tigers never do this ordinarily, it
shows how wild dogs get on their nerves.
Several South American wild dogs and foxes are included in the series with
the wolves and jackals. Among these are AZARA'S DOG and the RACCOON-DOG.
These are commonly called foxes, though they have wolf-like skulls.
[Illustration: _Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons._
CAPE HUNTING-DOG.
This animal hunts in packs. It is very active and most destructive to large
game of many kinds.]
THE DINGO.
The only non-marsupial animal of Australia when the continent was
discovered was the WILD DOG, or DINGO. Its origin is not known; but as soon
as the settlers' flocks and herds began to increase its ravages were most
serious, though doubtless some of the havoc with which it was accredited
was due in a great measure to runaways from domestication. Anyhow, in the
dingo the settlers found the most formidable enemy with which they had to
contend, and vigorous measures were taken to reduce their numbers and
minimise their ravages, so that by now they are nearly exterminated in Van
Diemen's Land and rare on the mainland of Australia.
It is a fine, bold dog, of considerable size, generally long-coated, of a
light tan colour, and with pricked-up ears. It is easily tamed, and some of
those kept in this country have made affectionate pets. Puppies are
regularly bred and sold at the Zoological Gardens. The animal has an
elongated, flat head which is carried high; the fur is soft, and the tail
bushy. In the wild state it is very muscular and fierce.
[Illustration: _Photo by Ottomar Anschütz, Berlin._
HIMALAYAN BLACK BEAR.
This photograph shows the most active climber of the two Himalayan bears.]
THE FOXES.
FOXES form a very well-marked group. They have very pointed muzzles, strong
though slightly built bodies, very fine thick fur, often beautifully
coloured and very valuable, bushy tails, pricked-up ears, and eyes with
pupils which contract by day into a mere slit. They are quite distinct from
dogs (although wolves are not), and will not interbreed, though stories are
told to the contrary. The smell of a fox is disgusting to a dog, and quite
sufficient to distinguish it.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. Reid_] [_Wishaw, N.B._
FOX CUBS.
Fox cubs are born from March 25 till three weeks later, the time when young
rabbits, their best food, are most numerous.]
If the present writer takes a simpler view of the kinds and species of
foxes than that adopted by many naturalists, he must plead to a study of
the subject on slightly different lines than those usually followed. The
skins of all foxes are valuable, some more than others. But they are sent
in hundreds of thousands, and from all parts of the northern hemisphere, to
London to the great fur-sales. There these differences can be studied as
they can be studied nowhere else. As the habits and structure of foxes are
much alike, allowing for differences of climate, and the discrepancies in
size, not more than can be accounted for by abundance or scarcity of food,
it seems pretty certain that these animals are some of the few, almost
alone among mammals, showing almost every variety of colouring, from black
to white, from splendid chameleon-red to salmon-pink, and many exquisite
shades of brown, grey, and silver. At the Hudson Bay Company's sales you
may see them all, and trace the differences and gradations over whole
continents. The most important are those of North America. There the RED
CANADIAN FOX, of a ruddier hue than brown, shades off into the yellow and
grey CROSS FOX of farther north. But of these there are many varieties.
Then farther north still comes an area where red foxes, cross foxes, and
black foxes are found. The black fox, when the fur is slightly sprinkled
with white, is the famous SILVER FOX. This and the black fox are also found
in North Siberia and Manchuria. Farthest north we find the little stunted
ARCTIC FOXES. In the Caucasus and Central Asia large yellowish-red foxes
live, and in Japan and China a very bright red variety. A small grey fox
lives in Virginia, and is hunted with hounds descended from packs taken out
before the American Revolution. India has its small DESERT-FOXES ("the
little foxes that eat the grapes") and the BENGAL FOX.
[Illustration: _Photo by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd._] [_Aberdeen._
MOUNTAIN-FOX.
In hilly countries the fox becomes a powerful and destructive animal,
killing not only game but lambs.]
