ALSATIAN DOGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21978, 13 June 1933, Page 6

ALSATIAN DOGS

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, “The reply by '“Vox Populi” to my letter, whilst not by any means evasive, contains statements that are open to criticism. In the first place, his reference to “ fallacious assumptions ” on my part is not very pleasing to me. Notwithstanding his very lengthy statements, I still fail to see where the inherent love of children is apparent an Alsatian. Your correspondent says: “The object_ of breeding was to combine the sagacity, courage, and power of the wolf with the kindness and docility of the other ani--mal.” Will “ Vox Populi ” please explain how the breeding leaves out the savage cunning, the bloodthirstiness, and other wild animal qualities of the wolf, and yet retains only its sagacity, courage, and power? He suggests sagacity. I suggest brutal cunning. Your correspondent’s statement of what constitutes a public place is amusing. He states that a city street at mid-day is unquestionably a public place ; but at midnight it may, in certain circumstances, fall outside the category of public places, etc.” Princes street at mid-day is a public place. “Vox Populi,” on his own statement, would be prepared at midnight to go through street at an excessive speed if a motorist or fire a revolver if fond of diversion; and feel so sute of its not being a public place that he would notify the police of his intention to do so at that hour. —I am. etc. Safety First. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In to-day’s issue there appears a humorous rather than serious letter by “R. S. ” on Alsatian dogs. One cannot read this without smiling a little at the quiet way in which “ 11. S.” betrays his complete ignorance both of the history and facts concerning the breed. “R. S., ’ like others, undoubtedly intimidated by the wolf-like appearance of the noble Alsatian, seizes upon such trivial accidents as he mentions to alienate public opinion, while other breeds are constantly performing worse actions and no more is heard about it. We are not at all interested in the childish pranks of “R. S.” in parading around netting enclosures when he discovers that an Alsatian keeps on walking in the one direction, concluding with great reason that such an animal must be dangerous, and reciting with vigour his zoological experiences. He delves into rather ancient history and finds that about forty years ago some wild dogs (breed uncertain) caused some trouble in Central Otago—a time when no Alsatian had yet been imported into New Zealand. He then considers himself bound to issue a timely warning to the Government in true statesmanlike fashion. “R. S.” forgets, or is unwilling, to admit, or\ is perhaps entirely ignorant of the better side of the Alsatian’s character indicated in numerous and daring rescues from drowning and from burning homes, and undying fidelity under all' circumstances. Perhaps if “R. S.” were to make himself a little more acquainted with Alsatians and to witness some of these dogs performing their repertoire of tricks with an intelligence that puts some human beings to shame, he would change his tone from a hostile to a more friendly one.—l am, etc., Fancier.