THE CHIEF BREEDS OF DOGS 195 



account of its exceptional intelligence, its gentle 

 disposition, and its unequaled faithfulness. Who 

 among you does not know the barbet with its big 

 round head, full of good will, its large drooping ears, 

 short legs, squat body, long, fine and curly hair, al- 

 most like wool, which has given it the name of sheep 

 dog? When half-shorn, as it is in the summer, it is 

 still more comely. The hind quarters are naked and 

 show the rosy skin ; the fore part of the body is cov- 

 ered with a thick mane as white as cotton wool. A 

 coquettish tuft finishes off the tail, elegant ruffles 

 adorn the legs, the muzzle bears a mustache and 

 small beard, which latter perhaps accounts for its 

 name of barbet. 



" Sheep let us call it thus, as it is generally called 

 Sheep is a past master in accomplishments. He 

 plays dead, offers the paw, jumps over an extended 

 cane, stands up with a piece of sugar on his nose, and 

 goes through his drill with a gun and with a paper 

 cap set swaggeringly over one ear. But those are 

 the least of his talents. Sheep is the clever one of 

 the family. With careful education it is possible 

 to cram this dog's excellent noddle with the most 

 astonishing things. I have known some, my chil- 

 dren, that could tell the time by their master's watch 

 without a mistake." 



"They could tell the time!" cried Jules incredu- 

 lously. "You are jesting, Uncle." 



' ' No, my friend, I am not jesting. The watch was 

 shown to the dog, who looked at it attentively, 

 seemed to make a calculation in his mind, then 



