ON SHEPHERDS' DOGS. 11 



them with his crook : dogs, therefore, assist the shep- 

 herd in driving his flock, and defend it against wolves, 

 when strong enough. 



Q. In what countries can a shepherd manage his 

 flock without the aid of dogs ? 



A . In places, where the land is divided into large 

 enclosures, there is always a great deal of ground in 

 fallow, that is, not sown ; a numerous flock can be 

 there conducted without the aid of dogs. Sheep na- 

 turally go together ; they do not stray from the flock, 

 except they observe a better pasture, than where they 

 are : this allurement is commonly too far from great 

 fallows, to attract them ; but if the flock should be 

 on one end of a fallow, near land liable to injury, the 

 shepherd places himself on the side of such lands, to 

 protect them. 



Q. What injury can dogs do sheep, and how can 

 they be restrained ? 



A. Dogs badly disciplined, and too ardent, fly upon 

 the sheep, bite and wound them, and cause abscess- 

 es. They frighten the ewes with young, by hurt- 

 ing them, and making them miscarry. They throw- 

 down the weak, and such as can hardly follow the 

 flock, or fatigue and fret them, by driving them too 

 fast. To prevent these inconveniences, it is prop- 

 er to make use of such dogs only in driving as are 

 mild and good natured, and well trained to shew their 

 teeth to wolves, but not to sheep. A good well-bred 

 dog makes them obey without hurting them. Sheep 

 are accustomed to do of themselves, what the dog 

 would compel them to, by force. They withdraw 



