Page 60 - Dog

Toy dogs

The category of toy dogs includes all the smallest show breeds.
Most dogs in this group have a height of less than 12 in (30.5 cm). Perhaps
one of the most remarkable facts of all about the domestication of animals
is that even every toy dog, however small, is descended from the wolf.
Because, genetically, it has inherited the same characteristics as its wild
ancestor, even the tiniest dog will try its best to behave like a wolf. It will gnaw
Dismal Desmond
– a popular stuffed toy at bones, guard its territory, and show its feelings to other dogs with its
from the 1930s in England posture and tail – just as a wolf does. The Romans were probably the first to
– lives up to his name
breed miniature dogs, and bones of dogs that are as small as any of today’s
breeds have been found on Roman excavations. The small white dogs
Small, V-shaped
ears set high known as Maltese (pp. 10–11) are probably of Roman origin, and
on head
dogs of this type often appear in Roman paintings. Other tiny dogs
have been bred since ancient times in Tibet, China, and Japan.
In Europe, toy spaniels were the favorite
companions of the aristocracy throughout
the Middle Ages.

Fine, silky-textured
coat is long except
on face and ears

DOG’S DINNER
In a detail from this charming,
19th-century French painting,
entitled Caninemania, the
family pet is treated as a very
special dinner guest – to the
exclusion of the lady’s friend
who has been relegated to a
seat in the corner – and is,
therefore, out of the picture.

Large, broad head
with flat profile and
snub nose

TOY TERRIER TERROR
The Australian silky terrier is not a toy by nature.
This short-legged, compact dog can kill a rat or a
rabbit in seconds, and it is claimed to be equally
quick at killing snakes. Although it looks a little like
a Yorkshire terrier, this breed is reputed to have
originated entirely by crossbreeding in Australia.

CHINESE LION DOG
Another name for the
Pekingese is the “lion dog
of Peking.” There is a
legend that these dogs
were first bred to PEKINGESE PAIR
represent the lion Miniature dogs have existed in China
spirit of Buddha. for at least 2,500 years, but the Pekingese
Today the Pekingese, A Pekingese itself is probably not a very ancient breed. The
with its big eyes, walks with a side- Pekingese was kept as a palace dog by the Imperial
round head, flat face, to-side rolling gait, family of Peking (now Beijing). It was introduced
and soft fur looks trying to distribute to the West by English forces who looted the
more like a cuddly toy its weight evenly Imperial Palace in 1860; since that time the breed has become
than a lion. on its short legs smaller and more short-legged.

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