447: Coal is making a splash

The internet slang term “Sighthound” originates from the breed’s characteristic slender physique. It is now mainly used to jokingly refer to men with slender, frail builds, similar in meaning to “skinny monkey,” carrying a teasing connotation.

The term “Sighthound” is often used in conjunction with phrases like “Can you do it?” forming sentences such as “Sighthound, can you do it?”, further extending to imply that a man is incompetent or inadequate.

And the breed of the two dogs Chen Gang and Chen Lin brought is called Sighthound, also known as Sighthound.

The Sighthound is an ancient indigenous Chinese hunting dog breed, with a history traceable back to the Tang Dynasty, where it was recorded in royal hunting activities.

Through long-term development, it diverged into several regional varieties, mainly including Shandong Sighthound (short-haired and long-haired strains), Shaanxi Sighthound, and Mongolian Sighthound (also known as Khitan Hound).

All varieties of Sighthounds share common traits of strong explosive power, fast running speed, and keen sense of smell, making them excellent visual tracking hounds traditionally used for hunting small animals like rabbits.

They are also loyal to their owners, often serving as guard dogs and watchdogs.

“Hiss...”

Chen Gang and Chen Lin, the two dog owners, also noticed the three dogs' reactions. They couldn't help but gasp.

Their dogs were usually the top dogs in the village. They were first-rate at catching pheasants and chasing rabbits, but they didn't expect to show timidity in front of this black local dog today.

At this moment, they even had their tails between their legs, ears flattened, looking at the black dog with a fawning expression.

“This...”

Chen Lin was also a little speechless watching his dog's reaction.

“How embarrassing!”

The two pulled on the leashes several times before the two Sighthounds finally got up and walked forward. Coal, meanwhile, walked steadily and unhurriedly behind Yang Qi.

The back mountain Chen Sheng and the others mentioned was a barren slope. Directly behind it was a continuous, very dense mountain forest.

The barren slope was actually a large piece of saline-alkali land, where villagers sporadically planted some crops.

According to Chen Gang, there were many rabbit holes on the dirt slope, and usually, there were also many pheasants in the mountain forest that flew to this vicinity to roost and forage.

At this moment, the two Sighthounds were facing one direction, lowering their bodies and emitting “woo woo woo” sounds, rather than loud “woof woof woof” barks.

It seemed they had discovered prey, but they weren't barking, likely to avoid startling it.

They indeed seemed to be two excellent hunting dogs.

Meanwhile, Coal merely squatted there, curiously looking into the distance, then at the two Sighthounds a few times. Then it showed a curious, puzzled expression.

At this point, Chen Gang and Chen Lin released the leashes and pointed into the distance. The two Sighthounds shot out like arrows.

“What are you doing? They've already chased after it, why aren't you moving?”

Yang Qi looked at Coal, puzzled, and happened to see it looking back at him with a bewildered expression.

“Go on!”

Yang Qi pointed at the commotion over there. He clearly saw Coal hesitate for a moment, then rush out.

“Yang Qi, your dog is indeed smart and has the potential to be a king of dogs. But since it hasn't participated in hunting before, it still needs a few training sessions.”

Chen Lin said with a smile, looking at the departing Coal.

“Oh, what you said seems to make sense.”

Yang Qi nodded.

At this moment, the group suddenly saw Coal run halfway, then turn and sprint up the slope.

In an instant, they heard a fierce barking from the other two Sighthounds.

The four hurried over.

It turned out that the wild rabbit had spotted the two hunting dogs and was frantically running up the slope, while the Sighthounds were chasing it. They were about to lose it.

In fact, rabbits run faster uphill than downhill.

This is because a rabbit's physiological structure includes short front legs and long hind legs. When going uphill, the hind legs can provide stronger explosive power, allowing it to run faster.

When going downhill, the short front legs make it difficult to effectively cushion, and it's easy to lose balance and fall.

So, when a rabbit goes uphill, hunting dogs basically can't catch it. However, on flat ground or downhill, a rabbit definitely can't outrun a hunting dog.

The wild rabbit hopped up the slope with its short legs, thumping along, and in a blink of an eye, it was getting further and further away from the two Sighthounds.

“Oh no, it seems this wild rabbit is going to get away.”

Chen Sheng and the others looked at the increasingly distant wild rabbit with some regret.

Just then, a black shadow rushed down from the upper right side of the hillside, moving like the wind, swiftly darting in front of the wild rabbit, biting its neck, and pinning it to the ground.

It turned out that Coal had circled around to the top of the slope, striking with deadly accuracy, intercepting the wild rabbit that was about to escape.

At this moment, the two Sighthounds finally caught up, barking around Coal, their tails wagging furiously.

Coal proudly held its head high, the now lifeless wild rabbit in its mouth, its tail held high, and walked with light, quick steps towards Yang Qi. Its eyes revealed a full measure of triumph.

Yang Qi even had the illusion that Coal was grinning, and if it weren't for the wild rabbit in its mouth, Yang Qi would be certain he'd see a mouthful of dog teeth.

“That's so damn smug!”

The two Sighthounds followed behind Coal, like two little sidekicks.

Coal quickly came to Yang Qi's side, placed the wild rabbit at his feet, then looked up at him, grinning and revealing a mouthful of uneven dog teeth.

It barked a few times, as if waiting for Yang Qi's praise.

“Master, quickly praise me! Coal is very impressive!”

“Good dog, well done! Keep up the good work!”

Yang Qi timely patted Coal's head, showering it with praise.

“Woof woof woof, although Master is a bit perfunctory, he's still giving this king face, so I'll grudgingly accept it.”

Coal thought for a few seconds, then immediately cheered up, wagging its tail rapidly.

“Go on! Go catch a few more wild rabbits, and I'll add chicken drumsticks to your lunch!”

Yang Qi patted its head and pointed into the distance.

Upon hearing about chicken drumsticks, Coal immediately became motivated. Its eyes lit up, and it barked a few times at its two younger brothers behind it:

“Woof woof woof.”

The two younger brothers immediately understood and followed Coal, running into the distance.

“Wow, what's with your Coal? Has it become a spirit?”

Chen Lin said in surprise.

“We'll know if we follow them!”

Yang Qi suggested.

So the four of them sped up and followed, to see how these three dogs would complete the rabbit-catching operation without human command.

The four arrived at the front ridge and saw the three dogs, who had originally been together, suddenly separate. The two Sighthounds continued to run forward.

Coal, meanwhile, turned and ran up the hillside. After a while, the four again heard fierce barking, and then saw the two Sighthounds chasing a wild rabbit, running up the hillside.

Sure enough, Coal was again at the top, blocking the escaping wild rabbit and killing it with one strike.

“Holy cow, tactics? Encirclement and interception!...”

“Our own dogs, though smart, definitely can't do that.”

“This... your dog even understands tactics!”

The three looked at Yang Qi with expressions as if they had seen a ghost, full of disbelief!