132 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. 



sheep-dog, for which he is fitted by his peculiarly woolly coat and 

 ample frill, rendering him to a great degree proof against wet and 

 cold. Like the colley, he is impatient of control in playing tricks, 

 and, indeed, can seldom be taught to display them even for a 

 time, his intelligence not being of a very high order at all events, 

 if the attempt is made in any direction but that of his peculiar 

 calling, for which, as far as known, he has ne^er been employed 

 anywhere else. But he is always cheerful in the house, generally 

 free from smell either of coat or breath, and readily taught to be 

 cleanly in all his habits. He has not the fondness for game gen- 

 erally exhibited by the colley, and on that account is more suited 

 to be a ladies' pet, nor is he so pugnacious as that dog, being as a 

 rule inclined to run away rather than fight, when the choice lies 

 between those alternatives. From these peculiarities it may be 

 gathered that he is quite up to the average in his fitness to fill the 

 position of companion. 



The specimen selected for illustration is only of average perfec- 

 tion in the shape of body and head, but his coat is highly charac- 

 teristic of the true breed. He took the first prize at the late Isling- 

 ton Show of the Kennel Club. This variety of dog has become 

 very popular as a house dog in America, but of late has fallen into 

 some disrepute on account of his snappish disposition. 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND. 

 ? 



This most valuable animal is of three very different kinds, viz. : 

 1. The true Newfoundland ; 2. The large, loose-made, and long- 

 haired variety, known as the Large Labrador; and 3. The small, 

 compact, and comparatively short-haired dog, known as the St. 

 John's or Lesser Labrador breed. All were originally natives of 

 Newfoundland, and though many are bred in England, fresh 

 specimens are constantly being imported from the island. Many 

 of the naturalized strains are now more or less crossed with the 

 mastiff or setter. They are chiefly used for ornamental purposes 



