. BOOK II. SHEEP AND CATTLE DOGS. CHAPTER I. THE COLLEY AND OTHER SHEEPDOGS. ,.m^ THE COLLEY DOa. HENEVEE a serious controversy occurs in relation to the general character of any breed of oiir domestic animals, or to any peculiarity said to exist in it, there is often strong reason to conclude that the arguments pro and con. are founded upon unsubstantial premisses. '^ It happens in canine matters, as in most others, that facts are sometimes invented to support a theory which has been previously evolved out of the author's inner consciousness, the theory itself owing its birth to a desire on t
. BOOK II. SHEEP AND CATTLE DOGS. CHAPTER I. THE COLLEY AND OTHER SHEEPDOGS. ,.m^ THE COLLEY DOa. HENEVEE a serious controversy occurs in relation to the general character of any breed of oiir domestic animals, or to any peculiarity said to exist in it, there is often strong reason to conclude that the arguments pro and con. are founded upon unsubstantial premisses. '^ It happens in canine matters, as in most others, that facts are sometimes invented to support a theory which has been previously evolved out of the author's inner consciousness, the theory itself owing its birth to a desire on the part of its inventor to explain the existence of some peculiarity connected with a bantling belonging to himself, either in the shape of an individual or a breed. For example, some years ago that good sportsman, the late Mr. Lang, introduced a strain of lemon and white pointers, which was taken up so successfully by Mr. Whitehouse that he gained nearly every prize in the medium-sized classes of our shows. Straightway several of those who have possessed themselves of one or two of the colour contended that it was in itself a proof of high bi'eeding; but, I am happy to say, neither Mr. Lang nor Mr. Whitehouse was of that opinion, both of them resorting to a liver and white dog when they wanted a cross, and one of that colour happened to be the best at their command. Time has shown the propriety of that decision, and good judges of the breed now accept either colour without scruple. In aU breeds of dogs which are useful to man there are certain attributes which are essential to the full development of their powers in the right direction, and by these attributes it is easy to estimate any animal of the breed under con- sideration. Thus a greyhound must have a form calculated to develop high speed, and for distances averaging somewhat less than a mile. A foxhound should have speed also, but united with high powers of scent, and stamina sufficient to carry him at a speed somewhat
Size: 2003px × 2495px
Photo credit: © The Bookworm Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorwalsh, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectdogs
