The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-07
SEES
COLLIES IN
HOME LAND
Scrubby in Appearance, but
Work Well Under
Training,
BY JOHN w. RAPER

ANYWHERE IN SCOTLAND-In
my visits to villages and in riding
through the country on train and in
auto / saw no collies that could be
compared in appearance with the
American collie. Those I saw had
poorly shaped collie heads. poor coats
and were under the weight of the
well-bred collie at home, but they
showed in handling sheep and cattle
the intelligence for which they have
been credited.
I,asked ]. c. Dalgliesh, the provost
of alashiels on the Tweed, If I had
looked at the dogs with an American
prejudiced eye. Mr. Dalgliesh is Scot.
lands most eminent authority on dogs
and is we'll known by dog fanciers in
Cleveland, where he was the judge
at collie show several years ago
mo. you are right about it," he
said. But you should understand
that we breed two classes Of collies
here, one for show purposes and one
for work. You never see the former
running around here with the free
dom he has in the United States. He
y
He looks like the collie to which you
have been accustomed at home"
CoIlies Drive Cattle
! can imagine no greater treat for
a dog.lover than to watch a collie
handle stock here in Scotland I saw
one man and two dogs take forty
head of Highland cattle right through
the center Of Glasgow about o'clock
one evening.
Highland cattle are small animals,
with long bangs hanging we'll down
on their foreheads, tremendous horns
for the size OF their bodies Big.
wild eyes give them sort OF ferocious
look, but farmers say they are quite
gentle and easy to handle.
The cattle were coming down Battle
ST. and had to cross Buchanan. one
Of the uveliest streets in Glasgow, and
at a point close 10 the theater dis
trict. Buchanan ST. was fairly well
covered with street cars and autos
mot so many Of the latter as in the
American city. of counsel and stood
on the corner to watch what I ex
pected would be a rare miXup.
Real Brain Power?
But there was no mixup. A street
car broke the herd in two sections,
but one dog looked after the front
section, keeping the cattle moving I'M
til they were across the street, when
he whirled and ran like a streak
back 10 the other section. The cattle
in the latter were we'll punched. with
their dog on one side and the driver
on the other
Two Of those in the rear turned
as though they intended to go back
home. but by that time the returning
dog was barking at ir heads and
they continued with the bunch. Then
cog No. FASTENED 10 the cattle away
ahead and marched along with them.
Several times while watched autos
approaching and others going in the
same direction threatened, thought,
to cause a stampede. but there was
always a dog at their head at exactly
the right minute So far as I could
see, the driver was giving no signals
with his long stock, and he neither
shouted nor whistled
The dogs appear to move instinc-
lively. to turn around .st the very
instant any of the cattle behind them
failed to march in order.
NEXT: Mrs. Smith, If you think
housekeeping is hard work In this
country, just read next how few of
your ordinary conveniences the Scotch
woman has to work with.