A capital notion of the appearance of this interesting Dog may be obtained from a case of stuffed specimens now in the India Museum at South Kensington. The Zoological Society has at different times been able to exhibit in their Gardens more or less fine examples of the Indian Wild Dog. Dr. Murie gives the following account of a male and female specimen sent to the Gardens some time ago:—
“Their tout ensemble conveyed to me the idea of a compound between Wolf, Jackal, and Fox, partly on account of their colour, partly from their size and general shape, and also partially from the contour of the head, ear-outline, and direction of the eyes. But, on the other hand, a critical inspection left the impression that they were more markedly of the Dog type. This pair of animals very nearly corresponded in size,” the most important dimensions being—length, from snout to tip of tail, forty-two inches; length of the tail, twelve inches; height at shoulder, about fifteen inches, and at the loins about sixteen inches.
“Their colour was entirely reddish or fulvous brown, and remarkably like the tint of a Fox. The tip of the nose and lower part of the face was somewhat darker; the tail also exhibited deepening of hue. Moreover, upon the outer side of the hind-leg, and similarly on the fore-limb, there was a tendency, though a very indistinct one, to whitish spotting.... Of those features marking race, the tail was moderately lengthened, dark, and full below, as in the Jackal or Wolf, and not with the great round brush of the Fox. The eye had a certain obliquity; but the pupil, as far as I could ascertain, was round. Ears large, erect, and hairy.”
“I am not cognisant of any observations as to their habits having been noted prior to their receipt by the Society. But I may mention that when in the Gardens they were exceedingly active, snapping, snarling, and in their general behaviour resembling a couple of Wolves rather than sedate Dogs. I am not aware that they were heard to bark; but occasionally they howled and whined.”
The Wild Dog has thus, in many respects, an appearance resembling that of a Fox or a Jackal, with which it also agrees in its filthy smell. It is, however, a true Dog, although less specialised than the domestic kinds, and therefore approaching the average structure of the wild Canidæ.
These Dogs hunt in packs, six, eight, ten, or as many as thirty, animals in a pack. They hunt either by night or day; and it is said that “when once a pack of them put up any animal, no matter whether Deer or Tiger, that animal’s doom is sealed; they never leave it. They will dog their prey for days, if need be, and run it down exhausted, and if it turns to fight, they go in fearlessly, and by their numbers win. All animals dread the Wild Dog; others they may elude by speed, artifice, or battle: but their instinct tells them that there is no escaping the Wild Dog, as it hunts in packs by scent as well as by sight, and is as brave as it is persevering.”
They make no noise when running, except sometimes a low whispering kind of note, which may either express their own gratification, or act as a signal to other Dogs. Great numbers of them are destroyed in their hunting expeditions, as the larger animals, such as the Elk and Boar, defend themselves with great fierceness, and sacrifice many of their pursuers before they fall a victim to the overwhelming numbers and unconquerable perseverance of the latter.
In some parts of India they are half-domesticated, and used in the noble sport of “Pig-sticking.” “They are remarkably savage, and frequently will approach none but their doonahs, or keepers, not allowing their own masters to come near them. Some of them are very fleet, but they are not to be depended upon in coursing; for they are apt suddenly to give up the chase when it is a severe one, and, indeed, they will too often prefer a Sheep or a Goat to a Hare. In Hog-hunting they are more valuable. It seems to suit their temper, and they appear to enjoy the snapping and the snarling incident to that species of sport.”[118]
THE DINGO, OR AUSTRALIAN WILD DOG.[119]
This is another distinct breed of Wild Dog, quite as remarkable in its way as the Indian Wild Dog, and possessing far greater interest than the latter, from the fact that it is the only Mammal not belonging to the group of Marsupials, or pouched animals (Kangaroos, Wombats, &c.), found in the great island of Australia. In all probability, it is not a true native even there, but was most likely introduced before the discovery of the island by Europeans.