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Account of Montague, a shepherd's dog^ by Mr. F. 

 JBaudui/, of Delaware, 



Read February, 1814. 



Dear Sir, 



I received your letter of the 27th inst. it was the 

 first knowledge I had of the information you request- 

 ed, respecting the dogs imported from Spain. I think 

 that too much cannot be said, to encourage their pro- 

 pagation throughout the United States. Therefore I 

 recommend the subject to your able pen. 



We have heretofore laboured under very great dis- 

 advantages with regard to our flocks ; I am at a loss to 

 know, whether the destruction of sheep by dogs in 

 this country does not exceed that by wolves in Europe. 

 The imported dog from Spain is a very great security 

 to our flocks. 



I will not undertake to determine from what breed 

 he springs. Buffon thinks that the shepherd dog is 

 the root of all the canine race. The dog you enquire 

 after is three times as large as the shepherd's dog de- 

 scribed by BufFon; but is endowed with the same 

 good qualities ; immense strength, great mildness in 

 his usual deportment, though ferocious towards other 

 dogs. I can say, without exaggeration, that at least 20 

 dogs have been killed in my barn-yard or on my farm 

 by him ; but this good quality is like all things in this 

 world attended with an evil; for I find that Montague 

 has as many enemies as I have neighbours. My 

 fellow citizens have no objection to their dogs destroy- 

 ing my sheep, but a very great one to see my dog kill 



