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W r i t t e n by IRVING R O B B I N I l l u s t r a t e d by WILLIAM BARSS Editorial Production: D O N A L D D. W O L F

E d i t e d u n d e r t h e s u p e r v i s i o n of D r . P a u l E. B l a c k w o o d , W a s h i n g t o n , D. C . T e x t a n d i l l u s t r a t i o n s a p p r o v e d by Oakes A.White, Brooklyn Children's Museum, Brooklyn, New York

WONDER BOOKS NEW YORK A Division of GROSSET & DUNLAP, Inc.

Introduction It w o u l d b e a m u s i n g t o visualize a c u r i o u s d o g nuzzling t h r o u g h t h e p a g e s of this b o o k to find a p i c t u r e of itself, or p e r h a p s a p a r a g r a p h describing its p a r t i c u l a r qualities. Of course, dogs c a n n o t r e a d a b o u t themselves, b u t w e a r e able t o i m a g i n e such a p i c t u r e b e c a u s e dogs a r e n o t e d for their h i g h degree of intelligence. T h r o u g h t h e centuries, dogs h a v e b e e n developed, o r b r e d , for special skills skills t h a t m a n h a s used t o his g r e a t adv a n t a g e . E v e n t h o u g h dogs n o w differ from o n e a n o t h e r a c c o r d i n g t o b r e e d , all of t h e m developed from o n e g r a n d ancestor, a n d dogs w e r e a l r e a d y o n e a r t h a t t h e t i m e of m a n ' s first r e c o r d e d history. M kJJi The How and Why Wonder Book of Dogs is generously illustrated w i t h pictures a n d filled with descriptions of m o s t present-day dogs. T h e b o o k c a t c h e s t h e spirit of t h e matchless usefulness of these d e v o t e d a n d versatile animals. It is a b o o k for all y o u n g p e o p l e t o use at h o m e or in school as they s e a r c h for n e w a n d interesting i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t m a n ' s best friend. Paul E. Blackwood

Index Page numbers in italics refer to illustrations. Affenpinscher, 41 Irish Water Spaniel, 8 Afghan Hound, 10,12, 24 Irish Wolfhound, 25 Airedale, 36 Italian Greyhound, 47 Jackal, 48 Alaskan Malemute, 10,28,44 American Water Spaniel, 8 Japanese Spaniel, 40 Ancestral Dogs, 6 Kerry Blue Terrier, 36 Arctic Wolf, 47,48 Komondor, 44 Australian Kelpie,.44 Kuvasz, 44 Babylonian Dog, 7 Labrador Retriever, 9 Basenji, 12, 26 Lycaon, 6 Basset Hound, 13, 26 Maltese Terrier, 40 Beagle, 12, 26 Manchester Terrier, 37 Bedlington Terrier, 36 Manchester Toy Terrier, 40 Belgian Sheep Dog, 30, 45 Mastiffs, 32, 34, 38 Bernese Mountain Dog, 44 Mexican Hairless, 38,40 Bird Dogs, 20 Miacis, 4, 5,7, 11 Black and Tan Terrier, 32 Miniature Pinscher, 47 Bloodhound, 13,15,23,25 Mongrel, 11, 19,38,42 Borophagus, 6 Newfoundland, 32,44 Borzoi, 12, 25 Nonsporting Dogs, 19, 38,39 Boston Terrier, 38,59 Norwegian Elkhound, 72,26, Bouvier des Flandres, 33,33 28 Boxer, 31, 32, 33,45 Old English Sheepdog, 45 Briard, 30 Otter Hound, 72, 26 Brittany Spaniel, 8 Papillon, 38, 47 Bulldog, 38,39 Pekingese, 35,47 Bull Terrier, 37 Pointers, 8,19, 20,21,22, 38 Cairn Terrier, 36 Pomeranian, 38,40 Canidae, 14, 18 Poodles, 22, 38,39, 41 Canis Familiaris, 14 Pug Dog, 47 Chesapeake Bay Retriever, 9 Puli, 30, 45 Chihuahua, 38,47 Retrievers, 9, 20,22,23 Chinese Dog, 7 Roman Dog, 7 Chow, 28, 38, 39,44 Rottweiler, 30, 32,45 Circus Dogs, 18,42 Russian Wolfhound, 25 Clumber Spaniel, 8 Saint Bernard, 32, 33 Cocker Spaniel, 1,8 Saluki, 72, 24,25 Collie, 25, 28, 29, ^6 Samoyed, 28, 38,44 Coonhound, 13, 26 Scent Hounds, 72, 13, 24,25, Coydog, 48 26 Coyote, 47, 48,48 Schnauzer, 33,56 Curly-Coated Retriever, 9 Scottish Terrier, 37 Cynodictus, 6 Sealyham Terrier, 36 Dachshund, 25 Seeing-Eye Dog, 57, 33 Dalmatian, 38, 39 Setters, 9, 20, 21,22 Dandie Dinmont Terrier, 37 Sheep Dogs, 27, 29 Daphneaus, 6 Shepherd Dog, 10, 29, 30, Deerhound, 12 31,38,46 Dhole, 48, 48 Shetland Sheep Dog, 30 Dingo, 48 Siberian Husky, 28,44 Sight Hounds, 72, 75, 24, 26 Doberman Pinscher, 31, 32 Skye Terrier, 37 Egyptian Dog, 7 SledDog, 10,15,27>28,29, Elkhound,30 38 English Setter, 9, 20 Spaniels, 5, 20,21,22, 38 English Toy Spaniel, 40 Spitz, 28, 38,44 Eskimo Husky, 27, 28 Sporting Dogs, 8,9,19,20,23 Field Spaniel, 8 Springer Spaniel, 8, 20, 22 Foxhound, 13, 26 * Techichi, 38 German Shephefd, 29, 30, Terriers, 19,34,56,57,43 57,32,33,46 Timber Wolf, 47,48 German Short-Haired Tomarctus, 6, 7, 11 Pointer, 8 Toy Dogs, 19,35,40,47 Golden Retriever, 9,21 Toy Poodle, 38 Gordon Setter, 9 Water Retriever, 38 Great Dane, 32,45 Water Spaniel, 22 Great Pyrenees, 44 Weimaraner, 8 Greyhound, 11,72,21,24, Welsh Corgi, 30,45 25,25 Welsh Terrier, 36 Griffon, 40 West Highland White, 57 Guard Dogs, 27, 31, 32, 38 Wild Dogs, 10,11,47,48 Guide Dog, 33 Wire-Haired Pointing Harrier, 72, 26 Griffon, 8 Hounds, 72,75,19,23,24,34 Wolf, 10, 11,45 Hunting Dogs, 10, 22, 46 Wolfhound, 72 Hyena, 48,48 Working Dogs, 19, 27,44,45 Irish Setter, 9 Yorkshire Terrier, 40 Irish Terrier, 36

Wk l

Dr. Blackwood is a professional employee in the U.S. Office of Education. This book was edited by him in his private capacity and no official support or endorsement by the Office of Education is Intended or should be inferred.

1962, by Wonder Books, Inc. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published simultaneously in Canada. Printed in the United States of America. Fourth Printing

Contents Page OLDER THAN M A N 4 What is the history of the dog? 5 What other animals are the ancestors of today's dogs? 5 What did Tomarctus look like? 6 When did m a n and the dog first meet? 7 H o w did man first domesticate the dog? 7 When did the specialized breeding of dogs begin? 10 What were the early dog breeds? 10 H o w many different breeds are there today? 11 THE DOG AS A N A N I M A L 11 What names are applied to the dog? 14 What are the dog's physical features? 14 W h y can a dog eat bones? 15 What kind of senses does a dog have? 15 H o w does a dog "talk"? 17 H o w long does a dog live? 17 Why are dogs so friendly to humans? 17 How does a dog's intelligence serve man and itself? 18 THE SPECIALIZED GROUPS What are the main groups of dogs? 19 19 Page What are the different sled dog breeds? ^ 28 What dog was crossed with a wolf? 28 Why are sled dogs important to the Eskimos? 28 H o w are sled dogs used today? 29 H o w are sheep dogs helpful to ranchers? 29 What are the breeds of shepherd dogs? 3 0 H o w d o the shepherd dogs work? 30 H o w d o the coats of shepherd dogs vary? * 30 What are the qualities of guard dogs? 31 What breeds were developed as guard dogs? 32 What d o g can save a drowning person? 32 What dog was developed by Swiss monks? 33 What dogs are best suited as guides for blind persons? 33 Terriers W h y are they called terriers? Where are the terriers from? 34 34 34

Sporting Dogs 19 What are the sporting dogs? 19 H o w do pointers and setters hunt birds? 20 Where and h o w did pointers and setters develop? 20 Where did the spaniel c o m e from? 21 H o w does a spaniel hunt game? 22 H o w were retrievers developed? 22 H o w are retrievers used in hunting? 22 Hounds 23 Why were hounds bred? 23 H o w are sight hounds used? 24 What are the oldest k n o w n dog breeds? 24 What breeds produced the Russian wolfhound? 25 H o w big is the largest dog? 25 What are scent hounds? 25 H o w old are scent hounds as a group? 2 6 What are some of the special skills of scent hounds? 26 Working Dogs 27 H o w are sled dogs protected against the icy weather? 27

Toy Dogs 35 For what purposes were the toy dogs originally used? 35 H o w were the toy breeds developed? 35 Nonsporting Dogs 38 What dog is able to get along well with horses? 38 What dog is one of the most popular of pets? 38 What d o g has a blue tongue? 38 Mongrels D o mongrels have any use? 38 42

SHOWS A N D TRIALS 42 What is the value of a dog show? 42 H o w is judging at a d o g show done? 4 3 What are the various awards in dog shows? 43 W h y are field trials held? 46 What are obedience trials? 47 THE WILD DOGS What animals are classed dogs? 47 as wild 47

MJL

O l d e r

T h a n

M a n

W a t c h a child playing with a puppy, or a m a n o u t f o r a w a l k w i t h h i s d o g beside him. N o t i c e h o w a blind m a n d e p e n d s o n h i s s e e i n g - e y e d o g , or h o w a s h e e p r a n c h e r d e p e n d s o n his t e a m of c o l l i e s . F o l l o w a h u n t e r a n d s e e h o w h i s b i r d d o g finds a n d flushes t h e g a m e . T h e s e are c o m m o n s i g h t s i n t h e t w e n tieth century so c o m m o n that we hardly notice them yet each person

is c a r r y i n g o n a t r a d i t i o n a n d a partners h i p a s o l d a s t h e h u m a n r a c e itself. T o m a k e a n i n t i m a t e c o m p a n i o n of a n a n i m a l is q u i t e u n i q u e for m a n . O f all t h e a n i m a l s t h a t h a v e s e r v e d a n d still s e r v e m a n i n his l o n g history, o n l y t h e d o g h a s b e c o m e a partner, a c o m p a n i o n a n d a p l a y m a t e . W h a t is a l s o u n i q u e is t h e f a c t t h a t this r e l a t i o n s h i p has not been enforced. B o t h man and d o g h a v e c o m e t o it w i t h a sincere aff e c t i o n a n d l o y a l t y f o r e a c h other. It is a tribute to b o t h species that they can

Miacis, the grand an| cestor of all dogs, ! preyed on the plant| eaters of its time.

live together not only in mutual

de-

p e n d e n c e b u t a l s o as friends. T h i s is a special mark of distinction, for the d o g f a m i l y l i v e d o n e a r t h m a n y m i l l i o n s of y e a r s b e f o r e m a n arrived. T h e d o g family has a history that g o e s back some 4 0 million What is the history of the d o g ?
tQ the E o c e n e

eater

that

was

adapted

to

both

tree-climbing and running in the open. It w a s a l o n g - t a i l e d , s h o r t - l e g g e d b e a s t a n d it m a d e life m i s e r a b l e f o r t h e grazi n g a n i m a l s . T h i s t o u g h little c r e a t u r e n a m e d Miacis b y scientists w a s t h e g r a n d a n c e s t o r of all t h e d o g s , t a m e and wild, that w e k n o w today. W h e n t h e c o u r s e of t i m e m o v e d What other animals are the ancestors f # ,Wc or today s rlc9 dogsr g o c e n e p e r i o d , Miacis
m i l H o n f r o m t h e

