THE ALSATIAN DOG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 15

THE ALSATIAN DOG

Sir, —Relative to the wolf ancestry of dogs. "Old Hand" is correct in his assumption with the exception of a few of the smaller breeds. Sheep-herding and all herding dogs trace descent back t<> a medium-size wolf species. My chief concern, however, is this: 1 am a lawabiding but bewildered citizen. I own an Alsatian His natural kindliness and proper upbringing enable me to guarantee him absolutely safe with man, woman or child. If certain legislation passes 1 am compelled to mutilate and torture my dog. I ask. is it fair? Is it even decently human? Is it even common horse sense to make a law-abiding citizen into a potential law-breaker? 1 leave the answers with confidence to readers. G. F<. N am>f.r. Huapai.

Sir. —-1 have had experience with several Alsatians, and 1 have found them out to be harmless, intelligent dogs, always ready to obey their master. Some folk think anybody should be able to go along and stroke any dog, or work any doc. That is not so. A working dog must, only have one master, as anyone will find out, after he has had a little experience. There arc lots of animals I could mention that are likely to bite when interfered with, but if we mind our own business and leave other people's animals alone, especially when we do not know, the animal's character. we would not have so many vicious creatures as this kind of animal is called. Before condemning the Alsatian give .him a fair trial, and class him with all other breeds of dogs, and then experience will take the place of exaggeration and imagination. Morrinsville. Frank File.