ENGLISH SHEEP-DOG. 121 



to describe him very exactly. He has a sharp muzzle, medium- 

 sized head, with small and piercing eyes ; a well-slmped body, 

 formed after the model of a strong low greyhound, but clothed in 

 thick and somewhat woolly hair, which is particularly strong about 

 the neck and bosom. The tail is naturally long and bushy, but, as 

 it has almost invariably been cut off until of late years, its 

 variations can hardly be known. Under the old excise laws the 

 shepherd's dog was only exempt from tax when without a tail, and 

 for this reason it was always removed ; from which at last it 

 happened that many j^uppics of the breed were born without any 

 tails, and to this day some particular breeds are tailless. In 

 almost all sheep-dogs there is a double dew-claw on each hind 

 leg, and very often without any bony attachment. The legs 

 and feet are strong and well formed, and stand road-work 

 well, and the untiring nature of the dog is very remarkable. 

 The colour varies greatly, but most are grey, or black, or brown, 

 with more or less white. 



Such is the true old English sheep-dog, but a great proportion 

 of those in actual use are crossed with the various sporting dogs, 

 such as the setter, which is very common, or the pointer, or even 

 the hound ; and hence we so often find the sheep-dog as good in 

 hunting game as in his more regular duties, while a great many 

 are used as regular poaching dogs by night, and in retired districts 

 by day also. 



