108 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [CHAP xiv. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Anecdotes and Instinct of Dogs Anecdotes of Retriever Shepherds' Dogs 

 Sagacity Dogs and Monkey Bulldog Anecdotes of Shooting a 

 Stag Treatment of Dogs. 



So much has been written, and so many anecdotes told, of the 

 cleverness and instinct of dogs, that I am almost afraid to add 

 anything more on the subject, lest I should be thought tedious. 

 Nevertheless I cannot refrain from relating one or two incidents 

 illustrating the instinct, almost amounting to reason, that some 

 of my canine acquaintances have evinced, and which have fallen 

 under my own notice. Different dogs are differently endowed in 

 this respect, but much also depends on their education, manner 

 of living, &c. The dog that lives with his master constantly, 

 sleeping before his fire, instead of in the kennel, and hearing and 

 seeing all that passes, learns, if at all quick-witted, to under- 

 stand not only the meaning of what he sees going on, but also, 

 frequently in the most wonderful manner, all that is talked of. 

 I have a favourite retriever, a black water-spaniel, who for many 

 years has lived in the house, and been constantly with me ; he 

 understands and notices everything that is said, if it at all relates 

 to himself or to the sporting plans for the day : if at breakfast- 

 time I say, without addressing the dog himself, " Rover must 

 stop at home to-day, I cannot take him out," he never attempts 

 to follow me ; if, on the contrary, I say, however quietly, " I 

 shall take Rover with me to-day," the moment that breakfast is 

 over he is all on the qui tnve, following me wherever I go, evi- 

 dently aware that he is to be allowed to accompany me. When 

 left at home, he sits on the step of the front door, looking out 

 for my return, occasionally howling and barking in an ill- 

 tempered kind of voice ; his great delight is going with me when 

 I hunt the woods for roe and deer. I had some covers about 

 five miles from the house, where we were accustomed to look 

 for roe : we frequently made our plans over night while the dog 



