174 ALL ABOUT DOGS 



country, but I also think that if they were more known, 

 they would be more kept, as they have many advan- 

 tages in their favour, and, like other short-coated 

 breeds, their change of coat is hardly perceptible, 

 whereas we know how very unsightly is any long- 

 coated breed of dog when " out of coat." The points 

 of this breed are the same as in the Rough-coated 

 variety, except in coat. 



Bobtail Sheep Dogs. Another very favourite breed 

 with many is the Old English, also called the Short- 

 tailed, more commonly known as "Bobtailed " Sheep 

 Dogs, and, except for being rather large, and carrying 

 a heavy coat, both of which are objections in a house, 

 they are very agreeable companions, as they are very 

 warm, in fact devoted, in their affections, capital 

 guards, quick to learn and carry out their owner's 

 wishes, well able to take care of themselves in any dif- 

 ference with any other breed of dogs, and so marvel- 

 lously active, and muscular, that I have seen a " Bob- 

 tail " win prizes in open jumping competition with all 

 other breeds. To look at them no one would have the 

 slightest idea of their lively and active character. I 

 have had a great deal to do with them, having kept and 

 bred them for many years, and almost my earliest re- 

 membrance of any kind of dog, is connected with a 

 shaggy old customer of this breed called " Billie," be- 

 longing to a very old friend of mine, at a Somerset- 

 shire farm, with whom I was on the closest terms of 

 friendship, and whose companionship used to impart a 

 strong " doggy " odour to my garments on the occa- 