~ t enod o n P > e of a l o n g
A

series of g e o l o g i c e r a s i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e earth. T i n y horses, miniature camels and primitive m o n k e y s inhabited the land during this period. T h e y were herbivorous animals plant-eatersand completely peaceful. Preying o n these animals was a small but ferocious c a r n i v o r e m e a t -

our

w o r l d some five
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E o

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c e n e t o t h e Olihad sired a

A F R I C A N HUNTING D O G

F A M I L YT R E E O FT H E DOG F A M I L Y family. There were t w o n a m e d Daphneaus, dog." As millions Daphneaus descendants.

d o g s . O n e , Lycaon, of African Borophagus,

sired t h e w i l d b r e e d dogs; the other, stood

O n e w a s a heavy, ruggedly-built animal k n o w n a s a "bearof years passed,

hunting

fathered the jackels and

h y e n a s ; a n d t h e third, Tomarctus, wolves, foxes and dogs. Tomarctus What did Tomarctus look like?

e v o l v e d into a true bear a n d

at t h e h e a d o f t h e m o d e r n f a m i l y of

w a s t h e f a t h e r of o u r p r e s e n t - d a y f a m i l y of bears. T h e o t h e r d e s c e n d a n t w a s s l i m and lithe and is known to us as Cynodictus. It c o u l d n o l o n g e r c l i m b

w a s q u i t e w o l f l i k e i n app e a r a n c e , w i t h its l o n g
b u s h earS tail s m a U i n t e d

trees, its l e g s w e r e l o n g e r a n d it h a d b e c o m e a swift r u n n e r . In the M i o c e n e period, there were t h r e e d e s c e n d a n t s o f Cynodictus, I all of w h i c h l o o k e d very m u c h like m o d e r n

a n d a

,
r u n n e r s

,
le

gsI n a d d i t i o n , it w a s f u l l y Tomarctus

adapted to chasing game.

c o u l d r u n a d e e r h o u r after h o u r , n e v e r

tiring. I t s k e e n s e n s e of s m e l l a l l o w e d it t o track q u a r r y i n t h e d a r k a n d t a n g l e d underbrush, Tomarctus and its sharply pointed way fangs were designed for tearing. had come a long f r o m t h e p r i m i t i v e Miacis. It w a s a true

dog in almost every way. Y e t the thing t o r e m e m b e r at this p o i n t is t h a t t h e dog and bear have a c o m m o n ancestor. O n e must g o a long w a y back in time t o find t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p , a l t h o u g h b o t h m o d e r n animals carry certaih resemb l a n c e s . B u t Miacis modern dog. The meeting between must and the dog first meet? man and dog E G Y P T I A N DOG stands at the h e a d of t h e line, a t r u e f o u n d i n g f a t h e r of t h e BABYLONIAN D O C

have

taken

place at almost the same time that m a n b e c a m e an intelli-

gent, tool-using being. T h a t w a s s o m e 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 years ago. Fossils found d i c a t e t h e p r e s e n c e of d o g s . in s o m e of m a n ' s e a r l y c a v e d w e l l i n g s inActually m < UP* C H I N E S E D O G t h e d o g w a s m a n ' s first d o m e s t i c a n i m a l . T h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p s o o n b e c a m e a partnership, a n d early c a v e paintings s h o w dogs helping m e n to trap wild game. It is c o n c e i v a b l e t h a t i n t h o s e p r i m i t i v e t i m e s d o g s a l s o s t o o d g u a r d a t their masters' c a v e s , p l a y e d w i t h t h e y o u n g children and helped to haul loads. O n e does not k n o w exactly h o w m a n first How did man first domesticate the dog? domesticated the A R M O R E DR O M A N DOG From old paintings and reliefs, we know that the Babylonians used dogs for hunting, as did the Egyptians and Chinese. Ancient records also tell us that the Babylonians bred dogs as companions for ladies. The Romans used dogs to fight slaves and wild animals. dog, b u t the m o s t imp o r t a n t c l u e t o t h e answer lies in the nature of t h e d o g itself. All

dogs, even the wild breeds, are basically friendly, s o c i a l a n i m a l s t h a t h a v e t h e

S P O R T I N G

D O G S

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ability to develop a strong attachment to h u m a n beings. T h e r e are outstanding examples o f this f a c t . The Alaskan M a l e m u t e , a p o w e r f u l s l e d d o g , is w o l f bred. T h e A l a s k a n I n d i a n s r a i s e d w o l f c u b s until t h e y b e c a m e f r i e n d l y loyal animals. history. P e r h a p s a litter of w i l d p u p p i e s w a s taken back to a cave dwelling and r a i s e d i n t h e p r e s e n c e of p e o p l e . M a y b e a wild d o g discovered that sharing the c o m p a n y of m e n resulted in protection, i n c l u d i n g e a s i e r a c c e s s t o f o o d . It is a tribute t o the intelligence a n d adaptability of t h e d o g t h a t it w a s a b l e t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p . T h e partn e r s h i p p r o v e d t o b e fruitful. T h e struggling h u m a n race, learning to live in a savage environment, f o u n d in the dog a loyal protector and devoted c o m p a n i o n . H u n t i n g b e c a m e easier, t h e sounds of the night w e r e less fearful all b e c a u s e of t h e p r e s e n c e of a w i l d animal that chose to live with men. J I N o o n e is c e r t a i n w h e n t h e s p e c i a l i z e d b r e e d i n g o f d o g s beI When did the specialized breeding of dogs, begin? gan, because recorded history began late. H o w e v e r , rather there years. This same thing and may

m a l s f o r s p e c i a l p u r p o s e s v e r y early i n h i s t o r y . O t h e r d o m e s t i c a n i m a l s s u c h as cows and horses were bred to produce c e r t a i n results, a n d m e n m u s t h a v e applied these techniques to the d o g in the e a r l y d a y s of c i v i l i z a t i o n . Breeding w a s originally controlled in order to produce dogs . that could d o
k i n d s o f w o r k

h a v e t a k e n p l a c e i n t h e d a w n of h u m a n

certain

doVbreeds?

hunting

> and dogs were

a m o n g t h e first t o b e d e v e l o p e d . S i n c e e a r l y m a n d e p e n d e d o n h u n t i n g f o r his food, he n e e d e d dogs that could chase swift-running animals, bring them basic breed was the shepherd to b a y a n d kill t h e m if n e c e s s a r y . A n o t h e r dog. W h e n t h e e a r l y tribes s e t t l e d d o w n t o a n a g r i c u l t u r a l life a n d r a i s e d h e r d s of domestic animals, specialized dogs were required t o h e l p r o u n d u p the cattle and sheep. T h e s e d o g s h a d to b e strong and a g i l e e n o u g h t o p r o t e c t a flock a g a i n s t preying animals. A breed that had s u p e r i o r i n t e l l i g e n c e w a s n e c e s s a r y , for i n h a n d l i n g a flock of a n i m a l s , there is a great amount of decision-making. Quite often shepherd dogs must use Eskimos developed

their o w n judgment. In the Arctic regions the and other northern tribes

are records of specialized dogs that g o back 5 , 0 0 0 S o m e breeds; such as the A f g h a n , are k n o w n t o b e at l e a s t 2 , 0 0 0 y e a r s o l d , a n d pictures of d o g s that s e e m to h a v e special attributes h a v e b e e n f o u n d Assyrian rock carvings. T h e developed some hunting used dogs extensively as pets. M a n k i n d l e a r n e d h o w t o b r e e d ani10 breeds on and Romans

s e v e r a l v a r i e t i e s o f d o g s t o p u l l their sleds. H e r e s p e c i a l i z a t i o n w a s e x t r e m e l y important. A sled d o g not only had to b e strong e n o u g h to pull a heavy load, b u t it h a d t o h a v e a t h i c k fur c o a t a s a protection against A r c t i c winters. Finally, dogs. A l l there were pure sporting have and through history m e n

raced anything that could move,

d o g racing can b e traced back to the

ancient R o m a n s . T h e greyhound

has

w i t h m a n y persons trying t o p r o d u c e d o g s with unique features. T h e y color, temperament and are b r e d f o r a c e r t a i n size, shtfpe, s t a n c e , intelligence. However, the dog family continues to d e v e l o p o n its o w n , t h o u g h n o t scientifically. R a n d o m c r o s s b r e e d i n g h a s l e d t o a v a s t n u m b e r of m o n g r e l s , s o m e of w h i c h c a n b e quite interesting. T h e variations seem endless, and yet one basic factor remains unchanged. T h e d o g n o m a t t e r w h a t it l o o k s l i k e n o w is t h e s a m e a n i m a l t h a t o w e s its heritage Tomarctus to Tomarctus, b a c k t o Miacis, and through the animal

an ancestry almost as old as any breed and was undoubtedly used in competit i o n t h o u s a n d s of y e a r s a g o . T h e R o m a n s a l s o b r e d d o g s f o r fighting, a c r u e l sport t h a t f o r t u n a t e l y h a s a l m o s t d i e d out in our time. T h e A m e r i c a n K e n n e l C l u b lists o v e r 125 breeds of d o g s in How many different breeds are there today? existence today. Of c o u r s e , maffy b r e e d s are v a r i a t i o n s of a b a s i c type, but has become an involved specialized occupation

b r e e d i n g is still g o i n g o n . D o g b r e e d i n g

t h a t b e g a n it all 4 0 m i l l i o n y e a r s a g o .

T h e

D o g

as

an

Animal

B e c a u s e of s e l e c t i v e b r e e d i n g t h e d o g h a s b e e n m a d e i n t o o n e o f t h e m o s t diversified s p e c i e s o n e a r t h . Y e t , w i t h all the careful control, the d o g h a s c h a n g e d o n l y superficially. E v e r y d o g b e l o n g s t o the same zoological family, and even the wild dogs, such as the wolf, are m e m b e r s . T h e final test is t h e a b i l i t y o f a n y k i n d of d o g t o p r o d u c e y o u n g w i t h any other kind of dog. Actually all d o g s are really tame w o l v e s , o r all w o l v e s a r e r e a l l y w i l d

hile wild dogs howl, doesticated dogs bark. In the neliness of the night, hower, a domestic dog may metimes revert to the habits its wild ancestors.

SIGHT

HOUNDS

H A R R I E R

SdNflOH

1N3DS

S Q N n O H

dogs. Call them what y o u will they belong to the family that the zoologists call the Canidae Canidae. is t h e n a m e t h a t refers t o t h e entire species of What names are applied to the dog? dogs CROUP. a n d is m e r e l y a m o r e l e a r n e d w a y of s a y i n g canines. T h e dogs, as

c h i e f m e m b e r s of this f a m i l y , a r e a l s o m e m b e r s of t w o o t h e r g r o u p s . O n e is t h e Mammalia, or m a m m a l s . A s a m a m T A I L m a l t h e d o g fits all of t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s . I t is a w a r m - b l o o d e d a n i m a l , c o v e r e d w i t h h a i r o r fur, b e a r s l i v e offspring a n d n o u r i s h e s its y o u n g w i t h m i l k f r o m its m a m m a r y glands. D o g s also belong to the Carnivora. T O E S Carnivores are meat-eaters w i t h teeth e s p e c i a l l y d e v e l o p e d f o r c u t t i n g , tearing and grinding. A l l carnivores h a v e c l a w e d feet, powerful bodies a n d legs adapted for running d o w n game. T h e r e is y e t a n o t h e r n a m e t h a t applies only to the d o g the d o g . It is Canis Familiaris. domestic and able to withstand great variations i n t e m p e r a t u r e . T h i s m a k e s f o r a highsurvival type. T h r o u g h o u t t h e h i s t o r y of t h e earth, specialized animals have b e c o m e ext i n c t b e c a u s e of c h a n g e s i n their env i r o n m e n t . T h e s e are c h a n g e s i n t h e C r e a t u r e s l i k e t h e giraffe, t h e h i p p o potamus and What are the dog's t h e e l e p h a n t physical features? , , h a v e o n e physic a l f e a t u r e t h a t is m u c h m o r e d e v e l o p e d t h a n t h e rest of their b o d i e s . S u c h special features are designed t o help t h e m i n t h e t a s k of g e t t i n g f o o d . I n c o n t r a s t , a d o g is a c o m p a c t l y b u i l t a n i m a l w i t h all of its b o d y c o m p o n e n t s i n p r o p o r t i o n to e a c h other. T h i s conformity of parts a l l o w s t h e d o g t o f u n c t i o n i n all k i n d s of terrain a n d c o n d i t i o n s . S c i e n t i s t s c a l l t h e d o g a n o n s p e c i a l i z e d a n i m a l t h a t is a b l e t o e a t m a n y different k i n d s o f f o o d 14 c o n d i t i o n s t h a t a n i m a l s n e e d i n order t o live. T h i s d o e s n o t s e e m l i k e l y t o h a p p e n t o Canis Familiaris. I n its ability t o survive under m a n y varied conditions, the d o g is^second o n l y t o m a n , w h o s e c o m plete adaptability makes him the best s u r v i v a l t y p e s o far. A d o g has legs and feet adapted for r u n n i n g , a n d its d e e p c h e s t is d e s i g n e d t o a c c o m m o d a t e t h e g r e a t a m o u n t s of air n e e d e d i n a l o n g c h a s e . A b u t fairly flexible straight b a c k , p o w e r f u l rear ' M^ tt^ HOCK. /

h a u n c h e s a n d a n e r e c t l y set h e a d e n a b l e t h e d o g t o f u n c t i o n a s a fighter a s w e l l as a runner.

