DOGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 124, 29 May 1886, Page 6

DOGS.

1 Their Probable Descent—Alwayn An Associate of Man.

Thebb are .people who are so sensitive to the presence of a cat that they feel badly directly a cat 'enters the room. They cannot tell whether it is the odour, appearance, or what; yet cannot bear to remain near one of these harmless, beautiful, graceful creatures. In some it almost amounts to a disease, and the Victims, although admitting the foolishness of it, are unable to withstand the baneful influence. Those -possessed of this queer idiosyncrasy are mostly women. Men do not object to cats, but there are few who really like them. On the other hand, men, women, and children nearly always like dogs. There are not more than half a dozen people in this town who really dislike and detest dogs. There is one man, who is rather wellknowa, who feels like kicking or stoning every dog he sees, and the feeling is akin to that experienced by many toward the inoffensive feline—without reason or excuse.

Cuvier, the great naturalist, asserts that dogs have been one prominent factor in the establishment of society. It is not very apparent at the present day, but in early days, when men submitted almost ontirely upon the products of their flocks, the dog was invaluable, both in helping to drive them from one place to another and in guarding them from the attacks of wild beasts. It also gave great assistance in the chase, by its neatness, keenness of scent and disposition to seek objects. In this way it contributed to the wealth and prosperity of men, so that as they grew richer they did not have to personally attend to this business, and consequently congregated into communities, making as a direct result cities and towns.

There has been considerable difference of opinion among naturalists as to the origin of these animals, some believing them to have begun in the domestication of animals of the same family, especially the fox, wolf, and jackal; others, that doge always were just as they are now, except they were in * wild state.

The grounds are very good for either opinion, but from fossils feund in tracing the varietrds back, the weight of evidence indicates that all of tho numerous varieties we • have now descended from several original species. as dogs have been under domestication probably longer than any other animal which was originally wild, the most remarkable variation in species has occurred, which, to illustrate, wo need only remember in point of size the difference between the German Boarhound, which is nearly four feet high at the shoulder, and the tiny pocket terrier, whose slender body and pipe-stem legs might b& swallowed at one gulp by its German brother. In point of intellect there is hardly a greater difference of physiognomy between an idiot and a college professor than between the vivacious, knowing, bright face of a shepherd and a bull dog or pug. All species differ greatly in the acuteness of their special business. The sight of nearly all dogs is so limited that it requires quite an effort for the ordinary dog to definitely make out an object even across one of our ordinary streets. They may be daily seen with head erect, body motionless, and gaze concentrated, apparently making quite an effort to see another dog, or their master, on the opposite sidewalk. The power varies greatly with the variety. In the greyhound the sight is remarkably acute. In tact they depend upon it olmoat exclusively in the hunt, their scent being deficient. On the other band, with dogs used for hunting birds it is scent which is relied upon, its powers being developed to an unusual degree. Bloodhounds are also possessed of acute scent. When used to track runaway negroes or escapted convicts there is only needed some article belonging to the man, and although he might mingle with dozens of others, and walk along streets where hundreds had trodden, the hounds will follow the footsteps and trace them unerringly to the end. In no case, however, is the sense of taste well developed. It is sadly lacking, and the pampered, well-ffe'd dog of a lady will not disdain a meal of carrion. This propensity toward carrion serves a very useful purpose in the pities of India and the East, where there is no Bewerage. All sorts of refuse are thrown either at the door or just outside the town. The hungry, prowling dogs fight and snarl over the stuff until it is all consumed. These parish curs are supposed by travellers to be mongrels bred about town, but they are really a distinct race of wild dogs from adjacent jungle?. A majority of wild dogs are red, or rusty, and have erect ears, bushy tails, and sharp noses, like wolves and ioxes. They hunt in packs and burrow in the ground; are shy, fierce, and strong, but not valiant. Animals reclaimed from a wild state are not as well grounded in the good habits of civilisation as we might believe. They very easily lapse into a state of nature, and probably none do so more easily than dogs. In many countries there are tribes which have returned again to barbarity. In San Domingo there are wild dbgs which are large and fierce, descendants from parents left by the Spaniards, and gradually run wild. These animals have received the name of feral dogs,

In the pampas of South America are numerous packs of feral dogs, which occasion considerable destruction by killing the young cattle and horses. They are hunted and killed, aB the losses from their depredations make quite an item. These feral dogs when redomesticated make very excellent hunters and herders, as their natural senses and wits have been so shaped by their experience and change of habits that they are remarkable for courage and sagacity. Training will do much for any animal, and the constant training and breeding of shepherd dogs have made the oare of flocks an instinct with them. In Scotland it is very common for the collie to be sent to the pasture with the flock of sheep and remain with them alone all day, keeping them from straying, and bringing them safely home at night, all without the help of a human being. A well-known instance of their intelligence came to the surface years ago during a trial for sheep stealing in Scotland. A certain man crossed a little river with his dog, and walking through his neighbour's flocks indicated each time some particular sheep he wanted. The dog, more faithful than honest, came again that night, picked out the very sheep indicated, killed it, swam the river with it, and being met at the other side by its master, they together carried the unfortunate sheep home. At last they were detected and a trial was the result. The man suffered the penalty of the law, and with their primitive ideas of justice, the jury disagreed for hours as to whether they would have the dog hanged or not. This continent has the claim to at least one variety of the canine species—the Newfoundland. It is generally thought by naturalists to be a native of this country, and the innumerable'instances and anecdotes of its wisdom and sagacity attest that it is an animal we need not be ashamed to own.

Dogs are not entirely carnivorous, as is generally supposed. Their teeth indicate that they also live on a partly vegetable diet. One speciea known as the Poe, or Por dog, a native of the South Sea Islands, lives entirely on vegetable diet, with occasionally a little fish. The flesh is highly prized by the natives as an article of diet. Chinese and others are fond of dog meat— and those who have tasted dog flesh which has been raised on a vegetable diet pronounce it good and possessing a fine flavour. One who could utilise departed dogs in this way might be pardoned for saying that the flesh is dog-gone good.