THE ALSATIAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 11, 14 January 1929, Page 6

THE ALSATIAN.

So much ha? been written about tie Alsatian recently by people who have only a very slight acquaintance with individual doge that I crave space for a few lines on the subject. Having been acquainted with this eplcn< did dog since early childhood. I may be able to give the public a little information pained by practical experience. In England. France, America and Germany this breed has been established for many years, and mostly tope the list numerically, as registrations " show. Out of all thoxe thousands of doge how very seldom have there been complaints made and how narrow minded to cr>i. enm a whole flock because of one black sheep. It ie a case of give a dog a bad mime, and because the name has been changed to wolfhound many people immediately begin to look for the wolf and shut their eyes to the many splendid qualities possessed by these friends of man. The Prince of Wales ha* owned two Alsatians for year* now. and one could hardly believe that he would thus encourage tiie breeding- of these do:rs were they really the menace that pome folks would have u« beli-ve. Would Germany, which has been using this dog for minding sheep, really be foolish enough to cross it with the wolf? Believe me. the Alsatian, given fair treatment, is not only useful, hut faithful, gentle and intelligent. " ALIC E REXDT.

As a past breeder of sheep dogs, I must disagree with "Local Breeders" statement that the Alsatian dog is harmless and a sheep worker. An Alsatian cannot be controlled by voice or whistle once he gets out of sight of his master; he is off and on the hunt for something to kill—anything will do him. providing it shows no fight, a wild pig. for instance. As for the claim that the Alsatian is a German sheep dog, it is absurd. I claim to have seen most German breeds of sheep dogs, but certainly none of the Alsatian type. That the Alsatian is a wolf can be proved by his head. As for intelligence, it has yet to "be proved that the Alsatian has as much intelligence as a month* old puppy of any breed. The Alsatian is certainly only a mongrel breed, and cunning at tnat. KEEP THEM OUT.