PROTECTING SHEEP FROM DOGS AND WOLVES 377 



the comfort which the household dog brings to them, that 

 the home is not to enjoy the protection of a watch dog, 

 or that the lover of sport is not to have his hunting dog; 

 but it does mean that those who keep dogs are morally 

 bound, and should be legally bound, so far as laws can 

 bind them, to keep their dogs from worrying the farmers' 

 sheep. 



The great amount of the waste thus incurred in main- 

 taining useless dogs is the least part of the loss. It is 

 small in comparison with the loss sustained by the nation 

 in the extent to which the attacks of dogs hinder the 

 extension of what should be one of the greatest industries 

 which the nation possesses. 



The- dog in sheep husbandry — The dog has his place 

 in sheep husbandry, and an important place it is. The 

 shepherd dog is wanted to help in guiding the sheep, and 

 the hunting dog is frequently wanted to aid in defending 

 it. It would not be possible to care for sheep on the 

 ranges in the absence of dogs, because of the size of 

 the flocks. The sheep on western ranges cannot be led 

 by the shepherd, as were the smaller flocks in ancient 

 times. They must be driven, and it would be quite 

 impracticable to drive flocks so large without the aid 

 of one or more dogs. The necessity for the aid of the 

 hunting dog in defending the flock is dependent upon the 

 degree of the hazard to exposure incurred by proximity 

 to the haunts of wild animals which prey upon it. 



The shepherd's dog is also a necessity in arable areas 

 that are in a large measure unfenced, and even in areas 

 where the pastures are large though fenced. A well- 

 trained dog under such conditions, and also on the range, 

 is far more helpful to the shepherd than even a mounted 

 assistant would be. The time will never come under 

 range conditions, and also under conditions that are ara- 

 ble in whole or in part, when the shepherd dog can be 

 entirely dispensed with. 



The true shepherd's dog furnishes a wonderful illus- 