The value of the foxes as fur-bearing animals is immense. Only white, blue,
and black skins seem to be appreciated in England. The black fox has been
known to fetch 150 guineas a skin. But in the East, from Asia Minor to
China, red, grey, and yellow fox-skins are the lining of every rich man's
winter wraps. Splendid mixed robes are made by the Chinese by inserting
portions of cross fox-skins into coats of cut sable, giving the idea that
it is the fur of a new animal.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. Reid_] [_Wishaw, N.B._
LEICESTERSHIRE FOX.
Leicestershire is the best fox-hunting county in England. The foxes are
famous for their speed and endurance.]
The COMMON FOX, the foundation or type of all the above, is the best-known
carnivorous animal in this country. Abroad its habits do not greatly
differ, except that, not being hunted much with hounds, it is less
completely nocturnal. It drops its young in an earth early in April.
Thither the vixen carries food till late in June, when the cubs come out,
and often move to a wood or a corn-field. There they are still fed, but
learn to do a little on their own account by catching mice and moles. By
late September the hounds come cub-hunting, partly to kill off superfluous
foxes, partly to educate the young hounds, and to teach the foxes to fear
them and to make them leave cover easily. Four or five cubs in a litter are
commonly seen. The distance which a fox will run is extraordinary. The
following is a true account of one of the most remarkable runs ever known.
The hounds were those of Mr. Tom Smith, master of the Hambledon Hunt. He
was the man of whom another famous sportsman said that if he were a fox he
should prefer to be hunted by a pack of hounds rather than by Tom Smith
with a stick in his hand. The fox was found in a cover called Markwells, at
one o'clock in the afternoon in December, near Petersfield. It crossed into
Sussex, and ran into an earth in Grafham Hill a little before dark. The fox
had gone twenty-seven miles. The hounds had forty miles to go back to
kennel that night, and three only found their way home four days
afterwards. Dog-foxes assemble in considerable numbers when a vixen is
about in spring, and at all times common foxes are sociable creatures,
though not actually living in societies. Sometimes as many as five or six
are found in a single earth. Two years ago five foxes and a badger were
found in one near Romford. They eat mice, beetles, rats, birds, game,
poultry, and frogs. Their favourite food is rabbits. If there are plenty of
these, they will not touch other game. They hunt along the railway-lines
for dead birds killed by the telegraph-wires. In the New Forest they also
go down to the shore and pick up dead fish. One in the writer's possession
was shot when carrying away a lamb from a sheepfold near the cliffs of
Sidmouth, in Devon. The shepherd thought it was a marauding dog, and lay in
wait with a gun.
[Illustration: _Photo by Ottomar Anschütz_] [_Berlin._
TOO DIFFICULT!
Foxes can easily climb trees with small projecting branches. One was found
87 feet up a tree in Savernake Forest; but a branchless stump such as that
here shown no fox could climb.]
THE ARCTIC FOX.
[Illustration: _Photos by Scholastic Photo. Co._] [_Parson's Green._
ARCTIC FOX.
_In summer._ _Changing his coat._ _In winter._
The Arctic Fox is one of the few animals showing different phases of
colour, some being blue at all seasons, while others are white in winter
and mottled brownish in summer.]
The ARCTIC FOX is somewhat different in habits from others. It is also much
smaller than the red foxes. Its fur is almost as soft as eiderdown, and so
thick that the cold does not penetrate. In winter the whole coat changes
colour, not gradually, but in patches. At the same time a dense growth of
under-fur comes up on the body. In summer this is shed in patches, almost
like loose felt. The foxes live in colonies, but are so hard put to it for
food in the winter that they desert their homes to gather round
whaling-ships or encampments. There they steal everything edible, from
snowshoe-thongs to seal-flesh. Blue foxes are bred and kept for the sake of
their fur on some of the islands in Bering Sea. They are fed on the flesh
of the seals killed on the neighbouring islands, and are, like them, killed
when their coat is in condition.
THE FENNECS.
[Illustration: _Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons._
FENNEC-FOX.
Remarkable for the great size of the ears. An African species. Its sense of
hearing is probably very acute.]
Africa has a group of small foxes of its own. They have very large ears and
dark eyes. Some of them remind us of the Maholis and other large-eyed
lemuroids. Several are not more than 9 or 10 inches long; they are a
whitish-khaki colour, but the eyes are very dark and brilliant.
