THE DOG. 37 



URUGUAY. 



THE DOG. 



WHEN riding, it is a common thing to meet a large 

 flock of sheep guarded by one or two dogs, at the distance 

 of some miles from any house or man. I often wondered 

 how so firm a friendship had been established. The method 

 of education consists in separating the puppy, while very 

 young, from its mother, and in accustoming it to its future 

 companions. A ewe is held three or four times a day for 



SHEPHERD-DOG. 



the little thing to suck, and a nest of wool is made for it in 

 the sheep -pen; at no time is it allowed to associate with 

 other dogs, or with the children of the family. From this 

 education, it has no wish to leave the flock ; and just as an- 

 other dog will defend its master, man, so will these the sheep. 

 It is amusing to observe, when approaching a flock, how the 

 dog immediately advances barking, and the sheep all close 

 in his rear, as if round the oldest ram. These dogs are also 

 easily taught to bring home the flock at a certain hour 



