104 Dog Shows and Doggy People 



kennel of Old English Sheep-dogs seen in this country for many 

 years. 



I need not say that this lady is most enthusiastic as a fancier, 

 and really loves her dogs ; and all those who, like the writer, have 

 long bred and kept the variety will know what devoted, affectionate, 

 and quite fascinating creatures they are full of life and fun, over- 

 flowing with high spirits and sociability, very active, and make grand 

 guards and companions. Probably there never were at any time 

 within the memory of the present generation so many good speci- 

 mens to be seen of these interesting dogs as during the last ten or 

 fifteen years, mainly due to the efforts of such breeders as Messrs. 

 Edwardes-Ker, Parry Thomas, Dickson, Shout, E. T. Rees, King- 

 lake, Weager, Tilley, and Mrs. Fare Fosse. 



Wall-eyed Bob and the Sheep bitch Pegotty, both of unknown 

 pedigree, were sire and dam of Birthday a massive bitch, with 

 immense bone "and skull, and coat of wire growing in great profusion. 

 She took several prizes, but was too low on the legs for a first-class 

 show bitch. Only two of her litters (both by Sir James) were reared, 

 the first containing Champion Thundercloud and Sallie in our Alley 

 (both well-known winners), the second containing Snowdrift, Child 

 of the Mist (both too well known to need description), and Champion 

 Fair Weather (thought by many persons to be the best of her breed 

 ever seen). Birthday has now joined the great majority, but she 

 will be remembered as one of the best of brood bitches. 



Mrs. Fare Fosse has been very fortunate in breeding good dogs, 

 and goes in mostly for the Wall-eyed Bob strain, not only on 

 account of his type and beauty, but because of his marvellously 

 robust constitution and the healthiness of his stock. A delicate 

 Sheep-dog is better in his grave than on the bench, and if we 

 want healthy young stock we must see to it that our stud dogs and 

 brood bitches are sound and in the pink of condition, else it is 

 better to leave breeding alone. 



Wall-eyed Bob must have been between fifteen and twenty years 

 old when last shown, which was at the Royal Botanic Gardens, 1898. 

 He won all before him, and attracted the attention of our present 

 Queen, who honoured him with many endearing pats and words of 

 admiration. 



Bobtails improve with age, and carry their years better than any 

 other breed, as they ought to be thick-set and muscular, and it is 

 by no means uncommon to find a dog looking much handsomer at 

 seven years old than ever he did at three. 