The COMMON FENNEC is found over the whole of Africa. Its favourite food is
dates and any sweet fruit, but it is also fond of eggs, and will eat mice
and insects. It is probably the original hero of the story of the fox and
the grapes. The large-eared fennec, which is sometimes called the SILVER
FOX, is found from the Cape to as far north as Abyssinia. It is 23 inches
long, and lives mainly on insects and fruit.
DOMESTIC DOGS.
BY C. H. LANE.
The DOG, almost without exception, shows a marked liking for the society of
human beings, and adapts itself to their ways more than any other animal.
Fox-, Stag-, and Hare-hounds--the latter better known as Hariers and
Beagles--have many points in common, much beauty of shape and colour, and
great suitability for their work, though differing in some other
particulars.
Another group--Greyhounds, Whippets, Irish Wolf-hounds, Scottish
Deer-hounds, all of which come under the category of Gaze-hounds, or those
which hunt by sight--are built for great speed, to enable them to cope with
the fleet game they pursue. In the same group should be included the
BORZOI, or Russian Wolf-hound, now very popular in this country, with
something of the appearance of the Scottish deer-hound about it as to
shape, but with a finer, longer head, deeper body, more muscular limbs, and
shaggier in the hair on body and tail.
The OTTER-HOUND is one of the most picturesque of all the hound tribe. This
variety somewhat reminds one of a large and leggy Dandie Dinmont terrier,
with a touch of the blood-hound, and is thought to have been originally
produced from a cross between these or similar varieties.
The BLOOD-HOUND is another, with much style and beauty of shape, colour,
and character about it which cannot fail to favourably impress any
beholder. The matches or trials which have of late years been held in
different localities have been most interesting in proving its ability for
tracking footsteps for long distances, merely following them by scent, some
time after the person hunted started on the trail. By the kindness of my
friend Mr. E. Brough, I am able to give as an illustration a portrait of
what he considers the best blood-hound ever bred.
[Illustration: _Photo by F. H. Dembrey_] [_Bristol._
STAG-HOUND PUPPIES.
This gives an interesting group of hounds in kennel.]
Much valued by sportsmen with the gun are POINTERS, so called from their
habit of remaining in a fixed position when their quarry is discovered,
eagerly pointing in its direction until the arrival of the guns. They are
most often white, with liver, lemon, or black markings; but occasionally
self colours, such as liver or black, are met with. They have been largely
bred in the west of England. I have been fortunate in obtaining one of Mr.
E. C. Norrish's celebrated strain as a typical specimen for illustration.
[Illustration: _Photo by T. Fall_] [_Baker Street._
GREYHOUND.
A typical specimen of this elegant variety.]
The SETTER group, which comprises three varieties, are all useful and
beautiful in their way. The English are usually white, with markings or
tickings of blue, lemon, or black; they are rather long and narrow in the
head, with bodies and sterns well feathered, and are graceful and active
movers. Gordon setters, which are always black and tan in colour, and
preferred without any white, are generally larger and stronger in build
than the last-named. Irish setters are more on the lines of the English,
being a rich tawny red in colour, rather higher on the leg, with narrow
skulls, glossy coats, feathered legs and stern, ears set low and lying
back, and lustrous, expressive eyes.
RETRIEVERS may be divided into flat-coated and curly-coated. Both are
usually black, but other colours are occasionally seen. The coats of the
first-named are full, but without curl in them; while the latter have their
bodies, heads, legs, thighs, and even tails covered with small close curls.
