THE COLLIE. 



BY HENRY JARRETT AND J. E. DOUGHERTY. 



>HE origin of the Collie, like that of most other breeds 

 of dogs, is unknown. Many different theories have 

 been advanced by various writers on the subject, most 

 of them, however, being without any foundation. The 

 theory offered by Hugh Dalziel, in his excellent work on 

 the Collie, is that the breed is the result of selection 

 carried on through a long series of years, and this is no 

 doubt as near the truth as we may ever expect to get. The 

 name Collie is supposed to have been derived from the 

 same root as collar, and to refer to the white collar or band 

 around the dog's neck. The Collie is probably the most 

 useful of all our non-sporting dogs. Many authentic in- 

 stances are recorded showing the almost human intelligence 

 of these dogs in the execution of their duties in driving and 

 herding sheep and cattle; in fact, it is well-nigh impossi- 

 ble to overestimate the intelligence of a well-trained Collie. 



Besides being indispensable to the farmer, they make 

 most excellent watch-dogs and companions, and may also 

 be trained for retrieving game, both on land and from the 

 water. 



Although much has been done in this country to encour- 

 age the breeding of show dogs, the working qualities of 

 this breed have been sadly neglected, and it is to be regret- 

 ted that sheep-dog trials have never been encouraged here. 

 There are plenty of well-trained dogs in the United States, 

 and if trials were once established they would soon become 

 popular. There are numerous trials held in England every 

 year for sheep dogs, which are invariably successful, and 

 which act as reminders to breeders that Collies are sheep 



dogs. 



C505) 



