The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-05-28
Historical Points on Dogs.

The wonderful variation in size, ap-
pearance and intellect of dogs must
strike every one who remembers that
this great variety came originally from
three or four species of wild dogs.
There is now preserved in an English
Museum little dog of the terrier kind
which was about two years old at its
death. 1t was exactly five and one-half
inches long, which is just the length of
the nose of German boar hound in an
other part of the museum, measured
from the corner of the eye to the tip of
the nose. So great is the difference
that one can hardly realize that they
probably had common ancestor.
The original wild dogs had very
much the aspect of wolves-erect ears
and bushy, flowing tails. 1t is thought
by many that the dog most nearly ap-
preaching them in appearance are near
est them in point of development, and
that the breed closely related are our
shepherds, but an examination and
comparison of the bones, and particu-
larly the skulls, shows that among the
principal breeds the line of descent is:
First, wild dog; then Danish dog hounds,
pointers; terriers, pugs. spaniels and
pet dogs in general come last.
The influence of man over all nature
is most markedly shown in pet dogs
They are, as rule, small, with tail
curved upwards, ears dropping, but sure
signs of domcstication. Besides, the
temperament and disposition are wholly
changed, whereas wild dogs are natural
hunters, the pet dogs being wholly igno-
rant of the wiles OF the chase. A pug
would probably be as much surprised
at the sudden appearance of a rabbit as
bunny would be at the pug. The prob
ability is that both would run as soon
as they saw each other.
The varieties have been so long bred
that they would never return to original
species again, even if left to run wild.
That they are closely related to wolves
and such animals, however, is shown
by the fact that they will breed with
them and also by the tanning of wolves
taken very young. They become gen
tie and ailcctionate. A wolf whelr
when young, if suddenly menaced by q
master, will cringc and beg off just a.
a dog does when he thinks he is going
to be whipped. They have many Other
traits which indicate a close relation
ship.
Not only are wolves capable of do
mestication. but on the other hand dog:
often escape and become wild. A cast
is related of greyhound who conclud
ed she would take to the woods. After
a year or two she was captured ant
brought back. In few months sh,
| presented her master with some pups
but as soon as they were able to taxi
care of themselves she left them ant
again ran away. Three of the pup
stayed at home and became good citi
zens, but two partook of the mother
nature and ran away to join her. The,
at last became so destructive to youn!
animals that they were hunted dow
and shot.
/ Puppies get their eyes open on tn
tenth or twelfth day, reach their ful
growth at the end of the second yea
and are very old at ten years, very fey
of them reaching the green old age o
twenty. Although their lives are shor
they are full of interest. The devotion
of a dog for his master is phenomenal
He will stick to him whatever be hi
fortune, stand any amount of abuse an
love his master with forgiving spiri
IN. spite of everything. g.-Pttsburgh Dis
patch