TtiE COLUES 153 



Rough, unkempt animals most of these Sheepdogs were, too, 

 and far removed in appearance from the Collies one sees on the 

 benches at the dog shows ; and yet, despite their appearance, these 

 dogs are simply invaluable to their masters, and are instrumental 

 during the heavy snowstorms which occur in the dales in saving the 

 lives of scores of sheep by their wonderful sagacity. Locally they 

 are termed ' curs,' not Collies, and in colour are chiefly black-and- 

 tan, some long coated, others quite smooth, but all with that look 

 of intelligence in the eyes that is only seen where the dogs enjoy 

 constant companionship with man. In the case of the dogs shown 

 here, each one from puppyhood had been in the company of man 

 night and day, and appeared able to instinctively comprehend the 

 desires and wishes of his master. To the dog lover a trial of this 

 description is most interesting and instructive, as showing how the 

 intelligence of the animal can be so trained as to become a most 

 valuable auxiliary to man. At the trials in question, however, the 

 sexes were not divided, and it was noticeable that the bitches were, 

 as a rule, much smarter and sharper in their work than the dogs. 



In some of the trials the sheep got utterly out of hand, and 

 jumped the high stone walls, whilst in others they went quietly and 

 were easily guided. The winner succeeded in penning her sheep 

 in about twelve minutes, whilst at the termination of the fifteen 

 minutes allowed, many of the dogs had" not succeeded in getting 

 their sheep half-way round the appointed course. Any smart or 

 clever piece of work on the part of the dogs was vociferously 

 applauded, and those present were loud in their praises of the 

 excellent work put in by the winner. Doubtless the winner will 

 figure at all the shows in the district where similar trials take place, 

 and will considerably add to the income of her owner, whilst the 

 work performed is really additional training for the bitch, and should 

 add to her value. Pedigree in these dales is of little consideration 

 in comparison with working-blood, and appearances do not count 

 for much unless accompanied by the ability to do good work on the 

 wild, open pastures or still wilder heather-clad moorlands. After 

 the trials were over, considerable discussion took place as to the 

 relative merits of the various competitors ; but so much depends 

 upon luck and upon the manner in which the sheep act, that it is 

 not always the best dog that succeeds in winning the coveted prize." 



Amongst those in authority who believed that our modern 

 Collie is a degenerate as regards intelligence was the late 

 Mr. D. J. Thomson Gray. He said : " The craze for high-set 

 ears and extra long heads has given us not a Collie, but a long- 

 coated Greyhound, with all the latter's stupidity. Fanciers in 

 breeding for outward points have ignored intelligence, so that the 

 most intelligent dogs of the breed are found in those outside the 



