The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-08-28
SHEPHERD DOG CONTESTS


ers In France.
For two years there has existed In
France q society known as the Club
du Chen de Berger Francois" which
is devoted TO the improvement of the
breed of shepherd dogs in that eoun'
Try
1t is seconded in its efforts by ths
ministry of agriculture, and its work
has been OF such a nature that shepherds
and drovers take more than a little
pride in possessing membership in it.
The dogs used in France for guarding
and driving aocks and droves differ
considerably from the Scotch collie.
Two of the principal breeds cultivated
there are known as the dogs of Beaucs
and of Brie, the country of the fragrant
"fromage.-
The dogs of Beauce have a rough
coat, sharp nose, erect, pointed ears
and something of a wolfish appear
ance- Those of Brie have long, shaggy
hair which conceals their eyes and to
q great extent the form of their limbs
As both these localities are at No
great distance from and on opposite
sides of Paris the greatest rivalry ex-
lists between them.
The club held its first competition last
year in the neighborhood of Charities
and the second was held just a month
ago at Angerville. q village in the de-
partment of Seine ct Disc. on the plains
of Beauce, where shepherd dogs are
numerous and which are easy Of &C
cess to the drovers of the stock yards
of La Villette in the northern suburbs
of Paris
In judging the dogs entered in eompe
tition their points of beauty and the
purity of breed are first considered,
and then follows the most interesting
part of the competition, the conducting
of a flock of sheep over a prepared
course by each dog entered. This o n
test is described by q writer for In
lustration:
AT half-past 10 the procession starts
from the town hall of Angerville for
the proving ground, two mounted gen
darmes opening the line of march. fol-
lowed by the Opheonic society" (the
name with which brass bands dignity
themselves in French villages. Then
follow the spectators and the com
petitors. conducted by their masters
The route over which the sheer
should pass without deviation is traced
on the plain by two burrows turned by
a pillow. and marked from place to place
H. e-aT1 z-al-a- eo,,s,- %-,a,IoraI ..-
nantS.
In the park at the commencement
of the course is a large drove of sheep
which are to play their humble role in
the spectacle.
Each shepherd is required to drive
a group of Is sheep over the course,
which has been made difficult by bar
riers. bitches and hedges, and it is the
duty of the dog 10 see that none of them
wanders from the flock.
The troop should pass over all OBJ
s~tacles, climb the hillocks. descend into
bitches and pass between the hedges
which form a choked passage in a COM
pact band from which no sheep should
be allowed to separate itself
Amusing incidents are not lacking.
OF the 81 dogs entered few succeed in
their Is sheep safely to the
goal. Wild chases over the plain and
between the feet of the spectators are
frequent. More than one of the shep-
exasperated by the stubborn
ness of the sheep before the obstacles.
seizes the leader by the tuft of wool
at the nape of the neck known as the
'chignon' and Grags him through the
passages. thus inducing the
of the stupid band TO follow
like sheep
The best dogs are those who do not
become nervous or excited. but by their
,almness and by taking their time pre-
the scattering Of the flock.
"A good shepherd dog should not nip
hind legs Of a sheep. as a cut from
his sharp teeth may spoil the shank,
which furnishes the most salable cut
Of mutton. but should seize the animal
by the 'chignon.'"
After the trials of driving. the sheep
are placed in hurdles. and a COMPETE
lion of placing and separating into lots
S held, and the day is terminated in a
in the village with Examinations,
merry-go-rounds. dancing, and like
amusements.-N. Y. Herald.