The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1902-06-05
THs GUILE DOG.

That the Collie is pre-eminently the
most intelligent and useful of all canine
races Is proved by the respect and popu-
larlty he has attained, says we'll
known writer. He is capable of per-
forming nearly anything in the way of
herding or attending to stock, and the
stories told of his intelligence almost
surpaSs belief. Training is not conduct
| ed on any set rules. The best trained
Coliles have lived with their masters
from puppyhood: and learned to asso
clate With sheep from their earliest
| Gays. The Inherited habits of genera
lions also predlspose these sagacious
| ANIMALS to the duties required of them.
| Perhaps no better proof exists of the Col
lie being specially ii stock dog when we
consider his attitude for driving sheep
or cattle. Shepherds state that they
can safely trust several hundred sheep
to the Sagaclty of this valuable dog,
which does not hurry them, but drives
as cooley and as cautiously as if his
master were present; and for gathering
band OF sheep or cattle, one dog is
capable of doing the work of dozen
men, and among the winters SHOWS
and rains the Collie is dry and warm;
his double coat protects him, and ma
ture provides him with his summer coat
in due season.
So popular has the Collie become in
many parts of Scotland as a sporting
dog, that he bids fair to put the Re-
triever out of the field They will hunt
and retrieve their game more tenderlv
than the Retriever, being more tender
i'll the mouth, are more easily trained
and are not SO stubborn. They are pre-
eminently suited for duck hunting,
their double coat preventing their skin
from getting wet. They will readily
take to water the coolest day in winter,
and, being excellent swimmers. their
desire for the gun gets intense. They
are certain to become favortes with the
sportsmen of this country.
The Collie is by far the most useful
dog on a farm. 1t was while farmer
! that | fell in love" with the Collie.
My dog 'Laddie' would bring the COWS
from the pasture to be MIXED, and
when told take them back again alone:
he would keep the crows off the newly
| planted potatoes or grain fields and
save me many a long tramp Collies
are very expert at killing ITS and mice:
III fact, mine kills all kinds of yermin
here. Skunks, coons and such like are
! quickly killed by the Collie; and for the
protector OF farm. by day or night. no
more alert watchdog exists The Collie
is decidedly the best all-purpose dog for
handing the various kinds of stock on
a farm aud is truly the farmers
friend.
Colies have become fashionable in
Scotland, and i'll every country where
known, as pets for ladies and children
and general house dogs. Their beauti-
full long silky coats, kind disposition
cleanliness and general intelligence
make them great favorites with the
ladies. In cities no lady would be con
sldered fashionable unless she had her
hands me Collie following her when
out walking OF calling with her car
riage; and many fancy price is
given for Il good specimen of new
color, the sable being the fashion at
present to correspond with the valuable
sable furs. AS safeguard for children
to accompany them in their walks the
Collie is most faithful, and when
brought into the family when young
gets very much attached to the house
hold. and soon becomes a general
fayorite with all.-Coleman's Rural
World.