THE INTELLIGENT MONGREL.
A very large proportion of sportsmen use pure-bred dogs ; and of these an increasing proportion are Newfoundland retrievers. The breed has now a quite unchallenged pre- eminence that is well deserved, and yet, it may be that the first cross between different breeds gives finer senses and stronger physique. A first-class retriever bitch belonging to a farmer in the Home Counties gave birth—to her owner's great disgust—to a litter of puppies fathered by a great Dane. Rather reluctantly he saved one from this strange conjunction, and not a little to his surprise it has proved altogether exceptional in nose and intelligence. It is quite useless to leave the dog behind if it is left its liberty. He finds Isis master either by scent, if it still lies, or by direct. search. He knows exactly where he is likely to be at any time of day. His nose is certainly quite exceptional ; but the mongrel also possesses a particular capacity, that doubtless more formal sportsmen than the farmer could not appreciate, of catching rabbits on its own initiative. The other day he brought three to his master's feet in crossing one end of fa: small field of rough grass.
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