C R E S T

3 K U L L

The names of the body parts are common to all dogs, regardless of breed. In dog shows, the animal is judged by excellence of its features. M U Z Z L E

This skeleton of the head of a dog shows the typical canine teeth. S H O U L D E R E L B O W a d o g ' s m o u t h a fearful w e a p o n a s w e l l as a grinding mill to c h e w b o n e s : S e c o n d l y , t h e d o g ' s s t o m a c h is supplied w i t h digestive juices that are m u c h stronger than the juices found in m a n y o t h e r m a m m a l s . T h e s e a c i d s r e a d i l y disK N E E P A S T E R N s o l v e t h e c a l c i u m i n t h e b o n e s a n d all o w the d o g to eat foods that w o u l d m a k e s o m e o t h e r a n i m a l s sick. There are m a n y v a r i a t i o n s i n the S o m e o f t h e d o g ' s s e n s e s are s u p e r i o r t o t h o s e of m a n y o t h e r What kind of senses does a dog have? a n i m a l s . Its s e n s e of s m e l l , p a r t i c u l a r l y , is almost without comparison. S o m e breeds, especially those in the hunting and tracking classes, h a v e a n e x t r e m e l y a c u t e s e n s e of s m e l l . T h e bloodhound, often used b y police for t r a c k i n g , c a n f o l l o w a trail t h a t is inv i s i b l e t o o t h e r d o g s . O n e sniff of a pers o n ' s c l o t h i n g o r s h o e s is e n o u g h . T h e b l o o d h o u n d c a n then often track that p e r s o n f o r m i l e s a c r o s s streets, T h e r e are t w o b a s i c r e a s o n s f o r t h e ability of a d o g t o e a t b o n e s . Why can a dog eat bones? In the first place, the dog has a well developed set of t e e t h t h a t a r e b u i l t for tearing, c u t t i n g a n d g r i n d i n g . T h i s a l l o w s it t o c o p e w i t h all k i n d s o f f o o d . A p o w e r f u l set of j a w m u s c l e s m a k e s and mountains. A n e x c e l l e n t s e n s e o f s m e l l is o n e reason w h y w o l v e s c a n silently f o l l o w their p r e y t h r o u g h t h e f o r e s t o n t w i s t a n d t u r n o f t h e trail. A d o g ' s h e a r i n g is a l s o s u p e r i o r . N o t o n l y is t h e d o g s e n s i t i v e t o v e r y f a i n t 15 the darkest night, unerringly sensing every fields

t y p e of h a i r o r fur t h a t c o v e r s t h e d o g ' s skin. A c t u a l l y , t h e t y p e o f c o a t t h a t a d o g h a s is d e t e r m i n e d b y c l i m a t e , its breed and the function of that breed. D o g s from w a r m countries usually have short, colder sleek coats, while heavy dogs coats. from The areas h a v e

northern sled dogs h a v e t w o coats, as a soft d o w n g r o w s b e n e a t h t h e l o n g , stiff o u t e r fur. M o s t d o g s a d a p t e d f o r w o r k i n w a t e r h a v e a n o i l y fur that k e e p s their s k i n d r y w h e n t h e y s w i m .

SIGHT

HOUNDS

H A R R I E R

SdNflOH

1N3DS

S Q N n O H

s o u n d s , b u t it c a n d e t e c t a r a n g e of s o u n d s w e l l b e y o n d t h e p e r c e p t i o n of a h u m a n being. Our hearing covers a range b e t w e e n 5 0 a n d 1 5 , 0 0 0 cycles per second. A b o v e that, m o s t people hear nothing. A dog, however, can hear m a n y t h o u s a n d s of c y c l e s b e y o n d that. T h e r e are s p e c i a l d o g w h i s t l e s t h a t prod u c e a s o u n d m u c h t o o h i g h for m a n The first thing you should provide for your puppy is a good bed. There is no need to buy something expensive, as a box with an old cushion or one lined with old blankets will do. It is a useful idea to place a clock under the puppy's sleeping blanket for the first few nights. The ticking sound will make the puppy feel less lonely and help to train the pet to stay in bed. t o hear, but within range for dogs. M o s t d o g s c a n a l s o m o v e their ears t o l o c a t e the source of a sound. It is i n t h e s e n s e of s i g h t t h a t t h e d o g b e c o m e s a very ordinary animal. D o g s have only average eyesight and some h a v e p o o r e y e s i g h t . T h e i r v i s i o n is l i a b l e to grow worse with age and the eyes then often s u c c u m b t o disease. B u t the d o g has a great advantage in the placem e n t of its e y e s . T h e y a r e p l a c e d s o t h a t t h e a n i m a l c a n l o o k straight a h e a d w i t h b o t h e y e s . T h i s is k n o w n a s b i n o c u l a r v i s i o n , w h i c h is l a c k i n g i n m a n y a n i m a l s t h a t h a v e e y e s set i n t h e s i d e s of their heads. Such a placement gives the dog a g o o d s e n s e of d e p t h p e r c e p t i o n . T h a t Housebreaking the puppy is an important part of its education. Feed your pet at regular intervals and take it outside after each meal. If you live in the country, let the puppy run about outdoors as soon as it wakes up in the morning and before it goes to bed at night. If you live in an apartment, or if you are unable to take your puppy outdoors, teach it to use a box filled with torn newspapers. Put the puppy into the box after it has eaten and make your pet stay there until it has done what is expected of it. Change the newspapers every day, but always leave a few soiled papers. Your puppy "remembers" with its nose. is w h y a d o g c a n a c c u r a t e l y g a u g e t h e d i s t a n c e o f o b j e c t s a n d j u m p o v e r obstacles with confidence. Incidentally, r e c e n t r e s e a r c h is l e a d i n g s o m e scientists t o b e l i e v e t h a t d o g s are c o l o r b l i n d a n d s e e v e r y t h i n g i n s h a d e s of gray.

If the puppy misbehaves in the house, punish it only if you catch it in the act; otherwise, the puppy might not know why it is being punished. Spank it with a folded newspaper, and say clearly, "No! No! No!" Then put the puppy out of the house or in its box. 16

D o g s cannot actually talk, but they c a n communicate. T h e y are How does a dog "talk"?
w tQ m a k e w i d e

speaking, a relaxed breed will outlive a n e r v o u s b r e e d . A c t u a l l y , t h e life s p a n o f a d o g d e p e n d s o n its h e r e d i t y , a n d t h e n u t r i t i o n , c a r e a n d h a n d l i n g it is given from p u p p y h o o d on. M a n y p e o p l e r e c k o n e a c h y e a r of a dog's life t o b e equal t o seven years in t h e l i f e of a m a n . N o t all d o g s a r e f r i e n d l y , a n d s t r a n g e d o g s s h o u l d b e apWhy are dogs so friendly to humans? p r o a c h e d w i t h caution, but the species in general is very

~ A r a n g e of s o u n d s

w h i n e s , y e l p s , g r o w l s , snarls, w h i m p e r s , b a r k s a n d h o w l s . T h e s e s o u n d s all m e a n s o m e t h i n g t o a d o g , a n d if it h a s a n understanding master, the d o g c a n comm u n i c a t e m a n y t h i n g s . I t is p o s s i b l e for t h e a n i m a l t o s h o w e m o t i o n s all t h e w a y f r o m l o v e t o h a t e b y t h ^ s o u n d s it m a k e s a n d t o i n d i c a t e its d e s i r e s q u i t e clearly. M o r e i m p o r t a n t is t h e f a c t t h a t a d o g c a n u n d e r s t a n d its m a s t e r . Not m a n y s p e c i e s of a n i m a l s c a n b e t r a i n e d to understand h u m a n speech, but s o m e dogs have been able to respond to more than 1 5 0 different w o r d s ! T h i s is a powerful reason for the close associat i o n of m a n a n d d o g , f o r c o m m u n i c a t i o n is a k e y t o all r e l a t i o n s h i p s . W h e n living beings c a n understand e a c h other, f r i e n d s h i p is o f t e n e a s i l y w o n . T h e life s p a n o f a d o g is b e t w e e n t e n How long d o e s a dog live?
this is o n l y n

f r i e n d l y t o m a n . T h e r e are s e v e r a l rea-

a n d fifteen y e a r s , b u t a n aver.
T L

a g e figure. T h e r e a r e s e v e r a l i n s t a n c e s of d o g s l i v i n g t o t w e n t y years, b u t t h e s e d o g s a r e e x c e p t i o n s t o t h e rule. E x p e r t s s a y t h a t , generally

Teaching your dog to walk on a leash does not have to be a tiresome job. In the same hand in which you hold the leash, hold a piece of dog biscuit. When your puppy smells the biscuit and sees that you have something good to eat, it will follow along without getting the leash tangled up about your legs. After a few minutes, give the dog the cooky. Soon the dog will learn how you want it to walk on the leash.

It is not too difficult to teach your dog to sit on command. Call the dog to you, slip the leash over its head, and say, "Sit!" Repeat the word, hold the dog's head up with the leash, and press down on its rump. Reward the dog by giving it a bit of food as soon as it is in a sitting position, and pat it to show that you think it is a good dog. Make the dog remain sitting until you say "Up." The more often you repeat these words, the less time it will take the dog to understand what it is you want it to do. 17

h e l p train their c u b s i n t h e t e c h n i q u e s n e e d e d f o r survival, a n d t h e y w i l l fight t o t h e d e a t h t o p r o t e c t t h e litter. A l l this s h o w s a special social instinct equaled only by monkeys, apes and man.

