SHEEP HUSBA^DRY. 



603 



ble lineage. The temper and disposition of Llie two species, too, seems to 

 me to be essentially different. 



Mr. Trimmer, and various other foreign writers, speak in warm terms 

 of the value of the Spanish sheep-dog, for guarding the migratory flocks 

 of that country from the attacks of wolves — staying behind to protect fee- 

 ble and lagging sheep, &c. In the Memoirs of the Pennsylvania Acrricul- 

 tural Society, there is a communication from the well-known John Hare 

 Powell, Esq., of Philadelphia, from which the following are extracts : — 



" The first importations of Merino sheep were accompanied by some of the large ami 

 powerful dogs of Spain, possessing all tlie valuable diaracteristics of the English shepherd's 



dog, wilh sagacity, fidelity and strengtli peculiar to themselves Their ferocity, when 



aroused by any intruder, their attachment to their own flock, and devotion to their master, 

 would, in the uncultivated parts of America, make them an acquisition of infinite value, by 

 affording a defence against wolves, which they readily kill, and vagrant cur dogs, by which 

 our flocks are often destroyed. The force of their instinctive attachment to sheep, and their 

 resolution in attacking every dog which passes near to their charge, have beea forcibly 

 evinced upon my farm." 



Fig, 71. 



AKROIiANTE — A SPANISH SHKEP-DOG. 



Arrogante, whose portrait is above given with admirable fidelity, was 

 imported from Spain wilh a flock of Merinos, a number of years since, by 

 a gentleman residing near Bristol, England. His subsequent owner, 

 Francis Rotch, Esq., of this State, thus describes him in a letter to me, 

 which, though not intended for publication, I will venture to make a few 

 extracts from : 



" I have, as you desired, made you a sketch of the Spanish sheep-dog Arrogante, and a 

 villainous looking rascal he is. A worse countenance I hardly ever saw on a dog ! Hi.s 

 small blood-shot eyes, set clo.se together, give him that sinister, wolfish look, which is most 

 nnattractivo ; but his countenance is indicative of his character. There was nothing afloc- 

 tionate or joyous about him. He never forgave an injury or an insult: offend him. and it 

 was for life. 1 have often been struck with his resemblance to his nation. He was proud 

 and reserved in the extreme, but not quarrelsome. Eveiy little cur would fly out at him, 

 as at some strange animal; and I have seen them fasten for a moment on his heavy, bushy tail, 

 and yet he would stride on, never breaking his long, ' loping,' shambling trot. Once I saw him 

 (1123) 



