THE SHEPHERD'S, OR SHEEP DOG. 



11 



Notwithstanding this peculiar affection for its muster, it was in the habit of biting others, without 

 I lie slightest warning or indication of anger. It never barked, but at times had a sort of whine. It was 

 remarkably cunning, and much resembled the fox ; for it was in the practice of strewing its meat 



TUB KSQl IMAUX DOG. 



round it, to induce fowls or rats to come within its reach, while it lay watching, as if asleep, when 

 it instantly pounced upon them, and always with success. It was swift, and had a noble appearance 

 when running, and earned its fine bushy tail inclining downwards. 



THE SHEPHERD'S, OR SHEEP-DOG* 



THE muzzle of this animal is longer and sharper than in the spaniel ; its ears are short and erect, 

 or semi-erect, and its general contour is light strength and activity being combined. Still, its skull 

 is developed, and its intelligence is extraordinary. 



This animal presents an interesting example of the effect of education on instinct. No one, it is 

 presumed, can doubt that it was originally a destroyer, not a preserver, of sheep. On the 

 contrary, like all other dogs, it is carnivorous, and nature prepared it to devour. In some cases, 

 indeed, we hear of its ravages ; but education has, to a certain extent, supplanted instinct, and induced 

 a disposition which has become an hereditary characteristic ; hence a shepherd's dog, of the true breed, 

 takes naturally to its duties. Yet, delicate as is its sense of smell, it could not take the place of the 

 pointer in the field, even though subject to training from the earliest age. Nor, on the other hand, 

 could a pointer be substituted, with equal advantage, for a shepherd's dog. Each is civilized, but in 

 a different style; education has impressed on each a different bent of mind, a different class of 

 propensities. 



Some years ago, a dog of the shepherd's breed belonged to a man who had a large herd of cows 

 under his charge. During the summer they were depastured on veiy extensive fields in Cheshire, 

 communicating with each other, and morning and evening this dog, at the bidding of his master, would 

 collect them all together, and gently drive them to the accustomed milking-place. If, when he had 

 driven them some distance, he discovered that one was missing, he would run back and traverse the 

 fields till he met with the object of his search, which he would conduct to the herd, and then pursue 

 his ordinary duty. 



* Canis domesticns. 



