IX.  “It remains,” said Atticus, “to speak of the last of the quadrupeds on our programme, that is to say, of dogs, which are of the greatest importance to us who feed the woolly flock, for the dog is the guardian of such cattle as lack the means to defend themselves, chiefly sheep and goats.  For the wolf is wont to lie in wait for them and we oppose our dogs to him as defenders.  Hogs can defend themselves, as well pigs, boars, barrows and sows, for they are near akin to the wild boar, which we know often kills dogs in the woods, with their tusks.  What shall I say of large cattle?  I know of an instance of a herd of mules pastured together, which, when they were attacked by a wolf, joined in forming a circle about him and killed him with blows of their hoofs:  and again, bulls often stand together, rump to rump, and drive off wolves with their horns.  But of dogs there are two kinds, hunting dogs, which are used against wild beasts and game, and herd dogs, which are used by the shepherd.  I will discuss the latter methodically, following Scrofa’s nine heads.

“Of the first importance is the choice of dogs of suitable age, for puppies and old dogs cannot protect themselves, much less the sheep, and so often become themselves the prey of wild beasts.

“In appearance they should be handsome, of good size, with black or tawny eyes:  a symmetrical nose:  lips blackish or ruddy, neither drawn back above nor hanging underneath:  a short muzzle, showing two teeth on either side, those of the lower jaw projecting a little, those above rather straight and not so apparent, and the other teeth, which are covered by the lips, very sharp:  a large head, ears large and turned over:  a thick crest and neck:  long joints:  straight legs, rather bowed than knock-kneed:  feet large and well developed, so that in walking they may spread out:  toes slightly splayed:  claws hard and curved:  the pad of the foot neither horny nor hard but as it were puffed and soft:  short-coupled:  a back bone neither projecting nor roached:  a heavy tail:  a deep bark, and wide gaping chops.  The colour to be preferred is white because it gives the dog a lion-like aspect in the dark.[143] Finally, the females should have large teats equally distributed.  Care should be taken that they are of good breed, such as those called for their place of origin, Laconian, Epirot and Sallentian.  Be careful not to buy a sheep dog from a professional hunter or a butcher, because the one is apt to be lazy about following the flock, while the other is more likely to make after a hare or a deer which it might see, than to tend the sheep.

“It is better either to buy, from a shepherd, dogs which are accustomed to follow sheep or dogs which are without any training at all.  While a dog does readily whatever he has been trained to do, his affection is apt to be stronger for the shepherds than for the flock.[144]