The eyes of both should be dark, and the ears carried closely to the sides
of the head. In an article dealing with retrievers, which appeared in the
_Cornhill Magazine_ under the title of "Dogs which Earn their Living," the
author writes: "There is not the slightest doubt that in the modern
retrievers acquired habits, certainly one acquired habit, that of fetching
dead and wounded game, are transmitted directly. The puppies sometimes
retrieve without being taught, though with this they also combine a greatly
improved capacity for further teaching. Recently a retriever was sent after
a winged partridge which had run into a ditch. The dog followed it some way
down the ditch, and presently came out with an old rusty tea-kettle, held
in its mouth by the handle. The kettle was taken from the dog, amid much
laughter; then it was found that inside the kettle was the partridge! The
explanation was that the bird, when wounded, ran into the ditch, which was
narrow. In the ditch was the old kettle, with no lid on. Into this the bird
crept; and as the dog could not get the bird out, it very properly brought
out the kettle with the bird in it. Among dogs which earn their living,
these good retrievers deserve a place in the front rank." The illustration
shows a good flat-coated retriever at work.
The SPANIEL group is rather large, including the English and Irish
water-spaniels, the former an old-fashioned, useful sort, often liver or
roan, with some white or other markings, and a good deal of curl in the
coat and on the ears. His Irish brother is always some shade of liver in
colour, larger in the body and higher on the leg, covered with a curly
coat, except on the tail, which is nearly bare of hair, with a profusion of
hair on the top of the head, often hanging down over the eyes, giving a
comical appearance, and increasing his Hibernian expression. They make
lively, affectionate companions and grand assistants at waterfowl-shooting.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. Reid_] [_Wishaw, N.B._
RETRIEVER.
This represents a flat-coated retriever at work, and is remarkably true to
life.]
[Illustration: BLOOD-HOUND.
This photograph shows what an almost perfect blood-hound should be like.]
CLUMBER SPANIELS are always a creamy white, with lemon or light tan
markings, and are rather slow and deliberate in their movements, but have a
stylish, high-class look about them.
SUSSEX SPANIELS are also rather heavy in build and of muscular frame, but
can do a day's work with most others. They are a rich copper-red in colour,
with low short bodies, long feathered ears, full eyes of deep colour, and
are very handsome.
BLACK SPANIELS should be glossy raven-black in colour, with strong muscular
bodies on strong short legs, long pendulous ears, and expressive eyes. Good
specimens are in high favour, and command long prices. I regret I cannot
find room for an illustration of this breed, so deservedly popular.
COCKERS, which are shorter in the back, higher on the leg, and lighter in
weight, being usually under 25 lbs., are very popular, full of life, and
very attractive in appearance.
BASSET-HOUNDS, both rough- and smooth-coated, are probably the most
muscular dogs in existence of their height, with much dignity about them.
In the Sporting Teams at the Royal Agricultural Hall there were some
thirteen or fifteen teams of all kinds of sporting dogs, and of these a
team each of rough and smooth bassets was in the first four.
DACHSHUNDS are often erroneously treated as Sporting Dogs. There are
certainly not so many supporters of the breed as formerly. Their lean
heads, with long hanging ears, long low bodies, and crooked fore legs, give
them a quaint appearance. The colours are usually shades of chestnut-red or
black and tan; but some are seen chocolate and "dappled," which is one
shade of reddish brown, with spots and blotches of a darker shade all over
it.
[Illustration: ENGLISH SETTER.
A typical but rather coarse specimen of a beautiful variety.]
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor_] [_Ealing._
SMOOTH-COATED SAINT BERNARD.
The illustration gives a capital idea of these handsome dogs.]
GREAT DANES, though mostly classed amongst Non-sporting Dogs, have much of
the hound in their bearing and appearance. The whole-coloured are not so
popular as the various shades of brindle and harlequin, but I have seen
many beautiful fawns, blues, and other whole colours. They are being bred
with small natural drooping ears. One of the first I remember seeing
exhibited was a large harlequin belonging to the late Mr. Frank Adcock,
with the appropriate name of "Satan," as, although always shown muzzled, he
required the attentions of three or four keepers to deal with him; and at
one show I attended he overpowered his keepers, got one of them on the
ground, tore his jacket off, and gave him a rough handling.
NON-SPORTING VARIETIES.
SAINT BERNARDS, although sometimes exceeding 3 feet at the shoulder, are as
a rule very docile and good-tempered, and many are owned by ladies. The
coat may be rough or smooth, according to taste; but either are splendid
animals. They are sometimes seen self-coloured, but those with
markings--shades of rich red, with white and black, for preference--are the
handsomest. They are still used as "first aids" in the snow on the Swiss
mountains. So far as I remember, this is the only breed of dog used for
stud and exhibition for which as much as £1,500 has been paid; and this has
occurred on more than one occasion.
