DOG FAMILY

(Canidoe), a family of Carnivora (g.v.) with over 100 species found wild in all parts of the world except New Zealand, Madagascar,.the West Indies, and some of the Kast Indian islands. They are distinguished by their long, sharp muzzles, their long legs, ending in five and four toes on the fore and hind feet respectively; they walk on the toes alone, and these are tipped with blunt, non-retractile claws. A good skeletal character lies in the teeth, which are very numerous, usually 41, 20 being in the upper, 21 in the lower, jaw. The fur of members of the dog family is generally of a dull uniform color, varying from white and grey to reddish-brown. They are carnivorous, feeding upon other mammals, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, etc., which many species hunt down in packs, or on smaller animals, such as mice, reptiles, fish, and even crabs. Most are nocturnal in habit. The Common Wolf (Canis lupus) and its races are found only in the Northern hemisphere, but they are widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and America. They are large, fierce, and powerful animals, which hunt in packs, and, like jackals (g.v.) and domestic dogs, have @ round eye-pupil and a bushy tail. Especially bushy are the tail and body of the North American Coyote (Canis latrans), although its body is smaller and its temper is le savage than that of the common wolf. Its food consists re ae mammals, such as rabbits and Of true dogs the only wild form is the Australian Dingo (Canis dingo), although it is probably descended from a species introduced by man to Australia at an early date. It varies in color from red to black, and causes much destruction among sheep flocks. The varieties of Domesticated Dogs, many and diverse though they be, are all included under one species (Canis familiar is), originally descended from wolves or jackals, or both. Their differences are probably due to varied inter cro ings and to the efforts of man to breed types suitable for different purposes. Only a few examples can be mentioned. Amongst wolf-like forms With moderately sharp muzzles and erect ears may be reckoned the mongrel Pariah Dogs of Eastern European, Asiatic, and African villages, the Eskimo Dog, the Sheep Dog and Collie, and the and Greyhounds are distinguished by the fact that they hunt by sight, have long legs, and exceedingly long, sharp muzzles and slightly drooping ears, A more distinct ear-droop, a ociated with wider heads, thicker fur, and shorter legs, is seen in Spaniels, Setters, New found lands, and Retrievers; while smooth coats, deep muzzles with overlapping lips, and large, drooping ears characterize Blood-, Otter and Fox-Hounds. BullDogs, Pugs, and Mastiffs have short muzzles with projecting under jaw, and Terriers, rough or smooth, have erect ears and a deep skull. Several wild species exist, resembling, but differing anatomically from, the domestic dog, such as the bushy Racoon Dog (C. procyonoides) of S. America, the Wild Dogs of Asia, the Long-EKared Dog (Otocyon mega lot is) and Cape Hunting Dog (Lycaon pictus) of S. and EK. Africa, and the Bush Dog (Icticyon venatic us) of Northern 8. America. Lastly must be mentioned the Foxes, valuable on account of their fur.