520 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



be imagined, showing the immensely powerful hind quarters, 

 the shaggy coat, and the peculiar fashion of running with the 

 fore part of the body very low down, or, as it is sometimes 

 described, "running on the breast-bone." This picture 

 looks as though the dog were an inch or two higher behind 

 than at the shoulder, yet, if carefully scaled, it will be 

 found that the dog is almost exactly level on the back. 



Although an English breed, the Bobtail is peculiarly 

 fitted for the needs of American stockmen. The CoDie is 

 rather more of a herder than a driver, and in herding 

 speed is a matter of prime necessity; while the Bobtail is 

 rather more of a driver, a work in which patience and 

 deliberation is a main point. Thus, although as fast a dog 

 as any, barring Hounds, the Bobtail is a much slower, 

 quieter driver, much less apt to hurry stock, and in general 

 more deliberate in his work. 



Any stockman will recognize the value of this trait 

 when the dog is intrusted with driving cattle or sheep in 

 our intensely hot summers, where so much mischief can be 

 done by overheating the stock. One thing which should 

 always be borne in mind is constantly overlooked in use of 

 Sheep Dogs, i. e., that a dog is but a dog after all. Great 

 may be his instinctive knowledge, and wonderful are the 

 many manifestations of wisdom in dogs; but, after all, there 

 is a point they can not pass. Now apply to Sheep Dogs 

 some of the principles of ordinary good judgment. Don't 

 expect that a dog can be used for the most diverse purposes 

 and yet be perfect in all. You could not expect that a man 

 just through with a fight for life with a vicious tramp would 

 be in a proper frame of mind to lead a prayer-meeting. St. 

 Vincent de Paul himself would be but human in such a 

 case; therefore, do not expect the dog you use to chase 

 swine out of your yard, where battles royal between the 

 dog and vicious old sows are a matter of course, to be 

 taken at once and set to drive a bunch of choice sheep; he 

 can not dismiss at once from his remembrance the effects of 

 his battle with the sow. So if your dog is used to chase 

 and kill rabbits, ground-hogs, to play fetch and carry, etc., 



