A Good Character. 147 



as to the behaviour when in the ring of both exhibitors 

 and officials. In no case is it "good form" to smoke 

 either pipe, cigar, or cigarette, any more than it is for one 

 exhibitor to try to display the good points of his dog to the 

 disadvantage of an opponent. A quarrelsome, fighting 

 animal is quite out of place here. Such a one never looks 

 well, a judge cannot observe its excellences when in a 

 state of excitement, and ill temper and pugnacity are quite 

 out of place in any collie, either in the show or at the sheep 

 fold. Moreover, an excitable dog will set others off in a 

 similar line, or maybe cow the shy ones, making them drop 

 their ears and appear as sheepish as the flocks they are 

 supposed to guard and drive. I know that many judges 

 look with suspicion upon that man who enters the ring 

 with a stick in one hand, the chain of his dog in the other. 

 Why will be obvious from what has already been written. 

 Here is a little experience : Some ten years ago I was 

 judging the collies of a certain show, and having weeded 

 out the inferior specimens, was puzzling as to three or four 

 others for the first prize. The owner of one carried a cane. 

 " Will you kindly discard the stick ? " said I. " Certainly/-' 

 was the reply. " Walk your dog across the ring, please/' 

 Up went the tail, curved right into the back, and the com- 

 petition ended by that dog failing to take the chief prize 

 Two years later I saw the same animal ; then he could not 

 raise his stern on a level with his loins, but he was winning 

 first prizes and became a champion in due course. Need I 

 suggest the tail had been operated upon. 



Whether the introduction and popularisation of dog 

 shows have benefited the collie I will leave my readers to 

 surmise ; that they have increased his value is beyond 

 doubt. Few will deny that his disposition has been improved 



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