On nutty dogs

Press, 24 February 1977, Page 16

On nutty dogs

“ Man’s best friend is his dog ”, says the adage that has comforted mankind from time immemorial. Dr R. J. Holmes, a lecturer in animal behaviour at Massey University, argues, however, that the dog has a viewpoint in all this too, and regards man as part of the pack. The one viewpoint may be as unflattering as the other. Dr Holmes says that there is a rational explanation for the behaviour of pets. But none save the scientifically minded will rejoice in knowing that something caused Muggs, the Airedale in Thurber’s story, “The Dog that Bit People ”, to bite people. It is a loss of faith not to believe that some dogs are simply made that way. Dr Holmes thinks that there are so many nutty dogs around because they have been bred to look beautiful, not for behaviour.

Except for the beautiful bit some support may be found for his view by listening to farmers, especially on hot days, describe their dogs. Long lines of perverse breeders have obviously conspired to produce dogs that are no use for anything. Nor is it to be forgotten that some dogs have heads so beautiful and big that they have to be born by Caesarean section.

The behaviour of another animal that strayed into the news recently may soon give rise for concern. This is the white horse that New Zealand is going to give to the Toshogu Grand Shrine in Japan, where it will be described as the Honourable Sacred Horse. The New Zealand S.P.C.A. has properly shown itself concerned about the housing of the horse, to make sure the stable is large enough as well as being sacred, and that the horse gets proper exercise. We may expect that David Tharp, our correspondent in Japan, will keep an eye on the horse’s welfare. So far he seems very impressed by the accommodations at the shrine. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs might have a role as observers.

If the horse is adequately housed and exercised, its duties do not appear arduous. It must eat, take exercise, stand on show, and sleep at the appropriate times. Its predecessor, also a Kiwi horse, performed the duties well and has lived to the ripe old age of 26. But will two Kiwi horses adapt themselves to the ancient Japanese order? And if the new horse fails to conform, will the Japanese blame the horse? Or will they be persuaded by Dr Holmes’s thesis and wonder about the New Zealanders who made the horse what it is?