| Karárahé, New Zealand Dog
The Canis Australis — Karárahé, New Zealand Dog. A tradition exists in New Zealand of this dog having been given to the
natives two or three centuries ago by a number of divinities who made
their descent on these shores, probably Juan Fernandez and his
companions. The sagacious animal has, however, dwindled down to the
lowest rank of his family, but ill usage has not altogether destroyed
his worth. In New Zealand he is the safeguard of every village. Should
the slightest alarm exist, he is the first to ascertain the cause of it,
and many families have saved themselves by flight, or have taken arms in
self-defence against the incursions of predatory bands. The New
Zealanders are therefore kind in their treatment of the dog, except that
they occasionally destroy him for his hide.
The name formerly given to the New Zealand dog was pero, which in
some measure substantiates the supposition of Juan Fernandez having
visited the country — perro, in the Spanish language, being the
name of a dog.
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