The Afghan Hound is a breed of fast huntingdog from Afghanistan, resembling the saluki in build, though slightly smaller. It was first introduced to the West by British army officers serving on India's North-West Frontier along the Afghanistan border in the late 19th century. The Afghan Hound was developed for huntingdeer, hares and wolves, and has very keen eyesight and plenty of stamina. The Afghan Hound stands about 70 centimetres tall and has a long, silky coat that may be black, grey, or a wide range of beige or tawny colours. Research Afghan Hound
The Basenji is a breed of hound from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) where they were kept by native tribes, being introduced to the UK in 1936 and the USA shortly afterwards.
Basenji are very active, obedient and friendly dogs with a short coat which they groom themselves by licking, and standing about 43 cm tall. Research Basenji
The Basset Hound is a long bodied, short, smooth-haired, crooked legged breed of French dog. The breed first achieved prominence in Britain at the end of the 19th century and was used in packs to hunt hares and rabbits, or in beating and covert work generally. Basset Hounds have a tenacious nature, and will set off in pursuit if they pick up a scent, are stubborn and greedy but are also friendly and tolerant. Research Basset Hound
The Dalmatian (or spotted carriage dog) is a Croatian (originating from the region of Dalmatia in East Croatia) breed of spotted dog half-hound and half-pointer. It was formerly known as the Danish Spotted or Coach Dog. Dalmatians were first introduced to England during the 18th century and used as coach dogs (protecting travellers from highwaymen) before becoming fashionable in England about 1820. Dalmatians are an energetic breed, good house dogs and rarely bark unless in the presence of strangers. Research Dalmatian
The Dog (Canis vulgaris) is a digitigrade, carnivorousanimal, forming the type of the genus Canis, which includes also the wolf, the jackal, and, as a sub-genus, the fox. The origin of the dog is a much-debated question, some considering the breed derived from the wolf, an opinion which is based on resemblances of structure, the susceptibility which the wolf shows of being domesticated, the fact of the two animals breeding together and producing fertile young, and the equality in the period of gestation. But all those points are subject to exceptions and reservations which make the matter doubtful. It is generally agreed that no trace of the dog is to be found in a primitive state, the dhole of India, and dingo of Australia being believed to be wild descendants from domesticated ancestors.
Several attempts to make a systematic classification of the varieties of dogs have been made but without much success, it being difficult in many cases to determine what are to be regarded as types, and what as merely mongrels and cross-breeds. Colonel Hamilton Smith divided dogs into six groups as follows: (1) Wolf-dogs, including the Newfoundland, Esquimaux, St Bernard, shepherd's dog, etc; (2) Watchdogs and Cattle-dogs, including the German boar-hound, the Danish dog, the matin dog, etc; (3) Greyhounds, the lurcher, Irish hound, etc; (4) Hounds, the bloodhound, staghound, foxhound, setter, pointer, spaniel, cocker, poodle, etc; (5) Cur-dogs, including the terrier and its allies; (6) Mastiffs, including the different kinds of mastiffs, bull-dog, pug-dog, etc.
Dogs have in the upper jaw six incisors, two strong curved canines, and six molars on each side, the first three, which are small and have cutting edges, being called false molars; in the lower jaw are six incisors, two canines, and on each side seven molars. The fore-feet have five toes, the hind-feet four or five; the claws are strong, blunt, and formed for digging, and are not retractile. The tail is generally long, and is curled upwards. The female has six to ten mammae; she goes with young nine weeks as a rule. The young are born blind, their eyes opening in ten to twelve days; their growth ceases at two years of age. The dog commonly lives about ten or twelve years, at the most twenty. Research Dog
The elk-hound is a breed of dog imported to Britain from Norway where it was bred to track elk and other large animals. It is a small dog resembling the Inuitdog, with a strong and stout build and erect, pointed ears and a thick coat. Research Elk-Hound
The Finnish Spitz is a Finnish breed of hound, standing about 45 cm tall, with a shaggy reddish coat. The Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland and has an alert demeanour, pricked ears and a tail that extends forward over the back. The breed was developed for flushing game birds and tracking bears and elks. As a pet the Finnish Spitz is an excellent family dog or guard dog though it has a tendency to bark a lot. Research Finnish Spitz
The fox-terrier is two breeds of British dog; smooth and wire-haired, white, with black or tan markings (like a fox-hound), ears drooping, legs straight, originating from around the start of the 19th century. They were originally developed for bolting foxes which had taken to earth during a fox-hunt. However, with the increased speed of foxhounds the fox-terries unable to keep up became domestic pets, though they are still a lively and energetic animal. Research Fox-Terrier
The Greyhound is a variety of dog distinguished by a greater length of muzzle than any other; very low forehead, short lips, thin and long legs, small muscles, contracted belly and semi pendant ears.
There are several varieties, as the Irish greyhound, the Scottish, the Russian, the Italian, and the Turkish. The common greyhound is of an elegant make of body, and is universally known as the fleetest of dogs. A good hound has a fine, soft, flexible skin, with thin, silky hair, a great length of nose, contracting gradually from the eye to the nostril, a full, clear, and penetrating eye, small ears, erect head, long neck, chest capacious, deep, but not wide, shoulders deep and placed obliquely, ribs well arched, contracted belly and flank, a great depth from the hips to the hocks of the hind-legs, fore-legs straight, and shorter than the hinder. The name appears to have no reference to the colour, but is derived from the Icelandic grey, a dog.
Greyhounds were originally used for coursing, for which their peculiar shape, strength, keenness of sight and speed make them exceedingly well fitted, but are now bred for racing, being the fastest running dogs. As a pet Greyhounds are very gentle and affectionate - but should be kept away from small mammals such as pet rabbits - but require wide open spaces to run about in. Research Greyhound
A hound is a name generally given to hunting dogs, but restricted by scientific writers to such dogs as hunt by scent, a definition which excludes the greyhound. There are several varieties including the bloodhound, staghound, foxhound, harrier and beagle. Hounds are distinguished not only by their fineness of scent, but by docility and sagacity. Of the rough-haired and smooth-haired varieties the former manifest the greatest affection for people. Research Hound
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Afghan Hound
