THE SPANISH SHEEP DOG. 



397 



in the opinion that the shepherd's dog is the true dog of 

 Nature, the stock and model of the whole species." 



I shall call attention to but a few of the most distinguished 

 varieties of the sheep dog. 



AEEOGANTE A SPANISH SHEEP DOG. 



The Spanish Sheep Dog. — ^The cut above affords a faithful 

 representation of a thorough-bred Spanish Sheep Dog imported 

 with a flock of Merino sheep a number of years since into 

 England. 



Soon after Arrogante's arrival in England, a ewe under 

 his charge chanced to get cast in a ditch, during the tempo- 

 rary absence of the Spanish shepherd, who had accompanied 

 the flock and dog at their importation. An English shepherd, 

 in a spirit of vaunting, insisted on relieving the fallen sheep, 

 in preference to having the absent shepherd called, though 

 warned by his companions to desist. The stem stranger dog 

 met him at the gate and also warned him with sullen growls, 

 growing more menacing as he approached the sheep. The 

 shepherd was a powerful and bold man, and felt that it was 



