The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-06-29
The Dog. Of Tibet.

It is q century since Warren Hastings
whose prediction for rare animals
and desire to acclimatize them served
70 occupy and amuse the leisure of his
later years, endeavored in vain to OBJ
lain specimens of the far-famed dog OF
Thibet, and we are not aware that any
other person has been subsequently
more successful in introducing the
breed into this country. Owing, how
aver, to the kindness of Count Szech-
enyi, a Hungarian nobleman, an ac-
count of whose interesting travels in
The far East was published some two
years ago, the Prince of Wales has be-
come the pOssessor of q male and fe-
male of the race, and will probably
with his wonted liberality afford the
public an opportunity of seeing them
IN Regents Park during the ensuing
season. Count Szechenyi had heard so
many reports in where, how
ever, they are almost as great strangers
As with uS-of the size and beauty of
these dogs that he was very anxious to
become personally acquainted with
Them, and on the first opportunity
which presented itself at Batang, the
frontier town of China on the route to
Lassa, he purchased three at very
considerable price, it is understood.
He found that they were fully deserv-
.ng of their reputation in looks, cour-
age and sagacity. In some respects
hey are said to resemble the handsOm-
est specimens of the Newfoundland
oreed, but have a head very much
larger, to which, moreover, an air of
imposing dignity, if not fierceness, is
added by thick, shaggy name. which
grows forward so as to encircle the face
like frill. Their formidable aspect is
still further enhanced in their native
mountains by artificial means, for the
shepherds and herdsmen who employ,
and are very proud of. these useful but
dreaded animals, often fasten round
their necks boa-like wreaths made of
the bristly hair of the yak and painted
red. a species of decoration which
gives them a still more leOnine appear
ance than that which they owe to ma
ture. Indeed, some drawings we have
seen of them strongly recall to mind
the king of beasts as imaged in herald
IL ucNlCcS-t. X, III tHt aIIuS VI tht
Duke of Argyll. The color of their
coats varies from black to light brown,
the former predominating. The peo-
pie of Thibet find them invaluable
either to guard their fiocks or as house
Watchdog. In the latter capacity they
display the utmost fierceness and hos.
tility to intruders on their masters
property. and would be truly danger
Gus if not tied up by strong chains dur.
ing the day. Even when thus secured
their furious barking and mad efforts
to escape startle the passing traveller
and warn him to give them wide
berth. 1t is curious that rapid move
ment of wagging the tail is with them
a manifestation of anger and not OF
friendliness, rs it is with their Euro
pean cousins. As guardians of the
sheep and yak caravans implicit reli-
ance is placed on them; they preserve
peace and order among their subject;
as effectually as Eastern despots of the
better sort, and perhaps after the same
fashion. viz: by short shrift and heavy
tolls; at any rate, they generally de
fend them when attacked by man OF
beast.-LOndOn Times.