Welsh and North Country Trials. 103 



collie dog in its proper role, and so far allow the farmer 

 to have another iron in the fire likely to assist him in 

 replenishing well-nigh exhausted coffers after a bad season, 

 besides giving to the well-trained guardian of his flocks, 

 at any rate, a value quite equal to that realised by a 

 similar animal whose only recommendation lies in its 

 handsome face and showily shaggy jacket. 



The earliest trials of dogs with sheep took place in 

 Wales, and have been continued in the principality ever 

 since, where, perhaps, they enjoy greater popularity than 

 elsewhere. Similar meetings are held in the north of 

 England, and for eleven years great gatherings have taken 

 place in various localities in the counties of Westmoreland, 

 Cumberland, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, under the auspices 

 of the North-Western Counties Sheep Dog Trials Associa- 

 tion, established in 1878. Mr. F. Punchard, Kirkby Lons- 

 dale, is the secretary, and Lady Bective has proved a great 

 supporter of the association, on most occasions personally 

 presenting the prizes. The principal Welsh meeting is 

 that of the Llangollen sheep dog trials, of which Her 

 Majesty the Queen is gracious patroness, and Captain Best, 

 Vivod, Llangollen, the secretary and moving spirit. To the 

 latter in a great measure is due the success this meeting 

 has attained. 



Last year, in 1889, on the visit of Her Majesty to 

 Wales, Capt. Best had the honour of arranging sundry 

 trials in which the best dogs in the Principality and 

 from Lancashire were brought to show their skill in 

 presence of the Royal party. Some excellent displays 

 resulted; Her Majesty expressed great gratification with 

 the work performed, and was pleased to compliment the 

 shepherds on the possession of such sagacious collies, a 



