BUFFON S HYPOTHESIS. 



THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 



IN the accompanying 1 Plate, the Artist has done eminent justice to his subject, 

 that ancient species of the Canine genus , the SHEEP-DOG. The soft, mild, and in- 

 offensive countenance, indicative of true breed in this species, together with the 

 lopped ear, small nose, and prominent under-jaw, are admirably pourtrayed. As 

 much may be said for the figure of the animal as a whole, that wolfish appearance 

 and gait, and peculiar position of the advanced foreleg. It is a portrait from 

 the life, but we are unacquainted with the original. It brings to our recollection, 

 from similarity of figure and countenance, a valuable sheep-dog called Shepherd, 

 which we saw some years since, at the late Sir Lawrence Path's, at Haldon, 

 Devon. 



This is the species which Buffon selected as the foundation of his hypothesis, and 

 which he assumed to be the archetype of the canine genus, the Adam of Dogs, from 

 which every Species and Variety has descended. Other speculators have supposed 

 the Sheep-dog derived from the Wolf, a conjecture in all probability, founded 011 

 appearance merely, and indeed not of the most fortunate kind, the very opposite 

 dispositions of the two animals considered ; that the Shepherd's-dog is the most 

 ancient race of the genus, is well ascertained from History, and at the same time, 

 the most universal ; the Shepherds of all nations of the old World, having been 

 provided with dogs of similar species and qualification with those we now describe. 



If we may give credit to the position which seems to have passed current through 

 a number of books, this dog, like certain Ministers of State and Generals, is a 

 heaven-born genius, coming into this world fully qualified by nature for his busi- 

 ness, and requiring no training whatever, like other animals. Granting it be the 

 case in this country, we scarcely believe that such an opinion can be received upon 

 the Continent, where the duty of a Shepherd's Dog is so laborious, severe, and 

 complicated. The truth we apprehend to be, that, this race has a strong natural 

 instinct or predisposition to keeping, or watching and preserving any thing that 

 comes under its observation, which joined with its patience, mildness, and gentle- 

 ness of disposition, indicated to the enquiring faculties of man, their use as keepers 

 of sheep. Their sagacity, docility, and powerful attachment to home and to their 

 master and protector, aided by their grand natural propensity, render the teaching 

 them their duty an easy and pleasant task, that which' with other breeds of dogs, is 

 generally so laborious, and attended with such disgusting severity. The young 

 sheep dogs, in truth, will generally be entered and instructed by their elders, with 



