THE CHIEF BREEDS OF DOGS 191 



most inviting greensward appears. The dog re- 

 doubles its activity. Let us go to the left. Well 

 and good; everything is in proper train. Now to 

 the right. Ha, you down there ! Will you please go 

 on without stopping to crop the young grass? That 

 is well. Now to the rear. W r hat is that loiterer do- 

 ing there! Back to the flock, quick, dawdler! Per- 

 haps something new has happened on the left ; let us 

 go and see. And without a moment 's relaxation the 

 indefatigable dog goes first to one side, then to the 

 other, then to the rear of the flock to hurry up the 

 laggards and keep the intractable ones in the right 

 path. If some, more headstrong, turn a deaf ear 

 to his advice and scatter, he is after them in a mo- 

 ment, bringing them back by buffeting their shins 

 with his muzzle. ' ' 



"And by giving them a taste of his teeth too?" 

 asked Jules. 



"No, my friend; a well-trained shepherd dog does 

 not use his teeth, which would wound the animal; a 

 threat must suffice to bring his sheep to order. To 

 teach him this moderation, it is necessary to take him 

 quite young and exercise a great deal of persever- 

 ance, with caresses, dainties, and, if need be, punish- 

 ment; above all, he must be brought up in the com- 

 pany of a comrade already very expert in the busi- 

 ness, since example is the best of teachers. The first 

 time he is sent after the sheep he is closely watched, 

 and if he shows a disposition to bite he is severely 

 corrected. The best shepherd dogs come to us from 

 Brie, a part of old Champagne. From this country 



