LEARNED DOGS ANECDOTES. HI 



THE WATER DOG. 



The annexed Plate presents the truest possible representation of the original 

 WATER DOG of the opposite Continent, long since adopted in this Country ; in 

 some of the maritime districts still preserved in a state of purity, but the breed 

 more generally intermixed with the Water Spaniel and Newfoundland Dog. The 

 size of this Variety is between the Spaniel and Pointer. The original and preva- 

 lent colour upon the Continent, is black, with crispid and curly hair, black nose, 

 white face, long black ears, the head and ears covered with black curly hair, the 

 feet and lower parts of the legs, white. It is a dog of considerable strength and 

 courage, indicating some cross in his composition alien to the Spaniel. Without 

 the softness of the Spaniel, this breed however retains a great share of his native 

 and peculiar properties, having equal sagacity of nose, superior activity and power, 

 and aptitude to learn those manoeuvres and tricks, which render the dog either 

 useful or amusing to man. Many of the learned dogs are of this race, and the 

 mode in which they receive their knowledg-e seems inscrutible, unless on the sup- 

 position that they have a very general understanding of the language in which they 

 are taught, and even such understanding granted, the feats they perform are almost 

 miraculous. Doubtless the olfactory nerves are powerful allies to the brain of these 

 animals, which the following example seems to evince. A French Gentleman, 

 proprietor of one of these dogs, took from his pocket a small coin, spat upon it, and 

 warned the dog to take notice. In about twenty minutes, the coin was given to 

 another Gentleman in the same room, but not within view of the dog. The Gen- 

 tleman departed with the coin in his pocket, and walked about three miles, to the 

 house of a friend, where much company, both lacjies and gentlemen, were assembled. 

 In about an hour thereafter, the owner of the dog ordered him to go seek the money. 

 The dog, although a total stranger to both the road, and the house, whither the 

 Gentleman, having the money about him, was gone, dragged him thither, and 

 being admitted, went instantly up to and jumped upon him, in spite of all exer- 

 tions to prevent him, still without offering any injury, and having by dint of 

 perseverance obtained the coin, he returned and met his Master on the way, to 

 whom he rendered it up, with as much apparent joy and exultation, as though he 

 had thereby secured the greatest benefit to himself. 



The Dog of which the above story is related, was in consequence purchased by a 

 British Officer, returning with his laurelled wounds from Waterloo, one of the 

 company and a spectator of this extraordiary feat. Many however, were related 



