114 The Collie or Sheep Dog. 



dried-up water-course, behind a stone heap or at any 

 similar obstruction. 



The judges at such gatherings as these must be either 

 shepherds or farmers, some one actually and practically 

 acquainted with the work required of dogs, a duty for 

 which I need scarcely say the modern show judge is not 

 by any means fitted. Most of the latter have never attended 

 a collie trial meeting ; many of them have never seen a 

 sheep dog work, excepting so far as running after a carriage 

 is concerned, or chasing a rabbit or killing a rat, when they 

 have been specially trained for the purpose of such 

 illegitimate duties. 



Now, a word or two of the class, style, and character of 

 the dogs that perform best at these trials with sheep ; and 

 I need scarcely say that as a rule the modern winner in the 

 show-ring is not usually seen to advantage in such a posi- 

 tion, although at times good-looking dogs, and well-bred 

 ones, too, do creditable work. Mr. J. J. Steward, of Rugby, 

 a breeder of prize collies of considerable repute, has occa- 

 sionally successfully run dogs at some of the Welsh trials ; 

 his Smart by no means belying its name. Another of the 

 best Welsh dogs was Dr. Edwards's black and tan Toss, 

 who was very successful at many of the trials in the Princi- 

 pality possibly the best animal, locally, of his generation. 

 It was a great disappointment when Toss went into the 

 North of England to compete with the leading dogs there, 

 and quite failed to come up to the expectations formed of 

 him. The sheep were different from those he had been 

 accustomed to, whilst the air and general surroundings were 

 not Welsh enough for him. From corresponding causes 

 some of the best English dogs have not done well when com- 

 peting in Wales. This dog Toss was a strong black and tan, 



