Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1909 — MY FRIEND THE COLLIE. [ARTICLE]

MY FRIEND THE COLLIE.

Many Commendable Points About This Fine Animal. The rough-coated Scotch Collie is one 0 i the most popular dogs among canine fanciers and breeders in England or America, writes A. D. Burhaus In Recreation Magazine. The columns of any dog journal bristle with business announcements of breeders. Suburban, urban and country folks are learning of the true value of usefulness of this splendid animal. He is a friend and trusty servant anywhere. The finest points about a Collie Is his head and expression, as breeders call it. A dog with an elegant coat, and general Collie form, but without a good head, is not worth much, according to the fanciers. The head is moderately wide and skull flat, with a clean cut mouth and rather lengthy over all. Ears want to be carried low and when the dog is on the lookout they want to be elevated well up , yet the tips should tip over even and gracefully. In coat he must be very heavy and long. The frill about his neck must be long and beautiful. Collies are either golden sable and white or tri-color, i. e., black, with white and tan markings on frill, breast, legs, head and ears. The sable and white Collies are the most popular in this country, as well as In their native land because of their extreme beauty. The white markings to be valuable must be a full, wide collar, white tip of tail, blaze in the face, white markings on legs, frill and breast. The more perfect these markings, other qualities being good in proportion, the more valuable the animal. I have been impressed greatly, during my few years’ experience with Collies, with their extreme intelligence. Having kept and bred fox terriers and Bostons previously, makes me love the Collie the more. Nothing that has come to my notice concerning either the fox terrier or the Bostonß has been disadvantageous to them. There is an indescribable something that fascinates one to a Collie above all others. He loves to obey. It has been bred into them so long that It is a fixed characteristic. He can so attach himself to you that nothing would ever let you part from him. Any breeder or dog fancier loves his Collie best —the warm corner in the heart is reserved for him! Why? Because he reciprocates. He will not stand a cuffing nor a kick—a sharp word of rebuke Is more than enough to corect him. It may be this tenderness of heart that makes him so affectionate. The time to get a Collie is when he is eight months’ old. If he Is much older It takes too long to win him. A few words on general care: In all favorable weather wash the dog once each week. Feed him twice daily of cooked food. Do not keep him too fat. Good muscular condition and a smart, alert Collie are not the result of too much feed. Once a week give half a teaspoonful of powdered sulphur in a pan with some milk. It keeps his blood in fine condition. Use a medicated animal soap when washing him. Disinfect the kennel with crude carbolic acid once a month. In fall and winter, when washing is out of the question, owing to the unfavorable weather, dust him through all his dense coat with a tobacco dust powder. It is a fine method of keeping his skin clean and insects off after contact with other dogs. Have him clipped in summer if convenient, and let him ga on the vacation with you. He will love the water and it will be a sin to leave him home. * ;