Mr. BisseWs Collies. 53 



keep a correct chronological order, so continuing with 

 modern times the successful epoch of Mr. James Bissell is 

 reached. I suppose from 1878 to about 1884 Mr. Bissell 

 had almost his own way in the matter of collies, for by 

 judicious mating and careful breeding he obtained a strain, 

 the best specimens of which were at that time quite 

 invincible. A sable dog called Wolf, another son of 

 Cockie's, from Lorna, by Tartan Maud, was his first great 

 success, and with him he won at Birmingham in 1879, 

 also securing chief honours in the bitch class with Flirt, and 

 the champion prize with another bitch called Lorna. All 

 these were good animals, but in the open dog class was a 

 puppy shown, and he got V.H.C., that was destined to 

 make a great name in the canine world and attain chief 

 honours at Curzon Hall for five years in succession. This 

 was the well-known Charlemagne, considered by many 

 good judges to be the best collie of all times; I considered 

 him inferior to Cockie, though no doubt the handsomer 

 animal of the two more of the drawing-room dog in fact. 



Charlemagne is a clear sable and white in colour, with 

 beautifully placed and exquisitely-carried ears ; his coat 

 is profuse, close, and of prime texture ; his bone is 

 good, his fore legs and feet of the best; he might with 

 advantage have more powerful loins, and he is rather 

 cow-hocked, a defect that increasing years intensified. 

 His expression, docile and amiable, is a little lacking fire, 

 but as bright and intellectual as Nature could produce on 

 any dog. He was, however, a dog of a generation, and from 

 1880 to 1884 inclusive, during the Birmingham show week, 

 Mr. BisselPs favourite might have been seen holding quite 

 a levee and behaving himself well under the circumstances. 

 This dog lasted well because he was not overshown, and 



