8o THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



have generally been in Devon, where at Exeter and other shows in the county we have seen 

 them in fair numbers, and in quality what we consider perfection. The animals are said to be 

 very intelligent, and everlasting workers ; but although picturesque, they appear slow, and 

 have not that bright knowing look that distinguishes the Collie. The colours are black and 

 white, or grizzle, with more or less of distinct white patches. It is, however, singular that 

 a very similar variety appears to be known in Scotland, where it also is sometimes termed the 

 " Rough-coated " Collie, from the shagginess of its jacket. In a letter which appeared in the 

 Live Stock Journal of Nov. I5th, 1878, Mr. Gordon James Phillips, of Glenlivet, described this 

 variety as follows : 



" The origin of the rough-coated Collie is more difficult to trace back to its native wilds than 

 any other dog that we know. It forms a small minority among shepherds' dogs, and it is 

 seldom, if ever, seen pure-bred in the north of Scotland. Nature, however, has given it marks 

 which cannot be effaced, which help to unravel the mystery which envelops its nativity. These 

 are its shaggy coat, the thickness of its skin, and the formation of its limbs. The thick skin 

 and the shaggy coat point unmistakably to its being the native of a cold climate ; while the 

 short powerful limbs point as powerfully to its being the native of a mountainous country. 

 Glancing for a moment at other animals that are natives of Scotland, and marking the resem- 

 blance between them and the rough-coated Collie, we are inclined to think that it also is Scotch. 

 Take, for example, Highland cattle and Highland horses. They have the rough coat, the short 

 thick limbs, and the thick skin, and in their own characters the same amount of endurance. 

 The only plausible argument against the Collie being Scotch is its scarcity in Scotland. This 

 may be accounted for, however, when we take into consideration the fact that the black-and-tan 

 Collie is better adapted than the rough-coated Collie for the ordinary work about small farms, 

 such as driving in and out cattle, sitting beside a few sheep, and so on. It is also more easily 

 trained for work of this sort. This would naturally make the black-and-tan Collie a greater 

 favourite with farmers than its rough-coated neighbour. Within the last few years, however, 

 sheep have become more valuable, and the rough-coated Collie has again become fashionable, 

 shepherds preferring it for its endurance of cold and fatigue, and its ability as a driver. Shep- 

 herds also affirm that for sheep it is, on the whole, the best dog. 



"The animal itself is about the size of an ordinary Collie, but a good deal deeper chested. 

 As already mentioned, it is thicker in the skin ; it is also flatter in the forehead. Altogether, 

 the head would be somewhat repulsive looking, if it were not relieved by the beautiful dark- 

 brown eyes. Its greatest peculiarity in form is in the tail, which is simply a stump, generally 

 from six to nine inches in length. That the animal is of Scotch origin, owing to its resemblance 

 to other Scotch animals, is apparent, if we compare it with the Scotch Terrier, which it resembles 

 very much in colour a dark grey. At all events, the black-and-tan Collie, now common 

 throughout Scotland, would be much more at home in the southern part of the island than in 

 the north. It cannot endure the same amount of cold. In winter it has a great inclination to 

 get near the fire, and is generally shivering, whereas the rough-coated Collie seldom draws to 

 the fire, but seems to be at home among the drift and snow. It is finely adapted for hill climbing, 

 owing to the strength of its limbs and the depth of its chest. Shepherds have an idea, which, 

 on the whole, is not a bad one, that it was intended by nature to be specially a sheep-dog, owing 

 to its short tail, which does not let it turn so swiftly as it would otherwise do, if gifted with 

 the long tail of its brother Collie. To understand this it is necessary to know that when 

 shepherds send a dog to hunt sheep they desire it to take a wide circle round, not to dash in 



