a poetical naturalist on the dog

From a child's book of natural history in verse, dated 1848:

THE DOG.
(Canis.)
THE friend of man, the faithful friend,
The virtues of whose race descend,
To bless thy masters, rich or poor,
On fertile plains, or barren moor.

THE SIBERIAN DOG.
(Canis Sibericus.)
"Mid wastes of wild untrodden snow,
Who like this Dog the sledge can draw?
Not e'en the reindeer can contend
With him, the rude Kamtschatkan's friend.

THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.
(C. Terrae Novae.)
Mid roaring torrents, raging seas,
The brave Newfoundland Dog essays,
Despite of danger or of dread,
To rescue from a watery bed.

THE SHEPHERD'S DOG.
(C. Familiaris.)
The shepherd's noble, faithful charge,
The guardian of his flock at large,
What pen can laud his properties,
Or speak of him as he deserves?

THE CUR DOG.
(C. Domesticus.)
The farmer's and the grazier's Cur,
Invaluable helps they are,
Who journey on with patient speed,
And prove most useful friends in need.

-- from Dring, M. (1848). The child's poetical naturalist: with notes. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co.. 120-1.