THE SHEEP DOG. 115 



than that of other dogs, i.e., more special to his own pro- 

 fession and probably more due to training and culture. The 

 principle of heredity operates conspicuously in the case of 

 dogs, and shepherding being one of the oldest occupations of 

 man, the shepherd's dog has probably been under culture for 

 a longer period than any other, hence his proficiency in his 

 work. Buffon credited him with being "the parent stock of 

 the whole species", and Colonel Smith with civilisation at a 

 very early period. "The sheep dog," says Colonel Smith, "is 

 seldom two feet high, but his make is muscular; the nose 

 rather pointed; the ears erect; and the colour of the hair 

 black and fulvous ; the fur is rather long and rough. In great 

 Britain, and more particularly in Scotland, the colours are 

 more mixed with shades of brown, and the ears are often 

 drooping at the tips. The sheep dog is not to be confused 

 with the drover or cattle dog, which is larger and still more 

 rugged in coat, as well as manners. 



ThQ The sheep dog is credited with so many stories 



Sheep Dog's of skill and sagacity, that those unacquainted 



Sagacity, ^fa n j s h a bjt s anc j achievements can scarcely 

 believe the record. He has been known to rival the St. Bernard 

 in tracking both men and sheep who have become buried in 

 the snow, the mastiff in defending his master's property and 

 the Newfoundland in procuring assistance he was unable to 

 render himself. But it is in the pursuit of his special duties 

 that he displays the most remarkable powers; and many 

 illustrations might be given of his extraordinary skill and 

 fidelity. Happily for him he found in the Ettrick Shepherd 

 an historian as well acquainted with his prowess as he was 

 able to record its exercise; from whose writings we are able 

 to quote several remarkable illustrations. 



"My dog Sirrah," says he, "was, beyond all comparison, 

 the best dog I ever saw: he was of a surly and unsocial 

 temper, disdaining all flattery, he refused to be caressed; 

 but his attention to my commands and interests will never 



