THE ALSATIAN DOG BILL

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 91, 17 April 1936, Page 6

THE ALSATIAN DOG BILL

I see the Alsatian Dog Bill is to be brought up again for further consideration, and it is to be hoped that this time it will meet with success. The amount of money invested in the breed lias got nothing to do with it, as it is the safety of human beings and domestic farm animals that counts. 2*o doubt Alsatian owners will argue that other breeds of dogs are equally bad at sheep worrying,'but they seem to forget the fact that one Alsatian is equal in destructive power to six ordinary dogs. As far as my experience of dogs goes, and I have had quite a bit, including Canadian huskies, or half-bred wolves, I consider the Alsatian is more than a quarter-bred wolf—he is nearer half-bred. As to the set of the eyes, that is nothing to go by—one cross of tlie dog would alter that. A pure-bred wolf can be taught to perform and go through as many tricks as the best trained Alsatian, and as for working sheep or cattle, they are absolutely useless and have never yet won a prize at aiiy sheep dog trial, and not likely to do so either. Seeing that there are 110 wild dogs in New Zealand for them to interbreed with, I consider a £5 registration fee and a strict muzzling order for all Alsatians, either puro or crossbred, would amply meet the occasion. ALEX. BOYD.