Naturalist

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 360, 2 April 1903, Page 7

Naturalist

THE DOGS OP CONSTANTINOPLE ■SKWIOW it is not easy to aasitn any sbQDIp special type to these dogs, though from constant reproduction amonjj themselves tbey may be s&id to form a distinct breed. Some of them resemble lynxes, others wolves and jackals, and from their form, pait, and colour, one is led to suppose that they originated from a cross between these animals, which ahound in the Balkans, and the common prick-eared -sheep dog of the country. Nearly every street >,of the capital is tenanted and kept cSan by some five or six of these invaluable scavengers, and when it is mentioned that their total number in Constantinople is estimated at no fewer than 25,000, some idea can be gained of the multitude of puppies which perish annually in their struggle for existence. It is extraordinary that among such a vast pack of ill-conditioned dogs hydrophobia is practically unknown. It would appear as if constant exposure to cold, heat, rain, and snow were in itself a preventive, and that meagre diet, combined with unrestrained liberty, are more efficient antidotes than tegular food and shelter. Tribal Dh-pbbehoes. Many Turks affirm that the dogs themselves are endowed with a marvellous instinct of self-preservation. 'They seem to be aware.' say they,' when animals of their species are about to be afflicted with this disease, and, losing no time, they fall upon the doomed brute and devour him.' Be this as it may, it is neverthless true that a dead dog is never seen lying about the streets. Each individual family or clan has its. own well-defined territory in which to dwell, and out of which it is never permitted to move. If a man wishes T£ learn exactly where the boundary line is, he need only caress the first dog he meets, whereupon the rest of the family immediately surround him, and express their delight at receiving a kind word instead of the accustomed kick by wiping their dirty feet" on-his trousers. He may then lead them down the street until a certain point is reached beyond which no amount of coaxing will induce them to follow him, and if any doubt exists as to when the frontier is reached, it speedily vanishes upon the arrival of the neighbouring pack, which gallops up barking fiercely, and prepared to give battle. If two opponents should chance to come to blows about the matter, a battle royal immediately ensues, in which case all hands take part. For some unaccountable reason they seem to consider that the ear is the most vulnerable point of attack, for, having once established a good grip, they never let go until that organ comes away in their teeth. A Mutual Enemy. Their chief enemy, however, is the 'Tehopjee,' or rag and bone man. He performs the same duties as the Parisian j chiffonier, and perambulates the streets at night with his basket, lantern, and spike. He visits and picks over with great rapidity every heap of refuse, round which, of course, the hungry dogs accumulate, and his arrival is always hailed with angry growls and snaps, for many a choice, bone has he robbed them of, many a cruel wound has he given them, Thbib Sagacity. Wonderful tales are told of the sagacity of these dogs by people who known them well. One very characteristic anecdote is related by an English lady residing in Pera. She possessed a very handsome Skye terrier, but it was impossible to let the little fellow out for exorcise without an attendant, on account of the dogs in the street. To obviate this necessity a plentiful moal was provided for them daily, at which the little dog was always present. Through this means they gradually came to regard him as a friend, and he was finally permitted to roam with perfect impunity in their quarter, One day, however, he chanced to cross their boundary, whereupon the dogs that knew not ' Joseph * fell upon him imme diately, and would assuredly have slain him had not his friends, pereeiving his danger, charged down en masse to his rescue; and it was only after much hard fighting that the little fellow was carried back triumphantly into his own territory.