THE ALSATIAN DOG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20156, 17 January 1929, Page 14

THE ALSATIAN DOG.

Sir, —May I bo permitted to say a lew words in defence of the Alsatian. During the war the name of the German shepherd dog was changed into Alsatian wolfhound, surely not to the advantage of the breed.-. I am glad to hear that now at least the original name has been restored in France and America. Why not follow this example? I should like to know Whether the person who asserts that German shep-. herd dogs are crossed with wolves in Germa i zoos lias any proof that this is done," or whether he is merely making state- ; ments founded on rumour. A very old breeder of New Zealand sheep dogs told me that roughly speaking, about hah' the collies bred and reared here have to be destroyed, because they contract the bad habit of worrying sheep. Why, then, make, such a fuss, when just a few of the thousands of Alsatians have to be de-> stroyed because they contract the same habit? During nine months 4944 Alsatians were registered in England. As to the dog being savage, one only needs to visit the dog shows to find vicious dogs in many breeds. The Alsatians benched at the "Auckland Show were all good tempered, I am certain I could get the names of many New Zealand people who are well satisfied with their splendid companions, and perhaps voj may have noted how very rarelv the owner of a fall-grown Alsatian offers him for sale. Those who know the Alsatian as a breed, not as a single specimen of a somewhat unusual breed, know it to be a dog friend of exceptional merit. Alsax.