THIBET SHEEP DOG "SIRING" H. R. H. PRINCE of WALES OWNER.
Thibet Sheep Dogs.—A breed I have not often seen, but which is really a handsome and noble looking one is the Great Thibet Sheep Dog, of which I remember H. R. H. the Prince of Wales had a good specimen at Sandringham some years since, which I can only describe as having a Collie-like body with a thick under and over coat, but not so profuse as with our collies, and a head combining the expression of Newfoundland, Mastiff and Bloodhound, large, pendulous ears, heavy lips and jaws, and great dignity, and even ferocity in appearance. From the rough life they live, with very rough people, I have heard from those who have travelled in Thibet, these dogs are very awkward customers to tackle, and often make things very unpleasant for travellers and strangers, but I have no doubt they would make excellent guards, and have a very distinguished appearance as companions.
Afghan Sheep Dog.—Another eastern breed is the Afghan Sheep Dog, which, in the specimens I have seen greatly resembles our own breed of English Short-tailed Sheep Dog, and like him, is covered all over with a dense, shaggy coat. It seemed to me, they were somewhat more woolly in texture and corded in character than the coats of our dogs, and also they were leggier and more tucked up, so that, although they stand as high, or higher, I should say they would weigh considerably less on the average than our own "Bobtails." Their colours appear to be usually white, with brown or black markings, more or less profusely scattered over the bodies.
ESQUIMAUX CH. "ARCTIC KING" Mrs H. C. BROOKE OWNER.
Esquimaux.—The Esquimaux is another of the foreign breeds occasionally seen here, rather larger and heavier than the Chow, and longer in head and neck, generally some shade of grey or black and white in colour with a harsh outer, but dense warm under coat, rather long and arched in neck, eyes obliquely set, small for size of dog, and very sly and wolf-like in expression, with pricked ears carried rather forward and tail curled over back. In the general way, they are not very fascinating to strangers, and may be spoken of in the same terms as the hero of a popular comic song who was said to be "all right, when you know him, but you've got to know him, first!" No doubt, the number of expeditions to the Arctic regions of late years, and the keen public interest taken in all their details, has had the effect of bringing these dogs, so important to all Arctic explorers, more to the front. There is a quaint, independent air about them I rather like. I have very frequently had to judge them in classes of "foreign dogs from the Arctic and Northern regions," and should not describe them as very genial, or sociable, in manner, although somewhat unique and interesting in appearance.