[Illustration: _Photo by Fratelli Alinari_] [_Florence._
GREAT DANE.
This shows a typical specimen of this breed, with cropped ears, which will
be discontinued in show dogs.]
NEWFOUNDLANDS have regained their place in popularity, and many good blacks
and black-and-whites can now be seen. Numerous cases are on record of their
rendering aid to persons in danger of drowning, and establishing
communication with wrecked vessels and the shore.
MASTIFFS are looked on as one of the national breeds. Their commanding
presence and stately manner make them highly suitable as guards, and they
are credited with much attachment and devotion to their owners. The colours
are mostly shades of fawn with black muzzle, or shades of brindle. I am
able to give the portrait of one of the best specimens living, belonging to
Mr. R. Leadbetter.
BULL-DOGS are also regarded as a national breed. They are at present in
high favour. The sizes and colours are so various that all tastes can be
satisfied. Recently there has been a fancy for toy bull-dogs, limited to 22
lbs. in weight, mostly with upright ears of tulip shape. In spite of the
many aspersions on their character, bull-dogs are usually easy-going and
good-tempered, and are often very fastidious feeders--what fanciers call
"bad doers."
[Illustration: _Photo by T. Fall_] [_Baker Street._
DACHSHUND.
The photograph conveys a fair idea of those quaint dogs.]
[Illustration: _Photo by Kitchener Portrait Co._
DALMATIANS.
All are typical, but the first is the best in quality and markings.]
[Illustration: _Photo by T. Fall_] [_Baker Street._
NEWFOUNDLAND.
The dog shown here gives a good idea of size and character, but is not in
best coat.]
ROUGH COLLIES are very graceful, interesting creatures, and stand first in
intelligence amongst canines. They are highly popular. Several have been
sold for over £1,000, and the amounts in prize-money and fees obtained by
some of the "cracks" would surprise persons not in "the fancy." A high-bred
specimen "in coat" is most beautiful. The colours most favoured are sables
with white markings; but black, white, and tans, known as "tricolors," are
pleasing and effective. I quite hoped to give a portrait of one of the most
perfect of present-day champions, belonging to H.H. the Princess de
Montglyon, but could not find room.
SMOOTH COLLIES are a handsome breed, full of grace, beauty, and
intelligence, and very active and lively. A favourite colour is merle, a
sort of lavender, with black markings and tan and white in parts, usually
associated with one or both eyes china-coloured. Specimens often win in
sheep-dog trials; a bitch of mine won many such, and was more intelligent
in other ways than many human beings.
OLD ENGLISH SHEEP-DOGS are a most fascinating breed, remarkably active,
possessed of much endurance and resource, and very faithful and
affectionate. I have often made long journeys through cross-country roads
accompanied by one or more of them, and never knew them miss me, even on
the darkest night or in the crowded streets of a large town. The favourite
colour is pigeon-blue, with white collar and markings. The coat should be
straight and hard in texture. The illustration is from a portrait of one of
the best bitches ever shown, belonging to Sir H. de Trafford.
[Illustration: _Photo by T. Fall_] [_Baker Street._
BULL-DOGS.
The photograph is remarkably good and characteristic of this variety.]
DALMATIANS are always white, with black, liver, or lemon spots, the size of
a shilling or less, evenly distributed over the body, head, ears, and even
tail, and pure, without mixture of white. There is much of the pointer
about this variety, which has long been used for sporting purposes on the
continent of Europe. I can testify to their many good qualities as
companions and house-dogs. To quote again from the article above mentioned:
"It is commonly believed that the spotted carriage-dogs once so frequently
kept in England were about the most useless creatures of the dog kind,
maintained only for show and fashion. This is a mistake. They were used at
a time when a travelling-carriage carried, besides its owners, a large
amount of valuable property, and the dog watched the carriage at night when
the owners were sleeping at country inns. We feel we owe an apology to the
race of carriage-dogs.... While this dog is becoming extinct, in spite of
his useful qualities, other breeds are invading spheres of work in which
they had formerly no part." There is only one point in which I differ from
the above, and that is contained in the last sentence. There are a number
of enthusiastic breeders very keen on reviving interest in this variety,
and I have during the last few years had large entries to judge, so that we
shall probably see more of them in the future.
