56 THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEP DOG 



an ambition which has my heartiest sympathy should 

 make it his study to note the peculiarities of each 

 individual animal under his charge. This study is a 

 fascinating one, well worthy all the care and trouble he 

 can devote to it. To develop a shy feeder into a dog 

 of healthy appetite is an achievement of which he may 

 well be proud. And this is one of the details to the 

 observance of which may be attributed the wonderful 

 success of many lady breeders. 



To digress for a moment, I may here record my 

 personal conviction that the average man is, broadly 

 speaking, a far better judge than the average woman of 

 the essentially desirable characteristics of dog and bitch 

 for the purposes of breeding ; that he more often possesses 

 the instinct for judicious selection, and that he is less 

 impulsive, and consequently more reliable, in forecasting 

 the probable results of an apparently desirable union. 

 It is doubtless a mere matter of temperament, and the 

 few brilliant exceptions serve to prove the rule. 



But in the details of judicious feeding and upbringing, 

 from puppyhood to adolescence, the average woman 

 easily excels him. She is quicker to note the peculiari- 

 ties of individuals, she is more patient in ministering 

 o their requirements, and she possesses that kindly 

 instinct which takes real pleasure in helping on the 

 weakling and the laggard. The invalid at once enlists 

 his mistress's sympathy, and if unremitting care and 

 nursing will serve to pull him through, he is in safe hands. 



