154 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



THE WATER DOG. 



The hair of this animal is long and curled, like the 

 fleece of sheep, and the feet are more webbed than those 

 of other dogs. Its qualities render it of great service 

 to those persons in the north of England and Scotland 

 who live principally by shooting water-fowl, in the 

 retrieving of which it displays great docility and hardi- 

 hood. Its accuracy in bringing back any articles which 

 have been lost or purposely mislaid, is truly surprising. 

 If, for instance, one be shown to a dog of this species, 

 and then concealed, he may be sent from a distance a 

 long time after, and he will search until he finds it, when 

 he will carry it to his master. 



" A friend of mine," says Mr. Bell, " possessed a 

 bitch of nearly the same breed, which evinced a degree 

 of intelligence scarcely less than human. One instance 

 of her sagacity and faithfulness I cannot refuse myself 

 the pleasure of recording. My friend was travelling on the 

 continent, and his faithful dog was his companion. One 

 day, before he left his lodgings in the morning, with 

 the expectation of being absent until evening, he took 

 out his purse in his room, for the purpose of ascertain- 

 ing whether he had taken sufficient money for the day's 



