DOG'S INTELLIGENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 251, 4 August 1933, Page 2

DOG'S INTELLIGENCE.

•'GOOD AS A FARM HAND." , MANY TASKS PERFORMED Marked intelligence is displayed by a dog owned by Mr George Parker, poultry farmer, of Hall Avenue, Mangere, Auckland, and in many ways the animal is able to assist him in farm tasks. The dog, a large black and tan roughhaired collie dog, named Jack, is five years old and is almost human in his ability to understand what is said to him. ■ "He is as good as a farm hand and works like a boy," said Mr Parker on Saturday. One of the dog's first daily duties is to collect the newspaper from near the front gate, where it is delivered, and carry it up .to the house. At a word of command the dog will 'open gates, drive in horses and cattle from paddocks and round up wandering ducks and fowls. His knowledge of poultry is amazing and he will separate and round up the different species of fowls. Black Orpingtons, White Leghorns and Silver Wyandottes, as desired. His master has only to say "silver" and Jack is off in hot pursuit of .the Silver Wyandottes. He can also separate without difficulty the roosters from the hens and will single out certain birds if directed to do so. Should any bird cause trouble the dog will "throw" it and gently carry it by grasping one of its legs between his teeth. Jack also collects new-laid eggs, bringing them one by one in his mouth and he feeds the fowls by carrying a small feed-box in his mouth and shaking the grain out. The birds arc not at all alarmed by the dog and at feeding time they gather round him by the score. When Jack was acquired by Mr Parker as a six-months-old puppy ho used to eat all the raw eggs he came across, but now he would not eat one without permission. Perhaps one of Jack's most useful achievements is eradicating docks from the paddocks. He knews that docks are not wanted and he vigorously digs and pulls them up by the roots, later placing the weeds in a neat pile on one side. Other accomplishments include climbing up step-ladders and fetching garden tools. He knows them all by name. Jack and several cats and kittens on ■the farm receive their meals together, and 1 they frequently drink from the same dish. As a watchdog Jack excels and is invaluable to Mr Parker.