Dogs and All about Them

n ideal companion. Although the modern dog is seen less often than of old performing his legitimate duties as a shepherd dog, there is no ground whatever for supposing

rge of sheep, of cattle, and of New Forest ponies. So deep-rooted is the natural herding instinct of the breed that it is

iever, being usually under excellent control, generally light-mouthed, and taking very readily to water. His natural inclination to remain at his master

rs into the belief that he is an ornamental rather than a utility dog. Nothing could be further from the fact. Nevertheless, he has few equals as

ub were still undreamed of. From time immemorial a sheepdog, of one kind or another, has presided over the welfare of flocks and herds in every land. Probably, in an age less peaceable than ours, this canine guardian was called upon, in addit

h each of them, and notably the Owtchah, has many points in common with the English bob-tail. It is quite possible that all of them may trace their origin, at some remote period, to the same ancestral strain. Indeed,

Suffolk, Hampshire, and Dorsetshire, and also in Wales. Youatt writes of it in 1845, Richardson in 1847, and "Stonehenge" in 1859. Their descri

ittle doubt that this last is merely a variant of the breed. He differs, in point of fact, chi

d, by disciples of the Darwinian theory of inherited effects from continued mutilations, that a long process of breeding from tailless animals has resulted in producing puppies naturally bob-tailed, and it is difficult, on any o

ess one, but the modern custom undoubtedly accentuates its picturesqueness by bringing into special prominenc

succeeded in obtaining for him a separate classification at a recognised show, and at the Curzon Hall, at Birmingham, in that year three temerarious competitors appeared to undergo t

og has made great strides in popularity since then. At Clerkenwell, in 1905, the entries i

g Club, a society founded in 1888, with the avowed intention of promoting the breeding of the ol

issentients were wont to suffer periodical castigation; Mr. W. G. Weager, who has held office in the club for some twenty years; Mrs. Mayhew, who capably held her

upon them to lay down, in a succinct and practical form, leading

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cording to the colour of the dog, but dark or wall eyes are to be preferred. NOSE-Always black, large, and capacious. TEETH-Strong and large, evenly placed, and level in opposition. EARS-Small, and carried flat to side of head, coated moderately. LEGS-The fore-legs should be dead straight, with plenty of bone, removing the body to a medium height from the ground, without approaching legginess; well coated all round. FEET-Small, round; toes well arched and pads thick and hard. TAIL-Puppies requiring docking must have an appendage left of one and a half to two inches and the operation performed when not older than four days. NECK AND SHOULDERS-The neck should be fairly long, arched gracefully, and well coated with hair; the shoulders sloping and narrow at the points, the dog standing lower at the shoulder than at the loin. BODY-Rath

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of the adult. For this reason it is a great mistake to allow the dam to bring up too many by herself. To about six or seven she can do justice, but a healthy bitch not infrequently gives birth to a dozen or more. Under such circu

rump as possible. The operation is easy to perform, and if done wit

later to gruel and Quaker Oats, their steadily increasing appetites being catered for by the simple exercise of commonsense. Feed them little and often, about five times a day, and encourage them to move about as much as possible; and see that they never go hungry, without allowing them to gorge. Let them play until they tire, and sleep until they hunger again, and they will be found to thrive and grow with surprising rapidity. At six weeks

r will they prosper, but care must be taken that they are never allowed to get wet. Their

, and the more his fare can be diversified the better will he do justice to it. Biscuits, Rodnim, Flako, meat, vegetables, paunches, and sheep's

ed it be well ventilated and free from draughts. In very cold weather a bed of clean wheat straw is desirable, in summer the bare b

t be allowed to mat or tangle, which they have a tendency to do if not properly attended to. Mats and tangles, if taken in time, can generally be teased out with the fingers, and it is the greatest mistake to try and drag them out with combs. These la