The book of dogs; an intimate study of mankind's best friend (1919) (19775966753)

Title: The book of dogs; an intimate study of mankind's best friend
Identifier: bookofdogsintima00nati (find matches)
Year: 1919 (1910s)
Authors: National Geographic Society (U. S. ); Fuertes, Louis Agassiz, 1874-1927; Baynes, Ernest Harold, 1868-1925
Subjects: Dogs
Publisher: Washington, D. C. , The National geographic society
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries



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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 87
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THE OFFSPRING OF A TIMBER WOLF AND COLEIE DOG During the winter of 1917 wolf tracks were observed leading from tlie south shore of Lake Superior across the ice to Grand Island, one of the finest game preserves east of the Mississippi. Several days later some carcasses of deer were found, and a trap was placed near the remains. The next day one of the game protectors found an animal struggling in the trap and he killed it before having a chance to examine the animal. While looking much like a timber wolf, the hair was longer and finer, the legs and tail Ijeing feathered much like that of a collie dog. It is the opinion of those examining the mounted specimen that it was a hybrid of dog and wolf. The animal accompanying it was undoubtedly a timber wolf. Photograph and note by George Shiras, 3rd. without the dogs of the North. Ts an expedition to reach the interior of a bleak region in dead of winter to rescue some hapless explorer or pioneer, or to help an ice-besieged population fight an epidemic of fever or smallpox, then the sleds and the dogs make the trip possible. In some parts of the Frozen North dogs are laden with packg instead of hitched to sleds, and it is surprising what burdens they can bear. Stefansson often iised dogs in this wav. Mz a traveler has told of the dread of dogs for rushing waters, and has re- cited how, as they approach the icy tor- rent of a inountain stream, they make the welkin ring with their dismal howling. But once across, the dismal howl is succeeded by the joyous bark, and it is said to be one of the striking incidents of the wilderness of frost to hear half a pack on one side of a stream lugubriously bemoaning the ordeal ahead and the half pack on the other side gleefully cele- brating a safe passage. DOG-RACING IN THE FAR NORTH One of the principal sports of the Far North is dog-racing. The annual All- Alaska Dog Race is the classic sporting event of King Frost's dominions. A 412- mile run over snow and ice, from Nome to Candle and return, calls for phenom- enal endurance. Usually it is a contest between the Alaskan malamutes and the Siberian wolf-dogs, and the rivalry is as keen as that displayed in a baseball world's series. Four years out of seven the sweepstakes went to the Siberian wolf-dogs. In a recent year one of these teams made the round-trip in 80 hours and 27 minutes. The Red River International Derby is another race that tries the mettle of the