CHARACTER OF THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 97 



had nothing to do, but ready to fulfil any service at a 

 moment's notice. If sheep are to be gathered for the 

 purpose of sorting, or catching some, the shepherd 

 gathers them at a corner which they can reach with the 

 least trouble, sending his dog to right and left to cause 

 the sheep to march quietly to the spot. After they are 

 gathered, he makes the dog understand that it is his 

 duty to prevent any of the sheep breaking away ; but if 

 one does escape, and has to be turned, he does not allow 

 the dog to bite it, but only to bark and give a bound at 

 its head. A temperate shepherd only lets his dog work 

 when his services are actually required : he fulfils his 

 own duties faithfully, aud only receives help from his 

 dog when the matter cannot be so well done by himself. 

 The dog, on his part, when properly trained, becomes 

 very sagacious : he will visit every part of a field where 

 sheep are most apt to stray, and where they are most iii 

 danger, such as a weak part of the fence, a deep ditch, 

 or a hollow, where sheep may possibly fall, and be 

 unable to rise. When the dog finds a sheep in this con- 

 dition, he helps to raise it by seizing the wool on one 

 side, and pulling the animal over upon its feet. Ex- 

 perienced dogs well know When foxes are abroad, and 

 show the greatest uneasiness when they come near the 

 lambing-fold. They also hear the footsteps of strange 

 persons at night at a great distance, and though showing 

 evident signs of displeasure, they have too much sagacity 

 to bark or growl, and thus to betray their own presence 

 too soon. The Shepherd's dog is so incorruptible, that 

 he cannot be bribed, nor will he suffer even a known 

 friend to touch him when entrusted with any piece of 

 duty. As a puppy, the shepherd's dog has a natural 

 tendency to work the sheep, but he improves, and learns 

 to check his ardent temper when trained with an old 

 dog. He watches the sober and temperate conduct of 

 his companion, and after a time learns to imitate it. A 

 well-trained shepherd's dog is indeed a most valuable 

 animal, and well worthy the regard and estimation in 

 H 



