Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-02
collies professional Beauties" Now

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Pre-eminently the most popular of country
dogs is the collie. and deemed by many the
most intelligent. In his own sphere, a
sheep dog, he is probably without compeer
for acute knowledge of his duties in life.
and the trained instinct Is so hereditary in
him that 1t stands him in good stead when
he Is removed from the useful to the arti-
fetal life. For with his bound into popu-
larity during the last quarter of a century
he has passed into companion dog. pure
and simple, and, you may say, has become,
in practice a collie first and sheep dog
afterward, If at all. You may almost say
1t has become a professional beauty for
this is the quality that is sought for, and
commands those sensational prices, rang
ing up to $3.50, which have been paid for
single specimens. And in the opinion of
those who know and love the breed best
there is no other to compare with 1t for
symmetrical grace and perfection, as well
as for faithfulness, intelligence and affec-
ton, while the libel that it is treaCherous
by nature has long been refuted. For
those, then, who desire a companion of
convenient size, who have an eye to beauty,
and an appreciation of the soul in a dog,
the collie will be found to fit them exactly.
The collie is not an expensive dog to buy,
unless you want him for show purposes.
For 1t is an established fact in dogdom
that directly a breed becomes popular the
supply quickly overtakes the demand, and
prices never remain inflated for a long time.
The st. Bernard.
Perhaps there are no breeds of dogs
around which hangs such a halo of senti-
ment as the st. Bernard and the Newfound
land. They are associated with the saving
of human life, and this cannot but endear
them to humankind. Their very sight
inspires admiration, and as faithful COM
panions and stately retainers they stand
high above other canine aspirantS. \ great
deal of delight and legitimate pride may
be derived from their possession but the
novice must remember that they are ex-
pensive pets to keep, eating more than
| human being, and in St. Demands espe-
cially take care that he gets a sound ami
| NAL. 1 do not know any creature that is
| so essentially delectable as a st. Bernard,
! provided that it has the necessary kind
| expression" and temper, but sour
| faced one, with possibly a temper as sour,
Is to be avoided.
Ex-Sporting Dogs.
There are some sporting hounds whose
occupation, like Othello's, is gone. ana who
have consequently become purely compan-
ion dogs. Many people prefer these to the
heavier. less active. St. Bernard and New
fourdland l refer to the Irish wolfhound,
the deerhound and the Borzoi or Russian
wolfhound. The first named Is the largest
huntings hound anywhere, and is in appear
ance az gigantic, shaggy and thick-boned
greyhound. Some specimens stand thirty
four inches at the shoulder and measure
seven feet from nose to tip of tail Per-
haps I am prejudiced in their favor, for 1
once kept d large kennel of them but l
consider chem the most perfect of large
dogs. and where there Is plenty of room to
house them in suitable quarters and ample
freedom for them to run about, 1 cannot
conceive any hound which can give a dog
lovers soul greater joy and pleasure to
keep.
The deerhound Is In appearance a small
@ r Irish uOlfbOuud haJr
ing under thirty inches. SCOTS pen and
Landseer's pencil have immortalized Them
and they bear the luster of historic asso-
Citations. The introduction of modern fire
arms of greater accuracy and killing power
has robbed them of their work and they
are no longer used to bay wounded deer
or stag in the highlands; but in their ex-
pusion from the paths of war and rele-
cation to the homes of peace they have
added to our larger species of companion
dogs very charming canine friend The
Borzoi, or Russian wolfhound, is an i'm
portatlon of recent years, and Sprang into
favor when Queen Victoria was attracted
by their grace and beauty. There are few
more elegant hounds, and as they are very
fashionable their possession confers dis
tinction; on the other hand they are want
ing in intelligence, and civilization has not
destroyed their hunting proclivities so that
they require to be kept under strict con-
troll, especially in the neighborhood of
sheep.
The Apollo of Dogdom.
The Great Dane, or boarhound, which
comes to us from Germany, has been called
the Apollo of dogdom. AS a study for a
sculptor or painter it is superb in its mas
sive yet graceful physical development and
there is no more striking hound than the
harlequin" black and white variety.
The Great Dane has become one of the
most popular of the larger companion dogs
and the supply has SO overtaken the de-
mand that very fair specimen is now pro-
durable at a more moderate price than any
hound of a smaller size. To those whose
fancy inclineS to something huge and for
midable looking I would recommend the
Great Dane, who is. withal, gentle and af-
fectionate to his master, and whose terrors
lie more in his looks than in his perform
ances, provided he Is well trained.
The MaHgned Bloodhound
I can imagine the reader being much
startled and perhaps Mortified at the sug-
gestion of a bloodhound as a companion
dog. But, notwithstanding the terrors its
mere name inspires. 1T is much maligned
animal being the opposite to savage by
nature, and noble, faithful and affectionate
in character. And for sport 1t will yield
the very best obtainable-the hunting of
man! To watch them tracking a man who
has been sent on to lay a trail Is an edu-
, cation in the highest instinct of the dog,
and / need hardly add there is no danger
to the fugitive when he is overtaken, but
more probably an excessive joy on the part
of the hounds IL he happen to be one with
whom they acquainted. I give this
suggestion in all seriousness, and am sure
from what l have seen of the bloodhound
trials that anyone who went in for keep
ing and training these animals for pas
time would appreciate form of sport that
is open to many who do not know how
fascinating it is and how inexpensively 1t
can be INDUCED in.
The whippet, or race dog is another AMI
NAL whose abilities are not sufficiently ap-
preciated. There are few more exciting