INSTINCT OF DOGS. 143 



colleys and terriers being pretty much upon a par) a 

 breed between a water-dog and colley might answer 

 well ; there is only the objection, that the progeny might 

 be too large and conspicuous. 



With regard to the St Bernard dogs, what is it they 

 do but what almost any dog of equal strength might be 

 taught also ? It is certainly a noble occupation, but far, 

 I should think, from difficult, to teach a dog to run the 

 track of a man upon the bare mountain, and either guide 

 or carry the benumbed wretch home. The colleys in 

 the Highlands do the same when sheep are in jeopardy, 

 and know their own flocks from any others. They will 

 also climb hills and work by the slightest signal from 

 their masters at the foot.* All this may appear very 

 wonderful to any one unacquainted with the nature of 

 dogs ; and still more so when he sees the very colley 

 which had excited his admiration, completely outdone 

 in some more domestic feats of usefulness by a wretched 

 turnspit. 



If, therefore, my hypothesis be correct, that there , is 

 not so much real difference in the instinct of dogs, but 



* A shepherd of my late father, celebrated for having the best colleys 

 in the country, preferred those with quick tempers, to save himself trouble. 

 This man used to stand at the door of his hut, sending his dogs to " clear 

 the marches/' at the tops of the highest hills. They worked by signal long 

 after they could not hear his voice. For this distant work, a slow dog, 

 though more easily broke at first, and steady as a rock afterwards, was 

 often found too lazy. The shepherd has known one lie down to rest for an 

 hour behind a rock, when he thought himself unobserved. He therefore 

 reserved these cool geniuses for the near work, and sent the younger and 

 more keen-tempered on the distant and toilsome duty. 