P e r h a p s t h e s i n g l e g r e a t e s t trait t h e d o g How does a dog's intelligence serve jit* man and itself? s h o w s is intellij ^ T h i s ,. .t l i g e n c e is e v i d e n t in almost every
g e n c e

breed and shows especially in the wild b r e e d s . A s a m a t t e r o f fact, w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of m a n , t h e Canidae of all t h e m a m m a l s . D o g s c a n as a solve w h o l e are a m o n g t h e m o s t i n t e l l i g e n t p r o b l e m s , r e m e m b e r e v e n t s , a c t o n their o w n w i l l a n d o b e y orders. T h i s h i g h intelligence has m o s t certainly led the d o g as a species t o associate Dogs learn easily and like to work. s o n s f o r this trait. A s n o t e d earlier, t h e ability t o c o m m u n i c a t e i n s o m e f a s h i o n w i t h m a n a n d the greater ability strong factors leading t o friendliness. E v e n i n its w i l d s t a t e t h e d o g is a s o c i a l a n i m a l . It s e e m s t o l i k e c o m p a n y . W o l v e s live and hunt in packs a n d s h o w a g r e a t d e a l of c o o p e r a t i o n i n c h a s i n g their prey. T h e y w i l l t a k e t u r n s i n c h a s i n g t h e h u n t e d b e a s t u n t i l it is dangerous animal, the w o l v e s will exfight h a u s t e d a n d t h e n , if it t u r n s o u t t o b e a it i n relays. M o s t o t h e r c a r n i v o r e s l i v e a s o l i t a r y life a n d h u n t o n l y f o r t h e m selves. W o l v e s will often bring f o o d t o those that cannot hunt, and a father w o l f n o t o n l y g u a r d s its y o u n g b u t a l s o b r i n g s f o o d t o t h e lair. A d u l t w o l v e s 18 to u n d e r s t a n d s o m e of m a n ' s s p e e c h are closely w i t h m a n . It w a s q u i c k t o a d a p t t o s u c h a r e l a t i o n s h i p , a n d i n return g a v e its l o y a l t y a n d s p e c i a l abilities t o t h e serif v i c e of m a n . N o other animal has accompanied a n d w o r k e d f o r t h e h u m a n r a c e s o willingly. N o other animal will choose to fight at a man's side rather than seek its o w n f r e e d o m . N o o t h e r a n i m a l w i l l g i v e of its a f f e c t i o n s o freely. W i t h their h i g h l y d e v e l o p e d b r a i n s a n d c l e v e r h a n d s , m e n are far s u p e r i o r to dogs. W e k n o w our history and plan f o r t h e f u t u r e ; t h e d o g l i v e s o n l y its o w n life. W e c a n p r o d u c e w o n d e r s of s c i e n c e a n d w o r k s o f art; t h e d o g is o n l y a n instinctive creature imprisoned within his animal nature. Y e t d e s p i t e t h e s e differences t h e mira c l e persists. A m a n c a n l o v e a d o g a n d a d m i t it t o h i s life; t h e d o g c a n a c c e p t t h i s l o v e a n d g i v e its life t o t h e m a n .

T h e

Specialized

G r o u p s and

Throughout the history of man's associa t i o n w i t h t h e d o g w e find a s l o w b u t s t e a d y d e v e l o p m e n t o f b r e e d s f o r special p u r p o s e s . T h i s finally l e d t o t h e setting u p o f c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s f o r t y p e s o f dogs. A l l dogs that performed related jobs ended up in a basic group. But m o r e i n t e r e s t i n g is t h a t m o s t d o g s w i t h i n a group are m o r e closely related t o e a c h other in appearance, physical confornot mation and temperament than to dogs in another group. Y e t this d o e s m e a n that a d o g bred for a particular k i n d of w o r k c a n n o t d o a n y t h i n g e l s e . It just m e a n s t h a t it is b e t t e r a d a p t e d for a specific t a s k a n d w i l l b e t r a i n e d m o r e e a s i l y f o r it. B u t n o m a t t e r w h a t a d o g is b r e d f o r , it c a n still m a k e a pet and a companion. T h e r e a r e six m a i n g r o u p s , o r classifications, What are the main groups of dogs? of dogs in recognized

w o r k i n g d o g s , terriers, t o y d o g s

nonsporting dogs. T o r o u n d o u t the picture a classification should b e included t h a t is n o t officially r e c o g n i z e d , since the dogs in the group h a v e n o special job, n o special appearance, n o w a y at all t o s t a n d a r d i z e a b r e e d . T h e s e a r e the mongrels, the result of accidental breeding.

SPORTING

DOGS

Sporting dogs have been carefully bred for centuries a n d are What are the extremely specialized. sporting d o g s ? , / . , ,. , T h e y are fairly highstrung, but very willing a n d friendly animals. H u n d r e d s of years ago, these d o g s w e r e i n v a l u a b l e i n h e l p i n g t o inc r e a s e t h e f o o d s u p p l y t h r o u g h their g r e a t h u n t i n g ability. T o d a y t h e y a r e The pointer hunts by running back and forth quickly across a hunting field. When the dog smells a bird, it "freezes," pointing its nose in the bird's direction.

the world today. hounds,

T h e s e are t h e s p o r t i n g d o g s ,

The setter "sits" on its haunches when it finds a bird.

The springer spaniel makes the birds fly into the air. it. T h i s d i s c o v e r y o f g a m e i s o f t e n accomplished well out of sight of the hunter, a n d a g o o d bird d o g will stand motionless, from short minutes to l o n g h o u r s , u n t i l t h e h u n t e r arrives t o t h e b i r d i n t o t h e air. The dog must also be sufficiently t r a i n e d n o t t o m o v e o r flinch w h e n t h e s h o t p a s s e s o v e r i t s h e a d , a n d it m u s t w a i t u n t i l o r d e r e d t o find a n d r e t u r n t h e k i l l e d g a m e . T h i s s p e c i a l i z e d j o b requires extensive training, beginning in puppyhood. Breeders have gone through m a n y generations developing bird dogs that have the proper nose and proper temperament, and a well-bred pointer o r s e t t e r m a k e s a fine field d o g a s w e l l as an affectionate pet. T h e o r i g i n a l s t o c k o f p o i n t e r s a n d sei setWhere a n d h o w did pointers and setters develop? ters c a m e f r o m ^ area n o w k n o w n as Spain some time in flush

used mainly by sportsmen w h o value t h e skills o f s u c h a n a n i m a l . Sporting d o g s are divided into four s u b g r o u p s , e a c h w i t h a s p e c i a l skill rel a t e d t o h u n t i n g : p o i n t e r s , setters, s p a n i e l s a n d retrievers. ( S e e p a g e s 8 - 9 . ) P o i n t e r s a n d setters a r e b i r d d o g s dogs H o w d o pointers a n d setters hunt birds?
t o T h u n t

trained
h k d s

i . Their

, t devel-

o p m e n t w a s intensified w i t h t h e i n v e n t i o n o f firearms a n d t h e b e g i n n i n g o f the sport of shooting birds in flight. This hunting technique arose early in t h e e i g h t e e n t h c e n t u r y , a n d a s rifles a n d shotguns were perfected, the various b r e e d s o f p o i n t e r s a n d setters w e r e i m proved to meet the very special needs of the hunters. A p o i n t e r o r a setter m u s t find g a m e w h e r e it l i e s h i d d e n i n t h e b r u s h . T o d o this the d o g m u s t h a v e a n extremely k e e n sense of smell a n d m u s t k n o w h o w t o approach the g a m e without disturbing 20

t h e p e r i o d b e t w e e n A.D. 5 0 0 a n d 1 0 0 0 .

The job of the golden retriever is to swim out and retrieve ducks and other water fowl that have been shot down by the hunter.

E v e n in those days special breeding w a s t a k i n g p l a c e , a n d t h e p o i n t e r s a n d setters w e r e d e v e l o p e d i n t h e B r i t i s h I s l e s f r o m this S p a n i s h s t o c k . T h e e a r l y varieties of t h e s e d o g s w e r e u s e d f o r h u n t i n g l o n g b e f o r e t h e i n v e n t i o n o f firearms in Europe. P o i n t e r s w e r e o r i g i n a l l y u s e d t o find g a m e for the chase. T h e y w o u l d locate rabbits o r deer, i n d i c a t e t h e p o s i t i o n t o the hunters, a n d then greyhounds bring d o w n t h e g a m e after i t w a s or other swift-running d o g s w e r e u s e d t o flushed. T h e pointers' job did n o t c h a n g e t o o m u c h w h e n firearms b e g a n t o b e u s e d instead of running p o i n t e r s still find dogs. Today the same g a m e in the

m u c h either. I t b e c a m e k n o w n a s a setter b e c a u s e it w a s s u p p o s e d t o "set" g a m e for the net. N e t t i n g birds and small g a m e w a s a great sport before g u n s w e r e u s e d . W h e n a setter l o c a t e d the prey, the d o g w o u l d freeze in position, and the hunter w o u l d toss a net o v e r t h e h i d d e n c o v e y o f birds. B o t h b a s i c b r e e d s , p o i n t e r s a n d setters, h a v e b e e n d e v e l o p e d i n t o field dogs. was many v a r i e t i e s , b u t all a r e a d m i r a b l y s u i t e d a s

T h e s p a n i e l , a s m a l l e r field d o g ,

m a n n e r , b u t t h e h u n t e r n o w s h o o t s instead of r e l e a s i n g a n o t h e r t y p e o f d o g . T h e setter's j o b h a s n o t c h a n g e d t o o

also developed from Where did S p a n i s h s t o c k , h e n c e its the spaniel n a m e . B e c a u s e o f its come from? r e s e m b l a n c e t o t h e setter f a m i l y , it is t h o u g h t t h a t t h e s p a n i e l m a y h a v e b e e n o n e of t h e o r i g i n a l sires 21

o f t h e setter g r o u p . W h e n t h e s p a n i e l w a s b r o u g h t t o t h e B r i t i s h Isles, m a n y o t h e r breeds were bred into the line, gent a n d friendly dogs. L i k e p o i n t e r s a n d setters, s p a n i e l s operate w i t h hunters in How does game s e a r c h of small hunt g a m e ? a n d birds. T h e y w o r k .\ . v e r y c l o s e l y w i t h their prod u c i n g a v a r i e t y o f t h e s e s m a l l , intelli-

m a s t e r s a n d are a l w a y s i n sight. T h e s p a n i e l d o e s n o t p o i n t o r set t h e g a m e . It r u n s just a h e a d of t h e g u n n e r a n d flushes game into the open. After the s h o t , a w e l l - t r a i n e d s p a n i e l sits m o t i o n l e s s until d i r e c t e d t o r e t r i e v e t h e g a m e . S o m e spaniels are bred to w o r k in water. These water spaniels retrieve the birds that h a v e fallen in streams a n d lakes, carefully swimming with their m a s t e r s . T h e springer spaniel, a larger and m o r e r o u g h - c o a t e d d o g , is a different k i n d of specialist. It w o r k s t o g e t h e r w i t h a hunter and another dog belonging to t h e retriever g r o u p . T h i s r u g g e d a n i m a l flushes o r "springs" t h e g a m e . A f t e r t h e equipped to swim in the roughest and coldestwater. Retrievers are very T h e retriever is a n e x a m p l e of a n entirely "created" b r e e d . How w e r e ^Q o n e ^ c e r t a i n 0 f t h e retrievers t A 6 X a C t o n m b u t fe developed? " search indicates that at first retrievers m a y h a v e b e e n b r e d b y crossing spaniels with various hunting hounds, and possibly with poodles to o b t a i n t h e l o n g c u r l y c o a t . T h e result is a large, 22 sturdily built animal, How are retrievers used in hunting? f r i e n d l y d o g s a n d m a k e fine h o u s e p e t s if o n e d o e s n o t m i n d t h e l o n g fur o n t h e furniture during the shedding season. U n l i k e the other hunters in the sporting g r o u p , a retriever
d o e s ri n o t find QT T.

g a m e a n d d e p o s i t i n g it a t t h e f e e t o f

h u n t e r s h o o t s , t h e retriever is r e l e a s e d t o r e t u r n t h e bird.

flush game. Retrievers are u s e d mainly for

Its duck

o n l y j o b is t o r e t u r n g a m e t o t h e h u n t e r .