POODLES are of many sizes and colours. They are very intelligent, easily
taught tricks, and much used as performing dogs. They have various kinds of
coats: _corded_, in which the hair hangs in long strands or ringlets;
_curly_, with a profusion of short curls all over them, something like
retrievers; and _fluffy_, when the hair is combed out, to give much the
appearance of fleecy wool. A part of the body, legs, head, and tail is
usually shorn.
[Illustration: OLD ENGLISH SHEEP-DOG.
This is a remarkably fine photograph of a well-known specimen of this
interesting variety.]
BULL-TERRIERS are now bred with small natural drooping ears, and should
have long wedge-shaped heads, fine coats, and long tails. There is also a
toy variety, which hitherto has suffered from round skulls and tulip ears,
but is rapidly improving. I have bred many as small as 3 lbs. in weight. In
each variety the colour preferred is pure white, without any markings, and
with fine tapering tails.
IRISH TERRIERS are very popular, and should be nearly wholly red in colour,
with long lean heads, small drooping ears, hard coats, not too much leg,
and without coarseness. They make good comrades.
BEDLINGTON TERRIERS have long been popular in the extreme north of England,
and are another fighting breed. It is indeed often difficult to avoid a
difference of opinion between show competitors. Their lean long heads,
rather domed skulls, with top-knot of lighter hair, long pointed ears, and
small dark eyes, give them a peculiar appearance. The coats, which are
"linty" in texture, should be shades of blue or liver.
Three breeds, all more or less hard in coat-texture, and grizzled in colour
on heads and bodies, while tanned on other parts, are AIREDALE, OLD
ENGLISH, and WELSH TERRIERS, which may be divided into large, medium, and
small. The first-named make very good all-round dogs; the Old English, less
in number, make useful dogs, and are hardy and companionable; while Welsh
terriers are much the size of a small wire-haired fox-terrier, but usually
shorter and somewhat thicker in the head. I intended one of Mr. W. S.
Glynn's best dogs to illustrate the last-named.
FOX-TERRIERS are both smooth- and wire-haired. Their convenient size and
lively temperament make them very popular as pets and companions for both
sexes and all ages. The colour is invariably white, with or without
markings on head or body, or both.
BLACK-AND-TAN and WHITE ENGLISH TERRIERS are built upon the same lines,
differing chiefly in colour, the former being raven-black, with tan
markings on face, legs, and some lower parts of the body, and the latter
pure white all over. Both should have small natural drooping ears, fine
glossy coats, and tapering sterns. The toy variety of the former should be
a miniature of the larger, and is very difficult to produce of first-class
quality.
[Illustration: MASTIFF.
The photograph gives almost an ideal picture of this national breed, the
colour being known as black-brindle.]
[Illustration: _Photo by Lambert Lambert_] [_Bath._
DEER-HOUND.
This is a capital portrait of one of the best of this graceful variety.]
[Illustration: _Photo by H. Cornish_] [_Crediton._
POINTER.
This is a young dog not yet shown, but full of quality and type.]
[Illustration: _Photo by Villiers & Sons_] [_Newport._
SKYE TERRIER.
The photograph is of a well-known winner in show form.]
[Illustration: _Photo by T. Fall_] [_Baker Street._
CORDED POODLE.
The length of the cords of which the coat is composed is clearly shown.]
[Illustration: _By permission of Mrs. Hall-Walker._
POMERANIAN.
Probably about the best all-black Toy Pomeranian ever shown.]
[Illustration: _Photo by Kitchener & Salmon_] [_Bond Street._
SCOTTISH TERRIER.
A smart picture of one of the best of these popular dogs.]
[Illustration: _Photo by G. N. Taylor_] [_Cowley Road._
MALTESE TOY TERRIER.
