CHAPTER VIII 

 THE COLLIE 



THE townsman who knows the shepherd's dog only as he is to 

 be seen, out of his true element, threading his confined way 

 through crowded streets where sheep are not, can have small 

 appreciation of his wisdom and his sterling worth. To know 

 him properly, one needs to see him at work in a country where 

 sheep abound, to watch him adroitly rounding up his scattered 

 charges on a wide-stretching moorland, gathering the wander- 

 ing wethers into close order and driving them before him in 

 unbroken company to the fold ; handling the stubborn pack 

 in a narrow lane, or holding them in a corner of a field, im- 

 mobile under the spell of his vigilant eye. He is at his best as 

 a worker, conscious of the responsibility reposed in him ; 

 a marvel of generalship, gentle, judicious, slow to anger, 

 quick to action ; the priceless helpmeet of his master the 

 most useful member of all the tribe of dogs. 



Few dogs possess the fertile, resourceful brain of the Collie. 

 He can be trained to perform the duties of other breeds. 

 He makes an excellent sporting dog, and can be taught to do 

 the work of the Pointer and the Setter, as well as that of the 

 Water Spaniel and the Retriever. He is clever at hunting, 

 having an excellent nose, is a good vermin-killer, and a most 

 faithful watch, guard, and companion. Major Richardson, 

 who for some years has been successful in training dogs to 

 ambulance work on the field of battle, has carefully tested 

 the abilities of various breeds in discovering wounded soldiers, 

 and he gives to the Collie the decided preference. 



It is, however, as an assistant to the flock-master, the 



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