BOOK II. 

 SHEEP AND CATTLE DOGS. 



CHAPTER I. 

 THE COLLEY AND OTHER SHEEPDOGS. 



THE COLLEY DOG. 



HENEVEE a serious controversy occurs in relation to the general 

 character of any breed of our domestic animals, or to any peculiarity 

 said to exist in it, there is often strong reason to conclude that 

 the arguments pro and con. are founded upon unsubstantial premises. 

 It happens in canine matters, as in most others, that facts are 

 sometimes invented to support a theory which has been previously evolved out 

 of the author's inner consciousness, the theory itself owing its birth to a desire 

 on the part of its inventor to explain the existence of some peculiarity connected 

 with a bantling belonging to himself, either in the shape of an individual or a breed. 

 For example, some years ago that good sportsman, the late Mr. Lang, introduced a 

 strain of lemon and white pointers, which was taken up so successfully by Mr. 

 Whitehouse that he gained nearly every prize in the medium-sized classes of our 

 shows. Straightway several of those who have possessed themselves of one or two 

 of the colour contended that it was in itself a proof of high breeding ; but, I am 

 happy to say, neither Mr. Lang nor Mr. Whitehouse was of that opinion, both of 

 them resorting to a liver and white dog when they wanted a cross, and one of that 

 colour happened to be the best at their command. Time has shown the propriety 

 of that decision, and good judges of the breed now accept either colour without 

 scruple. In all breeds of dogs which are useful to man there are certain attributes 

 which are essential to the full development of their powers in the right direction, 

 and by these attributes it is easy to estimate any animal of the breed under con- 

 sideration. Thus a greyhound must have a form calculated to develop high speed, 

 and for distances averaging somewhat less than a mile. A foxhound should have 

 speed also, but united with high powers of scent, and stamina sufficient to carry 

 him at a speed somewhat less than that of the greyhound for ten times the above 



