Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-12-13
GREAT WORK OF SHEEP DOGS.
Trials In Which They Are GuIoed Only
By SionaIs and Whistles.

| oIlt VI lIC SIiSSp uOS IL ioio "i''N'' 80
famous occasions in England is de-
scribed in the Youths Companion by
a spectator. In one corner of big
meadow a number of wild sheep were
confined in small temporary pens. for
the trials are made with sheep that
have never before been folded
A double line of flags defined the
course over which the sheep were to
be driven by the dogs. This course
! was circular in shape, and at one end
was fenced enclosure, in the centre of
which was pen.
At a signal from the judge of the
trials one of the shepherds took his
place at a stake which had been driven
in the ground near this enclosure. To
the stake was fastened a rope with
loop through which the contestant
passed his left arm.
The rules governing these contests
are that no word shall he spoken by
the shepherd, nor may he move from
the stake. He is expected to control
the movements of his dog entirely by
whistles or gestures of his free right
/ arm. And thus instructed it is the
dogs business, within a specified time
to drive the sheep between each pair
| of flags to the enclosure and into the
| pen.
On a second signal from the judge
one of the temporary pens was open
ed and three sheep were liberated.
Sheep are proverbially hard to drive
but when they have passed their days
far up on the fells, never hearing any
sound but the voice of their shepherd
and the bark of the sheep-dog, and are
suddenly introduced into the presence
of a noisy crowd, many carriages, sew
eral motors and brass band, the task
becomes doubly difficult.
The first dog had things much his
own way, for the sheep, Thoroughly
frightened. ran straight up the course
between the flags until they had COW
cred half the distance: then they
swerved and bolted in different direc-
tions. The shepherd now began to In
struct the dog as to the best way TO get
them back into the course at the point
where they had left it.
With admirable tact, stopping every
| few seconds to listen for orders, the
| dog gently urged them back into the
| way they should go, betraying no un-
due haste although the shepherd saw
that they were kept in constant mo-
ton. Presently they were in the course
again and the dog nursed them along
between the flags, but the moments
were flying, and before they had reach
ed the goal time was called.
II was much the same with two other
trials. both full of excitement, but un-
successful. 1t seemed such an impos-
sible feat that we abandoned the idea
that it could be accomplished and eX-
pressed our disappointment.
A farmer standing near us turned
and said: Don't We gle up now-wait
for Davy's dog!"
AS he spoke a fourth shepherd TOOK
his place at the stake with his dog at
his side The dog was small and or
dirty slate color, with shaggy coat and
| hair hanging about his very bright
ewes. and he seemed to have special
appreciation of what was expected or
him. Probably he remembered former
| trials.
He sat beside his master his little
red tongue hanging out in his excite
ment and his head cooked on one side,
alert for the first signal. He looked
about him with the keenest interest
and trembled with anxiety To be at
work, but never moved.
| Three sheep were liberated, and at
the first gesture from the shepherd he
was after them like fash. but a whis-
tie brought him instantly to walk as
he neared them. AS one Of them snow
ed an inclination to wander whistle
sent him after it with an eruption Of
expostulatory barks. He got it back
with its mates and passed the three
between the next flags, when two OF
them turned and ran back.
The dog, perplexed, stood still. but
a signal from his master sent him
tearing after the runaways. He looked
like a gray streak against the green
| English turf as he ran to head them off
and turn them back to the course.
| This accomplished he started them
up the course at lively gait, nipping
| at their heels to hurry them. Joining
the other sheep all three of them trot-
ted off, the dog in close attendance.
It was not all plain sailing, however
The sheep seemed to have taken sud-
| den aversion to going between the
| flags. A whistle from his master and
he dashed to the right; another whistle
and he dashed to the left; still another
whistle and he was jogging peacefully
in their rear, his tongue lolling out
| They were on the home stretch now
and the farmers had their watches out.
Then the shepherd and the dog went to
work in good earnest. One more pair
of flags and the pen and the prize
and only two minutes left! The shep-
herd kept his expressive right arm in
constant motion and every kind and
condition of whistle issued from his
| lips.
When the dog failed to understand
he couched and waited for a repetition
Of the signal. Then off he would go.
now to the right of the sheep, now to
the left, now making savage dashes in
their rear. They were through the
last pair of flags, two of them in the
enclosure, when the third, which had
been the best behaved of all, refused to
| enter.
| There was no time to lose and the
dog evidently knew it. He was firm;
indeed he was more than firm. A Sc
ries of nips at the refractory sleeps
flank, some very fierce growls and it
followed the others through the small
gate and into the pen. The shepherd