HYENA DOGS.
The Hyena Dog might be classed with these wild and half-wild Dogs, although it is usually given a distinct genus. As the name indicates, it has several points of resemblance with the Hyena. This Dog inhabits South Africa. It is about the size of a Wolf, but not so strong as that animal. Its coat is of a deep gray color speckled with spots of various colors. It has large pointed ears and the tail is long and bushy. Although like the Hyena, it is very fond of putrid flesh, the Hyena Dog also feeds on living prey, especially Gazelles, Antelopes, etc. To pursue and capture these, the Hyena Dogs collect in troops, which are sometimes very numerous, and under the direction of a chief, they hunt with an intelligence unsurpassed by the best pack of Hounds. When the game is taken they divide it equally, but if any of the larger Carnivorous animals approach to take a share in the feast, they all unite against the intruder. Even Leopards and Lions have been driven off by a troop of these fierce Hyena Dogs.
THE DESTRUCTIVE WOLF.
WOLF.
Wherever the Wolf is found it is especially dreaded by the owners of flocks and herds, and it is considered the most destructive quadruped met with in Europe. Both in their habits and their physical structure they are very closely related to the Dog. The sense of smell in the Wolf is very acute, but its speed is not great. It wearies out its victim by untiring perseverance and when in full chase it persistently follows the track of the fugitive.
The Wolf is found throughout the whole of Europe, excepting Great Britain and the neighboring islands, where it has been exterminated. It also inhabits the cold and temperate regions of Asia and America. In some natural excavation situated in the woods, the Wolf takes up its abode. From here it steals forth at night to prey upon all the weaker animal life.
Among the varieties of the Common Wolf, it is necessary to mention the Black Wolf, which inhabits the North of Europe, and the Black Wolves of the Himalayas; the Dusky Wolf and the Prairie Wolf, which lives in troops on the great plains of North America; the Red Wolf, which leads a solitary life on the pampas of La Plata and in Texas and Mexico; lastly, the Mexican Wolf or Coyotte, and the Java Wolf. In the glacial regions of the two continents, White Wolves are found.
Although our Domestic Dogs and Wolves in a wild state are deadly enemies, yet when Wolves are captured quite young and tamed, they often become quite friendly with the Dogs of the home, and they are even considered safe playmates of the children in some instances, although they are rather treacherous, and probably few mothers would consider them safe. Yet a lady mentioned by Mr. Lloyd in this “Scandinavian Adventures” tells of a pet Wolf which she found trustworthy. “This Wolf became so faithful and attached that when we took a walk about the estate, and he was with us, he would crouch beside us when we rested, and would not allow anyone to approach nearer than about twenty paces; for if they came closer he would growl and show his teeth. When I called him he would lick my hand, at the same time always keeping his eyes fastened on the intruder. He went about the house and in the kitchen in the same manner as a Dog, and was much attached to the children, whom he would lick and play with. This continued until he was five months old. He had his kennel in the lower yard near the gate, and in the winter-time when the peasants came with charcoal, he would leap on to the stone fence, where he would wag his tail and whine until they came up to him and patted him. At such times he was always desirous of searching their pockets, that he might ascertain if they had anything good to eat about them. The men became so accustomed to this that they used to amuse themselves by putting a piece of bread in their coat pockets to let him find it out, and he ate all that they gave him. Besides this, he ate three bowls of food daily. It was remarkable that our Dogs used to eat with him out of the same bowl, but if any strange animal attempted to share the food with him, he would soon show anger.”
“At one time,” says Mr. Lloyd, “I had serious thoughts of training a fine Wolf in my possession as a pointer, but was deterred, owing to the liking she exhibited for the neighbor’s pigs. She was chained in a little enclosure, just in front of my window, into which these animals, when the gate was left open, ordinarily found their way. The devices the Wolf employed to get them into her power were very amusing. When she saw a Pig in the vicinity of the kennel she, evidently with the purpose of putting him off his guard, would throw herself on her side or back, wag her tail most lovingly, and look innocence personified. And this amiable demeanor would continue until the grunter was beguiled within the length of her tether, when in the twinkling of an eye the prey was clutched.