Book VII. 



DOGS. 



1079 



7393. The shepherd's dog, in an agricultural point of view, ranks foremost among the numerous varie- 

 ties ; indeed, the fanciful Buffon makes him the father of the whole race of dogs. But did no other di/R- 

 culty arise, an insuperable one would be found in the opposite characters which different breeds of this 

 dog possess. Few animals can be more unlike than the small sheep-dog of the Highlands of Scotland and 

 the monstrous drover's dog of Smith field. 



7' 94. The English sheep-dog {fig. 917.) is usually larger than the northern, is longer on the legs, and 

 has been so long accustomed to have the tail taken ofF nearly dose to the rump, that in some instances 

 917 the custom has operated on nature ; and these dogs are sometimes pupped 



tailless. The shepherd's dog is not, however, usually bred so large as the 

 real cattle or drover's dog ; but is yet sufficiently strong and fierce. Their 

 colour is in general black and white, with half-pricked ears : they are ex- 

 tremely docile and intelligent, and seem almost to understand the looks of 

 the shepherd. Some of them are smooth-coated ; but by far the greater 

 number are rough, and have their hair crisped, which enables them better 

 to bear the effects of continued exposure. The dog very erroneously de- 

 scribed by minor naturalists as the cur dog is nothing more than the shep- 

 herd's dog, confined principally to the operations of the farm ; and often 

 bred taller, and either smooth or rough, according to circumstances. The 

 very term cur destroys all individuality of breed ; it being applied to characterise any dog of spurious 

 origin : neither in these farm-yard dogs is any characteristic difference whatever observed in forms, 

 qualities, or uses. "When the sheep-dog is generally employed in watching the farm-yard, he becomes 

 more fierce and active ; he accommodates his powers to the particular circumstances required of him; he 

 knows every field, and every beast, and keeps the whole in subjection. His bite is keen, and principally 

 directed at the heels of cattle, by which he keeps himself safe, and does not injure them. 



7395 The sheep-dogs of Scotland are varied in form and size (Jigs. 918. and 919 ), but are all of them 

 usually smaller tnan those in use in England : they are, nevertheless, without competitors in sagacity and 

 91y excellence. Their general characters are, ears partially upright, head 



rather pointed, shaggy coat, and a remarkable villosity or fulness of tail 

 beneath. Immense flocks of sheep may be 91 9 



seen ranging the wilds, without other con- 

 trol save the shepherd and his dog, which 

 receives his commands, executes them, and 

 then waits for further instructions : or he 

 often acts with great judgment and prompti- 

 tude fiom the impulses of his own sagacity, 

 in which, perhaps, these dogs never shine 

 more than in their readiness to distinguish 

 the individuals of their own flocks, and their adroitness in keeping out intruders. In driving a number 

 of sheep to anv distance, a well trained dog never fails to confine the sheep to the road : he watches every 

 avenues that "leatis from it, where he takes his stand, threatening every delinquent; and pursues the 

 stragglers, forcing them into the ranks without doing them any injury. If the herdsman be at any time 

 absent, he rests satisfied, knowing his dog vvill not abandon his charge, but will keep them together; and 

 tlxe moment he returns, the sagacious animal gives up his trust, or conducts them to his master, according 

 to the word or signal given. 

 739a The mastiff' or guard [fig. 920.) is a noble animal, derived from the Dane; but by selection and 

 ,//-"-, cultivation is rendered thicker and heavier, though less tall than his 



//^"A 920 r~'^"vf~A original. The powers of this dog are immense ; and as a guard he is 



ll y j^f^^^m unrivalled; having the ferocity of a tiger to a stranger, with the gen- 



* I ^^^lyr-^ tleness of a lamb towards those he knows. His sagacity in detecting 



the attempts of robbers, and his fidelity in resisting all their bribes, 

 are such, that it is to be lamented his breed has given place to 

 that of the Newfoundland dog, whose qualities as a guard are cer- 

 tainly not equal to his. The mastiff is characterised by small pen- 

 dulous ears, smooth coat, colour various, often reddish or brindled. 

 The lips are pendulous, jaws of immense strength, but seldom under- 

 hung; and his general form is symmetrical for strength. 



7397. The bull-dog can no otherwise be considered as connected 

 with agriculture, than as he is too often used in the disgraceful and 

 inhuman sport of bull-baiting : and however we may admire his in- 

 vincible fortitude, and his contempt of pain and danger, we must 

 allow him to be the most useless among the dog species. In his attack on cattle he always aims at the 

 front, and generally fastens on the upper lip, where he will hang in spite of every eflfbrt of the animal to 

 disengage himself. 



73<'8. The terrier {fig. 921.) is a dog of very great utility, and of very varied form and size. His qualities 

 have gained him the greatest care in selection, training, and continuing the numerous distinct breeds we 

 901 witness. The principal varieties may be reduced into the rough and the 



smooth breeds. The rough breed is originally derived from Scotland, 

 where it is still preserved in a few families in its original purity. These 

 specimens are seldom large, but are exceedingly rough and shaggy in their 

 hair, which is much crisped and brindled. The rough breed in England 

 has become larger, and is very often seen white. When mixed with the 

 bull breed, this terrier becomes fierce, much inclined to combat, and forms 

 an excellent guard. The smooth breed produces endless varieties; the 

 principal of which is an elegant black animal with tan markings. A 

 second variety is of varied colours, smaller, thicker, and longer ; and is 

 used for earthing foxes, badger-baiting, and vermin killing in general. 

 For rabbit hunting, a wry-legged breed is in considerable request. Although particular varieties are 

 often appropriated to particular purposes, yet all have a common property which renders them invaluaMe 

 to the agriculturist; which is tiieir determined hostility to those animals termed vermin, as foxes, otters, 

 badgers, polecats ; with rats and mice. To attack the former, they are bred strong, and have a portion of 

 the bull breed in them : for the latter, their hardihood, activity, and keenness of gripe are particularly 

 studied, in which the middle-sized breeds are frequently found to excel. 



7399. The pointer, setter, and spaniel {fig. 922.) it might seem at the first view unnecessary ^o intro- 

 duce to the notice of the agriculturist ; but a little examination of the subject will show that they may be 

 made an object of considerable importance to the farmer. Few dogs command such prices as sporting 

 dogs ; and few persons have such opportunities of rearing them so cheaply, or so well, as farmers. Many 

 farmers shoot game; most of them do it more or less : and it would be very easy to make two brace of 

 pointers or setters, with one or two brace of spaniels, pay a considerable part of the rent of the farm, with- 

 out other expense than skim-milk and potatoes, or occasionally a little barley meal. "We will suppose 

 that a farm has on it three pointer bitches, and one pointer dog, all of acknowledged excellence, and two 

 out or the three bitches may be expected to go to heat early, and to produce progeny between the seasons 

 of shooting, when they are wanted : from these, four brace of puppies may be saved, and by continually 

 following the servants and their master, they will become so handy, that their breaking may be cflbcted 



3 Z 4 



