Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-09-30
CANINE CONTESTS.
Shepherd Dogs Compete Tor Eon-
ors as Herders.
A society in France which Has for
Its object the Improvement of
This breed Of DOgs-Rules
of the Contest.

For two years there has existed in
France a society known as the Club
du Chen de Berger Francais," which
is devoted to the improvement OF the
breed OF shepherd dogs in that ccau-
try.
1t is seconded in its effort by the
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 III France for guarding
and driving hocks and droves differ
considerably from the Scotch collie.
Two of the principal breeds cultivated
there are known as the dogs of Beauce
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 woltish appear
ance. Those of Brie have long, shaggy
hair which conceals their eyes and TO
a 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, village in the de
partment of Seine ct Disc, on the plains
of Beauce. where shepherd dogs are
numerous and which are easy of ac-
cess to the drovers of the stock yards
- n. Il. n Il
of Paris.
In Judging the dogs entered in compe-
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 flock of sheep over prepared
course by each dog entered. This con-
test is described by writer for LII
lustration:
AT half-past - the procession starts
from the town hall of Angerville for
the proving ground, two mounted gem
darmes opening the line of march, fol-
lowed by the Opheonic society (the
name with which bras bands dignity
themselves in French villages Then
follow the spectators and the COM
petitors, conducted by their masters.
The route over which the sheep
should pass without deviation is traced
on the plain by two burrows turned by
a pillow, and marked from place to place
by small stakes floating tricolored pen
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 to see that none of them
wanders from the flock
The troop should pass over all OBJ
stacles, climb the hillocks, descend into
bitches and pass between the hedges
which form choked passage in a com
pact band from which no sheep should
be allowed to separate itself
amusing incidents are not lacking.
OF the a2 dogs entered few succeed in
conducting 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-
herds, 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 a. the
'chignon' and drags him through the
difficult passages, thus inducing the
remainder of the stupid band to follow
like sheep.
THE best dogs are those who do not
become nervous or excited, but by their
calmness and by taking their time pre-
vent the scattering of the flock.
"A good shepherd dog should not min
the 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 competi-
ton Of placing and separating into lots
Is held, and the day is terminated III
fete in the village with illuminations.
merry-go+rounds, dancing, and like
amusements.-N y. Herald.