The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-08-04

UTILuT AND SAsAcrY OF SnEErAs
Doss.--Of all the animsls that live il tas
high north latilUdes, none are so deserving
OF being noticed as the dog. The eomosn
TN of man in all climates, from he Stands
OF the South Sea, where he feeds on ba-
nanas, to the Polar Sea, where bis iood 10
hsh, he here plays a pat to which he S
unaccusIomed in more favored regions
Necessity has taught the inh4bi ants Of the
northern countries TO EN-, 10y these compar.
atiEely weak animals in dlaughi. On all
the coasts Of the Polar Sea, from the Obi
TO Behring's Straits, in Greenland, Kant
chatAa, and in tie kuTile Islands, the dogs
are made TO draw sledges loaded with rsF-
sons and with goods. and Tor considerable
journeys. The dogs have much Resemblance
" he wolf. They have long. pointed,
projecting noses. sharp and upnaht ears,
ana long, buShy tail; some have susoolh,
and some have curly hair; their color is va
rlOus-black, brown, reddish-brOwn. white
and spotted. They vary also in SIZE, bar il
IS considered that a good sledge-dog should
not be less than two feet seven and half
inches in height and three feet Ihree-qusr.
ters Of an inch in length English measure.)
Their barking is like the bowling Of wolf
They pass their whole life in the open ais;
in summer they dig holes in the ground for
GOODNESS, or lie in the water TO avoid the
mosquitoes. In winter they protect them
selves by burrowing in the snow, and lie
cuIled up with their noses covered by their
bushy tails. The female puppies are down
ed, except enough to preserve The breed,
The males alone being used in dranght--
Those born in winter enter on their train
Ings the following autumn. bat are not used
IN long journeys until the IhiId year. The
feeding and training IS particular art, and
much skill is required in driving and guid-
ing them. The best trained dogs are used
as leaders; and as the quick and steady go
ing OF the team, usually Of twelve dogs, ard
the safety Of the traveller, depend on Ire
sagacity and dOcilily OF the leeceT, no PAIRS
are spared in their educslon, so that hey
may always obey their mss.ers voice, and
not be tempted from their course when hey
come on the scent Of game. This last 10
point Of great difficulty; sometimes Iha
whole team, in such cases Will start Oh.
and no endeayors on the part Of the driver
can stop them. On such occasions We have
sometimes had TO admire the eleSeTaess with
which the well-lrained leader endesvOFs to
turn the other dogs from their pursuit. u
other devices fail, he Will suddenly wheel
round, and by barking. as il he bad come
on new scent, Try to induce me ohe'
dogs 10 follow him. IL tTaveling across ne
wide tundra in dark nights. or when the
vast plain IS yelled in imPeDs'fabie m'S''%
N storms or snow-ternPesis, wneh me ua'-
sler is in danger OF missing the shelIerns
powarna, and Of per shing in the SNOW. Dc
will frequently owe his safely 10 a good
leader; II the animal has ever besn 10 his
PLAIN, and has stopped with his master Of
he poxarna, be will be sure to bring the
ledge to the place where the hut hes deeP-
y buried in the snow; when anIved at H'
viii suddenly stop. and indicate significant
the spot where his master must Dig
poa WrasgslFs Polar Seas.