A very excellent representation of one of the best specimens of the present
day.]
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor_] [_Ealing._
BUTTERFLY-DOG.
The photograph gives an excellent idea of this somewhat rare variety.]
SCOTTISH TERRIERS are very interesting, often with much "character" about
them. The usual colours are black, shades of grey, or brindle, but some are
seen fawn, stone-colour, and white. The ears should be carried bolt
upright, the coat as hard as a badger's, teeth even, small dark expressive
eyes, fore legs straight, the back short. One I brought from Skye many
years since I took with me when driving some miles into the country; coming
back by a different route, he missed me; but on nearing my starting-point I
found him posted at a juncture of four roads, by one of which I must
return. He could not have selected a better position. The illustration is
that of a first-rate specimen of the variety, "Champion Balmacron Thistle."
[Illustration: _Photo by T. Fall_] [_Baker Street._
HER MAJESTY QUEEN ALEXANDRA, WITH CHOW AND JAPANESE SPANIELS.
A group which will be studied with much interest by all.]
DANDIE DINMONT TERRIERS have many quaint and charming ways. They are very
strongly built, being among the most muscular of the terriers, of high
courage, devotedly attached to their owners, and admirably adapted for
companions, being suitable for indoors or out, and at home anywhere. The
colours are pepper (a sort of darkish iron-grey) and mustard (a yellowish
red fawn), both with white silky hair on head, called the top-knot, and
lustrous dark eyes, very gipsy-like and independent in expression.
SKYES, both PRICK- and DROP-EARED, are another Scottish breed which well
deserve their popularity, as they are thorough sporting animals. The
colours are chiefly shades of dark or light grey, but sometimes fawn with
dark points and whites are seen. The texture of coat should be hard and
weather-resisting; the eyes dark and keen in expression; bodies long, low,
and well knit; legs straight in front; even mouths; tails carried gaily,
but not curled over the back.
SCHIPPERKES are of Belgian origin. To those who do not know them, they are
something like medium-sized Pomeranians, short of coat, but without tails.
They are nearly always pure black in colour, with coats of hardish texture,
fullest round the neck and shoulders, the ears standing straight up like
darts, short cobby bodies, and straight legs. They make smart guards and
companions.
[Illustration: _Photo by T. Fall_] [_Baker Street._
SAND-DOG.
A quaint picture of a quaint variety, quite hairless, and much the colour
of Castille soap.]
CHOWS originally came from China, but are now largely bred here. They are
square-built sturdy dogs, with dense coats, tails carried over the side,
blunt-pointed ears, and rather short thick heads. They have a little of a
large coarse Pomeranian, with something of an Eskimo about them, but are
different from either, with a type of their own. The colour is usually some
shade of red or black, often with a bluish tinge in it. One marked
peculiarity is that the tongues of chows are blue-black in colour.
POMERANIANS can be procured of any weight from 3 to 30 lbs., and of almost
every shade of colour. At present brown of various shades is much in
favour, but there are many beautiful whites, blacks, blues, sables, and
others. They are very sharp and lively, and make charming pets and
companions. Really good specimens command high prices. The illustration is
of one of the best of his colour ever seen--"Champion Pippin."
PUGS, both fawn and black, are old-fashioned favourites very quaint and
peculiar in appearance. They should have square heads and muzzles, with
small ears, large protruding eyes, short thick bodies, and tails tightly
curled over the back. The illustration, "Duchess of Connaught," is of a
well-known winner.
MALTESE TERRIERS are very beautiful when pure bred. They have a long
straight coat of silky white hair nearly reaching the ground, black nose
and eyes, and the tail curled over the back of their short cobby body.
Their beauty well repays the trouble of keeping them in good condition. The
illustration, from a photograph taken for this article, is that of the
high-class dog "Santa Klaus."
[Illustration: _Photo by County of Gloucester Studio, Cheltenham._
PUG AND PEKINESE SPANIEL.
A typical portrait of two well-known winners in these popular varieties.]
YORKSHIRE TOY TERRIERS, with their steel-blue bodies and golden-tanned
faces, legs, and lower parts, and long straight coats, require skilful
attention to keep in order, but are very attractive as pets.
