Messenger Dogs in the Field 91 



Macleod's statement, was a pure-bred tri-coloured collie, 

 of the show type, and carrying a splendid coat, and with 

 a long narrow head. He was a curious character, rather 

 self-centred, and fond of taking his time on the journey, 

 but imbued with a strong understanding always, of the 

 absolute necessity of making his way homewards. In 

 this connection I may here remark, that it is instructive 

 and interesting to watch the growing of conscience — the 

 sense of right and wrong — in the dog while under training. 

 As the idea of duty becomes implanted in its mind, the 

 uneasiness at stopping at any point en route, becomes 

 gradually more marked. A promising dog that is begin- 

 ning to understand the high responsibility that is placed 

 upon it, even if it is tempted to linger, will generally make 

 good, by increasing its pace when starting again. It is 

 amusing to come across two or three dogs, at a point 

 some distance from home, and watch them unobserved. 

 They are going back with their messages, and are keeping 

 up a steady lop, generally led by the best dog. Suddenly, 

 something will attract one of them, and they may even all 

 stop for a minute. The dog that knows its work best, how- 

 ever, will not long tolerate delay, and it soon trots off, and 

 now sets the pace at a fast gallop, which the others are 

 bound to follow. 



While it is of course better that each dog should make 

 its journey alone, it is impossible, while under training, 

 and when sometimes fifty or sixty dogs are out in various 

 directions, to keep them entirely separate, when they are 

 released to bring their messages home. But in the long 

 run it is a point of not much importance, as even if a 

 promising dog may be momentarily detracted from the 

 path of complete obedience, by one less trained or less 

 conscientious, he himself will sooner or later come to see 



