INSTINCT OP DOGS. 127 



may have superior instinct, and yet show less than another 

 of a more phlegmatic, sociable, or easy disposition. This 

 accounts for the difficulty of procuring a good retriever from 

 a cross between the water-dog and terrier, so valuable if the 

 medium between them is preserved ; because when the dog 

 partakes too much of the nature of the terrier, his quick 

 temper unfits him for the purpose, * and when too little he 

 is generally deficient in nose. A cross between the water-dog 

 and any others of the sporting kind would be still less likely 

 to suit ; and the Newfoundland is too large, and of the wrong 

 colour. Perhaps (the noses of 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 pro- 

 geny 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 to guide or carry the 

 benumbed wretch home. The colleys in the Highlands do 

 the same when sheep are in jeopardy, and know their own 



* A dog of a very cool temper will retrieve wild-fowl better in loch-shooting, 

 than another with quicker movements and perhaps a finer nose. Many of the 

 cripples in this shooting take refuge in weeds and bushes, and the keen-tempered 

 dog is apt to overrun them, thus losing time ; whereas the other slowly tracks them 

 one by one to their hiding-place. It must be recollected that I do not speak of coast 

 and cover shooting, where more agility is required : on the coast, from the num- 

 bers to be secured after a heavy shot of the stancheon gun ; and in cover, that 

 wounded hares and rabbits, winged pheasants, &c., may be more speedily retrieved. 

 For my own part I should prefer the slow dog even in cover, but few sportsmen 

 like to wait. 



