INTELLIGENCE OF SHEEP DOGS. 71 



benefit j the balance are generally destroyed. After the pups 

 are weaned, they never leave the particular drove among which 

 they have been reared. Not even the voice of their master can 

 entice them beyond sight of their flock j nor can hunger or 

 thu'st. 



A remarkable example of the intelligence of these dogs is 

 displayed when two flocks approach within a few yards of each 

 other y their respective protectors will place themselves in the 

 space between them, and as is very naturally the case, if any 

 adventurous sheep should endeavor to cross over to visit her 

 neighbors, her dog protector kmdly but firmly leads her back, 

 and as it sometities happens, it may make a rush and succeed 

 in joining the other flock, the dogs under whose charge they sere 

 go over and bring them all out, but strange to say, under such 

 circumstances they are never opposed Ijy the other dogs. They 

 approach the strange sheep only to prevent then* own from 

 leaving the flock, though they offer no assistance in expelling 

 the other sheep. But they never permit sheep not under canine 

 protection, nor dogs not in charge of sheep, to approach them. 

 Even the same dogs which are so freely permitted to enter 

 their flocks in search of their own are driven away with igno- 

 miny if they presume to approach them without that laudable 

 object in view. 



The English sheep dog, or drover's dog, is a tailless animal, 

 larger, coarser, and stronger than the colley. It is very easily 

 trained and is very well adapted for working among cattle, 

 keeping the herd from straggling when on the road or the 

 prairie, and acting as an aid to the farmer in the management of 

 his flocks and herds. One of this breed was used by an Ameri- 

 can farmer to drive home his cows. It was only necessary to 

 tell him it was time to bring the cows, and he would scour the 

 farm and bring them from all parts safely mto the yard. On the 

 prairies such dogs would be of great use. 



A careful, well tempered shepherd never allows his dog to 

 harass or worry the sheep. He walks his regular rounds quietly, 

 the dog folio wmg* at his heels, appearing to take no notice of 

 the sheep, and they almost unconscious of his presence. Should 

 anything occur in which the aid of the dog is needed, he is at 

 hand to perform the will of his master. If the sheep break 

 through a fence into forbidden ground, one word from the shep- 

 herd is enough, the dog drives them back without causing much 

 alarm. If a sheep breaks away from the flock, the dog is not 

 allowed to bite it ; he is taught to run befor.e it and bark, in 

 order to drive it back to its place. 



A dog which has been properly trained will be continually on 



