The Dog | Page 7

entered into that of
different animals. He used, after the decease of any of his favourite
disciples, to cause a dog to be held to the mouth of the dying man, in
order to receive his departing spirit; saying, that there was no animal
that could perpetuate his virtues better than that quadruped.
It was in order to present the Israelites from errors and follies like these,
and to prevent the possibility of this species of idolatry being
established, that the dog was afterward regarded with utter abhorrence
among the Jews. [5] This feeling prevailed during the continuance of
the Israelites in Palestine. Even in the New Testament the Apostle
warns those to whom he wrote to "beware of dogs and evil-workers;"
[6] and it is said in The Revelations that "without are dogs and
sorcerers," &c. [7] Dogs were, however, employed even by the Jews.
Job says, "Now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose
fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock."
[8] Dogs were employed either to guide the sheep or to protect them
from wild beasts; and some prowled about the streets at night,
contending with each other for the offal that was thrown away.

To a certain degree this dislike of the dog continues to the present day;
for, with few exceptions, the dog is seldom the chosen companion of
the Jew, or even the inmate of his house. Nor was it originally confined
to Palestine. Wherever a knowledge of the Jewish religion spread, or
any of its traditions were believed, there arose an abhorrence of the dog.
The Mohammedans have always regarded him as an unclean animal,
that should never be cherished in any human habitation--belonging to
no particular owner, but protecting the street [9] and the district rather
than the house of a master.
The Hindoos regard him likewise as unclean, and submit to various
purifications if they accidentally come in contact with him, believing
that every dog was animated by a wicked and malignant spirit,
condemned to do penance in that form for crimes committed in a
previous state of existence. If by chance a dog passed between a teacher
and his pupil during the period of instruction, it was supposed that the
best lesson would be completely poisoned, and it was deemed prudent
to suspend the tuition for at least a day and a night. Even in Egypt, dogs
are now as much avoided as they were venerated. In every
Mohammedan and Hindoo country, the most scurrilous epithet
bestowed on a European or a Christian is--"a dog!" [10]
This accounts for the singular fact that in the whole of the Jewish
history there is not a single allusion to hunting with dogs. Mention is
made of nets and snares, but the dog seems to have been never used in
the pursuit of game.
In the early periods of the history of other countries this seems to have
been the case even where the dog was esteemed and valued, and had
become the companion, the friend, and the defender of man and his
home. So late as the second century of the Christian era, the fair
hunting of the present day needed the eloquent defence of Arrian, who
says that "there is as much difference between a fair trial of speed in a
good run, and ensnaring a poor animal without an effort, as between the
secret piratical assaults of robbers at sea, and the victorious naval
engagements of the Athenians at Artemisium and at Salamis." [11] The
first hint of the employment of the dog in the pursuit of other animals is

given by Oppian in his Cynegeticus, who attributes it to Pollux, about
200 years after the promulgation of the Levitical law.
Of the precise species of dog that prevailed or was cultivated in Greece
at this early period, little can with certainty be affirmed. One beautiful
piece of sculpture has been preserved, and is now in the possession of
Lord Feversham at Duncombe Hall. It is said to represent the favourite
dog of Alcibiades, and to have been the production of Myson, one of
the most skillful artists of ancient times. It differs but little from the
Newfoundland dog of the present day. He is represented as sitting on
his haunches, and earnestly looking at his master. Any one would
vouch for the sagacity and fidelity of that animal.
The British Museum contains a group of greyhound puppies of more
recent date, from the ruins of the villa of Antoninus, near Rome. One is
fondling the other; and the attitude of both, and the characteristic
puppy-clumsiness of their limbs, which indicate, nevertheless, the
beautiful proportions that will soon be developed, are an admirable
specimen of ancient art.
[Illustration of ancient sculpture