The most highly developed sense of smell of any dog belongs to the bloodhounds. For this reason they are widely used to assist police in tracking down escaped prisoners.

hunting

(shooting

ducks

flying

over

ability. T h e y h a v e l a r g e p a w s a n d p o w erful l e g s , a n d t h e i r l o n g c o a t is s l i g h t l y oily to protect the skin against soaking.

water). T h e y wait patiently with the hunter in a duck blind or other cover until c o m m a n d e d t o s w i m o u t . O n e of t h e o u t s t a n d i n g features

HOUNDS H o u n d d o g s are g e n e r a l l y m o r e intelligent and calmer Why w e r e i n temperament than hounds bred? . , sporting dogs, perhaps b e c a u s e they are n o t s o specialized. Hounds are highly solidly-built 23

f o u n d i n retrievers is t h e "soft m o u t h . " T h e d o g is a b l e t o g r i p a bird, w o u n d e d or d e a d , i n its l a r g e m o u t h a n d s w i m back to the shooting point w i t h o u t leaving a s i n g l e t o o t h m a r k o n t h e g a m e . R e t r i e v e r s are a l s o u s e d i n s e a r e s c u e w o r k b e c a u s e of their g r e a t s w i m m i n g

animals that are adapted t o

running est

O f t h e h o u n d s , t h e s a l u k i is t h e oldknown breed. Ancient Egyptian paintings depict the saluki used in the chase, and Assyrian and Sumerian rock c a r v i n g s s h o w d o g s t h a t r e s e m b l e the m o d e r n s a l u k i i n e v e r y detail. c a r v i n g s d a t e b a c k t o 6 0 0 0 B.C. B o t h the A f g h a n and the greyhound also date b a c k t o early E g y p t i a n times, w h e n they were used for chasing game o v e r t h e l o n g , o p e n , b a r r e n s t r e t c h e s of the M i d d l e East. T h e R o m a n s used the g r e y h o u n d as a competitive racing dog, a f u n c t i o n it still p e r f o r m s t o d a y . Sight hounds, obviously bred to b e runners, h a v e l o n g graceful legs, slim b o d i e s a n d p o i n t e d n o s e s . S o m e of t h e f a s t e s t r u n n e r s h a v e t h e rear h i p j o i n t s s e t at a s h a r p a n g l e , a l l o w i n g t h e rear These

and tracking. T h e y were bred for the I 1 sport of running deer, fox, rabbit a n d o t h e r fleet a n i m a l s . F o l l o w e d b y h u n t ers o n h o r s e b a c k , h o u n d s w i l l t h e m e n arrive. T h e h o u n d s a r e classified i n t o t w o broad subgroups, the sight h o u n d s a n d the scent hounds. ( S e e pages 12-13.) chase, trap a n d h o l d an animal at b a y until

Sight h o u n d s are mainly runners a n d jumpers How are sight hounds used?
d

of
&

fantastic
m t I n

&nd

,. , earlier days,

. , sight to

hounds were used to chase game along b r o a d o p e n stretches. I n a d d i t i o n speed, they had to be able to vault over streams, hedges and walls, a n d h a v e the s t r e n g t h a n d fighting a b i l i t y t o kill t h e g a m e after it w a s r u n d o w n . Compared with other dogs, their s e n s e o f s m e l l is n o t h i g h l y d e v e l o p e d . A s its n a m e i m p l i e s , t h e s i g h t h o u n d m u s t first s e e its p r e y a n d t h e n c h a s e w i t h t h e g a m e i n sight. hounds are rarely used for today, and they have b e c o m e p e t s i n s t e a d of h u n t e r s . S i g h t h o u n d s are, h i s t o r i c a l l y , t h e o l d e s t What are the oldest known dog breeds? g r o u p of d o g s i n existence. Primitive m a n did not have the weap o n s t h a t c o u l d kill a b i r d o n t h e w i n g o r fell a fleeing deer. H i s d o g s h a d t o t r a p t h e a n i m a l until h e c o u l d arrive t o kill it, a n d t h e h i g h s p e e d r u n n i n g d o g w a s p e r h a p s t h e first specialized dog bred by man. The greyhound's tremendous speed makes it suitable for dog races. The dogs chase an electrically-controlled artificial rabbit around a circular track. The first dog over the finish line wins the race. give Sight mainly

hunting

legs

greater

flexibility

for

speeding

breeder crossed a saluki with a collie, a n d b y t h e n e x t c e n t u r y h e h a d prod u c e d a n e w type a slightly heavier s a l u k i c o v e r e d w i t h a c o l l i e ' s w a r m fur. From c o m e s t h e Irish w o l f h o u n d , t h e l a r g e s t of How big is the a U d o g s S t a n d i n g o n largest d o g ? .^ h i n d leg> ^ Ireland

a c r o s s u n e v e n terrain. A v a r i a t i o n is found in the low-slung dachshund, or b a d g e r d o g . It o r i g i n a t e d i n F r a n c e or Germany and was used in Central Europe to hunt small game. T h e smoothc o a t e d d a c h s h u n d is a fierce fighter, y e t it m a k e s a n a f f e c t i o n a t e pet. A n e x a m p l e of h o w s p e c i a l i z e d crossbreeding What breeds produced the Russian wolfhound?
w a s 0 n c e

r e a c h e s a h e i g h t of o v e r six feet, w h i c h i s taller t h a n t h e a v e r a g e m a n . This r u g g e d a n i m a l is s h a p e d b a s i c a l l y l i k e a s h a g g y g r e y h o u n d , a n d it p o s s e s s e s a powerful jaw. It w a s b r e d t o chase w o l v e s a n d the h u g e Irish elk, t h o u g h t o d a y this purpose has b e e n largely outl i v e d . T h e I r i s h w o l f h o u n d is a n ext r e m e l y g e n t l e h o u n d . I t m a k e s a fine guard d o g a n d d e v o t e d c o m p a n i o n for children. T h e only p r o b l e m in keeping this large animal is t h e i m m e n s e a m o u n t of f o o d it r e q u i r e s e v e r y d a y . Scent h o u n d s are dogs that track g a m e by following a ground What are scent hounds? scent. It is b e c a u s e of these animals that w e fine

, u s e d to

c r e a t e a t y p e is s h o w n i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e b o r z o i , o r R u s s i a n w o l f hound. In the seventeenth century, R u s s i a n n o b l e m e n i m p o r t e d s o m e salukis, b u t t h e s e v e r e w i n t e r s m a d e t h e dogs extremely uncomfortable. A wise

c a n appreciate the special ability that most dogs have an extremely sense of smell. T h e scent h o u n d s stand a t t h e t o p o f t h e list i n t h i s t a l e n t , a n d they c a n track g a m e through the roughe s t terrain. T h e b l o o d h o u n d , w h i c h h a s a n avera g e w e i g h t of ninety-five p o u n d s , b e s t demonstrates this kind of work. highly ^Bigintelligent animal can This follow

a trail t h a t m a y b e d a y s o l d . T h e d o g w i l l t r a c k it f o r m i l e s . O n e p o l i c e c a s e h i s t o r y i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s lists a reco r d trek of 138 miles for a b l o o d h o u n d !

25

T h o u g h widely used by police today, they were originally used b y to track stolen animals. T h e farmers African

T h e r e are m a n y specialized What are some of the special skills * . u JO of scent hounds?
h o u n d s

talents scent b e a .

a m o n g the
T h e

hunting dog, the basenji, can pick u p a scent that is over eighty yards away. S c e n t h o u n d s a r e a n a n c i e n t g r o u p of dogs that must h a v e How old are scent hounds as a group? been developed quite early in the history of man. T h e basenji was the goes the beagle

, ,, , g l e an <J t h e b a s s e t a r e u s e d f o r rabthey

bit hunting. L i k e the foxhound,

run in packs and s h o w an admirable t e a m spirit a s t h e y c u t off a n d s u r r o u n d t h e g a m e . I n t h e U n i t e d States, the c o o n h o u n d is trained t o chase a n d tree its p r e y . It l e t s o u t a n e x t r a o r d i n a r y h o w l a s it runs, w h i c h tells t h e h u n t e r w h e n t h e d o g h a s f o u n d t h e scent. A n other howl, differently pitched, indic a t e s t h a t t h e q u a r r y h a s b e e n treed. T h e A f r i c a n basenji works quietly, f o r it c a n n o t b a r k . Its o n l y s o u n d is a s o r r o w f u l y o d e l , b u t it is a b l e t o drive small g a m e into a waiting net. This d o g has recently b e c o m e very popular as a p e t i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , f o r it is a n alert and playful animal. T h e o t t e r h o u n d i s a fine s w i m m e r t h a t h a s w e b b e d feet. It is t r a i n e d t o d i v e i n t o t h e w a t e r a n d c a t c h otter. T h e u s e of t h e o t t e r h o u n d f o r this p u r p o s e , h o w e v e r , is s e l d o m p r a c t i c e d t o d a y . T o d a y h u n t i n g is a s p o r t a n d is n o l o n g e r n e e d e d t o i n c r e a s e t h e f o o d supp l y . M a n y h u n t i n g b r e e d s are used as pets. being

u s e d t h o u s a n d s of y e a r s a g o b y Egyptian Pharaohs,

b a c k t o t h e d a y s of t h e R o m a n E m p i r e , t h e b a s s e t t o e a r l y E n g l a n d , t h e harrier to ancient Greece and the Norwegian e l k h o u n d t o t h e p e r i o d of 5 0 0 0 B.C. I n those early times, the discovery that a d o g c o u l d f o l l o w a trail b y s c e n t a l o n e w i d e n e d the s c o p e of hunting possibilities, a s g a m e c o u l d b e f o l l o w e d t h r o u g h d e n s e f o r e s t s a n d o v e r g r o w n fields. B u t even more important, speed w a s not n e c e s s a r y . T h e cries r a i s e d b y h u n t e r s a s t h e y d a s h e d after t h e i r s i g h t h o u n d s were also n o longer needed. A hound following a trail slowly scent and

s t e a d i l y w o u l d e v e n t u a l l y l e a d its m a s ter t o t h e g a m e . H u n t i n g c o u l d t a k e place on foot and valuable horses w o u l d not have to b e risked in a chase.

26

The Eskimo dog is the "work horse" of the snowcovered lands in the Far North.

WORKING

DOGS

e x t r e m e l y c o l d c l i m a t e . A l l of t h e s l e d breeds closely resemble e a c h other in every way. Their body structure is

O f all t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s o f d o g s , t h e w o r k dogs render the greatest service t o man. In general, they are the m o s t i n t e l l i g e n t of all d o g s . M a n y of their functions are accomplished without any s u p e r v i s i o n a t all. T h e y m a k e t h e i r o w n decisions and solve problems completely o n their o w n . W o r k d o g s a r e d i v i d e d into the following subgroups: sled dogs, sheep dogs, guard d o g s a n d a miscell a n e o u s unit. ( S e e p a g e s 4 4 - 4 5 . ) In the Arctic, sled dogs have been in the service of How are sled d o g s protected against the icy weather?
f o r J o y e r

stocky, with heavy bones and a deep chest. Short powerful legs, b r o a d snowshoe-type paws and husky haunches g i v e t h e s l e d d o g s t h e a b i l i t y t o u s e their i m m e n s e s t r e n g t h efficiently. A l l the dogs have a long, thick outer fur c o a t w i t h a soft o i l y d o w n n e x t t o t h e s k i n . T h e i r ears a r e s m a l l a n d s o m e w h a t r o u n d e d t o a v o i d frostbite. The e a r s are a l s o f u r r e d o n t h e i n s i d e a s w e l l a s o n t h e o u t e r surface. T h e s e a n i m a l s h a v e so m u c h natural protection against t h e i c y A r c t i c w e a t h e r t h a t t h e y norm a l l y s l e e p i n t h e s n o w at t e m p e r a t u r e s of 5 0 degrees below zero! A favorite d e v i c e o f t h e s l e d d o g is t o d i g a h o l e i n t h e s n o w a n d curl u p c o m p l e t e l y w i t h i t s b u s h y tail w r a p p e d a r o u n d i t s n o s e to keep warm. 27

man
5 > 0 0 0

Although , fe other

many

b r e e d s h a v e b e e n u s e d a s draft a n i m a l s , o n l y t h e s l e d d o g s w o r k i n t e a m s , pulling loaded sleds over l o n g distances in

T h e r e are n o t t o o m a n y v a r i a t i o n s i n the sled dog What are the different sled dog breeds? group, since the weather conditions permit only an a n i m a l t h a t is com-