TOY SPANIELS are very old members of the toy division, dating from or
before the time of His Majesty King Charles: KING CHARLES SPANIELS being
black and tan; PRINCE CHARLES SPANIELS black, white, and tan; another
strain, the BLENHEIM, white, with shades of reddish-tan markings on the
head and body, and a spot of same colour on forehead; and the RUBY, a rich
coppery red all over. They should be small and stout in size and shape,
without coarseness, long in the ear, with large full protruding eyes of
dark colour, a short face, a straight coat, and not leggy.
JAPANESE SPANIELS carry heavy coats, usually black, or yellow, and white in
colour, shorter in the ears, which are carried more forward than in the
last-named, broader in the muzzle, with nearly flat faces, dark eyes, and
bushy tails carried over the back. They have very short legs, and their
hair nearly reaches the ground as they walk. When I kept them they were
much larger in size, but they are often now produced under 6 lbs. in
weight.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. Reid_] [_Wishaw, N.B._
FOX-TERRIER.
A picture full of life and go--at present odds in favour of our friend with
the prickly coat.]
PEKIN SPANIELS, the last of the toy spaniels I need mention, come from
China. They should have soft fluffy coats, tails inclined to turn over the
back, short faces, broad muzzles, large lustrous eyes, and a grave,
dignified expression. The colour is usually some shade of tawny fawn or
drab, but I have seen them black and dark brown; whatever colour, it should
be without white. The illustration, Mrs. Lindsay's "Tartan Plaid," was one
of the early importations.
[Illustration: _Photo by E. Landor_] [_Ealing._
BLENHEIM AND PRINCE CHARLES SPANIELS.
This little group will serve to show the appearance of these charming
little pets.]
ITALIAN GREYHOUNDS, another old-fashioned variety of toy dog, should not
exceed 12 lbs. in weight, but in my opinion are better if they are some
pounds less. Much like miniature greyhounds in shape and build, they are
elegant, graceful little creatures, very sensitive to cold. Shades of fawn,
cream, or French grey are most common; but some are slate-blue,
chestnut-red, and other tints. Of late years the breed has met with more
encouragement, and there is less fear of its being allowed to die out.
GRIFFONS BRUSSELOIS have been greatly taken up the last few years. They are
something like Yorkshire toy terriers in size and shape, but with a
shortish harsh coat, generally of some shade of reddish brown, very short
face, small shining dark eyes, heavy under-jaw, short thick body, and an
altogether comical appearance. Imported specimens, particularly before
reaching maturity, are often difficult to rear.
The AFRICAN SAND-DOG occasionally seen in this country (mostly at shows) is
remarkable for being entirely hairless, except a few hairs of a bristly
character on the top of the head and a slight tuft at the end of the tail;
it is chiefly blue-black or mottled in colour, something in shape and size
like a coarse black-and-tan terrier, and very susceptible to cold.
Having been supplied with an illustration of PARIAH PUPPIES, I will say a
few words about this variety, which is seen in large numbers at
Constantinople and other Eastern cities, where they roam about unclaimed,
and act as amateur scavengers; they are said to divide the places they
inhabit into districts or beats, each with its own leader, and resent any
interference with their authority. I have known cases where they have made
a determined attack on travellers out late at night; but they are rather a
cowardly race, and easily repulsed with a little firmness on the part of
the attacked. Probably these are the descendants of the dogs so often
mentioned in Scripture with opprobrium; and, among Eastern peoples, to call
a man "a dog" is even now the most insulting epithet that can be used. By
the Jews, in ancient times, the dog never seems to have been used, as with
us, in hunting and pursuing game and wild animals, but merely as a guardian
of their flocks, herds, and sometimes dwellings.
[Illustration: _Photo by the Duchess of Bedford. Woburn Abbey._
PARIAH PUPPIES.
This capital photograph of a variety seldom seen in this country will be
very interesting.]
[Illustration: _Photo by Ottomar Anschütz_] [_Berlin._
COMMON BROWN BEAR.
In Scandinavia a few still haunt the highest mountain-ridges, as here
shown.]
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