The Drover’s Dog.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 14, 8 April 1905, Page 12

The Drover’s Dog.

The drover’s dog is a nondescript, and he has never been the theme of literature like the shepherd’s dog. That animal, whether the aristocrat ie Scotch eollie, or the hobtailed old English sheep dog, has a pedigree and position. Of both, says the "Globe,” there are plenty of anecdotes and eulogies, as regards their sagacity and cleverness. Compliments, indeed, are their habitual enjoyments. The drover’s dog is not a. sheep dog, and only now and then from some expert of discernment does Be get anything agreeable said of him. As a breed, his designation is not knowßs The reason may be given in the remark <m«e% made by a drover in answer to a question, “What’s a drover’s dog? No in pertidar. but any one as shows a likin’ for the job.” His mingling of aneestry may be undecipherable, the sole thing about him that movers care for is that as a youngster he showed a liking for rounding up cattle, and keeping them going, and an aptitude for getting out of their way when they become wild or vicious, with a plucky dexterity in driving them back into the main body.

His work is incessant when the herd are getting bewildered and impatient at the episodes of the road. Round the bul» locks, in front of them, behind, dodging horn and hoof with nimble accuracy, barking till he is hoarse at command, roared at “with imprecations” when he obeys his owner, who has simultaneously; altered hie mind, and possibly kicked, if the latter is unusually savage, the poor drover’s dog has a hard life of it, indeed. Yet he enjoys it, for did he not, jMould his puppy-hood have shown a Eking lor hustling bullocks? A grunt of acquiescence is about as much as he will get when he comes to heel, for drovers are taciturn, even when (as a good many are J they are fond of their dogs. Despite, however, his perilous work, and his faQgac, frequent objurgations, and the occasional thwaek or kick front the more savage class of owner—fortunatoly a minority—the nondescript cattle aog has as much affection in his Stanneh heart and intelligent wistful jyes as any dog that was ever famous. Sec the wearied muddy or dusty creature, hardly able to crawl after a hard day’s journey with a wild Tot of eattla and « morose bad-tempered drover who is also addicted to beer as an emollient, when the Ritter is sitting drinking stolidly inside the public-house, and the dog fa outside on the step curled up. or, perhaps, ftmilly sitting near, the door. Hour after hour may go. while the yoicCß grow fancier and the tobacco•anoke denser, within, the drover and his acquaintances may be getting what they deem their quantum of liquor at’ there leisure. Jjefther bit nor sup has the dog oufeida, unless some kindly, hand mug® film K morse), or offers a; pail of watex— in cither ease his eyes Apeak Bis Shanks—but there he remains patient, and a model of fidelity, and weald do so. were it is duty, all night. And be wfiT not leave until his owner comes out —and possibly kicks him for getting in ®s way. Whatever !Rs conduct er his temper, bs Sfe condHiqg, the dog’s affection ie imrered. and fe owner is the individual whom oH Ms loyalty » given. PosSfbfa a casefis, a pat on the head, st fondly word in that dog-talk which all fovers of ffie race understand, is never his nxwrieiUie. If matters not. His feeTrag' far ESs owner is as affectionate as, or more affectionate than, that of fen west petted favourite of breed and accomplishments for his proud proprietor, Nor is it m any degree lessened by rough usage. So if the reader should ever come on a rough-haired, mud-stain-ed. unobtrusive dog keeping an eye on a Serf of Eußoeks by himself, or simifarty lying outride a public-house, he may perchance throw the neglected forlorn creature a biscuit, or aught else which fa handy. and it will be appreciate cd as something unwonted by the drov* ei*s dog.