S l e d d o g s t a k e t o their w o r k q u i t e n a t u rally, b u t t h e traindogs important to the Eskimos? ing m u s t begin in puppyhood. In E s k i m o tribes this

p l e t e l y a d a p t e d t o t h e A r c t i c . T h e y all s e e m t o h a v e d e v e l o p e d f r o m o n e primitive type of northern dog, Eskimo and the changes throughout history have not b e e n t o o great. T h e husky, w i d e l y u s e d i n A l a s k a , is p e r h a p s t h e best k n o w n sled dog. Its brother across t h e B e r i n g Strait is t h e S i b e r i a n h u s k y , w h i c h h a s a l o n g e r a n d taller b u i l d . O t h e r r e l a t i v e s are t h e S a m o y e d , Chinese chow. A n o t h e r relative, p e r h a p s t h e finest s l e d What d o g .,_ with a w o l f ?
k a n M a l e m u t e -

j o b i s g i v e n a t first t o t h e c h i l d r e n , w h o r a p i d l y b e c o m e e x p e r t s i n h a n d l i n g puppies. W i t h i n a y e a r o r t w o , t h e y o u n g d o g s a r e r e a d y t o t a k e their p l a c e s w i t h t h e a d u l t a n i m a l s . A s l e d t e a m is a n economic necessity for the Eskimos, b e c a u s e it i s t h e i r o n l y f o r m of transport a t i o n a n d their o n l y m e a n s of h a u l i n g f o o d back t o the settlements. A fully trained t e a m usually contains eight t o twelve dogs. In the forested s e c t i o n of A l a s k a t h e t e a m w o r k s i n a line, o n e b e h i n d the other, but the Esk i m o s of t h e o p e n A r c t i c h i t c h t h e d o g s i n a b r o a d f a n , e a c h o n e w i t h its o w n t r a c e . T h i s s p r e a d s t h e w e i g h t of t h e t e a m over a larger area, a necessary d e v i c e i n t h i s z o n e of t r e a c h e r o u s ice.

the

spitz, t h e N o r w e g i a n e l k h o u n d a n d t h e

d o g bred, is the AlasNamed after t h e M a l e m i u t s , a n ' A l a s k a n E s k i m o tribe

which developed the dog, the Malemute is t h e l a r g e s t a n d s t r o n g e s t of all t h e sled dogs. It w a s bred from a i Arctic wolf. This combination cross probetween the E s k i m o husky and the wild duced a dog with the large-boned, stocky f r a m e o f t h e h u s k y a n d t h e flexible b a c k , rangy build and tremendous endurance of the wolf. A M a l e m u t e looks m o r e like a wolf than a domestic dog. strength, fighting ability a n d Its natural lead

i n t e l l i g e n c e a l m o s t a l w a y s results i n its selection as sled t e a m leader. A d o g disciplines the other dogs, sets the p a c e , c h e c k s t h e trail f o r d a n g e r a n d sets a w o r k i n g e x a m p l e t o the entire team. M a n y times a Malemute has led a sled t o safety, w h i l e its driver w a s s i c k or unconscious o n the sled. 28

N o t t o o m a n y sled d o g s h a v e b e c o m e How are sled dogs used today? pets because breed been has as the not

fill their a n c i e n t f u n c t i o n b y d e l i v e r i n g mail and groceries w h e n the winter snows close the roads. Without the sled dog, A l a s k a w o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n e a s i l y settled, a n d t h e exploration of the Arctic and the Antarctic w o u l d h a v e b e e n delayed for m a n y y e a r s . E v e n t o d a y t h e s l e d d o g is c o n sidered essential for certain types Polar expeditions. T h e sheep dogs, or shepherd d o g s as How are sheep dogs helpful , , to ranchers?
m o n

widely their

popularized as other dogs. In addition, an inaccurate idea exists as t o temperament. M o s t people believe that s l e d d o g s are v i c i o u s . T h i s is n o t so. T h e y are fierce fighters and will not from hesitate to take up a challenge

of

a n o t h e r d o g , b u t t h e y are q u i t e g e n t l e with people. T h e U.S. A r m y K-9 Corps w a s unable to use the sled breeds as patrol dogs because these animals could not b e trained to attack a m a n without provocation. T o d a y , teams are u s e d for sport in several w i n t e r resorts. V a c a t i o n e r s enj o y rides b e h i n d a s n a p p y t e a m , and sled racing is another sport w i d e l y pract i c e d i n m a n y n o r t h e r n areas. I n p a r t s of C a n a d a a n d i n n o r t h e r n s e c t i o n s of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , s l e d t e a m s still fulthey are m o r e comj k n o w n > are , . f o u n d in every part , , , or t h e w o r l d w h e r e perform

p e o p l e farm and k e e p herds of domestic animals. T h e job these dogs

Collies (left), and the German shepherd (above), are trusted helpers that are often used to watch over flocks of sheep which might otherwise stray.

goes b a c k t o a t i m e b e f o r e cities w e r e built, a time when the human race and b e c a m e familiar with agriculture

D e p e n d i n g o n t h e i r size, s h e p h e r d d o g s h a v e different m e t h o d s
H L ow do ,he u j

learned how to breed domestic animals f o r u s e a s f o o d . T h e a b i l i t y of t h e d o g to understand the many problems that arise in herding cattle a n d sheep from o n e pasture to another, the necessity t o drive these animals to another f a r m or market place, the need to protect them from preying animals all these reasons m a d e the shepherd dog a valuable asset to early farmers. But the job has not changed same manner today. Ranches in since the

shepherd dogs work?

of h a n d l i n g a h e r d of animals. The dogs can larger a even control

herd by circling, barking and

t h r o w i n g their w e i g h t against t h e animals. T h e S h e t l a n d s h e e p d o g will r u n r i g h t o v e r t h e b a c k s of a t i g h t l y p a c k e d flock of s h e e p i n o r d e r t o g e t t o t h e o t h e r side a n d t u r n the entire g r o u p in another direction. T h e small Welsh corgi, a cattle

h e r d e r , h a n d l e s a n i m a l s m a n y t i m e s its size b y n i p p i n g a t t h e i r heels a n d somehow avoiding the flying hoofs. The corgi has tremendous courage. M a n y a m a n h a s l o s t h e a r t a t t h e p r o s p e c t of g o i n g i n t o a r u n n i n g h e r d of f r i g h t e n e d cattle, b u t a corgi will fearlessly r i g h t i n t o t h e m i d s t of t h e m a s s c o n t r o l its m o v e m e n t s . A well-trained shepherd dog can handle m a n y animals, m a k e t h e m go w h e r e it w a n t s , r o u n d u p strays a n d deliver a n entire herd to an exact point. Sheepmen especially value their dogs, which are i n d i s p e n s a b l e i n c o n t r o l l i n g a flock. A s h e p h e r d d o g l i v e s a n d w o r k s o u t of doors, a n d the quality How do the coats of . . . shepherd dogs vary?
o f t h e c o a t k h a s

t h e n . D o g s a r e still u s e d i n t h e v e r y U n i t e d States, Argentina, Australia a n d e l s e w h e r e still e m p l o y s h e p h e r d d o g s t o a s s i s t m e n i n t h e t a s k of r a i s i n g mestic animals. T h e r e a r e s e v e r a l t y p e s of s h e p h e r d dogs. T h e y d o not resemble each other physically, b u t they d o share o n e basic t r a i t a h i g h d e g r e e of i n t e l l i g e n c e . S h e p h e r d d o g s v a r y in size a n d What are the breeds of shepherd dogs? perament. f a m i l y of lies and temThe colthe do-

dash and

G e r m a n shepherd are perhaps the best known, because they have been widely used as pets. O t h e r breeds include the Belgian sheep dog, the Shetland sheep dog, the English sheep dog, the Hungarian puli, the French briard, the Welsh corgi a n d the Rottweiler, a Germ a n d e s c e n d a n t of R o m a n c a m p d o g s . T h i s b y n o m e a n s c o m p l e t e s t h e list, though, because farmers in m a n y count r i e s h a v e a d a p t e d o t h e r t y p e s of d o g s for shepherd work. T h e animal. 30 Norwegians, for example, use the e l k h o u n d as a farm

, , t r depends on several racr

tors

- M a n y of the dogs t h a t h a v e been b r e d in

t h e d a m p c l i m a t e of p a r t s of t h e B r i t i s h Isles h a v e a long fur c o a t t o k e e p their b o d i e s w a r m . S o m e of t h e tion and have a coat of European shorter, in s h e p h e r d dogs d o n o t n e e d this protecsmoother hair. Dogs that work

thorny or b r a m b l y areas need protect i o n i n t h e f o r m of e a r f l a p s t h a t h a n g

During the war, Doberman pinschers (left), worked as sentries, scouts and first-aid assistants in branches of the armed forces.

After a long period of training, a seeing-eye dog becomes capable of directing its master with great intelligence.

d o w n to cover the tender inner lining of t h e e a r s . A s w i t h a n y g r o u p of d o g s t h a t n e e d special qualities, the shepherd dogs h a v e been b r e d carefully, n o t only for the j o b they perform, but also for the conditions of c l i m a t e a n d t e r r a i n . G u a r d dogs are used in almost kind What are the qualities of guard dogs? accompanying the protection they patrols of their of police work, duties during military portant every and and imwhile World for and s p e c i a l b r e e d s h a v e e m e r g e d a s b e s t fit for the job. A g u a r d d o g should b e big, agile a n d willing to completely master or trainer. 31 fight. It must loyal to be its obedient and

performed

,&*

W a r I I . F a r m e r s find t h e m u s e f u l animals,

m a n y p e o p l e living in lonely areas k e e p g u a r d d o g s t o a s s u r e t h e m of Almost any dog can be safety. for trained

guard work, but throughout the years

T w o b r e e d s of d o g s h a v e b e e n u s e d extensively as guard What breeds were developed as guard dogs? dogs. and One the is the is German shepherd other

f r o m t h e b l a c k a n d t a n terrier.

The

E n g l i s h d e v e l o p e d t h e mastiff a n d t h e b u l l mastiff t o t h e r a n k s of g u a r d d o g s , and both breeds have often been used as the basis for developing other kinds of guard dogs. A l l o f t h e s e a n i m a l s are b i g - b o n e d a n d have heavy, powerful jaws. T h e y have a reputation for being vicious, but a n y o n e w h o h a s o w n e d a g r e a t D a n e or a b o x e r c a n v o u c h f o r its g e n t l e n e s s with children. Rescue work of various kinds has

t h e D o b e r m a n p i n s c h e r . B o t h w e r e developed in Germany, a country tion for dogs. From Germany that also s e e m s t o h a v e s p e c i a l i z e d i n this funcc o m e s the great D a n e and the boxer. T h e s e dogs, along with the Doberman, were specially bred from other that h a d s o m e of the desired characteristics. The boxer was dogs fighting bred

f r o m a n e a r l y mastiff, a n d t h e D o b e r m a n o w e s its s i z e t o a n e a r l y s m o o t h c o a t e d shepherd a n d the rottweiler. T h e boxer's temperament and courage c o m e What dog can save . _ a drowning person?

brought about ., , , the developr

ment

of

some

miscellaneous canine types. T h e N e w f o u n d l a n d s w e r e b r e d as ship's d o g s t o w o r k with sea-rescue teams. T h e big, b r a w n y a n i m a l is b u i l t t o s w i m i n h e a v y seas. I t c a n t a k e a d r o w n i n g m a n i n t o w a n d b r i n g h i m s a f e l y t o shore. The Saint Bernard is a gentle household pet. It was formerly used to find lost travelers in the Alps.

en today, in the cenry of the automobile, i Bouvier des Flandres still used as a cart >g in the Low Counes of Europe, particurly in the rural districts Belgium and Holland. h In the E u r o p e a n Alps the Saint Bernard What dog w a s developed by - . , i Swiss monks?
s e r v i c e

\\\

c a r t s i n m a n y r u r a l s e c t i o n s of E u r o p e . T h e y are cheaper to maintain than cart h o r s e s . F a r m e r s a l s o find t h e m useful for general herding a n d guarding. D o g s h a v e guided blind p e o p l e for centuries, b u t only in What dogs are best suited as guides for blind persons? the twentieth century has there been a p r o p e r system devised for t h e traini n g of s u c h a n i m a l s . A g u i d e d o g , o r s e e i n g - e y e d o g a s i t is o f t e n c a l l e d , m u s t b e intelligent, calm-tempered a n d large e n o u g h t o p h y s i c a l l y influence its m a s ter's movements. It should c o m e as n o surprise that the best guide dogs come from the shepherd group. After all, l e a d i n g a b l i n d p e r s o n i s i n itself a f o r m of s h e p h e r d w o r k . T h e G e r m a n s h e p h e r d d o g a n d t h e collie seem t o b e best suited for guide work, although the b o x e r h a s also b e e n u s e d successfully. T h e t r a i n i n g of a g u i d e d o g i s rigor-

performed a unique N a m e d after ., r the m o n a s t e r y ot , * Saint Bernard in 1,000 years find

