INSTINCT OF DOGS. 183 



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 collies and terriers being pretty much 

 upon a par) a breed between a water-dog and a collie 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 collies 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. 1 All this may appear very 

 wonderful to any one unacquainted with the nature of dogs ; 

 and still more so when he sees the very collie 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 that the 

 degree of sagacity they will exert for our benefit or amuse- 

 ment depends in a great measure upon their tempers and dis- 

 position ; and that the treatment they meet with has much to 



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

 the numbers to be secured after a heavy shot of the stanchion-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. 



1 A shepherd of my late father, celebrated for having the best collies 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. 



