ALSATIAN DOGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 16

ALSATIAN DOGS

CLUB'S NAME ALTERED *' GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS" TRAINING REAL WORKERS The New Zealand Alsatian Club has changed its name to tho New Zealand German Shepherd Dog Club. The alteration was authorised at tho seventh annual meeting of the club, when, after considerable discussion on reported cases of ferocity in Alsatian dogs, and methods of training, it wan decided to signify the club's intention to breed and train German shepherd dogs of true character and type. "An Alsatian dog is not an animal for a city ilat," remarked Mr. L. Lees, a former president of the club, "and we will make every effort in tho coming year to stamp out, by law if necessary, tho chaining up of Alsatians or any other breed of dog." Ho emphasised tho fact that in Germany Alsa'tian dogs were used not only for sheep mustering, but also for highly trained work with tho police, and for leading the blind. There were several cases on record of Dominion farmers successfully using Alsatian dogs for shepherding.

Members ok' the club expressed tho opinion that too much attention had been paid to "show points" in Alsatian dogs in tho past. The fact that some were actually used for working sheop seemed to have been overlooked. It was stated that Captain G. Dibbern, of Kiel, Germany, who acted as judge at a recent show in the Dominion, formed his opinions 'in relation to the German working dog standard, paying special attention to temperament and pedigree. This was in contrast to the usual New Zealand "show dog" standard of adjudicating. Referring to reported incidents of savagery in Alsatian dogs, Mr. Lees said tho club admitted thero was some cause for complaint, but in more than half tho cases tho dogs concerned were halfbreds, and not pure Alsatians. "In future, tho club will concentrate on producing and training real working dogs," said Mr. Lees. "They will have the true shepherd dog character, and 'show points' will be only a secondarv consideration."

Mrs. A. Lyle Marfurt, the retiring president, said that all owners of Alsatian dogs should train them at an early age. Even if circumstances prohibited extensive training, every dog could be taught ordinary street manners, and if this were done public prejudice would soon evaporate. The following officers were elected: Patron, Police Commissioner W. G. Wohlmann; vice-patron, Mr Albert Russell; president, Mr. L. Lees; vicepresident, Mr. L. Kitching; honorary veterinary surgeon, Mr. J. Lyons'; honorary seerotary-trcasurcr, Miss M'. Marshall; committee, Messrs. E. Robson, C. Schmidt, Wedgewodd, Berry and Pounall, Mrs. Williams and Miss G. Low.