Switzerland, w h e r e t h e b r e e d w a s developed by m o n k s about ago, these dogs were trained to

t r a v e l e r s l o s t i n t h e h e a v y s n o w s of t h e m o u n t a i n s . T h e a n i m a l ' s s e n s e of s m e l l l e d it u n e r r i n g l y t o t h e l o s t traveler, e v e n if t h e m a n w e r e b u r i e d u n d e r t h e s n o w . T h e n it b a r k e d l o u d l y a s a signal t o t h e r e s c u e t e a m . A r o u n d its n e c k , t h e d o g c a r r i e d a c o n t a i n e r of f o o d a n d m e d i c i n e . T h e S a i n t B e r n a r d is l i t t l e used for this p u r p o s e t o d a y , as q u e n t t h a n it u s e d t o be. Some dogs are cattle drovers, helping m e n drive cattle along the roads from the farm to the m a r k e t . I n this g r o u p are the G e r m a n s c h n a u z e r a n d t h e Belgian Bouvier des Flandres. These huge dogs have also been used to pull small foot t r a v e l i n t h e A l p s is n o w f a r l e s s fre-

o u s a n d i s s t a r t e d w h e n t h e d o g is v e r y 33

young. B u t just as i m p o r t a n t as traini n g t h e d o g , is t r a i n i n g t h e b l i n d p e r s o n w h o is t o b e g u i d e d , f o r d o g a n d m a n must work as a team.

of h u n t i n g s m a l l a n i m a l s o n t h e g r o u n d a n d even in their burrows. I n the earth to hunt. I t is a n e x t r e m e l y difficult hunting a s s i g n m e n t . T o c h a s e a g r o u n d h o g , fox, o r w e a s e l i n t o i t s h o l e a n d t h e n fight a n d kill t h e a n i m a l t a k e s g r e a t c o u r a g e . A terrier actually fights an animal on t h a t a n i m a l ' s o w n t e r m s a n d in its o w n territory. N o o t h e r d o g faces so g r e a t a challenge. other w o r d s , a t e r r i e r is a d o g t h a t g o e s t o

TERRIERS T h e t e r r i e r g r o u p c o n t a i n s o n e of t h e l a r g e s t s e l e c t i o n s of b r e e d s t o b e f o u n d in a n y class. T h e r e a r e m a n y varieties of t h e s e s c r a p p y , b r i g h t a n d a l e r t l i t t l e d o g s . E v e r y t y p e of c o a t e x i s t s i n t h e terrier group from short, smooth hair to r o u g h , curly fur. A l m o s t all a r e small dogs, often with more courage and daring than the larger breeds. F o r their size t h e terriers a r e s t r o n g a n i m a l s a n d fast runners. (See p a g e s T h e n a m e terrier Why are they called terriers? 36-37.) the

A l m o s t all terriers w e r e d e v e l o p e d in Where are the terriers from? many t h e British Isles. I n s o m e c a s e s t h e orig i n is u n k n o w n , b u t seem to have been bred from larger dogs, possibly hounds a n d mas-

is d e r i v e d f r o m L a t i n terra,

tiffs of d i f f e r e n t k i n d s . W h a t t h e t e r r i e r breeders were seeking was a shortlegged dog with a flexible back and a the and

meaning

" e a r t h . " I t is a c t u a l l y almost a description

coat that could withstand rough underbrush. T o d a y ' s terriers show that breeders succeeded in their task,

of t h e j o b t h a t t e r r i e r s p e r f o r m t h a t It is important to pick up a puopy correctly.

they also succeeded in developing dogs that were friendly a n d loyal to people. Terriers are among the most popular of p e t s . B e c a u s e t h e y a r e s m a l l , they t a k e well t o living in a p a r t m e n t houses. T h e y e a t m o d e r a t e a m o u n t s of f o o d a n d

WRONG

34

e n j o y t h e c o m p a n y of c h i l d r e n . are liable to b e a bit high-strung, this more characteristic playful. only makes

They but them

TOY

DOGS fifteen breeds in the class

A collar with a little purse attached, containing the owner's name, his address, and some money to make a telephone call, is an aid that often results in retrieving a lost dog.

There are

k n o w n as toy dogs all a r e tiny a n d a l e r t . F r o m t h e p o i n t of v i e w of t e m perament, these miniature dogs can b e a m o n g the m o s t aggressive, a pages 40-41.) T h r o u g h o u t their history, toy dogs have had For w h a t p u r p o s e s were the toy dogs ii -11 originally u s e d ?
t i o n s

quality (See

f o r w h i c h t h e r e is g o o d r e a s o n .

two func_ tQ b e , Pets a n d ratters. L, They were used

during the Middle Ages to chase rats t h a t i n f e s t e d t h e d a r k h a l l s of c a s t l e s , a n d i t is f o r t h i s j o b t h a t t h e y n e e d e d t o b e fierce l i t t l e fighters. But they were also b r e d to b e pets, p e r h a p s the only g r o u p originally so designed. C o u r t ladies liked t o b e able t o carry a pet dog in their a r m s or o n their laps, and these little furry animals were suited for the purpose. T h e y were used as o r n a m e n t s to a lady's costume. Sometimes they served another function. the Middle Ages sanitary In I t seems fairly certain t h a t all t h e t o y dogs were How were the toy b r e e d s developed?
d o w n [ n

There are special food dishes for breeds o1 long-eared dogs. Special carrying cases for puppies and sma breeds are used when the animals are transported in public means of transportation.

conditions

bred
s[zQ

were almost nonexistent, a n d dogs were allowed to rest o n their mistresses' laps t o a t t r a c t fleas. I t w a s a s t r a n g e j o b a n d one which, fortunately, necessary. T o d a y the toys are exclusively pets. T h e y m a k e g o o d c o m p a n i o n s for people who want a dog, but do not have the r o o m for a larger breed. is n o longer

, , from larger dogs, a l t h o u g h t h e ori-

g i n of m a n y is n o w c o m p l e t e l y l o s t . T h e Pekingese, centuries. once the sacred dog of the C h i n a , h a s b e e n k n o w n for over eight I t is s o m e t i m e s called " l i o n d o g " b e c a u s e of i t s a p p e a r a n c e , or the "sleeve d o g " because Chinese 35

W E S T HIGHLAND WHITE

B U L L T E R R I E R

M A N C H E S T E R T E R R I E R S K Y E T E R R I E R

n o b l e s u s e d t o c a r r y it in t h e s l e e v e s of t h e i r r o b e s . The Pomeranian was bred

wide down

f r o m spitz stock in G e r m a n y , while t h e S p a n i s h p a p i l l o n is r e a l l y a t i n y s p a n i e l . The famous Mexican Chihuahua is the thought to have descended from

T h e poodle, another well-known nonsporting dog, has W h a t d o g is o n e a n a n d e n t a n c e s . of the most r,-,, . , i t *o t rJ y. T h i s c u r lJy p o p u l a r of p e t s ? coated dog has served as a shepherd, a water retriever a n d w a t c h d o g . I t is o n e of t h e m o s t int e l l i g e n t of d o g s a n d is u s e d f r e q u e n t l y i n c i r c u s p e r f o r m a n c e s . P o o d l e s of a l l s i z e s h a v e b e c o m e s o m e of t h e most p o p u l a r pets in t h e world. T h e y a r e so p o p u l a r t h a t b e a u t y salons for poodles exist in s o m e l a r g e cities w h e r e t h e d o g s are specially g r o o m e d a n d clipped. C h i n a h a s given us the chow, the only What dog has . , a blue tongue? dog with a blue . _, , tongue. T h e chows
to

t e c h i c h i , a s a c r e d d o g of t h e M e x i c a n Toltecs, b u t the M e x i c a n hairless dog is b e l i e v e d t o b e of A s i a t i c o r i g i n . T h e toy poodle was bred for people who liked large poodles, but wanted a version more suitable smaller quarters. who for

NONSPORTING

DOGS for

are

related

to

the

Nonsporting dogs, b r e d originally

sled dogs t h r o u g h t h e S a m o y e d , which w a s b r e d w i t h a T i b e t a n mastiff t o p r o d u c e t h e b r e e d . T h e c h o w w a s u s e d for m a n y purposes in ancient China companion. as a guard dog, hunter, retriever a n d court Bulldogs a n d the Boston terrier also b e l o n g t o t h e n o n s p o r t i n g c l a s s of d o g s .

special purposes, are primarily k e p t as pets today. T h e y are related to other dogs but have achieved an appearance a n d f u n c t i o n t h a t is u n i q u e . T h e list of n o n s p o r t i n g d o g s is a s m a l l W h a t d o g is l
9

b u t distinguished one. T h e D a i m a t i a n , a spotte<

^ ^ resembling the history. MONGRELS M o n g r e l s , t h e r e s u l t of a c c i d e n t a l c r o s s b r e e d i n g r e p r e s e n t a n u n o f f i c i a l c l a s s of d o g s . T h e y e x i s t i n e v e r y size, s h a p e a n d color. M o s t are quite intelligent because of t h e l a c k of i n b r e e d i n g , w h i c h s o m e times reduces intellect in closely-bred dogs. Since mongrels rarely breed true t o a n y t y p e , e a c h g e n e r a t i o n of t h e s e dogs poses a guessing game.

with^rses?

P o i n t e r , is t h e f a m o u s c o a c h d o g of

It was employed to follow the horsedrawn carriages and served as a guard dog for the occupants w h e n they traveled t h r o u g h bandit-infested mile after territory. always T h e D a l m a t i a n l o p e s a l o n g effortlessly mile, never tiring, alert. It gets along well with horses, a n d m a n y of t h e e a r l y h o r s e - d r a w n fire c o m panies in t h e U n i t e d States k e p t D a l m a tians as pets. 38

N O N S P O R T I N G 4'

D O G S

<

P O O D L E

B U L L D O G

B O S T O N T E R R I E R 39

T O Y

D O G S

GRIFFON

M A L T E S E T E R R I E R

^ ',i

M E X I C A N H A I R L E S S wr

s>

<r~

Mongrels

usually

become can

pets

and man dog

m o s t m o n g r e l s h a v e a s t r o n g s t r a i n of specialization in their b a c k g r o u n d s , q u i r e their services. T h e y h a v e also d o n e well as performing circus dogs. M a n y show business d o g a c t s c o n t a i n a h i g h p e r c e n t a g e of m o n g r e l s , a n d t r a i n e r s i n t h i s field l o o k c a r e f u l l y f o r d e s i r e d t r a i t s . S o m e of t h e d o g acts t h a t c a n b e seen o n television a r e staffed w i t h intelligent a n d working mongrels, perhaps the hardonly a t r a i t t h a t s e r v e s t h e m w e l l w h e n m e n re-

Do mongrels have any use?

many a grown fondly ber a mongrel

remem-

h e h a d as a child. O n e does n o t h a v e t o s p e n d a l a r g e s u m of m o n e y f o r s u c h a dog, a n d sometimes these animals can b e a c q u i r e d f r e e of c h a r g e . C a r e f u l selection a n d the ability t o recognize s o m e of t h e p a r e n t b r e e d s w i l l r e s u l t i n t h e a c q u i s i t i o n of a fine, u s e f u l d o g . Mongrels have been used for almost e v e r y t y p e of j o b t h a t a p u r e b r e d has done. This has happened dog because

c l a s s of d o g s i n t h e w o r l d t h a t e x i s t s t o entertain a n d amuse the public.

