408 THE SCOTCH SHEEP DOG. 



make a very valuable dog for all the pui"poses of the former. 

 They learn easily, are very active, and so far they fully answer 

 our expectations. 



"A neighbor to whom we gave a bitch of the first litter, 

 would tell her to go into such a lot and see if there were any 

 stray cattle there ; and if there were any there, detect them 

 and drive them down to the house. He kept his cattle in the 

 lot, and it was full eighty rods from the house. The dog was 

 not then a year old. We had one of the same litter, which 

 we learned to go after cows so well, that we had only to tell 

 him it was time to bring the cows, and he would set off for 

 them from any part of the farm, and bring them into the 

 yard as well as a boy. I think they would be invaluable to a 

 farmer on the prairies. After raising two litters, we sent the 

 bitch to Illinois. I hope farmers will take more pains in 

 getting the shepherd dog. There is no difficulty in training. 

 Our old one we obtained when a pup, and trained him without 

 any trouble, and without the help of another dog. Any 

 man who has patience, and any dog knowledge at all, can 

 train one of this breed to do all that he can desire of a dog." 



The Scotch Sheep Dog oe Collet. — The light, active, 

 sagacious CoUey admits of no superior — scarcely an equal — 

 where it is his business merely to manage his flock, and not 

 to defend them from beasts larger than himself. Mr. Hogg 

 says that a " single shepherd and his dog will accomplish 

 more in gathering a flock of sheep from a Highland farm than 

 twenty' shepherds could do without dogs. Neither hunger, 

 fatigue, nor the worst treatment will drive him from his 

 master's side, and he will follow him through every hardship 

 without murmur or repining." 



The same well known writer, in a letter in Blackwood's 

 Magazine, gives a most glowing description of the qualities 

 of his CoUey, " Sirrah." One night a flock of lambs, under 

 his care, frightened at something, made what we call in 

 America a regular stampede, scattering over the hills in 

 several different bodies. " Sirrah," exclaimed Hogg in 

 despair, "they're a' awa!" The dog dashed off through 

 the darkness. After spending with his assistants the whole 

 night in a fruitless search after the fugitives, Mr. Hogg 

 commenced his, return to his master's house. Coming to a 

 deep ravine, they found Sirrah in charge, as they first 

 supposed, of one of the scattered divisions, but what was 



