SHEEP-WORRYING DOGS. 331 



ability of Welsh ewes appears to be due to the fact that they 

 are wilder, and consequently more resourceful than their 

 English sisters. Besides, the ewes of some Welsh breeds 

 are furnished with horns. Experienced farmers, in whose 

 testimony I have the fullest confidence, consider that 

 lambs are not safe from foxes until they are at least 

 a month old. It is true that evil-minded dogs will kill 

 lambs, but such animals will rarely be content with one or 

 even two lambs, if they have the chance of slaying more, and 

 will also worry grown-up lambs and sheep, and will thus betray 

 themselves. A fox may kill a lamb because he is hungry, or 

 a vixen to obtain food for her cubs ; but will not, like a well- 

 fed dog, kill out of pure love of mischief. When, however, a 

 dog takes to this criminal habit, he will soon make his vice 

 known by his uncontrolled indulgence in it. Sheep dogs are 

 much more inclined than other breeds to fall into the evil 

 habit of worrying sheep ; because they are trained to follow, 

 head, and drive sheep, and are often taught to bite the hind 

 legs of these animals by mischievous boys who take a delight 

 in this mi'nor form of sheep-worrying. Unfortunately, it is 

 generally the case, that the best and keenest sheep dogs are 

 those which are most liable to contract this vice. Some 

 shepherds make a practice of giving dead lambs as food 

 to their dogs, which consequently become apt to help them- 

 selves when this supply runs short. Leaving dead lambs 

 in a field, as is often done, is of course an encouragement to 

 foxes and dogs to kill live ones. If a dead lamb has to be 

 left in the open, the precaution of removing the skin should 

 always be taken. Sheep-worrying dogs are so troublesome 

 in some parts of Ireland that farmers are unable to breed 

 sheep as their lambs are invariably killed and eaten by the 

 famishing dogs owned by the peasantry. 



Respecting the curing of the vice, in dogs, of killing lambs 

 or poultry, Air. Head, mine host of the Harborough Hotel, 



