THE "ALSATIAN”

Evening Star, Issue 21099, 11 May 1932, Page 9

THE "ALSATIAN”

FOR AND AGAINST THE BREED I have often been asked to deliver judgment in the case of the so-called “Alsatian.” I say “so-called” because the term was applied for the sake of convenience, writes Major H. Cox, in the Manchester ‘ Guardian.’ If during 1914-1918 the dog had been given its true name, “ the German Sheepdog,” it would certainly have lost a good deal of that popularity which was fairly well established before the war. No breed of dog has been the centre of such controversy. 1 rather fancy that much of the prejudice was due to its origin. On the other hand, its obvious similarity in structure, balance, symmetry, and movement to the wolf may have caused many people to eye it with some suspicion in regard to its moral qualities. It can bo easily understood why Alsatian fans ” so fanatically uphold the superiority of the breed. Undoubtedly its intelligence is remarkable, its beauty unquestionable, and its domestic qualities most attractive. But they have made the mistake of ignoring the temperamental qualities of .the Alsatian, while overaccentuating its real claims to appreciation. If people are found seriously asserting that Alsatians are not more temperamental than any other breed of dogs, one can only be sorry that the animals are so badly championed; I suggest that anyone holding such a view should put it to the test; that he, or she, should go along the ranks of Alsatians on the benches at any leading championship show and proceed to fondle each of them. . Then, if he is still left with sufficient nerve, let him repair to the ranks of, say, the Labradors, the Flab-coated or Golden retrievers, and the English setters, and repeat the demonstrations. “ HANDS OFF.” Or perhaps the order should bo reversed. The experimenter might visit the gun-dogs first; and then, probably being in possession of a whole skin, although rather besmirched by the slavering of some of the less sedate animals, he should submit himself to the “ not more temperamental ” Alsatians. I have no doubt as to the result. I do not deny that some of the Alsatians in the line might not resent the stranger’s advances or even receive them with dig- 1 nified indifference, but I would be mightily surprised if he failed to see, and perhaps hear, the warning signal: “ Hands off,” or to receive a severe laceration without any warning at all. No, it needs be said that the Alsatians are possessed of temperamental peculiarities, and consequently should be bandied with combined gentleness and firmness. This treatment is essential to the future of a youngster of the breed in order to secure its own safety and that of the persons who associate with it, to say nothing of that of other dogs. Now, a word as to the origin of the Alsatian and its relationship to the wolf. There arc some defenders of the Alsatian who protest that it has not, and never has had, any connection whatever with the wolf. The only evidence that they can produce is such German archives ns schedule long pedigrees which are supposed to be immaculate. Now, this is what the Americans call “ bunk.” A dog’s pedigree, extending over a century or two, is irrelevant to an evolution which has progressed for at least thousands of years. Moreover,

there is nothing to challenge the supposition that from time to time an infusion of wolf-blood has been surreptitiously introduced. “ LOPE ” OF THE WOLF.

However that may be, the connection by blood is obvious from a comparison of the general physical characteristics of the two breeds. Why, the very “ gait ” of the Alsatian, to which so much importance is given by judges, is nothing more or less than the characteristic “ lope ” of the wolf. The blood of the wolf may not have been directly reintroduced for many generations; nevertheless breeders have evidently been at great pains to reproduce and maintain the very characteristics which the Alsatian shares with it. Another peculiarity of both species is constant in the wolf, but only latent in the Alsatian. It is known that though a hc-wolf cub may be reared as a domestic pet and prove perfectly tame for as long as two years, yet in the end he often becomes untrustworthy, and may at any moment turn upon those whom previously ho had loved and obeyed. Now, it is remarkable that every Alsatian which has suddenly “ run amuck ” has been of the male sex and over two years old. A certain percentage of Alsatian bitches are irreclaimable savages, but as a rule they are reliable enough if properly disciplined. This is equally true of the she-wolf, which, when domesticated, is usually as loyal, as affectionate, and as benevolent as a canine bitch.

On© more point, and this, to my mind, is conclusive. A wolf and an Alsatian can be, and indeed often have been, successfully mated, and, what is more, the consequent issue have not proved sterile, as they would certainly be if the parents were not germane in blood and descent. The “ cross-breds ” thus produced can bo remated with either wolf or dog and still produce fecund progeny! My opinion, therefore, is that the “ Alsatian ” or German Sheepdog of to-day has suffered unjustly from the exaggerations and prejudices of its enemies. Nevertheless, its defenders have been far too rash in their wellmeant attempts to place the dog on a pedestal as the living embodiment of all that is noble and reliable.