Evening star., 1900-05-19
THE scoTCH COLLIE.
Believed to Be the Hest Dog for the
FRFnn.

Farm.
From the Albany Country Gentleman
By long odds. the best farm dog is the
Scotch collie, sometimes called the "shep-
herd dog. Nine-tenths of the dogs in the
country are valueiess from the financial
standpoint, to say the least and perhaps a
majority are worse. 1 have no quarrel with
those who keep a dog because they or the
children love and want a dog. But have
in mind the dog whose labor pays for his
keep, and more. on the. average farm. Such
a dog is the well-trained collie. / have
sometimes heard it said that to have a
good farm dog, even though he is a collie.
he must not be petted. especially by the
children. l am sure this is incorrect as to
the collie. He ought to be petted. But the
good farm dog. be he collie or something
else. should spend most of the day about
the barn and feed lots, and not about the
house. His work, and, if he is properly
trained. his inclination. will keep him
among the farm animals The collie likes
farm animals; suppose that Is why he Will
handle them better than any other dog. l
have had much experience in driving and
herding cattle, and can testify that in this
work man and a well-trained collie can
do as much three men. / understand
that the work of the collie with sheep is
even superior to its work with cattle.
know it will drive hogs well. and 1t is prac-
ticaly the only dog that will. 1t is sur
collie will save on the farm, and steps mean
money.
l know of no better watchdog than the
collie. 1t is very alert and courageous. Its
kennel should be in the yard, near the
house, should be made warm. placed in
some sheltered corner, and we'll supplied
with hay and ''old clo'es." Nearly every
collie is very kind TO children, and may be
made their pet. without hurt TO the dog.
The care and thoughtfulness of some col
lies that l have known. exercised toward
their little friends, was pathetic. l know
of no other beast nearly SO afIectiOnate:
know of no ether beast SO intelligent He
will soon learn every animal on the farm
detect an intruder in minute notice if
one of the animals is missing. and give the
alarm If one is in distress. There s not
more profit or satisfaction. in proportion to
the cost. in keeping any animal on the farm
than there is in keeping good collie.
To train collie is not difficult. One must
be firm. kind and patient. l have never
seen pup of any breed or no breed that
did not want to drive at the head at the
beginning. AS soon as it goes to the head
of an animal, call it back and start it out
again If it again goes to the head, call
it back little sharply. If it persists In go
ing to the head, give it a sharp tap or two
with your hand. Usually that will be sufii-
cient punishment. When 1t does start in to
drive right-behind the animals-call it to
you in kind voice and pat its head. and
let 1t know that 1t is doing right. 1t is fully
as important to commend the pup for good
cases. 1t will be necessary to give the pup
its first lessons with long. light cord
around its neck. so persistent will he be in
going to the head. When 1t goes to the
head of an animal. pull it back behind and
hold 1t there. 1t will soon catch on to
what Is the proper position.
Some pups are disposed to use their teeth
This must be corrected at the very begin
ming. When d pup uses its teeth, call 1t
sharply. If 1t does not desist call 1t back
and scold it. Send it forward, and If it
again uses its teeth, call it back and cuff
It's mouth. An intelligent pup will soon un-
derstand that it is not to use It's teeth in
driving.
Use your hand much. pointing always to-
ward where you wish the dog to 60 when
training a pup. This will aid him greatly
in understanding what you want, and when
he Is trained he will keep a watch on your
hand and be quick to obey Its commands
A dog trained to observe the hand as well
as the voice is worth nearly twice as much
as if trained to observe the voice only.
Finally, If the dog is well fed-enough
clean, wholesome food to keep him in good
fesh-and is given the exercise that the
work of the well-trained dog will afford he
will keep in good flesh. and foods and
medicines will not be needed But do
not let him suffer with the mango or su-
perabundance of feas: 1t is only humane to
get the proper remedies at once. And re-
member that good dog is too valuable. for
his health and life to be endangered by his
being made to swim in a cold or rapid
stream after sticks-a sport that boys, and
some men, find very delightful