S h o w s

a n d

Trials

M e n a r e a competitive r a c e a n d it w a s inevitable that they would soon begin to c o m p a r e their dogs to determine the best performers. Such tests m u s t h a v e b e g u n early in history, a n d today, d o g s h o w s a n d field t r i a l s a r e s e r i o u s e v e n t s with keen competition.

well they conform standard.

with an

idealized

D o g s that win in shows are highly valued as breeders a n d very often earn l a r g e s u m s of m o n e y f o r t h e i r o w n e r s . T h e p u p p i e s of a c h a m p i o n d o g are eagerly purchased by people w h o m a y w a n t t o u s e t h e d o g f o r i t s specific f u n c tion, or by those w h o merely w a n t a p e t t h a t rates h i g h in its class. It has often been said that the judging at a d o g show results in the selection of d o g s t h a t c o n f o r m t o h i g h s t a n d a r d s of a p p e a r a n c e , b u t t h a t c a n n o t d o t h e w o r k i n g j o b of t h e b r e e d . However, that y e a r s of e x p e r i e n c e h a v e s h o w n

B a s i c a l l y , a d o g s h o w is h e l d t o d e t e r mine the best dog What is the value of a dog show? world, sets of each breed. With c o o p e r a t i o n of clubs all standards have over in the the been shows,

kennel

d r a w n for each breed. I n the

dogs are checked a n d tested t o see h o w 42

dogs that are consistent winners will d o just a s w e l l i n p r a c t i c a l field trials a s other dogs. Actually, people who are serious a b o u t t h e b r e e d i n g a n d t r a i n i n g of d o g s r e s p e c t t h e d o g s h o w s , b e c a u s e t h e y assure t h e p r o p e r c o n t i n u a n c e of type. A large d o g s h o w will contain several How is judging at a dog show done? judging and rings, several the they each

b o d y conformation, color, teeth, eyes, f e e t a n d b o n e structure. H e w i l l o f t e n e x a m i n e t h e b o d y of a d o g w i t h h i s hands, feeling for the proper placement of legs, shoulders a n d hips. H e s o m e t i m e s test t h e s t r e n g t h o f will some

a n i m a l s b y p r e s s i n g d o w n o n their rear haunches. S o m e judges will even face t w o terriers, n o s e t o n o s e , a n d w a i t f o r t h e m t o bristle. A t i m i d terrier is n o t r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f its b r e e d . Finally, the d o g s are w a l k e d o n e at a time toward and away from judge so that he can check the their

b r e e d s are exrings

a m i n e d at the s a m e time. B e f o r e d o g s are b r o u g h t i n t o t h e

m o v e m e n t i n t e r m s of their f u n c t i o n . T h e n h e m a k e s his d e c i s i o n , t a k i n g i n t o consideration all the points to be judged, including the attitude a n d temp e r a m e n t of t h e d o g . T h e winning dog must n o w compete

m u s t b e set o n a b e n c h f o r p u b l i c v i e w ing. W h e n a specific b r e e d is r e a d y t o b e judged, the dogs are taken to the proper ring b y t h e o w n e r or a h a n d l e r . T h e r e t h e y are i n s p e c t e d b y a j u d g e w h o is attended by a steward and a dog official. A l l the dogs are then w a l k e d around t h e ring s o t h a t t h e j u d g e c a n s e e if they have the proper gait for the species. T h e n t h e y a r e all f a c e d i n t h e same direction, a n d the judge inspects e a c h one individually. H e checks the stance, club

against the previWhat are the Q U S c n a m p i o n s , various awards , . , , . . which have not in d o g shows? . b e e n p a r t of this p r e l i m i n a r y test. T h i s t i m e t h e w i n n e r is A prize at a dog show is a coveted award for every owner of a show dog. Even the dog seems proud.

W O R K I N G

D O G S

S P I T Z

ALASKAN M A L E M U T E

W i n n e r s of d o g s h o w s are a l w a y s unu s u a l l y fine a n i m a l s . T h e y set a stand a r d f o r all o t h e r d o g s , a s t a n d a r d t h a t is f o l l o w e d b y d o g b r e e d e r s e v e r y w h e r e . T h e y a l s o h a v e a n o t h e r effect. C o n s i s t ent winners sometimes cause fads a m o n g p e o p l e w h o k e e p d o g s as pets. T h e popularity of such pets depends o n w h i c h b r e e d is c u r r e n t l y i n f a v o r . F i e l d trials s e r v e a s t h e a r e a i n w h i c h Why are field trials held? the actual functions working of each

b r e e d a r e tested. T h e y

are v e r y i m p o r t a n t f o r m e n w h o w a n t t o u s e their d o g s a s m o r e t h a n just p e t s . H e r e a p p e a r a n c e is n o t s o i m p o r t a n t a s f u n c t i o n . T h e d o g m u s t p e r f o r m its j o b efficiently i n o r d e r t o w i n . When shepherd dogs are tested, a c t u a l h e r d i n g s i t u a t i o n s are set u p . T h e d o g s a r e t i m e d a n d j u d g e d v e r y carefully as they work. T h e y must solve problems deliberately created for them, a n d s o m e t i m e s u n e x p e c t e d o n e s as well. There are special contests for working dogs. Here a police dog is shown during achievement exercises. d e c l a r e d Best of Breed. Since every dog O n e s u c h i n c i d e n t o c c u r r e d at M a d i s o n S q u a r e G a r d e n i n N e w Y o r k C i t y , during a demonstration of sheep herding. A flock of s h e e p w a s let i n t o t h e a r e n a , b e l o n g s t o a b a s i c g r o u p , all t h e B e s t of B r e e d a r e g a t h e r e d i n t o their r e s p e c t i v e g r o u p s a n d a similar c o m p e t i t i o n t a k e s p l a c e t o d e t e r m i n e t h e Best of Group. p e t e f o r t h e Best in Show. In t h e final e v e n t , t h e g r o u p w i n n e r s c o m A dog judged B e s t i n S h o w r e p r e s e n t s its o w n b r e e d b e t t e r t h a n a n y o t h e r d o g of a n o t h e r type. A c t u a l l y , this h o n o r is n o t as imp o r t a n t a s B e s t of B r e e d , w h i c h s e r i o u s d o g h a n d l e r s p r i z e a b o v e all o t h e r s , f o r it m e a n s t h e y h a v e a d o g t h a t w i l l e a r n m o n e y for t h e m as a breeder. 46 a n d a work collie was brought in to r o u n d t h e m u p a n d drive t h e m into a pen. But the sheep b e c a m e excited by their surroundings a n d broke in several different d i r e c t i o n s . M a n y r a c e d u p t h e aisles a m o n g the spectators, but hard-working collie painstakingly the ran

u p and d o w n the steps sorting out the s h e e p f r o m t h e p e o p l e . T h e d o g finally c o l l e c t e d all t h e s h e e p a n d d r o v e t h e m into the pen. H u n t i n g d o g s a r e a l s o t h e s u b j e c t of intensive field trials, w h e r e t h e y are

checked for tracking, pointing, retrievi n g a n d s t e a d i n e s s u n d e r g u n fire. I t is i n t h e field t r i a l s t h a t t h e t r u e m e t t l e of a d o g is t e s t e d . D o g s learn very easily t o r e s p o n d t o t h e What are obedience ,. , _ trials?
a n d

b e q u i e t a n d c a l m i n t h e c o m p a n y of other dogs and to perform complicated maneuvers. O n e of t h e i n t e r e s t i n g t h i n g s a b o u t obedience t r a i n i n g is t h a t an owner must take a course at the same time as his dog. B o t h learn together the princip l e s of c o o p e r a t i o n . I t h e l p s t o m a k e a d o g a m o r e social animal, a better a n d more controllable pet and an obedient assistant w h e n working. T h e d o g w a s t h e first w i l d a n i m a l t o b e d o m e s t i c a t e d b y m a n , a n d t h i s intelligent animal has much long of been the known as throughout world

w i s h e s of t h e i r m a s t e r s , ^ ^ [s teste(J , .. , in o b e d i e n c e trials, _ Dogs must walk propthe when far

e r l y w i t h t h e i r o w n e r s o n o r off leash. T h e y m u s t c o m e to heel m a i n in position n o m a t t e r

c o m m a n d e d , sit w h e n o r d e r e d a n d r e how away their owner walks, a n d n o m a t t e r h o w long h e waits. T h e y m u s t learn to

"man's best friend."

T h e

W i l d

D o g s T h e r e a r e a h a n d f u l of d i s t i n c t i v e t y p e s a m o n g the wild dogs, What animals are classed as wild dogs? but most are variaoriginal

W O L F Although m a n has thoroughly domesticated the dog a n d even changed its appearance, habits and temperament,

t i o n s of t h e

primitive breeds. T h e wolves are a completely separate breed. T h e i r differences a r e slight a d a p t a t i o n s t o t h e c l i m a t e a n d t e r r a i n of t h e c o u n t r i e s i n w h i c h t h e y live. N o r t h A m e r i c a h a s s e v e r a l k i n d s of w o l v e s . T h e two m o s t c o m m o n varieties are the timber w o l f a n d t h e A r c t i c w o l f . W o l v e s still r o a m t h e S i b e r i a n s t e p p e s a n d p a r t s of E u r o p e , b u t t h e y will g r a d u a l l y disapp e a r a s m o r e a n d m o r e of t h e l a n d s p a c e o n e a r t h is t a k e n u p b y m a n ' s population. T h e c o y o t e i s still f o u n d in large rising

t h e r e a r e still u n t a m e d w i l d d o g s r o a m i n g t h e r e l a t i v e l y u n d e v e l o p e d a r e a s of t h e w o r l d . T h e y r u n free, p r e y i n g on o t h e r a n i m a l s , a n d live t h e s a m e k i n d of life t h e y d i d t h o u s a n d s of y e a r s a g o . These dogs have not changed too m u c h since the time primitive m a n beg a n h i s d o m e s t i c a t i o n of a n i m a l s . T h e y f u r n i s h a s t r o n g c l u e a s t o t h e t y p e s of dogs that existed when man began breeding t h e m for special purposes.

n u m b e r s in the U n i t e d States. Its m a i n 47

range

is t h e

Southwest,

but

coyotes

T h e A s i a t i c d h o l e is a l a r g e , v i c i o u s , red-furred dog. It has been k n o w n hunt down the large Asian to buffalo. game

h a v e also b e e n seen in the

Northeast

a n d i n p a r t s of C a n a d a . A n i n t e r e s t i n g p h e n o m e n o n is t h e r e s u l t of c r o s s b r e e d ing coyotes a n d domesticated dogs. T h e r e s u l t is k n o w n a s a c o y d o g , w h i c h m a y b e t h e b e g i n n i n g of a n e w b r e e d . J a c k a l s live in A s i a , N o r t h a n d i n p a r t s of s o u t h e a s t e r n Africa Europe.

D h o l e s r a n g e all t h e w a y f r o m S i b e r i a down into India. T h e y destroy remote areas. The wild dog of A u s t r a l i a is the but by d i n g o . It originally lived in A s i a , was taken to the island continent a n d d o m e s t i c a n i m a l s , p a r t i c u l a r l y in

T h e y vary in color, d e p e n d i n g o n t h e c o u n t r y of o r i g i n . T h e s e a n i m a l s r u n i n p a c k s a n d a large g r o u p will very often m e n a c e outlying settlements. T h e y prey on domestic animals and have been known to attack men. T h e h y e n a is f o u n d i n t h e N e a r E a s t a n d in India. It h u n t s alone, usually at night, a n d feeds o n carrion. 48

a b o r i g i n e s i n t h e i r m i g r a t i o n t e n s of t h o u s a n d s of y e a r s a g o . T h e d i n g o is no longer a purebred, having mixed w i t h s o m e of t h e d o g s t h a t European

settlers b r o u g h t with t h e m . T h e s e wild dogs are a great problem to sheep ranchers in Australia, w h o h u n t t h e m d o w n mercilessly.

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WHY

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Produced and approved by noted authorities, these books answer the questions most often asked about science, nature and history. They are presented in a clear, readable style, and contain many colorful and instructive illustrations. Readers will want to explore each of these fascinating subjects and collect these volumes as an authentic, ready-reference, basic library. 5001 5002 5003 5004 5005 5006 5007 5008 5009 5010 5011 5012 5013 5014 5015 5016 5017 5018 5019 5020 5021 5022 5023 5024 5025 5026 5027 5028 5029 5030 5031 DINOSAURS WEATHER ELECTRICITY ROCKS AND MINERALS ROCKETS AND MISSILES STARS INSECTS REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS BIRDS OUR EARTH BEGINNING SCIENCE MACHINES THE HUMAN BODY SEA SHELLS ATOMIC ENERGY THE MICROSCOPE THE CIVIL WAR MATHEMATICS FLIGHT BALLET CHEMISTRY HORSES EXPLORATIONS AND DISCOVERIES PRIMITIVE MAN NORTH AMERICA PLANETS AND INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL WILD ANIMALS SOUND LOST CITIES ANTS AND BEES WILD FLOWERS 5032 5033 5034 5035 5036 5037 5038 5039 5040
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