Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-11-08
1It,,,tv and sogacity of siberian Dogs.

oeou tho animals that live in the high north
latitude none are So deserving Of being noticed as
the dog. The companion OF man. ID al cl"ia s.ad,
from the islands of the South oea, Where NC 'e1Go -
~ bananas To the Polar Seas, where his 1000 iS
fish. he here plays part to which ne IS una'Vuo
toned in more favored regions. Necessity nas
tauoht the inhabitants of the northern countries y
employ the comparatively weak ah.lhai9 .'
drauuht. On all the coasts OF the foiaf Oea; ao."
the Obi to Behring's Straits, in Greenland Nam,
schatka. and in the Kurie Islands, 'he oogS a,G
made to draw sledges loaded with persons ,T,a rnu
with goods, and for considerable Journeys III,
doos have much resemblance to the woi,. - neJ
have lour. pointed, projecting noses, sharp anu
unriobt ears. and long bushy tail some nate ::
smooth and some have curly hair; their co'ol -
various-back- brown, reddish brown, whi'e dnu :a
spotted. They vary also in size but II Is co"S.u
cred that good sledge dog should not DC 's,s
than two feet seven and half Inches 10 ne'sut'
and three feet three quarters OF an men II! ie's
English measure) Their barking is IKE 'ne 10
howing of wolf They pass their whole lie = IN
the open air; in summer they dig holes IN li1
ground for coolness, or lie in the water 10 aIou
the musquitoes; in winter they protect thelnseises
bv burrowinp in the snow, and lie curled up WIN
their noses covered by their bushy tails. ne ie'
male puppies are drowned, except enough 10 pre-
serve the breed, the males alone being used 10
drauoht. Those born in winter, enter on incl,
training the following autumn, but are not useo
in long journeys until the third year. The ieed,
inq and training is particular art, and much sNil
is required in driving them. The best trained
doos are used as leaders and as the" quick ano
steady going of the team, usually Twelve ooss'
and the safsty of the driver, depend on the sasac,
iy and docility of the leader no pains are spared
in their education, so that they may always ooey
their masters voice. and not be tempted from
their course when they come on scent OF game
This last is point Of great difficulty; sometimes
whole team, in such cases, will start oil, and nc
endeavors, on the part of the drivers, can stof
them. On such occasions we have sometimes mac
To admire the cleverness with which the wei
trained leaders endeavor to turn the other dogs
from their pursuit; if other devices fail, he Will
suddenly wheel round, and by barking, as II ne
had come OH new scent, try to induce the olnei
dogs to follow him. II travelling across the wild
| tundra in dark nights, or when the vast PLAIN is
yeiled in impenetrable mist, or in storms or snow
tempes,s. when the traveller is in danger OF miss
ing the sheltering dowarna and of perlsnlng IN
the snow he will frequently owe his safely TO
good leader: if the animal has ever been IN th's
plain, and has stripped with his master al Inc
| dowarna. he will be sure 10 bring the sedge 10
the place where the hut lies deeply buried III the
snow when arrived at it, he will suddenly STOP
and indicate Significantly the spot where his mas
ter must dig.-Von Wranglc'S Polar Seas.