ALSATIAN DOGS.

Evening Star, Issue 21822, 11 September 1934, Page 6

ALSATIAN DOGS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—la reply to “ Fair Play/’ ,1 stand by the statements contained in my letter of September 5. I am not the only one that tried, but could not make a success of training Alsatians to sheep work. I doubt very much if “ Fair Play ” has any knowledge of the capabilities required in working sheep dogs. If he does why does he quote lady farmers, etc., who will probably only keep one dog for driving a few sheep or cattle about the farm ? There is a vast difference in the capabilities of sheep dogs that are used by shepherds for mustering and general sheep work on big runs and stations as compared to the farmer's dog who is only used for road and paddock work. If “ Fair Play ” has any knowledge let him make it known what particular class of work these Alsatians are best adapted for, and, further, will he be prepared to stage a trial, Collie v. Alsatian, in high country, hill, and paddock work? There are scores of Alsatians in and about Otago, so he should not bo short of dogs in that respect. Ho goes on to say I call the Alsatian a wolf hound, and states that such is ridiculous, as a wolf dog—viz., a hybrid —does not and cannot exist as a breed of dog. “ Fair Play ” lias a Jot to learn liere, as the -progeny from a wolf and dog crossed arc quite capable of producing, and will produce, no matter to what side they are mated. The dingo of Australia, really a specie of wolf, when mated to any breed of dog produces offspring that are productive. The Eskimo dog and the Canadian husky have been produced from wolf crosses. They are definitely a wolf cross, and so is the Alsatian. In Cassels’ ‘ Book On the Dog,’ where every conceivable breed of dog is described, the Alsatian is not mentioned, so he is evidently a new edition or else has been given a new name. German sheep dogs are mentioned and described, both the rough-coated variety and the smooth-haired. it states that Herr R.ittmeister von Stephanitz. of Oberhayern, Germany, has been making efforts to try and eliminate the wolf chax’actcr from the smooth-haired breed (probably now known as the Alsatian). But neither the Alsatian, the Eskimo dog, nor the Canadian husky is a suitable breed to be allowed at large in a sheep-raising country. (Australia was wise to that.) Allow any of these breeds to take to the back country and in a few years Now Zealand would have sheep slayers on nightly prowl, just as destructive as any wolves. What is meant by “ shepherd ” dog? Is the name being used here to lead to the supposition that the Alsatian is a sheep-working dog as. is the Collie? If “Fair Play” would study the head characters of the different species of wolves, and also that of any pure-bred dogs of recognised breeds, he would no doubt see a vast difference; but, as the Alsatian is a combination of wolf and dog breed, it is not essential that he should possess Li-uk woL' characteristics, as “ Fair Play ” mentions, with regard to eyes and skull. I made no mention in my letter of September 5 of any sheep worrying, and also we are not required to go to the North Island to see what Alsatians are supposed to do. Let us see them m action here at the sheep dog trials and in high country work.—l am, etc., Musterer. September 10. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I for one endorse every word that has been said about these dangerous animals. They are bad enough when they are in their own backyard, but when you see two ladies standing in the centre of the footpath in Princes street with a half-bred wolf on a chain, each of them with plenty of chain to reach right across the path, I think it is not safe for the public, and certainly should be put a stop to. I for one gave them plenty of room, which forced me to the road. Hoping that something will be done to put a stop to this practice,—l am, etc., Saeety. September 10. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —“ Musterer ” states that the Alsatian dog does not take part in sheep trials. I am able to say he is wrong, as in the Taranaki sheep-dog trials they were first, second, and third. He also says that he has tried them out at sheep, but they were a failure compared with the collie, but we will allow for him, as you can lead a horse to water, hut you cannot make it drink. Would “ Musterer ” kindly give me their breeding, as he says thej wore from good strain, and 1 am ven interested in breeding. He says that the Alsatian is a wolf dog. There is no trace of wolf in the Alsatians. There is only one dog in New Zealand that has traces of the wolf in it, and that is the white dog known as the samoyed, L agree with “ Fair Play ” in saying that if “ Musterer ” would study the skulls of the Alsatians and the wolf- he would see that there is a vast difference between them. The nearest to the wolf skull is the samoyed and the English retriever, and if “ Mn.sterer ” would like it proved, I have il for proof. I myself have tried the Alsatian out at sheep and cattle, and he is ideal—most obedient and honest I have had Alsatians for five years and have not known one of them to bite anyone in that time. Hoping “ Mus terer ” will .take a couple of Alsatians in his team this year, hut trained ones —I have a heading and luintaway in good trim after their winter holidays —1 am, etc., Fair Go. Seplemher JO.