18 The Collie or Sheep Dog. 



in the lake district of the north of England, exhibited a 

 very handsome dog called Rap, and with him took several 

 prizes at the north country shows in those days. Now Rap, 

 though a thorough sheepdog in expression and form, in his 

 fawn colour, shape of head, ears, and texture of coat showed 

 a most remarkable resemblance to a deerhound. About 

 the same time and earlier dogs somewhat resembling this 

 one were occasionally met with in the north, and they most 

 certainly contained the cross I suggest. It appears to have 

 died out now, or become amalgamated to such an extent as 

 to be imperceptible in the modern productions. I wrote 

 inquiring from Mr. Rigg as to the pedigree of his favourite, 

 and alas ! it had none. It was purchased by its owner from 

 a cattle dealer at Kendal fair, from whence it was taken to 

 its new quarters eight miles away by rail. Next day Rap 

 was missing, and was found to have gone home to Bentham 

 in Yorkshire, some thirty miles distance, at the earliest 

 opportunity. The road was unknown to the dog, but on 

 being taken back to Windermere, and being kindly treated 

 there, he never repeated the journey. 



As I said the pedigree could not be traced, Rap looked 

 half deerhound, and Mr. Rigg himself said he always 

 thought his favourite contained some a staghound " (deer- 

 hound) blood. The sagacity of this dog could not be 

 surpassed, his late owner has been on the look-out for 

 his equal ever since ; and need I say the search has been 

 unsuccessful. In case any of our modern admirers of the 

 collie be desirous of obtaining a distinct cross, I would 

 suggest the trial of deerhound blood in preference to that 

 of the setter. With the former they would, at any rate, 

 not lose that "long, lean head" so much fancied by a 

 section of breeders. Possibly an improved coat could be 



