SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 285 



fcwnes accustomed to their sight, she is allowed to run in a small enclosure witli them until 

 •he becomes so perfectly familiar with their appearance as to take the entire charge ol 

 tliem. After this they are folded with the whole flocl? for a fortnight or so, they then run 

 about during the day with the flock, whic h after a while becomes so accustomed to them, »9 

 to be able to distinguish them from other dogs — even from those ot the same litter which 

 have not been nursed among them. The shepherds usually allow the slut to keep one o\ 

 a litter for her own particular benefit ; tlie 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 the ttock; 

 neither hmiger or thirst can do it. I have been credibly informed of an instance where a 

 single dog having charge of a small flock of sheep, was allowed to wander with them abcat 

 the "mountains, while the shepherd returned to his village for a few days, hax-ing perfe-cl 

 confidence in the ability of his dog to look after the flock during his absence, but with a 

 strange want of foresight as to the provision of the dog for his Ibod. Upon his return to the 

 flock^he found it several miles from where left, but on the road leading to the village, and 

 the poor faithful animal in the agonies of death, dying of starvation, even in the midst of 

 plenty; yet the flock had not been harmed by him. A reciprocal affection exists between 

 them which may put to blush many of the human family. The poor dog recognized 

 them only as brothers and dearly loved friends; he was ready at all times to lay down 

 his life for them; to attack not only wolves and mountain cats, with the confidence of vic- 

 tory, but even the bear, when there could be no hope. 01 late years, when the shepherds 

 of New Mexico have suffered so much from Indian marauders, instances have frequently 

 occurred where the dog has not hesitated to attack his human foes, and although transfix- 

 ed with arrows, his indomitable courage and faithfulness have been such as to compel his 

 assailants to pin him to the earth with spears, and hold him there until dispatched with 

 Btones. 



In the above instance the starving dog could have helped himself to one of his little hm 

 'her lambs, or cordd have deserted the sheep, and very soon have reached the settlements 

 where there was fi)od for him. But faithfiil even unto death, he would neither leave nor 

 molest them, but follow ed the promptings of his instinct Uj lead into the settlement ; their 

 unconsciousness of his wants and slow motions in traveling were too much lor his exhaust- 

 ing strength. 



These shepherds are very nomadir in character. They are constantly moving about 

 rheir camp equipage consisting merely of a kettle and a bag of meal ; their lodges are made 

 in a few miiuites, of branches, &c., thrown against cross-sticks. They very seldom go out 

 in the dny-time with their flocks, intrusting th m entirely with their dogs, which faithfully 

 return them at night, never permitting any stragglers behind or lost. Sometimes differtnt 

 flocks art brouglit into the same neighborhood owing to scaicity of grass, when the wonder- 

 ful ulstincts of the shepherds' dogs are most beautifully displayed; and to my asto'iishmeut, 

 who have been an eye-witness of .>iuch -cenes, if two flocks approach within a few yards of 

 each other, their respe'-tive propiietnrs will place themselves in the S[)ace between them, 

 and as is very naturaliy the case, if any adventurous sheej) should endeavor to cross over to 

 visit her neighbors, her dog protector kindly but firmly leads her back and it sometimes 

 liappens, if many make a rush and succeed in joining the other flock, the dogs under whose 

 charge they are, go over and bring them all out, but, strange to say, under such circumstances 

 :hey are never opposed by the other dogs. They approach the strange sheep only to prevent 

 Iheir own from leaving the flock, thougn they offer no assistance in expelling the other sheep 

 But they never permit slieep not under canine prf)tection, 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 diiven away with ignominy if they presume to approach them 

 vvithoit that laudable object in view. 



Mm ly anecdotes could be related of the wonderful instinct of these dogs. I very mtich 

 doubt if there are shepherd dogs in any other part of the world except Spain, equal to those 

 of N(rv-Mexico in value. The famed Scotch and English dogs sink into insignificance t>y 

 tlie si io of them. Their sui)eriority may be owing to the peculiar mode of rearing them, 

 but tl ey are certainly veiy noble animals, natuially of large size, and highly deserving to be 

 Lstroi^uced into the United Sutes. A pair of them will easily kill a wolf, and flocks under 

 *.^'2ir ';are need not fear any common enemy to be found in our country. 



.1. H. Lyman." 



Mr. Kendall* speaks of meeting, on the Grand Prairie, 

 —a flock numbering seventeen thousand, which immense herd was guarded by a very few 

 in>?n, assisted by a large number of noble dogs, which appeared gifted with the faculty ol 

 keeping them together. There was no running about, no barking or biting in their system 

 of tactics; or the contrary, they were continually walking up and down, like faithful senti 

 neis, on the outer side of the flock, and should any sheep chance to stray from its fellowsi 

 ihe dog on duty at that particular post, would walk gently up, ti\ke him carefully by th* ear 



