The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-07-18
ESQuIMAux DOGS.
Making Distance of sixty Miles a Day
Corr. Toronto Globe.

Corr. Toronto Globe.
When at Fort Albany we saw several
Esquimaux dogs. q species of canine un.
known In civilized communities. These
dogs are very large-larger than our New.
fonndlapd aud much stronger when In con-
dition. Their strength, however, varies. In
the winter, when they are well fed for driv.
Ing, they are much stouter and stronger than
In summer, when they are poorly fed, with
cut exercise and languid from the heat,
which Is very telling upon them, as their
native climate far to the north Is very severe.
Their colors are white and yellow-while
impure breeds are white and black-the hair
thick and bushy, and the tail long, bushy
and curling up at the end. At times they
are very quiet, at others very savage. They
are driven ordinarily FIVE in number, but
often many more, before sleds, one, invaria-
bly, female, leading, for the others will fol-
low her more readily. Each dog has sepa-
rate rein, which is held by the driver, who
has also great long whip made of sealskin,
plated as ordinary whips, but with the heavy
part of the lash about the thickness of mans
wrist. The lash Is from six to nine fathoms
long, aud the handle, made Of wood, from .
foot to foot aad half in length. When q
dog is not drawing properly or misbehaving
in any way, he or she Is drawn by his or her
separate rein out from the rest of the pack
to receive chastisement with the whip, and
50 we'll do they know what Is coming that
just as soon as the rein Is pulled the victim
begins yelping and struggling to correct his
or her ways before the whip comes thunder
ing along. Great skill Is required In the use
Of these whips, for II not properly handled
the great heavy lash cracks around the ma
nipulator's body and legs, inficting very
painful and sometimes severe wounds; but
In the hands of q person skilled In the use OF
them, these whips can be used with great
precision and effect, sometimes completely
cutting dogs ear of.
Very remarkable stories are told about
the manner In which the Esauimaux handle
their whips, but they are, l believe, slightly
exaggerated. It Is said that they have fro
quently attacked and killed white bears, the
most ferocious animals in the vicinity Of
James bay, with knife attached to the end
of whip. One of our party "tried his
hand" with one Of these dog whips and sue.
ceeded In furnishing his legs rather severely,
while Hudson Bay Company's officer used
it with As much ease and precision as horse
man would have used an ordinary whip.
Some Esquimaux dogs at Fort Albany had to
be tied long distance apart with long
chains, while whole fish were threwn to
them, which they devoursd with astonishing
suddenness, lest In their greed they should
turn upon each other. They are quite un.
manageable when they get on the track Of =
deer, and no person can check them In theil
wild career as they gallop sup hill and down
dale" over tee and snow and through bush
with the sled behind them in pursuit Of the
prey. Ordinarily they make about sixty
miles day, and very comfortably and pleas
antly does q man travel In these Northern
regions, wrapped up In blankets and furs, or
. dog sled.