133 NATURAL HISTORY. 



to support the head out of water ; and in this way he had conveyed him nearly a quarter of a mile 

 before he had brought him 'to the creek, where the banks were low and accessible."* 



THE SHEEP DOG. 



This is not only the most important of all our domestic breeds, but it is second to none for 

 intelligence and devotion. It is quite a rare thing to find a Shepherd's Dog who will offer the slightest 

 violence to the animals under its care ; and it can often be trusted almost with the entire management 

 of the flock, driving them from place to place, gathering them together to be counted, and making 

 altogether a far more valuable assistant to the shepherd than any human being could possibly be. 

 The Dog is wholly devoted to the work, and his obedience and skill are perfect, penning the Sheej 

 from field after field, for his owner, who foots it slowly after him, and finds the flock ready to his hand. 

 It used to be credibly reported to us in our boyhood, that some of these Dogs would lay themselv* 

 down by a Sheep that had got cast (i.e., was weltering, back downwards, in the clayey furrow, and, 

 loaded with wet and heavy wool, had lost power to rise) ; these Dogs, it was said, would push their 

 arched spine against the helpless Sheep, and give them sufficient leverage to enable them to rise. 



There are different kinds of Sheep Dogs found in different countries there are, for instance, the 

 English, the Scotch, and the French breeds. The Scotch Drover's Dog is also a well-marked sub-breed. 

 The Scotch Shepherd's Dog, or Colley (see figure on p. 120), is now a good deal used as a pet : it is a 

 very beautiful Dog, with a slender muzzle, small feet, long straight hair forming a sort of ruff round 

 the neck ; and, beneath this, a sort of under-coat of very soft fine hair. The origin of the Shepherd's 

 Dog is, according to Mr. Youatt, " somewhat various ; but the predominant breed is that of the intel- 

 ligent and docile Spaniel." 



THE POMERANIAN DOG 



is a breed often seen in London sti*eets. It is a beautiful Dog of medium size, with long, usually white, 

 hair, straight ears, and a tufted tail. (See figure on p. 125.) 



THE CUR 

 is a cross between the Sheep Dog and the Terrier. 



THE LURCHER 



was originally bred as a cross between the Sheep Dog and Greyhound, but was afterwards modified 

 by a further cross with the Spaniel. It is used a good deal by poachers. 



The next group of Dogs is conveniently known as Hounds; they are all used in the chase, and, 

 being bred and selected especially for this work, are good for little else. 



THE BEAGLE 



is the smallest of the Hounds, usually not exceeding ten or twelve inches in height. These Dogs were 

 formerly a good deal used in Hare-hunting, and were celebrated for their uniform size, close running, 

 and musical voice. So small were they that they used to be carried to the field in panniers. 



THE HARRIER 



was also used for hunting the Hare. It is about half-way between the Beagle and the Greyhound 

 as to size. 



THE FOXHOUND 



is, in England at least, the most important of the Hound group. He may, in fact, be looked upon as 

 one of the main supporters of that peculiarly English institution, the Squirearchy; for what would 

 become of the average country gentleman if he could not hunt through the winter six days a week, 

 and visit his Hounds on Sunday ] 



The Foxhound (see figure on p. 1 36) " is the old English Hound, sufficiently crossed with the Grey- 

 hound to give him lightness and speed without impairing his scent." His height is about twenty-two 



* Ycuatt. 



